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.
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.
