Factory Futures

Jp
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Welcome to the Factory Futures Podcast! Join us as we dive into the world of innovation and best practice in manufacturing. We sit down with industry leaders in reliability, operations, and production with a mission to uncover the new technologies making a real impact, driving performance, and enhancing profitability of your site. We explore the leadership journeys of our guests, learning from their challenges, and gain from their insights. Subscribe on your favourite app to stay ahead of the curve with our latest episodes. Thanks for listening, and enjoy the show.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    PdM Series #2 | Start With the Problem, Not the Sensors

    Episode Summary In this episode of our predictive maintenance series, we take a step back and tackle something many sites skip: defining the problem before jumping into PdM. Before selecting assets, installing sensors, or launching a pilot, maintenance and reliability teams need to be clear on what they’re actually trying to improve. Is the goal to reduce reactive work? Extend inspection intervals? Increase MTBF on key asset classes? Without alignment on the problem, PdM pilots often drift, expectations collide, and even good results can be misunderstood. We talk through what a strong PdM problem statement looks like, share examples with clear metrics, and discuss how teams can align around success before any technology is introduced. We also address a common concern many sites raise: “We don’t even have good data.” The reality is that every site has signals to start from, even if they’re messy. If you’re considering predictive maintenance or planning a pilot, this episode will help you start in the right place: clarity before technology. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Predictive Maintenance 01:57 Defining the Right Problem 08:19 Crafting a Clear Problem Statement 28:51 Data Challenges in Predictive Maintenance 34:09 Conclusion and Next Steps Sound Bites "Start with a problem, not just more data." "Measure the impact over a realistic timeframe." "Align your team and get buy-in early." Keywords predictive maintenance, problem statement, asset management, reliability, maintenance strategy, data quality, pilot projects, business outcomes

    35 min

  2. 5 MAR

    Reliability | Laith Alfaqih on The Organizational Readiness Blueprint for Asset Management

    Laith's Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/laithalfaqih/ Connect with Stantec : https://www.stantec.com/en Summary Many organisations invest in asset management programs, new systems, and predictive tools, yet reliability performance often doesn’t improve as expected. Why? In this episode, JP sits down with Laith Alfaqih, Senior Principal and Asset Management Lead at Stantec, to explore organizational readiness. They discuss why asset management should be treated as a management system, not a toolkit, the most common readiness gaps across industries, and a practical framework leaders can use to assess whether their organisation is truly ready to make asset management stick. Chapters 00:30 Introduction and Context Setting 04:00 Understanding Organizational Readiness 06:40 Defining Asset Management and Its Importance 11:23 Challenges in Asset Management Initiatives 17:12 Leadership's Role in Asset Management 22:41 Reframing Asset Management as a Management System 25:12 Holistic Asset Management Approach 27:04 Challenges in Data Collection and Management 33:25 Organizational Readiness Blueprint 42:23 Assessing Organizational Readiness 46:12 Leadership Actions for Improvement Sound Bites "Preventing issues starts with good data and standards" "Trust your people, empower them, and provide resources" "Think with the end in mind for success" Key Topics Organizational readiness definition and importance Common reasons for asset management project failures Leadership's role in asset management success Data quality and standards in asset management Creating a culture of continuous improvement

    50 min

  3. 20 FEB

    Reliability | Simon Murray in 2026 ! The State of Maintenance: 5 Shifts Every Reliability Leader Must Understand

    Links Simon's Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/yourmaintenancecoach/ Simon's Website : https://yourmaintenancecoach.com/ Last Year's Episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1u6P5ulYwL5Si7VEdLggRj?si=OEk27vxMSaCWXAtwO882jA Summary In this episode, Simon Murray revisits the evolving trends in maintenance and reliability for 2025, sharing insights from recent conferences, community building, and technological advancements like AI. Discover how organizations are shifting their focus towards system efficiency, store management, and the importance of community networking to stay ahead in maintenance practices. Chapters 05:40 Reflections on 2025: Changes and Trends 08:12 Community and Networking in Maintenance 11:02 Economic Pressures and Budgeting in Maintenance 13:44 The Importance of Maintenance Operations Partnership 16:31 Justifying Maintenance Needs to Leadership 28:05 Building Trust in Maintenance Operations 29:21 The Importance of Systems Efficiency 32:53 Workshops for Process Improvement 35:24 Revamping Stores Management 42:34 The Challenge of Preventive Maintenance Reviews 46:07 The Impact of AI on Maintenance 48:53 Setting Priorities for the Next 90 Days Key Topics Community and networking in maintenance Recognition for reliability from leadership Systems efficiency and digital transformation Stores improvement and inventory management PM review practices and challenges Sound Bites "Most maintenance teams have had this awakening""We've almost reached the limit of what we trust Google""AI will have the biggest impact in the next three years" Keywords maintenance trends, reliability, AI in maintenance, community networking, asset management, system efficiency, stores improvement, PM review, industry 2025

    51 min

  4. 26 JAN

    PdM Series #1 | Predictive Maintenance 101: From Data to Action

    Summary In this first episode of the predictive maintenance series, JP and Tim break PdM down to what actually matters. No theory, no buzzwords, just a clear explanation of what predictive maintenance is, how it works on a real manufacturing site, and why so many people struggle to make sense of it. They start by looking at why predictive maintenance exists in the first place, and where traditional reactive and time-based maintenance start to fall short. The conversation then moves into how PdM really works, from data and baselines through to alerts and action, and why it’s not the same thing as traditional condition monitoring. This episode is all about building a simple mental model for predictive maintenance. If you’ve ever wondered whether PdM is worth exploring, or why it feels confusing or overhyped, this is the place to start. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Predictive Maintenance 08:33 Understanding the Need for Predictive Maintenance 12:44 Defining Predictive Maintenance and Its Distinctions 19:21 What Predictive Maintenance Is Not 21:52 Addressing Common Objections to Predictive Maintenance 22:37 The Power of AI in Predictive Maintenance 23:58 Overcoming Challenges in Predictive Maintenance 26:21 Setting Goals for Predictive Maintenance 27:13 Addressing Variability in Production Processes 29:14 Understanding Predictive Maintenance: The Five Stages 34:22 The Importance of Feedback in Predictive Maintenance 40:28 What Predictive Maintenance Can and Can't Do Takeaways Predictive maintenance aims to reduce unplanned downtime costs.It's essential to understand the difference between predictive maintenance and condition-based maintenance.Most failures are not age-related, which is why predictive maintenance is crucial.Data-driven insights can significantly improve maintenance strategies.Human judgment remains vital in interpreting predictive maintenance data.

    44 min

  5. 13 JAN

    Reliability | John Sewell on Fixing the Wrong Things & Making Better Reliability Decisions

    Connect with John on Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnsewellreliability/Reach out to John's business : https://jsinsightconsulting.com/ Summary In this episode, I sit down with John Sewell, maintenance strategy consultant and reliability thinker, to unpack why reliability decisions are often harder than they need to be. We talk about why teams so often work on the wrong problems, how symptoms get mistaken for root causes, and the classic traps maintenance organisations fall into. John shares practical advice on writing better problem statements, prioritising what actually matters, and turning reliability work into something the business truly cares about (hint: money helps). John also shares grounded advice for new reliability leaders. Slow down. Learn the site. Ask better questions. And don’t try to fix everything in your first week. It’s a thoughtful, occasionally surprising conversation about making reliability simpler, smarter, and far more effective. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Professional Journey 06:20 The Importance of Decision-Making in Reliability 08:16 Common Mistakes in Maintenance Organizations 12:48 Understanding Problems vs. Symptoms 15:45 Crafting Effective Problem Statements 19:17 Prioritizing Problems and Solutions 22:03 Common Reliability Issues and Solutions 28:25 Developing a Reliability Strategy 31:34 Building a Business Case for Reliability 37:10 Advice for New Reliability Leaders Sound Bites "Stop chasing best practices. Just stop." "A good business case is not just a number." "Don't rush in to fix anything quite yet." Key Takeaways Selecting the right problem matters more than fixing things quickly. Too many organisations optimise for short-term relief, not long-term reliability. If you confuse symptoms with problems, you will fix the wrong thing. Repeatedly. A strong problem statement brings focus and direction. Chasing best practice without a clear strategy rarely delivers results. Better decision-making beats more data every time. Clear communication is critical if you want change to stick. Reliability initiatives land better when they are tied to real business outcomes. New leaders should slow down and understand the site before making changes. Talking to the right stakeholders often reveals what is really going on.

    41 min

  6. 9 JAN

    What’s Coming in Factory Futures 2026

    Summary In this episode, I introduce Season Three of the Factory Futures podcast, emphasizing a new structured approach to discussing reliability and operations in manufacturing. The season will feature more episodes, a mix of interviews and focused mini-series, and aims to provide practical insights into predictive maintenance and other relevant topics. Listener engagement is encouraged, with a call for questions and feedback to enhance the conversation. Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Season Three!!! 02:37 The New Structure and Focus for the Season Explained 05:31 Engagement and Listener Interaction Takeaways This season is officially the most exciting we've been year ahead.We are changing our approach to provide more structured content.The focus is on real-world manufacturing reliability and operations.Expect more episodes and continuity in our discussions.We aim to bridge the gap between theory and practice in manufacturing.The mini-series will dive deep into specific topics like predictive maintenance.We want to separate reality from hype in predictive maintenance.Listener questions will guide our discussions and guest selections.Feedback is crucial for improving the podcast experience.Thank you for joining us on this journey.

    7 min

  7. 24/10/2025

    Reliability | Rob Mora on Why Smarter Reliability Is Hard, and How to Actually Get There

    Speak with Cohesive: https://www.cohesivesolutions.com/Connect with Rob : https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-mora-bd/Attend Maximo Live : https://theeventgap.eventsair.com/maximo-live/ Summary In this conversation, Rob Mora, head of global sales for Cohesive, discusses the critical aspects of asset management and reliability engineering. He emphasizes the importance of transitioning from reactive to proactive management, the challenges organizations face in this journey, and the significance of cultural change alongside technological upgrades. Rob shares real-world examples of how companies have overcome data chaos and highlights the need for leadership buy-in and measuring success to ensure long-term commitment to asset management initiatives. He provides practical advice for reliability engineers, stressing the value of starting small and engaging frontline workers to drive improvements in asset management practices. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Rob Mora and Cohesive 04:26 Understanding Asset Management and Reliability Challenges 06:53 Common Hurdles in Transitioning to Proactive Management 09:26 Cultural and Organizational Changes Required 11:59 The Importance of ROI in Asset Management 14:42 Real-World Examples of Overcoming Challenges 17:13 Lessons Learned in Asset Management 19:44 Practical Advice for Reliability Engineers 22:36 Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Asset Management 25:09 Why Choose Cohesive for Maximo Integration 27:43 Conclusion and Future Engagements Takeaways Rob Mora emphasizes the importance and difficulty of transitioning from reactive to proactive asset management.Cohesive focuses on connecting reliability strategy with real-world execution.Data chaos is a common hurdle in asset management that needs addressing.Cultural change is as important as technology in asset management maturity.Leadership buy-in is crucial for successful asset management initiatives.Small wins can build momentum in asset management projects.Measuring success and ROI is essential for long-term buy-in.Companies often treat asset management as a maintenance project rather than a business strategy.Engaging technicians and frontline workers can provide valuable insights.Starting small and scaling up is a practical approach to asset management.

    37 min

  8. 18/09/2025

    Reliability | Evan Powell on Smarter Spares: Demand & Driven Inventory for Reliability Leaders

    Get Evan's free tools : https://www.evanpowell.com.au/ Connect with him : https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanpowell90/ Summary In this episode, Evan Powell shares his expertise on spares management, discussing the common challenges faced by reliability and maintenance teams. He talks about the importance of understanding the problem with spares, taking control through a structured framework, and implementing demand-driven purchasing strategies. The conversation also covers the significance of review cycles for continuous improvement and the potential future integration of AI in inventory management. Evan provides actionable insights for site leaders to optimise their spares strategy and improve overall operational efficiency. Chapters 2:00 Introduction to Spares Inventory Management 11:40 Understanding the Challenges of Spares 20:30 Frameworks for Effective Inventory Control 25:03 The Relay Race of Information Transfer 29:45 Demand-Driven Purchasing and Its Impact 30:04 Preventive Maintenance Planning 34:13 Review Cycles for Effective Inventory Management 39:50 Aligning SOP Processes with Spare Parts Strategy 43:32 Advice for Site Leaders on Spare Strategy 45:06 The Future of Spares and AI Integration Takeaways Spares inventory often has a long tail with 95% of usage coming from 5% of items.Understanding the criticality of parts is essential for effective inventory management.Daily review cycles are crucial for managing replenishment and inventory control.Work orders should drive the demand for purchasing inventory.Visual management of inventory data can facilitate better decision-making.Engaging vendors in the inventory management process can lead to better outcomes.Preventive maintenance should be integrated with inventory management strategies.Regularly reviewing inventory usage helps in optimizing stock levels.AI can enhance predictive maintenance but requires quality data to be effective.Creating a culture of collaboration between engineering and supply chain teams is vital for success. Keywords spares management, inventory control, demand-driven purchasing, maintenance strategies, engineering teams, supply chain management, criticality assessment, review cycles, AI in inventory, optimization

    50 min
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About

Welcome to the Factory Futures Podcast! Join us as we dive into the world of innovation and best practice in manufacturing. We sit down with industry leaders in reliability, operations, and production with a mission to uncover the new technologies making a real impact, driving performance, and enhancing profitability of your site. We explore the leadership journeys of our guests, learning from their challenges, and gain from their insights. Subscribe on your favourite app to stay ahead of the curve with our latest episodes. Thanks for listening, and enjoy the show.

Information

  • Creator
    Jp
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Jp
  • Show Website
    Factory Futures