Smart Factory Podcast Series

The steel industry has shaped western Pennsylvania for generations. Now, a new chapter may be unfolding. In this episode of the Smart Factory Podcast, Petra Mitchell speaks with Doug Dunworth about the realities facing the steel industry today, from workforce pressures and global competition to the significance of Nippon Steel’s proposed investment and what it could mean for the future of manufacturing in the region. The conversation explores how…

Ralph Hardt shares how advanced manufacturers are scaling through workforce development, automation, continuous improvement, and strategic growth across energy and aerospace markets, including why employee referrals for new hires are one of the strongest indicators of company culture and operational performance.

Most manufacturers know what they pay. Far fewer understand what it actually costs. Daniela Osio, Founder and CEO of Dalinea, unpacks one of the biggest blind spots in manufacturing today: cost visibility across the supply chain.

Adam Bird of Emerson, shares how AI and automation are reshaping industrial operations and energy systems; and what it takes to lead change inside organizations adopting new technologies. Explore how AI is being applied inside real industrial control environments with Ovation AI. See what it takes to bring intelligence directly into operations and where it can drive measurable impact. Learn more about Ovation AI

Tricia Staible, President of Robinson Fans, shares what it takes to operate a custom-engineered manufacturing business serving heavy industry; and her passion for the She Builds initiative, which is expanding opportunities for women in manufacturing.