# 298: Exploring Massachusetts' Aerospace & Defense Industry, LIVE in Canton, MA

- Show: [Manufacturing Happy Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour)
- Published: 2026-08-11
- Length: 41m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-08-11-298-exploring-massachusetts-aerospace-defense-industry-live-in-canton-ma
- Listen: http://manufacturinghappyhour.com

## Summary

Megan Glidden of Web Industries, Michael Tamasi of AccuRounds, and Joe McCadden of Globe Composite Solutions discuss the strategic advantages of Massachusetts' aerospace and defense manufacturing ecosystem. The panel highlights the critical workforce shortage in the submarine industrial base, which requires 100,000 people over the next decade, and explores local talent pipelines including the uniquely able academy for adults on the autism spectrum and trade school partnerships. They also cover Web Industries' employee ownership model, which drives retention and continuous improvement, and AccuRounds' use of state grants to fund automation and digital transformation.

## Chapters

- [0:41](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-08-11-298-exploring-massachusetts-aerospace-defense-industry-live-in-canton-ma#t=41) Introduction and Panelist Bios
- [5:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-08-11-298-exploring-massachusetts-aerospace-defense-industry-live-in-canton-ma#t=329) Massachusetts as a Defense Manufacturing Hub
- [8:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-08-11-298-exploring-massachusetts-aerospace-defense-industry-live-in-canton-ma#t=535) Globe Composite Solutions and the Submarine Industrial Base
- [18:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-08-11-298-exploring-massachusetts-aerospace-defense-industry-live-in-canton-ma#t=1113) Web Industries' Employee Ownership and AI Strategy
- [23:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-08-11-298-exploring-massachusetts-aerospace-defense-industry-live-in-canton-ma#t=1384) Workforce Development: Trade Schools and Uniquely Able Academy
- [30:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-08-11-298-exploring-massachusetts-aerospace-defense-industry-live-in-canton-ma#t=1814) Changing Manufacturing's Reputation and Succession Planning

## Topics

- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- Web Industries (company)
- AccuRounds (company)
- Globe Composite Solutions (company)
- Harmoni (tool)
- USS Massachusetts (product)
- Shield (other)
- Massachusetts Manufacturing Accelerator Program (other)
- Uniquely Able Academy (other)

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- [From Garage Startup to EMS Excellence with Out of the Box COO Allison Budvarson](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-04-14-from-garage-startup-to-ems-excellence-with-out-of-the-box-coo-allison-budvarson) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
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## Citing this page

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