In this conversation, Brian Self interviews Ben Affatato, the North American sales manager for Reer Safety. They discuss the company's history, mission, and innovative safety solutions designed for the automation industry. Ben emphasizes the importance of safety in environments with dangerous equipment and highlights the unique, application-based approach of Reer Safety's products. The conversation also touches on the company's adaptability to industry changes, partnerships with other companies, and the overall experience at the trade show.

Takeaways

• Reer Safety has a 65-year history in the safety industry.
• The company focuses on creating a safe working environment.
• Safety standards like TUV and UL are crucial for compliance.
• Reer offers application-based safety solutions, not just products.
• Light curtains are a key product for ensuring safety.
• Redundancy in safety systems is essential to prevent accidents.
• Cobot safety is important due to their potential hazards.
• Research and development is agile and responsive to market needs.
• Partnerships with other companies enhance product offerings.
• Trade shows provide valuable opportunities for networking and learning.

In this conversation, Brian Self interviews Dusty Puey, the sales manager for Skyhook, at the IMTS event. They discuss the evolution of Skyhook as a family-owned business, its innovative lifting solutions, and the growing importance of safety and ergonomics in the industry. Dusty shares insights on customer engagement, brand growth, and the long-standing relationship with IMD, highlighting the significance of community and collaboration in the manufacturing sector.

Takeaways

• Skyhook is a fourth-generation family-owned business.
• The company has been in operation for over 50 years.
• Safety and ergonomics have become a priority in manufacturing.
• Skyhook offers a 23 to 1 lifting advantage for efficiency.
• Customer engagement has significantly increased at trade shows.
• The brand is recognized and appreciated in the machining industry.
• IMD Magazine has helped Skyhook reach a broader audience.
• Dusty values the personal relationships built over decades.
• The company is exploring future opportunities at trade shows.
• Skyhook's products are designed to integrate seamlessly into operations.

Shahar Chen, the CEO and Co-Founder of Aquant, discusses how AI is transforming the service industry. Aquant provides a personalized AI Co-Pilot platform for service organizations, helping them provide better service to their customers. The company leverages AI to tap into the data and knowledge of service organizations, including manuals, troubleshooting guides, and service history, to provide accurate and reliable support to technicians. Shahar also talks about the 2024 Industrial Machinery Benchmark Report released by Aquant, which highlights the challenges and solutions in the industry.

Scotchman Industries is a manufacturing company located in Phillip, South Dakota. They specialize in hydraulic ironworkers and cold saws, with 13 different models of ironworkers. The company has a strong focus on recruiting and retaining skilled workers, often hiring from the local community and reaching out to younger generations. They have a diverse workforce, including husband and wife teams and multiple generations of families working together. The plant tour showcased their warehouse, manufacturing processes, and various machining processes.

Scotchman Industries is a manufacturing company located in Phillip, South Dakota. They specialize in hydraulic ironworkers and cold saws, with 13 different models of ironworkers. The company has a strong focus on recruiting and retaining skilled workers, often hiring from the local community and reaching out to younger generations. They have a diverse workforce, including husband and wife teams and multiple generations of families working together. The plant tour showcased their warehouse, manufacturing processes, and various machining processes. Part two of the tour will be covered in the next episode.

Raj Badarinath, Chief Marketing and Product Officer at Rootstock, discusses the state of manufacturing technology and the need for digital transformation. He introduces Rootstock's new product, Ayres, which focuses on practical AI solutions for manufacturers. The product roadmap for Rootstock includes manufacturing, financial, AI and analytics, and technology investments.

Tracy Bellamy, a fire protection engineer, discusses the impact of new technologies and materials on fire protection. He highlights the challenges posed by lithium batteries, synthetic materials, and advanced material handling systems. Tracy emphasizes the need for fire testing and the limitations of AI in fire modeling. He also explores the use of different fire suppression systems and the importance of risk-informed decision-making.

Jim Fields, from Techni WaterJet, discusses the company's high-end abrasive water jet manufacturing and its focus on customer service and support. Techni WaterJet differentiates itself through its innovative and intelligent water jet technology, which offers predictive maintenance and unmatched reliability. The company's TechConnect app allows users to monitor and control the machine remotely, enabling lights-out operation. Techni WaterJet's emphasis on innovation, efficiency, and cold cutting processes sets it apart from other cutting methods like laser, plasma, and punch press. The company's goal is to make customers independent and productive, leading to repeat business and positive testimonials.