On MiddleGround’s twenty-third episode of executive sessions, John Stewart, our Founding and Managing Partner, steps in as host for the first time. He’s joined by Paul O’Brien, our Managing Director of Human Capital, and Miles Anderson, a Vice President on our Automation Team, to dig into one of the most pressing issues facing manufacturing today: the labor shortage. This episode covers: The impact of an aging workforce and a looming talent gapWhy younger generations overlook careers in manuf...
On MiddleGround’s twenty-second episode of Executive Sessions, Ryan McComb, our Managing Director on the Transaction Team, and Dan Stoettner, CEO of A. M. Castle & Co., lead the discussion. This episode covers: Strategic Benefits of Company Mergers Culture Alignment in MergersEffective Merger Communication and IntegrationOvercoming Merger ChallengesCheck out our company blog recapping the episode: https://bit.ly/4mzCmZA Learn more about MiddleGround Capital: https://middlegroun...
On MiddleGround’s twenty-first episode of executive sessions, John Dotson and Miles Anderson from MiddleGround’s Automation lead the discussion. This episode covers: Automation as a response to labor shortages How to identify tasks to automateEnsuring success: training, ROI, and cultureCheck out our company blog recapping the episode: https://bit.ly/3Ry8BdE Learn more about MiddleGround Capital: https://middleground.com/ Follow MiddleGround Capital on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin...
On MiddleGround’s twentieth episode of executive sessions, Nate Wheeler, Owner and CEO of marketing agency weCreate, and Leanne Walmsley, the Communications and Marketing Manager for Xtrac lead the discussions. This episode covers: Developing an effective marketing strategy The importance of digital marketing in B2B manufacturingLeveraging cost-effective marketing for growth Check out our company blog recapping the episode: https://bit.ly/4iYFHie Learn more about MiddleGround Capita...
On MiddleGround’s nineteenth episode of executive sessions, discussions are led by John Stewart, MiddleGround’s Founding Partner, and Steve Myers, former operations leader at Parker Hannifin. This episode covers: Innovation process and customer-centric developmentChallenges and risk managementSuccess factors for innovation Check out our company blog recapping the episode: https://bit.ly/4gHJUpc Learn more about MiddleGround Capital: https://middleground.com/ Follow John Stewart on Linke...
On MiddleGround’s eighteenth episode of executive sessions, discussions are led by Bill Krueger, President of Global Manufacturing Operations at The Greenbrier Companies. This episode covers: Transitioning from automotive to rail Key differences between automotive and rail manufacturingDeveloping ESG practices in a new industryCheck out our company blog recapping the episode: https://bit.ly/3E1PSnk Learn more about MiddleGround Capital: https://middleground.com/ Follow MiddleGround Capi...
On MiddleGround’s seventeenth episode of Executive Sessions, discussions are led by the Managing Director of the Transactions Team at MiddleGround Capital, Ryan McComb and Director of the Transactions Team at MiddleGround Capital, David Walden. This episode covers: 1. Trends driving growth in the sector 2. How aging infrastructure creates pressure to innovate 3. Strategies for overcoming hurdles such as labor shortages and rising costs 4. Emphasizing our thesis-...
On MiddleGround’s sixteenth episode of executive sessions, discussions are led by MiddleGround's portfolio CEOs Ron Lindsay of Lindsay Precast and Tom Brockley of Arrow Tru-Line. This episode covers: 1. Creating an Engaged Workforce 2. Strong Management, Communication, and Trust 3. Adapting to Labor Market Challenges Check out our company blog recapping the episode: https://bit.ly/4fDzQ0i Learn more about MiddleGround Capital: https://middleground.com/ Follow MiddleGround Capital on LinkedI...
In episode 15 of Executive Sessions, we explore practical approaches to cutting energy usage in manufacturing with MiddleGround Capital’s Director of Operations, Jason Jacob, and Director of ESG, Madelyn Tutewiler. In this episode, they explore: 1. Strategies for improving energy efficiency with case studies from across the MiddleGround portfolio 2. Common barriers to implementation 3. Creating a culture of sustainability 4. How sustainability can impact the bottom line Check out our ...
On MiddleGround’s thirteenth episode of Executive Sessions, discussions are led by MiddleGround Founding Partner, Scot Duncan, and our Vice President of Operations, Zach Jackson. This episode covers: 1. Building a diverse and resilient team 2. Practical tips on how to manage diverse teams 3. Proactive problem-solving case study Check out our company blog recapping the episode: https://bit.ly/46JygH3 Learn more about MiddleGround Capital: https://middleground.com/ Follow MiddleGround Capital...
On MiddleGround’s twelfth episode of Executive Sessions, discussions are led by MiddleGround Founding Partner, Scot Duncan, and our Managing Director of Operations, Stan Stanford. This episode covers: 1. Importance of Simple Technological Solutions in Manufacturing 2. Bridging the Experience Gap in Manufacturing 3. Real-time Shop Floor Management Check out our company blog recapping the episode: https://bit.ly/46NScIK Learn more about MiddleGround Capital: https://middleground.com/ Fo...
On MiddleGround’s eleventh episode of Executive Sessions, discussions are led by MiddleGround's Director and Head of NA Business Development, Dyana Baurley, recapping her interview with David Bookbinder on the “Behind the Numbers (https://www.youtube.com/@behindthenumbers) ” podcast. This episode covers: 1. Private Equity as a Liquidity Strategy 2. Factors Making a Company Investable 3. Aspects of Selling a Business 4. ...
On MiddleGround's tenth episode of executive sessions, discussions are led by MiddleGround's Founding and Managing Partner, John Stewart, and Sean Mooney, BluWave’s Founder, and CEO. This episode covers: 1. From the factory floor to private equity 2. MiddleGround’s differentiated approach Check out our company blog recapping the episode: https://bit.ly/3wVP2oK Check out BluWave’s “Karma School of Business” podcast dedicated to exploring private equity, best business practices, and rea...
On MiddleGround’s eighth episode of Executive Sessions, discussions are led by MiddleGround's Founding Partner, John Stewart, and the Dean of the University of Kentucky’s Gatton College of Business and Economics, Dr. Simon Sheather to talk all things AI. This episode covers: 1. AI Opportunities and Benefits 2. Setbacks and dangers of AI 3. AI in Manufacturing and Private Equity Check out our company blog recapping the episode: https://bit.ly/3Ugb9PK Learn more about MiddleGround Capital: ht...
On MiddleGround’s eighth episode of Executive Sessions, discussions are led by MiddleGround's Founding Partner, John Stewart, and Head of our Transaction Team, Justin Steil. This episode covers: 1. The United Auto Workers Strike 2. 2017-2024: A New Normal 3. Electric Vehicles Check out our company blog recapping the episode: https://bit.ly/3HFyoLX Learn more about MiddleGround Capital: https://middleground.com/ Follow MiddleGround Capital on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/middle...
On MiddleGround’s seventh episode of Executive Sessions, discussions are led by MiddleGround’s Founding Partner, John Stewart, and the Director of the Center for Business and Economic Research, Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Kentucky’s Gatton College of Business and Economics, Dr. Mike Clark. This episode covers: 1. 2023 Economic Status 2. A Resurgence in US Manufacturing 3. Economic Resilience 4. Looking Ahead to 2024 Check out our company blog recapping the episode:...
On MiddleGound’s sixth episode of Executive Sessions, discussions are led by MiddleGround's Founding Partner, John Stewart, Managing Director of our European Transaction Team, Alex Van Der Have, and Head of EU Business Development, Anthony Denaix. This episode covers: 1. Considerations of European Expansion 2. The Importance of Hiring Locally 3. Differences in strategy between the US/EU 4. Challenging Economic Enviro...
On MiddleGround’s fifth episode of Executive Sessions, Clayton Gullett leads discussions with MiddleGround Founding Partner John Stewart and his brother, Co-Partner of Banner Industries, David Stewart. This episode covers: 1. Building a Bootcamp 2. Creating and Maintaining Cooperative Change 3. Lean Manufacturing Requires Standardization 4. The Impact of Bootcamps Check out our company blog recapping the episode: https://bit.ly/3Ptj6NE Learn more about MiddleGround Capital: https://middleg...
On MiddleGround’s fourth episode of executive sessions, discussions are led by MiddleGround's Director of ESG, Madelyn Tutewiler, and Managing Director of ESG, Mike Bridge. This episode covers: 1. The importance of involving ESG in businesses 2. Raising minimum full-time pay to $25/Hour by 2025 3. Equitable hiring to reflect local communities 4. How we bring ESG to life in portfolio companies Check out our company blog recapping the episode: https://middleground.com/podcast-executiv…-the-ab...
In MiddleGround’s third episode of executive sessions, discussions are led by MiddleGround Capital's Founding and Managing Partner, John Stewart, and a Vice President on the Transaction team, Tyler May. This episode covers: 1. Factors in driving electrification and autonomous vehicles forward 2. Shift from the automotive industry to the mobility industry 3. Barriers to fully autonomous cars Check out our company blog recapping the episode: https://middleground.com/executive-sessions-automot...