Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast

Mental Health in Manufacturing (Production Pulse)

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) at Work for Manufacturing, launched by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, is a series of four courses designed to improve mental health literacy among employees and leaders in the manufacturing industry. Lynn Burke Hennighausen and Rob Vallentine, national trainers for the program, joined IndustryWeek during Mental Health Awareness Month to discuss mental health challenges in manufacturing and how the MHFA training program can lead to a safer and more productive work environment.

Eye-tracking Powers the Next Generation of Workforce Training

For this episode, Tobii’s director of products and solutions, Keith Bartels joins Smart Industry’s Scott Achelpohl for a conversation about how visual data is helping teams streamline onboarding of employees, reduce errors, and strengthen standard operating procedures—all without adding complexity to day-to-day work.

Best Practices for Implementing AI Agents in Manufacturing Workflows

In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Thomas Wilk, chief editor of Plant Services, is joined by Christine Nishimoto, director of asset management software at IBM, for an insightful discussion on how AI agents are reshaping data-driven asset management. Together, they explore the evolving role of artificial intelligence in improving productivity, sustainability, and safety across manufacturing sectors. From tackling long-standing data challenges to envisioning multi-agent systems that can automate complex workflows, the conversation highlights the transformative potential of AI tools in industrial environments. Christine also emphasizes the importance of transparency, data integrity, and regulatory compliance as organizations adopt these technologies.
Key takeaways
Clean, accessible, and accurate data is critical for effective AI-driven asset management.
AI agents can automate multistep tasks like work order creation, boosting efficiency.
Tailored AI tools must respect industry-specific privacy and compliance standards.
Adoption of AI across sectors is accelerating, revealing untapped optimization potential.

How to Adjust Your Supply Chain to a Quickly Changing Economy

Suketu Gandhi, partner and chair of strategic operations with Kearney, offers advice on how to deal with supply chain disruptions in this new era of tariffs.

AI Taking Over Automation? What Editors Saw at the Big Automate Show

Hey, have you heard that this AI thing is a big deal? That companies are slapping AI labels on every product they sell? That our benevolent robot overlords will favor those humans who speak highly of them now before they take over? 
There was a lot of talk about that at Automate in Detroit this week, the annual trade show for industrial automation in which we imperfect biological organisms really do sit in awe of our technological superiors. Really, this is love, not fear.
Sharing their observations on how much they look forward to this utopian future in which we'll be sure the keep the machines oiled and the software patched were:
Mike Bacidore, Editor-in-Chief of Control Design
Rehana Begg, Editor-in-Chief of Machine Design
Robert Schoenberger, Editor-in-Chief of IndustryWeek and Editorial Director of Endeavor Business Media's Manufacturing Group
Sharon Spielman, Technical Editor for Machine Design
Linda Wilson, Editor-in-Chief of Vision Systems Design

Mastering Advanced Vibration Techniques—From Modal Analysis to Motion Amplification

Glen Powell is a senior engineering analyst with Hydro, Inc.’s Global Engineering division. He has nine years of experience in centrifugal pumps, vibration analysis, machinery reliability, and 3D simulation and design. Glen recently spoke with Thomas Wilk, chief editor of Plant Services, about the evolving challenges of workforce development in the maintenance and reliability space. The conversation also touches on the role of emerging technologies like AI in reliability workflows and dives deep into vibration analysis, including its limitations and advanced applications for diagnosing issues like resonance.
Key takeaways
Formal training alone isn't enough—intentional, hands-on experience accelerates workforce readiness.
Bridging generational gaps requires clear career paths and trust in leadership follow-through.
AI tools should support, not replace, critical thinking and field expertise on the plant floor.
Modal analysis and motion amplification are powerful tools to diagnose and fix elusive resonance issues in aging equipment.
 

Recession-Proofing Your Manufacturing Business with Automation

In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Laura Davis explores how automation can help manufacturers navigate economic downturns, labor shortages, and rising operational costs. Based on insights from Wauseon Machine’s Scott Anair, this episode covers the real-world benefits of automation—from labor cost reductions to consistent product quality and scalable systems that grow with your business.
About the Article
How to Use Automation to Recession-Proof Your BusinessDiscover how automation isn't just about cutting costs—it's becoming a vital strategy for businesses to survive and thrive during economic downturns.Written by Scott AnairRead by Laura DavisRead the article

Building a Culture of Candor and Constructive Conflict on the Plant Floor

Joe Kuhn, CMRP, former plant manager, engineer, and global reliability consultant, is now president of Lean Driven Reliability LLC. He is the author of the book “Zero to Hero: How to Jumpstart Your Reliability Journey Given Today’s Business Challenges” and the creator of the Joe Kuhn YouTube Channel, which offers content on starting your reliability journey and achieving financial independence. In our monthly podcast miniseries, Ask a Plant Manager, Joe considers a commonplace scenario facing the industry and offers his advice, as well as actions that you can take to get on track tomorrow. This episode offers tips on how to create a safe space for spirited debate in industrial operations.
Key takeaways
Superficial harmony in meetings delays critical decisions—candor leads to better outcomes.
Leaders should hold back opinions to foster open, fact-based team input.
Clear decision-making processes prevent debates from becoming unproductive conflicts.
Professional disagreement is vital—silence in meetings and complaints in hallways hurt reliability.

Can Manufacturers Actually Achieve Carbon-Neutrality?

The clock is running toward 2035 – the deadline for businesses to neutralize their carbon liabilities, whether or not the technology or resources are available to do that. 
In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Robert Brooks, editor in chief of Foundry Management & Technology and American Machinist, explores the evolving pressures on the manufacturing supply chain as carbon neutrality and net-zero emissions targets accelerate industry-wide. With a focus on the metal casting and machining sectors, he highlights the emerging concept of carbon liability and its implications for manufacturers. A notable case study features Mazda’s development of carbon-neutral cupola melting using biomass fuels, underscoring how environmental goals are reshaping production strategies.

Managing Supply Chains in the Age of Tariffs (Production Pulse)

The size and scope of upcoming and existing tariffs on imported goods and components is changing rapidly as President Donald Trump's administration makes bold announcements followed by pauses and policy changes as it negotiates with targeted countries.
While administration officials say the rapid changes should benefit manufacturers in the long term by making it cheaper to produce things internally instead of importing them from overseas, the constant upheavals make planning difficult for manufacturers in the U.S. that rely on materials and components from foreign suppliers.
Discussing how companies can manage their supply chains during the back-and-forth of changing policies from Washington and abroad are:
Darrell Edwards, a University of Tennessee System supply chain professor and a former chief supply chain officer and chief operating officer at La-Z-Boy Incorporated
Ji Li, a supply chain advisor for J&J Investment and Consulting and a former supply chain director for Boeing
Laura Putre, IndustryWeek's senior editor for leadership topics