Victor Okhuysen with Cal Poly Pomona
Industrial Talk is onsite at Penn State and talking to Victor Okhuysen, Professor with Cal Poly Pomona about “Strengthening the future of manufacturing”.
Scott Mackenzie from Industrial Talk discusses the importance of training the next generation of industrial leaders with Victor Okhuysen from Cal Poly Pomona. The Penn State Erie campus hosts the METAL program, which aims to inspire and educate students in metallurgy and manufacturing. Victor, a principal investigator, highlights the program’s hands-on approach, including boot camps and workshops, to expose students to potential careers. The program has conducted four boot camps and ten workshops, using a system called Foundry in a Box. Victor emphasizes the need for skilled workers in an increasingly automated industry and the role of community colleges in providing relevant training.
Justin Semas with Arrow Engine and Compression Company
Industrial Talk is onsite at PowerGen and talking to Justin Semas, Senior Sales Engineering with Arrow Engine and Compression Company about “Market Power Demand”.
Justin Semas from Arrow Engine Company discussed their recent acquisition by IES, a holding company focusing on power generation and infrastructure. Arrow aims to expand its offerings from 10 kW to 1 MW natural gas and propane engines for both prime and standby power. They emphasize multi-fuel capabilities, including propane in vapor and liquid forms, and natural gas. Arrow’s engines are known for their durability, with a 12-year unlimited hour warranty for prime use. They also highlighted their vendor network for maintenance and support. The company targets both large-scale data centers and remote locations with small power nodes.
Tobias Pforr with Octave
Industrial Talk is onsite at Octave Live and talking to Tobias Pforr, Principal Business Strategist at Octave about “Unleashing technology to improve the utility markets.
Tobias Pforr discussed his role at Octave, a company focused on network intelligence systems for utilities. He highlighted the importance of accurate asset documentation and the challenges of managing dynamic elements like weather and electric vehicle consumption. Pforr emphasized the need for clean, high-quality data to ensure system resilience and actionable insights. He shared his background in utility operations and innovation, including his experience with a Swiss utility and the establishment of a startup incubator. Pforr also touched on the regulatory complexities and the evolving demands on utilities, stressing the importance of managing complexity and maintaining system reliability.
Adam Zurligen with Country Morning Farms
Industrial Talk is onsite at Xcelerate 2026 and talking to Adam Zurligen, Process Engineer at Country Morning Farms about “eMaint and Milk Processing”.
Adam Zurligen, a process engineer and reliability engineer, discussed his role at Country Morning Farms, a family-owned dairy operation in Warden, Washington. Adam implemented Fluke’s eMaint x5 to track maintenance costs, which had doubled in 2025. He highlighted the use of GPS trackers on mobile equipment to automate maintenance tasks and reduce costs. Adam also mentioned the integration of AI-powered capabilities to streamline data entry. Despite a small maintenance team, early results showed improved efficiency and reduced downtime. Adam’s story underscores the importance of technology in managing assets and costs in the dairy industry.
Brian Romano with The Arthur G. Russell Company
Industrial Talk is onsite at MD&M West and talking to Brian Romano, Director of Technology Development at Arthur G. Russell about “Automation Solutions”.
Brian Romano from Arthur G. Russell discussed the company’s focus on custom-designed automation, particularly for the medical device industry. Romano highlighted the importance of nimble solutions due to rapid market changes and technological advancements. He emphasized the need for continuous learning and training within the workforce, mentioning initiatives like a mini MBA and augmented reality glasses for remote support. Romano also noted the significant skills gap in automation, with only 16,000 graduates annually against 60,000 job openings. He stressed the importance of staying ahead in technology to maintain U.S. manufacturing leadership.