Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast

In this engaging discussion, John O’Kelly, CEO of Newcastle Systems and a specialist in workforce management, shares his expert insights on the challenges of retaining warehouse workers. He emphasizes that successful retention goes beyond financial incentives. O’Kelly highlights the critical role of workplace culture, modern technology, and health initiatives in creating an environment where employees feel valued and satisfied. Discover the secrets to fostering a loyal workforce in the ever-evolving landscape of warehousing.

Between presidential election politics, declining orders in manufacturing and rate cuts, the economy has been unpredictable and difficult for most manufacturers in 2024. But, smaller companies have unique challenges and opportunities. Our panel of seasoned manufacturing CEOs from smaller companies discussed the importance of tracking the economy, difficulties they've had in hiring critical people (especially maintenance professionals) and the weirdness of the current market with some industries posting massive gains and others struggling to make ends meet. Our panelists for this Sept. 19 live discussion were: Laura Putre, senior editor at IndustryWeek Jack Schron, CEO of Jergens Inc. Blair Haas, CEO of Bud Industries

Manufacturers have been collecting and analyzing data for decades – using that data to inform design work and draft simulation programs, and to analyze performances and direct resources. And all this experience has many manufacturers asking what precisely is the role for artificial intelligence?

Pico MES CEO Ryan Kuhlenbeck and MORryde Process Improvement Engineer Greg Whitt joined Smart Industry's Scott Achelpohl for a discussion on how small and midsize factories can transition from manual to digital manufacturing, starting right down on the factory floor.

Vikki Young is the global research and development group leader for Sherwin-Williams high performance floor coatings. Vikki received her bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the University of Minnesota before working at Tennant Company for more than 20 years. Vikki recently spoke with Thomas Wilk, editor in chief of Plant Services, to answer a really interesting question: what goes into reliable flooring in EV battery production facilities, and how are these floors maintained to ensure asset reliability and worker safety?

In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Laura Davis, editor-in-chief of New Equipment Digest dives deep into the world of robotics, exploring six inventions that are reshaping industries and pushing the boundaries of what's possible. From a baseball-playing drone developed by MIT to a flame-throwing robot dog, and from a beach-cleaning quadruped to a record-breaking Rubik's Cube solver, she covers an exciting array of robotic advancements. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a manufacturing professional, or simply curious about the future of robotics, this episode offers fascinating insights into the latest research and development in the field. Listen as Laura unpacks these innovations and discusses their potential impact on manufacturing and beyond.

In this “Talking EHS” podcast, Katie McLaughlin, manager-HSE RAVS with ISN, shares her insights on the implications of OSHA’s new worker-walkaround rule, as well as the impact the new rule will have on safety managers.

IMTS 2024, the International Manufacturing Technology Show, is back, and companies are talking about a little bit of everything. Typically, two days into a show, a clear theme emerges, but this year, not so much. Discussing this are: Sharon Spielman, technical editor of Machine Design Tom Wilk, editor-in-chief of Plant Services Robert Brooks, editor-in-chief of American Machinist Robert Schoenberger, editor-in-chief of IndustryWeek

In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Industry 4.0 influencer Jeff Winter and Smart Industry's Scott Achelpohl take on an issue that has topped technology conversations all year: artificial intelligence. AI: Is there any other topic, inside or outside of manufacturing, that is quite as hyped? A lot of technological people are confused about what their companies should be doing (or not doing) with AI. Some rely on their normal software vendors who provide ERPs or other systems for answers to their questions. Others seek answers on their own. Influencer Jeff Winter and Smart Industry Managing Editor Scott Achelpohl use their monthly chat to cut through some of the clutter and take listener questions about AI.

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 offers insight into how maintenance micromanagers prevent workers from making decisions and learning from their mistakes.