The manufacturing skills gap isn't just a statistic—it's a daily reality threatening the operational efficiency and future growth of America's industrial backbone. In this thought-provoking episode kicking off our new series on "The Evolving Landscape of Industrial Manufacturing," we tackle the urgent challenge of building tomorrow's industrial workforce head-on. Manufacturing suffers from a persistent image problem despite offering rewarding, technology-driven careers with tangible global impac...
Jul 07, 2025•18 min
Your industrial network isn't just infrastructure—it's the lifeline of your manufacturing operation. Without a properly designed and installed network, you're setting yourself up for productivity losses, frustrating downtime, and potentially compromising worker safety. Manufacturing environments present unique challenges that office-grade networking equipment simply can't handle. Vibration, contaminants, extreme temperatures, and electromagnetic interference quickly destroy standard components, ...
Jun 03, 2025•25 min
The path to smart manufacturing excellence is paved with strategy, not just technology. As manufacturing facilities face increasing pressure to modernize, many struggle with where to begin. The answer lies not in rushing to install the newest devices, but in gaining clarity about your current state. We unpack three essential steps that form the foundation of any successful smart manufacturing journey. First, the installed asset analysis—a comprehensive evaluation of your facility's electrical an...
May 05, 2025•23 min
Digital transformation in manufacturing isn't achieved through sweeping overhauls—it happens through progression. Like mountain climbers confronting "false summits" where they think they've reached the peak only to discover more climbing ahead, manufacturers often face discouraging plateaus on their journey toward modernization. The key to conquering these challenges? Smart devices that provide the connectivity foundation for everything that follows. Smart manufacturing begins with standardizati...
Apr 07, 2025•21 min
This episode highlights Ethernet's essential role in smart manufacturing, emphasizing its reliability, scalability, and interoperability as key components of modern industrial connectivity. Listeners will gain insights into Ethernet's network levels, topologies, and the importance of choosing the right communication protocol for their manufacturing needs. • Ethernet enhances real-time data flow from the factory floor to business systems • Four primary network levels with distinct functions expla...
Mar 04, 2025•22 min
Emphasizing the urgency for modernization in the manufacturing sector, this episode unpacks the vital role of smart manufacturing as the way forward. Key discussions revolve around overcoming barriers, fostering a proactive mindset, and implementing incremental changes for long-term success. • Urgent need for modernization due to aging infrastructure • Modernization defined as upgrading systems, not total overhauls • Benefits include increased productivity, reduced downtime, and access to real-t...
Feb 04, 2025•25 min
Happy New Year and as we begin 2025 we want to highlight the significance of smart manufacturing. We explore the importance of adaptation, innovation, and practical steps to embrace this transformative shift in industrial manufacturing. - Overview of smart manufacturing and its importance for the future - Historical context of manufacturing innovations and their evolution - Current challenges faced by aging electrical infrastructure in the U.S. - The concept of fully integrated and collaborative...
Jan 06, 2025•17 min
Unlock the secrets to transforming your industrial shopping experience with our latest episode, where we promise to equip you with the knowledge to navigate EECO Online like a pro. Explore the revolutionary enhancements designed to streamline your search for everything from specific parts to brand-specific products, all through a user-friendly interface that emphasizes speed and confidence. We delve into the power of product families, offering you the tools to compare related products and piece ...
Dec 03, 2024•19 min
Unlock the secrets to revolutionizing your industrial manufacturing procurement process with insights from our latest episode. Discover how flexible payment options, such as credit card and account-based payments, can enhance your purchasing efficiency and offer a secure checkout experience. You'll gain valuable knowledge on how transparent tax calculations, finalized upon shipment, can help manage your budget and eliminate invoicing surprises. Learn the importance of timely deliveries in managi...
Nov 05, 2024•17 min
Ever wondered how you can minimize downtime and keep your industrial manufacturing projects on schedule? Get ready to unlock the secrets of efficient online procurement with actionable strategies for optimizing your purchasing process. In this episode we share transformative insights into creating personalized product lists, setting up custom part numbers, and streamlining team access to keep your projects running smoothly. Don't miss out on how these powerful tools can help you control budgets ...
Oct 03, 2024•22 min
How much time and money could you save by optimizing your online procurement process? Find out as we explore key strategies for enhancing efficiency and accuracy in industrial manufacturing procurement. We discuss the pivotal role of logging into your account for personalized pricing, real-time product availability, and shipping estimates. Learn how registering for an account can streamline your order management and provide critical product information, ensuring a seamless purchasing experience....
Sep 04, 2024•18 min
We are getting down to brass tacks with this episode. We are beginning a series to help you unlock the secrets of our comprehensive online account management solution. I From the simplicity of registration to the complexities of personalized pricing, quote management, and initiating returns, we cover it all. We also direct you to an in-depth article filled with useful links and videos for further expertise, ensuring you never miss a beat in optimizing your online operations. The EECO online syst...
Aug 06, 2024•19 min
What if you could streamline your procurement process and make your operations more efficient with just a few clicks? Discover the game-changing features now available on our online experience, including an enhanced quick order functionality that allows you to export product lists to a CSV file, with real-time pricing and availability tailored to your account. The platform now supports direct input and file uploads of up to 50,000 items, making large orders more manageable than ever. You'll also...
Jul 10, 2024•21 min
Can modern e-commerce platforms really transform the way industrial manufacturers operate? We unpack the revolutionary impact of e-commerce account management within the industrial sector. You'll discover how these platforms have evolved to meet the multifaceted needs of purchasing, engineering, logistics, and installation. From real-time pricing and quote requests aiding purchasing agents to advanced data integration helping users make informed decisions, we promise a wealth of insights that ca...
Jun 11, 2024•26 min
We're tearing down the old procurement playbook and rewriting rules that foster stronger connections with industrial distributors, through digital toolkits that transform procurement from a support function to a centerpiece of strategic influence. As we wade through this digital tide, the insights shared are bound to redefine your approach to efficiency and relationships in this competitive arena. Picture a world where e-commerce portals and EDI technology act as the neural pathways of procureme...
May 07, 2024•31 min
Unlock the future of digital procurement with us as we traverse the exciting landscape of industrial distribution's transformation. Experience firsthand how EECO is spearheading innovation by offering self-service platforms that mirror the ease of B2C transactions within the B2B sphere. In this episode, you'll gain unparalleled insight into the three cornerstones of a seamless digital purchasing path: immediate access to pricing, in-depth product information, and straightforward online account m...
Apr 04, 2024•27 min
Discover the transformative shift that's redefining industrial manufacturing: the ascendancy of managed network switches. We will walk through the cutting-edge intersection of technology and production, where managed switches reign supreme to streamline data flow, bolster efficiency, and dramatically cut downtime. Let's examine the critical nuances between unmanaged and managed switches, offering insights into how these powerful tools shape the future of smart manufacturing. Delve into the cyber...
Mar 05, 2024•32 min
Unlock the secrets to operational excellence with a deep dive into the world of power monitoring in industrial manufacturing. We weave through genesis including technology such as chart recorders to the latest sophisticated systems, providing an eye-opening perspective on process health. Discover how the shift from scheduled maintenance to condition-based strategies, with smart motor protection and IIoT solutions like Eaton's Power Xpert meter and Rockwell Automation's PowerMonitor, is not just ...
Feb 06, 2024•32 min
Embark on a journey through the evolution of industrial automation as we unravel the mysteries of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) on ECO Ask Why. Prepare to trace the lineage of innovation from the days of clunky relays to the sleek, data-driven era of programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and sophisticated control system. We're not stopping at the hardware; we delve into the networking revolution that's interlinking machines and churning out data at an unprecedented rate. Yes, this dat...
Jan 04, 2024•25 min
What if the key to revolutionizing your manufacturing operations lies in the smart protection of your motors? As industrial leaders seek competitive advantage, embracing smart motor protection is not just about enhancing reliability and longevity of equipment, but also about steering the company's perception towards quality. We introduce you to the countless benefits of this technology, illustrate how real-time data and proactive interventions can keep expensive downtime at bay, and underscore t...
Dec 04, 2023•27 min
Are you ready design systems that make a true impact in industrial manufacturing? In this enlightening episode, we're taking you on a tour from the drawing board to the production line. We're not just drawing blueprints here; we're creating tangible, practical systems that will revolutionize the way you work. We'll be sharing tried and tested strategies, setting objectives, and outlining tools you can use to make the design process more efficient. We're excited to take you on a journey through t...
Nov 02, 2023•42 min
What if you had a detailed list of your assets, helping you to prioritize investments, identify risks, and streamline your path to efficiency? That's what an Installed Base Evaluation (IBE) offers, and we're diving deep into the transformative power of IBEs. We'll explore how knowing exactly what you own can serve as a foundation for effective strategizing and action planning where it's needed most. We'll also look at how an IBE can be an engine for facility improvement. It's not just about data...
Oct 02, 2023•35 min
Debriefing can have a powerful impact on business when done correctly. In this powerful conversation Robert "Cujo" Teschner breaks down the idea behind a debrief and to execute them to achieve significant results. His definition of a debrief is simple and elegant - Debrief is the constructive evaluation of the quality of our decisions and associated actions measured against the objectives we set out to achieve. The key words of that definition are what Cujo unpacks in detail. He starts by differ...
Mar 20, 2023•1 hr
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: People Process 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 to procurement outcomes, it should be viewed as an enabler that allows procurement profession...
Mar 13, 2023•49 min
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 quickly and effectively respond to changes in demand, disruptions, and other...
Mar 06, 2023•1 hr
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 story of how his support of a super-computer project is at the front and center of ...
Feb 27, 2023•23 min
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 future. In true EECO Asks Why fashion we have some fun and put Modular Data Centers in a ri...
Feb 20, 2023•26 min
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 the recent addition of PCX has changed the game in how the market is being served. The...
Feb 13, 2023•19 min
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 he shares all the salient truths that will put any manufacturer on a path to ...
Feb 06, 2023•29 min
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 about the big issues in manufacturing and steps that can be taken now to start down a ...
Jan 30, 2023•31 min
