On this episode of the Manufacturing Austin Podcast, Kevin Fincher chats with Accutronic CEO Florian Aigrain about the company’s bold move into Central Texas and their groundbreaking work on micro jet engines, actuators, and aerospace components.

They cover everything from Paris Air Show takeaways to reshoring supply chains, and why investing in Bastrop’s apprenticeship program is critical for the next generation of manufacturing talent.

Episode highlights:

Accutronic’s background & growth into aerospace

Texas’ first jet engine factory in Bastrop

Supply chain resilience & rare earth minerals

Defense + commercial applications for micro turbines

Why apprenticeships matter for future workforce

Big thanks to Texas Mutual for sponsoring and to Milan Media for producing.

In this episode of the Manufacturing Austin Podcast, host Kevin Fincher sits down with Alyssa Reinhart, Director of Workforce Development at the Texas Institute for Electronics (TIE), to explore how Texas is leading the charge in rebuilding America’s semiconductor workforce and reshaping the landscape of technical education.

They delve into:

Alyssa’s unique career journey—from a family-run nondestructive testing business to driving state-level workforce development policy.

How TIE emerged from UT Austin’s nanotechnology research and now serves as a national leader in advanced semiconductor packaging and heterogeneous integration.

The revival of U.S. chip manufacturing through CHIPS Act funding and Texas’ bold legislative support.

Why advanced packaging is the next frontier and how Texas is positioning itself at the center of this revolution.

The evolving role of Career & Technical Education (CTE), and how Texas is embracing dual credit, stackable credentials, and real-world externships to better align education with industry needs.

Whether you're in manufacturing, education, or workforce policy, this episode offers a powerful look into the future of American industry and how Central Texas is at its forefront.

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