Ben Wynne of Intrepid Automation helps Smart Industry's Scott Achelpohl veer from the M&A soap opera and get into the weeds about what industrial 3D printing is doing for aerospace, defense, automotive, health care and semiconductor production.

Industrial AI software heavyweight IFS chose its New York show to debut virtual agents equipped with 50 skills that autonomously manage high-volume tasks. For this episode of the Great Question podcast, Smart Industry's Scott Achelpohl and Plant Services' Tom Wilk were there to chat about the product, IFS Loops, with its CEO, Somya Kapoor.

Discussion around mental health is still rare among industrial workers. It's a cultural issue that needs to be re-examined and made a workplace priority, says podcast guest Stephen Dummit, founder of Tradewinds Leadership.

Join Matthew Dixon, Swagelok’s global technical lead for grab sampling, as he talks about the complexities of gas grab sampling—a critical, yet often misunderstood process in industrial operations. From the science behind phase changes to the design of safe and accurate sampling systems, Matt will share insights that help demystify the challenges of capturing representative gas samples. Whether you're in operations, engineering, or maintenance, this conversation will offer practical takeaways and a glimpse into the future of sampling in a digitalized world.

In this episode of Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, Plant Services editor in chief Thomas Wilk speaks with ICML CEO Bryan Coggins and ICML Marketing Director Paul Hiller about the evolving culture of reliability and maintenance within industry. The conversation explores how ICML is strengthening its role through training, certification, and real-world case studies that demonstrate measurable ROI in lubrication management. Bryan shares insights from his diverse background in manufacturing and energy, emphasizing the importance of balancing long-term strategy with short-term results, while Paul highlights how ICML’s messaging and outreach are driving cultural and operational improvements across the sector.

Typically, Big Tech and software aren't manufacturing topics. The latest data products don't generally come out of a factory in a box or barrel. However, the rapid growth of AI is having a domino effect that's benefitting large manufacturers.

AI needs lots of computing power, creating opportunities for semiconductor makers to boost U.S. production. Construction companies are building data center facilities all over the country, creating manufacturing opportunities for construction materials and equipment. Tightly packed computer servers generate lots of heat, creating opportunities for materials companies and hydraulics manufacturers that can cool data centers.

And these data centers are super hungry for power. So, expect more gas-powered and renewable energy plants to be built in the near future (it's already happening but expect more). Makers of switchgear and grid-improvement systems also have full order books.

Discussing this trend are four editors from Endeavor B2B:

• Robert Schoenberger, editor-in-chief of IndustryWeek
• Matt Vincent, editor-in-chief of Data Center Frontier
• John Caulfield, senior editor of Building Design + Construction
• James Morra, senior editor of Electronic Design

Manufacturers understand the skills gap: every day they recognize that do not have enough people or enough of the right people to execute the difficult and sometimes dirty, often dangerous tasks like pouring and forming molten materials, grinding or machining parts, treating and handling those parts, welding and finishing components and systems, etc. It’s more than a practical problem. It’s an economic and institutional crisis.

The Metallurgical Engineering Trades Apprenticeship and Learning program (METAL) established by the Dept. of Energy in 2024 is moving fast to resolve it, setting up and coordinating practical training in critical disciplines for metal casting and metal forging processes at seven universities, and drawing in fresh minds who ensure that knowledge and practical understanding continue to be available to engineers and investors in the decades ahead of us.

Mike Kubacki, project coordinator for METAL describes the program and its progress.

Supply chain managers are employing a number of strategies to address the almost constant changes due to disruptions in the supply chain. Michelle Comerford, practice leader for the Industrial & Supply Chain practice at Biggins, Lacy, Shapiro & Company, explains what actions companies across the country need to be taking to stay on a steady course to supply chain proficiency.