Clay Martin with Isla Talent
Industrial Talk is talking to Clay Martin, CEO/Founder at Isla Talent about “Solutions to tap into the skilled Puerto Rico workforce”.
Scott Mackenzie discusses the Barcelona Cybersecurity Congress, scheduled for November 3-5, 2023, and emphasizes the importance of cybersecurity. He then introduces Clay Martin from Isla Talent, a recruiting firm based in Puerto Rico, which helps companies find skilled workers. Clay explains his process of recruiting from Puerto Rico, including auditing client needs, creating job descriptions, and ensuring quality through tests and interviews. He highlights the benefits of recruiting from Puerto Rico, such as no visa requirements and the availability of a skilled workforce. Clay’s firm has placed over 500 workers in the past decade and offers a 45-day replacement guarantee.
Nasarg Shah with Martinrea International
Industrial Talk is onsite at Xcelerate 2026 and talking to Nisarg Shah, Maintenance/Planner Engineer at Martinrea International about “eMaint platform deployment”.
Nisarg Shah, a maintenance planner at Martinrea, discussed his experiences with Fluke’s eMaint software at the Xcelerate 2026 event. Initially, the challenge was getting employees to use tablets for data entry. Nisarg overcame this by daily encouragement and teaching. The next challenge was integrating eMaint with the existing email system to automate data collection. They now focus on pulling data directly from PLCs, including temperature readings and cycle counts. Nisarg highlighted the benefits of meter-based PM, which significantly reduced breakdowns. He also mentioned using acoustic imaging for leak detection, saving money on maintenance.
Kabrina Ashley with Onramp Consulting
Industrial Talk is talking to Kabrina Ashley, Consultant at Onramp Consulting about “The High Performer’s Paradox and Dilbert Effect “.
The conversation highlights the importance of the Barcelona Cybersecurity Congress from November 3-5, 2023, and the need for cybersecurity professionals to attend. The discussion then shifts to the Industrial Talk Podcast, celebrating industry professionals and addressing the “high performers paradox” and the “Dilbert effect.” Kabrina Ashley from On Ramp Consulting discusses her background in leadership and training, emphasizing the need for soft skills and the challenges of retaining high performers. She advocates for better leadership practices, work-life balance, and continuous training to improve organizational performance and employee retention.
Kai Li with Mean Well USA
Industrial Talk is onsite at MD&M West and talking to Kai Li, Production Manager at Mean Well USA about “Power solutions for manufacturing”.
Kai Li, Product Manager at Mean Well USA, discussed the company’s role as a leading power supply manufacturer with over 15,000 standard SKUs. Mean Well specializes in industrial equipment, medical devices, and LED lighting, emphasizing reliability and smaller, higher-protection power supplies. The company has a subsidiary in Kansas City dedicated to providing turnkey solutions. Li highlighted Mean Well’s adaptability, driven by a robust R&D team and long-term supplier relationships. The company is transitioning to a solutions provider, focusing on sustainability and AI-driven power demands. Li also mentioned Mean Well’s extensive training programs for distributors and their reliance on a global distribution network for over 70% of sales.
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.
