Do you have experience in manufacturing or industrial automation? Have you ever thought of starting your own business? This episode is for you! 

TAKEAWAYS

Product Sales   (01:00 – 12:00)

Distributors, Manufacturers Reps and Online sales

Services (12:00 – 19:30)

Industrial electricians, panel fabrication, system integration, training and mechanical trades

Machines and Systems (21:10 – 29:40)

It can be difficult to organize small companies into categories

Marketing Methods (29:40 – 32:50)

Different ways of advertising and selling your product or service

Funding (32:50-36:00)

Different ways of funding your startup

Six Tips on Starting a Business (36:00-41:30)

Learn about business and your industry, start small, don’t borrow, network and other advice.

Links mentioned in this episode

Automation Consulting, LLC, www.automationllc.com

CONNECT WITH FRANK

Website: https://www.automationllc.com

Facebook: @AutomationConsultingLlc/

LinkedIn: @company/automation-consulting-llc

YouTube: @automationllc

This episode was extracted from an open Zoom webinar held in September, 2025. The topic included a list created for possible subcontracting. Please contact me at www.automationllc.com if you want to be included.

TAKEAWAYS

Workshop Business Model   (01:55 – 4:40)

How Automation Workshops work, large system integrators

What happens if projects aren’t bid? (4:40 – 6:00)

Some of the items that may come up for bid

About the list, categorizing integrators. (6:00 – 12:30)

It can be difficult to organize small companies into categories

Machine builders  (14:50 – 16:00)

Fabrication and machine builder resources

What should be private? (16:00-23:00)

Not everything should be made public

Qualifying and vetting (21:50-25:30)

How do you know a company has expertise in a field? Peer ratings and project resumes would be valuable. 

The value of a list (28:30-31:30)

What is the purpose of this list and how might it work?

Status of my stuff… (34:40-39:30)

I have lots of old PLC components to sell, contact me if interested!

Links mentioned in this episode

Automation Consulting, LLC, www.automationllc.com

CONNECT WITH FRANK

Website: https://www.automationllc.com

Facebook: @AutomationConsultingLlc/

LinkedIn: @company/automation-consulting-llc

YouTube: @automationllc

Patrick Bunn has had an inspiring career, moving from plant maintenance into system integration, taking on ever more advanced roles solving problems and designing process controls. Hear how he started his company by subcontracting and picking up new customers. 

TAKEAWAYS

How Pat got his start in technology    (01:10 – 3:10)

Patrick started his industrial automation journey as an intern at a railroad company in 2002

After graduation, Patrick worked at a steel plant for 9 years (3:15 – 5:00)

First job after college as an electrical technician.

Working at Revere and learning to develop systems (5:30 – 7:35)

Patrick moves into integration and design for 7 years.

Moving into Process Controls and DCS (7:40 – 8:50)

Moving on to Hargrove and Distributed Control Systems.

Contracting and Subcontracting (9:00-10:30)

Patrick builds a side business.

Networking is Everything (11:00-13:30)

Meeting customers and vendors through networking.

Vetting your Vendors, Organizations and Certifications (13:30-18:00)

Qualifications of subcontractors and the value of outside certifications or recommendations

Getting experience and Patrick’s future plans (20:00-23:40)

Discussion of customer needs, functional specs and more.

A bit on Rockwell PlantPax (23:40-29:00)

How PlantPax works in the Rockwell ecosystem, Honeywell DCS, more on starting out.

Links mentioned in this episode

Automation Consulting, LLC, www.bunnautomation.com

CONNECT WITH FRANK

Website: https://www.automationllc.com

Facebook: @AutomationConsultingLlc/

LinkedIn: @company/automation-consulting-llc

YouTube: @automationllc

Vlad Romanov has had an extensive career in industry from system integration in large companies to startups and entrepreneurship. He has built training platforms, created a successful podcast and now does digital transformation consulting. This episode provides tactical insights on automation-related business and serial entrepreneurship.

TAKEAWAYS

How Vlad got his start in technology    (01:00 – 2:10)

As a child Vlad learns hands-on electronics with his Dad.

Electrical Engineering (2:15 – 5:30)

How does engineering school really apply to your eventual career?

Working in Industry (5:30 – 16:30)

How Vlad gained experience at Mitsubishi, Proctor and Gamble and Kraft/Heinz

Creating PLC Videos  (16:30 – 18:50)

Vlad creates PLC training videos on the side, founding SolisPLC

Why Vlad pursued an MBA (20:00-23:00)

Vlad decides to learn more about the business side of industry

The Manufacturing Hub (23:45-28:50)

The Manufacturing Hub Podcast is created with Dave Griffith

What Vlad is doing now in Joltek (29:00-36:00)

Starting a Digital Transformation & Industrial Automation Consulting company

Other ways small integrators can get jobs (36:00-43:40)

Frank discusses a hypothetical small integration marketing model with Vlad, referrals and the dangers of subcontracting.

Are certifications valuable? (43:40-48:50)

Vlad expounds on the value of course and skill certifications

Links mentioned in this episode

Automation Consulting, LLC, www.solisplc.com, www.joltek.com,

CONNECT WITH FRANK

Website: https://www.automationllc.com

Facebook: @AutomationConsultingLlc/

LinkedIn: @company/automation-consulting-llc

YouTube: @automationllc

How does a successful online training and coaching company get started? Hear how Stephen learned to program PLCs and turned a side hustle into a full-time job!

TAKEAWAYS

Where Stephen learned his automation skills   (00:54 – 7:55)

Stephen’s journey through university and his early experience working with PLCs . 

The founding of myPLCtraining (8:10 – 17:10)

How a side hustle became a full-time job.

Stephen’s marketing methods and teamwork (17:20 – 18:45)

myPLCtraining organization evolution and marketing.

IACET Certification (20:30 – 24:30)

How does a training program get certified?

Coaching and the accelerated program (26:10-32:30)

Stephen goes beyond the recorded content into coaching and job assistance.

Other suggested PLC books and platforms (32:30-45:25)

Frank and Stephen discuss additional PLC resources.

Links mentioned in this episode

Automation Consulting, LLC, www.myplctraining.com

How to reach Stephen?

Linked In linkedin.com/in/stephen-gates-myplctraining, https://www.myplctraining.com/, [email protected], www.youtube.com/@myplctraining1238 

CONNECT WITH FRANK

Website: https://www.automationllc.com

Facebook: @AutomationConsultingLlc/

LinkedIn: @company/automation-consulting-llc

YouTube: @automationllc

Technical careers don’t always stem from an engineering background. Nikki Gonzales grew up working with embedded controllers and exposure to a startup mentality, going on to a career in technical sales, product management and the founding of Automation Ladies. 

*On August 18, 2025, only two days after this podcast was recorded, Nikki suffered the unexpected tragic loss of her husband, Nathan Gonzales. You can help Nikki by donating to mealtrain or gofundme at the links shown below.

https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/3y99e0

https://gofund.me/83222a97

TAKEAWAYS

An Automation Lady’s Path to Success    (01:50 – 26:00)

Nikki’s career path and training winds through technical sales, marketing and software startups. 

The Automation Ladies    (27:45 – 34:00)

How and why the Automation Ladies organization was started.

Linked In and Professional Networking (34:00 – 36:30)

The value of Linked In as a marketing and networking tool.

The Value of Trade Shows (36:30 – 39:30)

Are trade shows still relevant? In-person connections and hands-on experiences.

OT SCADA CON (40:45-52:30)

Where did the idea for this conference come from, how it has evolved and what it can become.

Links mentioned in this episode

Automation Consulting, LLC, automationladies.io and otscada.com

CONNECT WITH FRANK

Website: https://www.automationllc.com

Facebook: @AutomationConsultingLlc/

LinkedIn: @company/automation-consulting-llc

YouTube: @automationllc

What happens when a bottle plant puts its faith in relationships, grassroots innovation, and learning-by-doing instead of pricey, off-the-shelf solutions?

Join Frank Lamb on Mastering the Machine as he chronicles a remarkable 12-year evolution at American Beverage Depot, where language barriers, aging hardware, and resourceful engineers become catalysts for creative upgrades—from pioneering PLC migrations to building one of the industry’s largest single-server Ignition platforms. It’s a real-world lesson in how continuous improvement and trust can transform not only software, but also teams and business possibilities.

Are you ready to discover what’s possible when you make not just technology, but real collaboration, the heartbeat of your progress?

TAKEAWAYS

1. The Challenge of Legacy Systems in Manufacturing   (03:26 – 13:41)
   Frank illustrates how American Beverage Depot struggled with outdated PLCs, mixed-language programs, and vendor lock-in—highlighting the importance of understanding both the technology and process before attempting large upgrades.
2. Strategic Migration Pays Off   (13:41 – 16:29)
   Migrating from legacy Slick 500 hardware and RSView32 SCADA to modern ControlLogix and Ignition platforms enabled ABD to scale operations and take control of its own system modifications.
3. Building In-House Expertise Spurs Innovation   (16:29 – 24:40)
   With Juan Pablo and emerging talent learning PLC and Ignition development, the plant reduced its reliance on outside integrators—demonstrating the power of investing in internal skill-building.
4. Continuous Improvement Over Perfection   (33:18 – 35:14)
   ABD’s journey wasn’t about adopting the flashiest tech, but rather making incremental, practical improvements that fit their unique needs and budget—proof that success comes from adaptability, not just big spending.
5. Community and Collaboration Are Key   (35:14 – 36:51)
   Sustained results came from trust, friendships, and knowledge-sharing: from plant managers to maintenance to a global network of integrators, ABD’s culture of collaboration fueled its transformation.

Links mentioned in this episode

Automation Consulting, LLC & The Automation Academy: www.automationllc.com

CONNECT WITH FRANK

Website: https://www.automationllc.com

Facebook: @AutomationConsultingLlc/

LinkedIn: @company/automation-consulting-llc

YouTube: @automationllc

Do you find yourself lost in a sea of automation jargon, unsure how it all connects to real-world expertise?

This episode of Mastering the Machine is your roadmap: Frank Lamb outlines the foundational pyramid every industrial automation pro should know and shows exactly how to apply it to both new technologies and daily problem-solving. Through his immersive story of self-paced online courses, notebook hacks, and trial-by-fire learning, you’ll discover how to turn repetition into mastery—and why hands-on projects are the key to breaking free from the monotony of repetitive task work. 

Are you prepared to elevate your skills and own your future in the world of automation?

TAKEAWAYS

1. Understanding the Automation Pyramid Sets the Foundation for Expertise   (03:42 – 11:14)
   Frank introduces the "building blocks" pyramid for industrial automation, explaining how foundational knowledge like reading and math grows into specialized disciplines like PLCs, SCADA, databases, AI, and ultimately industry-specific expertise.
2. Layering Learning Methods Improves Retention and Mastery   (12:13 – 17:59)
   Frank contrasts online self-paced courses, in-person classes, self-study with books, and on-the-job training, showing how using a combination of these methods and active techniques (reading, writing, testing) can deepen memory and skill.
3. Practice and Real-World Application Matter Most   (14:25 – 26:12)
   Repetition alone isn’t enough—whether in classes, projects, or labs, practicing on real equipment (even just briefly and regularly) bridges the gap from learning to proficiency and keeps skills sharp long-term.
4. Project-Based Learning Builds Lasting Capability Beyond Tasks   (31:38 – 39:25)
   Drawing inspiration from Seth Godin, Frank makes the case that working on meaningful projects, not just discrete tasks, drives deeper motivation, career growth, and human creativity even in highly automated environments.
5. Keeping a Learning Log or Engineering Notebook Supercharges Recall   (36:05 – 39:25(
   Frank emphasizes the power of detailed note-taking—dating, numbering, and organizing everything in a bound notebook or digital folder—to create an “auxiliary memory” and quickly refresh skills as automation technology evolves.

Links mentioned in this episode

1. Inductive Automation & Inductive University
   https://inductiveautomation.com
   (For Ignition SCADA software training)
2. Automation Consulting LLC & The Automation Academy
   https://www.automationllc.com
   (Comprehensive automation training and resources)

ChatGPT, MidJourney, Jasper AI, and DALL-E are mentioned as learning tools.

CONNECT WITH FRANK

Website: https://www.automationllc.com

Facebook: @AutomationConsultingLlc/

LinkedIn: @company/automation-consulting-llc

YouTube: @automationllc

What is OT SCADA CON?

On Mastering the Machine, Frank Lamb talks to some of the speakers and attendees of the second annual OT SCADA CON networking technical event held in Houston, Texas July 23-25, 2025. Hear how this conference breaks the mold of dry trade shows by providing opportunities to meet some of the drivers of industrial automation technology in person and learn a wide range of automation topics. Not to mention the awesome swag and raffle prizes!

Avoid the FOMO. Are you planning to attend next year’s OT SCADA CON?

TAKEAWAYS

• Conference Speakers and Topics    03:30 – 9:40
  Who presented at the conference and what did they talk about?
• Emily Merritt – Behind the Scenes    10:30 – 15:30
  How the Automation Ladies organized the conference and others who pitched in.
• Highlights from Karaoke   15:40 – 17:15
  Some of the people who performed at the after event karaoke Thursday night.
• Patrick Bunn  15:40 – 18:40
  Patrick’s take on presenting with little notice.
• Ricardo Santos 19:00 – 21:05
  Ricardo gives his take on the value of attending, networking and learning.
• Some Definitions 22:50 – 24:00
  What do some of these terms mean?
• Nick Murray 30:35 – 32:30
  What Nick got out of the conference.

Links mentioned in this episode

Automation Consulting, LLC & The Automation Academy: www.automationllc.com

CONNECT WITH FRANK

Website: https://www.automationllc.com

Facebook: @AutomationConsultingLlc/

LinkedIn: @company/automation-consulting-llc

YouTube: @automationllc

How did programmable logic controllers (PLCs) revolutionize industrial automation, transforming factory floors worldwide? 

On Mastering the Machine, Frank Lamb pulls the curtain back on the untold history of PLCs, tracing their origins from a General Motors brainstorm through global expansion, industry shakeups, and the relentless pursuit of reliability. He unpacks the technical prowess, daring design choices, and even the international standards that redefined how we build, connect, and optimize factories worldwide. This isn’t just a story of circuits and code; it’s about how engineers, inventors, and visionaries bent the future to their will. 

Are you ready to master the ever-evolving language of the machine—or risk being left behind?

TAKEAWAYS

• Birth of the PLC: The GM Challenge and Modicon’s Breakthrough    03:19 – 12:24
  General Motors’ quest for a change-friendly, rugged electronic controller led to a specification that inspired the first Modicon 084 PLC by Bedford Associates—ushering in an era of programmable, easily reconfigurable automation.
• Expansion, Rivalry, and Standardization   13:50 – 00:38:46
  Competition from Allen Bradley, Siemens, Omron, and others led to rapid innovation, while the IEC 61131-3 standard, established in 1994, unified programming practices and set the stage for the modern, interoperable PLC landscape.
• Evolution in Hardware and Programming Paradigms   40:22 – 00:53:46
  PLC platforms shrank in size but grew in power, with controller memory and network capabilities soaring; programming transitioned from mnemonic codes to user-friendly graphical languages and multi-language standards.
• The Ongoing Revolution: Openness, Affordability, and the Future   43:46 – 00:53:54
  With the spread of Codesys-based and PC-driven systems, plus low-cost options like Raspberry Pi and Arduino PLC engines, automation has never been more accessible—or rapidly evolving. The question now is not if, but how PLCs will keep adapting to next-gen industrial needs.

Links mentioned in this episode

Automation Consulting, LLC & The Automation Academy: www.automationllc.com

CONNECT WITH FRANK

Website: https://www.automationllc.com

Facebook: @AutomationConsultingLlc/

LinkedIn: @company/automation-consulting-llc

YouTube: @automationllc