Marlin Steel recently welcomed SBA Deputy Administrator Bill Briggs for a visit focused on the critical drivers of success in modern American manufacturing. The discussion centered on three key pillars shaping the future of U.S.-based production:
- Safety
- Access to capital
- Workforce development
Safety as the Foundation for Operational Excellence
A strong safety culture isn’t just about compliance; it’s a leading indicator of overall business performance.
As Bill Briggs shared during the visit: “A strong safety record is a leading indicator of everything else: quality, uptime, delivery, and trust.”
At Marlin Steel, safety is embedded into daily operations. From equipment protocols to team training, maintaining a safe work environment directly supports consistent production, high-quality output, and reliable delivery for customers.
Enabling Growth Through Smart Capital Access
Scaling American manufacturing requires more than demand; it requires the right financial infrastructure to support it.
Marlin Steel President Drew Greenblatt emphasized the importance of aligning funding pathways with real-world manufacturing needs: “If we want Made-in-America to scale, we need financing pathways that match manufacturing reality: equipment lead times, workforce ramp, and customer demand.”
Programs supported by the SBA, including loans and grants, play a vital role in helping manufacturers invest in advanced equipment, expand capacity, and remain competitive in a global market.
Building the Workforce of Tomorrow
Workforce development remains one of the most important investments in manufacturing today.
At Marlin Steel, training programs are designed to bring in motivated individuals and equip them with the skills needed to succeed on the production floor.
As Max shared, “We’re eager to expand training programs that turn motivated people into confident operators. Most of our current production staff had little to no manufacturing training when they became Marlin employees.”
This approach not only strengthens the company’s internal capabilities but also contributes to rebuilding the broader U.S. manufacturing workforce.
Investing in People Drives Long-Term Success
While advanced machinery and automation are essential, Marlin Steel’s leadership is clear on what matters most: “The most important part of our business is our people. You can buy machines and build processes anywhere, but it’s the team on the floor that makes the difference. Everything we do—safety, training, investment—is about supporting them so they can do great work.”
By prioritizing employees, Marlin ensures that every investment, whether in technology or process improvement, translates into better outcomes for customers.
Strengthening American Manufacturing
The visit highlighted what’s working in U.S. manufacturing today:
- A strong, proactive safety culture
- Strategic access to capital for growth
- Workforce training programs that build real, applicable skills
Marlin Steel is proud to partner with organizations like the SBA to help advance these priorities and support the continued growth of American manufacturing.
A Shared Commitment to the Future
Marlin Steel Wire Products was proud to host SBA Deputy Administrator Bill Briggs and engage in meaningful discussions about the future of the industry.
Together, the focus remains clear: building safer operations, enabling smarter investment, and developing the skilled workforce needed to power the next generation of American manufacturing.
To learn more about our domestic manufacturing capabilities, contact us today.
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