Factory Futures

Jp
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  • Management
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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. 4d ago

    Leadership | Odell Lavigne on What Strong Leadership Looks Like in Action

    Summary This was such a good episode. I sat down with Odell Lavigne to talk about leadership in some of the toughest environments imaginable, and this conversation was packed with practical lessons, strong opinions, and real-world experience. Odell shares lessons from leading through fires, explosions, Covid, layoffs, and toxic workplace cultures. We discuss why he believes a leader's number one responsibility is the physical and psychological safety of their people, why great leaders focus on prevention rather than firefighting, and how to influence change even when you don't have authority. We also explore organisational structure, resource utilisation, and what it really takes to build a high-performing organisation that can grow without burning people out. Whether you're a site leader, engineering manager, reliability professional, or aspiring leader, I think you'll get a lot out of this one. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Odell's Career Journey03:38 How Sales Shaped My Leadership Style07:52 Why Safety Is a Leader's Number One Responsibility09:02 What Psychological Safety Actually Looks Like at Work13:52 Crisis Leadership and the Power of Prevention Over Reaction19:35 The Tesla Rainstorm Story: Turning Chaos Into a System27:12 Moving Organisations from Immature to Best-in-Class32:04 How to Get People Bought Into Change35:04 The Blind Management Story: Winning Over Critics and Building Better Systems47:03 Why Managers Fail to Become Leaders 49:56 Quick Fire Round Begins50:19 The Fastest Way to Destroy Trust50:37 What Strong Leadership Looks Like50:52 The Most Dangerous Phrases in Business51:58 How to Influence Culture Without Authority53:19 What Separates Good Leaders from Great Leaders54:29 Advice for Leader Key quotes "I don't mind fighting fires. I'm just never fighting the same fire twice.""People don't dislike change. They dislike the negative consequences of poorly executed change.""Leadership is influence.""The critics are the first people I want to talk to.""Stay calm. People don't need you to have all the answers. They need you to lead them to the answers."Links Odell on Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/odell-lavigne-lssbb/ Keywords Leadership, Manufacturing, Reliability, Maintenance, Operations, Site Leadership, Safety Culture, Psychological Safety, Crisis Leadership, Organisational Design, Continuous Improvement, Change Management, Industrial Leadership, Team Development, Operational Excellence.

    53 min

  2. May 22

    Reliability | Gerard Wood - Only Tradies Improve Reliability: The Culture Problem Nobody Talks About

    Links The book : https://gerardwood.com.au/product/only-tradies-improve-reliability/ Gerard's profile : https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerard-wood-146a3212/ Summary In this episode, I sat down with Gerard Wood, author of Only Tradies Improve Reliability, for one of the most honest conversations we’ve had on the podcast about maintenance culture, leadership, and what really drives reliability outcomes. Gerard shares why he believes reliability is not primarily a systems problem, but a trades culture problem. We unpack why good tradies can still produce poor outcomes, the difference between “don’t know”, “don’t care”, and “don’t see”, and the simple routines high-performing sites use to make quality visible every day. What I enjoyed most about this conversation is that it cuts through a lot of the complexity our industry often creates. Gerard brings the discussion back to pride in work, ownership, feedback, and craftsmanship and why those things matter more than most people realise. If you work in maintenance, reliability, or operations leadership, I think this episode will genuinely make you reflect on the culture at your site and what actually drives long-term reliability improvement. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Gerard Wood's Journey 02:58 The Importance of Culture in Reliability 05:28 The Uncomfortable Truth About Systems and Culture 08:49 Understanding the 'Don't Know, Don't Care, Don't See' Phenomenon 16:08 Making Quality Visible for Improvement 20:32 Identifying and Addressing Equipment Issues 24:39 The Impact of Ownership and Pride in Work 27:25 Creating a Culture of Openness and Learning 32:17 The Future of Trades and Technology 35:14 Quickfire Insights on Reliability and Culture Keywords Reliability, Maintenance Culture, Mining, Continuous Improvement, Leadership, Quality Work, Reliability Engineering, Organizational Culture, Safety, AI in Maintenance

    40 min

  3. May 14

    Reliability | Edwin Rodriguez on The Reliability Gap Between Service Providers and Sites

    Summary In this episode, I sit down with Edwin Rodriguez who shares insights on equipment reliability, the impact of organizational culture, and the critical relationship between sales, service, and operations in manufacturing. Discover practical strategies to reduce downtime, foster ownership, and improve communication across teams. Links Edwin's Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwin-rodriguez-568902204/ Connect with Chesterton : https://chesterton.com/ Chapters 00:30 Introduction and Background of Edwin Rodriguez 02:37 Understanding Equipment Reliability Challenges 04:48 The Reality of Unplanned Downtime 07:14 Bridging the Gap Between Operations and Reliability 09:48 The Importance of Training and Communication 12:21 Fostering Ownership and Accountability in Operators 14:57 Cultural Shifts for Improved Reliability 17:44 The Role of Meetings in Enhancing Collaboration 21:58 Building Collaborative Teams 22:50 Understanding the Disconnect Between Sales and Service 23:40 Cultivating Relationships for Reliability 31:37 The Importance of Sales and Service Collaboration 35:25 Leadership in Reliability and Team Dynamics Sound Bites "Ownership starts with culture and leadership" "A reactive mindset leads to broken equipment" "Teamwork is the foundation of reliability" Key Topics Impact of organizational culture on equipment reliability The importance of communication and collaboration across teams Root cause analysis and proactive maintenance strategies Keywords equipment reliability, downtime reduction, organizational culture, maintenance, sales and service collaboration, root cause analysis, proactive mindset, leadership in reliability

    41 min

  4. Apr 30

    Reliability | Jim Wilson's Guide to Effective Troubleshooting and PM Discipline

    Summary In this episode, I sat down with Jim Wilson, Maintenance Manager at Hiland Dairy Foods, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, and Industrial Electrical Instructor, to talk about what reliability really means inside a modern manufacturing site. We started by reframing reliability as a risk reduction function, not just maintenance. Jim shared why unplanned downtime isn’t just about repair costs, but about product safety, audit exposure, lost production, and even brand damage. We also got into the connection between PM discipline, documentation, and how sites perform under regulatory pressure. From there, we dug into why so many reliability programs fail. We talked about the gap between having a CMMS and actually using it properly, the hidden cost of poor troubleshooting, and what it takes to build real accountability and follow-through inside a maintenance team. We wrapped up with a really practical discussion on developing skilled technicians. Jim explained why troubleshooting is about following a diagnostic sequence rather than memorising fixes, and how training, mentorship, and structured systems can lift both performance and retention. This one is a grounded, practical conversation for anyone leading maintenance or reliability and trying to move from reactive firefighting to a more structured, high-performing operation. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Jim Wilson's Journey 07:01 Understanding Reliability as Risk Management 11:25 Shifting from Reactive to Structured Reliability Culture 17:24 The Importance of PM Discipline and Audit Outcomes 21:43 Why Reliability Programs Fail and CMMS Utilization 25:02 Effective Parts Control and Inventory Management 26:42 Building Relationships in Maintenance Management 27:17 Common CMMS Mistakes and Best Practices 29:48 The Hidden Costs of Poor Troubleshooting 32:48 Understanding the Cost of Downtime 34:05 Effective Troubleshooting Techniques 37:43 Developing Skilled Technicians 44:26 The Importance of Mentorship and Certification Key Topics Reliability as risk management, not just maintenanceWhy reliability programs fail and how to succeedThe importance of PM discipline and documentationThe role of culture in reliability and safetyTroubleshooting skills and knowledge transferThe impact of unplanned downtime on brand and safetyUsing CMMS effectively for maintenance and auditsDeveloping skilled technicians through mentorship and training Sound Bites "Unplanned downtime can damage brand reputation." "Know everything about your CMMS and use it fully." "Upskilling technicians creates lasting change." Links Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimewilson/ Keywords Reliability, Maintenance, CMMS, Troubleshooting, Continuous Improvement, Dairy Industry, Risk Management, PM Discipline, Culture Change

    48 min

  5. Apr 14

    Loïc Estier - Factories Don’t Have a Data Problem. They Have a Memory Problem.

    Summary In this episode, I sat down with Loïc Estier to talk about a problem almost every factory has, but rarely talks about properly. We explored how so much of the knowledge needed to run a plant at its best is locked in people’s heads, and what happens when that knowledge isn’t available at the moment you need it. Loïc shared some great stories that really bring this to life, and we dug into why traditional approaches like documentation and knowledge bases don’t work the way we think they should. We also talked about what’s changing now with AI, and how capturing real, day-to-day communication might be the key to finally solving this problem. It’s a practical, thought-provoking conversation that I think will make a lot of people reflect on how knowledge actually flows through their site. Links Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/loic-e/ Website : https://rossops.com/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Knowledge Capture in Manufacturing 03:07 Loïc Estier's Journey and Insights 05:46 The Human Element in Manufacturing 08:39 The Challenge of Data Utilization 11:10 The Importance of Experience-Based Knowledge 14:04 Real-World Examples of Knowledge Gaps 16:26 The Need for Effective Knowledge Management Solutions 19:16 Traditional Knowledge Bases vs. Modern Solutions 21:59 Leveraging AI for Knowledge Capture 24:31 Conclusion and Future Directions 24:46 Understanding Structured vs. Unstructured Data 30:00 The Future of AI in Manufacturing 35:19 Shift Communication and Knowledge Management 39:34 Navigating AI's Role in Operational Efficiency 42:34 Focusing on Improvement, Not Firefighting Sound Bites "Data is just facts without context." "Most knowledge is in people's heads." "Ross is the expert in every factory." Keywords Manufacturing, Knowledge Management, AI, RossOps, Operational Data, Industry 4.0, Digital Transformation, Factory Efficiency, Shift Handover, Data Capture

    48 min

  6. Apr 1

    Reliability | Shane Scriven on AI in Manufacturing: What Actually Works

    Follow Shane: Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-scriven/Website : https://www.sas-am.com/Summary: AI is everywhere right now, but what does it actually look like on the factory floor? In this episode, we unpack three practical areas shaping the next wave of AI in manufacturing. We explore how AI-powered benchmarking can help sites truly understand performance, where low-cost AI can deliver value without massive investment, and what sovereign and edge AI mean in simple terms for real operations. This is a grounded conversation focused on making AI more understandable, more accessible, and ultimately more useful for reliability, maintenance, and site leaders. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to AI in Manufacturing 06:47 The Second Wave of AI 11:26 Understanding AI-Powered Benchmarking 16:10 Identifying Gaps with AI 20:42 Automating Maintenance Processes 24:14 Implementing Low-Cost AI Solutions 26:58 Common Pitfalls in AI Projects 32:04 Defining Low-Cost AI 35:39 Starting with AI as a Reliability Manager 37:42 Rapid Fire Round: Insights and Myths Sound Bites "AI is not self-aware or conscious""Avoid ignoring data insights""Autonomous assets will make decisions"

    42 min

  7. Mar 20

    Site Leadership | Marcelo Fariello on From Tools to Behaviour: The Real Driver of Reliability

    In this episode, JP sits down with Marcelo Fariello, Plant Manager at Mars, to explore a powerful idea: reliability isn’t just a maintenance function — it’s a leadership system. Marcelo shares lessons from his journey across digital transformation, operational excellence, and plant leadership, including his time at Danone and now leading a major Mars site in Australia. They unpack why many reliability programs stall when they sit solely within maintenance, and what changes when operators take true ownership of their equipment. Marcelo explains how shifting to site-wide accountability can unlock performance gains that tools alone never will. The conversation also dives into the reality of digital reliability tools — why so many initiatives fail, what actually works, and the cultural foundations required before technology can deliver value. Finally, Marcelo breaks down how high-performing sites treat reliability as a leadership discipline, focusing on behaviours, mindset, and breaking down silos between production and maintenance. If you’re a maintenance leader, reliability engineer, or site manager, this episode will challenge how you think about ownership, digital transformation, and what it really takes to build a reliable operation. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Marcelo's Journey 02:51 Reframing Reliability and Maintenance 03:33 The Importance of Ownership in Operations 08:44 Strategies for Cultural Change 11:11 Defining Operator Ownership 13:11 The Role of KPIs in High-Performance Teams 15:26 Effective KPIs for Reliability 18:21 The Power of Measurement 26:03 Digital Transformation and Its Challenges 32:04 Leadership as a System 36:09 Hard Truths in Reliability Management Sound Bites "Silos create a superhero mentality." "Ownership drives pride and performance." "KPIs should motivate, not just measure." Key Topics Holistic leadership in reliability and operations Operator ownership and cultural change Role of KPIs and data in continuous improvement

    40 min

  8. Mar 11

    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
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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
    27
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Jp
  • Show Website
    Factory Futures