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. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 25/08/2025

    Reliability | Julien Maffre on Unlocking Asset Management Strategies

    Show Links: Julien's Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/julien-maffre-74ba9023/Amsyst : https://amsyst.com/ Summary In this conversation, we sit down with Julien Maffre to talk through the intricacies of asset management, exploring the importance of a structured approach to asset-centric strategies. We discuss the significance of master data, risk assessment, and the role of AI in enhancing asset management practices. Real-world applications and case studies illustrate the challenges and successes in implementing effective asset strategies. The conversation also touches on the cultural aspects of change management and offers advice for young reliability engineers. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Journey Overview 04:44 The Evolution of Asset Management 07:29 Understanding Asset-Centric Approaches 10:17 The Three Pillars of Asset Management 12:57 Master Data: The Foundation of Strategy 15:51 Challenges in CMMS and Change Management 21:27 Transitioning CMMS: Challenges and Opportunities 23:50 Understanding Risk Profiles in Asset Management 27:20 Three Layers of Decision-Making in Asset Strategy 28:50 Asset Strategy: Balancing Maintenance and Investment 32:36 Real-World Examples: Transforming Asset Management 38:13 The Role of AI in Asset Management 43:31 Advice for Young Reliability Engineers Takeaways Asset management is crucial for operational excellence.Understanding the three pillars of asset management is essential.Master data is foundational for effective asset strategies.Risk assessment helps prioritize maintenance actions.AI can enhance decision-making in asset management.Cultural readiness is vital for successful implementation.Real-world examples illustrate the importance of structured approaches.Young engineers should embrace curiosity and first principles thinking.Effective communication is key in change management.Continuous improvement is necessary for asset management success.

    45 min

  7. 26/05/2025

    CI | Damien Lacey - Unlocking Potential in Manufacturing

    📌 Connect with Damien and his team at : https://oepartners.com.au/ 📌 Connect with Damien on LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/laceydamien Summary In this episode, Damian Lacey shares his journey from engineering to consulting, emphasizing the importance of continuous improvement in manufacturing. He discusses his experiences at Toyota, highlights case studies demonstrating efficiency improvements, and explores the significance of data in identifying bottlenecks. Damian also addresses the challenges of sustaining improvement programs and the need for effective upskilling of teams. The conversation concludes with insights on underrated tools for continuous improvement and how to connect with him for further discussions. Takeaways Damian transitioned from engineering to consulting, focusing on operational excellence.Working at Toyota provided a strong foundation in lean manufacturing principles.Identifying bottlenecks is crucial for improving manufacturing efficiency.Engaging frontline workers is key to uncovering improvement opportunities.Data clarity is essential for understanding process performance.Sustaining improvement programs requires ongoing leadership support and engagement.Visual performance management can drive effective problem-solving.Upskilling teams should focus on practical application rather than just theory.Continuous improvement is a collective effort across all levels of an organization.Building a culture of awareness around waste and inefficiency is vital for success. Sound Bites "It's about finding out where the constraints are.""You need to demonstrate that interest." Chapters 07:14 - The Toyota Experience 13:41 - Identifying Bottlenecks in Manufacturing 19:55 - Case Study: Catering Company Improvements 23:08 - Engaging Teams for Effective Change 25:08 - Balancing Theory and Practice in Continuous Improvement 30:20 - Sustaining Change: Making Improvements Stick 33:49 - Unlocking Potential through Maintenance and Reliability 37:13 - Upskilling Teams for Long-Term Success 38:56- Lightning Round: Insights and Reflections

    43 min
  8. CI | Pat Wright - Making CI Stick: Leadership, Teams & Real Change

    05/05/2025

    CI | Pat Wright - Making CI Stick: Leadership, Teams & Real Change

    Summary In this episode, Jean-Philippe Picard interviews Pat Wright, an experienced operations leader with over 20 years in manufacturing. They discuss the importance of continuous improvement, the tools and methodologies involved, and how to engage teams effectively. Pat shares insights on leadership, safety, and the challenges of adopting new technologies in manufacturing. The conversation emphasizes the need for genuine leadership support, the role of trust in teams, and the significance of small, incremental improvements for sustainable success. Takeaways Continuous improvement is a toolbox for problem-solving.Engaging teams is crucial for effective improvements.Leadership support is key to sustaining improvements.It's about overcoming fear of change.A little improvement every day is better than perfection.What’s the problem we’re trying to solve?Trust is built through honest conversations.Technology adoption is about change, not just tools.Safety improvements are essential in manufacturing.Celebrate small wins to keep morale high. Titles Unlocking Continuous Improvement in ManufacturingThe Power of Team Engagement in Operations Sound Bites "It's about overcoming fear of change.""Celebrate small wins to keep morale high.""What’s the problem we’re trying to solve?" Chapters 06:15 -Defining Continuous Improvement: Tools and Approaches 09:26 - Practical Applications of Continuous Improvement 12:10 - Engaging Teams in Continuous Improvement 15:35 - Safety in Manufacturing: A Continuous Improvement Perspective 18:17 - Leadership in Continuous Improvement 21:24 - Coping with Pressure in Operations Management 24:10 - Handling Challenges and Team Engagement 31:28 - Data-Driven Problem Solving 33:50 - Addressing Underperformance in Teams 35:57 - Navigating Technology Adoption Challenges 40:01 - Overcoming Fear of Change 45:09 - The Importance of Pre-Meeting Discussions 46:37 - Learning from Failed Initiatives 50:14 - Sustaining Improvements in Operations 53:30 - Balancing Ambition and Employee Well-Being 55:46 - Recommended Resources and Quotes

    52 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
    17
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Jp
  • Show Website
    Factory Futures