Voices of Colorado Manufacturing Podcast

Grease, Grit, and Growth: Armite Lubricants Survives and Thrives

Join hosts Mickele Bragg and Heather Kuhar at COMP 2025 as we sit down with Kathy and Mike Sandstrum, the husband-and-wife team behind Armite Lubricants. Discover how this attorney-paralegal duo made the bold decision to leave their law practice and take over a nearly century-old family business specializing in military-spec lubricants for aerospace, defense, and marine industries.
 
Founded in 1928 by a Colorado School of Mines graduate, Armite has weathered the Great Depression, multiple ownership transitions, and most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic. Mike and Kathy share their journey of relocating the company from California to Colorado in 2020, right as the pandemic hit, and how they turned crisis into opportunity by achieving critical certifications like AS 9100 and becoming one of the first small businesses to obtain CMMC 2.0 certification.
 
Learn how this small family business competes with industry giants like Dow Corning and Loctite by leveraging their agility and personal service—delivering products in six days instead of six months. From supporting NASA's Artemis II mission to receiving direct requests from the Navy for new formulations, the Sandstrums prove that sometimes being small is the biggest advantage of all.

Collaborative Innovation: Doug Rhoda from Vectis Automation

In this episode of the Voices of Colorado Manufacturing Podcast, we interview Doug Rhoda from Vectis Automation, a company at the forefront of collaborative robotic welding systems. Doug explains how their innovative robots enable safe and efficient welding alongside human workers, primarily catering to small and medium-sized enterprises. By significantly reducing barriers to entry, including offering trial options and hands-on training, Vectis is helping manufacturers embrace new technologies without the hefty overhead traditionally associated with industrial automation.
 
 
Doug shares insights into their focus on specific industries, such as defense shipbuilding, where their systems enhance productivity for high-mix, low-volume production needs. He emphasizes the importance of their internship programs in developing homegrown talent, which not only bolsters the team’s expertise but also ensures continuity in leadership and innovation within the company. This approach has been crucial in creating a knowledgeable workforce that drives Vectis's success.
 
The discussion also highlights the significance of trust and transparency in client relationships, particularly when collaborating on manufacturing costs. Doug illustrates how these elements foster effective partnerships and lead to mutual success. Tune in to discover how Vectis Automation is revolutionizing manufacturing processes and cultivating a robust talent pipeline, all while navigating the evolving landscape of automation and manufacturing in Colorado.

Embracing Change: The Evolution of the Workforce and Technology at Ready Foods

In this inaugural episode of the Voices of Colorado Manufacturing Podcast, hosts Mickele Bragg, Heather Kuhar, and Lale Lovell speak with Angie Hellstern, the plant manager at Ready Foods. Angie shares insights into the company's mission to continually innovate since its founding in 1972, highlighting the grand opening of their technologically advanced facility just a year ago. Angie discusses the importance of upskilling employees in adapting to new automated processes and AI technology, emphasizing a culture of continuous improvement and voluntary transition for workers. Ready Foods implemented training programs that break tasks into manageable parts, equipping employees with the skills needed to thrive in a more automated environment. The podcast sheds light on the challenges and opportunities presented by technology, detailing how Ready Foods is leveraging machine learning for quality assurance and efficiency. Angie’s leadership exemplifies the integration of advanced manufacturing practices while nurturing a supportive and engaged workforce. The discussion encapsulates the balance between embracing modern technology and maintaining a human-centered approach in manufacturing.