Manufacturing Hub
Manufacturing Hub brings you manufacturing news, insights, opportunities, and cutting edge technologies. The podcast aims to inform, educate, and inspire leaders and workers in manufacturing, automation, and related fields.
Episodes
Ep. 274 - David Schultz on ISA 95, Knowledge Graphs, and Building a Data Model for AI
There is no pyramid anywhere in the ISA 95 standard. David Schultz explains what is actually inside it and how to turn it into a working data model.Most engineers meet ISA 95 as a layered triangle on LinkedIn and never get past it. David Schultz of Amárach StackWorks takes that image apart. The pyramid appears nowhere in the standard, which exists to define how business systems such as ER
Ep. 273 - How to Build a Systems Integration Company: Positioning, Money and Procurement
Most conversations about starting a systems integrator skip the parts that sink people. Dave and Vlad spend this one on insurance, licenses and procurement.After a month of founder interviews, Dave and Vlad close the series with their own experience. Vlad started at plant level with Procter and Gamble and Kraft Heinz, deciding how outside integrators would execute, before crossing over to
Ep. 272 - Systems Integration Careers: OEM, Distributor, Machine Builder and Business Owner
Most people ask how to start a systems integrator. Rich Kuechenmeister has effectively built one five times, and the lesson is that the parent business decides what you become.Rich is owner and partner at Fishbone Technical Services. Before that he built automation groups inside a semiconductor equipment OEM, an automation components manufacturer, a products distributor, and a custom mach
Ep. 271 - Growing an Oil and Gas Plus Mining Systems Integrator in Alberta with JPI Solutions
Oil and gas automation runs on royalty accounting as much as process control. Dustin Symes explains how that shapes every SCADA decision JPI Solutions makes.Canadian oil and gas is structured differently than most assume. In the US mineral rights usually sit with individuals, so custody transfer draws a hard line between upstream and midstream. In Canada the provinces hold most rights, so
Ep. 270 - How to Start a Systems Integrator: Scope, Hiring, and the Bottleneck That Is You
Most people who start a systems integrator expect to keep doing the engineering. Dylan DuFresne explains why that stops being true inside two years.Ask ten people what a systems integrator is and you get ten answers, so Dylan DuFresne starts from first principles: a third party that connects systems which used to sit isolated. The market then splits in two. One is the generalist who has s
Ep. 269 - Siemens Xcelerator Marketplace: Digital Transformation SMB Manufacturers Can Afford
Siemens says a small manufacturer can start production optimization for $2,000 a year. Martin Valkysers and Flemming Kongsberg explain what that buys you.Most digital transformation advice assumes a budget and an engineering bench most plants do not have. Flemming Kongsberg, who runs the SMB focus inside the Siemens CTO organization, discards the usual revenue and headcount definitions: a
Ep. 268 - David Nichols of Loupe on Claude Code, AI Retrofits, and the End of the SI Moat
David Nichols of Loupe explains what actually changed in automation engineering this year, and why control retrofits just got far cheaper.Nearly twenty years into building high performance controls, David Nichols is blunt about what AI did to his business: what used to take six weeks now takes two, and his team ships roughly five times more software per sprint. An engineer dropped the raw
Ep. 267 - Ujjwal Kumar of Siemens on Deglobalization, Reshoring, and Adaptive Manufacturing
Deglobalization is rewriting where factories get built, and Ujjwal Kumar of Siemens explains what has to change on the plant floor before reshoring actually works.For thirty years the manufacturing playbook was labor arbitrage. Move high volume, low mix production to wherever disciplined labor was cheapest, then ship it back. Ujjwal Kumar, President of Automation for Siemens Digital Indus
Ep. 266 - Automate 2026 Reality Check: AI, Virtual PLCs, Ignition, and Plant Modernization
After several weeks away from the podcast, Dave Griffith and Vladimir Romanov return to Manufacturing Hub to unpack their experiences at Automate 2026 and discuss what the event revealed about the current state of industrial automation.Automate showcased an enormous range of robotics, industrial AI, machine vision, software, cloud connectivity, and emerging automation technology. However,
Ep. 265 - Automate 2026 Survival Guide: Booths, Networking, and a Production Line Demo #scada #mes
Automate 2026 lands in Chicago next week, and Dave and Vlad break down how to work the show floor, where to network, and what to expect from their live booth demos.Automate is the largest automation trade show in North America, and a four day event rewards preparation. Dave and Vlad share tactics refined over five years of attending together. The floor opens at 10:00 AM on Monday, and reg
Ep. 264 - Why AI Loves Automation: Siemens on Digital Twins, Guardrails, and Orchestration
AI can finally write back to the plant floor, but only if you can trust it. Chris Stevens and Annemarie Breu of Siemens explain how orchestration makes that safe.Industrial AI has reached a turning point. Manufacturers can already collect data, contextualize it, and surface insights, but the hardest step has always been turning insight into action on real control equipment. Chris Stevens
Ep. 263 - Why Industrial Protocols Win on Business Not Technical Merit, with Horner Automation
Industrial network protocols decide whether a machine talks or stays silent. Chuck from Horner Automation breaks down how they win, fade, and converge.Chuck has spent 36 years at Horner Automation and lived through what the industry once called the fieldbus wars. Before Horner became known for its all in one controllers, it spent a decade building specialty IO modules for GE Fanuc during
Ep. 262 - The Human Side of Manufacturing Change: Incentives, Pain Points, and Operator Buy In
Change management is the reason most manufacturing improvement projects quietly stall, even when the technical work is sound and the tools are right.Vlad Romanov and Dave Griffith unpack their own change management war stories from across two decades in industrial automation. Vlad frames change management as understanding risk to the business and to every stakeholder, then putting the pro
Ep. 261 - Change Management in Manufacturing: Operators, Tribal Knowledge, and the Industrial Elder
Change management in manufacturing breaks down at the people layer, not the technology layer. This episode explains how engineering leaders actually drive adoption.Ronald Sherrod is a Staff Automation Engineer at Regeneron deploying a global event based architecture and Unified Namespace rollout across pharmaceutical operations. Ron, Vlad Romanov, and Dave Griffith dig into the parts of c
Ep. 260 - Why Ignition Is Winning: Colby Clegg and Carl Gould on SCADA, Open Access, & Industrial AI
Inductive Automation cofounders Colby Clegg and Carl Gould go deep on the origins of Ignition, the road to 8.3, and what AI means for industrial automation.Vlad and Dave host Colby Clegg, CEO, and Carl Gould, CTO, of Inductive Automation together for the first time to trace the full arc of the company. The story begins in 2003, when Sacramento systems integrator Steve Heckman brought Colb
Ep. 259 - Logan Terry of LSI on Change Management: The Soft Side of SCADA, MES, & ERP Projects
Change management decides whether your MES or digital transformation project lasts, or quietly gets shut off six months after go live.Vlad Romanov and Dave Griffith sit down with Logan Terry, who leads digital transformation at LSI, to dig into change management as the deciding factor in any automation or MES rollout. Logan defines change management as a methodical approach to moving an i
Ep. 258 - Hannover Messe Recap, the State of Industrial AI, and What Comes Next at Automate 2026
Industrial AI is moving past the chatbot phase. From the Hannover Messe show floor to system integration workflows, here's what end users actually want now.Vlad just returned from his first Hannover Messe, the largest industrial automation and manufacturing trade show in Europe. The takeaway that defined the week was a shift in how end users open conversations. A year ago, every booth vis
Ep. 256 - Why Machine Learning Still Outperforms LLMs for Manufacturing Process Control
Digital twins and machine learning are redefining batch optimization in manufacturing. Learn how centerlining models can catch quality issues in real time before they become irreversible.Concepts like digital twins, golden batch profiles, and statistical process control have long promised more than they delivered. Virag Vora of Twin Thread argues that layering machine learning on top of t
Ep. 255 - From Virtual Design to Physical AI: Vention's Blueprint for Industrial Robotics
Physical AI is arriving on factory floors ahead of schedule, and Vention is already deploying it on applications four automation integrators failed to crack.François Giguère, CTO of Vention, draws a precise line between agentic AI and physical AI. Agentic systems process data and return data. Physical AI controls motion and actuation that produce real world consequences on a factory floor
Ep. 254 - From Cost Center to Growth Engine: The AI Future of Manufacturing Maintenance
AI in manufacturing is no longer a strategy reserved for the boardroom. It is a tool for the technician on the plant floor, and the results are already showing up in real operations worldwide.Most digital transformation strategies in manufacturing are built for desk workers on the carpeted side of the building, not the operators and technicians keeping production running on the concrete f
Ep. 253 - How Manufacturers Can Turn Plant Data into AI Powered Insights w/ Konstantin Eukodyne
Industrial AI is getting a lot of attention in manufacturing right now, but one of the biggest questions is still the most practical one. How do you turn plant data, process knowledge, and operational constraints into something that actually creates value? In this episode of Manufacturing Hub, Vlad Romanov and Dave Griffith sit down with Konstantin Paradizov of Eukodyne for a detailed con
Ep. 252 - Industrial AI in Manufacturing What Actually Works and What Does Not #industrialautomation
Manufacturing Hub is back with Episode 252, where co hosts Vlad Romanov and Dave Griffith break down what an AI survival guide should actually look like for manufacturing and industrial automation professionals. This is not a hype conversation about replacing people with magic software. It is a grounded discussion about what AI tools can do today, where they fail, why context and data qua
Ep. 251 - Ignition 8.3 ProveIt How Inductive Automation Scales Multi Site Factories w/ MQTT and UNS
In this episode of Manufacturing Hub, Vlad and Dave sit down with Travis Cox and Kevin McCluskey from Inductive Automation to unpack what was actually proven at ProveIt and why it matters for teams trying to modernize plants without building a fragile mess of point to point integrations. If you have ever looked at a shiny demo and wondered what the real architecture looks like, how it sca
Ep. 246 A - Factory of the Future Without the Hype: Siemens on Data Transparency, Orchestration, and Trust in AI
This episode wraps up our Technology Modernization theme with a Siemens perspective that feels very grounded in what factories are actually dealing with right now. Brian Albrecht and Louis Hughes from the Siemens XD team walk through what they are seeing in the field across brownfield and greenfield conversations, why executives keep asking for industrial AI before the foundations are rea
Ep. 246 - Building a Life Sciences Virtual Factory Enterprise C, MQTT, and UNS w/ Amy Williams
In this special ProveIt edition of Manufacturing Hub, Vlad Romanoff and Dave Griffith sit down with Amy Williams from Skellig Automation to unpack Enterprise C, a life sciences virtual factory built to look and feel like the reality inside many regulated facilities today. If you work around batch processes, compliance, historian projects, electronic batch records, or industrial data archi
Ep. 245 - Modernizing Manufacturing | Data, OEE, Quality Analytics - Everyone Wants the Same Signals
In this episode of Manufacturing Hub, Vlad Romanov and Dave Griffith sit down with David for a practical, operator grounded conversation about industrial data, modernization, and what it actually takes to turn plant floor signals into business decisions. David has spent more than two decades in manufacturing across automotive, solar, and electric vehicles, and his story is a familiar one
Ep. 244 - How Modern Plants Actually Bridge Legacy Automation and AI w/ Benson Hougland
In this episode of Manufacturing Hub, Vlad Romanov and Dave Griffith sit down with Benson Hougland from Opto 22 to get brutally practical about what is actually running on shop floors today, and what it takes to move from legacy automation to modern, data ready operations without breaking what already works. If you have ever walked into a plant and seen a mix of decades old controllers, m
Ep. 243 - From Legacy Systems to AI Readiness A Realistic Look at Manufacturing Modernization
Technology modernization in manufacturing is not a list of shiny tools. It is a sequencing problem. In this episode of Manufacturing Hub, Vlad Romanov and Dave Griffith break down why the executive vision for AI often collides with the reality of the plant floor, and what a practical path forward actually looks like when you account for data quality, legacy controls, networking, and the t
Ep. 242 - From Controls to MES Building Manufacturing Systems That Scale Without Breaking Operations
In this episode of Manufacturing Hub, hosts Vlad Romanov and Dave Griffith welcome back Amos Purdy for a wide ranging conversation that connects plant floor reality with SCADA, MES, and the business decisions that actually fund modernization. Amos shares his path from early software and programming work into industrial automation, including building an industrial automation class and lab,
Ep. 241 - Manufacturing in 2026 AI Reality Cybersecurity Data Careers and What Comes Next
Welcome to Manufacturing Hub and welcome to 2026. In this kickoff episode, Vlad Romanov and Dave Griffith reset the table for the year and share what the show is really about: practical conversations with people who build, run, secure, and modernize manufacturing systems. If you are new here, this is the perfect starting point because we explain the format, the monthly themes, and the rea
Ep. 236 - How to Deliver Manufacturing Projects That Operations Actually Use
Handing over a project is one of the most underestimated and misunderstood phases in manufacturing and industrial automation. In this episode of Manufacturing Hub, Vlad and Dave sit down to break apart real stories from the field covering MES rollouts, line commissioning, SCADA and ignition development, operational adoption, and the very real consequences of poor knowledge transfer. Most
Ep. 235 - How to Build and Run a Systems Integration Company in Manufacturing
This episode takes you inside the reality of becoming a systems integrator and growing a technical services business from the ground up. Vlad and Dave share their personal experiences launching and running integration companies, the lessons they learned as engineers moving into business ownership, and the challenges that come with finding customers, choosing technologies, setting rates, m
Ep. 234 - What Students Learn When They Build Ignition Projects in Seventy Two Hours
In this conversation recorded at the Ignition Community Conference, Vlad, Dave, and their guest David Grussenmeyer from Inductive Automation explore one of the most important and inspiring stories in the world of industrial automation education. David leads the Educational Engagement Program at Inductive Automation and has spent the last several years building a global network of universi
Ep. 233 - From Controls to Full-Scale Robotics Integration How Bright IA Leads in Automation
In this episode of Manufacturing Hub, hosts Vladimir Romanov and Dave Griffith sit down with Davide (David) Pascucci, founder of Bright IA (https://brightiatx.com/), for an in-depth conversation about what it truly takes to build, grow, and succeed in the world of robotics integration and industrial automation.Davide shares his incredible journey from Italy’s oil and gas sector to leading
Ep. 232 - Future of Automation with Siemens: Industrial AI, Virtual PLCs, and Digital Twin Factories
At Automate 2025, Vlad and Dave take Manufacturing Hub inside the Siemens booth to explore how one of the world’s largest industrial technology companies is shaping the future of manufacturing. From the latest S7-1200 G2 PLC to industrial copilots powered by AI, digital twins that simulate entire factories, and virtual PLCs redefining automation, this episode is packed with insights from
Ep. 222 - Pick AI Pro with Kevin Wu | Faster Picking, Higher Reliability, Digital Twin and Vision AI
Modern robotic picking is moving beyond neat rows and perfect lighting conditions. In this Automate 2025 conversation, Vlad and Dave sit down with Kevin Wu from Siemens to explore how Simatic Robot Pick AI Pro is tackling the messy reality of warehouses and factories. They discuss how the new edge architecture with the Simatic IPC BX 59 A and an NVIDIA GPU lifts pick rates to well over on
Ep. 231 - Travis Cox on Ignition 8.3 | ICC 2025 Highlights and the Future of Industrial Software
ICC 2025 was a clear level up for the Ignition community. In this conversation Vlad and Dave share on the ground insights from a week of packed sessions, vendor showcases, and ProveIt demonstrations that brought working integrations to life. They unpack why the move to a larger venue created more chances for deep technical conversations, how the community benefited from hands on demos tha
Ep. 230 - AI in Manufacturing with Tom Hechtman of Sepasoft | Real ROI, MES on Ignition, Sepa IQ
Artificial intelligence is no longer just a buzzword in manufacturing. The pace of adoption has been incredible, yet the reality is far more complex than flashy headlines suggest. In this episode of Manufacturing Hub, Vlad Romanov and Dave Griffith welcome back Tom Hechtman, founder of Sepasoft, to explore how AI is actually being deployed on the plant floor, what barriers remain, and whe
Ep. 228 - How to Start OT Cybersecurity ICS Security Fundamentals, Managed Switches Risk Management
In this episode of Manufacturing Hub Podcast, hosts Vladimir Romanov and Dave Griffith sit down with Gavin Dilworth to explore the evolving world of ICS and OT cybersecurity. This is a topic that impacts every sector of manufacturing and critical infrastructure, yet many organizations still struggle with where to start, how to assess risk, and how to balance IT and OT responsibilities.Gav
Ep. 229 - Manufacturing Architecture Explained Every Engineer and Plant Manager Needs to Know Today
In this episode of Manufacturing Hub, Vlad and Dave take a deep dive into one of the most critical yet often overlooked aspects of modern manufacturing: network and systems architecture. Too often manufacturers focus on SCADA, MES, and control layers without recognizing that the architecture beneath them is the foundation that determines whether a facility can scale, connect new equipment
Ep. 223 - Inductive Automation Ignition 8.3 New Siemens Driver Kafka Event Streams Historian Kevin M
This week on Manufacturing Hub, Vlad Romanov and Dave Griffith are joined by Kevin McClusky, Chief Technology Architect at Inductive Automation. Kevin shares his journey from computer engineering into the world of industrial automation, his early experiences as an HMI developer, and his leadership roles at Inductive Automation that shaped the direction of Ignition software.The conversatio
Ep. 216 - Redefining Manufacturing Resilience at Automate 2025 with Digital Twins and Copilot Tools
Welcome to our special coverage from Automate 2025, recorded directly at the Siemens booth. In this episode of Manufacturing Hub, hosts Vlad Romanov and Dave Griffith sit down with Chris Stevens and Annemarie Breu from Siemens to explore the evolving landscape of manufacturing resilience, digital twins, and automation lifecycle management.This conversation dives into how manufacturers can
Ep. 221 - Manufacturing Intelligence: Data Collection, OEE, and Energy Monitoring Case Studies
In Episode 221 of Manufacturing Hub, hosts Vlad Romanov and Dave Griffith sit down without a guest to share valuable real-world lessons on data collection, manufacturing intelligence, and implementing solutions that deliver measurable ROI. This episode wraps up the month’s theme on manufacturing intelligence by tying together the insights from previous episodes and putting them into the c
Ep. 220 - Data Foundations and Machine Context Protocol in Modern Manufacturing w/ Caleb Eastman
In Episode 220 of Manufacturing Hub, we welcome back Caleb Flanigan to explore one of the most critical yet least understood topics in the evolution of smart manufacturing: MTP (Module Type Package), MCP (Machine Context Protocol), and how they are becoming essential enablers of safe and scalable AI adoption on the factory floor.Throughout this deep-dive episode, we uncover how these emer
Ep. 218 - How Siemens Is Building the Next Generation of PLCs and Edge Control Systems w/ Bernd
In this episode of Automate 2025, we welcome Bernd Raithel from Siemens back to the show to discuss the evolution of industrial control systems and the future of manufacturing. As the Head of R&D for Siemens Factory Automation in the US, Bernd shares his unique perspective on bridging legacy PLCs with modern IT infrastructure, enabling software-defined automation, and empowering manuf
Ep. 219 - Modernizing Industrial Historian for Scalable Manufacturing Data Architecture with Jeroen
Welcome to Episode 219 of Manufacturing Hub. In this episode, we dive into the evolution of industrial data infrastructure with Jeroen Coussement, Founder and CEO of Factry. Factry is building modern historian and MES software platforms that help manufacturers collect, contextualize, and act on operational data at scale.We unpack the critical role of historians in modern manufacturing env
Ep. 217 - Reshaping Manufacturing Data Strategy by Connecting Legacy Equipment to Modern Platforms
Data collection is no longer a back-office task. It is now the foundation of manufacturing intelligence. In this episode of Manufacturing Hub, we are joined by Brian Bribe, founder of Mach Controls, to explore the practical realities of modernizing data infrastructure inside manufacturing facilities.Brian brings a frontline perspective to OT architecture and walks us through what it actua
Ep. 215 - Robotics 2025: Fanuc, KUKA, & the Future of AI-Powered Automation Humanoids Cybersecurity
In this episode of Manufacturing Hub, we welcome back Pawel Krupa, founder of the Future Robotics YouTube channel, to dive deep into the rapidly evolving world of industrial robotics. With over a decade of hands-on experience integrating and programming systems from Fanuc, KUKA, and others, Pawel shares exclusive insights on some of the biggest changes reshaping robotics in 2025. These ch
Ep. 214 - Robotics Rewired: Building Smarter Systems for Tomorrow's Factory
Welcome to another episode of Manufacturing Hub! In this week’s episode, we dive deep into the evolving world of robotics with returning guest Sean Dotson, now CEO of Elite Robotics. From building large-scale material handling systems to exploring the future of AI-driven robot programming, Sean shares a candid view of what it really takes to modernize factory operations.We explore:What “m
Ep. 213 - The AI Revolution in Manufacturing: Productivity Gains and Cultural Shifts
In this episode of Manufacturing Hub, we welcome back Billy Albritton for a deep dive into the evolving world of artificial intelligence in manufacturing. Billy first joined us on Episode 23, and now almost 200 episodes later, he returns to share his perspective on how far the space has come and what the future holds.Billy walks us through his journey from the military to advanced manufac
Ep. 212 - Real Applications of AI in Manufacturing and What Still Needs Work
AI is making headlines across every industry, but how much of it is actually being used on the manufacturing floor?In this episode of Manufacturing Hub, Vlad and Dave return to the whiteboard to explore practical and real-world applications of artificial intelligence in manufacturing. From pre-operations to live production, this session covers how AI is being used today across CAD tools,
Ep. 211 - Here's How Manufacturing Industry Leaders Are Actually Building the Factory of the Future
In this special edition of Manufacturing Hub, we take you inside one of the most transparent and technically rigorous events in industrial automation: ProveIt 2025.Created by Walker Reynolds and the team at 4.0 Solutions, ProveIt brings together 36 vendors to solve real manufacturing problems inside a live virtual factory environment. Everything is connected through a Unified Namespace an
Ep. 210 - Automate 2025: Unified Namespace, Dockerized PLCs, AI & More
Welcome back to Manufacturing Hub! In this special episode, we dive into an Automate 2025 preview, joined by Brian Priebe from Mach Controls and James Brown from 4IR Solutions.We break down what to expect at Automate next week in Detroit (May 12 to 15), booth highlights, technology trends, and hands-on insights into cutting-edge industrial solutions like Unified Namespace, Dockerized PLCs
Ep. 209 - From PLCs to SCADA and MES Dylan's Real-World Journey Through Modern Manufacturing Systems
In Episode 209 of Manufacturing Hub, we sit down with Dylan to explore the full spectrum of automation—from his early hands-on experiences in PLC programming all the way to architecting full-scale SCADA and MES systems. If you're looking to understand what it really takes to grow a career in industrial automation, this conversation delivers raw insights, practical lessons, and battle-test
Ep. 208 - Modernizing Manufacturing: Insights on Cybersecurity, Obsolescence, and AI Integration
In this episode of Manufacturing Hub, co-hosts Vlad and Dave turn the spotlight on themselves and share deeply practical stories from the front lines of industrial transformation. With decades of experience consulting across manufacturing verticals, they unpack some of the most pressing (and often misunderstood) topics shaping the future of factories today—from aging infrastructure and in
Ep. 207 - From Bioreactors to Vaccines: What You Need to Know About Life Sciences Automation
In this episode of Manufacturing Hub, we welcome Amy Williams, Systems Architect at Skellig, for a deep dive into the world of life sciences manufacturing, a rarely explored but incredibly complex part of the industrial landscape.From her roots in biomolecular chemical engineering to her hands-on role in Operation Warp Speed, Amy walks us through what it's really like to build and validat
Ep. 206 - From Plant Floor to Strategy: Ryan Cahalane on Fixing What Matters in Manufacturing
We’re kicking off a new theme—Faces You Should Know in Manufacturing—with none other than Ryan Cahalane, Managing Partner at Axiom Manufacturing Systems. Ryan’s path through manufacturing is anything but ordinary: from plant floor engineering at Goodyear, to leadership roles at GE, Rockwell Automation, OSIsoft, and more, Ryan has worked every angle of the manufacturing ecosystem.In this e
Ep. 205 - What Manufacturers Need to Know About UNS, MQTT, and Ignition After Prove It
Welcome back to a special Thursday edition of Manufacturing Hub!In this episode, we dive deep into one of the standout presentations from the Prove It conference — featuring Travis Cox from Inductive Automation and Arlen Nipper from Cirrus Link Solutions.🎥 We start by reflecting on the Prove It showcase, where Travis and Arlen demonstrated the power of Unified Namespace (UNS) and MQTT acr
Ep. 204 - Making ERP Work in Manufacturing | ERP Deep Dive with Glenn
In Episode 204 of Manufacturing Hub, we wrap up our month-long ERP series with Glenn from Waites. Glenn shares a practical framework for understanding ERP systems—perfect for engineers, plant managers, and anyone who’s struggled with clunky ERP software. We break down key modules like Financials, Supply Chain, MES, and Asset Management, and explore how modern tools are reshaping ERP usabi
Ep. 203 - From Spreadsheets to Structure: ERP for Machine Builders & SIs
In this episode, Dave and Vlad are joined by Jay and RJ from Total ETO to explore the often overlooked world of ERP for machine builders and systems integrators. While ERP conversations often focus on large-scale deployments like SAP or Oracle, this episode dives into the day-to-day of smaller, engineer-to-order (ETO) businesses—where spreadsheets still reign and project complexity is hig
Ep. 202 - Inside Opto 22: Unified Namespace, Edge Computing, and Cybersecurity @ ProveIt
What does it take to move from automation hype to practical, scalable solutions on the factory floor?In this deep-dive episode of Manufacturing Hub, recorded live at the ProveIt Conference, we’re joined by Benson Hougland, Vice President at Opto 22—a company that has been quietly shaping the future of industrial automation for over 50 years.Benson walks us through the journey of Opto 22:
Ep. 201 - ERP in Manufacturing: Strategy, Culture, and Change Management
In Episode 201 of Manufacturing Hub, we sit down with Tim Brown, a veteran leader with over 40 years of experience across manufacturing, construction, and IT. From managing massive ERP transformations to navigating global M&A integrations, Tim shares a masterclass in how to make enterprise software actually work in complex industrial environments.We cover everything from:What it was l
Ep. 200 - From Plant Floor to Enterprise: Tatsoft Shows Off Frameworks IIoT Platform
In this episode recorded live at the ProveIt Conference, we sit down with Mark and Harry from Tatsoft, creators of the industrial IIoT platform Frameworks. We dive deep into how Tatsoft is redefining what a true industrial platform should be — built from the ground up for the factory floor, yet scalable across the enterprise.Mark and Harry walk us through:Their platform’s positioning as a
Ep. 199 - ERP Implementation & Strategy: What Manufacturers Need to Know
Welcome back to Manufacturing Hub! This March 2025, we’re diving deep into Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), exploring its critical role in manufacturing, the challenges of implementation, and the future of ERP solutions. This episode is sponsored by Talan, a leading firm specializing in ERP adoption, migration, and integration.Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems have been a corn
Ep. 198 - Prove It Recap: What Worked, What Didn’t & Key Takeaways from the Conference
Welcome to Episode 198 of Manufacturing Hub with Vlad and Dave!This week, we’re diving into a full recap of the Prove It conference—one of the biggest and most talked-about industrial automation events, held last week in Dallas, Texas. If you've been anywhere near LinkedIn, you've probably seen the buzz!What made Prove It different?A real-world factory simulation with imperfect data40 ven
Ep. 197 - Inside ProveIt 2025: How 36 Vendors Connected to One Unified Factory
We’re coming to you LIVE from the ProveIt Conference in Dallas, TX, where we’re witnessing one of the most groundbreaking manufacturing and industrial automation events in history. Hosted by Walker Reynolds and the 4.0 Solutions team, ProveIt brings together 36+ vendors, industry leaders, and a massive community to showcase real-world digital transformation solutions—all connected to a un
Ep. 196 - ProveIt Deep Dive: Industrial Automation’s Most Ambitious Event Yet
In this special episode of Manufacturing Hub, Dave Griffith and Vlad Romanov take a deep dive into the upcoming ProveIt Conference, happening next week in Dallas. This event, spearheaded by Walker Reynolds and Zack Scriven, brings together industry leaders, solution providers, and systems integrators to showcase their capabilities in Unified Namespace (UNS), edge computing, and industrial
Ep. 195 - Unlocking Digital Transformation: The Unified Namespace, Industrial Data, and Prove It!
Welcome to Manufacturing Hub, where we dive deep into the world of industrial automation, software, and digital transformation. In this episode, hosts Dave and Vlad are joined by Zach Scriven, an industrial automation expert, digital transformation evangelist, and a key player in the development of Prove It, a groundbreaking industry conference.This conversation explores a range of topics
Ep. 194 - Upskilling in Industrial Automation - Training, Troubleshooting & Future Trends
In this action-packed episode, our hosts kick off with exciting news about the upcoming Prove It Conference in Dallas and then welcome Kyle—a rising talent in the industrial automation space—to share his unique journey and insights.Episode HighlightsGetting Started in Automation:Kyle recounts his transition from studying technology information management at UC Santa Cruz to diving headfir
Ep. 193 - Navigating Automation Careers, PLC Standardization, and Training with Hans
In this episode of Manufacturing Hub, we dive into the world of industrial automation, PLC programming, and career development with Hans Schradermakers, an experienced automation engineer with more than 23 years in the industry. Hans has worked extensively with both Siemens and Rockwell software, specializing in developing, standardizing, testing, and commissioning automation solutions fo
Ep. 192 - Kicking Off 2025 – Plans, Trends & The State of Manufacturing
As we enter 2025, the manufacturing and industrial automation sectors are facing a period of significant transformation. In this episode of Manufacturing Hub, Dave and Vlad outline their plans for the year, covering everything from the direction of the podcast to industry trends shaping the future of manufacturing.This episode kicks off with an overview of the podcast’s 2025 format, which
Ep. 191 - Bridging IT and OT: 4IR Solutions, Ignition 8.3, and the Future of Industrial Automation
In this episode of Manufacturing Hub, recorded live at ICC 2023, hosts Dave and Vlad welcome back James Burnand, CEO of 4IR Solutions, to discuss IT-OT convergence, the role of 4IR Solutions in the Ignition Community, and key takeaways from Ignition 8.3.4IR Solutions and IT-OT Convergence4IR Solutions is a Solutions Partner within the Ignition Community, focusing on OT as a Service to hel
Ep. 190 - Manufacturing Hub: 2024 Recap & 2025 Vision – Trends, Learnings, and What’s Next
In this special episode of Manufacturing Hub, Vlad, and Dave reflect on the major lessons, projects, and trends from 2024 while laying out ambitious plans for 2025. They discuss the evolution of automation, AI, and industrial tech, share personal insights on business growth, and preview upcoming podcast themes and trade show appearances.Topics include:✅ Key takeaways from 2024 in manufact
Ep. 189 - Building Careers & SCADA Solutions Kent Melville Sales Engineering at Inductive Automation
Welcome back to Manufacturing Hub. In this episode, we sit down with Kent Melville, Director of Sales Engineering at Inductive Automation, to explore career growth, sales engineering, and the evolving landscape of industrial automation.Kent shares his fascinating journey, starting as a computer science graduate with a background in web development, ERP systems, and industrial automation b
Ep. 188 - Lessons from the Factory Floor: Career Advice for Manufacturing Professionals
Manufacturing is a fast-moving industry with evolving technologies, shifting business priorities, and increasing demand for skilled professionals. Whether you’re just starting your career, looking to deepen your technical expertise, or considering a move into management, knowing how to navigate your journey can make all the difference.In this episode of The Manufacturing Hub, Vlad and Dav
Ep. 187 - Data, Careers, and Determination: Jim Gavigan on Engineering, Sales, and Problem-Solving
In this episode of Manufacturing Hub, we welcome back Jim Gavigan, founder of Industrial Insight and a leading expert in time-series data and manufacturing intelligence. Jim shares his fascinating journey from starting as a physical education major to becoming a data-driven problem solver in the manufacturing industry. His career is filled with invaluable lessons and hilarious anecdotes,
Ep. 186 - Automation Leadership: Controls, IT/OT Convergence, and Manufacturing Insights w/ Alicia
This week, Dave and Vlad are thrilled to be joined by Alicia Lomas, a powerhouse in manufacturing, automation, and leadership. Alicia shares her inspiring journey from studying chemical engineering to becoming a key figure in the controls and automation world. Along the way, she has worked with major brands like Chobani, where she helped revamp and optimize operations, and fast-paced star
Ep. 184 - ICS Cybersecurity Explained Challenges, Best Practices, and Future Trends with Jason Waits
In this in-depth conversation, Jason Waits, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Inductive Automation, provides a comprehensive exploration of Industrial Control System (ICS) cybersecurity. With decades of experience securing critical infrastructure and navigating the complexities of Operational Technology (OT) environments, Jason offers actionable insights into the current state
Ep. 183 - Engineer to Entrepreneur: Justin Dean on Automation and Business Growth
In this expansive episode of Manufacturing Hub, we welcome back Justin Dean, an accomplished engineer, entrepreneur, and business leader, for a deep dive into his incredible career journey. Justin has transitioned from a technical expert in control systems and automation to a successful entrepreneur and private equity professional, and in this conversation, he shares valuable insights for
Ep. 182 - From Recruiting to Robotics How Seekers Revolutionizes Automation for Small Manufacturers
In this episode of the Manufacturing Hub, Derek and Sy from Seekers Technical discussed their career paths, experiences, and current work in the field of industrial automation and systems integration. Derek began his journey as an operator in manufacturing, driven by a curiosity about robotics and automation, which eventually led him to transition into recruiting. This shift was motivated
