It’s Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept 15 - Oct 15) in the U.S., and Ed Ballina and Alvaro Cuba are celebrating with two special guests. They welcome Nathalie Hernandez (TECO) and Mike Ortega (PepsiCo) to the show, with a focus on this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month theme: “Pioneers of Change, Shaping the Future Together.” The four discuss: Career trajectory Biggest challenges to overcome Advice for other Hispanics pursuing a career in manufacturing To keep the conversation going: Email us: mmu@augury.com Find us on The Endpoint: endpoint.augury.com Download the full podcast here: Apple  SpotifyAmazon MusiciHeart RadioYouTube Music (formerly Google Play)

In this episode of the Manufacturing Meet Up podcast, Ed Ballina and Alvaro Cuba are taking listener questions in an Ask Me Anything format. They discuss: Strategies to avoid pilot purgatory when implementing new technologies Crazy stories about the unexpected root causes of machine failures (squirrels play a role) Their personal journeys into the manufacturing industry To keep the conversation going: Email us: mmu@augury.com Find us on The Endpoint: endpoint.augury.com Download the full podcast here: Apple SpotifyAmazon MusiciHeart RadioYouTube Music (formerly Google Play)

Ed and Alvaro welcome their first-ever guest to the show: David Ballina!  David is a 15+ year veteran of manufacturing, and his resume includes roles with PepsiCo, Keurig Dr. Pepper, and PCA. He is currently the general manager of Operational Excellence Consulting. Ed and Alvaro kick off the episode by covering the creative ways businesses are reducing waste and contributing to the circular economy. Then, they interview David to hear his insights and learn about his experiences rolling out TPM and 5S on the plant floor. To keep the conversation going: Email us: mmu@augury.com Find us on The Endpoint: endpoint.augury.com Download the full podcast here: Apple SpotifyAmazon MusiciHeart RadioYouTube Music (formerly Google Play)

Ed and Alvaro answer listener questions: Where should you look for savings when you implement machine health? What should I have learned in trade school to help me succeed and grow in my career?   Alvaro also complains to the dean of his university, and Ed discusses how machine health can actually make us better corporate citizens. To keep the conversation going: Email us: mmu@augury.com Find us on The Endpoint: endpoint.augury.com Download the full podcast here: Apple SpotifyAmazon MusiciHeart RadioYouTube Music (formerly Google Play)

Ed and Alvaro wrap up their 3 part series on operational excellence. In this episode, they hone in on AM/PM (autonomous maintenance/predictive maintenance) and FI/CI (focus improvement/continuous improvement). When it comes to operational excellence, “let’s win together”! To keep the conversation going: Email us: mmu@augury.com Find us on The Endpoint: endpoint.augury.com Download the full podcast here: Apple Spotify Amazon Music iHeart Radio YouTube Music (formerly Google Play)

Ed and Alvaro tackle listener questions, including: how manufacturers are using GenAI in their plants the use of devices similar to Google Glass 3 tips for avoiding machine health mistakes To keep the conversation going: Email us: mmu@augury.com Find us on The Endpoint: endpoint.augury.com Download the full podcast here: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/manufacturing-meet-up/id1741576040 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5aWmbWIjqtisBM3qjhtxxm?si=7cce310235be4c8d Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/66b872a6-b1ea-459b-913f-7056d59a6a5b/manufacturing-meet-up iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-manufacturing-meet-up-168048443/ YouTube Music (formerly Google Play): https://music.youtube.com/channel/UC1hxtT-xcDLkHsC756iZ4yw

In this episode, Ed and Alvaro discuss news stories that caught their attention, as well as a deeper dive into two key pillars of operational excellence: people and quality.   Listen in as they discuss: Boomers getting hired back into manufacturing Engaging folks in continuous improvement from leadership to the shop floor  Empowering the shop floor as business owners The difference between quality and features Maintaining safety as well as quality   To keep the conversation going: Email us: mmu@augury.com Find us on The Endpoint: endpoint.augury.com Download the full podcast here: Apple Spotify Amazon Music iHeart Radio YouTube Music (formerly Google Play)

Ed and Alvaro tackle 3 questions in this Ask Me Anything: 1. How has the average plant floor worker or operator's core skill set (and/or toolbox) changed over the past 10 years?  2. What Industry 4.0 technologies do you consider table stakes for current M&R professionals?  3. What is precision maintenance, and what are its benefits?  To keep the conversation going: Email us: mmu@augury.comFind us on The Endpoint: endpoint.augury.com Download the full podcast here: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/manufacturing-meet-up/id1741576040 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5aWmbWIjqtisBM3qjhtxxm?si=7cce310235be4c8d Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/66b872a6-b1ea-459b-913f-7056d59a6a5b/manufacturing-meet-up iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-manufacturing-meet-up-168048443/ YouTube Music (formerly Google Play): https://music.youtube.com/channel/UC1hxtT-xcDLkHsC756iZ4yw

In this episode, Ed and Alvaro talk about the fundamental building blocks of operational excellence – along with the alphabet soup of acronyms that come with these methods of managing your manufacturing. Ed also drops a truth bomb: nothing is as silent as yesterday’s applause. (So you have to keep improving!) Links to news stories mentioned in this episode: Artificial Intelligence set to transform beverage industrySikich Manufacturing Industry Pulse To keep the conversation going: Email us: mmu@augury.comFind us on The Endpoint: endpoint.augury.com

What’s the best training you’ve received in your career? Ed and Alvaro share their favorite courses – plus the real life training they got riding along with delivery drivers.   They also cover the two “must have” tools workers want on the shop floor. Safety equipment/gear tops the list …it’s all about coming home with 10 fingers and 10 toes. To keep the conversation going: Email us: mmu@augury.com Find us on The Endpoint: endpoint.augury.com Download the full podcast here: Apple  Spotify  Amazon Music iHeart Radio YouTube Music (formerly Google Play)

In this episode, Alvaro and Ed consider the evolution of blue-collar jobs to “new-collar” jobs, recognizing that Gen Z may not want or even need college when they can learn advanced skills that don’t require advanced college degrees. They also discuss plant tours—what they’re looking for and what they don’t want to see (spoiler alert: Ed really isn’t into wet paint). Additionally, Ed covers the perils of discussing business in a bathroom stall. To keep the conversation going: Email us: mmu@augury.com Find us on The Endpoint: endpoint.augury.com Watch us: YouTube Learn more: augury.com/podcasts

In their first Ask Me Anything episode, Ed and Alvaro answer the burning question: what is the best vibration analysis setup? (Here's a hint: it doesn't involve a broomstick anymore.) They also cover how to convince the boss to adopt new technology. Let's keep the conversation going: Email us: mmu@augury.com Find us on The Endpoint: endpoint.augury.com Watch us: YouTube Learn more: augury.com/podcasts

It's no secret that manufacturing is experiencing a labor shortage. In this episode, Ed and Alvaro discuss how technology and training can retain talent and attract new people to manufacturing careers. Let's keep the conversation going: Email us at mmu@augury.com Find us on The Endpoint: endpoint.augury.com Watch us: YouTube Learn more: augury.com/podcasts

Your place for real talk about working efficiently and kicking back on your downtime. Pull up a chair and join manufacturing veterans Ed Ballina and Alvaro Cuba every other week as they break down factory life.  To keep the conversation going: Email us: mmu@augury.com Find us on The Endpoint Watch us: YouTube