Building Auto-Jet and Beyond: John Rapp on Entrepreneurship
Release Date: 09/18/2025
Building Auto-Jet and Beyond: John Rapp on Entrepreneurship
Iowa Manufacturing Podcast
John Rapp, President of Auto-Jet Muffler Corporation, joins the Iowa Manufacturing Podcast to share his entrepreneurial journey and the principles that guide his decision-making. From launching ventures to building synergies with his sister company, Heartland Harness, John explains how discernment shapes which projects move forward and how he maintains a competitive edge. He also explores the critical role of workforce and supply chain in manufacturing success. With pride in leading one of the most technically skilled teams in the country, John emphasizes that talent is the foundation of...
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Innovation, Leadership, and the Future of Iowa Manufacturing
Iowa Manufacturing Podcast
This week, Leisa Fox and EOS Implementer Loraine Hardin reflect on three significant events that highlight the momentum of Iowa’s business and manufacturing community: the Traction Table, the CBJ Manufacturing Conference, and the Manufacturing Masterminds tour at Seneca Foundry. Together, they explore the common challenges companies are facing—from workforce transitions to economic pressures—and the EOS tools and leadership strategies that are helping them adapt. Listeners will also hear behind-the-scenes stories from the Seneca Foundry tour, including the molten metal demonstration,...
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Bridging the 2030 Workforce Gap: A Roadmap for Iowa Manufacturers
Iowa Manufacturing Podcast
The live CBJ Manufacturing Conference podcast brought together three leaders—Dawn Ealy, Steve Coleman, and Wendy Mihm-Herold—to map out strategies for addressing Iowa’s looming workforce crisis. With 240,000 Baby Boomers set to retire by 2030, the conversation underscored the need for employers to proactively leverage automation, retain senior workers through flexible arrangements, and intentionally engage the next generation of Gen Z talent through workplace learning initiatives. This episode made clear that manufacturers cannot afford to choose one approach over another. Automation...
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Tariffs, Transparency, and Timely Decisions: A CFO’s Playbook for Manufacturers
Iowa Manufacturing Podcast
On this episode of the Iowa Manufacturing Podcast, Leisa Fox welcomes Todd Shores, Virtual CFO with Creative Planning, to discuss how manufacturers can respond to the financial turbulence caused by expanded tariffs. Shores underscores the importance of transparency—encouraging leaders to openly communicate financial challenges with employees, building trust while aligning teams behind critical decisions. The conversation also dives into practical strategies for adaptation, from targeting new markets to sourcing outside of high-tariff regions. Shores stresses the urgency of reviewing...
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Closing Iowa’s Workforce Gap with Work-Based Learning
Iowa Manufacturing Podcast
In this episode, host Leisa Fox tackles one of Iowa’s most urgent challenges: the looming workforce gap. With hundreds of thousands of jobs set to open in the next five years, the solution isn’t abstract—it’s work-based learning. Leaders from iJAG, ABI, MidAmerican Energy, and Kuder share how their collaboration is creating a clear pathway for students while giving businesses direct access to the skilled workforce they need. Through firsthand stories and practical strategies, the discussion underscores a critical truth: work-based learning isn’t optional. It’s a mandate. Employers...
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Gold Standard Materials: Qore and QIRA Lead the Way in Iowa Manufacturing
Iowa Manufacturing Podcast
Qore’s new facility in Eddyville marks more than production—it’s a statement: QIRA is the gold standard in bio-derived materials. Capable of replacing fossil-based inputs with renewable corn-sourced alternatives, QIRA stands as a drop-in replacement for traditional BDO and is already transforming global supply chains. With Cargill and HELM at the helm, QIRA exemplifies how agriculture, industry, and innovation can unite for economic and environmental gain. In this episode, Jon Veldhouse guides us from cornfields to manufacturing floors, illustrating how Qore’s partnerships—most...
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From Policy to Production: Tiny Homes Transforming Iowa Communities
Iowa Manufacturing Podcast
The future of housing in Iowa is getting smaller—and smarter. In this conversation, Mike Stuart of Tiny Homes Iowa explains how his company is transforming the housing market with tiny homes that combine modern design, efficiency, and affordability. With the state’s new legislation paving the way for tiny homes in every Iowa city and county, Mike shares how this change could redefine where and how Iowans live. From engineering to energy efficiency, we unpack the process that makes tiny homes possible and the opportunities it creates for Iowa’s skilled workforce and suppliers. This is...
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From Short Runs to Smart Robots: Kinetic Technologies on the Future of Welding Automation
Iowa Manufacturing Podcast
Robotics is no longer just for high-volume automotive lines. In this insightful conversation, Mark Barglof of Kinetic Technologies explains how advances in robotic welding are making automation accessible to manufacturers running short batches and tackling complex part geometries. With benefits that extend far beyond labor savings—such as reduced wire and gas consumption, lower scrap, and even floor space optimization—Mark shows how robotic welding is reshaping ROI calculations for modern plants. Looking ahead, AI-powered robots and cobots are poised to rapidly advance quality control and...
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Beyond the Bonus: Rewarding What Works
Iowa Manufacturing Podcast
Tanya Fish of ITA Group joins the Iowa Manufacturing Podcast to share the power of personalized incentives and strategic recognition. From sales teams to distributor networks, she explains how behavior-based reward programs create stronger relationships, boost retention, and drive better business results. ITA Group’s tailored approach ensures individuals are motivated in ways that matter most to them. More than perks or prizes, Tanya emphasizes the importance of clear performance metrics and systems that reinforce the habits and behaviors that lead to sustained success. This episode is a...
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Stop Wasting Marketing Dollars: A Data-Driven Approach
Iowa Manufacturing Podcast
What if you could eliminate waste in your marketing budget and double down on what actually works? August and Alex Severn of Capitol Data Analytics join the Iowa Manufacturing Podcast to explain how manufacturers can do exactly that. By using precise audience targeting and tracking the right metrics—like lifetime customer value—CDS helps clients transform guesswork into growth. But smart data alone isn’t enough. The Severns also highlight the dangers of siloed departments, where marketing, sales, and operations don’t share insights or goals. When communication breaks down, even the...
info_outlineJohn Rapp, President of Auto-Jet Muffler Corporation, joins the Iowa Manufacturing Podcast to share his entrepreneurial journey and the principles that guide his decision-making. From launching ventures to building synergies with his sister company, Heartland Harness, John explains how discernment shapes which projects move forward and how he maintains a competitive edge.
He also explores the critical role of workforce and supply chain in manufacturing success. With pride in leading one of the most technically skilled teams in the country, John emphasizes that talent is the foundation of resilience and growth. His reflections provide both practical takeaways and inspiration for leaders across Iowa and beyond.
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