# Not By Accident: Risk Management for Manufacturing Executives w/ Van Carlson

- Show: [The Manufacturing Executive](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive)
- Published: 2021-03-02
- Length: 28m
- Episode: 38
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-03-02-not-by-accident-risk-management-for-manufacturing-executives-w-van-carlson
- Listen: https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-manufacturing-executive#episode-208dbd5c-6351-4c23-8ab1-e97023a6d715

## Summary

Van Carlson, founder and CEO of Strategic Risk Alternatives, discusses risk management strategies for manufacturing executives, focusing on the shift from traditional insurance to self-insurance mechanisms like the Section 831(b) tax code. He explains how manufacturers can mitigate rising premiums and coverage gaps by building reserves for unfunded risks such as supply chain disruptions, product recalls, and business interruption. Carlson emphasizes that these tools allow business owners to defer taxes and create a 'war chest' to handle claims without impacting operating cash flow, a practice increasingly vital in the post-pandemic economic landscape.

## Chapters

- [0:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-03-02-not-by-accident-risk-management-for-manufacturing-executives-w-van-carlson#t=47) Introduction: Van Carlson and Strategic Risk Alternatives
- [2:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-03-02-not-by-accident-risk-management-for-manufacturing-executives-w-van-carlson#t=133) Carlson's Career and the Concept of Unfunded Risk
- [8:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-03-02-not-by-accident-risk-management-for-manufacturing-executives-w-van-carlson#t=526) Hardening Insurance Markets and Rising Premiums
- [16:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-03-02-not-by-accident-risk-management-for-manufacturing-executives-w-van-carlson#t=977) Supply Chain Risks and Coverage Gaps
- [23:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-03-02-not-by-accident-risk-management-for-manufacturing-executives-w-van-carlson#t=1410) Warranties, Service Contracts, and Tax Code 831(b)

## Topics

- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Quality & yield](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/quality-and-yield)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Strategic Risk Alternatives (company)
- Farmers Insurance Group (company)
- Ford (company)
- Target (company)
- Costco (company)
- 831b.com (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Episode 097: At your own risk…](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2016-11-18-episode-097-at-your-own-risk) (Making It)
- [Managing Business Risk as a Medical Device Company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2021-05-03-managing-business-risk-as-a-medical-device-company) (Global Medical Device Podcast)
- [#422: ISO 14971 and the Road to Risk Management with Edwin Bills](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2025-09-01-422-iso-14971-and-the-road-to-risk-management-with-edwin-bills) (Global Medical Device Podcast)
- [Episode 284: Speaking of wiener dogs…](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2020-11-13-episode-284-speaking-of-wiener-dogs) (Making It)
- [Self-Protecting Data | How to Bring Back U.S. Manufacturing | Galvanized](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2020-04-24-self-protecting-data-how-to-bring-back-u-s-manufacturing-galvanized) (EE Times Current)

## Citing this page

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