Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing | Official Podcast Series

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What’s Next for Manufacturing in Southwest Virginia? | Made Here: Episode 4

2026-10-2316:15

What’s next for manufacturing in Southwest Virginia? For the final episode of Made Here: Manufacturing in Southwest Virginia, SVAM looks at changes already shaping the future of the industry across our region. From automation and artificial intelligence to workforce development, infrastructure, productivity, and changing supply chains, manufacturers are adapting to new technologies, new markets, and new challenges. In this episode, we explore how automation is changing the work people do, how...

5 Things People Get Wrong About Manufacturing in Southwest Virginia | Made Here: Episode 3

2026-10-1616:40

What does a career in manufacturing actually look like today? For many people, manufacturing may still bring to mind a limited picture of factory work—but modern manufacturing includes advanced technology, a wide variety of careers, multiple education pathways, opportunities for advancement, and an industry that continues to evolve. In Episode 3 of Made Here: Manufacturing in Southwest Virginia, SVAM tackles five common misconceptions about manufacturing careers: Manufacturing is low-tech.Man...

Why Manufacturing Matters to Southwest Virginia | Made Here: Episode 2

2026-10-0914:15

Nearly 21,000 manufacturing jobs. About $3.1 billion in regional economic impact. Thousands of workers filling roles that extend far beyond the production floor. But what do those numbers actually mean for Southwest Virginia? In Episode 2 of Made Here: Manufacturing in Southwest Virginia, SVAM looks at the scale and economic importance of manufacturing across our region—and puts the numbers into terms that are easier to understand. We explore how many people work in manufacturing, the wide va...

What Does Southwest Virginia Actually Make? | Made Here: Episode 1

2026-10-0110:46

What do crawler cranes, pillows, automotive components, transformers, aircraft components, structural steel, pet-care products, and even salt have in common? They're all examples of products made right here in Southwest Virginia. To kick off Manufacturing Month, SVAM is launching Made Here: Manufacturing in Southwest Virginia, a four-part special series exploring the products, people, economic impact, and future of manufacturing across our region. In Episode 1, we take a trip across Southwest...

From Chemistry to Global Sustainability: Ranae Anderson’s Path in Manufacturing #MadeInSWVA

2026-09-2821:58

Ranae Anderson once thought she’d become a veterinarian. Instead, a love of chemistry led her to a career in manufacturing and eventually to her role as Global Sustainability Leader at Universal Fibers in Bristol, Virginia. In this episode of How I Got Here: Manufacturing, Ranae shares how she went from studying chemistry at Tuskegee University to becoming a paint chemist, working in technical service, and ultimately building a career that combines science, manufacturing, leadership, and sust...

#box-pro-ellipsis-179317850604660{-webkit-line-clamp:2;}Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing | Official Podcast Series

Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing | Official Podcast Series