Industrial Talk is onsite at Xcelerate 2026 and talking to Adam Zurligen, Process Engineer at Country Morning Farms about “eMaint and Milk Processing”.
Adam Zurligen, a process engineer and reliability engineer, discussed his role at Country Morning Farms, a family-owned dairy operation in Warden, Washington. Adam implemented Fluke's eMaint x5 to track maintenance costs, which had doubled in 2025. He highlighted the use of GPS trackers on mobile equipment to automate maintenance tasks and reduce costs. Adam also mentioned the integration of AI-powered capabilities to streamline data entry. Despite a small maintenance team, early results showed improved efficiency and reduced downtime. Adam's story underscores the importance of technology in managing assets and costs in the dairy industry.
Industrial Talk is onsite at MD&M West and talking to Brian Romano, Director of Technology Development at Arthur G. Russell about “Automation Solutions”.
Brian Romano from Arthur G. Russell discussed the company's focus on custom-designed automation, particularly for the medical device industry. Romano highlighted the importance of nimble solutions due to rapid market changes and technological advancements. He emphasized the need for continuous learning and training within the workforce, mentioning initiatives like a mini MBA and augmented reality glasses for remote support. Romano also noted the significant skills gap in automation, with only 16,000 graduates annually against 60,000 job openings. He stressed the importance of staying ahead in technology to maintain U.S. manufacturing leadership.
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.
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.
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.
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