Talking Industrial Automation

Meet Barry Brian, who, along with his co-owners, built DRM from a two-man system integration shop to an 80-person team in southern middle Tennessee. His special sauce: delivery a quality solution no matter what. Listen to his unique journey in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation.

You'd be hard-pressed to pigeon-hole Opto 22, says the company's Director of Technical Marketing Josh Eastburn. "The way we tend to identify our niche is rather psychographic than demographic: we work with people who are looking for something different---cool stuff that just works," he explains. Learn more about this California-based company, as well as Eastburn himself, in this episode of Talking...

Using a technology-driven approach, Oregon-based Concept Systems has grown from a one-man shop in 1999 into a national presence with regional offices in Seattle, Washington, Kennewick, Washington and Charlotte, North Carolina. Learn how during this episode of Talking Industrial Automation with serial entrepreneur Michael Gurney.  

When self-taught engineer Cullen Raichart channelled his inner innovator to solve challenges inherent in cannabis processing, GreenBroz was born. Hear how this pioneering entrepreneur took a kief tumbler and grew it into a $13 million business in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation.

Panduit is perpetually in a state of change, and that's a good thing, reveals Lindsey Parker, manager of business development for the Industrial Network Infrastructure Market at Panduit Corp., in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation. Case in point: The Illinois-based company recently merged its industrial and enterprise businesses -- and now people who are experts in both the IT and the O...

A series of strategic acquisitions, leadership hires and customer diversification fueled the growth and success of Applied Manufacturing Technologies says Craig Salvalaggio in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation.  Plus, he reveals how his passion for robotics and machine vision led to his current position as COO, where he builds the business case for automation, as well as mentors up and...

For any business, cashflow is life. And never has that been more true than during the current economic disruption. In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, Andy Parrish of Diligentiam reveals some strategies to free up much-needed cash -- and they may surprise you.

Think air heaters and hot air blowers are for packaging applications only? Think again. In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, Jason Sanders of Leister Technologies explains why. Plus he reveals how is company -- and his customers -- are adapting during the pandemic.

Hear from Rising Star Chris Schleich as he reveals how the pandemic has impacted Enterprise Automation in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation.  Plus, learn how this California system integrator powered through and grew 20% during the last recession.

An insurance broker, lawyer and accountant answer your the frequently asked questions about the pandemic and what it means for the system integrator and manufacturing business. A transcript of this episode is available here . A programming note: This episode of the podcast was recorded on March 19, 2020, while the global pandemic situation was still very fluid. To help CSIA members stay up to date...

Rick Brookshire, director of product development for Epson Robots, reveals how, as the entry price drops, the applications and use of robotics has exploded.  Plus he weighs in on the dystopian take of robots taking all the jobs and other trends and misconceptions.

Julie Gaier, a content marketing specialist with TRG Marketing, reveals how her skills as an Emmy-award winning television reporter educate the industrial automation industry in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation. Plus, you'll learn how media opportunities can turn into profits, as well as tips for how even companies with small budgets can leverage trade press to generate growth.

Chris Tury Jr., a partner and general manager of Outbound Technologies Inc., reveals how the company strategically diversified from the automotive industry into other vertical markets to promote resiliency and grow Outbound into a $15 million company, in this episode of Talking Industrial Automation. Plus, you'll hear how Outbound achieves an 80%-plus customer retention rate and innovates with ent...

Based on his decades of experience, Jim Biehl of Clayton & McKervey reveals why some businesses thrive and others flame out. Plus, he discusses the No. 1 inhibitor to business growth. Hint: It's not what you think.

Pete Atkin, vice president and general manager of Samsara Industrial, reveals why he thinks the industrial automation market is on the cusp of a major change. Plus, he discusses how customer demand for connected operations has fueled Samara's growth to a 1,500-person company in just 4 years.

Ranbir Saini, Senior Director of Digital Product Management for GE Digital, where he is the business leader for automation software. Drawing on his 15 years of experience delivering industrial automation, operations management and media content creation software to OEM municipal and enterprise customers, Ranbir reveals his predictions for the digital transformation of the automation industry. Plus...

Bruno Wilson is a regional sales manager and business development engineer for Encoder Products, a 50-year-old designer and worldwide manufacturer of motion sensing devices based in Sagle, Idaho. Bruno's experience includes business processes, human resources and administration, research and development, manufacturing engineering, market analysis, sales and business development. In this episode, B...

Tom Sulda is director of Latsa Learning Services, where he leads a national team of instructors in Australia. Latsa's instructors are also part-time consultants who help clients implement new best practice process methodologies, such as Prince2, Managing Successful Programs, AgilePM and AgileBA. Additionally Sulda's company IPX Check is a newly certified CSIA Best Practices and Benchmarks auditor...

Marc Taccolini is founder and CTO of Tatsoft, a platform developer for real-time factory-floor data monitoring, SCADA and HMI Systems, distributed data aggregation and advanced visualization tools. In this episode, Taccolini recounts his journey as an innovator, including lessons learned, as well as his pivot to meet the demands of a disrupted industry.  Enjoy getting to know Marc Taccolini of Tat...

Jeff Burnstein is president of the Association of Advancing Automation, the umbrella organization for the Robotic Industries Association, Advancing Vision and Imaging, and Motion Control and Motor Association. In this episode, Burnstein predicts the role of robotics in manufacturing, the impact they will have on businesses, as well as what the industry needs to do to prepare for the future. Plus,...

Mike Howard is vice president, system integration for George T. Hall Co., which got its start in California but has since expanded into Nevada. He shares his experiences with CSIA certification and how it helped GTH manage a recent growth spurt. Plus he reveals his lessons learned from scaling up quickly to meet customer demand and the challenges his clients are facing. Mike also describes how he...

In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, Zack Scriven, founder and lead content creator of Zack Scriven Media, shares his journey from industrial automation engineer to video marketing entrepreneur.  Along the way, you'll hear his tips on how to work with millennials, attract and retain talent, the role of marketing in today's marketplace and the secret to getting started on using video t...

In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, Joe LaRussa, director of industrial engineering for the North American Seat Business at Brose Group, provides his take on the global war on talent, as well as reveal his successful strategy for priming the talent pipeline. Plus, you'll hear his advice on how system integrators can prepare for the future to meet customer demand.

In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, Rick Kaun, VP of solutions for Verve Industrial Protection, shares his take on the unique role cybersecurity plays in a control system or operational environment.  He also breaks down the current guidelines and standards surrounding cybersecurity, including the pros and cons of several of the most popular and how to choose between them. Finally, he...

Thinking about attending the 2019 CSIA Executive Conference? In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, CSIA CEO Jose Rivera reveals what's new at this year's event, schedule highlights, as well as what's back by popular demand. Programming note: Industry Director Lisa Richter debuts as TIA's host in this episode, replacing the Tony Veroeven. CSIA and its members are extremely grateful to V...