Copperberg Conversations on Manufacturing Matters

Copperberg

Copperberg Conversations on Manufacturing Matters is where industry questions meet expert answers. Each episode brings candid discussions with the industry's top thinkers and innovators. From aftermarket strategies to e-commerce, pricing, field service, spare parts, marketing, and sales, this interview-based podcast is a place to share the latest knowledge and insights on manufacturing topics. So, pour yourself a cup, settle in, and let’s get this conversation going.

  1. JAN 9

    Aftermarket & Service in Focus: 2025 Review & 2026 Outlook with Lisa Hellqvist

    “2025 was the year the execution gaps became impossible to ignore.” That is how Lisa Hellqvist, Managing Director at Copperberg, frames the past year in this annual year-end conversation on Copperberg Conversations on Manufacturing Matters. Drawing on hundreds of off-stage conversations from Power of 50 events, webinars, and community sessions across Europe, Lisa reflects on what leaders said they were prioritizing and what actually held them back. In this episode, Lisa unpacks the tension between ambition and reality in aftermarket and service transformation. While AI, sustainability, servitization, and customer centricity dominated the narrative in 2025, the real confessions pointed to deeper structural challenges: fragmentation, organizational misalignment, and a persistent lack of ownership across functions. Looking ahead, the conversation shifts from reflection to direction. Lisa outlines what she calls the “slogans of 2026”—a move from evangelism to execution, from scale to clarity, and from uptime metrics to lifetime value thinking. Inside the Episode: - Looking back at 2025 - What changed—and what didn’t - Where leaders are misreading the moment - Signals heading into 2026 -Advice for planning the year ahead Grounded, candid, and shaped by real conversations from the field, this episode offers a clear-eyed perspective on what the past year revealed and what leaders must do differently as they plan for 2026. — Stay Connected: - Connect with Lisa Hellqvist on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisahellqvist/ - Join Copperberg’s online Business Manufacturing Community - https://bit.ly/3ZiYUoe - Follow Copperberg:  → LinkedIn - https://bit.ly/cpprbrgLi → YouTube - https://bit.ly/cpprbrgYT — Time Stamps:  00:00 Introduction  04:00 Key Themes in Aftermarket and Service 09:31 Surprises in Leadership Perspectives 12:17 The Shift from Why to How 15:03 Sustainability and AI in Focus 21:59 The Shift Towards Ownership and Service Models 30:43 Taking Action: The Importance of Small Steps 31:52 Looking Ahead: Signals for 2026 38:07 The Future of Technology and Service Value 45:32 Closing — Help Us Grow: - We’d appreciate it if you could leave a review and follow us on your favorite podcast platform. - Liked what you heard? Spread the word by sharing it with your network. - Got feedback or questions? Drop us a line at podcast@copperberg.com—we’d love to hear from you! — Music sourced from Pixabay - https://bit.ly/3XZ2KSE

    46 min
  2. Communicating Value Across Markets: Inside ABB Electrification’s Value Strategy with Coralie Bordeaux

    12/09/2025

    Communicating Value Across Markets: Inside ABB Electrification’s Value Strategy with Coralie Bordeaux

    “Value isn’t universal; it’s contextual.” That is Coralie Bordeaux’s guiding principle for shaping how a global industrial company communicates value across markets, cultures, and customer expectations. As Global Marketing Program Lead for Value Propositions at ABB Electrification, Coralie joins Copperberg Conversations to unpack what it truly takes to translate complexity into clarity at scale. This episode examines how global frameworks, local insight, and cross-functional collaboration come together to create value messaging that resonates everywhere—yet remains grounded in the realities of each market. From turning technical depth into meaningful outcomes to empowering regional teams, Coralie offers leaders a practical lens for communicating value in a way that is strategic, credible, and human. — Stay Connected: - Connect with Coralie Bordeaux on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/coralie-bordeaux-a9496353/ - Join Copperberg’s online Business Manufacturing Community - https://bit.ly/3ZiYUoe - Follow Copperberg:  → LinkedIn - https://bit.ly/cpprbrgLi → YouTube - https://bit.ly/cpprbrgYT — Time Stamps:  00:00 Introduction 02:13 What ABB Electrification Does 03:12 Inside Coralie’s Role 05:56 How Industrial Companies Communicate Value Today 07:09 Aligning Global Messaging with Local Realities 10:18 When Local Insight Changes the Strategy 13:45 Peer Exchange as a “Superpower” 14:33 Learning That Value Is Contextual 17:04 The Future of Value Messaging 18:50 Closing  — Help Us Grow: - We’d appreciate it if you could leave a review and follow us on your favorite podcast platform. - Liked what you heard? Spread the word by sharing it with your network. - Got feedback or questions? Drop us a line at podcast@copperberg.com—we’d love to hear from you! — Music sourced from Pixabay - https://bit.ly/3XZ2KSE

    20 min
  3. Making Servitization Stick: Lessons on Alignment, Value, and Trust with Umayal Palaniappan

    09/12/2025

    Making Servitization Stick: Lessons on Alignment, Value, and Trust with Umayal Palaniappan

    “Servitization succeeds when the product becomes a subset of service.” That is Umayal Palaniappan’s bold take on what it truly means for manufacturers to embrace a service-led business model. Drawing on two decades of shaping services strategy in a global engineering company, Umayal joins Copperberg Conversations to unpack what it takes to move from product to outcome, and why AI should be seen as a helpful enabler rather than the headline. This episode explores the human, operational, and commercial shifts driving servitization, providing leaders with practical insights to scale with confidence. Inside the Episode: Origins and Curiosity: How early influences and a systems-first mindset carried Umayal across continents and functions. AI as a Supporting Tool: Why AI is not a magic wand, where it supports smarter service models, and why adoption often falters without operating model change. Scaling Servitization: Clear routes to value, early KPI signals that pilots are ready to scale, and the role of modular offerings in balancing personalization with efficiency. Cross-Functional Collaboration: The lived-experience empathy needed to bring engineering, service, and business teams together. Leading Change: What a penguin colony on a melting iceberg can teach us about urgency, alignment, and the humility to pilot, fail fast, and iterate. Servitization is not won on strategy alone. As Umayal points out, it is clarity, collaboration, and trust that carry transformation across an organization. For leaders, the challenge is less about technology and more about bringing people along the journey. — Time Stamps:  00:00 Introduction 02:12 Early Influences and Curiosity in Engineering 04:47 The Rise of Generative AI in Manufacturing 09:39 Understanding Servitization and AI's Role 12:56 Scaling Servitization Initiatives 15:38 Challenges in Cross-Functional Collaboration 17:48 Leading Change and Building Trust 20:35 Aligning Organizational Goals with Customer Value 27:17 Key Performance Indicators for Success 29:52 The Future of Servitization 33:06 Outro — Stay Connected: - Connect with Umayal Palaniappan on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/umayalpalaniappan/ - Join Copperberg’s online Business Manufacturing Community - https://bit.ly/3ZiYUoe - Follow Copperberg:  → LinkedIn - https://bit.ly/cpprbrgLi → YouTube - https://bit.ly/cpprbrgYT — Help Us Grow: - We’d appreciate it if you could leave a review and follow us on your favorite podcast platform. - Liked what you heard? Spread the word by sharing it with your network. - Got feedback or questions? Drop us a line at podcast@copperberg.com—we’d love to hear from you! — Music sourced from Pixabay - https://bit.ly/3XZ2KSE

    34 min
  4. Event Highlights: E-Connect 2025 - Power of 50

    07/28/2025

    Event Highlights: E-Connect 2025 - Power of 50

    At e-connect – Power of 50 in February 2025, Copperberg gathered 50 digital commerce leaders in Cologne for a focused day of insight and exchange around the theme: “Transforming E-Commerce for Continuous Growth.” From real-world challenges to future-facing strategies, this recap captures the moments that mattered. Inside the Episode: Delegate Spotlights: Hear firsthand from attendees representing Kalmar, Sandvik, and Ammann Asphalt GmbH. From digital nudges to adoption roadblocks, their reflections show how e-commerce leaders are navigating change in different contexts. Keynote Soundbites: Discover what stood out from the main stage. From Roehm’s practical take on behavioral nudges to commercetools’ call for generational relevance, and Schneider Electric’s reality check on buyer expectations, these talks reframed what’s possible in modern B2B commerce. Roundtable Debriefs: With five interactive sessions running throughout the day, our moderators from Coveo, Sana Commerce, PROS, and Valtech reveal the patterns and takeaways they saw emerge, from the role of AI in personalization to unlocking pricing potential. Themes to Take Forward: From AI’s growing influence on the buyer journey to the importance of starting small and building confidence, the day’s conversations centered on one common theme: practical progress over perfection. As Kathy Miller of TVH reminded us, “Don’t boil the ocean.” If you missed the event or want to revisit the standout moments, this episode brings the conversation to you, one voice at a time. — Time Stamps:  00:00 Introduction 01:03 Insights from Delegates 03:00 Keynote Takeaways 12:01 Roundtable Discussions 14:54 Conclusion and Key Takeaways — Stay Connected: - Join Copperberg’s online Business Manufacturing Community - https://bit.ly/3ZiYUoe - Follow Copperberg:  → LinkedIn - https://bit.ly/cpprbrgLi → YouTube - https://bit.ly/cpprbrgYT — Help Us Grow: - We’d appreciate it if you could leave a review and follow us on your favorite podcast platform. - Liked what you heard? Spread the word by sharing it with your network. - Got feedback or questions? Drop us a line at podcast@copperberg.com—we’d love to hear from you! —Music sourced from Pixabay - https://bit.ly/3XZ2KSE

    16 min
  5. Tackling Service Revenue Leakage in OEMs with Syncron’s Luke Huckerby

    04/15/2025

    Tackling Service Revenue Leakage in OEMs with Syncron’s Luke Huckerby

    Are inefficiencies quietly draining your service margins? In this episode of Copperberg Conversations on Manufacturing Matters, Kris Oldland, Editor-in-Chief at Copperberg, speaks with Luke Huckerby, Director of Strategic Business Development at Syncron, to discuss how OEMs can close profit gaps, strengthen customer relationships, and move confidently toward more advanced service models. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Advanced Services: Opportunities & ThreatsHow service contracts help secure long-term loyalty, drive recurring revenue, and why OEMs that don’t evolve risk losing ground to third-party providers and shifting customer expectations. Why Synergising Service Lifecycle Management Is EssentialLearn how linking operations across departments builds stronger service performance—and why service contracts are the natural point of alignment. What Are the Threats Lurking in Your Service P&L?From poor contract pricing to invisible revenue leaks, Kris and Luke reveal the traps hiding inside many OEM service organizations, and how to root them out. The Impact of Syncron’s New Contract Pricing SolutionFrom predictive costing to scalable pricing models, see how this solution helps OEMs simplify complexity and make smarter decisions faster. Does Critical Tech Offer a Competitive Edge—or Just Keep You in the Game?Why adopting advanced technology may give OEMs a head start today, but could soon become a basic requirement to stay relevant in an increasingly servitized market. For OEMs serious about driving service transformation, this conversation is a powerful starting point. — Time Stamps:  00:00 Introduction to the Discussion 05:06 Identifying Revenue Leakage in Service Contracts 07:00 The Shift from Cost Center to Profit Center 11:29 The Importance of Service Contracts 13:01 Data Flow Challenges in Service Organizations 19:59 Understanding Servitization and Its Steps 26:59 Understanding Customer-Based Pricing 34:49 Navigating Third-Party Threats 43:18 The Importance of Technology Adoption 52:28 OUTRO — Stay Connected: - Join the Copperberg Business Manufacturing Community - https://bit.ly/3ZiYUoe - Follow us on social media:  → LinkedIn - https://bit.ly/cpprbrgLi → YouTube - https://bit.ly/cpprbrgYT — Help Us Grow: - We’d appreciate it if you could leave a review and follow us on your favorite podcast platform. - Liked what you heard? Spread the word by sharing it with your network. - Got feedback or questions? Drop us a line at podcast@copperberg.com—we’d love to hear from you! — Music sourced from Pixabay - https://bit.ly/3XZ2KSE

    53 min
  6. Sustainability in Service Summit 2024: Highlights from the First Edition

    03/27/2025

    Sustainability in Service Summit 2024: Highlights from the First Edition

    In December 2024, 50 service and aftermarket leaders gathered in snowy Stockholm for the first-ever Sustainability in Service Summit. This episode brings you key moments from that day—from the pre-event workshop to the closing panel—through the voices of attendees, speakers, and partners. With a mix of keynote reflections, roundtable takeaways, and delegate insights, this episode captures how the industry is turning sustainability from aspiration into action. Experience the pulse of the event: - Workshop Kickoff: Step inside the exclusive pre-event workshop hosted by Syncron, where the theme Profit with Purpose challenged attendees to rethink the role of sustainability in driving margin and mission. - Delegates in Focus: Service professionals at the event share what resonated most and what’s next on their sustainability roadmaps. - Keynote Takeaways: Our speakers delivered keynote presentations on aligning sustainability with growth. From Kalmar’s service models to Tomra’s approach to empowering field teams, these sessions brought fresh thinking on how to merge profitability and purpose across the service lifecycle. - Roundtable Insights: Get a front-row seat to the core discussions that shaped the day. During five rounds of peer-to-peer discussions, delegates and partners tackled real challenges—like internal buy-in, KPI alignment, and cross-functional silos—and surfaced practical strategies to build momentum toward more sustainable service practices.  - Panel Reflections: Listen in as our expert panelists brought the day’s insights full circle. With themes of collaboration, transparency, and action at the forefront, the panel delivered a powerful closing message: sustainability is no longer a side initiative, it’s becoming the foundation of service strategy moving forward. This episode delivers the kind of practical insight and strategic perspective that service leaders need to navigate complexity and drive results through sustainability. — Time Stamps:  00:00 INTRO 01:08 Pre-Event Workshop 01:50 Setting the Tone with Lisa Hellqvist 02:51 Delegates in Focus 07:13 Keynote Takeaways 11:42 Roundtable Insights 19:38 Panel Reflections 22:33 Closing Thoughts 23:44 OUTRO — Stay Connected: - Join Copperberg’s online Business Manufacturing Community - https://bit.ly/3ZiYUoe - Follow Copperberg:  → LinkedIn - https://bit.ly/cpprbrgLi → YouTube - https://bit.ly/cpprbrgYT — Help Us Grow: - We’d appreciate it if you could leave a review and follow us on your favorite podcast platform. - Liked what you heard? Spread the word by sharing it with your network. - Got feedback or questions? Drop us a line at podcast@copperberg.com—we’d love to hear from you! — Music sourced from Pixabay - https://bit.ly/3XZ2KSE

    24 min
  7. Building from Scratch: Shaping Positec’s Spare Parts Management with Anastasia Buyzhina-Ecker

    03/10/2025

    Building from Scratch: Shaping Positec’s Spare Parts Management with Anastasia Buyzhina-Ecker

    In this episode of Copperberg Conversations on Manufacturing Matters, Anastasia Buyzhina-Ecker, Spare Parts Manager EMEA at Positec Germany, pulls back the curtain to share her journey of building Positec’s spare parts management in EMEA. From managing complex relationships across global headquarters and regional subsidiaries to overcoming communication barriers, Anastasia demonstrates why a successful spare parts leader needs both soft skills and strategic insight to deliver consistent, meaningful results. Join us as we discuss: - Building Spare Parts Management from Scratch: Anastasia’s experience and insights from creating and refining Positec’s spare parts processes across EMEA, from inventory management to training dealers. - Communicating with Global Stakeholders: Overcoming language barriers, bridging gaps between stakeholders, and mastering the delicate art of balancing global and regional interests within an international service supply chain. - Expanding from DIY to Professional Markets: How Positec strategically transitioned into the professional B2B market, tackling heightened service expectations and inventory complexities along the way. - Empowering Dealers through Transparency: Why dealer relationships are central to Positec’s growth strategy, the pivotal role of their dealer portal, and practical insights into keeping dealer networks aligned, satisfied, and effective. - Future Opportunities: The importance of digital transformation, including AI-driven predictive services and dealer portals that streamline orders and repairs, offering an exciting preview into industry trends and practical tips for adopting new technologies to stay ahead competitively. Throughout the episode, Anastasia emphasizes how critical effective communication and trust-building are for spare parts professionals navigating international roles, providing practical takeaways for those looking to enhance their own roles. — Time Stamps:  00:00 INTRODUCTION 01:23 Anastasia's Career Path and Role at Positec 04:02 Understanding Positek's Operations and Market 05:49 Challenges of Managing Across Diverse Regions 11:48 Building Trust and Communication with Subsidiaries 14:59 Conflict Management and Team Dynamics 17:27 Team Structure and Responsibilities 19:14 The Role of a Manager in Supply Chain 23:08 Current Priorities and Market Focus 25:19 Challenges in the Professional Market 28:08 Milestones in Training and Development 31:35 Keeping Dealers Happy and Managing Expectations 33:26 Growth Areas in the Industry 35:47 Future Impact and Innovations 37:47 Proudest Achievements and Advice for New Managers 41:41 OUTRO — Stay Connected: - Connect with Anastasia Buyzhina-Ecker on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anastasia-buyzhina/  - Join Copperberg’s online Business Manufacturing Community - https://bit.ly/3ZiYUoe - Follow Copperberg:  → LinkedIn - https://bit.ly/cpprbrgLi → YouTube - https://bit.ly/cpprbrgYT — Help Us Grow: - We’d appreciate it if you could leave a review and follow us on your favorite podcast platform. - Liked what you heard? Spread the word by sharing it with your network. - Got feedback or questions? Drop us a line at podcast@copperberg.com—we’d love to hear from you! — Music sourced from Pixabay - https://bit.ly/3XZ2KSE

    42 min
  8. 2025 Strategic Outlook: The Keys to Success in Field Service with Martin Knook, CEO, Gomocha

    01/19/2025

    2025 Strategic Outlook: The Keys to Success in Field Service with Martin Knook, CEO, Gomocha

    In this episode of Copperberg Conversations on Manufacturing Matters, we explore what’s next for field service. Lisa Hellqvist, Copperberg’s Managing Director, sits down with Martin Knook, CEO of Gomocha, to explore how companies can adapt their field service operations to meet the demands of 2025 and beyond. From sustainability to predictive maintenance, Martin and Lisa unpack the critical trends and challenges shaping the sector, offering actionable insights for industry leaders looking to stay ahead. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: - Sustainability in Field Service  How businesses are adopting sustainable practices and how this shift is being driven by customer demand and regulatory compliance. - The Evolution of Predictive Maintenance Why maturing predictive maintenance strategies is a cornerstone for operational efficiency and how data plays a critical role. - Outcome-Based Services The growing trend of purchasing services over products and the generational shift driving this change. - Addressing Talent ShortagesStrategies to bridge the skills gap, retain top talent, and reimagine the role of the field service technician. Field service leaders and forward-thinkers alike will find this episode full of actionable insights to adapt and thrive in a shifting landscape. — Time Stamps:  00:00 INTRO 02:10 Background of Martin Knook 12:03 Key Differentiators in Field Service Management 22:05 Sustainability in Field Service Operations 32:21 Navigating Complex Regulations in Field Service 39:44 Predictive Maintenance: Challenges and Opportunities 47:52 The Shift to Outcome-Based Service Models 54:36 Harnessing IoT Data for Intelligent Decision Making 57:50 Bridging the Generational Gap in Service Expectations 01:00:24 The Role of Assistive Technologies in Service 01:04:46 Addressing the Talent Shortage in Field Service 01:08:01 Reimagining Field Service Operations for the Future 01:18:09 OUTRO — Stay Connected: - Connect with Martin Knook - https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinknook/ - Connect with Lisa Hellqvist - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisahellqvist/  - Join Copperberg’s online Business Manufacturing Community - https://bit.ly/3ZiYUoe - Follow Copperberg:  → LinkedIn - https://bit.ly/cpprbrgLi → YouTube - https://bit.ly/cpprbrgYT — Help Us Grow: - We’d appreciate it if you could leave a review and follow us on your favorite podcast platform. - Liked what you heard? Spread the word by sharing it with your network. - Got feedback or questions? Drop us a line at podcast@copperberg.com—we’d love to hear from you! — Music sourced from Pixabay - https://bit.ly/3XZ2KSE

    1h 19m
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About

Copperberg Conversations on Manufacturing Matters is where industry questions meet expert answers. Each episode brings candid discussions with the industry's top thinkers and innovators. From aftermarket strategies to e-commerce, pricing, field service, spare parts, marketing, and sales, this interview-based podcast is a place to share the latest knowledge and insights on manufacturing topics. So, pour yourself a cup, settle in, and let’s get this conversation going.

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