How are emerging economies in Latin America and Southeast Asia reshaping global GDP and fueling the rise of a new middle class?

In this episode, host Nidhi Arora speaks with Carlos Margarinos, a renowned leader in industrial policy and economic development, to explore the future of the global industrial sector. Carlos discusses the revival of industrial policy to address key issues like geopolitical shifts, sustainability, and technological disruption. He highlights the essential role of international organizations in fostering government-private sector partnerships to drive sustainable growth.

Carlos Margarinos, Director of Global Strategy and External Affairs at Vrio Corp, brings deep expertise across politics, diplomacy, and business. Recognized by 39 governments and institutions worldwide, he previously served as Argentina’s Secretary for Industry and Director General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization.

Discussion Points

• Carlos Margarinos discusses global challenges—geopolitical instability, sustainability, and tech disruption—urging strong public-private partnerships to drive growth in Latin America and Southeast Asia.
• Examines the intersection of sustainability, geopolitics, and digital transformation in manufacturing, highlighting financial support for SMEs and the need for workforce upskilling.
• Emphasizes SMEs as vital drivers of innovation and economic growth.
• Addresses challenges for emerging economies in adopting new technologies, stressing the need for robust financial systems to enhance SME competitiveness.
• Leadership's role in sustainable industry, advocating for public-private collaborations and global cooperation to address environmental goals and industrial challenges.

Ayna Insights is brought to you by Ayna.AI, a managed service provider that combines domain expertise and transformation capabilities to create alpha-performance superior to market indices, in the industrial and industrial technology sector. The host of this episode, Nidhi Arora, is VP of Content & Marketing for Ayna.AI.

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Vrio Corp

Titanium Economy

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How the USB Lighter Company is leading the charge in redefining consumer habits and promoting sustainability in the tech industry?

Ayna Director Marissa Rietman speaks with Calvin Chan, CEO of USB Lighter Company, about sustainability and entrepreneurship. Calvin shares insights on developing electric lighters as a sustainable alternative to butane, highlighting the environmental benefits of rechargeable technology and the push to reduce waste and emissions. He reflects on resilience through challenges like the pandemic, showcasing a commitment to eco-friendly innovation and reshaping consumer habits.

Calvin Chan, CEO of USB Lighter Company, has a diverse background in film, fashion, and hospitality, which drives his innovative approach in sustainable tech. His company redefines lighters with rechargeable options, aiming to replace single-use plastics and encourage sustainable living. The USB Lighter Company’s products focus on durability, efficiency, and environmental impact, helping consumers make eco-conscious choices.

Discussion Points

• Calvin Chan discusses the USB Lighter Company's mission to shift consumer habits by replacing butane lighters with rechargeable, eco-friendly options, reducing waste and microplastic pollution.
• Calvin’s journey from rebellious youth to successful entrepreneur reflects key life experiences, including art school and ventures in fashion and hospitality, that shaped his career.
• Calvin overcame significant challenges in launching a new product amid global disruptions (pandemic, wars, elections), sharing insights on resilience, adaptability, and the importance of a sustainable vision.
• He outlines the motivations behind his sustainable innovations and goals for integrating recycled materials and eco-friendly packaging in consumer goods.
• He discusses strategies for marketing a novel product in the lighter industry, emphasizing consumer education, brand loyalty, and the evolving acceptance of sustainable tech.

Ayna Insights is brought to you by Ayna.AI, a managed service provider that combines domain expertise and transformation capabilities to create alpha-performance superior to market indices, in the industrial and industrial technology sector. The host of this episode, Marissa Rietman, is a Director at Ayna.AI.

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The USB Lighter Company

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How is Alltius’s generative AI platform revolutionizing marketing, sales, and support functions?

In this Ayna Insights episode, host Nidhi Arora speaks with Vibhanshu Abhishek, CEO of Alltius and associate professor at UC-Irvine. Vibhanshu shares insights from his 25-year journey in AI, highlighting Alltius’s AI-first approach to breaking down silos in marketing, sales, and support for industries like insurance and banking. He also discusses AI’s evolving role across sectors and its societal impact.

Vibhanshu is a data scientist and professor who combines analytics with business strategy to solve challenges in multi-channel advertising and consumer healthcare. He advises Fortune 500 companies and startups on data strategies, fostering innovative AI and ML applications.

Discussion Points

• Vibhanshu discusses his journey in creating a generative AI platform for enhancing sales and support, and what sets Alltius apart in the AI landscape
• He highlights the adaptability of their platform, customer feedback loops, and potential AI applications in industrial sectors
• Vibhanshu shares success stories from AngelOne and Prudential to show AI’s impact on efficiency, cost reduction, and sales. AI’s role in predictive maintenance demonstrates its value in complex industries like oil and gas
• Overview of AI’s growth over 70–80 years, the impact of deep learning, and common misconceptions about AI’s capabilities
• Vibhanshu’s vision on AI’s impact on work and society, addressing potential disillusionment and the importance of designing AI for targeted use cases

Ayna Insights is brought to you by Ayna.AI, a managed service provider that combines domain expertise and transformation capabilities to create alpha-performance superior to market indices, in the industrial and industrial technology sector. The host of this episode, Nidhi Arora, is VP of Business Development & Marketing for Ayna.

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Alltius

Ayna.AI Website

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How can transforming cybersecurity from a cost center into a strategic profit booster revolutionize the U.S. manufacturing industry?

In this episode of The Titanium Economy, Nidhi Arora talks with Dr. Howard Grimes, CEO of CyManII, about transforming cybersecurity from a manufacturing cost center into a profit driver. Dr. Grimes highlights the need for cybersecurity innovations that boost energy efficiency and cut production costs. He discusses the vulnerabilities in digitized manufacturing and CyManII's role in protecting the U.S. sector from cyber threats, especially from nation-state actors. CyManII’s projects are geared toward securing the "titanium economy" and strengthening both national and economic security.

Dr. Howard Grimes leads CyManII, a U.S. Department of Energy-funded institute focused on cybersecurity in manufacturing. With 25+ years in research program leadership, Dr. Grimes has held key roles at institutions like UT San Antonio and Idaho National Laboratory. His work at CyManII aims to make cybersecurity a strategic advantage, enhance energy efficiency, and defend U.S. manufacturing against modern cyber threats.

Discussion Points

• Cybersecurity-Manufacturing Intersection: Highlights the critical risks in digitized manufacturing and the need for innovative defenses.
• From Academia to National Security: Dr. Grimes discusses his path to CyManII, emphasizing partnerships and expert teams aimed at manufacturing cybersecurity.
• CyManII's Cutting-Edge Projects: Showcases groundbreaking initiatives in cybersecurity, stressing collaboration and tech advancements for resilient manufacturing.
• Transforming Cybersecurity into Advantage: CyManII links cybersecurity to energy efficiency, showing how it can become a strategic economic benefit for manufacturers.
• Building Alliances for Security: Strategic alliances with industry, academia, and labs create a robust ecosystem to tackle manufacturing cyber threats.
• Future Vision for Secure Manufacturing: Dr. Grimes envisions manufacturing and cybersecurity as inseparable, vital to a resilient national economy.

Ayna Insights is brought to you by Ayna.AI, a managed service provider that combines domain expertise and transformation capabilities to create alpha-performance superior to market indices, in the industrial and industrial technology sector. The host of this episode, Nidhi Arora, is VP of Content & Marketing for Ayna.AI.

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Howard Grimes LinkedIn

CyManII

Titanium Economy

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Ever wondered how you can make your own plant-based milk at home while drastically reducing packaging waste?

In this episode, Ayna’s Marissa Rietman speaks with Brett Goodson, Founder & CEO of Almond Cow, about their groundbreaking approach to plant-based milk production. Brett shares how Almond Cow empowers consumers to make milk at home, cutting out traditional supply chains and reducing packaging waste, offering a glimpse into the future of sustainability in the plant-based movement.

Brett, with a background in automotive engineering and an MBA from Georgia Tech, founded Almond Cow to revolutionize plant-based milk. He discusses his commitment to zero-waste initiatives, recyclable packaging, and using technology to drive sustainability.

Discussion Points

• How Almond Cow works: empowering consumers to make plant-based milk at home, cutting out supply chains, reducing packaging waste, and offering many benefits.
• Almond Cow’s commitment to sustainability: using recyclable packaging and minimizing environmental impact through zero-waste practices.
• Future of plant-based milk: Brett highlights the benefits of homemade milk, including customization and avoiding additives, empowering consumers to tailor blends to their needs.
• Brett’s background and journey: from automotive development to leading Almond Cow, overcoming challenges with a successful Kickstarter and finding market fit.
• Leadership insights: navigating the competitive food industry through clear role allocation and leveraging technology to enhance sustainability and efficiency.
• Innovation in food tech: Almond Cow's use of wet emulsification and fluid science modeling drives their product’s development and sustainability goals.
• Consumer education: Brett emphasizes the importance of raising awareness about plant-based milk’s benefits and environmental impact, engaging customers to make informed choices.

Ayna Insights is brought to you by Ayna, the premiere advisory firm in the industrial technology space that provides transformation and consulting services to its clients. The host of this episode Marissa Rietman, is a Director at Ayna

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Almond Cow

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How is AI transforming the automotive industry, and what role do semiconductors play in this revolution?
In this episode, Nidhi Arora, VP of Business Development & Marketing at Ayna, speaks with Dipti Vachani, SVP and GM of Automotive at Arm, about the transformative role of AI and semiconductor tech in the automotive industry. Dipti shares how the low-power compute technology of Arm, originally developed for mobile phones, has revolutionized automotive, infrastructure, and IoT. She also highlights key partnerships across the automotive supply chain that are driving innovation in autonomous driving and vehicle safety.

Dipti Vachani is the senior vice president and general manager for the Automotive Line of Business at Arm. She previously held key roles at Texas Instruments and Intel, focusing on embedded computing solutions and low-power technologies that power modern tech. Dipti is also committed to empowering the next generation of women in tech.

Discussion Points

• Dipti Vachani discusses how Arm expanded from low-power computing in mobile phones to transforming industries like automotive, enabling advancements in autonomous driving and safety.
• Strategic partnerships are highlighted as key to driving innovation and maintaining Arm’s leadership in semiconductors.
• Dipti explains how AI is reshaping OEMs, tier-one suppliers, and semiconductor companies, revolutionizing data collection, simulation, and healthcare.
• Dipti shares her career journey from India to Arm, emphasizing her commitment to supporting women in tech.
• The strategic evolution of Arm over the last 30 years and its direction under CEO Rene Haas are discussed.
• Dipti offers insights on the future of AI, stressing the need for low-power technology to support sustainable AI growth and its broader industry impact.

Ayna Insights is brought to you by Ayna.AI, a managed service provider that combines domain expertise and transformation capabilities to create alpha-performance superior to market indices, in the industrial and industrial technology sector. The host of this episode, Nidhi Arora, is VP of Business Development & Marketing at Ayna.

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Arm

Titanium Economy

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In this episode, host Nidhi Arora explores the impact of AI in semiconductor manufacturing with Jon Herlocker, founder of Tignis, Inc. Jon shares his journey from leading a billion-dollar business unit to launching a startup that uses AI, machine learning, and physics to solve challenges like yield issues, high costs, and long time-to-market for new materials. He also offers insights into innovation and securing venture capital.

Jon Herlocker, a former computer science professor, has a strong entrepreneurial background, founding Pi Corporation in 2006 and managing a $1.2 billion business unit at VMware. His current venture, Tignis, reflects his drive to transform industrial processes using advanced technologies.

Discussion Points

• Jon shares his shift from cloud management to using AI in semiconductor manufacturing, with Tignis improving yield, reducing costs, and speeding up material development.
• Jon explains founding Tignis, inspired by cloud automation principles, to address semiconductor yield, cost, and time-to-market challenges with AI-powered solutions.
• Tignis refocused on semiconductor manufacturing due to its high potential and technical demands, after initially targeting broader industries.
• Jon stresses securing a first buyer before product development and Tignis' shift from serving equipment makers to directly addressing manufacturers' needs.
• He discusses raising venture capital, leveraging past successes to minimize risks and ensure product-market fit.
• Jon highlights the importance of passion and perseverance in overcoming personal and technical challenges in complex industries.
• He explores AI's future in industrial settings, including generative AI's potential and the need for an AI-ready data infrastructure in conservative sectors like semiconductors.

Ayna Insights is brought to you by Ayna, the premiere advisory and implementation firm in the industrial technology space that provies transformation and consulting services to its clients. The host of this episode, Nidhi Arora, is VP of Content & Marketing at Ayna The host of this episode, Nidhi Arora, is VP of Business Development & Marketing at Ayna

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How did MSA Safety's collaboration with Thomas Edison over a century ago pave the way for groundbreaking innovations in worker protection today?

In this episode, Gaurav Batra talks with Lee McChesney, SVP & CFO of MSA Safety. Lee shares the 110-year journey of MSA, highlighting its shift from a product-focused to a solutions-driven company. He also discusses how technology, AI, and industry megatrends are helping MSA protect 40 million workers annually.

Lee McChesney, SVP and CFO of MSA Safety, has nearly 30 years of experience in finance and leadership. Since joining MSA in 2022, he has applied his strategic expertise from previous roles at Stanley Black & Decker and United Technologies to drive value creation and operational success.

Discussion Points

• Lee relates MSA Safety's 110-year legacy and mission, highlighting the company's focus areas: detection systems, fire services, and industrial PPE
• Technological innovations and leadership under CEO Steve Blanco have fortified MSA's mission
• Lee discusses the shift from a product-centric to a solutions-centric approach, leveraging AI and industry megatrends
• He shares insights from his career in finance and leadership. Diverse experiences, forward-thinking, and continuous evolution are what drive sustained growth
• Successful M&A requires disciplined strategy, thorough diligence, and core business stability. Integration and execution must involve the same teams to ensure cohesive outcomes

Ayna Insights is brought to you by Ayna, the premiere advisory firm in the industrial technology space that provies transformation and consulting services to its clients. The host of this episode, Gaurav Batra, is the President & CEO of Ayna

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MSA

Titanium Economy

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