EECO Asks Why Podcast

To simplify Industry 4.0 Brandon Mendoza defines it as: Combining smart connected systems with advanced analytics to enable data driven decisions.  Knowing that definition the question remains on how to prioritize technology to truly make an impact in industry.  Brandon addresses this head on and reviews how the speed of changing technology is impacting decisions and causing headwinds in knowing how to build roadmap that will lead to success in the future. He breaks down a great way to approach this with actionable steps to approach these decisions and ensure the "WHY" behind the decision is clearly defined. 

One area that can be overlooked is HR with these initiatives. Brandon discusses the importance of creating alignment with people and how when done correctly companies can see positive industry 4.0 project adoption, implementation and ultimately expansion.  Growing customer value is critical for manufacturing and embracing changing technology thru adoption of industry 4.0 technologies will lead to the success of businesses in the future.

Guest:  Brandon Mendoza - Director of Sales at Oden Technologies
Host: Chris Grainger
Executive Producer: Adam Sheets

Resources:
Gartner Smart Factory Site 

When it comes to electrical equipment ANSI and UL ratings are important to understand. In this episode Jonathan Fuller walks thru the important areas to know in each and how to ensure you are making the best decision for your situation.  This episode is designed to give you the most important information to increase awareness and educate on a sometimes confusing topic.

Guest: Jonathan Fuller - Automation & Power Automation Product Manager at Electrical Equipment Company
Host: Chris Grainger
Executive Producer: Adam Sheets

Resources:
EECO Inspire Blog - What are ANSI and UL Ratings

In this episode our hero Will Gibson shares his journey thru engineering.  Will has a passion for learning and helping others.  His story started down an electrical path but he found his passion in civil engineering.  He speaks to how important it is to not put yourself in boxes in your career and to have the courage to try new things.  He's had wonderful mentors throughout his career and now searches for opportunities to help others grow. Will loves seeing large projects come to fruition and the joy end users experience when the systems operate as designed. 

Will is a family man and shares about his wonderful wife and two awesome children.  He loves being outdoors on his mountain bike and even though he had a recent accident still finds time whenever possible to go riding.  Living in Kentucky has opened up many opportunities for Will to do some exploring his other passion and that is finding rare bourbons.  Will really opens up on this episode and you'll quickly hear why he is one of our heroes.  

Guest: Will Gibson - Associate Vice President at AECOM
Host: Chris Grainger
Executive Producer: Adam Sheets

Resources:
The Bourbon Life Podcast

Workforce attrition is a real problem in industry and Jason Simon is on the frontlines combatting it head on.  At AMTEC he works hand in hand with industry professionals and educators to bridge the gap of skilled labor for the industrial workforce.  In this episode Jason opens up about how significant the issue is and how by listening to the needs of industry they are designing solutions to get the skills taught in an efficient and effective manner. 

The gap in education and industry is wide and they move at different speeds.  Education tends to adapt slower and with the changing needs of the market industry moves at breakneck speed.  Having a unique approach to this problem and developing a solution that scales to meet the demand is key.  Jason does a fantastic job of explaining how they are filling this gap and offers practical tips that others can adapt.  This conversation can help anyone in industry that sees this problem first hand and wants to know "what can I do". 

Guest: Jason Simon - Director at AMTEC
Host: Chris Grainger
Executive Producer: Adam Sheets

Resources:

• EECO's Inspire Blog: Closing the Industrial Skills Gap
• FAME - Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education
• AMTEC Website
• Jason's contact information: [email protected]. Phone (270) 686-4616

What do you think about when you think “manufacturing”?  Maybe you envision an assembly line like Henry Ford invented.  Perhaps you think of a monotonous task where you’re standing the same spot doing the same action for eight hours a day. 

THAT COULDN’T BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH

Linda Freeman does a fantastic job of breaking down perspectives around manufacturing and will leave you eager to learn more.  She walks thru how manufacturing has evolved and the extremely high level of technology that is entering industry.  She also shares resources that anyone can check out to learn more and begin evaluating what sector of manufacturing fits your personality the most. 

Bottom line - manufacturing in the United States is evolving.  Don’t fall in the trap of inaccurate information and find out for yourself how exciting a career in manufacturing can be.

Guest: Linda Freeman - Entertainment Industry Specialist at Rockwell
Host: Chris Grainger
Executive Producer: Adam Sheets

Resources:

• EECO's Inspire Blog: Manufacturing Perspective
• Putman Media  - Smart Manufacturing
• "How Its Made"
• LinkedIn Learning

Jay Flores makes STEM fun! In this conversation Jay unpacks how we all have a responsibility to encourage and support the next generation in their pursuit of knowledge.  Jay reveals how engineering "talk" can be confusing and the impact that has on others.  He creates unique ways to engage on STEM topics and explains how he has incorporated magic to bridge the gap.  There are other ways that he suggests we all could begin using:

• Relate to real life so people can see the practicality behind STEM
• Encourage creativity
• Be intentional about using STEM in everyday conversations

STEM is important for the future because it comes down to how we can change the world. Do things in your life to invent the change you want to see in the world.  Its everyone's responsibility to encourage those to develop these skills because in their minds could be something that changes the world.

Guest: Jay Flores - Global STEM Ambassador
Host: Chris Grainger
Executive Producer: Adam Sheets

Resources:

• EECO's Inspire Blog: STEM Invent the Change
• Jay's Website
• Jay's YouTube Channel
• Jay's Facebook Page

As industry evolves the technologies and solutions being utilized continues to push the limits of innovation.  Renee Eddy leads the charge at Eaton and spends her time thinking through the latest problems end users are trying to solve and applying cutting edge thinking to meet those needs.  She speaks to the importance of truly understanding the voice of the customer and how to use data, market, and technology analytics to design the best path towards a robust and powerful solution.  She gives a great overview of technologies such as augmented reality, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence. Defining the vision of where an organization is headed and how the technology can support those efforts can impact the overall culture and set everyone on a great path forward.  This is a forward looking and visionary conversation that helps in thinking about areas of innovation that industry has coming in the headlights. 

Guest: Renee Eddy - Director, Innovation, Methods & Operations at Eaton
Host: Chris Grainger
Executive Producer: Adam Sheets

EATON won a CIO award in 2020 for AR usage.

Alexus Hancock is an outstanding engineer with a personality that makes every room she's in brighter. She speaks to how anyone can accomplish their dreams with the right perspective and attitude.  There are many memorable quotes and advice from Alexus around how to grow engineering and STEM for the next generation of engineers.  There are hurdles when entering industry and she speaks to how asking questions, finding mentors and being personable will accelerate your career and open doors.  She shares with the listeners about her love of the outdoors and how her dad has a great way of encouraging her when she needs it the most.  Alexus' why is her family and how they help shape her into the strong leader she is today.  You'll love this conversation from a true HERO in industry!

Guest: Alexus Hancock - Plant Support Engineer II at Dominion Energy
Host: Chris Grainger
Executive Producer: Adam Sheets

Inspirational Quotes from Alexus:

• "It's not hard...It's challenging"
• "You can only obtain knowledge from the questions that you ask"
• "In order to be a leader you need to follow first"

Let's face it power rooms can be intimidating and rightfully so.  There is danger present and if you aren't careful disaster could strike.  Knowing how to keep yourself safe in these situations and elevating your level of expertise is the goal of this conversation.  Mike Rathbun has extensive experience with power and walks thru several areas to consider when assigned this task.  Often mistakes are made by the most qualified individuals as with human nature the repetitiveness of a task can open the door for mistakes.  Mike shares real life examples of how to keep yourself safe and to perform this function safely each and every time it's required.  This is for our heroes that are on the front lines working with this equipment and keeping America number one in manufacturing.

Guest: Mike Rathbun - Power & Control Solution Architecture Manager at EECO.
Host: Chris Grainger
Executive Producer: Adam Sheets

Resources:

• EECO's Inspire Blog "How to Safely Rack in and out a Circuit Breaker"

Matthew Latham's journey began by serving his country in the Navy.  While there, he was inspired to pursue engineering after seeing first hand the impact it can make.  He followed his dream and is now Engineering Manager at Trimm Inc. in North Carolina.  He unpacks some of the hurdles he sees as a leader in industry and some of the creative ways he's approaching the future.  Wearing multiple hats in a manufacturing environment he shares how he must react to demands and find balance between all departments. 

Work Hard Play Hard! That's how Matthew views manufacturing and shares his passion behind industry. He addresses the negative perception that manufacturing has and provides real truth for those new to this area.  His personal why revolves around opportunities for improvement.  His insight on how to continually improve was impactful and through this conversation Matthew shows why he is one of our heroes.

Guest: Matthew Latham - Engineering Manager at Trimm Inc.
Host: Chris Grainger
Executive Producer: Adam Sheets

Resources:

• Prized Possession: Link
• Coins: Link
• Y Guides