Industrial Talk Media

Industrial Talk is onsite at PowerGen and talking to Daniel "Dan" Aiken, Business Unit Director with ROCKWOOL Technical Insulation about "Stone Wool".

Scott Mackenzie introduces ElevoTec, a company offering ERP, EAM, and business intelligence solutions, and promotes the Industrial Talk podcast. At PowerGen in San Antonio, Scott interviews Dan Aiken from ROCKWOOL Technical Installation. ROCKWOOL, a global company based in Denmark, manufactures stone wool insulation from basalt rock. They have four North American factories and are opening a new one in Mississippi. ROCKWOOL's products are fireproof, hydrophobic, and offer superior acoustics, making them ideal for power generation applications. They recently launched CR Tech, a corrosion-resistant pipe insulation. Dan encourages reaching out via LinkedIn for more information.

Outline
Introduction to ElevoTec and Industrial Talk Podcast
Scott Mackenzie introduces ElevoTec, highlighting their ERP, EAM, and business intelligence solutions.
Scott Mackenzie welcomes listeners to the Industrial Talk Podcast, emphasizing the celebration of industry professionals.
The podcast is broadcasting live from PowerGen in San Antonio, showcasing problem solvers in the power generation industry.
Scott Mackenzie mentions the upcoming PowerGen event in 2027 and introduces Dan Aiken.
Correction and Introduction of Dan Aiken
Scott Mackenzie corrects the pronunciation of Dan Aiken's name and apologizes for the mistake.
Dan Aiken clarifies his affiliation with ROCKWOOL Technical Installation.
Scott Mackenzie and Dan Aiken discuss the cold weather in Richmond, Virginia, and the upcoming snowstorm.
Dan Aiken provides background on his role as Business Unit Director for ROCKWOOL Technical Installation, managing teams in North America.
Overview of Rockwool and Stone Wool Insulation
Dan Aiken explains ROCKWOOL's global presence and the different businesses within the group.
ROCKWOOL Technical Installation is based in Houston, and Dan Aiken commutes between Houston and Richmond.
ROCKWOOL is the world's leading manufacturer of stone wool insulation, derived from basalt rock.
The process of creating stone wool involves melting basalt rock, spinning fibers, and compressing them into desired densities.
ROCKWOOL's Market Position and Innovations
ROCKWOOL entered the North American market in 1988 and has since expanded with multiple factories.
Dan Aiken discusses the upcoming production center in Mississippi and the company's growth plans.
ROCKWOOL's stone wool insulation is hydrophobic, making it resistant to water absorption and maintaining thermal performance.
The company has launched a new product, CR Tech, which includes a corrosion inhibitor for pipe insulation, providing protection against corrosion in high-temperature environments.
ROCKWOOL's Market Strategy and Future Plans
ROCKWOOL aims to build brand awareness in the North American power generation market.
The company's stone wool insulation offers superior acoustic and thermal properties, making it ideal for power generation applications.
Dan Aiken highlights the potential for growth in the power generation segment, leveraging ROCKWOOL's established European market position.
ROCKWOOL's innovative products and solutions are gaining interest at the Power Gen event, with positive feedback from customers.
Conclusion and Contact Information
Scott Mackenzie expresses his amazement at ROCKWOOL's technology and innovations.
Dan Aiken provides contact information for ROCKWOOL, including their website and LinkedIn profile.
Scott Mackenzie encourages listeners to connect with Dan Aiken on LinkedIn for further inquiries.
The podcast concludes with a reminder of the importance of storytelling and amplifying industry messages through platforms like Industrial Talk.

If interested in being on the Industrial Talk show, simply contact us and let's have a quick conversation.

Finally, get your exclusive free access to the Industrial Academy and a series on “Why You Need To Podcast” for Greater Success in 2026. All links designed for keeping you current in this rapidly changing Industrial Market. Learn! Grow! Enjoy!

DANIEL "DAN" AIKEN'S CONTACT INFORMATION:

Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-aiken-80b81487/

Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rockwool-technical-insulation/

Company Website: https://rti.rockwool.com/en/

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Industrial Talk is onsite at Xcelerate 2026 and talking to Salim Jaffer, Strategic Account Manager at Mobius Institute about "Reliability success = Culture".

Overview

The conversation features Salim Jaffer, a strategic account manager at Mobius Institute, discussing his extensive experience in the industry, particularly in reliability and root cause analysis (RCA). He highlights his background with companies like Bentley Nevada, GE, Baker Hughes, and Emerson, and his current role in developing partnerships and training in the Gulf Coast region. Jaffer emphasizes the importance of RCA, the need for a cultural shift towards reliability, and the role of data in predictive maintenance. He also promotes Mobius Institute's professional training programs, which cover various aspects of asset management and reliability, including vibration analysis, lube oil analysis, and ultrasound training.

Outline
Fluke Xcelerate Event Overview
Scott introduces the Industrial Talk podcast, sponsored by Fluke, highlighting the Xcelerate event.
The event focused on reliability, predictive maintenance tools, and AI diagnostics.
Scott emphasizes the importance of real-world strategies for teams to use today.
Fluke is praised for their contributions to smarter, faster, and reliable operations.
Introduction to the Podcast and Salim Jaffer
Scott reiterates the podcast's mission to celebrate industry professionals and their contributions.
The event, Xcelerate, is being held in Austin, Texas, and is sponsored by Fluke.
Salim Jaffer is introduced as the guest, representing Mobius Institute and other organizations.
Salim Jaffer's Background and Experience
Salim Jaffer shares his extensive experience in the industry, including 30+ years with various companies.
He details his time with Bentley Nevada, GE, Baker Hughes, and Emerson, focusing on reliability solutions.
Salim is currently a strategic account manager for Mobius Institute, covering the Gulf Coast region.
He discusses his role in developing partnerships and representing the Mobius Institute brand.
Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and Human Nature
Salim explains his three-hour session on root cause analysis (RCA) at the Xcelerate event.
He emphasizes the importance of RCA and shares personal anecdotes about his instinctive problem-solving nature.
The conversation touches on the challenges of human nature in plant operations and the need for a collective approach to reliability.
Salim highlights the importance of training and cultural change to foster a shared responsibility for reliability.
Challenges in Plant Operations and Reliability Culture
Salim discusses the common issue of plant managers claiming everything is fine, despite obvious problems.
He shares examples of hidden issues, such as broken sensors and improperly set-up equipment.
The conversation explores the need for a culture where everyone understands and supports reliability efforts.
Salim mentions the General Electric (GE) culture change training and its effectiveness in fostering a shared responsibility for reliability.
The Role of Technology and Data in Reliability
Salim and Scott discuss the evolving role of technology, particularly AI, in predictive maintenance.
Salim shares his experience with AI and neural networks in the early 2000s, emphasizing the importance of data.
The conversation highlights the need for clean data and the challenges of working with historical data.
Salim promotes Mobius Institute's training programs, which include hands-on experience with data and tools.
Mobius Institute's Training and Certification Programs
Salim provides an overview of Mobius Institute's professional training programs.
The training covers various aspects of reliability, including vibration analysis, lube oil analysis, and ultrasound.
Salim emphasizes the importance of the Asset Reliability Professional (ARP) program, which is certified by ISO.
The ARP program offers training at different levels, from entry to leadership, focusing on improving reliability through systematic methodologies.
Conclusion and Contact Information
Salim reiterates the importance of education and continuous improvement in the field of reliability.
He encourages listeners to reach out to him via LinkedIn for further discussions.
Scott Mackenzie wraps up the podcast, highlighting the importance of human connection and storytelling in the industrial field.
The podcast concludes with a reminder to visit Mobius Institute's website for more information and to stay tuned for future episodes.

SALIM JAFFER'S CONTACT INFORMATION:
Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salimjaffers/
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mobius-institute-north-america/
Company Website:  https://www.mobiusinstitute.com/mina/

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Industrial Talk is onsite at MD&M West and talking to Jan Bendier, Business Development Manager at Harro Hofliger about "From lab to production".

Overview

The conversation features Scott MacKenzie from the Industrial Talk podcast, discussing the MD&M West event in Anaheim, California, with Jan from Harro. Jan, originally from Germany, has been with Harro for 10 years and is currently based in California. Harro specializes in automation equipment for the pharma, medical, and biotech industries, focusing on custom applications and the "from lab to production" approach. They have been in business since 1975 and maintain a strong presence in the US market. Jan highlights the trend towards self-administration in healthcare and Harro's use of AI for predictive maintenance. Listeners are encouraged to connect with Jan on LinkedIn and attend MD&M West 2027.

Outline
Introduction to Industrial Talk Podcast
Industrial Talk, sponsored by MD&M West and the News and Brews team.
Scott Mackenzie, welcomes listeners to the Industrial Talk podcast, highlighting his dedication to industry innovations and trends.
Scott emphasizes the importance of celebrating industry professionals who solve problems and innovate daily.
The podcast is broadcasting live from MD&M West in Anaheim, California, focusing on manufacturing and industry solutions.
Introduction to Jan and Harro
Scott mentions the opportunity to meet industry leaders like Jan from Harro at MD&M West.
Jan expresses his enjoyment of the conference and the positive traffic so far.
Scott and Speaker 3 discuss the dynamic nature of the manufacturing industry and the importance of being prepared for such events.
Jan provides a brief background on Jan, including his origin in Germany and his current role in business development for Harro.
Harro's Unique Approach to Automation
Jan explains that Harro specializes in building automation equipment for the pharma, medical, and biotech industries.
Harro's unique approach involves focusing on niche, custom applications rather than standard solutions.
The company's credo, "from lab to production," allows them to scale up from small-scale proof-of-concept work to high-throughput commercial lines.
Scott seeks clarification on how Harro caters to specific customer needs, and Jan provides an example with auto injectors.
Harro's Market Strategy and Custom Solutions
Jan elaborates on Harro's market strategy, emphasizing their ability to handle custom solutions and their long-standing presence in the US market.
Harro designs and builds equipment in Germany, with a well-established sales and service operation in the US.
Scott highlights the importance of nimbleness in responding to market challenges, which Harro excels at due to their custom solutions.
Jan mentions Harro's local approach, ensuring quick reaction times and good feedback from customers.
Harro's History and Market Trends
Jan shares that Harro was founded in 1975 by its current chairman's father and remains a privately held family business.
Scott notes the prevalence of German companies in the high-tech, niche market, and praises their capabilities.
Jan identifies a general market trend towards self-administration, particularly in parenteral devices and point-of-care testing.
Scott agrees, emphasizing the importance of efficient healthcare delivery and patient decision-making.
Harro's Entry into AI and Maintenance Services
Jan discusses Harro's entry into the AI space, focusing on developing additional services for equipment maintenance.
Harro uses AI to analyze components like servo drives, predicting their lifetime and identifying potential issues.
Scott confirms that Harro also provides maintenance services, leveraging data analysis to optimize equipment performance.
Jan reiterates the importance of maintenance in ensuring the reliability and efficiency of equipment.
Conclusion and Contact Information
Scott encourages listeners to reach out to Jan via LinkedIn for further discussions.
Scott emphasizes the importance of attending events like MD&M West to stay updated on industry innovations.
Scott wraps up the podcast, highlighting the value of human connections and storytelling in the industry.
The podcast concludes with a reminder to put MD&M West 2027 on the calendar and to stay tuned for more conversations.

If interested in being on the Industrial Talk show, simply contact us and let's have a quick conversation.

Finally, get your exclusive free access to the Industrial Academy and a series on “Why You Need To Podcast” for Greater Success in 2026. All links designed for keeping you current in this rapidly changing Industrial Market. Learn! Grow! Enjoy!

JAN BENDIER'S CONTACT INFORMATION:
Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-bendier/
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/harro-h-fliger/
Company Website: https://hoefliger.com/

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Industrial Talk is talking to Gary Specter, CEO at Limble about "Optimize preventive maintenance for peak production and ROI".

Overview

Scott Mackenzie hosts an industrial podcast featuring Gary Specter, CEO of Limble, a company specializing in asset management and CMMS. Gary discusses the importance of transitioning from reactive to prescriptive maintenance to enhance efficiency and profitability. He emphasizes the need for clean, usable data to support technicians and the role of AI in rationalizing data. Gary highlights Limble's strategic vision to make maintenance technicians more efficient, reducing downtime and improving work-life balance. He also stresses the importance of continuous education and collaboration with customers to drive this vision forward.

Outline
Introduction and Purpose of the Podcast
Scott welcomes listeners to the podcast, highlighting the importance of celebrating industry professionals and their contributions.
The podcast aims to discuss asset management, CMMS, and the necessity of managing assets to optimize operations.
Scott expresses a passion for technology and its role in facilitating greater efficiency in the industry.
The Importance of Storytelling in Business
Scott emphasizes the need for businesses to constantly tell their story to grow and succeed.
He argues that companies must bring a human element to their storytelling, despite the prevalence of AI.
The conversation highlights the importance of building relationships and having conversations to create a human connection.
Scott invites listeners to reach out to the podcast for discussions and to share their perspectives.
Introduction of Gary Specter and His Role at Limble
Scott  introduces Gary Specter, CEO of Limble, and discusses the company's focus on asset management and CMMS.
Gary Specter shares his background in software, his experience in the FMS space, and his current role at Limble.
Gary explains his passion for driving efficiency for maintenance teams and the value Limble provides to end users.
The conversation sets the stage for discussing the strategic vision and future of Limble in the world of asset management.
Challenges and Opportunities in Asset Management
Scott and Gary discuss the transition from reactive to proactive maintenance and the challenges in getting field personnel to embrace technology.
Gary outlines the maintenance maturity model, from reactive to prescriptive maintenance, and the strategic impact of this shift.
They discuss the financial benefits of proactive maintenance and the importance of leadership in driving this vision.
The conversation touches on the need for continuous education and awareness to sustain momentum in maintenance practices.
The Role of Data in Asset Management
Gary explains the importance of rationalizing data to ensure usability and accuracy for maintenance technicians.
He discusses the challenges of dealing with legacy data and the strategies for integrating and connecting Limble to enterprise systems.
The conversation highlights the role of AI in rationalizing data and the importance of clean, usable data for effective maintenance.
Gary emphasizes the need for a human interface to complement AI-driven solutions and the importance of usability for technicians.
Future Vision for Limble
Gary shares his vision for Limble, focusing on making the technician the center of the universe and ensuring the platform is easy to use.
He discusses the goal of enabling technicians to spend more time solving problems and less time on administrative tasks.
The conversation explores the potential of IoT and sensors in predicting and preventing maintenance issues.
Gary highlights the importance of automating parts ordering and inventory management to improve efficiency and uptime.
The Impact of Efficient Maintenance on Business and Personal Lives
Gary and Scott discuss the broader impact of efficient maintenance on business operations and personal lives.
They emphasize the importance of reducing downtime and improving work-life balance for maintenance technicians.
The conversation highlights the value of creating a strategic business partner role for maintenance teams.
Gary shares feedback from customers who have seen improvements in their personal lives and work efficiency due to Limble's solutions.
Conclusion and Contact Information
Scott wraps up the conversation, expressing his support for Limble's vision and the importance of telling the company's story.
Gary provides his contact information and encourages listeners to reach out for further discussions.
Scott encourages listeners to connect with Gary and explore the potential of Limble's solutions for their organizations.

GARY SPECTER'S CONTACT INFORMATION:
Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-specter/
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/limble/
Company Website: https://limble.com/

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Industrial Talk is onsite at Xcelerate 2026 and talking to Jake Rearden and Nolan Boswell with Green River Distilling Company about "Operational maintenance".

Jake and Nolan from Green River Distilleries discussed their implementation of Fluke's Xcelerate system. Green River, the 10th oldest distillery in Kentucky, employs around 50 people across 28 acres plus two warehousing sites. They introduced Xcelerate in 2021, initially underutilized, but significantly improved its use in 2023. They highlighted a 50% increase in preventative maintenance, extending asset life, and reducing reactive maintenance. They plan to integrate Ignition software for real-time data and AI for predictive analytics. Contact details for Jake and Nolan are available for those interested in their insights and strategies.

Outline
Introduction and Welcome to Industrial Talk Podcast
Scott welcomes listeners to the Industrial Talk Podcast, emphasizing the importance of innovation, collaboration, and solving today's problems.
The podcast is broadcasted from Xcelerate, sponsored by Fluke, and aims to provide insights on reliability, asset management, and maintenance.
Scott introduces Jacob and Nolan from Green River Distilleries, who will discuss their implementation of Xcelerate.
Background of Green River Distilleries
Jacob shares his background, mentioning his three years as a maintenance manager and his experience in various roles before that.
Nolan has been with Green River for five years, starting as a senior and now serving as the maintenance supervisor.
Green River Distilleries employs around 50 people and operates on a 28-acre main site, with additional warehousing facilities of 60 and 50 acres.
The distillery uses natural water from four wells for cooling and maintaining the quality of their products.
Challenges and Achievements at Green River Distilleries
Jacob explains the history of Green River, which was revived by a group in 2015 and is now the 10th oldest distillery in Kentucky.
Nolan discusses the initial challenges with the Xcelerate system, which was not fully utilized until Jacob's arrival in 2023.
The implementation of Xcelerate has significantly improved preventative maintenance, making it the heartbeat of the maintenance department.
Jacob emphasizes the importance of change management and getting buy-in from the team to effectively utilize the system.
Impact of Xcelerate on Maintenance and Production
Nolan highlights the significant increase in preventative maintenance (PMS) and the daily use of the Xcelerate system.
Jacob shares a success story about extending the life of a bearing from three to five weeks to two years through condition monitoring.
The use of Xcelerate has led to better asset utilization and reduced reactive maintenance, leading to cost savings and improved productivity.
Nolan discusses the implementation of good lubrication strategies, ensuring proper greasing at different speeds and RPMs.
Future Plans and AI Integration
Jacob outlines the next steps, including integrating Ignition software with Xcelerate to provide real-time data and trigger work orders based on failure modes.
The goal is to use AI to analyze data and identify top failure modes, allowing technicians to focus on solving problems efficiently.
The integration of AI will help Green River Distilleries become more proactive and reduce downtime, ultimately improving overall efficiency.
Nolan and Jacob provide their contact information for listeners interested in reaching out for advice or insights on their implementation journey.
Closing Remarks and Contact Information
Scott thanks Nolan and Jacob for their flexibility and insights, emphasizing the importance of their work in the distillation industry.
The podcast is broadcasted from Xcelerate 2026, sponsored by Fluke, and encourages listeners to visit fluke.com for more information.
Scott highlights the success of Green River Distilleries and the importance of sharing their story to inspire others in the industry.
Contact information for Nolan and Jacob is provided, inviting listeners to reach out for further discussions or site visits.

If interested in being on the Industrial Talk show, simply contact us and let's have a quick conversation.

Finally, get your exclusive free access to the Industrial Academy and a series on “Why You Need To Podcast” for Greater Success in 2026. All links designed for keeping you current in this rapidly changing Industrial Market. Learn! Grow! Enjoy!

JAKE REARDEN'S CONTACT INFORMATION:

Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-rearden/

Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/greenriverwhiskey/

Company Website: https://greenriverwhiskey.com/

JAKE REARDEN'S CONTACT INFORMATION:

Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-boswell-334a6427a/

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