EECO Asks Why Podcast

Michael Van Keulen does a phenomenal job of breaking down the role of technology in procurement. 

He has a passion for procurement and  believes that best-in-class procurement outcomes depend on three factors: 

1. People
2. Process
3. Technology 

Without the right combination of these three elements, sustainable best-in-class procurement outcomes will not be achieved. 

For technology to make a meaningful contribution ...

In this episode we explore the ways in which software can help create supply chain agility. Ara Surenian discusses the importance of supply chain agility, the role of software in achieving it, and some examples of software solutions that can be used to enhance supply chain agility.

Specific areas explored are:

• What is supply chain agility? Ara explains that supply chain agility refers to the ability of a supply chain to...

In the fast paced world of data centers Bret Lehman is changing the game!

He shares his incredible journey and how the landscape has changed so much over the last 20 years.  Bret gives an inside look at key areas of innovation including:

• Server design
• Cooling challenges
• Workforce attrition
• Sustainability for the future

Bret is on the frontlines of industry and the impact he is making is genuine.  Just listen to his sto...

Flexibility, customization and innovation are the heart of the exciting world of modular data centers! 

In this conversation Michael Hennings and Bret Lehman give an inside look at this evolving technology.  As frontline industry leaders they have a perspective that is unparalleled in this space.  

They share insight around how the technology has changed over the years and what is coming down the pike for the futu...

Look for challenges and never be content.

That is what drives Michael Hennings and he shares about his amazing journey in this Hero conversation.  Michael is the Director of Business Development at Hubbell and is on the front lines of cutting edge technology daily.  His career began in distribution and has provided him tremendous opportunities to grow into the role he currently has at Hubbell.

Michael shares how t...

83% of B2B buyers prefer an e-commerce or digital experience, as opposed to picking up the phone!

Let that sink in for a minute.  The digital experience for those in manufacturing is here and the businesses that are making the investments now will be the ones carrying the flag in the future.  Curt Anderson is the expert in all things eCommerce (he literally wrote the book about it) and in this insight packed conversation h...

Being on the front lines of game changing industry solutions is what our hero Jerry Foster lives every day!

In this inspirational conversation Jerry unpacks his personal journey through industry and some of his incredible experiences.  Working with the best minds of manufacturing puts him in a great position to see the hurdles firsthand and engineer solutions that truly make an impact.

Jerry gets real and talks ab...

When quality becomes part of your culture the game changes completely!

Anthony Murphy shares how he and the team at PLEX stay focused on building solutions that helps organizations align to achieve amazing results.  When everyone is driving in the same direction greatness awaits and the leaders of manufacturing recognize there is tremendous power in this mindset.

He reviews how to take a holistic approach to qual...

We need more evangelists for manufacturing!

Curt Anderson is one of the most energetic and impactful voices that is ensuring manufacturing get the attention it deserves.  He is extremely passionate about helping manufacturers connect with customers through eCommerce solutions and in this epic Hero conversation he shares his amazing story.

Curt took the entrepreneurial plunge in the midst of COVID and never looked ...

Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) are impacting factory floors like never before.

In this information packed episode we welcome Jerry Foster from Plex to unpack the realities of these powerful solutions.  He shares how the need for manufacturers to track and document the transformation of raw materials into finished goods led to an exciting world of MES.

Manufacturers desire control and reporting in ways to ma...

Your work environment affects your impact. 

In this New Year's Special Chris shares a recent idea he implemented with the EECO Asks Why studio that can be utilized wherever you find yourself working.  With as much time as we spend at work throughout our careers having pride in your environment is key.  

Moving forward into the new year think about what can you modify in your work environment to make an impact...

The Christmas season brings lots of opportunities to step away and reflect.  One of the benefits of that reflection is the ability to see what is working and what adjustments you should consider in the future.  

In this Christmas special Chris shares 5 valuable insights he's learned from procurement professionals that have recently come on the show. Their knowledge is sure to help many improve their processes and achi...

When the worlds of manufacturing and education collide powerful things can happen!

That's exactly what Jeremiah Williams is leading at Danville Community College in Danville, Virginia.  He is the Directior of Integrated Machining Technology and their program is leading the way in developing some of the strongest machining technicians in industry. 

Jeremiah shares how a program like his got started and the st...

Our hero Alicia Gilpin is making waves in the industrial automation world. From controls to social media influencer to podcaster her plate stays full.

In this fun hero story she unpacks her journey and shares lessons learned along the way.  She has an amazing example of how people are coming to her directly for engineering support and the new way she can serve them.  By leaning into her LinkedIn network Ali G is able to he...

The world of sourcing has changed dramatically.  In this information packed conversation Karen Blackburn returns and provides an inside look at the world of professional procurement. 

Karen covers the areas that matter most in manufacturing including:

• Sustaining and securing the supply chain
• What value added services truly matter
• Creative ways to consider freight
• The power of Vendor Managed Inventory
• Definition of the KPI&a...

Some heroes wear capes and others make metal fly!

Jeremiah Williams is an absolute hero of industry as he's building the next generation of machining leaders one class at a time.  His journey led him to an exciting opportunity at Rolls Royce working with some of the most cutting edge technology available.

From there he got a call that would change his path, any so many others in the future.  He built one of ...

In this special episode Chris unpacks some of the moments he has been most thankful for since we launched EECO Asks Why.

We hope you all have a blessed Thanksgiving and get to celebrate with the ones that mean the most.

Women in Engineering/Industry Series:

• Start of the first series
• Last episode of the first series (10 in total!)
• Start of the second series
• Finale of the second series 

Power Series -

• Short C...

The world of control system integration is evolving fast!

Alicia Gilpin (affectionately known as Ali G) shares insight into this exciting world.  As the Director of Engineering at Process and Controls Engineering she is on the frontlines daily and gives a perspective that is quite unique.  Ali unpacks many critical areas to consider including:

• Cybersecurity and  how that has firmly planted itself in the controls enginee...

Submarines, airplanes and supply chain...oh my!

In this powerful hero episode Karen Blackburn shares about her amazing journey through manufacturing.  Having over 40 years of hands on experience in multiple procurement roles led to a conversation full of wisdom and truth.

Karen started out working for a company that manufactured submarines for the US Navy.  She speaks to many of the lessons learned there and how ...