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!

Larry Smith, Chairman of Tokyo Electron US, is a respected leader in the global semiconductor industry. He has spent decades guiding Tokyo Electron US to be a top-ranked provider of semiconductor equipment and services. In this interview, he shares his thoughts and perspective on what the current moment means for the business but also for the country, as geopolitical forces are shaping investment, policy, and growth in a rapidly changing landscape. Along the way, we discuss workforce, the importance of establishing a veteran pipeline, and some personal stories that shaped his leadership style and approach to the community.

Nate Horvath is the CEO of Staccato, a high end pistol manufacturer serving law enforcement and competition shooters as well as aficionados. Many experts consider their products to be some of the finest shooting guns in the world. In this conversation we discuss the line between manufacturing and craftsmanship, the changes in the gun industry, and what we can expect from Staccato in the future. Horvath has spent time at institutions renowned for developing leaders, including the US Marine Corp and Stanford Business School. Don't miss hearing his path to manufacturing and how his personal and professional background shape who he is today.

Beth San Segundo is the CEO of OriGen Biomedical, a leading producer of cryopreservation, cell culture, and respiratory products that support the treatment of respiratory distress, cancer, genetic conditions, and other life-threatening diseases. Under Beth’s leadership, the company has thrived and sustained rapid growth. In this episode we get her thoughts on what it’s like to make products that are critical to healthcare, the current operating conditions impacting her business locally and globally, as well as what the future might hold for Origen and the regional medical device ecosystem, which in conjunction with the biopharmaceutical industry currently makes over a billion dollars in products every year.

Scott Lingren has a long legacy in technology, including the past 15 years in semiconductor. He currently serves as the Managing Director for Schunk Xycarb, a leading supplier of quartz, graphite, and advanced ceramics. He is at the forefront of the global semiconductor supply chain and the forces that are pushing for more regionalization. In this episode he discusses his thoughts on what we can expect globally and locally as well as his philosophy on being a growth catalyst.

Robb Misso's opinions and perspective will influence how you see this moment in time. He is a long-time leader in Central Texas Manufacturing, including former CEO of Dynamic Manufacturing as well as a founding board member of ARMA. He recently accepted a new role as Global Vice President of Operations for Cellink, an important new-comer building a large facility in Georgetown, Texas. In this conversation, we discuss why Cellink chose Central Texas, the incredible technology that their products enable, and the strengths of Central Texas. Don't miss this episode.