What's Made in the USA?

Susan Ralph and Linda Rosenberg are twin sisters and second-generation owners running Frey Weiss Precision Machining in Wood Dale, Illinois. They produce precision CNC turned and milled components, tight-tolerance parts, subassemblies, and white-label medical research instruments for aerospace, commercial, and industrial OEMs. Hear how they dropped filing cabinets for paperless ERP and face the harsh reality of customers offshoring work despite fifty percent tariffs.In this episode:- Why a paperless ERP system let them run a twelve-person shop without front office bloat- How flexible four-day workweeks keep their CNC turning and milling floor staffed from 6 AM to 9 PM- Machining a single solid missile part with 54 dimensions on a four-axis setup- The reality of losing long-term work to overseas shops even with fifty percent tariffs in place- Dealing with raw material price hikes of twenty to thirty percent year over year- Why the shop employs skilled machinists rather than basic machine operators- What young people and women need to know about building high-paying manufacturing careersAbout Susan Ralph and Linda Rosenberg:Susan Ralph and Linda Rosenberg are the second-generation owners of Frey Weiss Precision Machining, with Susan managing sales, operations, quoting, and floor troubleshooting. Founded in 1969 by Adolf Frey and Helmut Weiss, the company operates a contract machine shop in Wood Dale, Illinois, right outside O'Hare Airport. They manufacture tight-tolerance single parts, multi-component subassemblies, and white-box instruments for medical research, aerospace, commercial, and industrial clients using materials like Ultem. Their capabilities include CNC turning, CNC milling on four-axis machines, manual machining, laser marking, and clean assembly.Website:https://freyweiss.com/About What's Made in the USA:What's Made in the USA is hosted by Carl Holden of Zellus Marketing, a technical SEO agency in Huntsville, Alabama that gets American manufacturers ranking on Google and AI search for the exact products they make. Each episode is a conversation with an owner or operator about what their company makes, how they make it, and how they built the business behind it. https://whatismadeintheusapodcast.com https://www.zellusmarketing.comSubscribe to the channel and turn on notifications so you never miss an interview with the people making things in America.Topics covered:CNC turning, CNC milling, four-axis machining, contract manufacturing, Ultem machining, subassemblies, laser marking, paperless ERP, job shop schedulingChapters:0:00 Welcome and second-generation machining roots3:50 Moving from manual paperwork to paperless ERP9:19 Managing shop staff and flexible work schedules13:35 Aerospace parts, 54 dimensions, and medical instruments17:00 Rising material costs, tariffs, and offshoring pressure20:34 Seeking growth and working with manufacturing associations28:03 Advice for young people and women entering machining

Industrial tank winders rely on thin polyester film to slide giant fiberglass cylinders off steel molds without sticking. Charles Jason Balkcum, Sales and Operations at Polymer Marketing Inc., explains how his small team supplies custom PET film and Mylar to pipeline builders, chemical tank manufacturers, and niche converters. In this conversation with Carl Holden, Balkcum unpacks how PMI turns rejected off-spec factory runs and small-batch orders into a thriving 40-year supply business.In this episode:- Why fiberglass pipe and tank builders must use barrier film around molds to prevent resin from bonding- How metallized PET film replaces heavy glass mirrors in studios and wedding backdrops- The origin of Polymer Marketing Inc. taking off-spec DuPont rolls rejected over tiny thickness variations- Why a lean three-person operation uses a dedicated North Carolina partner for warehouse storage and slitting- Why walking into a New England engineering room for five minutes closed a deal that months of emails could not- The simple question distributor reps can ask industrial accounts to uncover hidden Mylar film businessAbout Charles Jason Balkcum:Charles Jason Balkcum manages sales and operations at Polymer Marketing Inc., a supplier and custom converter of polyester film headquartered in Evans, Georgia. The company specializes in PET film, commonly known by the trade name Mylar, as well as metallized, clear, translucent, and opaque industrial films. PMI works with partner warehouses to supply converted, slit, and sheeted rolls used as non-stick release barriers for fiberglass composites, oil and gas storage tanks, chemical pipelines, and specialty packaging. Started in 1980 by Balkcum's father and two colleagues from DuPont, PMI has spent over four decades supplying niche manufacturers and distributors whose order sizes or custom requirements fall outside standard mill minimums.Website:https://polymermarketinginc.com/About What's Made in the USA:What's Made in the USA is hosted by Carl Holden of Zellus Marketing, a technical SEO agency in Huntsville, Alabama that gets American manufacturers ranking on Google and AI search for the exact products they make. Each episode is a conversation with an owner or operator about what their company makes, how they make it, and how they built the business behind it. https://whatismadeintheusapodcast.com https://www.zellusmarketing.comSubscribe to What's Made in the USA to hear real manufacturing operators break down their processes and supply chains.Topics covered:polyester film, PET film, Mylar, barrier film, fiberglass composites, metallized film, slitting and converting, industrial supplyChapters:0:00 Supplying polyester film to manufacturers2:03 How fiberglass tank builders use barrier film4:42 Metallized films and lightweight mirror applications8:14 Starting PMI from DuPont off-spec rolls13:10 Operating lean with a North Carolina slitting partner15:29 Distributor partnerships and in-person technical sales24:53 Finding real manufacturers versus warehouse distributors38:02 Marketing advice and using AI to qualify buyers

When you sign a digital consent form at a hospital, your signature is not just a picture on a screen. John Powers, owner and CEO of Scriptel, explains how forensic data like stroke speed helps verify identity on the hardware his team builds in Columbus, Ohio. Scriptel manufactures durable electronic signature pads designed specifically for healthcare environments, veterinary clinics, and legal compliance.In this episode:- Why Scriptel signature pads capture forensic stroke speed rather than just flat image files- How writing custom software for Citrix virtual channels solved a massive hospital integration barrier- Sourcing plastics, cables, and circuit board assembly across Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Indiana- The real world environments that cause the most physical wear on signature pads- How John transitioned from developer to acquiring the business from investors in 2021- Why wealthy bank clients rejected fingerprint biometrics in favor of traditional signaturesAbout John Powers:John Powers is the owner and CEO of Scriptel, a hardware and software manufacturer based in Columbus, Ohio. Scriptel produces specialized electronic signature pads made with scratch-resistant glass, custom molded plastic housings, internal circuit boards, and secure integration software. The company primarily serves healthcare networks, clinics, veterinary practices, and legal environments that require authenticated consent forms. Their components are sourced across the Midwest, including plastics from Ohio and Pennsylvania, cables from Indiana, and circuit board assembly in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, before final assembly in Columbus. Powers joined the company as a software developer following a 28-year career at Xerox, took over technical development in 2016, and purchased the business in 2021.Website:https://scriptel.com/About What's Made in the USA:What's Made in the USA is hosted by Carl Holden of Zellus Marketing, a technical SEO agency in Huntsville, Alabama that gets American manufacturers ranking on Google and AI search for the exact products they make. Each episode is a conversation with an owner or operator about what their company makes, how they make it, and how they built the business behind it. https://whatismadeintheusapodcast.com https://www.zellusmarketing.comSubscribe to the channel and tune in to discover the American manufacturing stories behind everyday technology.Topics covered:electronic signature pads, healthcare hardware manufacturing, circuit board assembly, injection molded plastics, Citrix virtual channels, biometric signature capture, EHR software integrationChapters:0:00 Electronic signature pads and core markets3:00 Forensic data in digital signatures5:55 Taking over and right-sizing Scriptel10:31 Citrix and Epic EHR software integration12:09 Hardware durability in healthcare environments14:18 Midwest sourcing and domestic assembly18:17 Why handwritten signatures remain relevant24:29 Career advice for the next generation

Doug Soltis, owner of DasPac, solves high-stakes packaging setup problems for overstressed manufacturing engineers. Headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, DasPac acts as an integrator and distributor providing packaging equipment and materials like case erectors, stretch wrappers, shrink wrap, and bundling systems for large-scale operations across industries like food production, electrical, and horticulture.In this episode:- Why overstressed engineers hire DasPac to select and integrate their packaging lines- How NAFTA drove Doug to transition into an equipment and materials specialist in 1992- Why DasPac guarantees equipment sales at exact manufacturer list prices without extra markups- How DasPac handles complex packaging systems like case erectors, stretch wrappers, and conveyors- How Doug uses shake machine testing to find exact film and wrapper settings for heavy store shipments- Why Doug is integrating AI into background proposal workflows to spend more time with clients- Why clear communication skills are the most essential asset for the future workforceAbout Douglas "Doug" Soltis:Douglas "Doug" Soltis is the owner of DasPac, a packaging equipment distributor, representative, and integrator headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee. DasPac provides packaging machinery and materials including shrink wrap systems, case erectors, tapers, stretch wrappers, labels, and conveyors to major product manufacturers. Serving diverse sectors such as horticulture, baking, food processing, batteries, and electrical manufacturing, the company helps engineers specify and integrate end-of-line systems. Doug named DasPac using his initials and a nod to his mother's German heritage, establishing the business in the early 1990s following NAFTA's impact on regional manufacturing.Website:http://www.daspac.com/About What's Made in the USA:What's Made in the USA is hosted by Carl Holden of Zellus Marketing, a technical SEO agency in Huntsville, Alabama that gets American manufacturers ranking on Google and AI search for the exact products they make. Each episode is a conversation with an owner or operator about what their company makes, how they make it, and how they built the business behind it. https://whatismadeintheusapodcast.com https://www.zellusmarketing.comSubscribe to What's Made in the USA to discover the companies and leaders behind American manufacturing.Topics covered:packaging equipment, case erectors, stretch wrappers, shrink wrap bundling, palletizing systems, conveyor integration, stretch film testing, packaging machinery, packaging distributionChapters:0:00 What DasPac provides for packaging equipment and materials3:41 How NAFTA led Doug to launch DasPac in 19928:04 How DasPac helps engineers select and integrate machinery12:30 Navigating line speeds, high-volume requirements, and tariffs14:45 Integrating AI to streamline proposals and customer communication20:52 Testing stretch film and equipment settings on shake machines27:18 Doug shares key advice for the next workforce generation

Cody Grandadam didn't take the traditional path to building a multi-million dollar lighting brand. The founder and CEO of Promier Products launched his company at age 24 with negative money, turning a passion for relationship-building into a business that now develops high-powered portable lights like 100,000-lumen flashlights. He shares how his Peru, Illinois team designs enthusiast-grade lights for brands like Kodiak and LitezAll, navigates overseas manufacturing realities, and revitalized a historic 400,000-square-foot factory complex.In this episode:- Why launching a single high-volume account beats knocking on hundreds of individual doors- How Promier Products designs multi-use flashlights featuring magnetic bases, UV LEDs, and 100,000 lumens- Why price points and rapid 6-month product release cycles keep flashlight production overseas for now- How tariff spikes hit retail margins and why Promier Products chose to absorb millions in costs- How success in the flashlight business funded the revival of the historic Westclocks building in Peru, Illinois- Why specialized product positioning helps independent brands outshine legacy competitors on store shelvesAbout Cody Duane Grandadam:Cody Duane Grandadam is the founder and CEO of Promier Products, headquartered in Peru, Illinois. Promier Products designs and distributes consumer portable lighting, including pocket lights, headlamps, task lights, and high-output enthusiast flashlights under brands like LitezAll and Kodiak. Operating out of the historic Westclocks factory facility, the company engineers and packages its product lines in the US for distribution into major national retail chains. Cody started the company in 2011 and has expanded its footprint to cover dozens of domestic team members alongside global manufacturing partners.Website:https://litezall.com/About What's Made in the USA:What's Made in the USA is hosted by Carl Holden of Zellus Marketing, a technical SEO agency in Huntsville, Alabama that gets American manufacturers ranking on Google and AI search for the exact products they make. Each episode is a conversation with an owner or operator about what their company makes, how they make it, and how they built the business behind it. https://whatismadeintheusapodcast.com https://www.zellusmarketing.comSubscribe to the channel and watch the full video to see how American product designers are building national brands.Topics covered:portable lighting, flashlights, LED flashlights, 18650 battery cells, product design, retail distribution, trademarking, manufacturing tariffsChapters:0:00 Flashlight innovation and lumens overview1:27 Starting the company and brand origins4:48 Early sales journey and retail strategy8:50 Team culture and company footprint11:39 Design process and overseas manufacturing16:42 Direct to consumer versus retail23:31 Impact of tariffs on retail pricing28:25 Scaling market share and buyer relationships33:07 Travel memories and advice for professionals