{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"82. Jim Sliker \u2013 Central States Manufacturing - Strategies for Scaling an ESOP","description":"Jim Sliker is the CEO of Central States Manufacturing, a 100% employee-owned (ESOP) company that produces metal building components for a variety of structures and applications. Jim earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Kettering University and an MBA from the University of Michigan. He serves on the Make-A-Wish Mid-South board, and the Northwest Arkansas Children\u2019s Shelter board of directors. In this episode, Jim talks about Central States Manufacturing\u2019s geographical saturation strategy for growing and scaling an American manufacturing company. He discusses the challenges the company has faced in their growth journey, and how they built and nurtured trusting relationships within their supply chain. Sliker later shares how he educates his distributor base (the most challenging part of the business), the valuable KPIs they measure, and how his team executes their strategy of being \u201cRight, On Time, Every Time.\u201d&amp;nbsp; Additionally, Jim shares his best advice for business leaders, highlighting the power of transparency. Connect with Jim: Visit Central States Manufacturing\u2019s website Make sure to  SUBSCRIBE to \u201cHow That Happened\u201d to receive our latest episodes every two weeks, learn more about our guests, and collect resources on how to better run your business. This episode is now on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also listen via the podcast player embedded above. Rate\/Review \u201cHow That Happened\u201d on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so we can reach more people and keep the inspiration going! ","author_name":"How That Happened","author_url":"https:\/\/www.howthathappened.com","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/24852843\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/000000\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/content\/139324233"}