In the latest episode of the Bring It Home podcast, host JP Hampstead and Aaron Slodov, CEO of Atomic Industries and co-founder of the New American Industrial Alliance (NAIA), discussed new AI technology’s impact on manufacturing and key developments paving the way for a manufacturing renaissance in the U.S.
Slodov shared the journey that led him to establish Atomic Industries in 2019, detailing how a personal side project to manufacture a consumer product found significant inefficiencies in the tooling process.
This drove Slodov to address these gaps by founding Atomic Industries, which focuses on the vertical integration of design, simulation and production, aimed at revolutionizing manufacturing through AI-powered technology.
He further discussed the formation of the NAIA as a means to advance industrial policy in the U.S. Highlighting the initiative’s goals, Slodov spoke on the importance of using technology developed over the past decades as a foundation for rebuilding the American industrial base.
Slodov said there has been a paradigm shift in Silicon Valley: There’s increasing interest among venture capitalists in investing in manufacturing, spurred by the high-profile success of companies like Tesla.
He also identified a converging political interest in Washington, as both political parties recognize the urgent need to restore America’s industrial capacity following the COVID-19 pandemic and global geopolitical tensions.
The podcast covered some major announcements in the industrial sector as well:
- Defense tech startup Anduril plans to establish Arsenal One, a manufacturing facility in Columbus, Ohio, with a significant investment poised to create thousands of jobs.
- South Korean conglomerates including CJ Group, Hyundai Steel and LS Cable are ramping up investment in the U.S., signaling a broad shift in global manufacturing strategies.
- Coherent received a $79 million grant as part of the CHIPS Act for plant expansion in Pennsylvania to boost semiconductor manufacturing capabilities.
Bring It Home dives into emerging industry trends and the push for reindustrialization in North America. The podcast is available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
