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💴 This Week in Manufacturing

Novelist Victor Hugo said it best “All the forces in the world are not so powerful as an idea whose time has come.” Ideas lead to change–but only when they are fulfilling a need, and doing it well. Today we’re exploring how now is the time for alternative power and sustainable manufacturing.

Our feature company, Heather’s Choice, practices sustainability and “energy boosting” through dehydrated, packaged meals. The Lower 48 can get behind that innovation!

Additionally, this week’s headlines abound with perfect timing: the return of VW’s Scout brand as EVs, solar recycling, and more!

This week’s podcast episode from a16z deep dives into the electric grid’s history, defining technologies, and place in our future. How’s that for power and timing?

Finally, our social video showcases a moment of fun with the world’s most famous electric car: Tesla.

Thanks for joining us!

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⚙ Manufacturing Headlines

• Collaboration Establishes First-Ever US Advanced Substrate Facility [North American Clean Energy]

• How the IRA and CHIPS Act are supercharging US manufacturing construction [Atlantic Council]

• Alaskan company delivers stable meals to go [CompanyWeek]

• SolarCycle to make solar glass using recycled solar panels in new GA plant [Solar Power World]

• VW’s Scout EV brand introduces $2B US plant [Green Car Reports]

• Japan’s Kyocera to build U.S. satellite parts plant in PA [Nikkei Asia]

FOOD & BEVERAGE

♨️ Heather’s Choice

One Alaskan Entrepreneur’s dream to pioneer a sustainable and nutritious dehydrated meals business sparks a 10-year journey of learning curves, from humble beginnings to an episode of Shark Tank—And now to the next stage in making “Heather’s Choice” a household name.

Heather’s Choice began in 2011 when the founder first started dehydrating food in preparation for her first big Colorado rafting trip. What began as a curiosity quickly transformed into a favorite hobby.

Heather's Choice is planning its relocation to Ashland, Oregon. The new location will serve as a springboard for expanding the company's operations, enhancing its production capabilities, and tapping into a rich network of suppliers and partners.

Upshot: “Going into Shark Tank, I was mentally prepared to say, ‘I’m going to make a huge pivot, I’m going to kill the meal business altogether.’”

FROM THE FEED

📱Tesla: More Cowbell

 🤨 Did You Know?

Within our supply chain, over

80%

of US industrial inputs are sourced domestically.

^{Source: National Bureau of Economic Research}

🎧 Podcasts Worth A Listen

⏱ Capture Tribal Knowledge →

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