Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast

Joe Kuhn, CMRP, former plant manager, engineer, and global reliability consultant, is now president of Lean Driven Reliability LLC. He is the author of the book “Zero to Hero: How to Jumpstart Your Reliability Journey Given Today’s Business Challenges” and the creator of the Joe Kuhn YouTube Channel, which offers content on starting your reliability journey and achieving financial independence. In our monthly podcast miniseries, Ask a Plant Manager, Joe considers a commonplace scenario facing the industry and offers his advice, as well as actions that you can take to get on track tomorrow. This episode explores the hidden power of maintenance planners in manufacturing operations.

Traditional safety metrics often miss the human factors contributing to serious harm, emphasizing the need for human-centric approaches that address stress, fatigue, and psychological risks. In this "In Case You Missed It" podcast, you'll hear why Jonathan English, CEO of Evotix, believes that 2026 is the time for a complete system rebuild to help companies reach meaningful SIF reduction.

Mike Jackson, MEMA's strategy lead who tracks automotive supply chains and trade policy. He talks about 2025 supply volatility and tariff shocks. He covers nearshoring, the role of USMCA, and compliance simplification. He also outlines electrification uncertainty, EV credit shifts, and financial pressures on multi-tier suppliers.

A practical look at when scraper strainers outperform basket or backwash filters in high-solids systems. The discussion covers common specification mistakes and why wrong choices hurt operations. Mechanical scraping, screen types, and materials are explored. Lifecycle costs and real-world design trade-offs get special attention.

Michael D. Holloway, a 30+ year lubrication and reliability expert and founder of Fifth Order Industry, talks about how AI will take over repeatable maintenance tasks while humans keep nuanced sensing and judgment. He explores AI in oil analysis, how labs speed diagnostics, and how technicians can upskill into automation and higher-value diagnostic roles.

Chris Chizik, principal economist at AMT, provides data-driven analysis of manufacturing technology orders and sector trends. He discusses CNC machine orders as a growth signal. He highlights 2025 as an inflection toward rising demand. Topics include interest rate effects, rising order values from automation, shifting job shop patterns, and hot sectors like aerospace and electrical energy.

The podcast dives into supply chain predictions for 2026, exploring the evolving role of AI in logistics. Experts discuss the rise of bespoke applications and the concept of throwaway code. Key trends include the push for regionalized supply chains due to geopolitics, and the significance of automation and robotics in reducing delivery costs. Insights into the importance of digital twins for agility and the need for improved cybersecurity are highlighted. The conversation emphasizes workforce adaptation and strategic alignment for future resilience.

Exploring talent recruitment in manufacturing, the discussion emphasizes a proactive approach instead of reactive complaints. Clear role definitions enhance hiring and training, while a competency model from Ohio serves as a useful framework. One company transformed its factory into a classroom, engaging students to create a talent pipeline. Another highlights respect-driven practices that build employee loyalty. The conversation concludes with a call to treat workforce strategy as integral to business success.

The discussion kicks off with insights on AI evolving from hype to real-world application in manufacturing. Data governance is identified as a key bottleneck hindering AI adoption. Experts predict a shift from pilot projects to full production, with a focus on training to fill workforce gaps. Physical AI is highlighted as essential for operations, while generative AI is reshaping vendor selection. There's also a warning about the need for readiness against AI-enhanced cyber threats. Ultimately, trusted data is seen as the competitive edge for manufacturers.

In this engaging chat, Joe Kuhn, a former plant manager and president of Lean Driven Reliability LLC, shares invaluable insights on transforming goals into reliability gains. He emphasizes the importance of setting annual reliability goals linked to eliminating waste. Joe advocates for ambitious targets and involving leadership in the planning process. He also discusses the need to combat team burnout and the effectiveness of dividing work crews for better focus. Personal reflections on New Year's resolutions add a thoughtful touch, reminding listeners of the importance of emotional readiness for change.