• Home

    • Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast

    Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast offers news and information for the people who make, store and move things and those who manage and maintain the facilities where that work gets done. Manufacturers from chemical producers to automakers to machine shops can listen for critical insights into the technologies, economic conditions and best practices that can influence how to best run facilities to reach operational excellence. Contributing to the podcast are 14 seasoned manufacturing journalists from Endeavor Business Media’s Manufacturing Group.

    Subscribe to Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast on:

    APPLE-PODCASTS     spotify-subscribe     iheartradio     Podbean
    Dave Blanchard
    Sept. 2, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Dave Blanchard reports that advanced AI integration is setting the standard for future supply chain technology as costs...
    Robert Schoenberger
    Aug. 29, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Ujjwal Kumar of Teradyne Robotics stresses focusing on function over appearance in robotics.
    Thomas Wilk
    Aug. 21, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Chris van den Belt and Berend Booms discuss how Ultimo is integrating agentic AI into enterprise asset management, ...
    Nicole Stempak
    Aug. 19, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Fastenal's Ryan Tucker and Sara Weaver share how the company’s BIG4 program targets critical hazards by integrating...
    Robert Schoenberger
    Aug. 14, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Robert Schoenberger of IndustryWeek discusses Ford's plans on creating a new manufacturing paradigm in Kentucky, and...
    Laura Davis
    Aug. 12, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, we break down what "capable of" ASTM A388 really means and why ultrasonic testing matters for forged components.
    Joe Kuhn
    Aug. 7, 2025
    Joe Kuhn, CMRP, former plant manager, engineer, and global reliability consultant, is now president of Lean Driven Reliability LLC. He is the author of the book “Zero to...
    Robert Brooks
    Aug. 6, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Robert Brooks of American Machinist reviews Ames Lab’s high-temperature superalloy breakthroughs.
    Adrienne Selko
    Aug. 5, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Rocky Rowlett and Alyssa Kwasny of FTI share how they build a culture of care and wellness at work.
    Anna Smith
    Aug. 2, 2025
    This episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast highlights how Texas' International Motors partners with greater:SATX to attract high school students into manufacturing...
    Jill Jusko
    Aug. 1, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Sarah Tilkens of The KPI Lab explores how Industry 5.0 brings humans back to the center of innovation.
    Thomas Wilk
    July 30, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Pat Caron and Chad Coleman of Amazon join Chris Hallum and Jeremy Bey of UE Systems to discusses challenges of implementing...
    Scott Achelpohl
    July 29, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, discover how AI and private 5G are transforming manufacturing as Rajeev Shah shares insights on asset connectivity,...
    Thomas Wilk
    July 24, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Rosemary Coates, executive director of the Reshoring Institute, shares insights on how companies are navigating the...
    Adrienne Selko
    July 22, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, learn about the importance of living safety manuals and job hazard analyses to prevent workplace accidents.
    Robert Schoenberger
    July 17, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Vic Grizzle explains how Armstrong World Industries achieved the #2 ranking on IndustryWeek's U.S. 50 Best Manufacturers...
    Thomas Wilk
    July 16, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Blair Fraser of UE Systems dives into how ultrasound tech supports condition-based maintenance.
    Laura Davis
    July 15, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, David Brown of TE Connectivity shares lessons from implementing AI across engineering and operations.
    Anna Townshend
    July 11, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Joe Kuhn advises on common management mistakes when promoting plant manufacturing reliability.
    Robert Brooks
    July 10, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Robert Brooks explains why the additive manufacturing market seems to have stabilized after several years of turmoil...
    Dave Blanchard
    July 9, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Chris Williams of VPPPA discusses how continuous improvement drives long-term safety success.
    Adrienne Selko
    July 4, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Cam Mackey of ISEA explores OSHA’s heat stress programs and emerging workplace safety regulations.
    Thomas Wilk
    July 2, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Maureen Gribble and John Gould explore strategic tech pairings for smarter maintenance decisions.
    Laura Davis
    June 30, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Chris Tindell at SEPCO explores the safety and compliance risks of unchecked equipment leaks.
    Robert Schoenberger
    June 27, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Dave Blanchard and Jeff Postelwait explore how extreme heat impacts worker safety and grid stability.
    Scott Achelpohl
    June 24, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Bradly Walker of Texas Pride Trailers shares how digital transformation reshaped their manufacturing processes.
    Thomas Wilk
    June 19, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Brian Hronchek from Eruditio explains the four-step checklist that drive consistency across PM inspections.
    Robert Schoenberger
    June 12, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Deborah Golden from Deloitte explores how AI and hardware drive smarter, faster manufacturing decisions.
    Joe Kuhn
    June 5, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Joe Kuhn shares key pitfalls to avoid when transitioning from time-based to condition-based maintenance.
    Laura Davis
    June 4, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Cody Kaufmann at SEPCO addresses the hidden costs of waste in plastics manufacturing.
    Robert Brooks
    June 3, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Brian Reinke explores why manufacturers could face 30% higher energy costs by 2026.
    Anna Smith
    May 30, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Lynn Hennighausen and Rob Vallentine share why mental health literacy is essential in high-pressure manufacturing jobs...
    Thomas Wilk
    May 22, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Christine Nishimoto from IBM discusses AI’s role in building more robust, failure-aware maintenance strategies.
    Adrienne Selko
    May 20, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Suketu Gandhi from Kearney shares strategies for navigating global supply chain disruption.
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, our editors discuss real-world applications of artificial intelligence in manufacturing.
    Thomas Wilk
    May 14, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Glen Powell of Hydro, Inc. reveals the secrets of vibration analysis and how resonance can impact machinery performance...
    Laura Davis
    May 13, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, learn how automation can help you stay ahead with tariffs, labor gaps, and recession risks on the line.
    Joe Kuhn
    May 8, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Joe Kuhn explains why spirited debate beats superficial agreement at your plant.
    Robert Brooks
    May 6, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Robert Brooks examines the challenges and opportunities of achieving zero-emission metal production.
    Laura Putre
    May 2, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Ji Li and Darrell Edwards share how multi-sourcing strategies build supply chain resilience.
    Scott Achelpohl
    April 29, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Mahdi Jamshid of ASTM International breaks down global trends in additive manufacturing growth.
    Thomas Wilk
    April 24, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Jose Rivera reflects on his decade of leadership at the CSIA and why integrators are vital to smart factories.
    Thomas Wilk
    April 22, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Nick Haase and Roshan Satish of MaintainX discuss how AI can address real frustrations on the plant floor.
    Robert Schoenberger
    April 18, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Dennis Scimeca details how John Deere’s 5G strategy enhances flexibility and efficiency.
    Adrienne Selko
    April 15, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Maria DeLorenzis Reyes from MDR Brands shares how experiential training drives results on the factory floor.
    Thomas Wilk
    April 11, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Maureen Gribble of UE Systems highlights the importance of leadership training and peer learning at the Leading Reliability...
    Joe Kuhn
    April 10, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Joe Kuhn reveals how skipping floor time leads to flawed leadership and missed improvements.
    Laura Davis
    April 8, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Laura Davis explains how AI applications are transforming manufacturing operations.
    Robert Schoenberger
    April 4, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, our editors discuss the long-term implications of rising tariffs and how manufacturers can remain agile amid uncertainty...
    Nicole Stempak
    March 31, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Mike Van Bree from Louisville Ladder explains how proper ladder setup and usage can prevent accidents and keep you ...
    Scott Achelpohl
    March 28, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Francisco Almada Lobo from Critical Manufacturing discusses how companies can effectively navigate digital transformation...
    Thomas Wilk
    March 27, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, James Lane from Trivium Packaging discusses how to keep 14 production lines running 24/7 while training the next generation...
    Laura Davis
    March 25, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Vera Nieuwland from Kaufman Rossin explains how manufacturers can scale smarter by adopting digital commerce and AI...
    Robert Schoenberger
    March 21, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, we share highlights from the industry’s largest showcase of manufacturing and supply chain solutions.
    Adrienne Selko
    March 18, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Christie Smith from The Humanity Studio examines why DEI is critical for business growth and employee engagement.
    Joe Kuhn
    March 13, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Joe Kuhn discusses which engineer works long-term strategic, and which one works the tactical day-to-day and why it...
    March 11, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, demystify IP67 ratings for industrial networking and learn how to select equipment that can withstand challenging environment...
    Jill Jusko
    March 7, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, our experts say the challenge in continuous improvement is not just finding solutions but learning and adapting from...
    Scott Achelpohl
    March 5, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, learn how technologies like AI, vision systems, and robotics enable manufacturers to improve production accuracy and...
    March 4, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, learn how manufacturers can manage and protect their data in the face of growing cybersecurity risks.
    Thomas Wilk
    Feb. 27, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Mike Holloway from 5th Order Industry explores how AI is changing tribology, and how many plants really know how to...
    Scott Achelpohl
    Feb. 25, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Jeff Winter explores how to bridge the gap between digital transformation dreams and real-world execution.
    Robert Schoenberger
    Feb. 21, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, our experts explore why the U.S. is facing a power crisis and what companies are doing about it.
    Nicole Stempak
    Feb. 18, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Natasha Porter from Benchmark Gensuite explores how AI can enhance safety protocols and reduce risks in the workplace...
    Anna Townshend
    Feb. 13, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Joe Kuhn provides guidance on where to spend your training dollars and how to train your maintenance and reliability...
    Robert Brooks
    Feb. 12, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Jeffrey Antonic from Stratecasts explains how robotics and CNC grinding can help foundries improve efficiency.
    Feb. 11, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, learn why successful implementation of time-sensitive networking takes careful planning, smart solutions, and a clear...
    Dennis Scimeca
    Feb. 7, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Rob Larsen from SilverFort examines the critical role of cybersecurity in modern manufacturing.
    Scott Achelpohl
    Feb. 4, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Scott Achelpohl shares expert opinions on what’s next for manufacturing tech.
    Thomas Wilk
    Jan. 30, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Rosemary Coates from the Reshoring Institute examines the possible impacts that new tariffs would have on North American...
    Robert Schoenberger
    Jan. 28, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Andrew Thomas explores the history and potential future of the Panama Canal.
    Robert Schoenberger
    Jan. 27, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, our panel of experts examine the role of microgrids in modern manufacturing facilities.
    Adrienne Selko
    Jan. 21, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Phillip Russell shares his predictions for potential OSHA changes.
    Joe Kuhn
    Jan. 16, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Joe Kuhn discusses why giving workers ownership over an individual process also gives structure and discipline to your...
    Laura Davis
    Jan. 14, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Laura Davis examines the latest technological breakthroughs reshaping our world.
    Thomas Wilk
    Jan. 9, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, our editors share their predictions for the hottest trends in 2025.
    Robert Brooks
    Jan. 7, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Chris Chudzik from AMT examines how political and economic factors could impact manufacturing technology orders in ...
    Thomas Wilk
    Jan. 2, 2025
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, our editors share their insights on the events, technologies, and trends that shaped the industry in 2024.
    Anna Townshend
    Dec. 19, 2024
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Anna Townshend explores better measurement technology for greenhouse gas emissions.
    Dennis Scimeca
    Dec. 13, 2024
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Ryan Martin and Paul Miller explore how modern manufacturing systems can provide huge benefits without huge costs. ...
    Dec. 10, 2024
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, explore machine vision and its four core categories, its lighting techniques, and how its transforming industrial processes...
    Nicole Stempak
    Dec. 9, 2024
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Philip Jacklin from Diversified Fall Protection shares his thoughts on OSHA’s top 10 most-common safety violations....
    Joe Kuhn
    Dec. 7, 2024
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, John Kuhn explains why instead of standard employee ratios, the key is knowing the problems that need solving.
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Wiley Jones from Doss explains how ARP can provide improved flexibility and usability without the common ERP headaches...
    Thomas Wilk
    Dec. 5, 2024
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Aaron Merkin from Fluke Reliability says a continued focus on digital transformation is in the forecast.
    Thomas Wilk
    Nov. 21, 2024
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Chris van den Belt and Berend Booms of IFS Ultimo explain how your CMMS can help you use data from shift changeovers...
    Jill Jusko
    Nov. 20, 2024
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, our expert panel discusses how the new presidency may impact U.S. trade and tariffs.
    Robert Brooks
    Nov. 19, 2024
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Olivier Thenoz from Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence explores how CAM systems are transforming modern production....
    Laura Davis
    Nov. 12, 2024
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, learn how to manage a plant turnaround smoothly and efficiently with seven actionable tips.
    Anna Townshend
    Nov. 7, 2024
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Anna Townshend remembers John D. C. Little, MIT professor and the creator of a formula for operational excellence.
    Scott Achelpohl
    Nov. 5, 2024
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Jeff Winter explains why it’s important to dream big while still staying grounded as you implement Industry 4.0 principles...
    Anna Townshend
    Nov. 2, 2024
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Joe Kuhn discusses when good employees hold their expertise hostage and how to get them to join the reliability team...
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Andy Hanacek and Linda Becker share the stats, trends, and influences impacting the candy industry.
    Dave Blanchard
    Oct. 29, 2024
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Ryan Magee from Cority explores how EHS professionals are leveraging new technologies to make workplaces safer.
    Thomas Wilk
    Oct. 24, 2024
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Greg Martin discusses recent developments in systems integration and recaps his experience at IMTS.
    Scott Achelpohl
    Oct. 23, 2024
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Andrew Burton from IFS shares his thoughts on the impact AI is having on manufacturing processes and practices.
    Robert Brooks
    Oct. 22, 2024
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Andrew Halonen from Amatrium explains how AI can solve real problems in manufacturing.
    Jill Jusko
    Oct. 17, 2024
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Marty Hallman and Sam McPherson discuss why a lean culture needs support from an organization's leadership.
    Laura Davis
    Oct. 15, 2024
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Mark Harris from HeroWear explores how exosuits impact worker well-being and retention.
    Anna Townshend
    Oct. 10, 2024
    In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Trevor Joelson from Trane shares how companies are using electrification to save energy and money.