Clocking In: Voices of NC Manufacturing

In this episode, Dr. Phil Mintz, Director of NC State University Industry Extension Services, talks with Bogdan Ionescu, co-owner of OGC Stained Glass (Ordway Glass Company), a husband-and-wife–run stained glass studio based in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. Bogdan walks us through how he and his wife Nicole built a thriving, award-winning business out of their garage—balancing art, family life,...

In this episode of Clocking In: Voices of NC Manufacturing, host Dr. Phil Mintz sits down with Tommy Ausheman, co-founder and president of Outrider USA. Based in Mars Hill, North Carolina, Outrider USA is a premier manufacturer of adaptive electric all-terrain vehicles designed to restore independence, adventure, and access to the "great outdoors" for individuals with mobility impairments.Tommy’s...

In this episode of Clocking In: Voices of NC Manufacturing, host Phil Mintz sits down with Lindsey Crisp, President and CEO of Carver Machine Works—also known as CMW Global—a nearly 50-year-old manufacturing company located just steps from the Pamlico River in Washington, North Carolina.Lindsey shares how Carver Machine Works has evolved from repairing phosphate mining equipment in the 1970s to...

In this episode of Clocking In: Voices of NC Manufacturing, host Phil Mintz sits down with Dr. Jason Alexander, Business Development Manager at Alotech, Inc., a contract manufacturing company based in Goldston, North Carolina.Alotech’s journey—from its early roots in remanufacturing to its expansion into machining, engineering, logistics, and product development—reflects both the adaptability and...

In this episode of "Clocking In, Forces of NC Manufacturing," host Phil Mintz, director of the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP), interviews John Weir, the founder and CEO of I2E Group ( I2E stands for "Innovation to Execution”). Based in High Point, North Carolina, the I2E Group specializes in the design, development, and production of a variety of electronic assemblies,...

From Classroom to Continuous Improvement: Clifton Dial’s Journey in Manufacturing Leadership.In this episode of Clocking In: Voices of NC Manufacturing, host Phil Mintz sits down with Dr. Clifton Dial, Operations Manager at WePack Logistics in Laurinburg, North Carolina. From a start in biology and education to a leadership role in manufacturing, Dr. Dial shares his unconventional career path and...

Gilden in Sanford, North Carolina, Changes Corporate Culture.North Carolina is the home to some of the world’s largest apparel manufacturers. In this episode of Clocking In, we are fortunate to learn more about Gilden, a leader in textiles for over 40 years, with 30 locations and more than 45,000 employees in over 12 countries.Gildan is one of the world’s largest vertically integrated...

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s New Focus on ManufacturingIn this episode of Clocking In, NCMEP Director Phil Mintz speaks with U.S. Small Business Administration leaders Lisa Shimkat, Mike Arriola, and Dan Piche about the new Made in America Manufacturing Initiative. The initiative aims to strengthen small manufacturers through reduced regulations, tailored loan programs, and workforce...

AI will be a Game Changer for an Optimistic Economic Outlook for North CarolinaNew technologies such as artificial intelligence will no doubt transform the state’s traditional powerhouses of textiles, tobacco, and technology.As a new federal executive branch takes shape and establishes its policies, Dr Phil Mintz, Director of the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership, discusses the...

CTI Systems Realizes the Value in Retaining Their Workforce.CTI Systems has been locally owned and producing high-quality equipment for the electronics assembly industry for over 35 years. CTI Systems offers a wide range of products, from the most complex laser markers to depaneling routers and simple conveyors. Located in the Lee County Industrial Park, CTI Systems is a four-fold operation in...