Industrial Edge
I've worked across multiple industries including aviation, industrial automation & public sectors, as a maintenance technician, supervisor & manager.
In this podcast we sit down with a broad range of professionals that are involved in a wide range of industrial settings.
From maintenance & reliability professionals, facilities managers, engineers. Through to operations & production leaders, consultants and business owners who support all things that keep the modern world we live in safe, pro
Hosted by Joe Haggis
Simon Murray - Your Maintenance Coach - 95% Uptime | Still Reactive -
A site can hit 98% uptime and still be reactive. How?
Simon Murray, founder of Your Maintenance Coach, has spent more than 25 years in maintenance. Since 2012 he's been a consultant, coaching manufacturing sites from family businesses to global supermarket brands. In this episode, Joe and Simon look at why so many organisations get stuck in the reactive cycle. Some are even very good at being reactive, and that hides how much it costs them.
Simon walks through his maintenance → reliability → asset management curve and how to tell where a site sits just by listening to its morning meeting. He also explains why combining the planner and supervisor roles doesn't work, why most sites don't need more tradespeople, and how AI is already changing RCM and CMMS analysis.
Key takeaways
Listen to the meetings, not just the KPIs. If the conversation is "what broke yesterday and whose fault was it," the site is still in the maintenance phase, whatever tools it has.
High uptime can hide an expensive reactive model. Look for too many people on reactive work, too many spares and weak lubrication.
The step change into reliability usually needs someone who owns it. For many sites that means a reliability engineer.
Keep planning and supervising separate. The breakdown always wins, so planning never gets done.
Match skills to tasks. Visual inspections and greasing don't need a qualified tradesperson.
Build the ROI case on the cost of the current state. "We're busy" won't get you headcount.
Most sites aren't ready for textbook best practice. Get lubrication and condition monitoring right before a full PM review.
AI is already here. It's strongest at first drafts and at connecting messy CMMS data. People still need to verify the output.
Connect with Simon
LinkedIn: Simon Murray -https://www.linkedin.com/in/yourmaintenancecoach/
Website: Your Maintenance Coach - https://yourmaintenancecoach.com
Connect with Industrial Edge
https://open.spotify.com/show/4zruZV0wwTTCupDgXlvO9B
18 Aug 2026
Akhil Saxena - Executive Coach | Ex-Amazon VP | Leading at Scale
Three Continents, One Playbook — Leading at Scale with Akhil Saxena
Most operations don't fail because people stop trying. They fail because the system only holds when the right person is in the room.
Akhil Saxena spent 20 years at Hindustan Unilever and 11 at Amazon — where he joined three weeks after the India launch, built the operations network from scratch, caught a competitor that was seven years ahead by year two, then scaled across countries and time zones and ran the whole thing through COVID. On top of that he took on Worldwide Customer Service. Today he's an executive coach and board advisor. Few people have led operations at the scale he has.
We get into what actually changes at real scale: why throwing good people at problems stops working, and why reliability becomes a design problem, not an effort problem.
Then the segment every maintenance and reliability professional needs to hear — how executives really see support functions (noticed only when they break), and why MTBF and OEE earn a "so what?" in the boardroom until you translate them into the one language the business speaks: cash. Capex avoidance. Free cash flow. Opportunity cost.
Plus the T-shaped leader, why letting go is the hardest move for anyone who came up through the ranks, and where AI genuinely shifts the RME role — from doer to thinker.
In this episode:
The most misunderstood thing about running operations at scale
Building Amazon's India network — and catching a rival seven years ahead
Culture as the first casualty of fast growth
How boards actually view maintenance & reliability
The "so what?" test: speaking the language of the business
The T-shaped leader — depth of function, breadth of leadership
Letting go to grow the next set of leaders
AI: from doer to thinker, agents and orchestration
Connect with Akhil on LinkedIn.
28 Jul 2026
Kim Acosta - Hiring Technical People - Founder of Ucentric
Kim Acosta is the founder of Ucentric. She has spent nearly two decades in talent acquisition recruiting technical people.
In this episode we get into what actually separates a strong technical candidate from a confident one, why her most AI-focused clients are going back to reading CVs by hand, and the junior-role problem nobody's planning for.
15 Jul 2026
Salah Attia - From Cairo to Gladstone | Rotating Equipment Expert
In this episode, Salah Attia shares his inspiring journey from Egypt to Australia, his expertise in rotating equipment and condition monitoring, and insights into building a successful business in the industry. Discover practical tips, industry challenges, and the importance of humility and continuous learning.
23 Jun 2026
Anthony Perizzolo - Engineering Student to Executive Leader
Anthony Perizzolo has an impressive background in engineering and operations, his early years at Toyota gaining foundational expertise in lean methodologies and operational excellence helped him shape businesses in various industries, along with building his general & executive management skills along the way.
From those early days as a mechanical engineering grad, to now being an Executive General Manager, via Toyota, Boral and more recently Amazon, where he scaled an operation from ten people to over 5,000, launched seven sites in seven weeks, and ran 400+ hiring interviews.
24 May 2026
The Coordination Problem - Travis Soutter - Concordia AM
Travis Soutter has spent 25 years inside asset management — Visy, Amcor, AGL, now running his own consultancy, Concordia.
He thinks most organisations are already doing asset management. They just don't call it that, and they don't coordinate it.
In this episode we get into:
– Why the ISO 55000 label has made things worse, not better– The shutdown planning war story that taught him why "everyone hits their critical path" still isn't enough– Why 50% of a good CEO's decisions are gut instinct — and what that means for engineers– The training course where only one person in the room thought they did asset management (everyone did)– How tangible and intangible assets follow the same maintenance logic — including brand– Courage and empathy as leadership disciplines, not soft skills
Travis is a CAMA-certified consultant and his intro-to-asset-management course is now endorsed by the World Partners in Asset Management (WPiAM).
3 May 2026
Adam Lea-Bischinger | Asset management - Keeping the modern world running
Adam Lea-Bischinger shares his extensive experience in asset management across various industries and regions.
He discusses the misconceptions, standards, and opportunities in asset management, emphasizing the importance of culture, leadership, and practical application of best practices.
Asset management is often misunderstood. It’s not just about maintaining assets; it’s about ensuring they deliver value. Think of everything you rely on daily – roads, airports, power stations.
The goal? Keep those assets operational while balancing risks and costs throughout their lifecycle.
Too often, people see it only through a financial lens. But real asset management connects the dots between strategic goals and day-to-day operations.
As we navigate global challenges, understanding this is more crucial than ever. What’s your perspective on asset management?
19 Apr 2026
Chris Hallum - UE Systems - Ultrasound | Partnership and long-term thinking in Reliability
Chris Hallum from UE Systems & host of his own podcast - Talking Reliability shares his insights on reliability, the evolution of ultrasound technology, and the importance of training and partnership in condition monitoring.
Discover how large organizations like Amazon implement standardization and leverage AI to optimize asset management.
## The Chain of Reliability: Understanding Roles Across Departments
Reliability in any organization is akin to a chain, where each department plays a crucial role. Chris emphasizes that if one link in the chain weakens, the entire system can falter. For example, procurement teams often purchase cheaper alternatives that may not meet the necessary reliability standards, impacting overall performance.
The Importance of Cross-Departmental Communication
Why It Matters: Ensuring that all departments—from engineering to procurement—understand their roles in maintaining reliability can prevent costly mistakes.
How to Implement: Foster open communication channels between departments. Regular meetings can help clarify responsibilities and align goals.
Common Mistake: Ignoring the interconnectedness of departments can lead to oversights that undermine reliability efforts.
31 Mar 2026
Gary Tyne - Reliability is a journey, not a project
In this interview, Gary shares four decades of insights into reliability in maintenance, emphasizing the importance of culture, continuous journey, and practical strategies. Discover how to shift from reactive to proactive maintenance and the value of storytelling in industry knowledge.
17 Mar 2026
Davin Forster - Industrial Automation | Data & AI
Discover how Davin Forster, Head of Operations at SKUtopia, shares insights from his diverse career spanning Amazon & Woolworths. Learn about the evolution of industrial automation, the transformative role of data and AI, and practical tips for scaling operations effectively.
10 Mar 2026
Erik Hupje - Making Reliability Simple ™
In this episode, Erik Hupje, founder of Reliability Academy, shares insights on simplifying maintenance and reliability practices, building effective teams, and overcoming industry challenges.
Discover practical frameworks, the importance of leadership, and how to embed reliability into organizational culture.
3 Mar 2026
Scott McMillan - Making safety simple & engaging
In this conversation, Scott McMillan and Joe Haggis explore the evolving landscape of safety management, emphasizing the importance of simplifying procedures, engaging with workers, and leveraging technology. Scott shares his journey from electrician to safety director, highlighting the misconceptions in safety practices and the need for a more dynamic approach to risk management. The discussion also touches on the role of AI and innovative technologies in enhancing safety protocols, particularly in high-pressure environments like the Australian Open. Ultimately, the conversation reflects a shared optimism for the future of safety, driven by empathy, engagement, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
24 Feb 2026
Shane Scriven - Unlocking Asset Management with AI
In this episode, Shane Scriven shares how AI and data analytics are transforming asset management, highlighting real-world examples, challenges, and opportunities. Discover how his journey from mechanical engineering to AI-driven asset solutions offers a fascinating perspective on industry innovation.
Key Topics
The analogy of the "filing cabinet" for asset data and how AI unlocks hidden insights
The role of machine learning and AI in predictive asset maintenance
Challenges of adopting AI in asset management, including governance, skills, and IP concerns
Shane's entrepreneurial journey founding SAS Asset Management during COVID-19
The importance of specialization, benchmarking, and certification in asset management
How AI impacts ISO 55001 compliance and governance frameworks
The concept of Amipu: a secure, offline AI processing unit for sensitive data
The human element: learning from failures and sharing impactful stories
Mentorship and community involvement through the Asset Management Council
Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction: Shane Scriven's background and expertise
02:02 - Why AI is critical for asset data utilization
04:12 - Turning worthless data into actionable insights
08:41 - The heavy lifting of AI and machine learning in asset management
10:01 - Shane’s engineering career journey and expertise development
15:04 - Transition from corporate to founding SAS Asset Management during COVID
19:41 - Challenges faced growing and scaling SAS Asset Management
22:54 - The significance of asset management certification and niches
29:32 - How AI influences ISO 55001 compliance and governance
34:34 - Introduction to Amipu: offline AI processing solutions
39:35 - Barriers and skepticism around AI adoption in industry
44:38 - Closing stories: learning from failures and leadership lessons
50:42 - Final thoughts & recommendations on impactful industry figures
In this conversation, Andy Gailey shares his extensive experience in engineering, from his early career and the evolution of apprenticeships to his significant achievements at PepsiCo and the founding of his own consultancy, Uptime Consultant. He discusses the importance of condition monitoring, the challenges facing the engineering industry, and the need for a people-centric approach in engineering. The conversation also delves into the impact of AI on the industry and the necessity of maintaining human decision-making in engineering practices.
Key Takeaways
Apprenticeships have significantly declined in quality and quantity over the years.
The importance of hands-on experience in engineering cannot be overstated.
Condition monitoring can drastically reduce unplanned downtime in manufacturing.
A proactive approach to maintenance is often overlooked in favor of reactive measures.
People-centric approaches in engineering lead to better collaboration and outcomes.
AI is a tool, but it cannot replace human decision-making and critical thinking.
The engineering industry faces a demographic challenge with an aging workforce.
Effective communication between departments is crucial for successful engineering projects.
Investing in quality components can save costs in the long run.
Understanding the motivations of individuals in the workplace is key to effective management.
Keywords
Keywords
engineering, apprenticeships, condition monitoring, reliability, AI, PepsiCo, Uptime Consultant, skills gap, manufacturing, maintenance
12 Feb 2026
Ryan Hammett - Ignis Advisory - Fire Engineering - The Niche within a Niche
In this conversation, Joe Haggis and Ryan Hammett discuss the intricacies of fire engineering, and the challenges faced by facility managers.
Ryan shares his career path, transitioning from construction to consultancy, and highlights the importance of reliability and maintainability in fire safety systems.
They also touch on the future opportunities in the fire industry, especially with the upcoming Brisbane Olympics, and the need for a national framework for fire safety regulations.
10 Feb 2026
Luke Grice-Lowe - Multisensor AI - Condition Monitoring: The Future of Maintenance?
In this conversation, Luke Grice-Lowe shares his journey from the military to a successful career in reliability engineering at Amazon and now at MultiSensor AI. He discusses the evolution of condition monitoring technologies, the importance of training and education for technicians, and the challenges faced in the reliability industry, including cost awareness and the need for alignment across departments. Luke emphasizes the significance of a proactive reliability culture and the future of condition monitoring, which may lean towards remote technologies while still valuing the role of handheld devices.
3 Feb 2026
Trent Taylor - The power of Asset Data - Building Kairos
In this conversation, I interview Trent Taylor, the managing director of Kairos, discussing his journey from a trade background to founding a successful business focused on asset data capture and management.
We explore the importance of condition assessments, the role of AI in enhancing data management, and the challenges businesses face in maintaining assets that aren't theirs.
Trent shares insights on leadership, the evolution of Kairos, and future aspirations for the company, emphasizing the need for consistent data and effective management practices.
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Spotify
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
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