In this episode, Tommy sits down with Wes Morin, Vice President of Operations at AquiSense, a Kentucky-based water technology company recently named Small Manufacturer of the Year by the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers (KAM).

AquiSense is a global leader in UV-LED water disinfection technology, designing and manufacturing systems that help provide safe, clean water across residential, commercial, industrial, and humanitarian applications.

AquiSense earned the KAM Small Manufacturer of the Year Award for its innovation, operational excellence, and impact in the water technology space. Under Wes’s operational leadership, the company has successfully scaled advanced manufacturing processes while maintaining quality, efficiency, and a culture of continuous improvement.

From product development to production execution, AquiSense has demonstrated how a small manufacturer can compete — and lead — on a global stage.

Find all Built In The Bluegrass links here https://linktr.ee/builtinthebluegrass

We want to take a moment to thank our partner – the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers. For over 100 years, KAM has served our state’s manufacturing industry through advocacy, workforce development, education, and training, as well as cost-saving benefits for members. Fighting for manufacturers is what KAM does best, representing the industry in both Frankfort and Washington, D.C. Whether it’s advocacy, offering shipping discounts, or group health insurance, KAM has its members covered. Learn more and become a member by visiting www.kam.us.com

Tyler earned the 2025 Manufacturing Employee of the Year Award after leading one of WaterStep’s most critical manufacturing efforts to date:

A million-dollar contract required WaterStep to build 28 mobile water treatment systems (WoW Cart) in just 90 days. Failure wasn’t an option — communities around the world were depending on this equipment for clean, safe drinking water.

Tyler stepped up in a huge way:

Reengineered the entire production process

Developed a clear plan and structure for his team

Delivered all 28 units on time, saving the contract

Ensured thousands of people received access to safe water

But what made Tyler truly stand out wasn’t just the systems he built — it was the team he built. WaterStep’s manufacturing team is largely made up of volunteers, many with little or no factory experience. Tyler trained, encouraged, and inspired them, and when crunch time hit, those volunteers stayed late, worked weekends, and believed in the mission because Tyler helped them see their impact.

Check out WaterStep's social:

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Find all Built In The Bluegrass links here https://linktr.ee/builtinthebluegrass

We want to take a moment to thank our partner – the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers. For over 100 years, KAM has served our state’s manufacturing industry through advocacy, workforce development, education, and training, as well as cost-saving benefits for members. Fighting for manufacturers is what KAM does best, representing the industry in both Frankfort and Washington, D.C. Whether it’s advocacy, offering shipping discounts, or group health insurance, KAM has its members covered. Learn more and become a member by visiting www.kam.us.com

In this episode, I sit down with Justin Falck, Marketing & Communications Manager at Fives Machining Systems, Inc., to explore the cutting-edge technology behind the Cincinnati Robotic Viper—a high-speed automation system redefining what’s possible in advanced manufacturing. 🤖⚙️

Justin shares how the Robotic Viper is designed to boost efficiency, precision, and flexibility on the shop floor, and why it represents a major step forward for U.S.-based manufacturing.

Whether you're in the industry or just love hearing about smart innovation made right here in Kentucky, this episode delivers a powerful look into the future of automation.

🎧 Give it a listen—you’ll come away impressed by both the tech and the team behind it.

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@Fives_Group
@builtinthebluegrass

Find all Built In The Bluegrass links here https://linktr.ee/builtinthebluegrass

We want to take a moment to thank our partner – the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers. For over 100 years, KAM has served our state’s manufacturing industry through advocacy, workforce development, education, and training, as well as cost-saving benefits for members. Fighting for manufacturers is what KAM does best, representing the industry in both Frankfort and Washington, D.C. Whether it’s advocacy, offering shipping discounts, or group health insurance, KAM has its members covered. Learn more and become a member by visiting www.kam.us.com