PII Podcast: Recent Episodes
Process Industry Informer
A regular series where our expert host Dave Howell discuses the latest technologies and future insights throughout the manufacturing process industries
Calibration is becoming increasingly connected, with mobile technology playing a growing role in helping organisations improve efficiency, compliance and operational performance. However, deploying mobile solutions in industrial environments presents challenges that go far beyond those faced in traditional business settings.
In this episode, we explore how industrial mobility is reshaping calibration and maintenance activities across manufacturing and the process industries. From hazardous and explosion-proof areas to highly regulated pharmaceutical facilities, organisations must balance the need for real-time access to calibration and asset data with stringent safety, security and compliance requirements.
Joining us is Sami Koskinen, Director of Digital Transformation at Beamex, who discusses why successful mobile deployments require close collaboration between IT and operational teams, the impact of IT/OT convergence and the role of cybersecurity in supporting reliable, connected operations. We also examine the practical considerations for implementing mobile technology, the common pitfalls organisations should avoid and how a strategic approach can improve safety, reliability and productivity.
Industrial automation is entering a new phase. What was once focused primarily on improving efficiency is now playing a critical role in helping manufacturers and process industries build resilience, achieve sustainability goals and remain competitive in an increasingly complex global market.
From artificial intelligence and digital twins to private 5G networks and predictive analytics, emerging technologies are transforming how industrial operations are monitored, managed and optimised. At the same time, businesses are navigating challenges such as stricter environmental regulations, skills shortages and evolving supply chains, all while seeking new opportunities for growth.
In this episode, host Dave Howell explores the key trends shaping the future of industrial automation and digital transformation. The discussion examines how organisations are adopting advanced technologies, the impact of consolidation across the automation sector and what the next decade could hold for manufacturers, energy providers and process industries worldwide.
Joining the podcast are Florian Funke and Harpreet Singh, Partners at L.E.K. Consulting. Drawing on their extensive experience advising clients across industrial manufacturing, energy, transportation, logistics, industrial technology and business services, they share insights into the market forces, investment trends and innovation strategies driving the next wave of industrial growth.
Tune in to discover how automation is moving beyond efficiency to become a strategic enabler of resilience, sustainability and long-term business success.
In heavy industry, trust is never abstract. It is welded into every joint, embedded in every specification, and measured in microns. Clients do not invest in promises - they invest in certainty. That certainty begins long before equipment leaves the factory floor.
Behind every successful industrial project lies a chain of accountability. Engineers interpret complexity and design viable solutions. Manufacturers transform drawings into precision-built stainless steel systems. Marketing ensures that this expertise is understood, differentiated, and trusted in competitive markets.
This episode explores how the three forces of engineering, manufacturing, and marketing converge to create industrial credibility. Through the perspectives of process engineering, stainless steel production, and strategic marketing leadership, the discussion reveals what truly builds long-term confidence in the process industry.
Today's episode is brought to you by RAP Group - a strategic industrial partner built for complexity, scale, and precision. Since its founding in 1992, RAP Group has grown into a network of specialised companies, each contributing deep expertise across general construction, electrical systems, heating, plumbing and advanced process technologies.
From food and pharmaceuticals to personal care and chemical industries, RAP Group delivers fully integrated, turnkey solutions - designing, building and even relocating entire industrial facilities and utilities across the region and beyond.
Headquartered in Romania and operating internationally, the group combines global capability with a highly personalised approach. With a team of over 500 professionals, more than 1,000 completed projects and the majority of its work delivered across borders, RAP Group has built its reputation on safety, quality, flexibility and reliable execution.
In this episode, we'll explore what it takes to deliver complex industrial projects at scale - and how RAP Group continues to help businesses build, adapt and grow in an increasingly demanding world, with special guests: Bogdan Urdea – Sales Expert / Sales Director, RPE
Andrei Petrici – Technical Director, RAP Steel Production
Loana Lorenc – Marketing Director RAP Group
*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:1b844f90-444e-4037-9708-3bcd4ccc8235-1" data-testid= "conversation-turn-2" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> In this episode, host Dave Howell is joined by Kelly Lovesy, Sales Director at Wewise, to explore how rising energy costs are reshaping the landscape for UK manufacturers - and what can be done about it.
The discussion opens with the growing pressure on industrial energy users, particularly SMEs, as electricity prices rise and demand across Europe continues to increase. Dave and Kelly examine why energy has shifted from a manageable overhead to a significant operational risk, impacting margins, investment decisions and long-term competitiveness.
They then turn to practical solutions, focusing on how renewable energy - especially on-site solar paired with energy storage - is helping manufacturers take greater control of their energy use. Kelly explains how generating and storing power can stabilise costs, reduce reliance on the grid and create immediate financial benefits.
Finally, the conversation looks at the bigger picture: how the savings achieved through renewable energy can be reinvested back into the business. From boosting productivity and supporting workforce development to enabling digitalisation and expanding production capacity, this new approach offers SMEs a pathway to more resilient, sustainable growth.
This episode provides valuable insight into how manufacturers can move beyond simply managing energy costs to using energy strategy as a driver for long-term success.
Hosted by David Howell, this episode explores how hyper-efficient motor technologies are transforming industrial performance, sustainability and long-term competitiveness.
As a global leader in motors and drives, ABB Motion sits at the forefront of accelerating a more productive and sustainable future. Through continuous innovation, it is helping industries transition towards energy-efficient, decarbonised and circular operations.
Electrification, digitalisation and circularity are now converging to fundamentally redefine how industrial systems operate. High-efficiency motors and digital powertrains are enabling organisations to optimise performance while significantly reducing emissions. From heavy industry and manufacturing to transport and buildings, these technologies are supporting everything from renewable integration to electric mobility.
This is not a gradual shift. It is a systemic transformation in how energy is produced, managed and consumed.
In this episode, David Howell is joined by Daniel Eberli, Global Business Line Manager at ABB, to unpack the forces driving this change and what it means for industrial leaders.
Episode Overview Industrial motors continue to account for a substantial share of global electricity consumption, yet they have historically been overlooked as a major efficiency opportunity. Often regarded as the "silent workhorses" of industrial plants, many systems remain unchanged for years, driven by a "if it isn't broken, don't fix it" mindset—despite hidden inefficiencies steadily draining energy and cost. With nearly half of installed motors now more than a decade old, the scale of the opportunity is significant.
In recent years, however, energy efficiency has moved from a technical consideration to a strategic priority. Governments worldwide have recognised its critical role in energy security and industrial competitiveness, resulting in tighter regulations and minimum efficiency performance standards. At the same time, volatile energy prices have sharpened focus on operating costs, with electricity accounting for the overwhelming majority of a motor's total cost of ownership. As a result, businesses are increasingly prioritising efficiency not only for sustainability but also for clear financial returns.
Successful organisations are taking a structured, systems-level approach to efficiency. Rather than relying on ad-hoc upgrades, they are conducting comprehensive energy appraisals, identifying high-impact opportunities and implementing clear roadmaps. Case studies such as Aurubis demonstrate the potential: large-scale upgrades to high-efficiency motor systems can deliver substantial energy savings, reduced emissions and rapid payback periods, while also simplifying operational complexity.
A key insight discussed in the episode is the true cost profile of industrial motors. While initial purchase costs are minimal, energy consumption dominates over the lifecycle. This makes efficiency improvements one of the most effective levers for reducing both operational expenditure and environmental impact. Advances in motor technology, including ABB's latest synchronous reluctance solutions, are now delivering measurable gains in performance, reliability and lifecycle cost.
Digitalisation is further accelerating this transformation. The integration of AI, predictive analytics and variable speed drives is enabling real-time optimisation of energy use and early detection of potential failures. By aligning energy consumption with actual demand and improving system reliability, organisations can unlock additional efficiency gains while reducing downtime. Real-world implementations, such as GSK's Singapore facility, highlight how digital monitoring and predictive capabilities can exceed performance targets and deliver strong returns on investment.
Electrification and energy efficiency are increasingly working hand in hand. High-efficiency motor technologies deliver the greatest impact in continuous-duty applications such as pumps, fans and compressors, which represent a large proportion of industrial energy use. However, scaling these solutions requires careful consideration of application-specific requirements and long equipment lifecycles, reinforcing the importance of selecting the right technology from the outset.
Circularity is also becoming a practical reality within industrial operations. Modern motor designs are highly recyclable, and innovations in materials—such as the use of low-carbon and recycled copper—are reducing embedded emissions. Combined with transparent lifecycle assessments, these developments are enabling organisations to align operational improvements with broader ESG objectives.
Key Takeaways for Business Leaders For organisations looking to accelerate their energy transition, the episode highlights three critical actions:
- Conduct a comprehensive fleet-wide energy audit to identify inefficiencies and prioritise high-impact opportunities
- Develop a structured upgrade roadmap, focusing on replacing outdated motors with high-efficiency alternatives and integrated drive systems
- Implement real-time energy monitoring to track performance, validate savings and continuously optimise operations
Final Thoughts Many organisations are still at an early stage in their efficiency journey, working to quantify energy use, identify savings opportunities and prioritise modernisation investments. The path forward requires a clear, structured progression—from insight to implementation and ongoing optimisation.
For today's industrial leaders, the challenge is balancing immediate operational demands with long-term sustainability goals, while unlocking both financial and environmental returns.
To learn more and begin your journey, visit ABB.
For five decades, Beamex has operated in a world where the smallest measurement error can ripple into serious consequences. From its beginnings as a small Finnish calibration company to a global leader trusted by more than 15,000 customers across 140 countries, Beamex's story is not just one of growth, but of discipline, judgement and earned trust.
In this special anniversary episode of the Beamex Podcast, host David Howell sits down with Jan-Henrik Svensson, CEO of Beamex, to explore what it truly takes to build longevity in a high-stakes, highly regulated industry. Together, they look beyond milestones and marketing to examine the real forces behind Beamex's success: pragmatic decision-making, a culture that values precision over speed and the courage to say no when long-term trust is on the line.
The conversation also looks forward. As calibration enters an era shaped by AI, data-driven workflows, digitalisation and sustainability, this episode explores how Beamex is preparing for the next 50 years - and how the very definitions of precision and trust are evolving.
Whether you work in calibration, industrial automation, quality management, or simply want to understand how critical systems remain safe and reliable, this is a thoughtful, future-facing discussion worth your time.
Beamex is your trusted partner for calibration excellence, providing accurate measurements, reliable data, and traceability for a safer and less uncertain world. Beamex helps improve efficiency, ensure compliance, and increase safety with its comprehensive ecosystem of calibration solutions – from field calibration to workshop calibration, calibration management, and services. Through the company´s global reach, Beamex products and services are available in over 90 countries. This episode explores how data-rich operational environments are becoming the backbone of modern industry and why secure OT systems and reliable measurements are essential for future innovation and growth. We'll examine how calibration ensures trustworthy data, how mobile and digital tools are evolving to meet the realities of industrial work, and why cybersecurity has become a non-negotiable foundation for any organisation seeking resilience and efficiency. Today's podcast will unpack the organisational, technical, and cultural shifts needed to build safer, more reliable, and more data-driven operations.
Host Dave Howell is joined by special guest Mark Nicholls, Business Development Manager at Beamex, to explore the critical role of data integrity, calibration and compliance in the water and wastewater industry.
In this episode, we uncover why the demand for reliable, traceable data has never been greater, and how digital calibration solutions are enabling utilities to move away from outdated paper-based systems towards smarter, more efficient workflows.
Drawing on insights from the Cunliffe Report and real-world examples from a major UK water supplier, we discuss the challenges operators face, from inconsistent calibration practices to record-keeping gaps and the technologies driving meaningful change.
With innovative tools such as LOGi CAL and the MC6-EX, we highlight how utilities can strengthen safety, reduce waste and build greater public trust in water quality through forward-thinking calibration strategies.
ABB’s latest innovation - the ACS380-E machinery drive, is redefining industrial automation. With built-in dual Ethernet ports, robust cybersecurity features and simplified commissioning tools, this next-generation drive is more than hardware, it’s a complete platform designed for connectivity, compliance and performance.
In this episode, we explore how the ACS380-E helps machine builders streamline integration, prepare for upcoming EU Machinery Regulations and future-proof operations across applications like conveyors, bottling systems and extrusion lines. From cold commissioning via USB-C to ABB’s Drive Composer 3 software, discover why the ACS380-E stands at the forefront of motion control innovation.
Whether you’re an OEM, engineer, or industrial tech enthusiast, you’ll gain practical insights into how ABB is shaping the future of automated machinery.
In this podcast with Keith Smith, Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder of IntelliAM, we are considering the role of AI in manufacturing – exploring the current challenges facing the industry as well as myth-busting the common barriers to adoption. IntelliAM – which stands for intelligent asset management – is a UK tech company specialising in AI and machine learning for the manufacturing industry. Many of the world’s largest manufacturers – including half of the world’s top 12 FMCGs – are using IntelliAM’s solution to unlock insights from billions of machine asset data points. IntelliAM is on a mission to revolutionise the machine asset management industry – using AI to increase productivity, cut operating costs and drive smarter decision-making on the factory floor. About Keith Smith:
Keith is the Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder of IntelliAM. He has 27 years of experience in the manufacturing and engineering industry, including extensive expertise in the FMCG sector. He specialises in the development and promotion of Asset Care Standards that help manufacturers unlock the full potential of their operations.
In his role at IntelliAM, Keith leads all operational teams, driving the development of the IntelliAM platform to help customers achieve world-class asset care standards.
He’s able to speak about AI adoption within the manufacturing sector and how it can help manufacturers to unlock greater productivity, quality, performance, efficiency, and safety, while also reducing waste and increasing throughput in the UK’s manufacturing sector.
Topics include: What the biggest pressures facing manufacturers today and how rising demands and shrinking resources are reshaping the way they operate. Why traditional predictive maintenance systems are struggling to keep up with modern manufacturing environments Examples of how outdated maintenance methods are leading to costly downtime or inefficiencies on the plant floor Ways AI fundamentally changes the maintenance game, particularly in interpreting asset data and predicting failures before they happen Limitations of traditional condition monitoring tools and human interpretation and how does IntelliAM's approach go beyond them? IntelliAM’s six-step AI model: a structured journey rather than a quick fix The importance of industry-specific knowledge in AI deployment and how IntelliAM bridges engineering expertise with technology Common misconceptions about AI adoption in manufacturing, from job loss fears to ROI concerns Shifting mindsets from reactive to proactive maintenance and how AI helps manufacturers lead rather than follow The future of intelligent maintenance and how manufacturers can prepare today
In this episode, we’re exploring the future of real-time process monitoring with a spotlight on Metrohm’s 2060 RISE, a high-tech Raman spectrometer designed to deliver lab-quality analysis directly within production environments. As industries grapple with growing demands for efficiency, safety and compliance, the ability to monitor materials in real time, without sending samples to a lab, is no longer a luxury, but a necessity.
Joining host Dave Howell, is Paul Hamilton, Business Manager for Metrohm Process Analytics in the UK, to break down why Raman spectroscopy is proving to be a game-changer for complex processes, from pharma to petrochemicals. We’ll explore how 2060 RISE helps identify materials, detect impurities and streamline operations, all while reducing downtime and boosting productivity.
Together, we’ll also uncover the origins of this breakthrough instrument, what makes it uniquely suited for integration in hazardous and high-throughput environments and why many in the industry are saying: “Why didn’t this exist 10 years ago?”
Whether you're a process engineer, a compliance lead, or simply someone passionate about smart technology and safer operations, this conversation will show how Raman spectroscopy and 2060 RISE in particular, is reshaping the future of process analysis.
In this latest PII Podcast, Dave Howell speaks with Jeff Shaffer, Sales Director for Process Manufacturing at Graco, to explore how electric diaphragm pumps are redefining performance and sustainability across the process industries.
Diaphragm pumps have long been the unsung workhorses of manufacturing—from paints to pharmaceuticals. But while demand for automation, energy efficiency and lower costs has soared, pump innovation has lagged behind. That’s now changing.
Jeff shares insights into the rapid growth of the electric operated double diaphragm (EODD) pump market, projected to reach $941.1 million by 2034, and how Graco’s breakthrough QUANTM® pump is driving this transformation.
Originally launched two years ago, the QUANTM line has been enhanced with features such as the XTREME TORQUE™ motor and expanded power options including 480V, making it easier to deploy and more compatible with existing systems.
With real-time energy savings, measurable sustainability benefits and drop-in replacement capability for traditional AODD and gear pumps, this new generation of electric pumps offers an answer to both operational challenges and greenwashing scepticism.
Tune in as Dave and Jeff unpack what this means for the future of automated and sustainable manufacturing.
In today’s industrial landscape, calibration and measurement are essential for efficiency, safety, and compliance. They drive advancements in automation, robotics, IoT, and digital transformation, ensuring precision and reliability.
In this episode, Dave speaks with Sami Kosiken, Director of Digital Transformation, who discusses how process managers can implement accurate calibration to prevent disruptions, enhance safety, and ensure regulatory compliance with Beamex digitalised calibration solution, forming the foundation of modern industrial success.
In this episode, Dave speaks with Aaron Lober, Vice President of Marketing at CADDi, a trailblazing company in the field of manufacturing intelligence software.
With over 15 years of experience in driving growth across various industries, Aaron shares his insights on how CADDi is revolutionising the manufacturing sector through strategic marketing and cutting-edge technology.
We’ll dive into CADDi’s flagship product, CADDi Drawer, which utilises patented AI to transform supply chain data and enhance product development. Join us as we explore how CADDi’s innovations earned them recognition on Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies 2024 list and a top spot in the SaaS awards for Best Business Intelligence and Engineering Management Software.
"Sensors are great, but they have their limitations" - that’s where analysers come in!
In this episode, Paul Hamilton from Metrohm discusses simple and innovative ways for Process Engineers to perform complex chemical analysis. Metrohm is best known for producing analytical laboratory hardware and software, but Paul explains how the process analysis side of the business brings all of the typical laboratory analysis techniques and integrates them into the process plant, producing lab-quality data in the plant, fully automated.
Compared to some other countries, the UK is behind when it comes to the process industry, but there is a shift happening, and now is the time to innovate and automate. There are countless ways in which a process can be automated, and most people don’t even realise it! A lot of companies are reliant on intermittent data from a lab, and that creates a bottleneck. Whereas automating your process provides real-time detailed data, which allows you to be proactive and make fast and accurate decisions; this, in turn, eliminates downtime, reduces costs, and raises efficiency.
Paul discusses real-life examples of companies and industries that have embraced automating their process and the results they have seen... often automation is much simpler than people think! Paul talks about how you can retrofit an analyser into your process, and how surprisingly easy that can be.
Lastly, Paul talks over what’s next for the process industry... spectroscopy?...
Don’t miss this insightful and eye-opening episode!
For machines in the food industry, you need special solutions. Extreme temperatures, high mechanical loads, short cycle times, round-the-clock operation, and regular cleaning cycles require very robust components. Strict food safety regulations pose as much of a challenge here as efficiency and sustainability. Whether it’s for process automation in food production, for beverage production or the packaging industry, in all cases you need food-compatible rolling bearings, plain bearings, and linear guidance systems as well as adapted lubrication and seal concepts. Even during the planning stage of your machines, it is already important to find the right rolling bearing solution for your application, for example with the aid of simulation tools. And with permanent condition monitoring, you create the best conditions for the reliable, hygienic, and economical operation of your equipment. Learn more about how you can successfully meet the challenges of the food, beverage, and packaging industry. In this podcast we are considering Radial Insert Ball Bearings technology and also Scheffler's condition monitoring technology, Optime. My guests today are Tom Richmond, Scheffler’s Food and Beverage Sales Engineer and Sally Sillis, Shefler Technical Manager.
Topics include:
What makes Radial Insert Ball Bearings technology particularly applicable to the Food & Beverage industry. Overview of Scheffler's condition monitoring technology, Optime and its core principles. How Schaeffler’s Condition Monitoring services and technologies support customers. How important is FDA certification. How Schaeffler is involved with the design stage of a new process, or helping customers to evolve existing systems and processes. An outline the sustainability credentials of Optime and Radial Insert Ball Bearings technologies.
Why contact bearings or combined radial and axial loads are particularly applicable to the food and beverage industry. How Optime can be integrated into existing machinery and control systems.
In this episode of the PII Podcast, we delve into the world of interface level measurement, concentrating on those difficult multiphase applications with dynamic emulsion layers. The key to optimising performance in these situations is solving the emulsion factor – a hurdle that has long stood in the way of accurate and economical level detection. Traditionally, no single technology has been able to economically measure the total hydrocarbon level, the top of the emulsion (where water mixes into oil), and the bottom of the emulsion layer, (where oil mixes into water). This multiphase scenario has challenged many traditional technologies, each of which faces its own limitations. Despite the considerable efforts from instrumentation manufacturers, a truly cost-effective solution has been elusive... Until now. Today we are exploring TDR-based technology and how this is changing the game. Learn the science behind it, and what it means for the future of industries reliant on precise level measurement. To unpack all of that and give us his expert insights,we are joined by Bob Botwinski - a Senior Global Product Manager for AMETEK LMS.
AMETEK Drexelbrook's "Cote-Shield" technology revolutionises point level detection in tanks and vessels by effectively ignoring conductive coatings on the sensing element, ensuring a reliable, repeatable measurement and maintenance-free operation. This technology overcomes the common issue of false alarms caused by process coating buildup that can cause false alarms potentially interrupting the critical process and costing loss in profits. Cote-Shield addresses this issue by introducing a three-terminal style probe design that incorporates a Cote-Shield element, that ignores process coating buildup and prevents false alarms. This innovation enables Drexelbrook's level devices to function reliably, even under the most challenging process conditions. Preventing these types of failures can help save on preventative maintenance, automate your process, and save money. Renowned for their reliability, Drexelbrook's level devices equipped with Cote-Shield technology have been deployed in more than 100,000 systems around the world. They are known for delivering consistent results even in harsh conditions and are relied upon by industry leading companies across the globe.
In this podcast from Beamex, we talk about the importance of providing accurate measurements, reliable data and traceability when performing instrument calibrations. We’ll explore how the digitalisation of data helps to improve operational efficiency for optimal asset performance, with examples of industries where calibration occurs, particularly looking at how National Grid has been able to reduce costs and improve efficiency of their calibration processes.
Recipe control is a very specialist field that applies to a wide range of industry sectors. The data collected by a well designed recipe handling process control system can give deep insights into all aspects of production.
Recipe control can also function as a quality control method or more accurately risk control when the product being made has to meet defined standards and need to be as reliable as possible for incorporation in to end user's finished products.
In this podcast Charles Williams discusses recipe control from his experience in multiple industries. Charles is second generation in Promtek Ltd, a family owned business in the heart of Stoke on Trent.
Trusting the data in your recipe control system is one of the most important steps you can take to unlock the potential to improve efficiency, sustainability and quality control for your production facilities.
Unplanned downtime in industrial manufacturing causes productivity loss, timeline delays and lost revenue – estimated at around $50 billion each year. To address this tremendous market problem, PARC, a Xerox Company, recently launched Novity, a new venture to commercialise predictive maintenance technology. The technology solution uses equipment sensors and proprietary algorithms to enable industrial manufacturers to see the future health of their production assets. The Novity TruPrognostics™ engine relies on a combination of machine learning and physics-based models of equipment, allowing it to predict failures with 90% or better accuracy and lead times of months, not weeks or days. In this episode, Dave speaks with Markus Larsson, General Manager and founder of Novity about the pioneering technology and what it means for the future of industrial manufacturing.
In this episode Dave speak with Robert Stancombe, Business Development Manager of Veolia Mobile Water Services. Power plant operators are increasingly looking at ways to optimise the use of water in steam and cooling cycles in thermal power plants. However, implementing new technologies can present challenges. Robert Stancombe of Mobile Water Services discusses how the use of mobile reverse osmosis assets can help streamline the implementation process and help operators who are increasingly exposed to high chemical costs and supply shortages.
Discover the many advantages of reverse osmosis upstream of a demineralisation plant for high-pressure and cooling water applications and the benefits of using a temporary system. A growing number of plant operators have already gone mobile with the implementation of a reverse osmosis pilot. Better system efficiency, cost savings and reduced environmental impact have even convinced some to extend the mobilisation of the reverse osmosis asset to last a number of years without the need for investment in fixed plants.
Finding new ways to solve customer problems has always been at the core of ABB Measurement & Analytics’ approach to product development. With the global focus on emissions and sustainability, industries are under even more pressure to increase the agility and reliability of emissions monitoring in real time. ABB’s Datalyzer is an application that has been developed to help customers respond to this challenge.
The solution offers enterprise grade, comprehensive, cloud-based analyser fleet monitoring, unlocking the value of asset data through actionable insights.
Join ABB Measurement and Analytics Digital Lead, David Lincoln, as he discusses how such tools remove complexity by transforming data into valuable business insights, not just for emissions monitoring but for all process industries looking to maximise uptime.
BEUMER Group has declared digitisation a top priority to secure its own future viability. But how can this be achieved? How can a company that has been operating mechanical engineering as its core business for around 80 years push digitisation to its full extent? To get fit for the future, BEUMER Group is relying on two spin-offs which - with the support of start-ups - are to carry digital projects into the group company.
As a result of extensive research, two spin-off companies to complement the existing innovation department have been started; The BEAM GmbH was established in Berlin as an autonomous company builder and BG.evolution was established in Dortmund and aims to develop 'Minimum Viable Products', which are minimally equipped prototypes tested as possible solutions for a concrete customer problem.
In this fascination episode Dave speaks with Dr. Johannes Stemmer explains how BEUMER Group approached this transformation
In our latest Podcast Dave speaks with GEA’s Hassan Yaszdi, Senior Product Manager Digital Service, and Dr. Mark Schneeberger, Head of Development of GEA’s Beer and Alcoholic Beverage Business and brewmaster, about how GEA is paving the way for breweries (and possibly other industries, too) to become more digital with their game-changing software
Over the next five to ten years, more and more new Industry 4.0 technologies will transform the production landscape of many industries - from connectivity to advanced analytics, robotics and automation. In the future, breweries will also be able to go paperless, monitor processes seamlessly, be notified of adjustments at any stage of the brewing process, and ultimately make changes with minimal human intervention. Such advanced monitoring software is now real - and more than that, it's on its way to becoming an auto-optimisation programme.
The ability to optimise a production unit in the future will depend on accurate, insightful and actionable data. However, many breweries lack the granular performance data necessary to take full advantage of digitisation and automation. This is where GEA's brewing and service experts come in, and they have now formulated an answer together with customers: GEA InsightPartner Brewery.
GEA InsightPartner Brewery is the first step, actually being in release phase 2 (for a whole brewhouse) at a customers site (Störtebeker Brewery in Germany). Future releases incorporating further process steps are in preparation. And best news: The GEA OptiPartner Brewery (which is the big brother of GEA InsightPartner) is no dream anymore, but already in the testing phase at a customer site.
As you will learn, whilst GEA InsightPartner gives brewers the knowledge to track and respond to their processes, GEA OptiPartner Brewery automatically handles end-to-end process optimisation for each brew, it really is a truly insightful listen….
In this final episode of our 3-part series with Siemens, Dave speaks with Ian Poulett, Business Manager - Industrial Communication, RTLS & Identification, who discusses the types of systems used to manage networks and process systems.
Topics include:
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Management and control systems
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How remote access and management can be achieved
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How remote access, communications, management, and control can be applied to new digital systems
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Digital transformation roadmaps
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Security for remote access and control
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How 5G will transform process management
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Training and education of the digital transformation
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What the future of remote access and management looks like
In this second of our 3 part series with Siemens, Dave speaks with Dave Adams, Team Leader - Process Specialists.
Drawing on his 30+ years of experience working at Siemens, Dave provides an interesting insight into how the chemical industries are adopting industry 4.0 technologies.
Topics include:
Understanding and implementation Industry 4.0 in the Chemical Industries
Can fully automated or autonomous systems be used by plant managers across the chemical sector?
Does Industry 4.0 open the door to efficiency and cost savings
Analysing data for control and predictive analytics
How businesses can create a new digital ecosystem across their processes
First steps a chemical company should take to harness IIoT, edge computing and AI (machine learning)
In the first of a 3 part Podcast series with Siemens, Dave speaks with Paul Hingley the Product Solution & Security Officer GB&I at Siemens Digital Industries Software.
Cyber security is a major concern throughout industry and in this podcast Paul discusses concerns over air gapped systems in the chemical industry and alternative solutions.
In this episode, Dave speaks to data analytics software leaders from technology provider Ovarro, Alan Cunningham, subject matter expert, and Josh Britton, global product line manager.
As a major supplier of monitoring and control systems to the water sector, Ovarro is fully versed in the challenges faced by global utilities today.
Data and analytics, if applied correctly, can transform how water networks are managed, helping to ensure the environment is protected, regulatory targets are met and company performance is improved.
Alan and Josh discuss the current data landscape for water, and the innovation behind their software products such as AlarmVision, a cloud-based dashboard that enables control rooms to manage the stream of incoming alarms in real time.
In our latest Podcast, Dave speaks with Remco Bakker, Business Development Manager of Imtex Controls, who discusses the introduction a new pioneering product; the Valvescan Diagnostic Monitoring System.
Remco explains how the VDMS provides a technological step-change in valve health monitoring for various process industries.
With the development of the Valvescan Diagnostic Monitoring System – an-end-to-end solution that captures data from every valve operation, analyses it and provides targeted alerts on the valve health without any requirement for involvement from plant personnel or any potential impact on the asset real time control integrity. It is a true IIoT solution for automated valves
You may read about digitalisation, Industry 4.0, Analytics, IIoT, Data driven decision making, and other related topics almost daily. The more you see these topics pass by, the more diffused it may have become.
In this podcast Dave and Thomas explore the basics about these topics and how operational experts can easily start with analytics without having to become data scientists.
Here Dave Howell speaks with David Clark, Senior Engineering Manager at HMD Kontro Sealless Pumps, who traces the evolution of magnetic drive sealless pumps, from their introduction 70 years ago to the very latest developments and materials that are driving the industry forward.
A step-change in design, driven by technology advances and innovative materials has seen the emergence of a new level of agility and flexibility while future-proofing products against ever-more stringent regulations.
Single Pair Ethernet is the technology that makes it possible to implement the Internet of Things consistently within industry, right through to field-based applications. Here, Dave speaks with Simon Seereiner, Head of Product Management for SAI and Industrial Ethernet at Weidmüller, who explains how Weidmüller are using this technology and the range of benefits it offers.
In this latest podcast, Lawrence Clark, VP Regional Sales, EMEA and Richard Porter, Senior Manager of Area Sales for EMEA, both of AspenTech, talk about how the company’s predictive analytics and asset performance management solutions can drive the digital transformation of the industry by optimising assets to run safer, greener, longer and faster. Lawrence and Richard discuss how these technologies can help pharmaceuticals manufacturers ensure security of supply, guaranteeing that customers have drugs available to them when they are needed, bringing tangible operational efficiencies and helping them avoid too much time spent on data science experiments that don’t bring a business benefit.
In this latest podcast Dave speaks with Alan Hunt, ABB Product Manager UK & IE – Electromagnetic Flow. Here Alan discusses issues around water use and water conservancy and his passion about what he calls the “Holy Trinity” of water sustainability.
Water companies themselves are saddled with the burden of matching supply with demand, but we as consumers both as process industry consumers and as individuals all must play our part in reducing consumption and ensuring the waste we discharge into water courses is meets or exceeds regulatory minimum quality standards.
The holy trinity covers;
Leakage – how to reduce the 3.1billion litres of water that are lost daily from the water network
Environment – how do we collectively ensure that water we discharge into water courses is not going to pollute it. What is the impact of MCERTS
Responsibility – it is up to us all to ensure we have enough water to sustain demand. The desire to be a good neighbour/good citizen now extends to company values
In this latest podcast, Patrick Deruytter, Vice President of Customer Care and Large Projects at Emerson, talks about the acceleration of digital engagement and how it is changing the way we work. Patrick discusses the new reality where work is done anywhere – and how extreme collaboration, speed of interaction and “anytime – everywhere” expectations are driving this shift.
Here, Glenn discusses the exciting latest developments about how the FDT Group have launched their latest digital transformation for the industrial automation sector with its’ new FDT 3.0 (FITS) standard. The new FDT IIoT ecosystem empowers scalable, skid-to-cloud solutions and innovative business models unlocking universal device integration with mobility and remote access for the new era of automation. Learn more about the enhanced offerings with FDT 3.0 by listening to this Podcast.
Learn how digital transformation can start small and scale over time: By merging pneumatics with advanced software and data analytics you can generate actionable insights, optimise and improve your process control cost and efficiency, make informed decisions and drive operational improvement
In this latest podcast, Daryl Cowlan, Printing Systems and Tools Specialist at Weidmuller UK talks about how Weidmuller’s Workplace Solutions take customers through the phases of panel building, from planning to installation to operation, with optimally coordinated solutions for their workshops. He will explain how these solutions can vastly speed up work processes, and increase quality of work through the standardisation of workplaces, intelligently combined equipment, quick identification of tools along with integrated uses of configuration, marking software and the fast delivery service that can be used.
If you want to increase yield, control product quality and reduce costs in your production process, operational excellence is most likely at the top of your wish-list. You are determined to enable data-driven decision making at each level of the organisation.
Steve Leech, Business Manager for Process Control Systems at Siemens, talks about the acquisition of operational data from existing or new installations, and the application of it to optimise plant operation and maintenance. Steve talks about the vision, the practicalities, and the technical know-how to get the most out of smart instruments now, and how this lays the foundations for a digital plant.