Drew Greenblatt

Drew Greenblatt

President
Marlin Steel Wire Products

Drew Greenblatt’s motto is “Quality Engineered Quick,” and throughout 23 years as president of Marlin Steel he has invested $7 million in robotics in the quest for quality and speed. He has also empowered mechanical engineers at his company to innovate and improve throughput with engineered wire baskets and custom sheet model fabrications.

Marlin pivoted its business model during the coronavirus pandemic, shifting production from aerospace products to IV poles for COVID-19 patients and CDC test tube racks for medical research. The company launched an initiative to get 8,000 manufacturing employees in Maryland vaccinated through a partnership with Gov. Larry Hogan.

In 2020, Marlin grew staff by 20% and factory floor space by 56%, as well as investing in more automation capacity.

Greenblatt has served as the chairman of the Small & Medium Manufacturers for the National Association of Manufacturers and chairman of the Regional Manufacturing Institute. He also is the co-founder and was chairman of the board of the National Alliance for Jobs & Innovation and the co-founder of Ready Robotics.

Greenblatt earned his bachelor’s degree from Dickinson College and an MBA from Tulane University.

How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect your company or organization?

(We) had to pivot industries to find business demand and navigate keeping employees safe and healthy despite the economic meltdown.

What is the most significant challenge facing Maryland manufacturers?

• Availability and costs of materials to make product.
• Labor shortages.