The Think Factory Podcast

In this episode of the Think Factory podcast, host Chris Santomasimo sits down with Al Kennickell, president of The Kennickell Group, to explore how a multi-generational family business has survived and thrived since its founding in 1892. Al shares how he transformed the company by taking calculated risks—most notably investing in new printing technology early in his career—and repeatedly reinventing the business to stay competitive. He contrasts his aggressive, growth-oriented mindset with the cautious approach of earlier generations shaped by the Great Depression, emphasizing that success came from balancing risk with discipline and constantly seeking new opportunities.The conversation dives deeply into leadership, decision-making, and succession planning within a family business. Al stresses the importance of accountability, strategic thinking time, and learning from peers, noting that many of his best ideas came from others. He also highlights the need for honest evaluation of the next generation, ensuring successors truly want—and are capable of—leading the business. Throughout, he underscores key leadership principles: remove emotion from decisions, rely on data (especially financials) to guide strategy, and maintain a culture of responsibility and continuous improvement.Disclaimer

This episode of the Think Factory Women’s Roundtable podcast features Val Gonzalez, who shares her journey from an unexpected start in accounting to becoming a global finance leader in the nonprofit space. As CFO of The Climate Reality Project, she discusses how her technical expertise, combined with curiosity and adaptability, shaped her career. Val reflects on key turning points—transitioning from individual contributor to team leader and later working on a global scale—emphasizing the importance of flexibility, listening, and applying knowledge in diverse contexts. She also highlights how her immigrant background and bilingualism became strengths, helping her navigate ambiguity and lead inclusively.The conversation also explores leadership and purpose, with Val emphasizing that great finance leaders go beyond compliance to become strategic partners who enable impact. She shares insights on financial sustainability as a daily practice, and identifies empathy, clarity, and flexibility as essential leadership traits. Offering advice to emerging women leaders, she encourages them to trust their own voice and focus on continuous growth rather than perfection. Ultimately, Val underscores the importance of aligning career with purpose—particularly in climate work—and closes with a reflection on future generations, stressing the responsibility to leave a better world behind.Disclaimer

In this episode, Chuck Slingerland, Vice President of Sales and Service for Barberan Corrugated North America, shares his journey from packaging manufacturer to equipment supplier—and how that perspective helps him guide companies investing in digital print technology.He discusses the evolution of single-pass digital printing, Barberan’s engineering-driven approach, and how advancements in speed, software, and ink are reshaping corrugated packaging, metal decoration, and retail graphics. Chuck also explains how manufacturers evaluate ROI, why uptime and service matter as much as print quality, and where the next wave of innovation in digital printing is headed.Disclaimer

On this episode of The Think Factory Podcast, Derek Volk, third-generation CEO of Volk Packaging in Maine, shares how a family-owned corrugated packaging company has thrived for nearly 60 years by focusing on relationships, small-batch complexity, and making customers’ lives easier. From embracing the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) to align his 100-person team, to writing Go for Third, a leadership book inspired by years of coaching softball, Derek unpacks lessons on small-ball execution, culture, accountability, and why human connection matters more than ever in an AI-driven world. It’s a candid conversation about succession, community impact, building the right team, and leading with purpose in a rapidly changing business landscape.Disclaimer

On this episode of the Think Factory Podcast, we sit down with Jonathan Hawkins, founder of Law Firm GC, to explore the unique—and often overlooked—legal needs of law firms themselves. From handshake partnerships with no written agreements to messy breakups, succession planning, malpractice defense, and the rise of alternative business structures, Jonathan shares what really happens behind the scenes of legal practices. We dig into why lawyers are often risk managers for everyone but themselves, the growing interest in MSOs and outside investment, and how AI tools like ChatGPT are reshaping (and sometimes complicating) the profession. It’s a candid, insider conversation about law firms as businesses—and why even lawyers need lawyers.Disclaimer

On this episode of the Think Factory Podcast, we dive into the science—and strategy—behind what really makes things stick with Dennis LeBlanc of Drytac. From celebrating 50 years in business to supplying adhesive-coated solutions in over 80 countries, Drytac is far more than a materials manufacturer—it’s an innovation engine focused on solving real-world pain points across visual communications, architectural films, retail, and industrial markets. Dennis unpacks the company’s “Adhesive Sciences” approach, cold-weather and specialty surface technologies, and the growing push toward sustainability without a “green tax.” We explore how smarter material choices—like water-based adhesives, polypropylene films, and new recyclable peel-and-stick papers—are reshaping the industry, why mandates are accelerating change, and what’s next in sustainable product development. If you’ve ever wondered how performance, profitability, and environmental responsibility can truly align, this conversation sticks.Disclaimer

On this episode of the ThinkFactory Women’s Roundtable, Karen Norheim, CEO of American Crane & Equipment Company, shares her remarkable journey from reluctant recruit in her family’s manufacturing business to second-generation leader of a thriving, highly engineered crane company serving industries from nuclear energy to NASA’s Artemis program.Karen opens up about the immigrant grit that shaped her father’s legacy, the evolution of their “Always Lift, Never Quit” mantra, and how she intentionally builds a culture rooted in perseverance, heart, and integrity. From championing women in manufacturing and mentoring future leaders to CEO’ing her own health and navigating rapid technological change, Karen offers candid insights on resilience, stewardship, and what it truly takes to lead with strength and authenticity in today’s world.Disclaimer

In this episode of the ThinkFactory Podcast, Timothy Peters and Louis Rouhaud of Polyart explore how synthetic paper is reshaping print, packaging, and labeling through durability, printability, and sustainability.The conversation dives into how Polyart eliminates lamination steps, reduces carbon footprint and waste, supports recyclability with post-consumer materials, and helps printers and brands cut costs while improving efficiency—offering a compelling look at how innovation in materials can drive both environmental and business impact.Disclaimer

Case Paper’s Blair Jason-Brown and Arika Stoecker share how an 80+ year–old company stays relevant by blending deep industry expertise with creativity, humor, and a people-first mindset.From custom-sized paper and packaging solutions that reduce waste and boost profitability to bold educational tools like “Case Paper TV,” they discuss what it truly means to be “On the Case”—building real partnerships, empowering customers through knowledge, and rethinking how print and packaging can inspire, perform, and tell better brand stories.Disclaimer

In this episode, listeners hear from Mike Seagram, President, and Mark Witkowski, CTO of Publisher Storage and Shipping (PSSC), as they explore how modern technology is reshaping book fulfillment and distribution. From print-on-demand and inventory optimization to data-driven forecasting, AI, and navigating Amazon’s influence, the conversation offers an inside look at how publishers can ship more, store less, and make smarter decisions across the supply chain.It’s a deep dive into how a traditionally “legacy” business is evolving through smarter data, tighter integration, and collaborative partnerships to keep publishers competitive and profitable.Disclaimer

This episode takes a deep dive into how AI-powered software is transforming the printing and packaging industries, moving far beyond buzzwords into real-world productivity, creativity, and efficiency gains. The conversation explores how EngView Systems has been building AI-driven, parametric design tools for decades, enabling packaging manufacturers, designers, and printers to reduce errors, shorten turnaround times, and automate complex structural design tasks that once took hours or days.Kris also discusses how AI, automation, and connected workflows are reshaping everything from cost estimation and sustainability to virtual prototyping, augmented reality, and short-run production. From smarter material optimization to safer, more efficient factory floors, this episode offers a forward-looking view of how embracing intelligent software can help companies stay competitive, profitable, and ready for what’s next.Disclaimer

This episode explores how Xante is helping democratize print technology by making advanced equipment and workflow tools more accessible to print service providers of all sizes. From digital envelope printing to UV flatbeds, roll-fed systems, and DTF solutions, the conversation highlights how Xante enables shops to add new revenue streams, increase efficiency, and reduce labor costs in an increasingly competitive print market.Disclaimer

In this episode, Oscar Perez, CFO of global design firm Snøhetta, offers an inside look at how the company blends architecture, landscape, interiors, and product design to create people-centered spaces around the world—from a groundbreaking presidential library in the North Dakota badlands to a border-bridging children’s museum in El Paso. He reflects on his non-linear career path, the importance of collaborative leadership in creative environments, and the challenges of guiding an international organization through uncertainty, cultural differences, and the post-COVID shift in how teams work.Oscar also shares insights on financial stewardship in a design-driven firm, empowering teams to innovate responsibly, and the evolving balance between personal and professional life as leaders navigate constant change.Disclaimer

In this episode, Alan Taheri shares how he grew One Vision from a tiny copy shop into a nationwide marketing execution powerhouse serving major brands and political campaigns. He dives into the company’s blend of automation, data-driven operations, and wide-format production, explains how listening—not selling—drives their client partnerships, and reflects on the role of AI and robotics in shaping the future of custom manufacturing.Alan also discusses his entrepreneurial origins, One Vision’s acquisition strategy, and why a commitment to problem-solving—even chartering planes when needed—has earned the company long-term loyalty and rapid growth.Disclaimer

In this episode, Ironmark president Matt Marzullo shares how the company has evolved from a traditional print operation into a tech-enabled, omni-channel marketing powerhouse. He discusses Ironmark’s growth through 18 acquisitions, the development of a national footprint, and the talent-driven culture that keeps former owners actively contributing years after joining the organization.Matt breaks down how predictive analytics, AI, and proprietary software are transforming campaign strategy—driving attributable ROI, smarter targeting, and seamless integration between digital and print. He also reflects on industry consolidation, the resurgence of print within modern marketing, and why Ironmark’s collaborative, people-first culture remains its greatest advantage.Disclaimer