Industrial Talk Media

Industrial Talk is talking to Nikki Gonzales, Director of Business Development at Weintek USA about "HMI - Human Machine Interface".

Scott Mackenzie hosts Nikki Gonzales on the Industrial Talk Podcast to discuss the human-machine interface (HMI). Nikki shares her background, including her Icelandic roots and career journey in sales engineering and AI startups. She highlights Win Tech, a Taiwanese company specializing in HMIs, which manufactures over 2 million HMIs annually. Win Tech's HMIs are known for their durability, connectivity, and cost-effectiveness. Nikki emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and the challenges in industrial B2B sales. She also mentions her podcast, Automation Ladies, and encourages listeners to connect with her on LinkedIn.

Action Items
[ ] Check out the Wintec website at automation.io
[ ] Listen to Nikki's podcast "Automation Ladies"
[ ] Reach out to Nikki Gonzales
Outline

Nikki Gonzales's Background and Career Journey
Nikki shares her background, mentioning her move from Iceland to the U.S. in middle school and her father's career as an electrical engineer.
She describes her early work experiences, starting with her father's small business and progressing through various roles in sales engineering and marketing.
Nikki discusses her career path, including her work with sensor manufacturers, machine vision, motion control, software design, and AI startups.
She highlights her recent role with a startup focused on supply chain software and inventory management, and her current position with Win Tech, an HMI manufacturer.
Challenges in Industrial B2B Sales
Scott and Nikki discuss the challenges of industrial B2B sales, particularly the complex landscape shaped by historical laws and regulations.
Nikki explains the historical context of industrial sales, including the restrictions on manufacturers selling directly to consumers and the reliance on regional distributors.
They discuss the differences in sales practices between the U.S. and Europe, where such restrictions are considered anti-competitive.
Nikki shares her experiences with the complexities of industrial B2B sales, including the difficulties in digitalizing and simplifying the buying process.
Win Tech and HMI Technology
Nikki provides an overview of Win Tech, a Taiwanese company specializing in HMIs, and its history of innovation in touchscreen technology.
She explains the role of HMIs in industrial automation, describing them as the interface between humans and machines.
Nikki highlights Win Tech's focus on manufacturing high-quality, long-lasting HMIs and their software, which is available for free to users.
She discusses the versatility of Win Tech's HMIs, which can serve as both operator interfaces and connectivity gateways for industrial machines.
Win Tech's Impact and Innovations
Nikki shares examples of Win Tech's impact, including their work with major manufacturers like FANUC and their role in connecting old and new industrial assets.
She describes Win Tech's approach to manufacturing, emphasizing quality and the ability to adapt to changing market needs.
Nikki highlights the company's commitment to continuous innovation and their ability to deliver products quickly, even during supply chain disruptions.
She discusses the benefits of Win Tech's HMIs, including their cost-effectiveness, ease of use, and advanced features for industrial automation.
Nikki's Personal and Professional Insights
Nikki reflects on her career journey, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and adapting to new challenges.
She shares her experiences with balancing work and family life, particularly during her time with the startup.
Nikki discusses her passion for automation and her efforts to educate and inspire others in the industry.
She highlights the importance of networking and collaboration in the industry, encouraging listeners to connect with her and other professionals.
Conclusion and Contact Information
Scott wraps up the conversation, expressing gratitude to Nikki for her insights and engaging discussion.
He provides contact information for Nikki, including her LinkedIn profile and the Win Tech website.
Scott encourages listeners to reach out to Nikki and explore the resources available through Win Tech and the Industrial Talk Podcast Network.
He reiterates the importance of continuous learning and collaboration in the industry, emphasizing the value of platforms like Industrial Talk in fostering these connections.

NIKKI GONZALES' CONTACT INFORMATION:
Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikki-gonzales/
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/weintek-usa-inc./
Company Website: https://www.weintekusa.com/
Podcast Link: https://www.linkedin.com/company/automation-ladies/

0 0

Industrial Talk is talking to Dan Anderson, Director of Business Development at ReliabilityX about "Asset management and Reliability best practices".

Scott Mackenzie hosts an industrial podcast featuring Dan Anderson, a reliability and asset management expert. Dan discusses the importance of integrating asset management and maintenance reliability practices within organizations. He emphasizes the need for a high-level policy and strategic asset management plan (SAMP) to drive these efforts. Dan highlights the benefits of proactive maintenance, citing a case study where a company saved significant costs by implementing best practices. He also stresses the importance of top-down management commitment and continuous reassessment to sustain these improvements. Dan provides contact information for further discussions on these topics.

Action Items
[ ] Reach out to Dan Anderson at ReliabilityX to further discuss reliability and asset management best practices for the organization.
[ ] Conduct a loss analysis to quantify the financial impact of downtime and short/stop times on production
[ ] Develop a business case to justify investment in reliability improvement initiatives like planners, reliability engineers, and predictive maintenance technologies
Outline
Introduction and Welcome to Industrial Talk Podcast
Scott MacKenzie welcomes listeners to the Industrial Talk Podcast, emphasizing its focus on industry professionals and their innovations.
Scott introduces Dan Anderson, highlighting his expertise in asset management, reliability, and his role as the chairman of the board of SMRP.

Scott talks about Accelerate with Fluke Reliability, praising its user conference and encouraging listeners to attend if they are interested in asset management and maintenance.
Scott introduces the Barcelona Cyber Security Congress, emphasizing its importance for cyber security and digitalization in the industry.
Introduction of Dan Anderson and His Background
Scott reintroduces Dan Anderson, emphasizing his expertise in asset management and reliability.
Dan provides a brief background, mentioning his role as the Director of Business Development at ReliabilityX and his position as the chairman of the board of SMRP.
Scott and Dan discuss the importance of the SMRP annual conference and the positive interactions they had there.
Dan shares his experience of dressing up for the SMRP annual conference, highlighting the professional atmosphere.
Differences Between Asset Management and Reliability
Dan explains the differences between asset management and reliability, noting that asset management is more strategic and driven by executive leadership.
Dan describes the importance of a policy and a strategic asset management plan (SAMP) in asset management.
Dan contrasts this with reliability, which involves day-to-day maintenance and proactive measures to ensure equipment is running smoothly.
Scott and Dan discuss the importance of having a policy that is well-thought-out and not overly complex.
Best Practices for Reliability and Asset Management
Dan shares insights from Bruce Western at PGT Windows, who implemented best practices in asset management and reliability.
Dan explains the process of developing a policy and a strategic asset management plan, emphasizing the importance of executive leadership.
Dan discusses the need for a business case to justify investments in reliability and asset management, using examples of cost savings from reduced downtime and overtime expenses.
Scott and Dan talk about the challenges of sustaining these practices over time and the importance of top-down management commitment.
Challenges and Solutions in Implementing Best Practices
Scott and Dan discuss the challenges of changing organizational culture to be more proactive and less reactive.
Dan emphasizes the importance of change management and the need to reward proactive behaviors to sustain best practices.
Scott shares an example of a company with unused thermography equipment, highlighting the need for proper implementation and execution.
Dan explains the financial benefits of reliability and asset management, especially for companies operating at full capacity.
Engaging with ReliabilityX for Improvement
Scott poses a challenge to Dan about how to sustain reliability and asset management practices over time.
Dan suggests starting with education and assessments to develop a business case and understand the organization's current state.
Dan explains the importance of reassessments and re-energizing the workforce to maintain best practices.
Scott and Dan discuss the role of third-party consultants like ReliabilityX in providing ongoing support and training.

DAN ANDERSON'S CONTACT INFORMATION:
Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danandersonlinkedinprofile/
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/reliabilityx/posts/?feedView=all
Company Website: https://reliabilityx.com/

0 0

Industrial Talk is onsite at SMRP 2026 and talking to Greg Raglin and Bill Broderick with AssetWatch about "Bringing context to your asset management data".

Scott MacKenzie hosts an industrial podcast featuring Greg RaglIn and Bill Broderick from AssetWatch, a company specializing in predictive maintenance and reliability solutions. Greg, a solutions architect, and Bill, a vibration analyst, discuss their experiences and the benefits of AssetWatch's technology, which integrates AI and human intelligence to provide actionable insights from condition-based monitoring of assets. They emphasize the importance of accurate data analysis to avoid false alarms and the need for continuous engagement with clients to ensure the success of predictive maintenance programs. The conversation highlights the evolving role of AI in industrial settings and the potential for future technological advancements.

Action Items
[ ] Reach out to Greg Raglin to discuss AssetWatch's solutions further.
[ ] Connect with Bill Broderick on LinkedIn to stay updated on the company's developments.
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 industry heroes who solve daily problems.
The podcast is broadcasting live from the SMRP conference in Fort Worth, Texas, where Scott has been discussing asset management, reliability, and maintenance.
Scott introduces Greg and Bill from AssetWatch, who will share their experiences and insights from the conference.
Backgrounds of Greg and Bill
Greg Raglin shares his career journey, starting in psychology, moving to logistics, and eventually to fluid motion control and automation.
Greg has been with AssetWatch for three years as a solutions architect, helping customers solve problems with practical solutions.
Bill Broderick has been with AssetWatch for over a year, with a background in manufacturing automation and predictive maintenance.
Bill emphasizes his passion for finding inefficiencies and optimizing processes to help companies save costs and improve efficiency.
Overview of AssetWatch
Greg explains that AssetWatch is a reliability partner, focusing on condition-based monitoring and using data, AI, and machine learning to provide actionable insights.
The company has a team of 30+ dedicated engineers who analyze data and provide recommendations to fix issues.
Bill adds that AssetWatch uses AI to monitor data and filter out false alarms, ensuring that plant-level teams receive accurate and timely information.
The human element behind the technology is crucial for AssetWatch, as experienced engineers can communicate effectively with plant operators.
Data Analysis and Integration
Scott asks about the types of data AssetWatch can analyze, and Greg mentions that they focus on vibration and temperature data, with plans to expand to other modalities.
Bill explains that AssetWatch integrates with other systems like CMS to provide a comprehensive solution for predictive maintenance.
The company aims to be a one-stop shop for reliability, using data from various sources to reduce downtime and improve efficiency.
AssetWatch manufactures their own devices, ensuring that all components are state-side and of high quality.
Deployment and Training
Greg discusses the deployment process, where AssetWatch's reliability technicians lead the charge in installing and training plant staff.
The company provides ongoing support, including site visits and training within their platform to ensure effective change management.
Bill emphasizes the importance of tracking engagement and providing support to drive the success of predictive maintenance programs.
AssetWatch partners with customers to build the right monitoring programs, focusing on critical assets and providing cost-effective solutions.
Future of AssetWatch
Scott asks about the future of AssetWatch, and Greg predicts a continued expansion with new technologies and industries.
Bill mentions that the company is listening to customer needs and exploring new technologies to integrate into their platform.
The goal is to become a comprehensive reliability solution, not just for predictive maintenance but for various industrial needs.
Scott concludes the conversation by encouraging listeners to connect with Greg and Bill on LinkedIn and to attend the SMRP conference for valuable insights and networking opportunities.

GREG RAGLIN'S CONTACT INFORMATION:
Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregory-raglin-41245b9b/
Company LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/goassetwatch/
Company Website: https://www.assetwatch.com/

BILL BRODERICK'S CONTACT INFORMATION:
Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-broderick-83721a3b/

1 0

Industrial Talk is talking to Jay Limburn, Chief Product Officer about "Unleashing the power of data for operational excellence".

Scott Mackenzie hosts the Industrial Talk Podcast, featuring industry professionals like Jay Limburn from Atacama, who discusses the importance of data trust and AI initiatives. Atacama's platform helps organizations integrate and enrich data from various sources, providing a unified view and a trust score to ensure data reliability. This is crucial for AI and automation, which are essential for business efficiency and competitive advantage. Upcoming events include Power Gen in January and M D and M West in February. The conversation emphasizes the need for clean data to support AI and automation, which is vital for resilient businesses.

Action Items
[ ] Reach out to Jay Limburn on LinkedIn to learn more about Atacama's solutions.
[ ] Visit the Atacama website at atacama.com to explore their data trust platform.
Outline
Introduction to Industrial Talk Podcast
Scott introduces Jay Limburn from Atacama, focusing on the importance of data and the role of companies like Atacama in data insights.
Announcements and Upcoming Events
Scott announces two new podcasts: "Ask Molly" and "The Business Beatitudes."
"Ask Molly" features Scott's daughter Molly, who helps him with marketing challenges.
"The Business Beatitudes" focuses on seven components of success in industry, emphasizing virtues like humility and selflessness.
Scott mentions upcoming events: Power Gen in January and M D and M West in February, highlighting the importance of power generation and manufacturing.
Jay explains Atacama's focus on Data Trust, which involves giving meaning to data to make better decisions.
Jay shares his 25-year background in data and AI, emphasizing the importance of data in AI initiatives.
Scott and Jay discuss the challenges of data cleanliness and the importance of a solid data foundation for AI success.
Challenges of Legacy Systems and Data Integration
Scott and Jay discuss the challenges of integrating legacy systems with modern data sources.
Jay explains how Atacama connects to various data sources, enriches metadata, and provides data quality and observability.
Jay emphasizes the importance of having a unified view of data from different sources to support AI initiatives.
Scott and Jay discuss the human aspect of data management and the need for trust in data to drive automation and efficiency.
Trust and Quality in Data
Jay explains the concept of a trust score, which measures the reliability of data, and how it can be configured based on industry standards.
Scott and Jay discuss the importance of trust in data for decision-making and the impact of data quality on business processes.
Jay highlights the role of anomaly detection and auto-correction in maintaining data quality.
Scott and Jay discuss the importance of trust in data for automation and the competitive advantage it provides.
Evolution of Data and Change Management
Scott and Jay discuss the dynamic nature of data and the need for continuous data management.
Jay explains how Atacama's Data Trust Index helps organizations evolve their data usage and trust over time.
Scott and Jay discuss the importance of change management in incorporating new data sources and maintaining data quality.
Jay emphasizes the role of automation in data management and the need for consistent data programs as data volumes increase.
Impact of Data on Business Efficiency
Scott and Jay discuss the impact of data on business efficiency and the importance of trust in data for decision-making.
Jay explains how Atacama's platform helps organizations automate data management processes and improve data quality.
Scott and Jay discuss the competitive advantage of having trusted data and the importance of data innovation in AI and analytics.
Jay emphasizes the role of data in driving business efficiency and the need for a data-driven culture in organizations.
Future of Data and AI
Scott and Jay discuss the future of data and AI, emphasizing the importance of getting data right for successful AI initiatives.
Jay explains how data-driven AI will lead to successful automation and lower costs in manufacturing.
Scott and Jay discuss the role of AI in augmenting human capabilities and the importance of a human-in-the-loop approach.
Jay emphasizes the need for a solid data foundation to support AI and automation initiatives.
Conclusion and Contact Information
Jay provides contact information for Atacama and encourages listeners to reach out for more information.
Scott wraps up the podcast, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and inspiring the next generation of industrial leaders.

JAY LIMBURN'S CONTACT INFORMATION:
Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaylimburn/
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ataccama/
Company Website: https://www.ataccama.com/

0 0

Scott MacKenzie and his daughter Molly discuss the challenges and strategies of email marketing in the industrial sector. Scott expresses frustration with traditional email campaigns, noting that they often go unread. Molly emphasizes the importance of owning email lists and using personalized, non-AI-generated content to build trust and engagement. They highlight the need for relatable, human-centered emails that provide genuine value. Molly suggests assessing effective emails, using personal language, and avoiding AI-generated images. They also discuss the potential of sending emails on weekends to avoid workplace distractions. The conversation underscores the need for innovative, human-focused marketing strategies.

Action Items
[ ] @Scott MacKenzie - Assess the emails you receive and analyze what makes you click on them.
[ ] @Scott MacKenzie - Write down the words and email structures that appeal to you and incorporate them into your own email copy.
[ ] @Scott MacKenzie - Consider sending some emails on weekends when your audience may have more time to engage, but ensure the content is genuinely helpful.
[ ] Avoid using AI-generated images and language in your email campaigns, and focus on maintaining your unique brand voice.
[ ] Shift your mindset to approach email marketing as a long-term strategy focused on helping your audience, rather than just driving metrics.
Outline
Introduction to the Podcast and Its Purpose
Scott MacKenzie introduces the podcast, emphasizing its focus on marketing and sales challenges in the industry.
He highlights the importance of young thinking in marketing and introduces his daughter, Molly Finch, as a key contributor to the podcast.

Challenges with Email Marketing
Scott expresses frustration with the effectiveness of email campaigns, noting that people often scroll through emails without reading them.
He shares his experience of creating email campaigns and the minimal impact they seem to have.
Scott poses the question of how to make email marketing more effective and mentions Molly's insights.
The conversation shifts to the importance of telling a company's story effectively and using available tools to succeed.
The Role of Social Platforms in Marketing
Scott questions the effectiveness of LinkedIn for small to midsize businesses and explores other platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
He acknowledges that LinkedIn appeals more to older demographics and wonders about the relevance of other platforms for young talent.
Scott emphasizes the need for a balanced approach to social media, considering both traditional and emerging platforms.
He invites listeners to join the journey of developing the podcast and learning about marketing strategies.
Molly's Perspective on Email Marketing
Molly joins the conversation, discussing the importance of email marketing despite its age.
She highlights the need to add to subscriber lists and the common issue of receiving emails that are not valuable.
Molly and Scott discuss the challenges of long, paragraph-form emails and the preference for bullet points.
They explore the impact of AI on email marketing, including the use of AI-generated images and language.
Balancing AI and Human Touch in Email Campaigns
Molly emphasizes the importance of owning the email list and having control over what is sent to subscribers.
She discusses the potential drawbacks of relying too heavily on AI, such as losing the unique voice of the business.
Scott and Molly agree on the need for emails to be relatable and human, avoiding AI-generated content.
They discuss the importance of being genuine and providing value in emails, rather than just using them for tracking metrics.
Strategies for Effective Email Campaigns
Molly suggests taking stock of the emails that are opened and analyzing what makes them effective.
She advises against relying solely on AI and emphasizes the importance of personal touch in emails.
Scott and Molly discuss the role of outbound links in emails and the potential impact of tracking engagement.
They explore the idea of sending emails at consistent times to build trust and recognition with subscribers.
The Importance of Consistency and Relevance
Molly stresses the need for consistent and relevant content in email campaigns.
She suggests testing different approaches to see what works best for the audience.
Scott and Molly discuss the importance of being top of mind for subscribers and the potential benefits of sending emails on weekends.
They agree on the need for a long-term strategy that focuses on building relationships with subscribers.
Final Thoughts and Next Steps
Molly provides practical advice for improving email campaigns, including assessing what makes emails effective and using personal language.
She emphasizes the importance of staying away from AI-generated content and maintaining a unique voice.

MOLLY FINCH'S CONTACT INFORMATION:
Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/molly-finch-mba/

0 0