Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing | Official Podcast Series

In this episode of MadeInSWVA, we feature VFP, Inc. of Duffield, Virginia, winner of the 2025 Excellence in Safety Award.

VFP’s safety program doesn’t just meet the standard — it sets it. Through clear expectations, daily accountability, and a team-driven culture, VFP empowers every employee to take ownership of safety. From innovative incentives to real-time tracking, their system works because their people believe in it.

Hear how V...

In this episode of MadeInSWVA, we shine a spotlight on Hitachi Energy of Bland, Virginia — winner of the 2025 Community Choice Award, as selected by local organizations and individuals.

From school sponsorships to emergency relief efforts, Hitachi Energy’s impact reaches far beyond the walls of their facility. Their nomination came directly from the people they’ve supported — including a touching example of employees raising funds t...

What does it take to become Manufacturer of the Year?

In this episode of MadeInSWVA, we spotlight VFP, Inc. of Duffield, Virginia, the winner of the 2025 Manufacturer of the Year Award. Known for their customizable, prefabricated structures that serve critical infrastructure across the country, VFP stood out for more than just production numbers.

We speak with Bill Regert, Director of Environmental Health & Safety at VFP, about t...

Strongwell of Bristol, Virginia took home the 2025 Innovations in Manufacturing Award for a product six years in the making: Strongdek — a structural decking system that redefines what’s possible with fiber-reinforced polymer.

In this episode of MadeInSWVA, we explore how Strongwell combined pultrusion and extrusion, overcame technical hurdles, and positioned their new product for a $4 billion market. We speak with Barry Myers, Corp...

In this episode of the #MadeInSWVA podcast, we spotlight United Salt Corporation in Saltville, Virginia, where history and innovation come together to produce high-quality salt for agricultural, commercial, and industrial use.

Rooted in a community long known for salt production, United Salt continues this legacy with modern operations, committed to quality, consistency, and customer service. From ice control and water conditioning ...

This 2025 Southwest Virginia Manufacturing Awards Spotlight episode highlights the incredible story of Chris Viers, General Manager at West River Conveyors and winner of the 2025 Manufacturing Employee of the Year award presented by the Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing.

We share the story that earned Chris this well-deserved honor — from stepping into leadership during a company crisis, to guiding recovery efforts after...

In this Q3 2025 edition of SVAM Member News Update, we’re highlighting powerful stories of innovation, leadership, and community from across Southwest Virginia’s manufacturing sector.

This episode features:

• A heartwarming act of support from Hitachi Energy’s Bland facility
• New national recognition for Simmons Equipment and Wolf Hills Fabricators
• SVAM member companies competing in the 2025 Virginia Manufacturing Cup
• And more

Whet...

In this episode of the #MadeInSWVA podcast, we spotlight Thomas Industrial Fabrication, based in Floyd, Virginia—a company known for engineering and fabricating custom machinery and material handling systems that power productivity across industries.

Whether it’s building belt and drag conveyors, integrating third-party components, or designing solutions from scratch, Thomas Industrial Fabrication provides full-service support from ...

In this episode of Why Manufacturing, a podcast from the Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing (SVAM), we talk with Peyton Spencer of Hitachi Energy in Bland, Virginia.

Peyton shares how she found her place in manufacturing, the unexpected lessons learned on the job, and the sense of pride that comes from building something that powers the world. From early challenges to big wins, Peyton gives us an inside look at what it me...

In this episode of the #MadeInSWVA podcast, we spotlight Tempur Production USA in Duffield, Virginia, where some of the world’s most recognized sleep products are made with innovation, precision, and care.

As a major manufacturer of Tempur-Pedic mattresses and pillows, the Duffield facility plays a vital role in delivering comfort to customers around the globe. We explore how their team blends cutting-edge technology with quality cr...

In the second of a two-part-episode of Why Manufacturing, a podcast by the Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing (SVAM), we head to Atkins, Virginia to explore the art and science behind one of the world’s most iconic products—the bourbon barrel.

Our guest is Josh Chandler, Production Operations Manager at Speyside Bourbon Cooperage, where white oak and open flame are transformed into precision-crafted barrels that help shap...

In this episode of the #MadeInSWVA podcast, we highlight Thomas Automation Management in Woodlawn, Virginia, a company specializing in advanced automation, engineering, and control systems that drive productivity and innovation across industries.

From designing custom automation solutions to improving safety and efficiency on production floors, Thomas Automation is helping manufacturers embrace the future of smart manufacturing. We ...

In this first of a two-part-episode of Why Manufacturing, a podcast by the Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing (SVAM), we head to Atkins, Virginia to explore the art and science behind one of the world’s most iconic products—the bourbon barrel.

Our guest is Josh Chandler, Production Operations Manager at Speyside Bourbon Cooperage, where white oak and open flame are transformed into precision-crafted barrels that help shap...

In this episode of the #MadeInSWVA podcast, we spotlight Tate, Inc. in St. Paul, Virginia—a leading manufacturer known for its innovative raised access flooring and infrastructure solutions that support data centers, cleanrooms, commercial buildings, and more.

Tate has made a name for itself by combining precision manufacturing with a strong focus on sustainability, performance, and customer-driven design. Join us as we explore how ...

In this episode of Why Manufacturing, the podcast from the Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing (SVAM), we talk with Jim Allison, Business Development leader at Simmons Equipment Company in Lebanon, VA.

Jim brings over four decades of manufacturing experience, from engineering and plant management to global safety leadership. He reflects on the lessons learned through mergers, mentorship, and machines rolling out the door, ...

In this episode of the #MadeInSWVA podcast, we spotlight Tadano Mantis, a world-class manufacturer of telescopic boom crawler cranes based in Richlands, Virginia.

Known for their engineering excellence, safety innovation, and commitment to quality, Tadano Mantis plays a key role in lifting operations around the globe—from construction to energy and beyond. We explore how their talented team in Southwest Virginia builds powerful mach...

In this episode of Why Manufacturing, the podcast from the Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing (SVAM), we sit down with Lisa Jones, a recently retired HR and safety leader whose 20+ year career left a lasting impact on manufacturing in our region.

From her start in sales and staffing to overseeing HR and safety in manufacturing plants, Lisa’s journey is one of growth, resilience, and people-first leadership. Along the way,...

In this episode of MadeInSWVA, we visit Strongwell’s headquarters in Bristol, Virginia—home to the world’s leading manufacturer of pultruded fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites. Discover how this advanced material is replacing steel, wood, and concrete in everything from bridges and cooling towers to railings and building panels. Learn how Strongwell’s innovation is reshaping infrastructure with durability, sustainability, an...

Today on Why Manufacturing, we’re talking with Ryan Miller from General Dynamics Mission Systems in Marion, Virginia. Ryan is a Program Manager supporting advanced communications systems for the U.S. military. He’s relatively new to manufacturing but brings a strong background in leadership, logistics, and software systems from his time in the Navy and defense tech sector.

In this episode, we’ll talk about what it’s like t...