The Tool Belt

Industrial manufacturers have invested heavily in automation on the shop floor—but sales processes often remain manual, slow, and fragmented. In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Laura Davis, editor-in-chief of New Equipment Digest, sits down with Le'ora Lichtenstein, founder and CEO of Corbel, a next-generation CPQ platform, to discuss how AI-powered configurators, unstructured data mining, and integrated financing tools are helping equipment builders modernize how they quote, sell, and close capital equipment deals. Le'ora brings a background in structured credit and early-stage investing, and holds a BSc in Finance and the CFA charterholder designation.

In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Relay co-founder and CEO Chris Chuang joins the podcast to delve into another corner of artificial intelligence in manufacturing: How voice is being turned into data, ending the disconnect among workers who don't sit at desks or dwell near workstations.

In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Thomas Wilk of Plant Services sits down with Justin Baucum of Isembard to explore how modular, software-driven factories are reshaping U.S. manufacturing capacity. The conversation traces Justin's unconventional path into manufacturing and how mission-driven thinking translates into building faster, more resilient production networks. Together, they dig into reshoring, supply chain bottlenecks in defense, aerospace, and energy, and the practical realities of standing up high-precision factories at speed. The episode offers a grounded look at how technology, operations, and new business models can help manufacturing move quicker and scale smarter.

The concept of a “company GPT” is helping small and midsized manufacturers grasp the potential for artificial intelligence in their enterprises, and make real progress in their journeys. In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Amatrium Inc. co-founder and president Andrew Halonen discusses his recent article "AI Is a Journey for Foundries and Equipment Builders" and why he argues that manufacturers' difficulties in implementing AI are about change management, not technology.

In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Peter Vassalo, senior counsel with the Littler legal firm, explains how OSHA has maintained its core activities despite leadership challenges, emphasizing ongoing inspections, citations, and the cautious approach to rulemaking, while exploring the impact of increased use of opinion letters for compliance assistance. 

Yes, AI has a place in lean and continuous improvement, but don't jump off the deep end. Try experimentation and remember: Respect for people prevails. In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Jill Jusko sits down with Eric Lussier to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and lean manufacturing. Their conversation examines where AI can genuinely support continuous improvement without undermining respect for people or sound problem-solving practices. Together, they discuss practical use cases, cultural considerations, and why leadership remains critical as manufacturers experiment with AI. The episode offers a thoughtful look at how emerging technology can augment, rather than replace, lean principles.

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.

In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Laura Putre sits down with Mike Jackson to reflect on how suppliers navigated a turbulent 2025 and what the outlook looks like heading into 2026. Their conversation explores shifting trade policies, tariffs, and the evolving role of USMCA, alongside ongoing uncertainty around electrification and EV adoption. They also dig into nearshoring, supply chain volatility, and the financial pressures facing suppliers at every tier. Throughout the discussion, the episode highlights both the challenges confronting manufacturers and the resilience driving the industry forward.

How do you know when a scraper strainer makes more sense than a basket or backwash filter? In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, New Equipment Digest chief editor Laura Forbes breaks down the real-world differences between industrial strainer types and what engineers should consider when specifying filtration for high-solids applications. This episode is based on an article by Del Williams for Acme Engineering Products. Read the original piece here: https://www.newequipment.com/55294782

Artificial intelligence is not coming for jobs in the abstract. It is coming for tasks, and the maintenance and reliability world sits directly at this crossroads.  On one hand, AI can process years of work orders, interpret patterns in vibration and oil analysis, map failure precursors, and generate predictive recommendations faster than any human analyst. On the other hand, no algorithm can yet replace the skilled craftsperson who understands how a machine feels, sounds, and behaves under load. In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Plant Services chief editor Thomas Wilk talks with Michael D. Holloway of 5th Order Industry about the kinds of work that AI will likely consume in the near-term and long-term.

There are interesting and encouraging data points amid all the confusion, with some trends emerging about job shop activity, high-demand industries, and manufacturing employment. New orders for CNC machines are a reliable indicator of near-term growth in manufacturing activity - in nearly every major manufacturing sector - because those purchases mean operations are preparing for new business coming their way. And 2025 order values are on pace to top 2024. So what is the continuing debate about interest rates and inflation? And what trends might we watch bear out in 2026? AMT principal economist Chris Chizik describes what the data reveals about manufacturing growth.  

AI is getting better at predicting potential outcomes, but the technology still isn't as reliable as humans at coming up with predictions that put everything into context for what it all means. In this podcast, Material Handling & Logistics' chief editor, Dave Blanchard, takes listeners on a fast-paced tour of predictions for what the supply chain will look like in 2026 and beyond, featuring insights from some of the industry's best thinkers and thought leaders.

We've all heard someone say it recently: Nobody wants to work these days. It's the refrain of a stressed manager who's short-staffed and losing production capacity because the company can't recruit people.  Even if it's true (and really, has anyone ever really wanted to work? Isn't that why we pay them?), complaining won't fill your plant vacancies. Blaming other industries won't help either as they're saying the same things. Think manufacturers have a rough time recruiting people? Talk to trucking company leaders or landscaping operations.  In a recent article in IndustryWeek, doctoral student Winifred Opoku shared her thoughts on how some manufacturers are making their ability to reach young people a competitive advantage. 

Smart Industry content chief Scott Achelpohl wraps up the annual prediction series with highlights from SI's roster of subject-matter experts, who had a lot to say about how AI was moving well beyond the hype and coming to a production line near you.

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 practical reliability leadership lessons for maintenance and operations teams in 2026. Bonus: The psychology behind New Year's resolutions?

Fall protection violations remain the most cited OSHA issue, emphasizing the need for continued focus despite some recent decreases in violations. In this interview with Phil Jacklin, continuing education program manager with Diversified Fall Protection, you'll hear that progress is being made through increased awareness, proactive safety practices and better data tracking, but challenges persist, particularly in the construction industry.

This year-end wrapup episode collects clips from three of the most popular Plant Services episodes from the past 12 months. In these clips, Plant Services chief editor Thomas Wilk talks about: "How oil analysis can boost equipment reliability, but only if you use the data," with Mike Holloway, 5th Order Industry "How PM optimization improves reliability and reduces unplanned downtime," with Brian Hronchek, Eruditio "Reshoring in 2025 – strategies for navigating tariffs and trade uncertainty," with Rosemary Coates, Reshoring Institute

In our monthly podcast miniseries, Ask a Plant Manager, Joe Kuhn, CMRP (former plant manager, engineer, and global reliability consultant) considers commonplace scenarios facing the industry and offers his advice, as well as actions that you can take to get on track tomorrow. This episode collects three of our favorite moments with Joe over the past year: Maintenance vs. reliability engineers — key differences and how they work together Reliability program not working? Here's what might be wrong Why predictive maintenance fails without problem solving on the plant floor

In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Plant Services chief editor Thomas Wilk and UL Solutions Senior VP of Industrial Testing, Inspection, and Certification Jeff Smidt explore the growing role of independent sustainability certification in the industrial sector. Their discussion centers on ECOLOGO and how it evaluates materials, manufacturing practices, and full product lifecycles. The conversation also highlights the connection between reliability, risk reduction, and transparent environmental performance. Together, they examine how rigorous standards like UL 2711 may shape future expectations for industrial products.

Could a dual-layer metallic coating be an innovation in jet-engine design? There is a line of innovation from product design to metallurgy, to production, and to product performance. For aerospace and defense systems, precision parts that operate under intense heat and high pressure are critical to performance and reliability. In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, American Machinist chief editor Robert Brooks explains how researchers are proposing a new coating process that will make alternative, high-entropy alloys perform at significantly higher temperatures – which could mean greater fuel efficiency and lower maintenance costs for jet engines.

Industrial exoskeletons are gaining traction in manufacturing and logistics, but misconceptions still overshadow what they actually do. New Equipment Digest chief editor Laura Davis breaks down the biggest myths with insights from HeroWear's Matthew Yandell, PhD, to reveal the truth behind this fast-growing technology. To learn more, visit: https://www.newequipment.com/55325220

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 how to celebrate and reflect at the end of the year, while maintaining operations and planning for the next year. Bonus: Is Santa's workshop the ultimate factory?

Caroline Johnson shares some of the lessons she learned about leadership from her time in the U.S. Navy and how her fellow officers continue to inspire her as an executive advisor and coach with DEKRA.

Mike Payne, president and owner of Hill Manufacturing & Fabrication loves data and metrics. If he can pull information from a machine, he's doing it. Mike talked with IndustryWeek's Dennis Scimeca about why he collects all of that data, what he does with it and why, despite all of this technology, succeeding in manufacturing is still all about relationships and performance, not technology. Payne noted that before data collection, managers would assign tasks to machinists with a time estimate. And, wouldn't you know it, that's how long it turned out they needed to make each part. Was the machine in use that entire time? How much of that time was setup vs. production? Could the company have cut those time allotments by 20% without harming quality?  Without data collection to monitor what was really happening, nobody knew. 

Ben Wynne of Intrepid Automation helps Smart Industry's Scott Achelpohl veer from the M&A soap opera and get into the weeds about what industrial 3D printing is doing for aerospace, defense, automotive, health care and semiconductor production.

Industrial AI software heavyweight IFS chose its New York show to debut virtual agents equipped with 50 skills that autonomously manage high-volume tasks. For this episode of the Great Question podcast, Smart Industry's Scott Achelpohl and Plant Services' Tom Wilk were there to chat about the product, IFS Loops, with its CEO, Somya Kapoor.  

Discussion around mental health is still rare among industrial workers. It's a cultural issue that needs to be re-examined and made a workplace priority, says podcast guest Stephen Dummit, founder of Tradewinds Leadership.

Join Matthew Dixon, Swagelok's global technical lead for grab sampling, as he talks about the complexities of gas grab sampling—a critical, yet often misunderstood process in industrial operations. From the science behind phase changes to the design of safe and accurate sampling systems, Matt will share insights that help demystify the challenges of capturing representative gas samples. Whether you're in operations, engineering, or maintenance, this conversation will offer practical takeaways and a glimpse into the future of sampling in a digitalized world.

In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Plant Services editor in chief Thomas Wilk speaks with ICML CEO Bryan Coggins and ICML Marketing Director Paul Hiller about the evolving culture of reliability and maintenance within industry. The conversation explores how ICML is strengthening its role through training, certification, and real-world case studies that demonstrate measurable ROI in lubrication management. Bryan shares insights from his diverse background in manufacturing and energy, emphasizing the importance of balancing long-term strategy with short-term results, while Paul highlights how ICML's messaging and outreach are driving cultural and operational improvements across the sector.

Typically, Big Tech and software aren't manufacturing topics. The latest data products don't generally come out of a factory in a box or barrel. However, the rapid growth of AI is having a domino effect that's benefitting large manufacturers.  AI needs lots of computing power, creating opportunities for semiconductor makers to boost U.S. production. Construction companies are building data center facilities all over the country, creating manufacturing opportunities for construction materials and equipment. Tightly packed computer servers generate lots of heat, creating opportunities for materials companies and hydraulics manufacturers that can cool data centers.  And these data centers are super hungry for power. So, expect more gas-powered and renewable energy plants to be built in the near future (it's already happening but expect more). Makers of switchgear and grid-improvement systems also have full order books. Discussing this trend are four editors from Endeavor B2B: Robert Schoenberger, editor-in-chief of IndustryWeek Matt Vincent, editor-in-chief of Data Center Frontier John Caulfield, senior editor of Building Design + Construction James Morra, senior editor of Electronic Design

Manufacturers understand the skills gap: every day they recognize that do not have enough people or enough of the right people to execute the difficult and sometimes dirty, often dangerous tasks like pouring and forming molten materials, grinding or machining parts, treating and handling those parts, welding and finishing components and systems, etc. It's more than a practical problem. It's an economic and institutional crisis. The Metallurgical Engineering Trades Apprenticeship and Learning program (METAL) established by the Dept. of Defense in 2024 is moving fast to resolve it, setting up and coordinating practical training in critical disciplines for metal casting and metal forging processes at seven universities, and drawing in fresh minds who ensure that knowledge and practical understanding continue to be available to engineers and investors in the decades ahead of us. Mike Kubacki, project coordinator for METAL describes the program and its progress.

Supply chain managers are employing a number of strategies to address the almost constant changes due to disruptions in the supply chain. Michelle Comerford, practice leader for the Industrial & Supply Chain practice at Biggins, Lacy, Shapiro & Company, explains what actions companies across the country need to be taking to stay on a steady course to supply chain proficiency.

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 how to blend predictive tools with decades of shop floor know-how.

Trae Mazza and his team at RMC Global this year found and reported hidden cyber risk in common Siemens industrial networking devices. Mazza wrote for Smart Industry about the flaws, which Siemens has patched, and joins the Great Question podcast to review the investigation and chat about how exposed OT really is to intrusion.

We're about a week away from Halloween, and what could be scarier than the technologies that are disrupting manufacturing—artificial intelligence and connected-worker technologies. The 4th Annual Connected Worker Manufacturing summit in the Chicago suburbs this month gathered tech leaders from dozens of large manufacturers to discuss the impacts of data tools, wearable technology, tablets and other connected devices. What does that have to do with Halloween? Well, there were a lot of food people there, including digital transformation executives at Hershey and Nestle, and we spoke to them about their efforts. Participating on this podcast are: Robert Schoenberger, editor-in-chief at IndustryWeek Logan McNear, digital manufacturing program lead for The Hershey Company's Lean Production System Mike Brauckman, head of focused improvement for Nestle

Kristianne Egbert, senior corporate ergonomist with Briotix Health, discusses the evolution of industrial ergonomics in recent years, and offers insights into how managers can cost-justify investing in ergo technologies to better protect their workers.

This episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast was recorded live at the 2025 SMRP Annual Conference, in Fort Worth, Texas. In this episode Brian Hronchek, principal trainer and consultant for Eruditio, talks with Plant Services chief editor Tom Wilk discuss how companies are using PM optimization to achieve quick, measurable improvements in both reliability and safety.

In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, discover how unconventional innovations from UMass Amherst, Bluewater, and the Italian Institute of Technology are redefining sustainability across energy, water, and waste.

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, explains why sometimes the best thing you can do to protect workers is take more risks. He explains how safety professionals can go beyond "best practices" to "next practices." And he offers a preview of his upcoming keynote presentation, "Playing It Safe," which he'll deliver at Safety Leadership Conference 2025, held October 20-22, 2025, in Glendale (Phoenix), Ariz.

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. In this episode, Joe how to tackle reliability and maintenance as a new manager.

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.

High-profile raids of manufacturing facilities by federal immigration agents are likely just beginning, labor and immigration attorney Jorge Lopez said. Increased federal funding for Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents still hasn't hit the agency and won't have a measurable impact on staffing there for months. So, expect site visits and raids to increase in Q4 of this year and especially in the first half of 2026, Lopez says. He also offers advice on how to prepare your paperwork for federal investigations, what companies are (and are not) obligated to provide and how to limit legal exposure. Speakers: IndustryWeek Senior Editor Laura Putre Littler Immigration and Global Mobility Practice Group Chair Jorge Lopez

In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Scott Achelpohl and Almog Apirion explore why IT and OT often remain misaligned and what it takes to close the gap. The discussion highlights how digital transformation, cybersecurity risks, and regulatory pressures are driving the need for convergence. Together, they examine the role of Zero Trust, identity-based access, and secure connectivity in protecting legacy equipment while keeping operations productive and resilient.

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.

You may be good, but you can always be better. That's the approach Coca-Cola Consolidated has taken toward workplace safety. The publicly traded bottling company started a new safety campaign in 2024, the First 100 Days of Safety. It was so successful that Coca-Cola Consolidated expanded to three safety campaigns in 2025 and has no signs of slowing down. Dennis Padgett, senior director of risk control at Coca-Cola Consolidated, discusses what's worked and what's next with EHS Today's Managing Editor Nicole Stempak. Padgett will be speaking at Safety Leadership Conference 2025, being held from October 20-22 in Pheonix, Arizona. 

We're a quarter of the way into this century, and a lot has happened. When we think about today's connected factories, in many cases controlled by tablets and smartphones, we should remember that virtually none of that was possible as recently as the turn of the century. Throughout the past few weeks, editors at IndustryWeek have been publishing game changers stories, a look into the 25 events that have reshaped the manufacturing landscape. From terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, to the 2008 economic collapse to COVID-19, it's been an eventful century so far. In this podcast, our editors talk about what they learned from the giant look back -- which game changing events took them by surprise and which ones did they enjoy learning more about?

In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, New Equipment Digest's Editor-in-Chief, Laura Davis, explores the differences between wireless bridges and access points, and why most facilities will need both to keep operations running smoothly. Listeners will learn how each technology works, when to deploy them, and the real-world benefits they deliver across industries from logistics to oil & gas. This episode is based on an article originally written by Henry Martel, a field applications engineer at Antaira Technologies.

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. In this episode, Joe discusses the importance of planned work coordination.