Robert “Bob” Voigt with Penn State University – METAL Program
Industrial Talk is onsite at Penn State and talking to Robert “Bob” Voigt, Professor with Penn State University about “Educating the Future Manufacturing Leaders”.
The conversation highlights the importance of the Barcelona Cybersecurity Congress, scheduled for November 3-5, 2023. The Industrial Talk podcast, hosted by Scott Mackenzie, features an interview with Robert Voight, a professor at Penn State Behrend, discussing the Metallurgical Engineering Trade Apprenticeship and Learning (METAL) program. Voight emphasizes the hands-on experience provided to students, including foundry visits and practical metal casting. He also discusses the evolution of materials like austempered ductile iron and the integration of digital technologies to improve manufacturing efficiency and quality. Voight’s contact information is available for those interested in learning more.
Jo Anna Ordonez with Water Tech, Inc.
Industrial Talk is onsite at PowerGen and talking to Jo Anna Ordonez, VP of Utility Water Application with Water Tech, Inc. about “Water and Power Generation”.
Scott Mackenzie promotes Elevotec’s ERP, EAM, and business intelligence solutions on his Industrial Talk podcast. At PowerGen in San Antonio, he interviews Jo Anna Ordonez, VP of Utility Water at Water Tech, about the critical role of water in power generation and data centers. Water Tech, with 33 years of experience, treats water for power plants, including zero liquid discharge facilities. Ordonez discusses the challenges of water scarcity, the importance of efficient water use, and the impact of regulatory changes. She highlights Water Tech’s Oxy Plus product, which reduces chlorides and saves water, and emphasizes the need for strategic water management to meet increasing power demands.
Tara Holwegner with Life Cycle Engineering
Industrial Talk is onsite at SMRP 2025 and talking to Tara Holwegner, Program Leader at Life Cycle Engineering about “Training is key to reliability success”.
Scott Mackenzie from Industrial Talk interviews Tara Holwegner at the SMRP conference, highlighting IRISS electrical maintenance safety technologies and Lifecycle Engineering’s 20-year history in training industrial professionals. Tara discusses the importance of upskilling, reskilling, and training, noting that 25% of respondents to her poll prioritize these issues. She emphasizes the need for a balanced approach to people, process, and technology. Tara also promotes Lifecycle Engineering’s Smarter Playbook, which offers resources in five languages and six work streams, aiming to standardize best practices in maintenance and reliability.
Phillip Schupp with Mauser Packaging Solutions
Industrial Talk is onsite at Xcelerate 2026 and talking to Phillip Schupp, Reliability Engineering Manager at Mauser Packaging Solutions about “eMaint Deployment”.
At Fluke’s Xcelerate 2026 event, Phillip Schupp from Mauser Packaging Solutions discussed his role in implementing eMaint x5 across 17 facilities, training over 300 users. Phillip highlighted the challenges of migrating from the legacy system Hippo, emphasizing the importance of executive buy-in and a well-prepared team. He noted improvements in PM compliance and completion rates post-implementation. Phillip also shared his focus on rolling out a predictive program enterprise-wide, leveraging new tools like the II 905 acoustic imager and TI 75 plus thermal imager. The goal is to make the program self-funded and expand its reach.
Zach Bauer with Murrelektronik
Industrial Talk is onsite at MD&M West and talking to Zach Bauer, Sales Development Program Manager at Murrelektronik about “Automation Insights”.
Zach Bauer, Sales Development Manager at Murrelektronik, discussed the company’s innovative solutions for industrial automation at MD&M West in Anaheim, California. Murrelektronik specializes in automated machinery infrastructure, offering decentralized, agnostic systems that reduce labor requirements and improve efficiency. Their SIP safety fusion block consolidates safety signals on the machine, reducing wiring and improving connectivity. Bauer highlighted the company’s manufacturing facilities in Georgia, Germany, and the Czech Republic, and emphasized the importance of data collection and edge computing in modern manufacturing. He also shared his background in industrial automation and the company’s commitment to continuous improvement.