Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing | Official Podcast Series
Welcome to the official podcast feed of the Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing (SVAM)—where we share real stories, regional updates, and industry insights from across Southwest Virginia’s manufacturing landscape.
Our channel features multiple series, including:
🎙️ Made in Southwest Virginia – Spotlighting the companies, innovations, and people powering manufacturing across our region.
🎧 Why Manufacturing – Real conversations with manufacturers at every career stage, from new hires to seasoned experts, revealing what makes this industry so rewarding.
📰 Member News Update – Quick updates and announcements from SVAM members, highlighting local wins, initiatives, and opportunities.
Whether you're a student, educator, job seeker, manufacturer, or community partner, these episodes will keep you informed and inspired about the role of manufacturing in Southwest Virginia’s economy and future.
🔔 Subscribe for new episodes and hear how we’re building the future—right here in SWVA.
#Manufacturing #SWVA #MadeInSWVA #WhyManufacturing #WorkforceDevelopment #IndustryInnovation #CareerPathways #SVAMPodcast
Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing | Official Podcast Series
Women in Manufacturing: Melanie Protti-Lawrence
The first series on our podcast features Women in Manufacturing. Through this series, we will speak with several women holding careers in manufacturing. We’ll talk about their companies and careers, how they found themselves working in manufacturing, and advice they would give to women considering careers in manufacturing.
For our third episode in the Women in Manufacturing series, we spoke with Melanie Protti-Lawrence, President of Lawrence Brothers, Inc in Bluefield, Virginia. Melanie talks about her love for traveling, why she came back home to Southwest Virginia to run the family business, and how that business has a passion for giving second chances and giving back to the community.