Clocking In: Voices of NC Manufacturing

Stanza Machinery owner’s experience paved the way for a successful industrial finishing manufacturer. Have you ever wondered how products get their shiny and durable finishes? The answer lies in the process of industrial finishing. From furniture to cars, industrial finishing plays a crucial role in enhancing the appearance and durability of various objects. ----more---- In Charlotte, NC, Stanza M...

Burlington, North Carolina sustainable t-shirt manufacturer, TS Designs, works with natural fibers and earth-friendly printing. Always grown and made in the USA. Have you ever wondered about the story behind the clothes you wear? How are they made and what impact do they have on the environment? TS Designs is a company that aims to revolutionize the textile industry by creating high-quality, susta...

Aberdeen, North Carolina military communications manufacturer looks to grow in the industry. Military communications play a crucial role in the success of military operations. From strategizing and planning to executing missions, clear and reliable communication is essential for ensuring the safety and efficiency of military personnel. Over the years, advancements in technology have revolutionized...

The Manufacturing Solutions Center has grown to be a primer business incubator host. With its roots in hosiery and furniture development and testing, the Manufacturing Solutions Center is part of Catawba Valley Community College in Hickory, NC, working to have a positive economic impact on their community, the region, and the entire country. The organization works with traditional manufacturers an...

Greenhill Anti-Ballistics Corporation looks to revolutionize how we think about blunt force trauma prevention. In today’s fast-paced world, innovation is the key to success. Companies and individuals constantly seek new ways to disrupt the status quo and create breakthroughs. One of these breakthroughs is the Force Disruption Platform. The Force Disruption Platform is a powerful tool to drasticall...

As Emerging Technology Institute grows, the organization remains committed to helping its community flourish with them. From a simple request to creating a drone testing center, James Freeman has built the Emerging Technology Institute in Red Springs, North Carolina. Despite airspace restrictions, Freeman’s vision has flourished into a development center with a mission to improve the community. Wh...

After three generations the Burlington-based electrical supply organization Southland Electrical continues to flourish. Generational business refers to passing down a business from one generation to the next. This tradition has been prevalent for centuries, with family businesses as the backbone of economies worldwide. Southland Electrical Supply Company is a second-generation family-owned busines...

Carolina Utility Customer Association (CUCA) provides a platform for customers to voice their concerns and works towards ensuring fair and affordable utility rates. Manufacturing facilities require a significant amount of energy to operate, from lighting and heating to powering machinery. These utility bills can add up quickly and significantly impact the cost of the products being produced. But d...

Concord, NC manufacturer is making waves in the advanced manufacturing world. Have you ever wondered how complex machinery and equipment are built with such precision? The answer lies in the manufacturing of high precision parts. These parts are crucial in ensuring the smooth operation of various industries, from aerospace to medical equipment. ----more---- Ketchie Inc., a Concord, North Carolina...

Davide Varze and Markus Rusznyak tell the story of how they helped transform Wieland Copper’s Pine Hall, NC plant. What does it take to create a safe and productive workplace? Is it just about having the right equipment and procedures in place or is there something more to it? ----more---- The modern workplace is constantly evolving, with new challenges and opportunities. In recent years, there ha...

Since 2015, the EDPNC has helped North Carolina win more than 500 recruitment and expansion projects, resulting in 67,000 new jobs and $14 billion in announced new investments across the state. Economic development has been a driving force behind human progress for centuries. From the first agricultural revolution to the technological advancements of the 21st century, economic development has enab...

Greensboro, NC manufacturer beachBUB has worked to revolutionize beach umbrella safety. We all consider going to the beach an opportunity for a relaxing experience. Still, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, about 2,800 beachgoers ended up in the emergency room because of beach umbrella injuries between 2010 and 2018. Our focus in this episode is on a North Carolina business...

Lillington, NC-based security door manufacturer Boon Edam, strives to make buildings safer with “smart doors.” There has been a lot of discussion around the cybersecurity of organizations and while cybersecurity should be taken seriously, so should the physical security of your organization. If entryway security isn’t taken seriously, people could easily access sensitive data, cause damage to comp...

NC State University Industry Expansion Solutions’ (IES) North Carolina Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program (NC DMCSP), creates opportunities for smart textile innovators.  As our lives become ever connected through smart phones, tablets and other devices, the way we interact has changed dramatically and that even applies to textiles. Textiles come in a wide variety of forms, from cloth...

Sanford, North Carolina-based company emerges as one of North Carolina’s leading precision machined components manufacturers. Precision machining is a manufacturing technique where parts or components are cut into precise shapes using high-speed cutting tools such as drills, lathes, milling machines and other types of machine tools. The term ‘precision’ refers to the exactness of the final shape p...

Central Carolina Community College strives to teach relevant skills needed in today’s technology and artificially intelligent-driven workforce. Manufacturing Day (MFG Day) is an annual national event, coordinated by The National Association of Manufacturers and The Manufacturing Institute, on the first Friday of Manufacturing Month – October. It’s a day designated to highlight manufacturing career...

Dr. Jenni Harris discusses the value the North Carolina Department of Commerce - Workforce Solutions Division provides to North Carolina workers. North Carolina has long been a great place to live and raise a family. The state ranks high in quality of life, economic opportunity, and educational attainment. Despite these positive trends, North Carolina continues to lag behind neighboring states reg...

Youngsville-based manufacturer Sirchie Corp works to transform law enforcement equipment. Law enforcement officers are often required to carry out their duties in dangerous situations. They provide surveillance, investigate crimes, and support security at public events, and must be prepared at all times.  ----more---- There are various types of law enforcement support equipment. These include riot...

An Asheville, North Carolina-based business boasts a 60% rate of repeat customers because of their excellent customer relations. How often do you hear companies talk about customer success? You’d be surprised to learn that customer success is a relatively new concept. ----more---- Customer success is a term that describes the relationship between customers and businesses. The goal is to provide ex...

Burlington, North Carolina-based fabrics manufacturer, Fairystone Fabrics, has earned its reputation for technical expertise. North Carolina has long been known for its textile production. From the early days of cotton production through the Civil War era, North Carolina was a major producer of textiles. Today,  North Carolina produces over half of the nation’s cotton and more than 40 percent of t...

Local community colleges are built to provide North Carolina businesses with sustainable solutions. In 1957, the North Carolina General Assembly adopted the first Community College Act and provided funding for community colleges. By 1966, there were 43 institutions with 28,250 full-time equivalent (FTE) enrollments. In 1969, there were 54 institutions with 59,329 FTE. The system had grown very rap...

North Carolina Manufacturing Extensionship partner, East Carolina University strives to assist businesses across North Carolina. Founded in 1907, East Carolina University (ECU) has made quite the name for itself. According to U.S. News and World Report’s 2021 best-ranked colleges, ECU is one of the top five public universities in North Carolina. East Carolina University isn’t only helping North Ca...

Chapel Hill-based CPAP manufacturer Bleep Sleep is a breath of fresh air in the CPAP industry. CPAP masks have been a long-standing nightmare for sleep apnea patients. Many CPAP masks on the market tend to leak, are too loud and can even result in the breaking of hair and bald spots due to headgear. On this episode of clocking in, I talked to a CPAP manufacturer who — through innovation — has elim...

Retired William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor and extension economist Dr. Walden discusses the current supply chain and workforce issues. Dr. Michael Walden The pandemic has put the economy into a tailspin, leaving supply chain disturbances, workforce vacancies, and spiked inflation in its wake. But what is exactly going on and how long will it last? We’re speaking to a regular guest— econ...

Laurinburg, NC-based industrial thread manufacturer Service Thread is working hard for the people who work for them. ----more---- Service Thread According to a recent Gartner study of employees from across the U.S., only 13 percent of employees are largely satisfied with their work experiences. Additionally, nearly half (46 percent of employees) are largely dissatisfied with their work experiences...