Captivate Podcasts Archive | Industrial Talk

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.

Mark Rubeo with Penn State University – Behrend ACE Program

Industrial Talk is onsite at Penn State and talking to Dr. Mark Rubeo, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering with Penn State about “Educating the Future Industrial Leaders”.

Scott Mackenzie hosts the Industrial Talk podcast, celebrating industry professionals and their innovations. At Penn State University, the ACE (America’s Cutting Edge) program, led by Mark Rubeo, addresses the shortage of skilled workers in manufacturing. The program, designed pre-COVID by Tony Schmitz and his team, uses a hub and spoke model to provide training across the US. Rubeo, an assistant professor with a CNC machinist background, emphasizes the importance of manufacturing knowledge for mechanical designers. The ACE program aims to excite and educate future technicians and engineers, fostering a sense of accomplishment and high-tech skills in manufacturing.

Tom Poteet with Mesa Power Solutions

Industrial Talk is onsite at PowerGen and talking to Tom Poteet, Sr. VP with Mesa Natural Gas Solutions about “Meeting the needs of a hungry power market”.

Tom Poteet from Mesa Power Solutions discussed the company’s rebranding to Mesa Power Solutions, emphasizing their role as an electricity provider. They differentiate themselves by offering long-term leases and expert maintenance services. Mesa has upgraded their 22-liter engine from a 350 kW prime power rating to 500 kW. They also announced plans for 2.25 MW units. The conversation highlighted the urgency in the power market, with lead times for transformers being particularly long. Mesa serves various sectors, including data centers and resilience-focused facilities, and Tom emphasized the importance of early project initiation to avoid

The world is changing fast! Industrial businesses are juggling every facet of business maintenance and growth, ranging from technological/digital media adaptations to cash flow management and operational efficiency challenges. How do industrial business leaders stay current while managing growth and casting vision for the future? The answers could be found in a learning environment, but never before has there been a place for continuing education in the industrial business arena. UNTIL NOW…

The INDUSTRIAL ACADEMY IS HERE. Finally there is a clearinghouse for all things industrial to assist the business leader. Course offerings provide up-to-date applicable information in business development, technology, finance, operations and leadership presented in an engaging, movement-oriented manner by those in the know. These professionals don’t just talk the talk. They walk the walk with purpose and passion for building not just the industrial business but also the people who make things happen.

The Industrial Talk Podcast family looks forward to learning and growing with you!

When I was in elementary school, our teacher would show us films of industrial professionals making our lives better. For me, these films instilled the passion for industry.

Today, industry has come along way from when I was a boy. It is innovative and focused on solving problems. In short, it’s really cool and exciting.

We need to teach children, around the world, and bring back the “Cool” and “Exciting” and why industry is a wonderful profession. That means we need industrial professionals to re-instill this industrial passion.

This is the Purpose of Industrial Pop. It is an online learning management platform (LMP) dedicated to educating our youth in the ever expanding and innovative world of industry. We also provide this LMP for our teachers to share with their class.

These are very exciting times for industry and we must begin educating our future and it starts with you. If you are interested, please contact me at: https://industrialtalk.com/contact/ and just let me know that you are interested in positively impacting our future industry leaders.