Manufacturing
-
NFC, SEO & Digital Real Estate: Growth Strategies with Sachin Sehgal
In this insightful episode of the Iowa Manufacturing Podcast, digital marketing strategist Sachin Sehgal delves into the parallels between SEO and real estate, emphasizing the importance of owning and optimizing your digital “property” to drive sustainable growth. He discusses NFC’s acquisition of Bond Branding, highlighting how strategic branding and digital presence are pivotal in today’s…
-
Harnessing AI to Control Health Insurance Cost
In this episode of the Iowa Manufacturing Podcast, we sit down with Allen Patton, with Patton Benefits, to explore how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing health insurance for manufacturers. Allen shares how his team developed an AI-driven quoting tool that’s helping companies save 20–30% on employee health insurance—without sacrificing quality or coverage. You’ll hear how the…
-
Healthy Growth: The Entrepreneurial Story Behind Fresh Fit Meals
On this episode of the Iowa Manufacturing Podcast, host Leisa welcomes Aaron Anderson, founder and owner of Fresh Fit Meals, a fast-growing Iowa-based meal preparation company. Aaron’s story is a powerful example of recognizing opportunity, taking calculated risks, and leading with vision. He walks us through how he transitioned from running the day-to-day operations to…
-
Reindustrialization & Reality: A Candid Look at America’s Industrial Future
In this episode of the Iowa Manufacturing Podcast, we sit down with Jeff Kappen — Associate Professor at Drake University, Founding Partner of Bâton Global, and co-author of Am I Doing This Right? — for a dynamic conversation that spans global strategy, industrial policy, and the future of manufacturing in Iowa and beyond. Jeff brings…
-
Hard Market, Hard Questions: Insurance Insights for Iowa Manufacturers
Most people wouldn’t consider a blood center to be a manufacturer… In this insightful episode of the Iowa Manufacturing Podcast, Leisa sits down with Josh August, Vice President of Industry Segments, and Mark Campbell, Business Segment Manager at EMC Insurance, for a timely conversation on the complex and evolving world of risk in manufacturing. From…
-
Balance, Vouchers & Government Realities: A Grounded Talk with Sen. Trone Garriott
In this timely and thought-provoking episode of the Iowa Manufacturing Podcast, Leisa sits down with Iowa State Senator Sarah Trone Garriott to talk candidly about the current dynamics at the Iowa Capitol. Representing a diverse district that includes Waukee and parts of West Des Moines, Trone Garriott brings a balanced perspective to the conversation, touching…
-
Building Beyond the Basics: The Evolution of Dahl Air Conditioning and Heating
Dahl Air Conditioning and Heating has been a trusted name in the Iowa HVAC industry since 1965, but in the last decade, it has transformed into something much bigger. When Rusty Rohe acquired the company, he recognized its strong foundation but saw an opportunity for innovation and expansion. He relocated the business to support manufacturing…
-
From Tariffs to Transparency: Protecting Your Supply Chain
In this episode of the Iowa Manufacturing Podcast, we dive deep into the world of supply chain strategy, risk mitigation, and sourcing solutions. Host Leisa Fox sits down with Janice Marquardt, owner of Pass Wall Solutions, and Marc Schneider, supply chain expert with CIRAS, to explore the biggest challenges manufacturers face today—including tariff abuse, sourcing…
-
Data-Driven Culture Shifts: Why Knowing How Your Team Works Matters
In this episode of the Iowa Manufacturing Podcast, host Leisa welcomes Kevin Schlueter and Stephen Smith of Reworc to discuss how manufacturers can unlock the full potential of their workforce through the power of data. Kevin and Stephen dive into the importance of understanding how teams naturally work and collaborate, revealing that identifying these patterns…
-
Navigating Uncertainty: How Business Games Build Strategic Thinking
In this episode of the Iowa Manufacturing Podcast, I sit down with Dan Topf from Topf Business Learning to explore how simulations and business games are transforming leadership development in manufacturing. Dan emphasizes the importance of getting back to basics with high-potential employees and key leaders—ensuring they understand how their individual roles align with the…