# 242: Industrial History and the Low-Carbon Economy of the Future with Ted Fertik, VP of Manufacturing & Industrial Policy at BlueGreen Alliance

- Show: [Manufacturing Happy Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour)
- Published: 2025-06-24
- Length: 50m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-06-24-242-industrial-history-and-the-low-carbon-economy-of-the-future-with-ted-fertik
- Listen: http://manufacturinghappyhour.com

## Summary

Ted Fertik, VP of Manufacturing & Industrial Policy at the BlueGreen Alliance, discusses the intersection of industrial history, policy, and the low-carbon economy. He draws on his PhD in economic history to analyze past industrial strategies, such as Brazil's steel development and UK modernization, to inform current efforts to decarbonize heavy industries like steel, aluminum, and cement. Fertik emphasizes that a reliable, clean electrical grid is critical for future manufacturing, citing the massive energy demands of AI data centers and electrification. He also highlights the role of unions in attracting talent and the necessity of public-private partnerships to crowd in private investment for capital-intensive industrial modernization.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-06-24-242-industrial-history-and-the-low-carbon-economy-of-the-future-with-ted-fertik#t=0) Introduction and Guest Background
- [6:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-06-24-242-industrial-history-and-the-low-carbon-economy-of-the-future-with-ted-fertik#t=381) Industrial History: Brazil and the UK
- [22:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-06-24-242-industrial-history-and-the-low-carbon-economy-of-the-future-with-ted-fertik#t=1334) The BlueGreen Alliance Mission
- [27:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-06-24-242-industrial-history-and-the-low-carbon-economy-of-the-future-with-ted-fertik#t=1644) Sustainability, Productivity, and Electrification
- [37:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-06-24-242-industrial-history-and-the-low-carbon-economy-of-the-future-with-ted-fertik#t=2238) The Critical Role of the Electrical Grid
- [40:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-06-24-242-industrial-history-and-the-low-carbon-economy-of-the-future-with-ted-fertik#t=2419) Attracting Talent Through Unions
- [43:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-06-24-242-industrial-history-and-the-low-carbon-economy-of-the-future-with-ted-fertik#t=2604) Public-Private Investment and Policy Risks
- [47:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-06-24-242-industrial-history-and-the-low-carbon-economy-of-the-future-with-ted-fertik#t=2868) Expanding Enthusiasm for Manufacturing

## Topics

- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)
- [Energy & climate tech](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/energy-and-climate-tech)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- BlueGreen Alliance (company)
- St. Arnold's Mussel Bar (other)
- Department of Energy (company)
- Bank of England (company)
- Silicon Valley (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Advance market commitments to decarbonize heavy industry](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2022-12-15-advance-market-commitments-to-decarbonize-heavy-industry) (Catalyst)
- [Navigating the electricity gauntlet](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2023-08-17-navigating-the-electricity-gauntlet) (Catalyst)
- [Drew Baglino on Tesla’s Master Plan](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2024-06-06-drew-baglino-on-teslas-master-plan) (Catalyst)
- [The news quiz episode!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2024-05-08-the-news-quiz-episode) (Catalyst)
- [With Great Power: What other industries can teach utilities about innovation](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/catalyst/2023-08-04-with-great-power-what-other-industries-can-teach-utilities-about-innovation) (Catalyst)

## Citing this page

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