Gear Talk
Welcome to Gear Talk, the podcast that connects maintenance & reliability professionals with reliable information, insights, and experts, enabling them to accomplish their goals more effectively, efficiently and enthusiastically. Join Wes Cash each month as he talks shop with industry experts, thought leaders, and the folks in the trenches keeping industry moving.
Episodes
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 leadersh...
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 manufacturi...
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...
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 a...
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...
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 perspect...
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 th...
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 renown...
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 r...
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...
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...
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.
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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 trad...
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 profe...
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 fre...
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, experience...
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...
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 in...
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