# Why Is Manufacturing Still Dominated by Men? w/ Lesley Ledwell Dukelow

- Show: [The Manufacturing Executive](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive)
- Published: 2021-09-21
- Length: 26m
- Episode: 67
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-09-21-why-is-manufacturing-still-dominated-by-men-w-lesley-ledwell-dukelow
- Listen: https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-manufacturing-executive#episode-228e5114-eec8-4824-9c61-09dbd8b5e7f6

## Summary

Lesley Ledwell Dukelow, President of Ledwell, a 4th-generation family-owned manufacturer of truck bodies and trailers, discusses the critical need to address the gender gap in manufacturing to solve the labor shortage. She explains how Ledwell navigated severe supply chain disruptions and inflation during the pandemic by leveraging long-standing supplier relationships and internal engineering flexibility. Dukelow emphasizes that manufacturing must be rebranded to younger generations, particularly women, by showcasing the industry's creativity and stability, starting with early exposure in schools and homes.

## Chapters

- [0:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-09-21-why-is-manufacturing-still-dominated-by-men-w-lesley-ledwell-dukelow#t=57) Introduction: Lesley Ledwell Dukelow and Ledwell's History
- [3:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-09-21-why-is-manufacturing-still-dominated-by-men-w-lesley-ledwell-dukelow#t=198) Balancing Family Culture with Corporate Growth
- [6:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-09-21-why-is-manufacturing-still-dominated-by-men-w-lesley-ledwell-dukelow#t=360) Leadership Philosophy: Walking the Floor and Customer Calls
- [11:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-09-21-why-is-manufacturing-still-dominated-by-men-w-lesley-ledwell-dukelow#t=670) Navigating Supply Chain Chaos and Inflation
- [16:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-09-21-why-is-manufacturing-still-dominated-by-men-w-lesley-ledwell-dukelow#t=968) The Labor Shortage and the Case for Diversity
- [20:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-09-21-why-is-manufacturing-still-dominated-by-men-w-lesley-ledwell-dukelow#t=1218) Recruiting Women and Youth into Manufacturing

## Topics

- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Ledwell (company)
- Sun Enterprises (company)
- Gorilla 76 (company)
- Texarkana College (other)
- Texas A&M University (other)
- Andrew Crowe (other)
- Justin Sherman (other)
- Harry Moser (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Closing the Gender Gap in Manufacturing with Meaghan Ziemba](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-07-20-closing-the-gender-gap-in-manufacturing-with-meaghan-ziemba) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [154: How Women are Thriving in the Manufacturing Workforce with Allison Grealis, President & Founder of Women in Manufacturing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-09-19-154-how-women-are-thriving-in-the-manufacturing-workforce-with-allison-grealis-p) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Attracting the Next Generation of Manufacturing Talent with "The Manufacturing Millennial" Jake Hall](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-02-23-attracting-the-next-generation-of-manufacturing-talent-with-the-manufacturing-mi) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [On-Demand Labor, Operations, and Finding a Co-Founder with Veryable CEO Mike Kinder](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2021-09-21-on-demand-labor-operations-and-finding-a-co-founder-with-veryable-ceo-mike-kinde) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [BONUS: Gaps in the Manufacturing Industry (and what to do about them), LIVE from Fathom's Manufacturing Exchange in Hartland, WI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-11-07-bonus-gaps-in-the-manufacturing-industry-and-what-to-do-about-them-live-from-fat) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)

## Citing this page

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