Clocking In Podcast

Voices of NC Manufacturing, your host Phil Mintz, Director of the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP). We will be interviewing some of the manufacturers who have made North Carolina manufacturing the powerhouse it is today.

Episode 01

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ATI Laminates

Production Team

Talent/Host: Phil Mintz
Executive Producer: Teresa Bradford
Producer: Shelby Kimes
Sound/Audio Engineer and Editor: Mike Reep
Graphic Designer: Casey Hembrick

E-01: Not Your Grandmother’s Formica Laminate!

ATI Laminates: Tara Burgio

Laminate is no longer your grandmother’s gold fleck formica countertops. There is one innovative North Carolina company helping you change the way you think about laminates, one solution at a time.

ATI Laminates is a family owned and operated manufacturing facility located in Greensboro, North Carolina. They are maniacally focused on developing innovative surfaces for the hospitality, retail, healthcare and institutional markets.

We had helped the company with their certified management system awhile back, so I was curious to share with others how a company that started out as a hinge distributor for a German company could now be operating as a leading, international laminate giant. I decided to return to their offices in Greensboro to find out.

You’ll understand why architects and interior designers who want to create spaces with eye catching color, texture and design turn to ATI for their innovative and decorative surface solutions.

You’ll also catch a glimpse of how a successful leadership transition happens in a family owned and operated manufacturing business. Plus, get some tips about maintaining a committed workforce.

About

Phil Mintz

Phil Mintz is the executive director of NC State Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) and director of the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP). At NCMEP, Phil drives outreach to NC manufacturers, builds relationships with federal and state leaders and coordinates efforts to drive profitable manufacturing growth in the state. He also leads the broader IES extension operations outreach unit of regional managers, technical specialists and business development leaders providing business engagement, assessment and improvement tools. This includes statewide peer networks, ISO 9000 quality management systems, Six Sigma, Lean manufacturing, environmental services, and health and safety solutions.

Tara Burgio

Tara Burgio is President of ATI Laminates. She has held that role since 1994. Her focus is continuous improvement through continual training, process improvements, being an advocate for community service and maintaining environmentally friendly manufacturing. During her time as president, the company earned both ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications.