This week’s episode features Christian Olson, a mechanical engineer at Accuride Corporation, a manufacturer of wheels, wheel end, and braking components for commercial and passenger vehicles. Throughout his conversation with Jake & David, Christian shares his background and experiences as a young engineer entering the workforce amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. He discusses his passion for technology and constant learning, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and embracing new ideas in the field of engineering.

During the conversation, Christian emphasizes the importance of predictive maintenance and having a proactive rather than reactive approach to manufacturing processes. Christian shares his experiences and projects he has led, including soundproofing machinery and the inception of predictive maintenance. He shares the ambitious goal of achieving zero unplanned downtime.

Christian also highlights the challenges faced by young engineers, particularly the need to prove oneself and push for opportunities to contribute to their companies. He emphasizes the value of taking on projects that allow for personal growth and professional development. The conversation sheds light on how companies can attract and retain young engineering talent by fostering inclusivity, providing opportunities for impactful work, and supporting continuous learning.

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Guest Bio

Christian Olson is a mechanical engineer at Accuride, a manufacturer of wheels, wheel end, and braking components for commercial and passenger vehicles. His technical knowledge spans CNC programming, fluid system design, and product design. Fresh out of college during the pandemic, Olson showed remarkable resilience in his job search, a testament to his determination and perseverance in a challenging environment.

One of his notable contributions thus far is implementing Tractian into operations at Accuride. This project is aimed at reducing unplanned downtime and improving the company's operational efficiency. His quick mastery of a new discipline and its successful application demonstrates his exceptional ability to learn and implement new solutions.

Also notable is Olson's soundproofing project at InScape, which showcased his capacity to step outside his comfort zone. His tenacity in undertaking unfamiliar tasks and his success in resolving complex issues highlight his innovative nature and problem-solving skills. Even in his early career, Olson has shown an ability to address industry challenges with a blend of technical expertise and adaptive learning.

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Guest Quote

“A motor on top of a CNC, that no one's gonna touch or look at, it's just gonna keep going until it breaks. If it's not showing any outward signs of wear and tear issues, no one's going to do anything about it. They're just going to look at it and go, ‘Yep, that runs.’ And using Predictive Maintenance, you can see ahead of time and get a jump on it.” - Christian Olson

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Time Stamps 

*(01:21) Opening Ice Breaker

*(01:57) Christian's Background

*(05:13) Why it's up to you to prove yourself

*(08:08) Segment 01: The Maintainer Mashup

*(10:50) How Accuride approaches maintenance and reliability

*(12:23 Why Predictive Maintenance adds value to manufacturing operations

*(13:43 ) Identifying which assets matter most 

*(15:38) What solutions Tractian is bringing to Accuride

*(17:20) Segment 02: What's in Your Toolkit?

*(18:05) What you should be doing to attract young talent

*(19:49) The importance of finding opportunities for yourself

*(23:04) Segment 03: The Future of Factories

*(24:58) Proving the case for bringing in new tech

*(26:35) Where the industry can improve culturally 

*(28:38) Segment 04: Fix It Funnies 

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Links

• Connect with Christian Olson on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Accuride Corporation
• Connect with David Lee on LinkedIn
• Connect with Jake Hall on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Tractian