Ask a Plant Manager: Why system problems, not workers, hold plants back

Joe Kuhn, a former plant manager and current reliability consultant, dives into the core reasons plants struggle. He emphasizes that techs often want to succeed but are hindered by systemic issues, not individual faults. Joe advocates for on-floor observations to identify waste rather than relying solely on KPIs. He pushes for focusing on impactful preventative maintenance tasks and cautions against punishing workers, noting that leadership can be cultivated through encouragement and learning. His insights aim to transform plant reliability and team morale.