Industrial Talk Media

Industrial Talk is onsite at MD&M West and talking to John Derzy and Michael Lipcsik with Hirata Corporation about "Manufacturing efficiency solutions".

The conversation features Scott Mackenzie from the Industrial Talk podcast, discussing the MD&M West event with John Derzy and Michael Lipcsik from Hirata. John celebrates his 50th year in the industry and highlights Hirata's 50-year history, starting with handcarts and evolving into a company specializing in automation and robotic solutions. Michael shares his background in manufacturing and automated testing. They discuss Hirata's diverse clientele, including automotive, electronics, and medical devices, and their focus on long-term customer relationships. Hirata's expertise in automation and predictive maintenance is emphasized, along with their integration of robots and systems for efficient manufacturing.

Outline
Introduction and Welcome to Industrial Talk
Scott introduces the episode of Industrial Talk, sponsored by MD&M West and the News and Brews team.
Speaker 2, Scott Mackenzie, is introduced as the host, dedicated to highlighting industry innovations and professionals.
Scott thanks the audience for their support and celebrates industry professionals for their contributions to industrial innovation.
Scott mentions the importance of MD&M West and encourages listeners to attend the event in 2027.
Introduction of John and Michael
Scott introduces John Derzy and Michael Lipcsik, playing a light-hearted game with their names.
John and Michael engage in a brief comedic exchange about their names.
Scott appreciates John's Seinfeld reference and asks about their experiences at MD&M West.
John shares his long-term involvement with the event, having attended for 21 years and reflecting on the changes over the years.
John's Background and Experience
John discusses his 50 years in the industry, his work with industrial laser systems, and his transition to Hirata 12 years ago.
John highlights the unique experience of working for a Japanese company and the diverse projects Hirata has undertaken.
Scott and John discuss the challenges of transitioning to a larger company and the importance of long-term customer relationships.
John provides an overview of Hirata's history, starting with handcarts and evolving into a company with a diverse customer base.
Michael's Background and Hirata's Market Presence
Michael shares his background in manufacturing, starting as a manufacturing engineer and transitioning to automated testing and assembly solutions.
Michael discusses his role at Hirata as the applications director for North America.
John and Michael reflect on their shared experience at Hirata and the company's diverse market presence.
John provides details about Hirata's involvement in various sectors, including automotive, electronics, semiconductors, and medical devices.
Hirata's Solutions and Automation Capabilities
John explains Hirata's focus on automation and their ability to provide fully integrated solutions for manufacturing problems.
Michael discusses Hirata's tray stocker solution, developed with their European division, and its application in the US market.
John elaborates on Hirata's manufacturing of robots and their use in various markets, particularly in Asia.
Michael emphasizes Hirata's expertise in integrating robots into automated assembly solutions and their diverse experience in different industries.
Challenges and Opportunities in Manufacturing
John and Michael discuss the challenges of rising labor costs and the benefits of investing in automation.
John highlights the importance of predictive maintenance and the role of Industry 4.0 and 5.0 in driving innovation.
Michael explains Hirata's approach to supporting customers with self-sufficient solutions and their commitment to long-term customer relationships.
John and Michael discuss the importance of continuous improvement and the evolving needs of the manufacturing industry.
Hirata's Customer Support and Future Plans
John and Michael emphasize Hirata's commitment to customer support and their ability to provide comprehensive solutions.
Michael provides contact information for Hirata and encourages potential customers to reach out for more information.
John humorously considers his potential as a contestant on Jeopardy, highlighting his extensive knowledge.
Scott thanks John and Michael for their participation and encourages listeners to attend MD&M West in 2027.
Conclusion and Call to Action
Scott wraps up the episode, thanking John and Michael for their insights and contributions.

JOHN DERZY'S CONTACT INFORMATION:
Personal LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/derzy/
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hirata-corporation-of-america/
Company Website: https://www.hirata.co.jp/en/
MICHAEL LIPCSIK'S CONTACT INFORMATION:
Personal LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-lipcsik-5b008221/

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Industrial Talk is onsite at SMRP 2025 and talking to Lisa Brownlee, Founder at Leader's Imago about "Real-world leadership simulation".

Scott Mackenzie promotes Elevotec's ERP, EAM, and business intelligence solutions on his industrial podcast. At the SMRP conference, he interviews Lisa Brownlee of Leader's Imago, who discusses her company's leadership development program for manufacturing supervisors and managers. The program, a two-and-a-half-day leadership simulation, focuses on real-world challenges and provides high-quality feedback and coaching. Brownlee emphasizes the importance of managers supporting their employees' growth and the need for vulnerability-based trust. She also highlights the significance of continuous improvement and emotional intelligence in leadership. Brownlee's contact information is provided for further inquiries.

Outline
Introduction to Elevotec and Industrial Talk Podcast
Scott Mackenzie introduces Elevotec, highlighting their ERP EAM and business intelligence solutions.
Elevotec offers streamlined processes, real ROI, and over 20 years of expertise.
Scott Mackenzie emphasizes the importance of technology that drives performance, not complexity.
The Industrial Talk Podcast with Scott Mackenzie is introduced, focusing on industry innovations and trends.
Welcome to SMRP and Introduction of Lisa Brownlee
Scott Mackenzie thanks listeners for their support and celebrates industry professionals.
Scott Mackenzie encourages listeners to attend the SMRP conference in 2026.
Lisa Brownlee is introduced, with her consulting company Leaders Imago.
Lisa Brownlee explains the meaning of "Imago," the final stage of a butterfly's metamorphosis.
Lisa Brownlee's Background and Leaders Imago
Lisa Brownlee shares her background as a chemical engineer from the University of South Carolina.
She worked at Westinghouse Electric Company, gaining experience in nuclear fuel production and Lean Six Sigma.
Lisa Brownlee discusses her passion for helping supervisors and mid-level managers improve their leadership skills.
Leaders Imago focuses on helping leaders and teams through their transformation process.
Leaders Imago's Team Manager Development Center (TMDC)
Lisa Brownlee describes the TMDC as a two-and-a-half-day leadership simulation for manufacturing supervisors and managers.
The program involves real-world manufacturing challenges and provides high-quality feedback and coaching.
Participants create action plans and receive follow-up support from their managers.
The importance of managers providing reinforcement and support for behavior change is emphasized.
Challenges and Importance of Feedback in Leadership Development
Scott Mackenzie and Lisa Brownlee discuss the challenges of sustaining leadership development in the workplace.
Lisa Brownlee highlights the need for managers to provide consistent feedback and support.
The conversation touches on the importance of managers understanding the challenges of growth and development.
Lisa Brownlee shares her experience with emotional intelligence and manufacturing, emphasizing the need for vulnerability-based trust.
The Role of Vulnerability in Team Building and Leadership
Lisa Brownlee discusses the importance of vulnerability in team building and leadership.
She explains the concept of The Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team by Patrick Lencioni.
Vulnerability-based trust is crucial for mastering conflict and achieving team cohesion.
Scott Mackenzie shares a story about an organization that punishes vulnerability, highlighting the need for a culture shift.
The Need for Leadership Development at All Levels
Lisa Brownlee focuses on developing frontline and mid-level managers through her programs.
She emphasizes the importance of feedback and coaching for leaders at all levels.
The conversation touches on the need for executive leadership programs that align with frontline development.
Scott Mackenzie and Lisa Brownlee discuss the importance of connecting leadership development programs across different levels.
Conclusion and Contact Information
Scott Mackenzie encourages listeners to connect with Lisa Brownlee and attend the SMRP conference.
Lisa Brownlee provides her contact information, including her email and LinkedIn profile.
Scott Mackenzie emphasizes the importance of attending conferences like SMRP to gain value and connect with industry professionals.
The conversation concludes with a reminder to stay bold, brave, and innovative in their professional endeavors.

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

LISA BROWNLEE'S CONTACT INFORMATION:
Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-davis-brownlee-61550984/
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/leaders-imago/
Company Website: https://leadersimago.com/

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Industrial Talk is onsite at Xcelerate 2026 and talking to Vineet Thuvara, Chief Product Officer with Fluke about "Busting the AI myths with reliability".

Vineet Thuvara, Chief Product Officer at Fluke, discussed his journey from mechanical engineering to leading product development at Microsoft and Amazon, and his current role at Fluke. He emphasized the importance of breaking myths about AI, particularly in industrial reliability, and highlighted Fluke's efforts to enhance technician efficiency using AI and AR. Thuvara shared that Fluke's new sensors and software aim to reduce unplanned downtime, which costs $50 billion weekly, by providing real-time, accurate data and insights. He also discussed the potential of AR glasses to improve safety and efficiency in technical fields.

Outline
Fluke Xcelerate Event Overview
Scott introduces the Industrial Talk podcast, highlighting the Fluke Xcelerate event.
The event featured high-energy keynotes, hands-on predictive maintenance tools, and breakthrough AI diagnostics.
Fluke's Xcelerate event is described as a launch pad for smarter, faster, and more reliable operations.
Listeners are encouraged to visit fluke.com for more information.
Introduction to Vineet Thuvara
Scott welcomes listeners to the Industrial Talk podcast and thanks them for their support.
Vineet Thuvara, Chief Product Officer at Fluke, is introduced as the guest for the episode.
Vineet shares his background, including his education, work experience, and career transitions.
Vineet discusses his excitement about joining Fluke and the company's culture and people.
Vineet's Career Journey
Vineet details his educational background, including mechanical engineering and industrial design.
He shares his experience working at Microsoft, leading various product teams, including Xbox Kinect and Surface devices.
Vineet's tenure at Amazon, where he led the product team for Echo devices, is also mentioned.
He explains his transition to Fluke, driven by the company's culture and his personal connection to the brand.
Fluke's Culture and Brand Loyalty
Vineet talks about Fluke's long history and the loyalty of both employees and customers.
He shares a personal anecdote about his father using Fluke tools in the Indian Air Force.
Vineet emphasizes the importance of the transition from consumer electronics to industrial applications.
He discusses the goal of building a connected ecosystem of Fluke devices and software for predictive reliability.
Challenges and Opportunities in Industrial Reliability
Scott and Vineet discuss the challenges of running operations and the importance of proactive diagnostics.
Vineet highlights the need for seamless and efficient operations in the industrial space.
The conversation touches on the rapid advancements in technology and the human spirit's role in innovation.
Vineet shares his optimism about the future of industrial reliability and the potential of AI and connected devices.
Myths and Misconceptions in AI Adoption
Vineet introduces the topic of his presentation at the Fluke Xcelerate event, focusing on myths about AI.
He shares insights from a dinner with CXOs discussing the challenges of AI adoption.
Vineet explains the importance of breaking myths and assumptions to drive AI acceptance.
He uses the analogy of an elephant with a chain to illustrate the need to question long-held assumptions.
The Role of AI in Industrial Reliability
Vineet discusses the potential of AI to transform the workflow of technicians and improve efficiency.
He outlines the steps involved in a technician's workflow and the drudgery associated with it.
Vineet emphasizes the need for new tools and AI to automate repetitive tasks and improve data collection.
He highlights the importance of human involvement in the process to ensure accuracy and accountability.
Addressing the Data Tsunami
Vineet addresses the common myth that AI creates too much data, leading to information overload.
He explains how new tools and AI can help derive meaningful insights from large datasets.
Vineet mentions a partnership with Treon to showcase new sensors and data collection tools.
He discusses the importance of maintaining a high signal-to-noise ratio in data collection.
AI's Impact on Human Productivity
Vineet addresses the myth that AI will eliminate the need for human involvement.
He argues that AI accelerates human efforts and transforms the nature of work.
Vineet shares examples of how AI is used in product management and research at Fluke.
He emphasizes the importance of human accountability and oversight in AI-driven processes.
Enhancing Technician Efficiency with AI

VINEET THUVARA'S CONTACT INFORMATION:
Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tvineet/
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fluke-corporation/
Company Website: https://www.fluke.com/

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Industrial Talk is onsite at SMRP 2025 and talking to Bryan Christiansen, Founder and CEO at Limble about "Human centric CMMS platform".

Scott Mackenzie from Industrial Talk Podcast interviews Bryan Christiansen, CEO of Limble, a maintenance management solution. Limble empowers maintenance professionals by making CMMS systems user-friendly and efficient. Christiansen highlights the company's 10-year history, starting its first customer seven years ago. He emphasizes the importance of ease of use, citing the mobile application's design based on plant floor insights. Limble's AI capabilities streamline troubleshooting, PM plan setup, and scheduling, reducing technician trips and improving efficiency. Christiansen also discusses the company's integration with third-party solutions and its adaptability across various industries.

Action Items
[ ] @Scott Mackenzie - Publish Bryan Christiansen's contact information and LinkedIn stat card on the Industrial Talk episode page so listeners can reach him (add link to limblecmms.com and Bryan's LinkedIn)
Outline
Introduction and Welcome to Industrial Talk Podcast
Scott Mackenzie introduces himself and the Industrial Talk podcast, emphasizing its focus on industry innovations and professionals.
Scott welcomes listeners to the SMRP 33 conference, highlighting its importance for maintenance, reliability, asset management, and technology professionals.
Scott encourages listeners to mark their calendars for the next SMRP conference in 2026.
Scott introduces Bryan Christiansen from Limble, a company that provides a maintenance management solution.
Bryan Christiansen's Background and Limble's Mission
Bryan Christiansen introduces himself as the Founder and CEO of Limble, a company that empowers maintenance professionals.
Bryan explains that Limble has been in business for about 10 years, with the first customer acquired seven years ago.
Bryan shares his background in full-stack engineering and software development, and how he was drawn to the maintenance world due to the complexity of existing CMMS systems.
Bryan emphasizes Limble's mission to make CMMS systems easy to use, unlike many other systems that are difficult to navigate.
Challenges and Opportunities in CMMS Systems
Bryan discusses the challenges of existing CMMS systems, noting that there are over 300 CMMS systems available, each with its own unique features and usability issues.
Bryan highlights the importance of making CMMS systems user-friendly, as many technicians avoid using difficult systems.
Bryan shares his experience of working with maintenance managers and technicians who found existing systems too complicated to use.
Bryan explains that by making CMMS systems easy to use, organizations can unlock the full potential of their maintenance plans and inventory systems.
Bryan highlights the importance of delivering value to technicians, such as being able to easily access past work orders and asset history.
Bryan shares that by aligning the value incentives for technicians, they are more likely to fill out work orders accurately and completely.
Time to Value and Customization in Limble
Bryan explains that Limble's average time to value is very fast, often within a few weeks, due to its ease of use and quick setup process.
Bryan acknowledges the need for customization in different facilities and organizations, as each has its own unique workflows and best practices.
Bryan describes how Limble allows users to configure assets and workflows to meet their specific needs, such as adding custom fields and building custom workflows.
Bryan emphasizes that Limble's flexibility and ease of use make it suitable for a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, hospitality, and oil and gas.
Leveraging AI in Maintenance Management
Bryan discusses how Limble leverages AI to improve maintenance management, focusing on solving specific jobs to be done.
Bryan explains that AI can significantly reduce troubleshooting time by providing technicians with insights from past work orders and asset notes.
Bryan highlights the use of AI to automate the setup of preventative maintenance plans, reducing the time required to set up PM schedules.
Bryan shares that #ai can also help with scheduling, consolidating work orders to reduce the number of trips technicians need to make.
Addressing Labor Shortages and Knowledge Transfer
Bryan acknowledges the challenges of labor shortages and the aging workforce in the maintenance industry.
Bryan explains that AI can help bridge the gap by providing technicians with

BRYAN CHRISTIANSEN'S CONTACT INFORMATION:
Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-christiansen-4a6a5914a/
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/limble/
Company Website: https://limble.com/

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Industrial Talk is onsite at PowerGen and talking to Robert "Bob" McGinty, Director, Marketing and Sales at Braden about "Advanced SCR Solutions".

Bob McGinty, a veteran in the power industry, discussed the evolution and growth of the power generation sector, particularly driven by data centers and AI. He highlighted Braden's role in emission control and gas turbine technology, emphasizing their advanced SCR system for faster compliance and reduced costs. Bob noted the increased demand for power due to population growth and technological advancements, stressing the need for responsible environmental practices. He also touched on the challenges of renewable energy costs and the importance of mentorship and family-oriented environments in the industry.

Outline
Introduction and Welcome to Industrial Talk Podcast
Industrial Talk, sponsored by the Propane Education and Research Council, highlighting their commitment to safety, training, and innovative propane power technology.
Scott Mackenzie, welcomes listeners to the Industrial Talk podcast, emphasizing the focus on industry professionals and their innovations.
Scott thanks listeners for joining the top industrial podcast, celebrating industry professionals for their boldness, bravery, and problem-solving skills.
Scott mentions the PowerGen event in San Antonio, encouraging listeners to attend next year and introduces Bob McGinty from Braden.
Bob McGinty's Background and Current Role
Scott introduces Bob McGinty, who has been in the Navy and has extensive experience in the emission and environmental marketplaces for over 35 years.
Bob shares his journey from the Navy to the emission marketplace, focusing on improving emission controls through technology in the power industry.
Bob discusses his transition into the gas turbine industry and his role in growing the Braden group, a multinational company.
Bob emphasizes the importance of contributing to society and bettering human life through his work in the power industry.
Impact of Data Centers and AI on Energy Market
Bob explains how the data center industry and AI business have driven the energy market to new heights, contributing to the growth of power generation.
Scott and Bob discuss the increased demand for power in the US due to population growth and the retirement of aged coal-fired systems.
Bob highlights the role of new gas turbine technology and the symbiotic relationship between conventional and new power generators.
Bob mentions Braden's involvement in various aspects of gas turbine technology, including auxiliary systems, acoustic control, and emission control systems.
Challenges and Opportunities in Power Generation
Bob discusses the structural challenges in the way power is consumed and delivered, emphasizing the need for different approaches to meet growing demand.
Bob highlights the importance of responsible environmental compliance and the US's leadership in this area.
Bob explains the migration of transparency between conventional and new power generators, particularly in the data center and AI industries.
Bob shares Braden's expertise in building advanced air pollution control systems and the company's global presence in design, supply, and manufacturing.
Braden's Role in Power Generation and Emission Control
Bob explains Braden's role as an equipment supplier for power generators, providing systems according to specifications or best practices.
Bob discusses the importance of managing exhaust trains safely and preparing air for generator operation.
Bob highlights Braden's experience in building gas turbines since the 1960s and the company's knowledge in preparing air for generator operation.
Bob emphasizes the need for advanced emission control systems to meet regulatory requirements and improve air quality.
Regulatory Challenges and Technological Advancements
Bob discusses the evolution of emission control technology, from addressing efficiency haze in the 1960s to advanced catalytic systems today.
Bob explains the use of precious metal catalysts and the development of technologies to meet single-digit parts per million emission levels.
Bob shares his experience working in Southern California, a region known for its strict air quality regulations, and the impact on Braden's technologies.
Bob highlights the importance of developing technologies to meet regulatory challenges and the role of the EPA in setting and enforcing standards.

ROBERT MCGINTY'S CONTACT INFORMATION:
Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-mcginty-34717119/
Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/braden-europe-b-v-/
Company Website: https://braden.com/

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