257: Thinking Differently About Access to Capital in Manufacturing featuring CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen)

257: Thinking Differently About Access to Capital in Manufacturing featuring CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen)

Author: Chris Luecke October 14, 2025 Duration: 1:05:42

What does it really take to help manufacturers grow? It’s not just about cutting costs or chasing margins. It’s about understanding how capital really moves through your business. In this episode, we’re sitting down with Erik Skie, Jon Hughes, and Aaron Traut from CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen) for a roundtable chat over beers (in spirit, if not literally).

We talk about why profitability is a decision, how to tell your story through your financials, and what manufacturers can do to attract capital and fuel real growth.

We also discuss opportunities like bonus depreciation and the Made in America initiative, giving manufacturers timely insights they can act on right now.

In this episode, find out:

  • Why most manufacturers focus on price and cost but overlook capacity, and how filling unused capacity can unlock new profit.
  • How profitability is a decision, not just an outcome, and how daily choices around people, machines, and space shape your results.
  • Why you don’t manage financial statements; you manage the shop floor activities that create strong financials.
  • How staying financially organized builds lender confidence through accurate books and clear storytelling.
  • Why looking inside your business before seeking outside funding can uncover hidden capital in cash flow and working capital.
  • How telling a clear, confident financial story helps your company stand out to banks and investors.
  • And why when you get the fundamentals right, opportunity finds you. Capital naturally flows to disciplined, efficient manufacturers.

Enjoying the show? Please leave us a review here. Even one sentence helps. It’s feedback from Manufacturing All-Stars like you that keeps us going!

Tweetable Quotes:

  • “It’s not just about having the numbers, it’s about understanding the story behind them.” - Jon Hughes
  • “Capital may come just because somebody loves what you’re doing and wants to help you do it for that next expansion.” - Aaron Traut
  • “We don’t manage financial statements. We manage activities on the floor that create good financial results.” – Erik Skie 

Links & mentions:


Make sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty. 


There’s a lot of noise out there about the future of making things, but what does it actually take to build a thriving career or a resilient business on the factory floor? That’s the conversation you’ll find on Manufacturing Happy Hour. Hosted by Chris Luecke, this podcast sidesteps the hype to deliver honest, practical talks with makers, founders, and leaders who are genuinely moving the industry forward. Each episode feels like a candid discussion after hours, where guests break down the real-world application of new technologies and share the unvarnished strategies that worked for them. You’ll hear stories not just about success, but about the lessons learned from setbacks, offering a well-rounded look at modern manufacturing. Whether you're looking to sharpen your technical skills, navigate a career shift, or find smarter ways to run your operation, this series provides actionable insights without the jargon. It’s a resource built on the understanding that progress happens through shared knowledge and straightforward advice. Tune in for a regular dose of clarity and connection from the heart of the industry.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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