Episodes

  • Stacey Jaeger and Josh Erickson with FlexTrades

    Stacey Jaeger and Josh Erickson with FlexTrades
    Jan 10 2025
    Industrial Talk is onsite at FABTECH and talking to Stacey Jaeger and Josh Erickson with FlexTrades about "On-demand workforce manufacturing solutions". Scott MacKenzie hosts the Industrial Talk podcast, celebrating industrial professionals at the FABTECH conference in Orlando, Florida. Stacy, Director of Marketing, and Josh, Public Engagement and PR, from Flex Trades, discuss their company's role in bridging manufacturing workforce gaps. Flex Trades deploys skilled technicians across the U.S. to fill temporary needs, offering a consultative approach to understand client requirements and provide the best fit. They emphasize the importance of character, commitment, and continuous training for their technicians. The company, celebrating its 20th anniversary, has not yet ventured into international markets but focuses on capturing more U.S. market share. Contact information for Flex Trades is available on their website and social media platforms. Action Items
    • [ ] Explore opportunities for international expansion of Flex Trades' services.
    • [ ] Promote Flex Trades' services and connect with the company through their website, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.

    Outline Introduction and Welcome to Industrial Talk Podcast
    • Scott MacKenzie introduces the Industrial Talk Podcast, emphasizing its focus on industry professionals and their innovations.
    • Scott welcomes listeners and highlights the importance of celebrating industrial professionals who solve problems and make the world a better place.
    • The podcast is recorded at FABTECH in Orlando, Florida, with Scott noting the event's massive scale and its significance for the manufacturing industry.
    • Scott mentions the event's location is expected to shift to Chicago next year, encouraging listeners to attend and meet industry leaders.

    Introduction of Stacy and Josh from Flex Trades
    • Scott introduces Stacey and Josh from Flex Trades, a company specializing in manufacturing workforce solutions.
    • Stacey provides a brief background, mentioning her role as the Director of Marketing at Flex Trades for about eight years.
    • Josh describes his role in public engagement and public relations, emphasizing his passion for the manufacturing industry and his involvement in media activities.
    • Both Stacey and Josh express their enthusiasm for the conference and the importance of showcasing the cool and innovative aspects of the manufacturing industry.

    Overview of Flex Trades and Its Unique Offerings
    • Stacey explains that Flex Trades specializes in manufacturing workforce solutions, deploying highly skilled technicians across the US.
    • The company bridges production gaps for manufacturers, providing technicians who can hit the ground running and work for as long as needed.
    • Flex Trades has a national footprint, allowing them to deploy technicians from various locations to projects anywhere in the US.
    • The company's unique model allows manufacturers to fill temporary needs without relying solely on local talent.

    Consultancy Process and Client Engagement
    • Josh describes the consultancy process Flex Trades uses to understand client needs and match them with the right technicians.
    • The process involves a detailed interview with the client to identify specific technical requirements and the type of technician needed.
    • Flex Trades then matches these requirements with their bench of technicians, ensuring a good fit for...
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    21 mins
  • Charlie Boyle with Fortive

    Charlie Boyle with Fortive
    Jan 8 2025
    Industrial Talk is onsite at Accruent Insights and talking to Charlie Boyle, VP of Global Data, Analytics and AI at Fortive about "Leveraging operational data and AI for improved insights". Scott MacKenzie hosts an industrial podcast discussing data analytics and AI with Charlie Boyle, VP of Advanced Solutions at Accruent. Boyle highlights the importance of data in decision-making, emphasizing the need for automated solutions to manage the vast amounts of data being generated. He discusses Accruent's mission to unify the built environment through IoT and advanced analytics, focusing on predictive maintenance, energy management, and space intelligence. Boyle also mentions the use of generative AI to assist aging technicians and improve maintenance efficiency. The conversation underscores the transformative power of data and AI in enhancing business operations and problem-solving. Action Items
    • [ ] Explore using generative AI to document maintenance technician knowledge and provide guidance to junior technicians.
    • [ ] Investigate using sensor data and analytics to audit energy usage and bills, and automate HVAC controls.
    • [ ] Connect with Charlie Boyle on LinkedIn to further discuss Accruent's data analytics and AI initiatives.

    Outline Accruent Insights Event Introduction
    • Scott MacKenzie introduces the Industrial Talk podcast, emphasizing its focus on industry innovations and celebrating professionals.
    • Scott highlights the importance of data and AI in the industrial sector, setting the stage for the discussion.
    • The event, Accruent Insights, is taking place in San Antonio, Texas, with a focus on problem-solving and customer obsession.
    • Scott introduces Charlie Boyle, VP of Advanced Solutions at Accruent, who will discuss data analytics and AI.

    Charlie Boyle's Background and Experience
    • Charlie Boyle shares his background, including his role as VP and General Manager of Advanced Solutions at Accruent.
    • He has over 25 years of experience in advanced analytics and data science, previously serving as Chief Data Scientist at Honeywell and Chief Analytics Officer at a telematics company.
    • Charlie discusses his journey and the various analytic use cases he has encountered in different industries and verticals.
    • Scott and Charlie reflect on the rapid advancements in AI and generative AI, particularly with the advent of tools like ChatGPT.

    The Role of Data and AI in Business Efficiency
    • Charlie explains the importance of data in today's business environment, emphasizing the need for automated solutions to manage large data sets.
    • He discusses the concept of decision intelligence, which involves turning data into actionable insights.
    • Scott and Charlie delve into the challenges of managing large amounts of data and the role of AI in generating actionable insights.
    • They discuss the potential of AI in various industries, including retail and HVAC, and the importance of proactive maintenance.

    Accruent's Mission and Data Platform
    • Charlie outlines Accruent's mission to unify the built environment through IoT and advanced solutions.
    • He explains the role of Accruent's data platform in managing reporting, business intelligence, and insights generation.
    • Accruent's IoT analytics platform connects sensors to assets, providing telemetry data and predictive models to solve business challenges.
    • Scott and...
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    19 mins
  • Preston Johnson with Cutsforth

    Preston Johnson with Cutsforth
    Jan 6 2025
    Scott MacKenzie hosts the Industrial Talk podcast, celebrating its success and encouraging listeners to share their stories and technology. He introduces Preston Johnson from Cutsforth, who discusses their asset management platform, Insight CM. Insight CM integrates various condition monitoring technologies, such as vibration, lubrication, and thermography, to provide a comprehensive view of equipment health. Preston emphasizes the importance of understanding asset failure modes and leveraging data to predict and plan maintenance. He highlights the benefits of workforce optimization, increased uptime, and reduced maintenance costs. Roadblocks include resource constraints, IT integration, and leadership buy-in. Preston provides contact information for further inquiries. Action Items
    • [ ] Understand the client's critical assets and failure modes.
    • [ ] Identify the appropriate sensors to detect developing defects.
    • [ ] Integrate the Insight CM platform with the client's existing data sources and systems.
    • [ ] Develop prognostic capabilities to predict remaining useful life of equipment.
    • [ ] Provide a business case and justification for implementing the Insight CM solution.

    Outline Introduction and Overview of Industrial Talk Podcast
    • Scott MacKenzie introduces the Industrial Talk podcast, emphasizing its focus on industry innovations and trends.
    • Scott thanks listeners for their support, highlighting the podcast's success and its mission to celebrate leaders in the industrial sector.
    • Scott discusses the exciting developments expected in 2025, including innovation, technology, and solutions in various industries.
    • The podcast aims to promote companies passionate about success and to provide a platform for sharing insights and solutions.

    Introduction of Preston Johnson and Cutsforth
    • Scott introduces Preston Johnson from Cutsforth, focusing on asset management and the importance of managing assets effectively.
    • Scott reflects on the success of the previous year, mentioning the numerous interviews with industry leaders and the global broadcasts.
    • Scott encourages listeners to create and share their stories, emphasizing the importance of amplifying messages through the Industrial Talk platform.
    • The podcast aims to support listeners in their success by providing a platform for sharing technology and solutions.

    Preston Johnson's Background and Cutsforth's History
    • Preston Johnson shares his extensive experience in the industrial instrumentation business, including his time at National Instruments.
    • Preston discusses his journey in condition monitoring and predictive maintenance, starting in the early 2000s.
    • Cutsforth's acquisition of the Insight CM software in 2022 is highlighted, expanding their business from generator support to a predictive maintenance platform.
    • Preston provides a brief history of Cutsforth and their involvement in various industries, including power generation and generator support.

    Insight CM Software and Its Unique Features
    • Preston explains the vision behind Insight CM, focusing on leveraging multiple condition monitoring technologies.
    • The software was developed in response to a large power generation company's need for fleet-wide condition monitoring across various technologies.
    • Insight CM's ability to digitize and compare trends from different technologies, such as vibration, lubrication, and temperature, is emphasized.
    • The software aims to identify defects in equipment by collaborating and comparing data from different monitoring technologies.

    Implementation of Insight CM and Typical Steps
    • ...
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    32 mins
  • Chris Harbaugh with FX3D

    Chris Harbaugh with FX3D
    Jan 3 2025
    Industrial Talk is onsite at FABTECH and talking to Chris Harbaugh, Vice President of Sales at FX3D about "Rapid QC of 3d Printed Parts". Chris Harbaugh from FX3D discussed their innovative approach to manufacturing at Fabtech in Orlando. FX3D specializes in creating modular 3D printed fixtures for precision inspection, significantly reducing costs and time. They use a print farm with 30 printers, primarily PLA for plastic and laser sintering for metal components. This technology has cut throughput time by 25% and reduced rejections. Harbaugh emphasized the future direction towards AI-assisted fixture generation and digital twin technology for optimizing part designs and reducing shipping costs. Contact information for FX3D is available on their website and LinkedIn. Action Items
    • [ ] Explore opportunities to collaborate with FX 3D on digital twin and AI-enabled fixture design solutions.
    • [ ] Follow up with Chris Harbaugh on LinkedIn or through the FX 3D website to discuss potential partnerships.

    Outline Introduction and Welcome to Industrial Talk Podcast
    • Scott MacKenzie introduces the podcast, emphasizing its focus on industry innovations and trends.
    • Scott welcomes listeners and celebrates their contributions to the industry, highlighting their bravery and problem-solving skills.
    • The podcast is broadcasting live from Fab Tech in Orlando, with Scott noting the event's wrapping up and encouraging listeners to attend next year.
    • Scott introduces Chris Harbaugh from FX 3D, mentioning their shared attire and the magnets Chris handed out.

    Chris Harbaugh's Background and Family
    • Chris Harbaugh shares his background, mentioning he is from Arkansas and is one of 13 children.
    • Chris's father started the aerospace company Mundo Tech, which later changed its name to Ethics.
    • Chris explains the necessity of precision and cost reduction in their high-profile military aircraft contracts.
    • The company focused on reducing cycle time and inspection costs by creating modular 3D printed fixtures.

    Development of 3D Printed Fixtures
    • Chris describes the challenge of scanning each part for 100% inspection, leading to the idea of using 3D printed fixtures.
    • Initially, they printed a small fixture, but faced limitations with larger, more complex parts.
    • They developed modular 3D printed fixtures that could be assembled on-site, reducing costs and time.
    • Chris explains the use of PLA and laser sintering for printing metal components, highlighting their in-house print farm.

    Expansion and Digital Twin Technology
    • Chris discusses the expansion of their solutions to include sheet metal components and major assemblies.
    • They have developed the ability to create digital twins of parts and fixtures, reducing the need for physical fixtures.
    • Chris envisions a future where digital twins and print-on-demand inventory could significantly reduce costs and time.
    • The digital twin technology allows for simulations and optimizations, improving quality and reducing rejections.

    AI and Automation in Fixture Generation
    • Chris mentions their work on auto-generating fixtures using AI, aiming to reduce the time engineers spend on specific tasks.
    • The goal is to have AI generate 80% of the fixture, with engineers finishing the final parts and validating the fixture.
    • Scott and Chris discuss the potential...
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    18 mins
  • Cisco Sara with Accruent

    Cisco Sara with Accruent
    Jan 2 2025
    Industrial Talk is onsite at Accruent Insights and talking to Cisco Sara, Sr. Product Marketing Manager at Accruent about "Industrial documents at your fingertips". Scott MacKenzie hosts an episode of the Industrial Talk Podcast at the Accruing Insights event in San Antonio, featuring Cisco Sara from RedEye, a document management system. RedEye, built for collaboration and democratizing information, stands out for its unlimited user license, making it accessible to all team members without additional costs. It offers a user-friendly interface with features like Google-like search, QR codes, and GPS to easily locate documents. The system also ensures version control and accuracy through workflow approvals. Integration with Accruent's Asset Management Suite and potential AI enhancements are discussed for future improvements. Red Eye's intuitive nature requires minimal training, and personalized onboarding helps customers transition their data effectively. Action Items
    • [ ] Explore opportunities for integrating RedEye with other systems to create a more connected workflow.
    • [ ] Provide training and ongoing support to customers to ensure successful adoption of the RedEye solution.
    • [ ] Follow up with Cisco on LinkedIn to discuss further collaboration opportunities.

    Outline Introduction to the Podcast and Event
    • Scott MacKenzie introduces the podcast, emphasizing its focus on industry professionals and innovations.
    • Scott thanks the audience for their support and mentions the podcast's data-backed popularity.
    • The podcast is broadcasting live from the Accruing Insights event in San Antonio, highlighting the event's atmosphere and purpose.
    • Scott introduces Cisco Sara, the guest for the episode, and sets the stage for discussing the RedEye product.

    Overview of Red Eye and Its Origins
    • Cisco Sara shares that RedEye is an Australian product developed by two engineers to address information accessibility issues in their company.
    • The founders discovered that existing solutions did not meet their needs, leading them to create RedEye.
    • Red Eye aims to make it easy for users to find and access the information they need for their jobs.
    • The product is built for collaboration and does not charge per user, allowing unlimited access to the platform.

    Unique Features and Collaborative Capabilities of RedEye
    • RedEye is designed for collaboration and does not charge per user, unlike most document management systems.
    • The platform democratizes information, making it accessible to various teams like engineering, operations, maintenance, construction, legal, marketing, and procurement.
    • RedEye uses a Google-like search functionality to quickly locate documents, making it user-friendly even for non-experts.
    • The system supports various methods to access documents, including QR codes and GPS, enhancing usability in the field.

    Version Control and Workflow Management
    • Red Eye uses version control to ensure the accuracy and reliability of documents, especially in the field.
    • The system identifies the correct version of a document based on approval workflows, maintaining data integrity.
    • Users can mark up documents in the field and submit them for review and approval through various methods, including mobile solutions and QR codes.
    • The system includes tools to prevent "pencil whipping" and...
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    18 mins
  • Gunar Gossard with BLM Group USA

    Gunar Gossard with BLM Group USA
    Dec 27 2024
    Industrial Talk is onsite at FABTECH and talking to Gunar Gossard, Director of Sales at BLM Group about "Innovative Manufacturing Solutions". Scott MacKenzie hosts an episode of the Industrial Talk podcast from Fabtech in Orlando, Florida, highlighting innovations and trends in the manufacturing industry. Gunar Gossard from BLM Group discusses their cutting-edge technology, including laser-cutting tubes and a four-person arcade game made using their equipment. Gossard explains the advancements in laser technology, such as reduced production time and improved edge quality, and the integration of automation and AI in manufacturing processes. He emphasizes the importance of flexibility and easy programming for robots in modern fabrication. Gossard provides his contact information for those interested in learning more about BLM Group's products and services. Action Items
    • [ ] Reach out to Gunar Gossard at G.Gossard@BLMGroupUSA.com or connect with him on LinkedIn.

    Outline Fabtech Conference Overview and Introduction
    • Scott MacKenzie welcomes listeners to the Industrial Talk podcast, emphasizing the importance of celebrating industrial professionals who innovate and solve problems.
    • Scott highlights the Fabtech conference in Orlando, Florida, describing it as a must-attend event with a wide range of innovations and technologies.
    • Scott introduces Gunar Gossard from the BLM Group, setting the stage for a discussion about their products and experiences at the conference.
    • Gunar Gossard shares his positive experience at the conference, noting initial concerns about overstaffing and how the booth filled up by 10:30 AM.

    BLM Group's Innovative Products
    • Scott MacKenzie showcases BLM Group's on-site manufacturing of laser-cut tubes, emphasizing the precision and quality of their products.
    • Gunar Gossard explains the "round ball" product, which comes in sizes from half an inch to 12 inches and is a popular conversation piece.
    • The design of the "round ball" has evolved over the years, with various logos and etchings to mark different events and locations.
    • Gunner describes the process of etching designs on the tubes using laser technology, highlighting the creativity and technical expertise involved.

    Creative Applications and Arcade Game
    • Gunar discusses the creative applications of their technology, including an arcade game made using cut-and-fold technology on laser-cut flat sheets.
    • The arcade game, which does not require welding, showcases the versatility and precision of their manufacturing processes.
    • Scott MacKenzie expresses his excitement about the innovative products and the creative thinking behind them.
    • Gunner provides a brief background on himself, mentioning his role at BLM Group and his responsibilities across North America.

    Advancements in Laser Technology
    • Gunar Gossard explains the significant advancements in laser technology over the past 12 years, including the integration of multiple processes into one.
    • He highlights the benefits of using assist gasses like nitrogen and high-pressure dry air, which improve edge quality and reduce secondary operations.
    • The conversation touches on the comparison between laser, plasma, and water jet cutting, emphasizing the speed and quality advantages of laser technology.
    • Gunar discusses the limitations of laser cutting for thicker materials and the ongoing developments to push these limits
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    18 mins
  • Dave Harrington with Accruent

    Dave Harrington with Accruent
    Dec 26 2024
    Industrial Talk is onsite at Accruent Insights and talking to Dave Harrington, Global Workplace Management Solutions Architect at Accruent about "Complete insights into your building assets". Scott MacKenzie hosts the Industrial Talk podcast, celebrating industrial professionals and their innovations. At the Accruent Insight user conference in San Antonio, Texas, he interviews Dave Harrington, a solution consultant at Accruent, about workplace management solutions. Harrington explains that these solutions help manage physical assets, buildings, and critical equipment, emphasizing the importance of proactive maintenance to avoid issues like HVAC breakdowns. He highlights the role of AI in predictive maintenance and decision-making, sourcing data from various real estate platforms. Harrington also notes the challenge of re-educating the workforce post-pandemic. The conversation underscores the evolving landscape of workplace management and the impact of AI. Action Items
    • [ ] Connect with Dave Harrington on LinkedIn.

    Outline Welcome to Industrial Talk Podcast
    • Scott MacKenzie introduces the podcast, emphasizing its focus on industry professionals and their innovations.
    • Scott welcomes listeners and highlights the importance of industrial professionals in changing lives and the world.
    • The podcast is broadcasting from the Accruent Insight user conference in San Antonio, Texas.
    • Scott sets the stage for the conversation with Dave Harrington about workplace management solutions.

    Introduction of Dave Harrington
    • Scott introduces Dave Harrington, a solution consultant at Accruent, who will discuss workplace management solutions.
    • Dave shares his background, mentioning his role in working with customers and prospects to showcase solutions.
    • Dave has been in this role for about 10 years and enjoys meeting with customers and keeping up with industry changes.
    • Scott inquires about how Dave stays updated with the latest innovations and trends.

    Learning and Staying Updated
    • Dave explains that internal teams at Accruent provide extensive training on new and innovative solutions.
    • He emphasizes the importance of repetition and hands-on experience in perfecting the delivery of value to customers.
    • Scott shares his experience of feeling overwhelmed by the ever-evolving nature of the industry.
    • The conversation transitions to discussing workplace management systems and their importance.

    Overview of Workplace Management Systems
    • Dave describes workplace management systems as a collection of solutions for managing physical assets, buildings, and critical equipment.
    • The solutions help customers manage their facilities, including HVAC units, chillers, boilers, and other essential equipment.
    • Dave's role involves showcasing these solutions to customers and demonstrating their value.
    • Scott and Dave discuss the importance of maintaining and updating these systems, especially post-COVID.

    Impact of COVID-19 on Facilities Management
    • Dave notes that the pandemic has led to a lack of maintenance and updates in facilities due to reduced occupancy.
    • There has been a surge in demand for quick updates and maintenance to prepare for face-to-face events.
    • AI is emerging as a significant topic in the real estate and facilities management world, with a focus on predictive...
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    18 mins
  • Paul Oberly and Tangi Meyer with Dassault Systems

    Paul Oberly and Tangi Meyer with Dassault Systems
    Dec 24 2024
    Industrial Talk is onsite at OMG, Q1 Meeting and talking to Paul Oberly and Tangi Meyer with Dassault Systemes about "Virtual Twin and digitization of processes!" Scott MacKenzie hosts the Industrial Talk podcast, featuring Tangi Mayer and Paul Oberly from Dassault Systems. Tangi, a senior strategic planner, and Paul, the lead for Delmia augmented experience in North America, discuss the integration of advanced technologies like computer vision and AI to create a "virtual twin" of real-world manufacturing processes. This digital representation allows for efficient, error-free production by connecting the virtual and real worlds, enhancing safety, and optimizing workflows. They emphasize the importance of data in driving business operations and the potential for AR to revolutionize manufacturing and inspection processes, making them more intuitive and efficient. Action Items
    • [ ] Connect with Tangi Meyer
    • [ ] Connect with Paul Oberly

    Outline Introduction and Welcome
    • Scott MacKenzie introduces the Industrial Talk podcast, emphasizing its focus on industrial professionals and their innovations.
    • Scott welcomes listeners and highlights the importance of industrial professionals in solving global problems.
    • The podcast is broadcasting from the OMG q1 meeting in Reston, Virginia, showcasing a collection of problem solvers.
    • Scott sets the stage for the conversation, mentioning the presence of two guests, Tangi Mayer and Paul Oberly.

    Guest Introductions
    • Tangi Mayer introduces himself as French, working for Dassault Systemes, specifically Demi are, the manufacturing brand.
    • Tangi describes his role as a senior strategic planner, focusing on anticipating trends and supporting future product and market developments.
    • Paul Oberly introduces himself as the lead for Delmia augmented experience in North America, covering Canada, the US, and Mexico.
    • Paul mentions the positive outcomes of their meetings at the OMG q1 meeting, including exceeding objectives and having productive discussions.

    Overview of Dassault Systemes' Work
    • Tangi explains that Dassault Systemes uses advanced technologies like computer vision and AI to connect the virtual world with the real world through augmented reality.
    • Paul emphasizes the importance of this connection, especially in the context of automation and Industry 4.0, bringing the digital twin to the production floor.
    • Scott inquires about the bottom-line value and efficiencies gained from this approach.
    • Paul highlights the benefits of getting things done right the first time and digitizing tribal knowledge to ensure quality and cohesive execution.

    Tangi's Background and Dassault Systemes' Acquisition
    • Tangi shares his background, mentioning his previous work with Dita, a startup supporting the industry with augmented reality solutions.
    • Dita was acquired by Dassault Systemes in July 2022, marking Tangi's official joining of the company.
    • Scott asks Tangi about the process of creating a digital twin for a manufacturer.
    • Paul explains that the product is the foundation for the business, and data is the driving force behind it.

    The Role of Data and Virtual Twin
    • Paul discusses the importance of data in driving the business and connecting various systems like CAD, IoT, and Enterprise.
    • The virtual twin serves as the foundation for the business,...
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    21 mins