Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast

New York-based Arc Public Benefit Corp. bought 3D printing pioneer Desktop Metal last month out of bankruptcy. The purchased followed about two years of merger-and-acquisition mania that shifted from assigning billion-dollar valuations on equipment makers to pushing some of the same companies through bankruptcy.  Bryan Wisk, CEO of Arc, says the path to future success is clear -- focusing on running the company instead of getting caught up in the buy-sell drama of corporate mergers.  “There’s only one word at DM right now internally; it’s focus,” Wisk says. “We’re not a distressed debt investor or private equity. We’re really deep-growth investors, and we’re looking to focus on the core technologies that we bought.” This Great Question episode features a conversation between Wisk and IndustryWeek Editor-in-Chief Robert Schoenberger

Mike Jones, president of Discover Leadership Training and former police officer, pilot, and Coast Guard member, shares insights on enhancing workplace safety through risk-taking. He challenges the traditional view of 'best practices,' advocating for innovative 'next practices.' Mike emphasizes how experiences from his diverse career shaped his safety mindset and discusses the importance of shifting from mere compliance to ownership. Tune in for his compelling approach to inspiring a growth mindset in safety leadership.

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.

Ryan Hawk of PwC US surveyed hundreds of C-suite executives across the manufacturing and energy sectors to determine what is influencing their thoughts and guiding their decision-making. He found five “unstoppable forces” reshaping how America builds, moves, and competes.

Jorge Lopez, a seasoned labor and immigration attorney, shares critical insights on immigration enforcement trends impacting manufacturers. He warns of an uptick in ICE raids and stresses the need for companies to prepare thorough paperwork for federal investigations. Lopez advises on the importance of annual I-9 audits and highlights the misconceptions surrounding E-Verify as a safety tool. Employers should act proactively to manage risks and maintain compliance to navigate the evolving landscape of immigration laws effectively.

Almog Apirion, CEO and co-founder of Sciolo, a cybersecurity provider for industrial environments, discusses the crucial gap between IT and OT in manufacturing. He highlights how digital transformation and rising cyber threats necessitate their convergence. Almog explains the importance of Zero Trust and identity-based access for securing legacy systems. He addresses misconceptions about connecting old equipment and reveals business benefits of IT-OT alignment, such as reduced downtime and enhanced productivity.

In this sponsored episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Plant Services chief editor Thomas Wilk sat down with Ryan Smith, a Solutions Engineer with TPC, a Certus company, whose areas of training specialty include industrial maintenance topics for electrical, mechanical, and HVAC systems. Today's great question is: How do you calculate the ROI of training?

In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Thomas Wilk and Maya Schwartz are joined by Ron Marshall, Frank Moskowitz, and Joe Ghislain to reflect on 25 years of the Compressed Air Challenge. The conversation explores the program’s origins, its evolution in training methods, and its impact on system performance and energy efficiency. The group also discusses shifting industry priorities, the role of end users and vendors in training, and how new technologies are shaping the future of compressed air systems. Together, they provide insights into both the history and the next chapter of this influential industry initiative.

Dennis Padgett, Senior Director of Risk Control at Coca-Cola Consolidated with 25 years of experience, shares insights on innovative safety campaigns at the company. He discusses the success of the 'First 100 Days of Safety' and plans for three more initiatives in 2025. Padgett highlights the importance of fleet safety and ergonomics, leveraging technology like telematics and AI to enhance engagement. His vision for the future of workplace safety is inspiring, promising continuous improvement and creativity in campaigning for a safer work environment.

The podcast dives into 25 years of transformative events in manufacturing. It highlights the impact of 9/11, the 2008 economic crisis, and COVID-19 on the industry. Discover how globalization and recent supply chain challenges have reshaped manufacturing dynamics. The discussion also covers the rise of Industry 4.0, marked by advancements like 3D printing and EtherCAT technology. Strikes and union movements are examined against the backdrop of evolving workforce perceptions, creating a rich tapestry of how the sector adapts and thrives.