97 - Customer-Driven Innovation: How GEMCO and APS Are Transforming Industrial Mixing Equipment

97 - Customer-Driven Innovation: How GEMCO and APS Are Transforming Industrial Mixing Equipment

97 - Customer-Driven Innovation: How GEMCO and APS Are Transforming Industrial Mixing EquipmentEd Delia
Published on: 13/04/2026

In this episode of Growing Up B2B, host Ed Delia speaks with Casey Bickhardt, fourth-generation President and CEO of GEMCO and Advanced Powder Solutions (APS). Casey shares how she unexpectedly stepped into leadership just one year after college following the passing of a key operator at APS. She discusses growing up immersed in the family business, establishing credibility with veteran teams, and how operating APS gave her invaluable customer insight that transformed GEMCO's engineering approach.

LeadershipFamily RelationshipTechnologyArtificial IntelligenceFamily Business
81 - Building a Family-Run IT Business: Strategies for Success and Client Loyalty

81 - Building a Family-Run IT Business: Strategies for Success and Client Loyalty

81 - Building a Family-Run IT Business: Strategies for Success and Client LoyaltyEd Delia
Published on: 21/01/2026

In this episode of "Growing Up B2B," host Ed Delia interviews Samuel Crane, Co-Owner of Cinch I.T., a family-run managed IT and cybersecurity franchise. Samuel shares how he, his brothers, and their partner’s family built the business, blending personalized local service with enterprise-level support. They discuss the benefits of the franchise model, the importance of clear roles, proactive client relationships, and a strong, people-centered company culture.

LeadershipFamily RelationshipTechnologyArtificial IntelligenceFamily BusinessReal Estate
75 - Mastering LinkedIn and AI: Essential Tips for Family-Governed B2B Success

75 - Mastering LinkedIn and AI: Essential Tips for Family-Governed B2B Success

75 - Mastering LinkedIn and AI: Essential Tips for Family-Governed B2B SuccessEd Delia
Published on: 31/12/2025

In this episode of "Growing Up B2B," host Ed Delia interviews LinkedIn expert and author Al Kushner about leveraging LinkedIn and AI for business growth, especially in family-run B2B companies. Al shares strategies for optimizing LinkedIn profiles, creating authentic content, and using AI tools to boost efficiency without sacrificing personal touch. The conversation covers newsletters, groups, and advanced features like Sales Navigator, emphasizing the importance of digital presence and adapting to new technologies to maintain a competitive edge.

LeadershipFamily RelationshipArtificial IntelligenceFamily BusinessMentorship
72 - Safety First: How AI is Transforming the Aluminum Extrusion Process 

72 - Safety First: How AI is Transforming the Aluminum Extrusion Process 

72 - Safety First: How AI is Transforming the Aluminum Extrusion Process Ed Delia
Published on: 22/12/2025

In this episode of "Growing Up B2B," the host Ed Delia interviews Jason Markijohn, President of Dunaway, a family-owned engineering company specializing in extrusion press technology. Jason shares Dunaway’s history, his transition into leadership, and the company’s evolution through family involvement. The discussion highlights Dunaway’s recent innovations, especially the integration of AI-driven visual intelligence to improve safety and efficiency in aluminum extrusion manufacturing, and emphasizes the company’s commitment to personalized service, hands-on learning, and continuous growth in a competitive industry.

LeadershipFamily RelationshipArtificial IntelligenceFamily BusinessReal Estate