The heartbeat of manufacturing is loud, relentless, and precise. At Clow Stamping Company, a Minnesota-based manufacturer of custom metal parts serving industries like agriculture, electrical, and transportation, this rhythm drives innovation. But it also presents a challenge: how do you communicate clearly in a place where conversation competes with steel and machinery?
Operating within a sprawling 450,000-square-foot facility, Clow regularly welcomes guests from college students and potential customers to members of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce to experience its production process firsthand.
In an environment where machinery hums at near airfield levels, keeping a group of visitors informed and engaged isn’t easy. Until recently, that challenge limited the impact of every tour.
That changed when the team discovered Implecho headsets, a simple yet powerful solution that cut through the noise and redefined how Clow connects with people.
🎧 Listen to the Interview
Get the full story straight from the source. Hear Patrick Carroll’s conversation with Lars Ohlin of Clow Stamping about how the company elevated communication on the manufacturing floor.
A New Way to Be Heard
Lars Ohlin, Purchasing Agent at Clow Stamping, helps coordinate both operations and tours. When the company hosted a recent Minnesota Chamber of Commerce event, the limitations of traditional communication tools became clear.
“We host biannual events through the Chamber,” Lars explained. “It’s a great way to showcase our process improvements and environmental initiatives. But when you’re walking through an active stamping line, it’s like being behind an airplane engine. You just can’t talk to anyone.”
Clow’s existing headsets were outdated and inconsistent, often left unused because of poor sound quality. The result was that tour guides relied on hand gestures or waited until the quiet conference room to answer questions.
Working with Implecho, the tour guide system selection process included a customized experience led by their representative, aligning Clow’s specific needs with the right solution. The Implecho team provided a hands-on demo to ensure the system fit both the environment and audience. After exploring several options, Clow selected the ListenTALK two-way communication system equipped with Noise Reduction Rated (NRR) headset mics and headphones. The system met their day-to-day tour requirements and gave them the flexibility to extend their setup by renting additional equipment from Implecho for larger special events.
“The difference was night and day,” Lars said. “Now we can explain our process as we move, not after the fact. Guests can actually see what we’re describing and ask questions in real time.”
Clarity in Every Corner
Clow organized their Chamber event into small groups of five, each led by a guide equipped with an Implecho headset. The two-way communication made the tours feel more personal—less like a lecture and more like a conversation.
In a plant where decibel levels can rival a football stadium, the headsets delivered crystal-clear communication.
“We have a deburring department that’s extremely loud,” Lars said. “Before, I’d just walk people through and wait until we were out to explain what they saw. Now, I can tell them what’s happening while we’re standing right there.”
The change not only improved the experience for guests, it also reflected well on Clow’s professionalism. Visitors left with a better understanding of the company’s precision, technology, and safety culture.
Beyond Tours: Training, Maintenance, and Education
The benefits extended far beyond tours. Clow quickly found new ways to integrate the headsets into daily operations.
“We use them for training and even when outside service teams are on-site,” Lars explained. “If someone’s inspecting equipment or taking photos, we can answer questions immediately. We don’t have to stop machines or leave the area.”
The company also partners with local colleges to provide internship and training programs where students learn the fundamentals of stamping and process management.
“For younger students, attention moves fast,” Lars said. “When they can hear explanations clearly and ask questions on the spot, it helps them connect the dots and retain what they’re learning.”
This real-time dialogue has become a valuable tool for onboarding, continuous improvement, and building a stronger safety culture throughout the facility.
For facilities conducting regular walkthroughs, onboarding, or audits, Implecho offers tailored systems like the Implecho 900 Audio System and ListenTALK—both built for mobility, clarity, and control across noisy environments.
Partnership and Reliability
Behind every great tool is a great partner. Lars credits Implecho’s responsiveness and transparency for making the rollout seamless.
“Sam’s been excellent, communicative, thorough, and transparent,” Lars shared. “In manufacturing, things move fast. Having a partner who gets that and delivers quickly makes all the difference.”
When another Chamber member asked about the communication system Clow was using, Lars didn’t hesitate to share his experience.
“I already recommended Implecho,” he said. “It’s worked that well for us.”
A Clear Message in a Loud Industry
Manufacturing thrives on precision, and that includes communication. For Clow Stamping, adopting Implecho headsets didn’t just improve how tours are conducted; it elevated how people connect, learn, and collaborate across every corner of their facility.
With Implecho headset systems, every word counts. Every message is heard. And every visitor leaves with a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship behind the noise.
Experience clarity in every corner of your facility.
See how Implecho’s headset systems enhance communication during tours, trainings, and daily operations.
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