How do strong maintenance and reliability teams align communication across the shop floor, leadership, and peer groups without creating friction or bottlenecks? In this episode of Gear Talk, host Wes Cash sits down with coach Jaison Thomas to talk about building the kind of culture that keeps teams connected, engaged, and moving in the same direction. Drawing from experience in the Air Force, chemical manufacturing, food and beverage, and plant leadership, Jaison shares practical insight into how leaders can build trust on the factory floor, communicate effectively across levels of the organization, and create systems that help teams respond well when plans change. From psychological safety and lateral communication to SOP ownership and problem-solving at the level closest to the work, this episode focuses on how culture and leadership drive operational success.

You’ll learn about:

• Why leadership presence on the floor matters
• How to build trust and communication with frontline teams
• The difference between communication problems and surprise problems
• Why lateral communication between operations and maintenance is so important
• How leaders can respond well without shutting down feedback
• What strong SOP ownership looks like in practice
• Why solving problems closest to the work improves speed and alignment
• How culture supports better decisions, execution, and continuous improvement

Whether you’re leading a plant, managing a maintenance team, or trying to improve communication across your operation, this episode offers practical ideas for building stronger alignment and a healthier culture.

Learn about this episode's sponsor at https://www.assetwatch.com/get-started?utm_source=noria&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=podcast-ads-wes&utm_term=q1-2026&utm_content=get-started

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Why has lubrication drifted from a specialized engineering discipline to something many plants treat as a basic task? In this episode of Gear Talk, recorded at Reliable Plant 2025, host Wes Cash sits down with Danny Shorten to explore how the role of lubrication has changed over the last four decades—and why it may be time to rethink it.

Drawing from experience in lubricant testing, field engineering, marine environments, and lubrication management, Danny explains how some organizations gradually lost dedicated lubrication expertise and what that erosion has cost them. From lube room standards and lubricant selection to leadership ownership, training, and cross-functional alignment, this episode offers a practical look at what “good” lubrication really looks like in a modern facility.

You’ll learn about:

• The shift from dedicated lubrication engineers to more generalized roles
• Why lubrication is much more than applying grease
• How poor lubricant selection practices can quietly drift away from OEM intent
• What a well-run lubrication program should look like, from the lube room to the plant floor
• Why lubrication needs a named owner and organizational buy-in
• How to assess your current state and build a realistic vision for improvement
• Why people and process matter more than shiny new tools

Whether you’re trying to start a lubrication program, improve an existing one, or simply better understand where lubrication fits into reliability, this episode will help you focus on the fundamentals that drive lasting results.

We'll be at Reliable Plant Conference again this June - will you? Register at https://conference.reliableplant.com before prices go up! Want to chat with Wes when you're there? Email us at podcast@noria.com.

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What does reliability look like when your assets aren’t bolted to the floor—but hauling 200 tons of ore up a 6% grade? In this episode of Gear Talk, host Wes Cash sits down with Terry Taylor, a veteran of mining and heavy industry, to explore reliability in mobile equipment environments.

From massive draglines in Texas to gold mining operations in Nevada and coal fleets in West Virginia, Terry shares hard-earned lessons on lubrication, oil analysis, planning, and culture. He explains how structured PM systems, in-house oil labs, and disciplined execution helped drive major cost reductions—and why mobile fleets demand just as much rigor as fixed plant assets.

You’ll learn about:

• The unique reliability challenges of mobile mining equipment
• How assembly-line PM programs improve quality, speed, and consistency
• Why cleanliness and proper oil sampling are critical in heavy industry • The financial impact of reliability improvements on cost per ton
• How to shift culture in environments resistant to change
• Why assessments and “seeking first to understand” are key to building a roadmap

Whether you work in mining, heavy equipment, or fixed plant operations, this episode offers practical insight into building sustainable reliability programs in some of the toughest operating environments in the world.

Learn about this episode's sponsor at https://www.assetwatch.com/get-started

Missed an episode of Gear Talk? Check out the playlist here. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUMZtxzM4WqOBC53dsyVBi6FQGWsMDPT4

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What does it really take to build a culture of reliability—and why do so many programs stall even when the tools are right? In this episode of Gear Talk, host Wes Cash is joined by Mike Dwyer to explore how reliability succeeds or fails based on culture, communication, and alignment across an organization.

Drawing from Mike’s experience spanning the U.S. Navy, steel, pulp and paper, global condition monitoring programs, and his current role at Mobius Institute, the conversation digs into why reliability can’t live in a silo. From maintenance and operations to procurement, energy management, and leadership, this episode breaks down what it takes to get everyone rowing in the same direction—and why technology alone isn’t enough.

You’ll learn about:

• What defines a true culture of reliability—and why culture and strategy are equally important.
• How communication and cross-department alignment impact reliability outcomes
• The role of training, recognition, and shared wins in sustaining improvement
• Why operator care and daily rounds still matter in a high-tech world
• How energy, sustainability, and reliability intersect in modern facilities
• Common pitfalls that cause reliability programs to quietly fail

Whether you’re trying to strengthen an existing reliability program or struggling to get buy-in across departments, this episode offers practical insight into how culture, not just tools, drives long-term success.

Missed an episode of Gear Talk? Check out the playlist here. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUMZtxzM4WqOBC53dsyVBi6FQGWsMDPT4

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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 leadership to vibration analysis and executive leadership—Dave explains why technology alone can’t fix reliability problems, why AI won’t replace skilled analysts, and how cultural buy-in determines whether new tools succeed or fail. The conversation cuts through fear-based narratives and focuses on how technology can improve safety, reliability, and quality of life for maintenance professionals.

You’ll learn about:

• Why people and culture must come before technology adoption

• How AI should be used as a filter and efficiency tool—not a replacement for expertise

• The limits of automation in vibration analysis and condition monitoring

• When pilot programs make sense—and when they stall progress

• How technology can reduce emergency call-ins and improve work-life balance

Whether you’re a maintenance leader evaluating new technology or a reliability professional concerned about the future of your role, this episode provides a practical, grounded perspective on adopting technology in a way that actually works.

Missed an episode of Gear Talk? Check out the playlist here. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUMZtxzM4WqOBC53dsyVBi6FQGWsMDPT4

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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 manufacturing opportunities in Oklahoma and the incentives that are available to companies looking to get into manufacturing here. You’ll learn about:

• The economic importance of manufacturing facilities
• Prevalent manufacturing industries in Oklahoma
• What Oklahoma is doing to reduce the skill gap
• The role of education in the growth Oklahoma manufacturing

Whether you are fresh out of school looking for a job in manufacturing, or a facility looking to hire quality educated employees, this episode will open your eyes to the steps Oklahoma is taking to train, educate, and attract people to the manufacturing industry.

Missed an episode of Gear Talk? Check out the playlist here. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUMZtxzM4WqOBC53dsyVBi6FQGWsMDPT4

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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 education in manufacturing.

You’ll learn:

• The common workforce barriers impacting our industry
• The importance of preparing the next generation of manufacturing workers
• How education and training programs benefit both employers and employees
• What the Port is doing to overcome these hurdles with unique approaches

Whether you are a manufacturing facility aiming to increase employee sustainability or someone looking to get hired in the manufacturing industry, this episode will educate you on some of the most the common barriers and arm you with the solutions to overcome them.

Missed an episode of Gear Talk? Check out the playlist here. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUMZtxzM4WqOBC53dsyVBi6FQGWsMDPT4

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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 an effective lube champion
• Why culture and behavior matter as much as technical expertise
• How frontline staff and management both play vital roles
• Practical steps to gain buy-in and show visible success

Whether you’re just starting a lube program or aiming for world-class performance, this conversation will help you recognize (or become) the person who drives lasting reliability improvements.

Missed an episode of Gear Talk? Check out the playlist here. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUMZtxzM4WqOBC53dsyVBi6FQGWsMDPT4

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