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  • Doug Morter with Northern Water

    Doug Morter with Northern Water
    2025/02/26
    Industrial Talk is onsite at Accruent Insights and talking to Doug Morter, Asset Manager at Northern Water about "Innovation that improves water quality and safety". Doug Morter from Northern Water discussed the importance of water, which constitutes 80% of the human body, and the role of Northern Water in supplying water to 1.3 million end users in Colorado. He highlighted the use of Maintenance Connection software for asset management, which has been crucial since 2013 floods. Northern Water is building the largest dam in the U.S. in 30 years, using an asphalt core for environmental impact. Doug emphasized the need for AI and machine learning to optimize preventive maintenance schedules and the potential future migration to cloud solutions for better user experiences and security. Action Items
    • [ ] Reach out to Northern Water to get in touch with Doug Morter, who can provide more information on their use of Maintenance Connection.

    Outline Introduction and Welcome
    • Scott MacKenzie introduces the Industrial Talk podcast, emphasizing its focus on industry professionals and their innovations.
    • Scott welcomes listeners and highlights the importance of celebrating industry professionals who solve problems and make the world better.
    • Scott mentions the current broadcast location at a crew in San Antonio, Texas, and the anticipation of a barbecue lunch.
    • Scott introduces the guest, Doug Morton, from Northern Water, and the topic of discussion, maintenance connection and its use in Northern Water's business.

    Doug Morton's Background and Northern Water Overview
    • Doug Morton joins the conversation, and Scott thanks him for participating.
    • Doug shares his background, mentioning his four and a half years at Northern Water and his transition from operations to administration for maintenance connection.
    • Northern Water is described as a utility in Colorado, serving 1.3 million end users and being the fifth largest agricultural county in the US.
    • Doug explains the role of Northern Water in conveying water from the western to the eastern side of the Continental Divide and the historical significance of their projects.

    Technical Feats and Water Management
    • Doug discusses the engineering feat of building a tunnel under Rocky Mountain National Park in the 1940s, using a mirror to ensure alignment.
    • Scott expresses amazement at the technical achievement and the use of a mirror for alignment.
    • Doug elaborates on Northern Water's role in delivering high-quality water from snowmelt reservoirs to municipalities and agriculture, improving communities' water quality.
    • The conversation highlights the importance of water management and the challenges of delivering water to areas with limited rainfall.

    Maintenance Connection and Disaster Mitigation
    • Doug explains the critical role of Maintenance Connection in disaster mitigation, particularly after the 2013 floods, where they collaborated with FEMA.
    • The software helped Northern Water manage disaster recovery efforts by logging driver hours and other data to ensure full reimbursement.
    • Scott inquires about the asset management capabilities of Maintenance Connection, and Doug confirms its importance for managing a wide range of assets, from lawnmowers to a half-billion-dollar dam.
    • Doug shares details about the largest dam built in the US in the last 30 years, which is being...
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    17 分
  • Robin and Paige Roberts with Central Power Systems and Services

    Robin and Paige Roberts with Central Power Systems and Services
    2025/02/24
    Industrial Talk is onsite at PowerGen and talking to Paige and Robin Roberts with Central Power Systems and Services about "Backup power solutions for a hungry market". Robin and Paige Roberts from Central Power Systems and Services discussed their company's growth and innovations at Power Gen Dallas. Central Power, which Robin acquired 10 years ago, has grown from a $100 million to a projected $1 billion company by 2025. They specialize in mid-sized natural gas generators for oil fields, producing hundreds annually. The company is vertically integrated, handling manufacturing and services, a rarity in the industry. Paige highlighted their recent hiring of 100 new employees, emphasizing the importance of company culture. They also discussed the booming data center market and the challenges of distributed energy. Action Items
    • [ ] Reach out to Robin Roberts on Facebook at robinrobertsracing.com.
    • [ ] Connect with Paige Roberts on LinkedIn or visit the company website at Cpower.com.

    Outline Introduction and Welcome
    • Scott MacKenzie introduces the podcast and its focus on industrial innovations and professionals.
    • The podcast is described as data-driven and celebrates industry professionals worldwide.
    • The event, Power Gen Dallas, is highlighted as a gathering of problem solvers and professionals.
    • Scott MacKenzie introduces the guests, Robin and Paige Roberts from Central Power Systems and Services.

    Overview of Central Power Systems and Services
    • Robin Roberts explains the company's presence at the conference and the equipment on display.
    • The equipment is described as a mid-sized generator producing 400 KW natural gas, designed for oil fields.
    • The company is vertically integrated, handling manufacturing and services, which is unusual in the industry.
    • Robin provides a brief history of the company, including its growth and future projections.

    Background of Robin and Paige Roberts
    • Robin Roberts shares his 32-year industry experience, starting in distribution and now leading a $100 million company.
    • The company is projected to break a billion dollars by 2025.
    • Paige Roberts recounts her journey of persistently seeking a job at the company, eventually joining after proving her determination.
    • Paige's role in recruiting and hiring is highlighted, with the company adding 100 new headcounts in the last four months.

    Challenges in Hiring and Company Culture
    • Scott MacKenzie and Paige discuss the challenges of finding key individuals for business expansion.
    • Paige emphasizes the importance of company culture in attracting talent.
    • The company's CEO and leadership team have a hands-on background, which resonates with potential employees.
    • Robin explains the innovative approach of integrating recruiting under the marketing team to enhance brand awareness.

    Expansion into Data Centers and Market Demand
    • Robin discusses the company's expansion into the data center market, providing backup power solutions.
    • The company has been in the data center market for 20 years, now moving from service provision to manufacturing.
    • The demand for data center power is growing, driven by the increasing need for backup power.
    • Robin highlights the company's presence in various locations, including major cities like Atlanta, Grand Rapids, and Phoenix.

    Future...
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    23 分
  • Ariadna Broquetas and Toni Serrano with Seven Sector Technologies

    Ariadna Broquetas and Toni Serrano with Seven Sector Technologies
    2025/02/21
    Industrial Talk is onsite at IoT Solutions World Congress and talking to Ariadna Broquetas and Toni Serrano with Seven Sector Technologies about "Making cybersecurity work for you". Scott MacKenzie hosts the Industrial Talk podcast, featuring Toni and Addie from Seven Sector Technologies at the IoT Solutions World Congress in Barcelona. Toni, a cybersecurity expert, and Addie, a marketing professional, discuss their product, XDR net, which provides active defense against cyberattacks. XDR net is a hardware device that monitors and blocks potential threats on local networks. It can handle up to 500 devices per unit and is easy to set up. They also mention the implementation of digital twins to enhance security. Toni and Addie emphasize the importance of cybersecurity in today's digital landscape and invite listeners to connect with them on LinkedIn for more information. Action Items
    • [ ] Implement digital twin technology for the XDRnet product.
    • [ ] Integrate alert capabilities to notify customers of potential threats via email, phone, or other channels.
    • [ ] Reach out to Toni Serrano (LinkedIn: Toni Serrano) or Ariadna Broquetas (LinkedIn: Ariadna Broquetas) from Seven Sector Technology to discuss the XDRnet solution further.

    Outline Introduction to the Podcast and Event
    • Scott MacKenzie introduces the podcast, emphasizing its focus on industry professionals and innovations.
    • The podcast is recorded on-site at the IoT Solutions World Congress in Barcelona, Spain.
    • Scott highlights the event as a must-attend for problem solvers in digital transformation.
    • The company featured in the episode is Seven Sector Technologies.

    Meeting the Guests: Toni and Addie
    • Scott introduces Toni and Addie, the guests from Seven Sector Technologies.
    • Toni and Addie are both from Barcelona, and Scott shares a humorous story about his arrival in Barcelona on a holiday.
    • The conference is in its first day, and Scott and the guests discuss the event's attendance and traffic.
    • Scott transitions to discussing the main topic: Seven Sector Technologies and their product, XDR net.

    Background of Tony and Addie
    • Toni shares his background in cybersecurity, having studied and worked in the field since childhood.
    • Addie is a student studying international business and marketing, and she is responsible for marketing at Seven Sector Technologies.
    • Both Toni and Addie express their belief in the importance of cybersecurity in today's digital world.
    • Scott and the guests discuss the increasing threats and the necessity of cybersecurity for all enterprises.

    Introduction to XDR Net and Active Defense
    • Toni explains XDR net, a hardware device that detects, monitors, and blocks potential attacks on local networks.
    • The device is designed to protect against various types of attacks, including those that target vulnerable parts of a network.
    • Scott inquires about the ease of setting up XDR net, and Toni assures that it is straightforward.
    • Addie adds that once the device is plugged into the network, their team takes care of the rest, ensuring minimal effort from the client.

    Use Cases and Scalability
    • Scott uses a manufacturing scenario to illustrate how XDR net can protect a company with numerous devices.
    • Toni and Addie confirm that XDR net can handle a large number of devices, with the need for additional devices as the number of assets increases.
    • Scott asks about the scalability of the solution, and Toni and Addie
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    19 分
  • Tania Schulze with Gradyent

    Tania Schulze with Gradyent
    2025/02/19
    Scott MacKenzie hosts a podcast celebrating industry professionals and their innovations. In this episode, he discusses the application of digital twins to steam networks with Tania Schulze from Gradyent.ai. Tania explains that digital twins are digital representations of physical assets, enabling real-time monitoring, optimization, and predictive maintenance. She highlights the benefits of using physics-based models combined with machine learning to create accurate digital twins for steam networks. Tania emphasizes the importance of data quality and the challenges of implementing digital twins in existing plants. She also discusses the potential for significant energy savings and improved safety through digital twin technology. Action Items
    • [ ] Reach out to Tania Schulze on LinkedIn or through the Gradyent website (Gradyent.ai) to discuss the digital twin solution for steam networks further.
    • [ ] Explore the potential benefits of implementing a digital twin for the steam network in your organization, such as improved efficiency, safety, and optimization.

    Outline Introduction to Industrial Talk Podcast
    • Scott MacKenzie introduces the Industrial Talk Podcast, emphasizing its focus on industry professionals and their innovations.
    • Scott highlights the importance of continuous education and collaboration in the industry.
    • He mentions the renaissance of innovation and the tools, strategies, and techniques available to help deploy innovation.
    • Scott discusses the benefits of podcasting for businesses, encouraging them to start or improve their podcasting efforts.

    Introduction to Digital Twin and Steam Networks
    • Scott introduces the topic of digital twin and its application to steam networks.
    • He emphasizes the importance of digital twin in optimizing physical assets and operations.
    • Scott mentions the potential for digital twin to provide significant benefits quickly.
    • He introduces Tania Schulze, an expert in digital twin applications, and invites her to discuss the topic.

    Tania Schulze's Background and Expertise
    • Tania shares her background, including her experience in the oil and gas, engineering, and energy sectors.
    • She discusses her roles in strategic consulting, startup consulting, and sales positions related to technical fields.
    • Tania highlights her work with a predictive maintenance startup and her current role at Gradyent, focusing on digital twins for heating networks.
    • Scott praises Tania's extensive experience and the evolution of technology in the industry.

    Challenges and Opportunities in Digital Twin Applications
    • Tania discusses the challenges of implementing digital twin applications in existing plants and the importance of practical solutions.
    • She explains the need for a data strategy and the importance of data quality and validation.
    • Tania shares an example of a client facing practical issues with sensor installation and the importance of feasibility on-site.
    • Scott and Tania discuss the benefits of having trusted professionals to guide the implementation of digital twin solutions.

    Understanding Digital Twin and Its Benefits
    • Tania explains the concept of digital twin, defining it as a digital representation of a physical asset.
    • She describes the different functions of digital twins, including monitoring, optimization, and predictive maintenance.
    • Tania emphasizes the importance of real-time data in digital twin applications and the benefits of running simulations in the digital world.
    • Scott and Tania discuss the efficiency and validation of digital twin scenarios compared to physical...
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    38 分
  • Bert Warner with Propane Education and Research Council

    Bert Warner with Propane Education and Research Council
    2025/02/17
    Industrial Talk is onsite at PowerGen and talking to Bert Warner, Director of Commercial BD with Propane Education & Research Council about "abundant fuel for an expanding energy market". Scott MacKenzie interviews Bert Warner, Director of Commercial Business Development at the Propane Education and Research Council (PERC), at the Power Gen event in Dallas, Texas. Bert discusses the abundance of propane in the U.S., with 40 billion gallons extracted annually, of which only 10 billion are used domestically. He emphasizes propane's green energy credentials, resiliency, and cost-effectiveness compared to natural gas and electricity. Bert highlights the importance of responsible energy diversification and the need for greater public education on energy sources. He encourages listeners to visit propane.com for more information. Action Items
    • [ ] Provide more information about propane and its benefits to the public
    • [ ] Connect with Bert Warner on LinkedIn to discuss propane further

    Outline Introduction and Welcome
    • Scott MacKenzie introduces the Industrial Talk Podcast, emphasizing its focus on industry innovations and trends.
    • Scott highlights the importance of the PowerGen event in Dallas, Texas, and its significance for the power and fuel industries.
    • Scott introduces Bert Warner, Director of Commercial Business Development for the Propane Education and Research Council (PERC).
    • Bert provides a brief background on his role and the council's mission to promote propane use in commercial sectors, particularly in power generation.

    Current Energy Crisis and Propane's Role
    • Bert discusses the ongoing energy crisis, emphasizing the growing gap between energy demand and supply.
    • Scott and Bert agree on the need for a diverse energy mix, including natural gas, hydrogen, and propane.
    • Bert stresses the importance of keeping propane in the energy conversation due to its potential to address the current crisis.
    • Scott and Bert discuss the societal tendency to react to crises rather than being proactive in energy solutions.

    Propane's Abundance and Green Energy Aspects
    • Bert shares statistics on propane extraction and usage in the US, highlighting its abundance.
    • Bert explains that the US uses only a small fraction of the propane extracted, with a significant amount exported.
    • Bert emphasizes propane's green energy credentials compared to the national average electric grid.
    • Bert discusses the resiliency of propane, particularly in providing energy to remote or growing areas where traditional infrastructure is costly to extend.

    Propane's Flexibility and Market Competitiveness
    • Bert explains the flexibility of propane in terms of delivery and usage, making it an attractive option for various sectors.
    • Bert compares propane to diesel, highlighting its environmental friendliness and lower maintenance requirements.
    • Scott and Bert discuss the growing conversation around decarbonization and the role of propane in this context.
    • Bert emphasizes the need for responsible energy diversification to meet high energy demands without compromising on environmental impact.

    Retrofitting and Fuel Switching
    • Scott inquires about the ease of retrofitting systems to use propane instead of diesel or natural gas.
    • Bert explains that retrofitting involves bringing in new tanks and piping, but the process is not overly complex.
    • Bert clarifies that it is not necessarily fuel...
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    16 分
  • Nick Haase with MaintainX

    Nick Haase with MaintainX
    2025/01/31
    Scott MacKenzie hosts Nick Haase, co-founder of MaintainX, to discuss their mobile-first, frontline-friendly maintenance management software. MaintainX addresses the inefficiencies of traditional desktop-based CMMS systems by offering a mobile platform that streamlines workflows, reduces downtime, and integrates AI for predictive maintenance. Haas highlights the importance of capturing and digitizing data for AI tools to function effectively. He emphasizes the need for a solid data foundation and gradual AI integration. Maintain X aims to enhance efficiency, safety, and the onboarding of new workforce generations, leveraging IoT and AI to provide real-time insights and automate maintenance tasks. Action Items
    • [ ] Connect with Nick Haase on LinkedIn or Twitter to discuss MaintainX further.
    • [ ] Visit the MaintainX website at getmaintainx.com to learn more about the platform.

    Outline Introduction and Welcome
    • Scott MacKenzie introduces the podcast, emphasizing its focus on industry innovations and trends.
    • Scott welcomes listeners and highlights the importance of industrial professionals in changing lives and the world.
    • Scott expresses gratitude to listeners for their support and introduces the guest, Nick Haase, co-founder of MaintainX.
    • Scott mentions Nick's previous appearances on the show and his active participation in industry events.

    Promotion of Podcasting and Industrial Talk
    • Scott discusses the benefits of having a podcast for industry professionals, emphasizing its role in opening doors and creating opportunities.
    • Scott shares his personal experience with podcasting and how it helped his maintenance company succeed.
    • Scott encourages listeners to consider starting a podcast and offers to help them get started with Industrial Talk.
    • Scott highlights the importance of attention over marketing and how a podcast can leverage content to bring about opportunities.

    Introduction of Nick Haas and MaintainX
    • Nick Haas joins the conversation, reflecting on his previous appearance on the show and the changes in the industry since then.
    • Scott and Nick discuss the evolution of MaintainX, a mobile-first frontline maintenance management software.
    • Nick explains the gap in the market for mobile-friendly CMMS systems and how MaintainX addresses this need.
    • Nick describes the initial challenges and the importance of capturing data digitally for AI integration.

    MaintainX Workflow and Benefits
    • Nick outlines the basic workflow of MaintainX, starting with technicians receiving alerts and accessing contextual information on their devices.
    • Nick emphasizes the efficiency gains from having work instructions and parts lists readily available on the technician's tablet.
    • Nick explains how MaintainX helps save time by reducing the need for technicians to go back and forth to supply rooms.
    • Nick highlights the potential for predictive maintenance and AI integration to further enhance the platform's capabilities.

    AI Integration and Predictive Maintenance
    • Nick discusses the importance of having a solid data foundation for AI tools to be effective.
    • MaintainX offers an AI procedure generator to help build workflows and save time.
    • Nick explains how MaintainX can use AI to generate work orders based on sensor data and predictive alerts.
    • Nick emphasizes the importance of user-friendly interfaces and the goal of making technology a co-pilot for users.

    Challenges and Future of AI in Maintenance
    • Nick acknowledges the challenges of change management and the skepticism towards new...
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    40 分
  • Meelad Nikpourian with Accruent

    Meelad Nikpourian with Accruent
    2025/01/29
    Industrial Talk is onsite at Accruent Insights and talking to Meelad Nikpourian, Vice President, Commercial Software and Strategy at Accruent about "Innovative suite of solution focused on success". Scott MacKenzie and Meelad discuss the Accruent Insights conference in San Antonio, highlighting Accruent's global customer base and recent acquisitions, including a full SaaS EDMS product from Australia. Meelad, VP of Commercial Operations, explains Accruent's strategy to simplify the buying process and integrate solutions, emphasizing the importance of customer insights. They discuss the integration of Accruent's EDMS with Service Channel, enhancing retail maintenance and predicting asset degradation. Meelad notes the significant financial impact of food spoilage and the potential for insurance integration. Looking ahead, Meelad sees Accruent becoming more global and innovative, with a focus on customer-driven solutions. Action Items
    • [ ] Explore the potential insurance benefits for customers by integrating Accruent's asset monitoring data.
    • [ ] Follow up on expanding Accruent's global reach and customer use cases across different markets.
    • [ ] Connect with Melan on LinkedIn to discuss further opportunities.

    Outline Accruent Insights Conference Overview
    • Scott MacKenzie introduces the podcast and highlights the importance of celebrating industry professionals.
    • Scott mentions the current event at Accruent Insights in San Antonio, Texas, emphasizing the problem-solving atmosphere.
    • Scott and Meelad discuss the success of the conference and the importance of customer insights in driving solutions.
    • Meelad mentions the new leadership under Richard Lurick and the global reach of Accruent's customer base.

    Introduction of Speaker 2 and Role
    • Meelad introduces himself as the Vice President of Commercial Operations and Strategy at Accruent.
    • He explains his role in working closely with global go-to-market teams, marketing, sales, and product leaders.
    • Meelad emphasizes the importance of providing a seamless experience for both prospects and customers throughout the buying cycle.
    • He describes the conversion process from lead capture to nurturing and handing over to account executives.

    Challenges in the Buying Process
    • Scott and Meelad discuss the increasing complexity of the buying process with more stakeholders involved.
    • Meelad highlights Accruent's efforts to reduce complexity by making the buying process easier and integrating solutions.
    • They talk about the importance of providing combined packages that add more value to customers.
    • Meelad clarifies that Accruent still caters to single-point solutions and the importance of integrations with external products.

    Integration and Customization of Solutions
    • Meelad explains the integration of Accruent's solutions with leading CMS and EDMS products.
    • He emphasizes the importance of providing a holistic solution for customers, regardless of their portfolio.
    • Scott and Meelad discuss the potential for adding value by integrating existing products with new solutions.
    • Meelad mentions the bi-directional integration with Service Channel, a leading CMS for the retail space.

    Retail Use Case and AI Capabilities
    • Meelad provides a detailed use case for a grocery store using Accruent's solutions to monitor and predict
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    20 分
  • Ed Marsh with Ed Marsh Consulting

    Ed Marsh with Ed Marsh Consulting
    2025/01/27
    Industrial Talk is onsite at FABTECH and talking to Ed Marsh, Founder of Ed Marsh Consulting about "Real Tactical Solutions for Manufacturing Success". Scott MacKenzie and Ed Marsh discuss the importance of edutainment and "cool content" in manufacturing sales and marketing. Ed emphasizes that traditional marketing methods are no longer effective, and companies need to create trust through engaging, passive content like videos and podcasts. He suggests focusing on topics that address known and unknown issues for businesses, such as employee retention and innovative benefits like on-site childcare. Ed highlights the need for top-down leadership to adopt these strategies and stresses the long-term nature of building trust. He also mentions the inefficiency of trade show leads and the importance of video content in capturing attention. Action Items
    • [ ] Reach out to Ed Marsh to learn more about his "cool content" and "edutainment" approach.
    • [ ] Explore creating video and audio content that focuses on topics important to your customers' businesses, rather than just your own products and services.
    • [ ] Consider how the board of directors can be involved in overseeing the company's marketing and sales strategies.

    Outline Introduction and Welcome to Fabtech
    • Scott MacKenzie introduces the podcast and welcomes Ed Marsh, highlighting his contributions to the industry.
    • Scott mentions the location of the podcast at Fabtech in Orlando, Florida, and the involvement of PMA.
    • Ed Marsh joins the conversation, mentioning he arrived in the morning and was informed about the need for a hard hat and work boots.
    • Scott and Ed engage in a light-hearted exchange about Ed's famous bronze handout and their previous meeting at the Orlando Convention Center.

    Ed Marsh's Background and Consulting Business
    • Ed shares his background, including his time in the army and transition to the packaging machinery business.
    • He explains his consulting business, which helps industrial manufacturers, particularly capital equipment companies, improve their sales processes.
    • Ed emphasizes the contrast between well-documented back-end processes and ad hoc marketing and sales efforts.
    • He discusses the importance of applying rigorous process engineering and continuous improvement mindsets to the front-end of the business.

    The Concept of Edutainment and Cool Content
    • Ed introduces the concept of edutainment, which combines education and entertainment to create engaging content that can be consumed passively.
    • He explains the shift in consumer behavior, where people no longer read articles but consume video and audio content while doing other activities.
    • Ed highlights the challenge of getting the first meeting with potential clients and the role of edutainment in building trust.
    • He introduces the idea of "cool content," which focuses on known unknowns and unknown unknowns, addressing topics that are important to the audience but may not be immediately obvious.

    Challenges and Strategies for Implementing Cool Content
    • Scott and Ed discuss the challenges of getting companies to focus on cool content and the importance of top-down leadership.
    • Ed explains that only a small percentage of companies will adopt new strategies, and the key is to identify leaders within those companies.
    • They discuss the evolving role of boards of directors...
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    21 分