Best Control System Integrators Association Podcasts (2025)

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240: How AI Agents are Revolutionizing Safety and Operations in Manufacturing with Dunchadhn Lyons of Spot AI 24:04

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4d ago24:04

24:04

Imagine having a tireless teammate watching your back 24/7, never missing a beat when it comes to keeping you safe. That’s exactly what AI agents in manufacturing are capable of today. Spot AI uses cameras and AI agents to spot safety issues, send alerts, and collect data that can improve safety training in the future. Yes, a human could do all tha…

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239: How to Build a "Customer Advisory Board" and Create a Frictionless Customer Experience with Mandy Dwight (Dwight & Co.) and Anthony Leo (IPR Robotics) 50:14

11d ago50:14

50:14

Without customer buy-in, even the most innovative robotics automation products can fall flat. But the approach most manufacturers take with new products is to build them first, then get feedback. In this episode, you’ll hear how one company flipped the script and did robotics product development the other way around. Joining this episode is Anthony…

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238: Scaling Smart: Warehouse Automation and Calculated Growth at Startups with Adi Dalvi, VP of Sales at OSARO 39:45

18d ago39:45

39:45

How does a startup scale? It all starts with a great product that solves a real problem. And sometimes that means taking the slow and steady road to startup success. Recorded at Trillium Brewing in Boston, we sit down with Adi Dalvi, the VP of Sales at OSARO, a company that specializes in robot piece-picking and machine learning solutions to automa…

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237: How Higher Education Is Shaping the Future of Manufacturing with MIT's Dr. John Liu 52:47

25d ago52:47

52:47

What role does higher ed play in making sure manufacturing thrives? Universities and other higher ed hubs are playing a leading role in shaping the future of this industry. And MIT is a prime example of this, with specialist courses to help graduates and professionals get the skills they need to bring new innovations to life. We’re joined by the Pr…

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A Decade of Impact: Jose Rivera Reflects on Leadership, Legacy, and the Future of Automation | Episode 108 of Talking Industrial Automation with Lisa Richter 32:40

1M ago32:40

32:40

In this special crossover episode of Talking Industrial Automation, host Lisa Richter shares a conversation from Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast, featuring outgoing CSIA CEO Jose Rivera. As he prepares to step down after 10 transformative years, Jose looks back on the challenges and triumphs that shaped the Control System Integrators Associ…

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236: The Power of Decisive Leadership in Modern Manufacturing with Paperless Parts' Co-Founder & CEO Jason T. Ray 59:47

1M ago59:47

59:47

Sometimes indecision costs more than a wrong decision. Making decisions is a leader’s bread and butter, but during times of uncertainty or crisis, they often become more cautious and hesitant. The danger here is getting left behind while more confident, proactive leaders charge ahead. Jason T. Ray, Co-Founder and CEO of Paperless Parts, is a regula…

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235: How to Find Automation Talent Anywhere with Kyle Mahan, VP & GM of Wauseon Machine 30:02

1M ago30:02

30:02

What does it take to find the best talent in the manufacturing industry these days? When it comes to automation, you can use location (or lack of location) to your advantage. In this episode, Kyle Mahan of Ohio-based Wauseon Machine takes us through their approach to securing the best automation talent. We'll also hear some history on the organizat…

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234: From Pro Football to Craft Beer with Katie and Brandon Fields of Inside the Five Brewing Co. 28:56

1M ago28:56

28:56

It’s not every day that a former NFL player joins the podcast. And it’s not every day you see one make such a dramatic career pivot from pro football to craft brewing and small business ownership. But that’s exactly what Brandon Fields did. When he was winding down his football career, he found his passion in brewing, starting out with a home brewi…

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233: Manufacturing 101, On-The-Job Training, and Finding Fulfillment in Engineering Featuring Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence 46:32

2M ago46:32

46:32

Manufacturing and engineering are full of talented, passionate people. Just listen to literally any of these episodes for proof of that. But what is it that keeps people in this space motivated and fulfilled? Ask 10 different people, and you’d likely get 10 very different answers. For this episode, we posed the question to three guests – Steve Ilmr…

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232: AI Agents for Manufacturing 101 Featuring Composabl CEO & Co-Founder Kence Anderson 53:27

2M ago53:27

53:27

An AI agent can create. It can predict. It can analyze data. But for it to really drive change and enhance operations, it needs to take action. That’s the next step of machine learning and AI, says Kence Anderson, CEO of Composabl, a company that helps manufacturers create multi-agent AI systems. Our discussion with Kence is probably one of the mos…

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BONUS: MEPs are at Risk of Losing Funding and Need Your Help 41:26

2M ago41:26

41:26

Today's bonus episode is all about MEPs, and actually a very urgent issue related to MEPs. For context, the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) is a public-private partnership that delivers comprehensive, proven solutions by helping small and medium-sized manufacturers grow, make operational improvements, and reduce risk. To put it in more si…

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Leading with Value: Smarter Pricing Strategies for Today's Industrial Market with Brian Doyle | Episode 107 of Talking Industrial Automation with Lisa Richter 27:35

2M ago27:35

27:35

In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, host Lisa Richter sits down with Brian Doyle, CEO of Holden Advisors, to explore how B2B companies—especially in manufacturing and industrial sectors—can unlock growth through value-based pricing. Brian shares insights on navigating market uncertainty, communicating across generational teams, and ta…

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231: Why VCs and Startups Are Betting on Manufacturing and the Midwest Featuring Drive Capital and Path Robotics, Live from Columbus, OH 1:05:13

2M ago1:05:13

1:05:13

What’s getting VCs to look beyond Silicon Valley in the tech startup scene? The Midwest is not just an up-and-coming place for investors to watch. It’s now a region that more investors are betting on. With companies like Path Robotics, the Midwest is taking its status as a manufacturing hub and merging it with the kind of innovative tech traditiona…

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230: Shark Tank, Advanced Prosthetics, and How PSYONIC's Ability Hand is Driving Accessibility for Humans and Robots Featuring PSYONIC CEO & Founder Dr. Aadeel Akhtar 46:00

2M ago46:00

46:00

Robotics is a cool field, no doubt about that. But what’s cooler than using it to change people’s lives? When he was seven years old, Aadeel Akhtar met a girl in Pakistan with a missing leg. This kickstarted a fascination with helping people regain control over lost limbs and a decision that pivoted his planned career in medicine to robotics and pr…

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229: Manufacturing Leadership in Indiana and Beyond: Live from Indianapolis, IN 46:48

3M ago46:48

46:48

We’ve been on tour for the past couple of months, recording live episodes in some of the manufacturing hot spots around the country. Indiana is our current stop, where Guggman Haus Brewing hosted us for an episode all about innovation, technology, culture, and, of course, Indiana’s manufacturing prowess. Manufacturing makes up a huge portion of Ind…

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228: Industrial Marketing from SMBs to the Enterprise, Live from the 2025 Industrial Marketing Summit in Austin, TX 57:50

3M ago57:50

57:50

Manufacturers up and down the country are doing great work and naturally, you want the world to know about it – especially your potential customers. So we turn the spotlight on marketing in this episode to take a look at the folks who get the name out there for manufacturing companies big and small. Recorded live from the 2025 Industrial Marketing …

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227: Are the Challenges Facing Rural vs. Urban Manufacturers Really That Different? Live from the Midwest Manufacturers Trade Show & Conference 1:07:01

3M ago1:07:01

1:07:01

When you imagine a rural versus an urban manufacturing company, that picture might look a bit different. But some things are the same. Both types of manufacturers face challenges, but do they face different ones? The good news is that there are some incredible people and businesses in the industry who are on a mission to bridge connections, build u…

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Matt Wise of E Tech Group | Episode 106 22:04

3M ago22:04

22:04

In today's episode, we're talking industrial automation with Matt Wise, CEO of E Tech Group as we explore how E Tech Group became a powerhouse in system integration, earning accolades like the 2025 System Integrator of the Year award. Discover Matt's unique journey from marketing to leading over 600 employees across North America and how his divers…

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226: Building a Community of Machine Shop Entrepreneurs Featuring Russell Winter, Founder of US MFG 47:13

3M ago47:13

47:13

When like-minded entrepreneurs sit down to swap stories, advice, and connections, it’s a major win for everyone. This is one of the great things about manufacturing because this industry thrives on collaboration, not just competition. In this episode, we hear from Russell Winter, Founder of US MFG, who’s on a mission to connect entrepreneurs in the…

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225: From Enterprise Engineering to Owning a Small Manufacturing Business Featuring Amorphic Brewing Founder Ron Hockersmith and a BROADcast For Manufacturers, Live from Milwaukee, WI 44:27

4M ago44:27

44:27

What happens when a former engineering leader decides to open a brewery? In the true spirit of Manufacturing Happy Hour, we talk all about beer in this episode. Recorded live from Amorphic Beer in Milwaukee, WI, we sit down with the Founder, Ron Hockersmith, to learn about what makes their beer special and the company a success even as the hype aro…

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224: The Role of a State Chamber in a Manufacturing Ecosystem with Mike Johnson, COO Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry 37:50

4M ago37:50

37:50

Manufacturing is a hotbed of activity, interest, and innovation right now and states like Nebraska are leading the way. As part of our Made Here series, we toured Nebraska’s manufacturing heartland to hear stories from leaders, experts, and innovators who want to spread the word about the opportunities and community benefits of manufacturing. We ro…

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TIA Rewind - Jim Biehl of Partner at Wipfli, LLP (formerly of Clayton & McKervey) 26:59

4M ago26:59

26:59

In this encore presentation of one of the most listened episodes of Talking Industrial Automation, Jim Biehl reveals why some businesses thrive and others flame out, based on his decades of experience. Plus, he discusses the No. 1 inhibitor to business growth. Hint: It's not what you think. Register for the CSIA 2025 Conference HERE…

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223: The State of Automation Halfway Through the Decade, Live from the 2025 A3 Business Forum 1:12:21

4M ago1:12:21

1:12:21

Take your mind back to five years ago. Many of us were celebrating the start of what we thought would be an exciting decade for automation. And well… it’s certainly been different and not quite how most of us expected. Now, we sit squarely in the middle of a decade that has pushed automation and AI front and center of so many industries now. So how…

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222: A Bootstrapper's Guide to Re-Industrializing America with Jim Belosic, CEO of SendCutSend 1:00:52

4M ago1:00:52

1:00:52

Is venture capitalism and manufacturing the perfect match for America’s new industry boom? Or will the industry bootstrap its way to success on the slower path? The verdict’s clear in this episode with Jim Belosic, the CEO of SendCutSend. Jim shares a down-to-earth take on succeeding as a manufacturing business with a mix of VC and bootstrapping. R…

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221: "Building America" from the Heartland Featuring Nucor Vulcraft 23:37

5M ago23:37

23:37

We’re pulling up a chair in the up-and-coming downtown Norfolk area in Nebraska for this episode. Recorded at the Nucor Detailing Center, we chat with Mechanical Engineer Jayden Prauner and Detailing Center Lead Gaby Pena, about what it means to be part of the Nucor family. Nucor Vulcraft is a company that’s not just supporting the construction of …

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220: From Irrigation to Metals to Pharma: Systems Integration in the Heartland featuring Huffman Engineering 22:09

5M ago22:09

22:09

This is a quick,” boots on the ground” episode of Manufacturing Happy Hour. It's all about what it's like being a systems integrator in a close-knit state and close-knit manufacturing community, just like the community you'll find in Nebraska. Huffman Engineering is an engineering services firm specializing in control system integration that serves…

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Cole Wangsness of OnLogic | Episode 105 23:50

5M ago23:50

23:50

In today’s episode, we’re talking industrial automation with Cole Wangsness, who is a Solution Architect at OnLogic. Since joining the team in 2018, Cole has focused on empowering companies to solve complex technology challenges at the edge -- encompassing both software and hardware -- by leveraging OnLogic's industrial computing solutions and its …

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219: How Skillwork Is Like Travel Nursing for Manufacturing Talent Featuring Brett Elliott and Tim Raglin of Skillwork 1:06:49

5M ago1:06:49

1:06:49

The manufacturing industry is staring down a major challenge: by 2030, an estimated 2.1 million roles could go unfilled. But where challenges arise, so do opportunities. We’re joined by Skillwork’s Brett Elliott, President and CEO, and Tim Raglin, Founding Partner and Chief Operating Offer, to explore how they’re transforming the skills gap into a …

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218: Why Buying and Selling a Business Is a "War over the Numbers" Featuring Clint Bundy of Bundy Group 49:52

5M ago49:52

49:52

M&A may look like a numbers game on the surface, but there’s a lot more going on behind the scenes. According to this episode’s guest, selling a business is as much about psychology and emotions as it is about the facts and figures. In this episode, we welcome Clint Bundy, Managing Director at Bundy Group, who shares his experience, advice, and sto…

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BONUS: 3 Automation and Workforce Trends Impacting Manufacturers in 2025 30:14

6M ago30:14

30:14

As 2025 gets rolling, there’s no doubt you’re familiar with some of the “buzziest” topics in manufacturing right now…artificial intelligence, humanoid robots, the list goes on! With all the hype and a renewed focus on onshoring and supply chain, what should manufacturers be focused on in 2025? While there are more trends than can be fit into a 30-m…

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217: The Intersection of Energy, Automation, and Construction with FTI's Kevin Senn 48:48

6M ago48:48

48:48

FTI are at the center of some of the most important macro trends taking place in manufacturing today. From building biodigesters to driving innovations in energy solutions, they are helping companies optimize production systems, use automation, and address sustainability challenges. So how do they do it? In this episode, we’re joined by FTI’s Kevin…

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216: Automating Control Panel Design and Fabrication Featuring Rittal’s Brian Jung and EPLAN’s Kruno Kutnohorski 45:26

6M ago45:26

45:26

Manually manufacturing control panels is difficult. It demands highly skilled labor, years of reading schematics, and the ability to troubleshoot. What’s more, it’s a time-consuming process. This is where automated and semi-automated panel design and assembly comes in. Not only does this innovation drastically reduce the amount of time spent manufa…

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Kyle Carreau of PTC/Kepware | Episode 104 27:06

6M ago27:06

27:06

In today’s episode, we’re talking industrial automation with Kyle Carreau, who is an Enablement Manager for the Kepware team at PTC. Kyle is the “go-to” technical and commercial resource For Kepware’s technology partners, international distributors, and North American resellers, Kyle Carreau is a go-to technical and commerical resource. In this epi…

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215: How Manufacturers Can Connect with the Community to Attract Top Talent featuring Behlen Mfg. Co. 46:21

6M ago46:21

46:21

When selecting talent for manufacturing roles, grades don’t matter nearly as much as hard work and talent. A's and B's are all very well, but a willingness to learn and the hunger to improve daily can’t be taught. Becoming a great engineer isn’t about knowing everything right out of the gate, it’s about figuring it out. In this episode, we’re joine…

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214: From DevOps to Building AI for Industrial Code with Adam Gluck, CEO and Founder of Copia Automation 50:48

6M ago50:48

50:48

AI skepticism – much like AI itself – is here to stay, whether we like it or not. While getting buy-in can be difficult, and deploying it as a solution within a company is even harder, the key thing to remember is that AI, like any new tool, must address a pain point. The only way folks will be persuaded as to its use will be when it solves a probl…

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213: Re-Envisioning Energy and the Future of Industry, Live from the Empowering Pumps & Industry Conference 33:42

7M ago33:42

33:42

We’ve all been guilty of taking energy for granted at some point, from mindlessly flicking on light switches to filling up our cars on the way to work. We may grumble about the costs, but when was the last time you really thought about where it all comes from? The availability of energy is something that affects us all, and leaders in the industry …

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212: Manufacturing's Transformative Impact on Rural Economies and Population Growth with Angie Stenger, Executive Director of Northeast Nebraska Growing Together 39:40

7M ago39:40

39:40

Manufacturing is a key industry that can revitalize communities, but what about in more rural locations? How do smaller communities compete with the big cities for talent, innovation, investment and growth? We head to Northeast Nebraska for this episode to speak with Angie Stenger, the Executive Director of Northeast Nebraska Growing Together – an …

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Jim Gillespie of GrayMatter | Episode 103 27:21

7M ago27:21

27:21

In this episode, you'll hear from Jim Gillespie, who is the co-founder and chief growth officer of GrayMatter, a leading OT-focused company that provides consulting, services, and curated technology to transform operations and empower people. Since its inception, GrayMatter has grown to over 290 team members and over $80M in revenue. Along the way,…

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211: How Vertical Integration Helps Kwik Trip Achieve Manufacturing Excellence with Paul Blank and Scott Schiebel 45:40

7M ago45:40

45:40

Have you ever stopped to think about what goes into getting your favorite Kwik Trip products onto your table? In this episode, we explore the impressive vertical integration model that Kwik Trip uses, a strategy that allows them to maintain almost complete control over their supply chain. Paul Blank, Director of Operations, and Scott Schiebel, Auto…

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210: Technical Education, Apprenticeships, and Addressing the Needs of Industry Today and in the Future with Ashley Furniture and Western Technical College 59:58

7M ago59:58

59:58

We talk a lot about the skills gap on this podcast, but this episode paints an optimistic picture of what the manufacturing world can achieve when we come together. Partnerships between industry and education are so important because without the right education and exposure to manufacturing, the skills gap could continue to grow. In this episode, w…

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209: How to Take Advantage of Local, State, and Federal Resources for Growth and Expansion, Live from CBT Company's More Than MFG Expo 1:02:40

8M ago1:02:40

1:02:40

Are you leveraging all the resources in the local manufacturing community? Connecting with local, state, and federal support can open doors to growth and collaboration. Recorded live at CBT Company's More Than MFG Expo, this episode dives into programs like AMIP, TechCred, JobsOhio, and Women in Manufacturing (WIM), spotlighting resources for fundi…

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208: Why High-Mix Manufacturing Is a Sweet Spot for Flexible Automation and AI with Rajat Bhageria, Founder & CEO of Chef Robotics 54:33

8M ago54:33

54:33

Did you know your last meal might have been picked and packed by a robot? With a gaping hole in the labor market in food manufacturing, it seems inevitable. But while food manufacturers are crying out for more staff, some companies like Chef Robotics are offering a solution that’ll leave them hungry for more. Rajat Bhageria, Founder & CEO of Chef R…

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Economic and Labor Update with Alex Chausovsky | Episode 102 38:34

8M ago38:34

38:34

This episode is a special one – content from a recent CSIA members-only presentation – a Virtual Keynote Address by Alex Chaukosky, who is director of analytics and consulting for the Bundy Group. But that title really does not give you the full picture because he is also a super whiz when it comes to taking economic and labor data and making it un…