U.S. Manufacturing Today

In today's episode, Matt Horine speaks with Scott Maier, CEO of Virginia-based Blue Star NBR. Scott explains why the U.S. still imports about 99% of nitrile gloves and how pandemic shortages exposed major supply-chain risk. He outlines the capital, scale, and technical complexity required to reshore commodity glove production, and argues gloves are strategic for industries like semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, rare earths, magnets, and batteries. The discussion covers China’s expansion and vertical control of both glove output and raw materials, the need to treat PPE as national security infrastructure, and policy requirements such as tariffs, financing, and long-term buyer commitments (including proposed CMS reimbursement incentives for hospitals buying domestic PPE). Maier also describes workforce development efforts in southwest Virginia/Appalachia and Blue Star’s plans to complete a raw-material facility and begin building multiple glove plants.Timestamps00:00 Welcome to US Manufacturing Today + Introducing Scott Maier (Blue Star NBR)01:21 Scott’s Path from Finance to Building Manufacturing Companies02:34 The Wake-Up Call: America’s Medical Supply Vulnerability (Pre-Pandemic)03:36 What Really Happened During the Pandemic Glove Shortages04:55 What It Takes to Build Nitrile Glove Manufacturing in the U.S. (Scale & Capital)06:12 Misconceptions: Why Glove Manufacturing Is Harder Than People Think07:49 Beyond Healthcare: Gloves as a Strategic Input for Critical Industry08:33 China’s Vertical Control of Gloves + Raw Materials (and Why It’s a Choke Point)09:51 PPE as National Security Infrastructure & Economic Sovereignty12:39 Policy Reality Check: Tariffs, Financing, and Buyer Commitments14:13 Competing with Subsidized Imports: The ‘China Price’ and Raw-Input Advantage19:46 Demand Signals & Incentives: CMS Reimbursements and Onshoring Momentum21:21 Workforce & Site Selection: Training Pipelines in Southwest Virginia24:20 Automation & the Next Wave of Reindustrialization (Textiles and Beyond)26:07 Looking Ahead: What Success Looks Like + Risks, Optimism, and Advice30:14 How to Help + What’s Next for Blue Star NBR (and Where to Follow Scott)31:50 Wrap-Up, Thanks, and Where to Find More ResourcesLinksScott on LinkedInScott on XBlue Star NBR⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Navigating Trump 2.0 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Revitalizing US Manufacturing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign Up on the Veryable Platform ⁠⁠

Matt Horine argues that U.S. manufacturing is seeing a real “vibe shift” and structural turn in early 2026, based on shop-floor signals rather than GDP. It highlights ISM Manufacturing PMI rising to 52.6 (expansion) with strong new orders, production, and rebuilding backlogs, plus buyers positioning ahead of anticipated tariff-related price changes. The host discusses supply-driven cooling in prices using real-time inflation readings and suggests this could give the Fed room to cut rates, lowering manufacturers’ cost of capital. Freight indicators (including the Bank of America Truckload Demand Indicator at 60.7 and analysis from FreightWaves’ Craig Fuller) are cited as confirming stronger industrial activity, with immigration enforcement potentially tightening freight labor. The episode ties momentum to policy and a broader global shift toward resilience, domestic capacity, and reindustrialization, and previews upcoming guests and resources on variableops.com.Timestamps00:00 Welcome + Why This Solo Episode Matters (A Real Shop-Floor Read)00:48 The Vibe Shift: Structural Changes & Non-Linear Manufacturing Growth02:38 PMI Breaks Back Into Expansion: New Orders, Output, Backlogs04:46 Supply-Driven Deflation: Real-Time Inflation, Productivity, and the Fed Pivot08:02 Freight as the Leading Indicator: Spot Rates, Truckload Demand, Tightening Capacity09:29 Policy Tailwinds: Industrial Strategy, Incentives, Tariffs, and Domestic Investment10:29 A New Global Order: Resilience Over Efficiency & Industrial Policy as Sovereignty11:29 Why This Cycle Feels Different: Flexibility, AI, Local Supply Chains, Breakout Setup12:50 Wrap-Up: What We’re Watching Next + Upcoming Guests & How to FollowLinks⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Navigating Trump 2.0 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Revitalizing US Manufacturing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign Up on the Veryable Platform ⁠⁠

In this episode of U.S. Manufacturing Today, host Matt Horine welcomes Alex Huckstepp, Co-founder of Uptool—a manufacturing technology startup focused on solving quoting and sourcing bottlenecks through AI-driven solutions. Alex discusses his journey into the manufacturing industry and the founding of Uptool with his co-founder. They delve into the importance of speeding up the quoting process, the role of artificial intelligence in enhancing manufacturing workflows, and the broader impact of these advancements on the U.S. supply chain. Alex also highlights the company's mission to support small and medium-sized manufacturers and shares insights into the future of the industry.Timestamps00:00 Introduction to US Manufacturing Today00:15 Meet Alex Huck: Founder of UP Tool01:02 The Journey to Founding UP Tool03:55 Challenges in Quoting and Supplier Discovery08:31 UP Tool's AI Quoting Solution13:12 Future of Manufacturing and AI Integration15:17 Reshoring and Supplier Visibility17:19 The Role of Marketplaces in Manufacturing20:03 AI's Impact on Small Manufacturers22:34 Looking Ahead: Trends and Predictions26:48 Conclusion and Where to Learn MoreLinksUptoolAlex on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Navigating Trump 2.0 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Revitalizing US Manufacturing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign Up on the Veryable Platform ⁠⁠

In this episode of U.S. Manufacturing Today, Matt Horine talks to Renan Devillieres, Founder and CEO of OSS Ventures, about the evolving landscape of American manufacturing. Renan, with his unique background in economics, venture capital, and industrial operations, discusses the importance of innovation in manufacturing, the intersection of startups and industrial technology, and the significant role of sustainability and resilience in reshoring and supply chain management. The conversation delves into the venture studio model's effectiveness in manufacturing, the importance of pragmatic and long-term strategies in industrial policy, and the critical alignment of capital, talent, and policy for ensuring future industrial strength.Timestamps00:00 Introduction to US Manufacturing Today00:15 Meet Renan Devillieres: Economist Turned Manufacturing Innovator03:37 The Birth of OSS Ventures05:59 The Future of Manufacturing: Reshoring and New Shoring10:52 Challenges and Opportunities in Industrial Tech13:04 The Venture Studio Model in Manufacturing17:05 AI and Automation in Manufacturing24:33 Sustainability and Strategic Resilience27:13 Advice for Founders, Operators, and Investors31:56 Looking Ahead: The Future of Manufacturing37:03 Conclusion and Contact InformationLinksRenan on LinkedInOSS Ventures⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Navigating Trump 2.0 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Revitalizing US Manufacturing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign Up on the Veryable Platform ⁠⁠

In this episode of U.S. Manufacturing Today powered by Veryable, host Matt Horine discusses the future of the American manufacturing landscape with Chris Luecke, Host of the Manufacturing Happy Hour podcast. The conversation delves into the origins and evolution of Manufacturing Happy Hour, the key themes recurring in industry discussions, and the critical role of culture in manufacturing. Chris shares insights on current trends like nearshoring, automation, and the integration of AI, along with their impact on productivity and workforce retention. The dialogue also touches on how the industry can remain resilient and competitive by investing in workforce culture and strategically implementing technology. Chris offers his perspectives on the importance of attracting the next generation to manufacturing and suggests practical steps leaders can take to enhance their organizational culture. The episode concludes with predictions for the manufacturing sector in 2026 and advice on developing effective strategies for the future.Timestamps00:00 Introduction to US Manufacturing Today00:15 Meet Chris Luecke: Founder of Manufacturing Happy Hour01:15 The Origin Story of Manufacturing Happy Hour01:42 Evolution and Impact of Manufacturing Happy Hour04:34 Common Themes in Manufacturing: Workforce and Automation06:49 The Importance of Culture in Manufacturing11:12 Trends and Challenges in Manufacturing: 2025 Recap16:39 The Role of AI and Technology in Manufacturing21:54 Reshoring and Nearshoring: Building Resilient Manufacturing24:27 Workforce Development: Adapting to New Realities28:59 Looking Ahead: Predictions for US Manufacturing in 202632:26 Final Thoughts and Where to Find MoreLinksChris on LinkedInChris's WebsiteManufacturing Happy Hour⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Navigating Trump 2.0 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Revitalizing US Manufacturing⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign Up on the Veryable Platform ⁠⁠