High Pressure by Ratermann MFG.: Recent Episodes

Jake Williams

Providing a unique perspective George Ratermann hosts High Pressure a podcast highlighting industry trends, news, & personalities. Each week we cover topics ranging from fill plants, welding, cryogenics, medical gases, & beverage gases.

Want to implement cultural change in your organization? Learn why trusting employees is a crucial step. Today, we welcome Mike Weller, a veteran in the industry and former president of Miller Electric.

Mike shares some of his invaluable insights from his tenure at Miller Electric, where he led the company's remarkable growth from $200 million to $1.2 billion. He emphasizes the power of fostering a family-like atmosphere, promoting from within, and maintaining flexibility without compromising on quality. Mike also highlights the critical role of innovation, employee empowerment, and community involvement in achieving business success.

In This Episode:

How promoting from within creates employee loyalty
Creating flexibility in the workplace
Employee involvement in decision-making
Implementing cultural change through pilots
Celebrating wins and fostering peer support

🔗 Find out more about Ratermann Manufacturing: https://www.rmiorder.com/

What does it take for a family business to grow from 12 to 120 employees? Today, we have a special treat for you as we delve deep into the inspiring journey of Leonard’s Syrups, a family-owned business founded in 1964 that has grown from humble beginnings into a diversified industry leader. Our guests, the mother-and-son duo Sherri and Lucas Iskra, share fascinating insights about their company’s evolution, from selling soda to providing comprehensive beverage services and their innovative steps into the cannabis industry.

In this Episode:

The evolution of Leonard’s Syrups since 1964
The impact of cannabis on business growth
Managing CO2 supply and exploring biogas
Navigating family business dynamics
Celebrating Leonard Syrups' 60th anniversary

🔗 Find out more about Leonard’s Syrups: https://www.leonardssyrups.com/

🔗 Find out more about Ratermann Manufacturing: https://www.rmiorder.com/

Ever wondered what it takes to climb the ladder of success in the industrial gas and welding supply industry? Today, we delve into the journey of Steve Byers, Vice President of Rattermann Manufacturing. From humble beginnings in his family's business to navigating corporate landscapes, Steve shares invaluable insights on leadership, resilience, and finding balance.

Steve's experiences provide a blueprint for aspiring professionals. He shares the importance of never judging a book by its cover and mastering the art of compartmentalization. You’ll also discover how Steve's ethos of teamwork, humility, and relentless work ethic propelled him from painting cylinders to steering multimillion-dollar acquisitions. Gain firsthand wisdom on fostering strong relationships, navigating corporate transitions, and maintaining perspective amidst personal and professional challenges.

IN THIS EPISODE:

Career progression and lessons learned
The importance of customer service
Managing relationships in business
Compartmentalizing work and personal life
Finding the balance between work and personal life

🔗 Find out more about Ratermann Manufacturing: https://www.rmiorder.com/

Looking to learn from one of the best in the industry? Today, we welcome Randy Squibb, a seasoned industry professional with extensive experience starting his family-owned business back in 1947. Randy talks about the importance of family dynamics in business and shares valuable insights on mergers, acquisitions, and how the industry is changing. He emphasizes the significance of building strong customer relationships and the value of mentorship for young professionals in the industry.

This conversation highlights the importance of preserving industry knowledge, fostering mentorship opportunities, and prioritizing customer relationships in the ever-evolving gas and welding industry.

IN THIS EPISODE:

Industry Updates from George and Marie
Discussion on the importance of building strong customer relationships
Insights on the significance of starting from the ground up in the industry
Importance of mentorship and knowledge sharing between generations in the industry

🔗 Find out more about Ratermann Manufacturing: https://www.rmiorder.com/

What does it truly mean to lead with purpose? In this high-pressure world, where challenges abound, and decisions shape destinies, one leader's philosophy stands out: "It's not about me, it's about we."

Today our guest is Gary Halter, a seasoned member of the industrial sector. Gary shares insights on navigating the complex landscape of management. From shaping company themes to fostering teamwork, he unveils the essence of servant leadership in action. But beyond buzzwords lies a deeper truth, the bond between purpose and empathy.

In This Episode:

Industry Updates from George and Marie
Leading with purpose
Servant leadership philosophy
Balancing empathy and productivity
Setting company themes and goals
Relationship-building with employees and clients
Cultivating a compassionate organizational culture

🔗 Find out more about Ratermann Manufacturing: https://www.rmiorder.com/

Galen Emanuele works with teams around the globe including Microsoft and NASA, transforming the way teams communicate and show up at work. Along with his business background, Galen is a world class improviser. He performed and taught improv for many years and toured with the cast from ‘Whose Line is it Anyway?’

In this episode George Ratermann and Marie Williams talk to Galenabout: Cultures that make or break young professional talent, the appropriate tolerance level a company should have for gossipers and bad mouthers, who really needs a mentor at your company, emotional intelligence & why your leaders must have it..and if they don’t, where to get it, executing difficult conversations with your boss, and why purpose statements might feel like BS to your team.

Keep learning from Galen! Sign up for his weekly culture drop newsletter here: https://galenemanuele.com/join-the-culturedrop

Do you have a culture that embraces mental health in the workplace? On this podcast, we talk to Ben Greene of Mindshare partners about why mental health in the workplace is taboo, what the divide may be between generations, and how companies can make improvements to their culture.

We are very excited for the upcoming GAWDA where our industry will be discussing mental health

On this episode, the General Air leadership team sits down to discuss what makes their operation so successful. General Air is known in the industry as being on the leading edge of technology and emerging markets. We cover everything from serving the cannabis market to hiring & retaining employees. This episode is a great inside view of one of the shining stars of the industry.

John Raquet, Owner of Global Magazine, CEO of Gasworld, talks:

How the gas industry is shifting after 2020
How Gas Distributors can differentiate themselves in 2021
Helium is back but has technology moved past its use?

In this episode, Rich Gottwald explains: - Do we have enough Dry Ice for the Vaccine Needs? - Working with Operation Warp Speed & Homeland Security about the dry ice shortage & the Covid - 19 Vaccine. - Markets with billions of dollars of opportunity. Subscribe to our podcast here: iTunes:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/69tgdRQ... Follow us on Linkedin! https://www.linkedin.com/company/rate...

In the second part of this episode Mary-Carter-Ratermann and Marie Ratermann, daughters of George Ratermann, discuss the important aspects when working with the dynamics of a family ran company. George opens up for the first time about being dyslexic and the roll its’ played in his life, and George discusses the unique companies he started as a teenager that helped to teach him lessons about the company he wanted to start and would go on to create.

Mary-Carter-Ratermann and Marie Ratermann, two of Georges's daughters, sit down and interview George in this 2 part episode. In this 1st part, Mary and Marie ask George about how he started in the gas and welding industry, why he chose to start Ratermann, the importance of leaving your comfort zone, and how to stay motivated when things are easy and good, or difficult and challenging.

James is the Sr. Principal investigator and founder of the cryogenics test lab at NASA Kennedy Space Center for energy-efficient technology development and materials research. James Joins George to talk about gases used in rockets, a new technology that will leave you with your jaw dropped, and advice about where gas distributors should be focusing their attention in the coming years. James started working at NASA at 18 and now has now worked for NASA for over 35 years and has been inducted into the Space Technology Hall of Fame.

James also owns his own business called Energy Evolution. His website can be found here: http://www.321energy.us

Please subscribe to this podcast and give us a thumbs up if you enjoyed the episode.

Follow us on Linkedin for more updates and stories: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ratermann-manufacturing

Check out our Cryogenic Catalog of products mentioned in this podcast here: https://ratermann-mfg.dcatalog.com/v/2018-Ratermann-Cryogenics/

A special thank you to cryogenic society for your assistance in this episode: https://cryogenicsociety.org/cold_facts/

Today we talk to Phil Kornbluth, a helium expert, and consultant on the current state of helium, if the helium shortage is over, advice for gas distributors, and the future of helium pricing for end-users.

Phil Kornbluth’s website can be found here: http://www.kornbluthheliumconsulting.com/

About Phil Kornbluth:

Phil Kornbluth is the founder and President of Kornbluth Helium Consulting, LLC, a helium-focused consultancy that advises clients on all commercial aspects of the Global Helium Business.

Phil is recognized as one of the world’s foremost commercial experts in the Global Helium Business. He has been employed by several leading industrial gas companies over the last 39 years, including The BOC Group, plc (BOC), the Matheson Gas subsidiary of Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation (TNSC) and Global Gases Group FZE and has worked in various roles related to the Helium Business for the last 37 years. While at both BOC and TNSC, Phil held executive positions that included general management and P&L responsibility for their global helium businesses. As VP, Global Helium at BOC, Phil led BOC’s Helium Business to a co-#1 worldwide position in the industry. Phil has been a frequent speaker on helium-related topics at industry conferences, has contributed to and authored numerous helium-related articles, and has made important contributions to U.S. helium legislation passed in 1996 and 2013.

Kornbluth holds a BS in Economics degree from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business and received a Masters in Business Administration degree from Rider University.

Kornbluth, his wife Arleen, and their daughter Kim reside in Bridgewater, New Jersey.

Ken Thompson, The unofficial grandfather of the gas and welding industry is looked at by gas distributors as a resource of industry knowledge, know-how and expertise. Ken works alongside industry leaders and emerging companies as an unspoken guide to help in their success. Listen for industry knowledge from a guru of the gas and welding industry.

Lo Friesen of HeyLo Cannabis is an innovator and leader in the cannabis industry. Lo breaks down the basics of the cannabis plant and cannabis extraction. Lo gives valuable advice to gas distributors who are looking to or currently are servicing the cannabis industry. She explains where she thinks the future of cannabis is going and answers the uncomfortable questions - is this industry here to stay or is it a fad and why should you care if you're not in a legalized state?

FOLLOW RATERMANN MANUFACTURING ON LINKEDIN!

Check out the Ratermann Products mentioned in the podcast:

RPV Valves that prevent backflow

Liquid cylinders for Cannabis

Cylinder Management to keep track of what customer the cylinder belongs to

Products for CO2

Check out Heylo Cannabis!

https://www.heylocannabis.com/

https://www.heylocannabis.com/post/what-are-terpenes

Lloyd Robinson, President of AWISCO gives us insight as to how he’s grown from one to nine locations in the tri-state area over 20 years, Responding as a company to COVID-19 while in the heart of NYC and his thoughts about what the future may hold.

Krazy George speaks on his techniques to motivate people, create contagious positivity, and to get everyone working towards the same goal. Krazy George Is the world’s most famous cheerleader. In the last 40 years, Krazy George has performed in front of 25 million fans. George introduced "The Wave" to the world On October 15, 1981 during the Oakland A’s Vs. The New York Yankees Playoff Game that was broadcasted to hundreds of millions of Americans on National TV . "The Wave" caused the whole world to stand up and cheer and continues to circle stadiums around the world. Listen to this episode for a full cup of motivation and insight from a man who can leave a stadium inspired and cheering even after losing 45-0.

Follow us on Linkedin for videos and updates: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ratermann-manufacturing/

Check Out Krazy George's Book "Still Krazy after all these cheers": https://amzn.to/3bdPsWs

Video of the first wave: https://youtu.be/_sqGxQoORYE

Krazy George: Still Krazy After All These Cheers

David Burgener is a highly regarded CO2 and N20 Consultant who has spent over 40 years in the CO2 industry. David served on the chair of the compressed Gas Association CO2 committee, has authored chapters of the CGA handbook, and owns 3 US patents. David gives us his expertise about what's currently happening in the CO2 market, why there is a shortage, what the future may look like, and advice for companies currently in the CO2 market.

During a time where companies are looking and struggling to grow their business creatively; Joe Francis, President of Central McGowan discusses his mindset on running his business, building up company culture, expanding into new markets, dealing with setbacks, and how to put trust into your team.

President of DeLille Oxygen, Josh Weinman may be one of the youngest and most humble company presidents. Josh explains how he has worked his way up in the industry and gives insight as to what makes an employee valuable. Josh discusses DeLille Oxygen's response to Coronavirus, new technologies being used by outside sales and the DeLille team, along with the processes they've implemented to keep both their employees and customers safe. Josh left us with great takeaways we feel could be implemented by companies now.