Ed Youdell with Fabricators and Manufacturers Association

Industrial Talk is onsite at FABTECH and talking to Ed Youdell, President and CEO at Fabricators & Manufacturers Association (FMA) about “Inspiring future manufacturing professionals by attracting, developing and engaging”.

Scott MacKenzie interviews Ed Youdell, President and CEO of the Fabricators and Manufacturers Association International (FMA), at FABTECH in Orlando. Ed discusses FMA’s mission to attract, develop, and engage the next generation of manufacturing professionals through scholarships, summer camps, and inclusion camps for diverse groups. He highlights the importance of combating outdated perceptions of manufacturing and emphasizes the role of AI and advanced technology in the industry. Ed also mentions FMA’s annual meeting in Phoenix and encourages manufacturers to stay updated with technology through FMA’s resources and events.

Jason Meshell with Microsoft

Industrial Talk is onsite at Accruent Insights and talking to Jason, Client Director at Microsoft about “The demands for AI and need for a powerful infrastructure”.

Scott MacKenzie interviews Jason Meshell from Microsoft Azure at the Accruent Insights user conference in San Antonio. Meshell discusses the evolution of cloud computing, emphasizing its benefits over on-premises solutions, such as data security, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. He highlights Microsoft’s strategic partnership with Accruent, which has enabled Accruent to leverage AI and cloud services for data-intensive tasks without the need for extensive on-site infrastructure. Meshell also touches on the environmental considerations, like power optimization and the strategic placement of data centers near power sources. He concludes by encouraging listeners to reach out to him on LinkedIn for further discussions.

Justin Sirotin with OCTO Product Development

Scott MacKenzie interviews Justin Sirotin from OCTO, a company that designs complete customer experiences across various industries. OCTO, named after the octopus’s adaptability, has been in operation for 15 years. Justin, with nearly 30 years in industrial design, emphasizes the importance of usability in technology. They discuss the challenges of integrating edge technology with utility grids to improve efficiency and user experience. Justin highlights the need for seamless, user-friendly designs to avoid user frustration. They also touch on the rapid prototyping and testing approach of companies like SpaceX and Formula One, which emphasize real-world testing and continuous improvement.

Brooke Huling with Accruent

Industrial Talk is onsite at Accruent Insights and talking to Brooke Huling, Chief Product Officer at Accruent about “Developing a strategic North Star for your technology”.

Brooke Huling, Chief Product Officer at Accruent, discussed the company’s customer-centric approach and strategic direction. Accruent’s portfolio includes 14 products, each with unique needs, from large, complex use cases to SaaS solutions. Huling emphasized the importance of listening to customers and adapting strategies accordingly. For 2025, Accruent plans to enhance connectivity through an integration hub and data as a service, including using Snowflake for data storage. They are also focusing on AI-driven anomaly detection, such as predicting refrigeration leaks. Huling highlighted sustainability efforts, including a large carbon recapture plant in West Texas, supported by Accruent’s engineering document management solution.

Donna Peterson with World Innovators, Inc.

Scott MacKenzie and Donna Peterson discuss B2B marketing strategies at FABTECH in Orlando, Florida. Donna emphasizes the importance of building relationships and personalizing marketing efforts, including email campaigns and leveraging AI tools like ChatGPT and Descript. She highlights the need for consistent, valuable content and the significance of showcasing a company’s unique qualities. Donna also notes the impact of AI on equipment efficiency and productivity, suggesting it could lead to higher-level job opportunities. Scott and Donna agree on the value of humanizing B2B brands and the benefits of stepping out of comfort zones to foster deeper connections and long-term relationships.