# Stronger Relationships, Stronger Manufacturing: The Power of Trust w/ Michael Kornuta

- Show: [The Manufacturing Executive](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive)
- Published: 2025-06-17
- Episode: 262
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-06-17-stronger-relationships-stronger-manufacturing-the-power-of-trust-w-michael-kornu
- Listen: https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-manufacturing-executive#episode-15dc201d-bad2-440d-b443-2e9476f069b7

## Summary

Michael Kornuta, founder and CEO of NORAMARK, explains how his 20 years in design and fabrication revealed a lack of connectivity among U.S. manufacturers compared to the integrated Chinese ecosystem. He argues that relying on trade shows and vertical silos is unsustainable, leading to lost capabilities when owners retire, and introduces NORAMARK as a platform to rebuild trust through a 'trust score' and intelligent matchmaking. Kornuta emphasizes the need to connect small, mid-size shops with the next generation of the workforce to preserve and grow the American industrial base.

## Chapters

- [0:38](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-06-17-stronger-relationships-stronger-manufacturing-the-power-of-trust-w-michael-kornu#t=38) Introduction: Michael Kornuta and NORAMARK
- [4:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-06-17-stronger-relationships-stronger-manufacturing-the-power-of-trust-w-michael-kornu#t=262) Kornuta's fabrication background and supply chain challenges
- [6:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-06-17-stronger-relationships-stronger-manufacturing-the-power-of-trust-w-michael-kornu#t=409) Comparing U.S. manufacturing to China's industrial policy
- [9:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-06-17-stronger-relationships-stronger-manufacturing-the-power-of-trust-w-michael-kornu#t=559) The failure of trade shows and vertical silos in the U.S.
- [13:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-06-17-stronger-relationships-stronger-manufacturing-the-power-of-trust-w-michael-kornu#t=797) Building trust and the NORAMARK platform
- [16:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-06-17-stronger-relationships-stronger-manufacturing-the-power-of-trust-w-michael-kornu#t=960) Workforce awareness and Link Forge matchmaking

## Topics

- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- NORAMARK (product)
- Guerrilla 76 (company)
- Alibaba (company)
- 1688 (product)
- Shenzhen (other)
- Berkeley Haas (other)
- William Sonoma (company)
- Gap Inc (company)
- Y Combinator (company)
- Link Forge (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [280: How to Create a Manufacturing Ecosystem of Support with Matt Bogoshian, Executive Director at the American Manufacturing Communities Collaborative (AMCC)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-03-24-280-how-to-create-a-manufacturing-ecosystem-of-support-with-matt-bogoshian-execu) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [299: Inside Connecticut's Manufacturing Ecosystem: Innovation, Workforce Development, and Industrial Leadership, Live from Hartford, CT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-08-18-299-inside-connecticuts-manufacturing-ecosystem-innovation-workforce-development) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [248: Reindustrialization and Building in the Midwest with Chris Nolte, Co-Founder of Bloom](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-07-29-248-reindustrialization-and-building-in-the-midwest-with-chris-nolte-co-founder) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [Why Connecting Machines And Companies Unlocks Real Factory Value with Koh Young's Michael Zahn and Joel Scutchfield](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-12-11-why-connecting-machines-and-companies-unlocks-real-factory-value-with-koh-youngs) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [245: A Grassroots Approach to Shaping the Future of American Industry with Bret Boyd, CEO of Sustainment](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-07-08-245-a-grassroots-approach-to-shaping-the-future-of-american-industry-with-bret-b) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)

## Citing this page

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