In this episode of Talking Industrial Automation, host Lisa Richter sits down with Guru Thakkar, Director of Engineering at Inflexion Point in Neptune, New Jersey.

With more than 20 years of experience across pharmaceutical, life sciences, food & beverage, utilities, and building automation, Guru shares how disciplined front-end engineering, standardization, and strong technical fundamentals set the stage for long-term success. From scaling Inflection Point organically from 40 to over 100 employees, to supporting Operation Warp Speed during COVID, Guru explains why early design decisions, rigorous testing, and lifecycle thinking matter more than ever.

The conversation explores:

• What it really means to "put the brain" into industrial systems

• Why turnkey integration across all layers (from sensors to enterprise systems) is becoming essential

• How system integrators are navigating AI, cybersecurity, and digital transformation

• The growing complexity of pharma manufacturing and single-use equipment

• Why trust, repeat business, and sound non-technical business practices drive sustainable growth

Whether you're an end user, engineer, or integrator, this episode offers a thoughtful look at how intelligent systems are shaping the future of process automation—and why fundamentals still matter in a rapidly evolving landscape.

As we kick off the new year, Talking Industrial Automation revisits a listener-favorite conversation with Matt Wise, CEO of E-Tech Group—one of Control Engineering and Plant Engineering's 2025 System Integrator of the Year award winners.

Matt shares how he explains automation as "the brains of the factory," why marketing and business strategy matter just as much as engineering, and how E-Tech Group scaled into one of North America's largest system integrators through acquisition, talent, and long-term vision. The conversation explores today's biggest industry challenges—from labor shortages and rising complexity to AI, multi-site automation, tariffs, and uncertainty—and what it takes to guide clients through them as a true automation partner.

Whether you're a system integrator, manufacturer, or industry leader looking to start the year with fresh perspective, this encore episode delivers practical insights on growth, leadership, and the future of industrial automation.