Manufacturing Intelligence

Arch Systems

Welcome to The Manufacturing Intelligence Show—where innovation meets manufacturing. Join hosts Andrew Scheuermann, Co-founder and CEO, and Jennifer Davis, VP of Communications & Marketing at Arch Systems, as they dive into the latest trends in AI, digitization, and advanced technologies. Discover how these innovations are reshaping the industry and unlocking new opportunities for growth and efficiency. Tune in for expert insights, thought-provoking conversations, and practical strategies to stay ahead in the evolving world of manufacturing.

  1. APR 15

    Human First Leadership in AI-Driven Manufacturing | Fernando Guedes

    Fernando Guedes, Global Manufacturing Engineering Manager at Aptiv, joins The Manufacturing Intelligence Podcast for a deeply human and practical conversation on leadership, learning, and how manufacturers can navigate rapid technological change without losing what matters most. Drawing from more than 30 years in electronics manufacturing, Fernando traces his journey from shop floor technician to global engineering leader and shares how hands-on experience, teaching, and empathy shaped his leadership philosophy. He explains why trust and mental health are foundational to performance, how continuous improvement frameworks like Six Sigma still apply in an AI-driven world, and why real-time data has fundamentally changed the speed of decision making. Throughout the episode, Fernando offers a grounded perspective on AI and automation, emphasizing that technology should enable people, not control them. He discusses how leaders can use data as a signal for opportunity rather than blame, why lifelong learning is essential, and how manufacturers must prepare teams for significant workforce and skills shifts in the coming years. Topics Discussed: Leading global manufacturing teams through trust and human connection Learning by doing and why shop floor experience still matters Teaching as a way to scale expertise and build empathy Why Six Sigma and Lean still work, but faster than ever Using data as opportunity rather than judgment How AI and real-time analytics change continuous improvement Preparing for workforce shifts driven by automation and AI The importance of curiosity, adaptability, and lifelong learning What excites Fernando about the future of manufacturing leadership

    57 min
  2. 11/06/2025

    Building Real-World AI for Manufacturing with Jonathan Wise

    Jonathan Wise, Chief Technology Architect at CESMII and veteran leader across Rockwell Automation, Microsoft, GE, and Amazon, joins The Manufacturing Intelligence Podcast to unpack what it really means to be “AI-ready” in manufacturing and what it takes to build real-world ai for manufacturing that works. Drawing from decades of experience and over 50 digital transformation projects, Jonathan discusses the hidden complexity beneath data structures, why unified namespaces aren’t enough, and how AI success depends on the right semantic and ontological foundation. He also offers a refreshingly honest perspective on standards adoption, hallucination risks in LLMs, and how to bridge both technological and generational divides on the factory floor. Topics Discussed: Why semantic consistency is the missing link in most manufacturing AI efforts How ontologies and knowledge graphs unlock decision automation The limitations of current standards and how modular “Lego block” approaches can work better Lessons from CESMII’s digital transformation projects across U.S. manufacturing The disconnect between LLMs and messy, real-world industrial data Strategies to capture tribal knowledge and embed it into next-gen AI tools Bridging generational divides between OT experts and digital-native workers Why repeatability is key to successful AI implementation The future role of humans in AI-augmented factory environments

    46 min
  3. Beyond the Pilot: Turning Generative AI into Real Results in Automotive Manufacturing

    10/16/2025

    Beyond the Pilot: Turning Generative AI into Real Results in Automotive Manufacturing

    What does it take to move generative AI from pilot projects to real productivity in complex automotive environments? Rick Sturgeon, global engineering and technology leader, brings a practitioner’s view to this question, shaped by decades of experience leading transformation at General Motors, Johnson Controls, Dassault Systèmes, Infosys, and others. Rick shares what he’s learned from helping large OEMs modernize legacy systems, scale digital platforms, and implement AI in the real world. He explores how manufacturers can unify siloed knowledge across thousands of systems, the importance of expert oversight in tuning AI models, and why success depends on more than just technology. From aligning engineering teams around change to unlocking cross-functional productivity with AI, Rick offers grounded, forward-looking advice for manufacturers ready to move beyond buzzwords and start delivering value at scale. Whether you’re a product development leader, transformation strategist, or operations executive, this episode delivers hard-earned lessons on building the next generation of connected, intelligent factories.   Topics Discussed: Why generative AI is different from previous technologies—and what that means for implementation How to modernize engineering workflows without getting stuck in legacy complexity The hidden value of cross-system knowledge and how AI can scale it Common blockers that prevent pilot projects from turning into enterprise impact What it really takes to empower teams for AI-driven change Why domain expertise and model tuning are essential to trustworthy AI The new metrics for measuring generative AI success in manufacturing What’s next for AI in automotive product development and production

    1h 6m
  4. 09/30/2025

    CIO at the Helm: Scaling AI and Digital Transformation Across the Enterprise

    What does it take to lead enterprise-wide AI transformation in one of the world’s largest manufacturing environments? May Yap, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Jabil, brings a unique C-level perspective to this question. Her view is grounded in experience scaling secure, governed, and trusted AI across more than 100 global sites. In this episode, May shares how her team built the foundation for responsible AI at scale by aligning data ownership across the business, establishing centralized governance models, and empowering regional innovation. She discusses how AI is being applied beyond the factory floor into areas like finance, HR, and supply chain, and how CIOs today must act as both technologists and business strategists. From creating a cross-functional data and AI council to launching organization-wide education on AI policy, May outlines the critical ingredients for success. She also explores the evolving role of the CIO as a change agent, shaping how modern manufacturing organizations operate, learn, and grow. Whether you’re a technology leader, operational strategist, or digital transformation professional, this episode offers a roadmap for embedding AI into the core of your enterprise. Topics Discussed: How the CIO role is evolving from systems leadership to enterprise enablement The power of a cross-functional data and AI council in scaling trust Why FAIR data principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) matter for AI success The three strategic focus areas for AI investment in manufacturing How to empower regional teams without sacrificing governance Tactics for rolling out enterprise-wide AI policy and education Lessons learned from migrating decades-old systems to unified cloud platforms What the future of manufacturing looks like when AI is built into the fabric of the enterprise

    46 min
  5. Digital Transformation in Manufacturing: Michal Wierzchowski on Building Intelligent Operations

    08/15/2025

    Digital Transformation in Manufacturing: Michal Wierzchowski on Building Intelligent Operations

    What does digital transformation in manufacturing really look like on the ground? Michal Wierzchowski, Vice President of Operations & Digital Transformation, shares his perspectives on how manufacturers can evolve into intelligent, connected, and AI-enabled enterprises. Rather than focusing on abstract concepts, Michal grounds the conversation in practical realities, including how technology, process, and people come together to deliver measurable improvements in speed, quality and resilience.  With decades of experience across supply chain, materials, and systems optimization, Michal brings a unique lens to transformation that spans from ERP and planning systems to the shop floor where products are built. He discusses how to unify planning and production, empower teams with better data, and prepare factories for the next era of intelligent operations. His insights highlight both the strategic frameworks and the cultural shifts needed to make digital transformation stick, ensuring that innovation scales beyond pilot projects into sustainable enterprise-wide change. Topics Covered in This Episode: What digital transformation means in practical manufacturing terms How to balance global standardization with local execution Turning raw machine data into enterprise intelligence Why supply chain leaders are driving digital transformation efforts The role of multi-agent systems in modern factories How to identify and work with the right digital partners Scaling real-time decision-making across operations The future of connected, AI-enabled manufacturing ecosystems

    51 min

About

Welcome to The Manufacturing Intelligence Show—where innovation meets manufacturing. Join hosts Andrew Scheuermann, Co-founder and CEO, and Jennifer Davis, VP of Communications & Marketing at Arch Systems, as they dive into the latest trends in AI, digitization, and advanced technologies. Discover how these innovations are reshaping the industry and unlocking new opportunities for growth and efficiency. Tune in for expert insights, thought-provoking conversations, and practical strategies to stay ahead in the evolving world of manufacturing.