In this special episode of the Manufacturing Austin Podcast, host Kevin Fincher, President & CEO of the Austin Regional Manufacturers Association, sits down with Yasser Arafat — no, not that Yasser Arafat — the co-founder and CTO of Aalo Technologies, a trailblazing startup redefining how we build and deploy nuclear energy.

Broadcasting from inside Aalo’s pilot factory in Austin, TX, this episode dives into how Yasser and his team are accelerating the future of clean, scalable nuclear power through advanced manufacturing. From sodium-cooled reactors to architecturally elegant “Aalo Pods” designed for data centers and industrial facilities, Yasser shares how their Extra Modular Reactors (XMRs) are breaking new ground in speed, safety, and sustainability.

You’ll hear about:

Aalo’s unique artistic and environmental vision

How sodium-cooled reactors work (and why they’re safer and more efficient)

The U.S.-based manufacturing strategy to retain tech leadership

Why Texas is the perfect home for nuclear innovation

A realistic, fast-tracked timeline to commercial nuclear deployment by 2029

And yes — there’s even a live reveal of their working prototype!

Whether you're in manufacturing, energy, or just fascinated by the future of tech and climate, this is one episode you don’t want to miss.

Learn more at aallo.com

In this episode of the Manufacturing Austin Podcast, Kevin Fincher, President and CEO of the Austin Regional Manufacturers Association (ARMA), sits down with Bret Boyd, CEO and co-founder of Sustainment, to discuss the critical role of digital infrastructure in re-shoring American manufacturing.

Boyd shares his journey from serving as an Army Ranger to launching a mission-driven technology company that’s redefining how U.S. manufacturers connect and grow. The conversation explores the impact of globalization, COVID-19, and geopolitical risk on the American supply chain, and how Sustainment is using AI and smart data to solve the supplier discovery challenge.

This episode covers how the shrinking industrial base caught the attention of the Department of Defense, the role of MEPs and local manufacturing support organizations, and the urgent need for a resilient, decentralized manufacturing ecosystem. With insight into both defense and commercial supply chains, Boyd explains how better tools and data-driven platforms can enable agility, flexibility, and growth across the industry.

Listeners will also gain perspective on how policy shifts like tariffs are influencing re-shoring, and why the future of U.S. manufacturing depends on coordinated, tech-enabled efforts to unlock the capacity of small and mid-sized manufacturers across the country.

Welcome to the Manufacturing Austin Podcast! In this exciting reboot, we’re diving into the latest trends, challenges, and innovations in manufacturing, with a special focus on the Central Texas region.

In this episode, we’re joined by Rami Goldratt, CEO of Goldratt Consulting and son of Dr. Eliyahu Goldratt, the creator of the Theory of Constraints. We discuss how this powerful methodology can help manufacturers optimize production, eliminate bottlenecks, and scale their businesses.

Ramy shares real-world examples, including how Delta Airlines adapted during the post-COVID recovery and how Amazon leveraged The Goal to revolutionize its fulfillment operations. We also explore the impact of AI on manufacturing, workforce development challenges, and the role of constraint-based thinking in personal and professional growth.

A huge thank you to our sponsor, Texas Mutual, and our production team at MFG Tribe for making this podcast possible.

Tune in to gain valuable insights on improving efficiency, scaling operations, and driving success in today’s manufacturing world. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and stay updated for future episodes!