Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast

Epizode

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  Supply Chain Management and the Go-Live Gap (American Machinist) 20.08.2026 9min

  In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, chief editor Robert Brooks takes a look at how manufacturers that implement supply-chain management technology frequently face the “go-live gap”. It’s what separates a technically successful implementation from an operation that is truly prepared to use the new platform, follow the new processes, make the right decisions, measure and capture the value that justified the investment in the first place.
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  How to Bring AI into Safety Culture (Talking EHS) 18.08.2026 17min

  McKenna Schutty, safety, health and environmental manager at TDIndustries, a Texas-based facilities services and mechanical construction company, discusses how her company brought AI into its safety organization.
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  How Manufacturers Can Build Stronger Regional Networks and Domestic Supply Chains (IndustryWeek) 13.08.2026 22min

  In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Ilana Preuss, a champion of small-scale manufacturing and founder of Recast City, discusses the importance of raising the visibility of small-scale manufacturing, whose impact on the larger economy is being overlooked from lack of data and lack of awareness. While large manufacturers attract lots of attention, a strong domestic manufacturing base requires mapping and connecting networks of smaller suppliers that support these larger entities. Preuss presents tools that can help the cause, as well as a model for regional collaboration. In addition, the ReCast City founder dives into ways in which small and large manufacturers can help raise awareness themselves, such as hosting pitch competitions, holding and sponsoring meetups, and more.
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  'Muddy Waters' of Implementing AI and How Manufacturers Can Avoid Them (Smart Industry) 11.08.2026 25min

  In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Smart Industry's Sarah Mattalian talks with Mike Fedorov, COO and co-CEO of Applied AI Labs, who discuss why AI implementations often fail to deliver expected results. They explore how manufacturers can work with the muddy waters of imperfect data, establish effective governance, and design AI solutions around measurable business outcomes.  The conversation concludes with a look at AI as a tool for amplifying human capabilities rather than replacing them.
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  Stop the Shortcuts that Force Reliability to Take a Back Seat (Ask A Plant Manager) 06.08.2026 19min

  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 explores maintenance shortcuts and the role of reliability culture.
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  The Past, Present and Future of Workplace Safety (Talking EHS) 04.08.2026 49min

  The current and previous two presidents of the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) -- Monique Parker, Linda Tapp and Pam Walaski -- discuss strategies safety leaders can use to stay energized, the importance of mentorship, and how embracing change and diversity can lead to more effective safety initiatives.
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  How the Fast 41 Program Speeds Critical Minerals and Manufacturing Permitting (IndustryWeek) 30.07.2026 25min

  In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, IndustryWeek's Laura Putre speaks with Emily Domenech about efforts to streamline federal permitting for large manufacturing and critical minerals projects. They discuss how the Fast-41 program coordinates agencies to reduce project delays, improve transparency, and accelerate approvals while maintaining environmental and safety standards. The conversation also explores critical minerals processing, domestic supply chain resilience, and the growing role of AI and digital tools in modernizing the permitting process.
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  Editor's Product Picks: 4 New Manufacturing Products (New Equipment Digest) 28.07.2026 8min

  On this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, New Equipment Digest Editor-in-Chief Laura Davis rounds up four new products worth a closer look: a passive exoskeleton that eases shoulder strain during overhead work an AI-powered device that keeps forklift-based inventory tracking accurate in real time a connected ultrasound platform built for multisite reliability programs, a new inline coding system designed for the packaging industry's shift to GS1 2D codes.
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  Employee Engagement Is Key to a Successful Safety Culture (Talking EHS) 21.07.2026 17min

  Jennifer Ferdinand-Stong, corporate safety manager at construction firm Gaylor Electric and recently named Health and Safety Professional of the Year by the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) for 2026, shares her thoughts on how to create a realistic and sustainable safety culture.
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  Solving Manufacturing Labor Shortages with Puerto Rico's Skilled Workforce (IndustryWeek) 16.07.2026 16min

  In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, IndustryWeek's Anna Smith speaks with Clay Martin, CEO and founder of Isla Talent, about innovative approaches to solving manufacturing workforce shortages by recruiting skilled workers from Puerto Rico. They discuss strategies for expanding talent pipelines, supporting employee relocation, and improving retention through communication, training, and workplace culture. The conversation also explores long-term labor trends, the impact of AI on the workforce, and practical steps manufacturers can take to build stronger, more resilient teams.
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  Fact or Fiction? The Truth About Reliability and What Plant Managers Get Wrong (Ask A Plant Manager) 09.07.2026 12min

  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. In this episode, Joe plays reliability mythbusters about leadership's role in culture and the importance of best practices and technology.
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  Your AI Strategy Is Built on a Blind Spot (Smart Industry) 07.07.2026 24min

  In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Scott Achelpohl is joined by Nick Hasselbeck and Matt Martin of E Tech Group to discuss the challenges legacy OT systems create for digital transformation and AI adoption. The conversation explores why siloed data, limited network visibility, and outdated equipment remain major obstacles for manufacturers. They also examine practical strategies for connecting older assets, evaluating the value of stranded data, and balancing equipment replacement with lower-cost modernization approaches. The episode offers a grounded look at how manufacturers can build a stronger data foundation for AI and other advanced operational initiatives.
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  How to Stay Cool on the Job as Temperatures Soar (Talking EHS) 07.07.2026 40min

  Employers have an obligation to protect workers from all jobsite hazards, including the summer heat and humidity. Learn the current regulations, signs of heat stress and what you can do to help workers be comfortable—and safe—this summer from Corey Stringer Institute’s Maggie Morrissey.
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  CT Scanning Plus AI is a QA Breakthrough (American Machinist) 30.06.2026 19min

  Computed tomography (CT) has a parallel life beyond its service in diagnostic medicine. From aerospace and automotive to defense and electronics, it’s one of manufacturing's most powerful quality assurance technologies. By creating detailed three-dimensional views of both external and internal part features without destructive testing, CT allows manufacturers to detect defects, verify dimensions, and improve product performance. Now, artificial intelligence and machine learning are accelerating those capabilities even further, making inspections faster, more accurate, and increasingly practical for production environments. In this episode of the Great Question Podcast, Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence Technical Sales Engineer Roger Wende details how AI-enhanced CT scanning is reshaping non-destructive testing, metrology, defect analysis, and the future of digital manufacturing.
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  How Smart Manufacturers Use 5G, Robots and MES (IndustryWeek) 25.06.2026 17min

  For IndustryWeek’s Smart Manufacturers video series, Senior Editor for Technology Dennis Scimeca visited four different plants to inquire about a specific technology deployment at each. He spoke 5G with John Deere, talked MES development with Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence, discussed brownfield sites and corporate responsibility with battery manufacturer Viridi and dodged a fleet of robots on the shop floor of an LG plant. This week's podcast episode looks at the series as a whole, and shares key insights gleaned from each video.
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  Editor's Product Picks: 4 New Machining and Metalworking Products (New Equipment Digest) 23.06.2026 8min

  NED Editor-in-Chief Laura Davis breaks down four machining and metalworking products from the latest issue, covering 3D laser cutting for job shops, solid carbide taps for high-volume threading, multi-operation precision grinding, and high-pressure coolant toolholding for difficult-to-machine materials. Laser Next Core 3D Laser Cutting Machine TC180 Supreme & TC280 Supreme Solid Carbide Taps Landis TTG 3000 Twin-Turret Grinder Jetstream Tooling M-Clamp Toolholder System
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  Managing Worker Fatigue in High-Heat Industrial Environments (Plant Services) 18.06.2026 21min

  In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Thomas Wilk speaks with Tito Warren of Red Wing about the challenges industrial facilities face in protecting workers from heat stress during the summer months. Their conversation explores the role of hydration, environmental controls, PPE, and emerging wearable technologies in supporting worker health and safety. They also discuss how footwear affects fatigue, endurance, and overall physical performance, while highlighting the importance of training, teamwork, and proactive safety cultures. The episode offers practical insights for manufacturers seeking to improve worker well-being and operational performance in demanding environments.
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  Don't Depend on Technology to Keep Your Warehouse Safe (Supply Chain Insider) 16.06.2026 15min

  In this special National Forklift Safety Day podcast, hear what OSHA’s David Keeling and Logisnext Americas’ Carl Modesette have to say about the need for situational awareness from everybody who comes near a forklift, not just the operators. And ENEROC USA’s Max Khabur explains why standardized forklift battery testing is essential for safety.
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  Firefighting Is Not A Maintenance Strategy (Plant Services) 13.06.2026 20min

  In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, sponsored by Hydro Inc., Thomas Wilk speaks with Ares Panagoulias and Robert McCowan about building effective condition monitoring programs that reduce maintenance firefighting and improve asset reliability. The discussion explores the foundational steps organizations should take before deploying sensors, including defining goals, assigning responsibilities, and focusing on critical assets. They also examine the role of AI and machine learning in condition monitoring, and finish with practical advice on managing alerts, driving action from insights, and maximizing ROI from predictive maintenance investments. This episode is sponsored by Hydro, Inc.
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  A Glimpse Inside the 2026 USMCA Review Process (IndustryWeek) 11.06.2026 16min

  In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Patrick Childress, an international trade and disputes attorney at Holland & Knight, shares an update on how negotiations are proceeding with USMCA—also known as the United States, Mexico, Canada agreement—a trilateral trade agreement that comes up for its required six-year joint review on July 1. It's an agreement that has significant implications for manufacturers, particularly in the automotive industry.