Gear Talk

AI, sensors, and digital tools are flooding the maintenance and reliability world—but are organizations adopting them the right way? In this episode of Gear Talk, host Wes Cash sits down with Dave Howard, CEO of Erbessd Instruments, to challenge the “technology-first” mindset and make the case for a more sustainable approach: people first, technology second. Drawing on decades of experience—from military aviation and plant leadership to vibration analysis and executive leadership—Dave explains why technology alone can’t fix reliability problems, why AI won’t replace skilled analysts, and how cultural buy-in determines whether new tools succeed or fail. The conversation cuts through fear-based narratives and focuses on how technology can improve safety, reliability, and quality of life for maintenance professionals. You’ll learn about: Why people and culture must come before technology adoption How AI should be used as a filter and efficiency tool—not a replacement for expertise The limits of automation in vibration analysis and condition monitoring When pilot programs make sense—and when they stall progress How technology can reduce emergency call-ins and improve work-life balance Whether you’re a maintenance leader evaluating new technology or a reliability professional concerned about the future of your role, this episode provides a practical, grounded perspective on adopting technology in a way that actually works. Missed an episode of Gear Talk? Check out the playlist here. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUMZtxzM4WqOBC53dsyVBi6FQGWsMDPT4 👉 Have questions or topic ideas? Email us at podcast@noria.com 👍 Like and Subscribe to stay connected with Gear Talk

What does the manufacturing industry look like in Oklahoma? In this episode of Gear Talk, Wes Cash sits down with Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell to discuss the manufacturing industries prevalent in the state of Oklahoma and identify what steps are being taken to bring more skilled professionals to the state and reduce the skills gap. From career tech schools to student outreach, Lt. Governor Pinnell sheds light on the manufacturing opportunities in Oklahoma and the incentives that are available to companies looking to get into manufacturing here. You’ll learn about: The economic importance of manufacturing facilities Prevalent manufacturing industries in Oklahoma What Oklahoma is doing to reduce the skill gap The role of education in the growth Oklahoma manufacturing Whether you are fresh out of school looking for a job in manufacturing, or a facility looking to hire quality educated employees, this episode will open your eyes to the steps Oklahoma is taking to train, educate, and attract people to the manufacturing industry. Missed an episode of Gear Talk? Check out the playlist here. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUMZtxzM4WqOBC53dsyVBi6FQGWsMDPT4 👉 Have questions or topic ideas? Email us at podcast@noria.com 👍 Like and Subscribe to stay connected with Gear Talk

How do workforce barriers impact staffing in manufacturing? In this episode of Gear Talk, host Wes Cash sits down with the Tulsa Port of Catoosa’s Sheila Shook to discuss the steps that the Port is taking to attract, hire, and educate workers in manufacturing. From transportation limitations, to a wide-spread lack of manufacturing awareness, Sheila shares her experiences with overcoming workforce barriers and providing training and education in manufacturing. You’ll learn: The common workforce barriers impacting our industry The importance of preparing the next generation of manufacturing workers How education and training programs benefit both employers and employees What the Port is doing to overcome these hurdles with unique approaches Whether you are a manufacturing facility aiming to increase employee sustainability or someone looking to get hired in the manufacturing industry, this episode will educate you on some of the most the common barriers and arm you with the solutions to overcome them. Missed an episode of Gear Talk? Check out the playlist here. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUMZtxzM4WqOBC53dsyVBi6FQGWsMDPT4 👉 Have questions or topic ideas? Email us at podcast@noria.com 👍 Like and Subscribe to stay connected with Gear Talk 

Who should lead your plant’s lubrication program? In this episode of Gear Talk, host Wes Cash sits down with Noria’s Travis Richardson to unpack what makes a true lube champion. From walking back down eight flights of stairs to grab the right grease, to creating a culture of reliability that lasts, Travis shares real-world stories from his work building lubrication programs on five continents. You’ll learn: The key traits of an effective lube champion Why culture and behavior matter as much as technical expertise How frontline staff and management both play vital roles Practical steps to gain buy-in and show visible success Whether you’re just starting a lube program or aiming for world-class performance, this conversation will help you recognize (or become) the person who drives lasting reliability improvements. Missed an episode of Gear Talk? Check out the playlist here. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUMZtxzM4WqOBC53dsyVBi6FQGWsMDPT4 👉 Have questions or topic ideas? Email us at podcast@noria.com 👍 Like and Subscribe to stay connected with Gear Talk 

In this episode of Gear Talk, West Cash sits down with Trent McJunkin—an automotive maintenance pro who rose from technician to strategic leader. They dive into why being brilliant at the basics still matters, how to build trust with your team, and the real key to successful reliability initiatives. Whether you're new to the field or leading the charge, this one's packed with practical takeaways and industry wisdom. 🎧 Tune in, get inspired, and equip yourself for some quick maintenance wins.

In this episode recorded at Reliable Plant 2025, Steve Breeze from Tolko shares how engaging lube techs in the improvement process can transform a lubrication program. Hear practical ways to build ownership, encourage input from the floor, and drive meaningful change.

In this episode of Gear Talk, Wes sits down with Scott Fry, Director of Workforce Development at MidAmerica Industrial Park, to explore one of the biggest challenges facing industry today: workforce recruitment and development. Scott shares firsthand insights into the struggles employers face when attracting talent, and dives into real-world strategies that are helping close the skills gap. He also shares his perspective on the future of workforce development and how industrial parks like MidAmerica are uniquely positioned to drive change. #geartalk #workforce #industrial #recruiting

On this episode of Gear Talk, Wes Cash sits down with Levi (last name) from KCF Technologies to discover more about remote monitoring technologies and how to successfully apply them as part of a well-rounded, world-class facility. With a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Penn State, Levi is using his insights to bring the human touch back to sensor technologies by helping KCF's users capitalize on their technicians' talents in maintenance and reliability. Levi talks with Wes about how, with KCF's technology, users can begin to utilize data to make thoughtful and impactful decisions that increase the efficiency of work and free up technician time for more big-picture projects. He makes the case that by successfully using remote monitoring to understand how machines break down, facilities can not only prevent unnecessary downtime, but prevent lasting consequences by addressing issues quickly and properly. #geartalk #vibration #oilanalysis #conditionmonitoring #remotemonitoring

On this special episode of Gear Talk, Wes Cash chats with the most famous guest to visit the show - Santa Claus! With more than 1,500 years as the Worldwide Distribution Manager for the North Pole, Santa knows a thing or two about how crucial reliability is to keeping machines healthy and running during the busiest time of the year. From extreme temperatures to intense production demands, Santa explains how he took his elves renowned talents and amplified their results with new production and reliability systems, including perfecting their lubrication and contamination control processes. From a humble workshop powered by reindeer to a world-class manufacturing facility, Santa shows how we can take the great tools and people we have and evolve our processes to make sure our facilities stay on the Reliability Nice List!

On this episode of Gear Talk, Wes Cash sits down with special guest Mina Soliman, CEO of Prime Gear and Noria Regional Technical Consultant, to talk about the state of reliability in the Middle East and the crucial role failure analysis is playing in creating world-class facilities.  Mina has decades of experience and multiple significant contributions to lubrication standards, such as ICML 55. In this podcast, Mina explains how reliability is becoming engrained in Middle Eastern manufacturing culture, especially as different industries and reliability standards are introduced. From Oil & Gas to Food & Beverage and Cement & Steel, join us as we dive into the unique nature of these industries in the Middle East. Learn about new strategies they are using to overcome challenging asset failures and establish a new status quo: using expert analysis to discover root causes.

On this episode of Gear Talk, Wes Cash chats with special guest Lisa Williams, Product Manager at Ametek Spectro Scientific and Sub-Committee Chair for ASTM, to talk about how on-site oil analysis can help catch failures faster in heavy industry and manufacturing. With nearly 20 years of experience working in oil analysis, Lisa reveals how on-site analysis provides rapid, reliable information on the machines that facilities rely on for uptime and profitability. Join us as we learn why this data is critical, how to collect it, and how to apply it to our workflows to lower barriers and stop failures in their tracks - all on our own terms and time. #geartalk #oilanalysis #ametekspectro #onsite #conditionmonitoring #laboratory

In this episode of Gear Talk, Wes Cash sits down with special guest Drew Troyer, Global Head of Asset Management for Anglo American, to uncover the history and truth behind condition-based maintenance. With nearly 34 years of experience, Drew reveals how this pioneering evolution from time-based maintenance came about and how it revolutionized every aspect of a facility's maintenance goals, including oil analysis. Join us as we learn to holistically view people, resources, and assets to develop a condition-based maintenance routine that not only properly maintains assets, but increases reliability along the way. #CBM #geartalk #podcast #maintenance #reliability #workplaceculture #mining #planning #scheduling

In this episode of Gear Talk, we dive deep into the world of maintenance and reliability with our special guest, Brian Brzinski, founder of AMSS Advanced Management Systems & Services, Inc. With over 25 years in maintenance and reliability and over 30 years in manufacturing, Brian brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. Brian has seen it all, from his beginnings as a steel mill laborer to his rise to executive leadership.   Join Wes and Brian as they focus on the significance of aligning your maintenance structure with your plant's goals, how culture influences maintenance and reliability practices, and strategies for customizing maintenance programs to fit different environments.   Don't miss this insightful episode, which offers practical advice and expert insights to help you optimize your plant's maintenance structure.   #geartalk #maintenance #reliability #manufacturing #plantmanagement #predictivetechnologies #podcast #industrialmaintenance

Wes Cash welcomes industry veteran Jerry Putt to Gear Talk for an in-depth discussion on the evolution of technical skills and onboarding in today's industrial landscape. With 39 years at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and 13 years at Noria, Jerry brings a wealth of knowledge and experience. Join Wes and Jerry as they cover: • Jerry's global experiences and the variety of talent in different regions. • The transition from traditional apprenticeship programs to modern training methods. • The impact of AI and technology on maintenance and reliability. • Challenges faced by trade industries due to a retiring workforce and the need for more skilled labor. • The importance of balancing technology with hands-on skills and institutional knowledge. • A special shoutout to Mike Rowe! Discover how companies can better prepare their workforce and the potential for a renaissance in trade education. #GearTalk #Onboarding #TechSkills #IndustrialEvolution #MaintenanceTraining #AI #TradeEducation #FutureOfIndustry #MikeRowe #PodcastInsights

Join Wes as he speaks with Jody Parsons. Jody is a leadership development coach and will be talking about how you can effectively lead during changes with your reliability and lubrication programs within your organization. Find out ways to strengthen employee engagement and change the status quo. Leaders ask questions to gather information and work toward ways to make the team better.   Gear Talk, where we connect reliability professionals with reliable information. #geartalk #leadership #transformation #softskills #engage #corevalues

In our latest episode, join Wes as we dive deep into the heart of NASCAR racing with tribologist Lake Speed Jr. Discover the critical role of tribology in the racing world and how it's not just about the car but the science behind it that leads to victory. From the intricate process of applying tribological principles to race cars to the complex chemistry of oil blending, Wes and Lake shed light on the unseen elements that fuel success on the track.   Whether you're a NASCAR enthusiast, a car technology aficionado, or just curious about the science of speed, this episode is your pit stop for insights into how the worlds of tribology and racing collide to push the boundaries of performance.   #geartalk #tribology #nascar #lakespeedjr #racing #oilblending #cartechnology

The lubrication industry is at a critical juncture. As seasoned professionals retire, there's a noticeable void in technical expertise not staying within the facilities. In this episode, Wes sits down with Lubrication Expert Rafe Britton for an in-depth discussion on staffing issues in the lubrication industry. Join them as they shed light on the historical context behind these staffing challenges and explore strategies to draw fresh, talented individuals into the lubricants field.

In this episode of Gear Talk, Wes sits down with Jeff Walkup, FluidLife's vice president of sales and marketing, to discuss leadership lessons in lubrication.   As an industry veteran, Jeff is passionate about the impact of leadership on maintenance and reliability teams and how it drives innovation and excellence in facilities. Whether you're on the facility floor or in the C-suite, this episode is packed with insights, experiences, and tips to elevate your leadership skills.

In this episode of Gear Talk, Wes sits down with Charli K. Matthews, CEO and founder of Empowering Brands, and a passionate advocate for empowering teams. Charli believes in the power of psychological safety — a place where speaking up, taking responsibility, and proactive action are not just encouraged but celebrated. Join Wes and Charli as they delve into the art of creating an environment where team members don't just exist, but excel. 

In this episode of Gear Talk, Wes sits down with Paul Farless, an industrial service technician with Noria, to discuss getting buy-in for change. One of Paul's passions is preaching change and awareness within facilities to cultivate long-term success and sustainability. Whether you're part of a large, seasoned team or a smaller unit, getting buy-in from your maintenance staff is crucial. Join Wes and Paul for this inspiring and informative episode!