Gear Talk

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 Missed an episode of Gear Talk? Check out the playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUMZtxzM4WqOBC53dsyVBi6FQGWsMDPT4 👉 Have questions or topic ideas? Email us at podcast@noria.com 👍 Like and Subscribe to stay connected with Gear Talk

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 👉 Have questions or topic ideas? Email us at podcast@noria.com 👍 Like and Subscribe to stay connected with Gear Talk

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 👉 Have questions or topic ideas? Email us at podcast@noria.com 👍 Like and Subscribe to stay connected with Gear Talk

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 👉 Have questions or topic ideas? Email us at podcast@noria.com 👍 Like and Subscribe to stay connected with Gear Talk

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 reliability is becoming engrained in Middle Eastern manufacturing culture, especially as different industries and reliability standards are introduced.From Oil & Gas to Food & Beverage and Cement & Steel, join us as we dive into the unique nature of these industries in the Middle East. Learn about new strategies they are using to overcome challenging asset failures and establish a new status quo: using expert analysis to discover root causes.

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 analysis. Join us as we learn to holistically view people, resources, and assets to develop a condition-based maintenance routine that not only properly maintains assets, but increases reliability along the way. #CBM #geartalk #podcast #maintenance #reliability #workplaceculture #mining #planning #scheduling

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 traditional apprenticeship programs to modern training methods.• The impact of AI and technology on maintenance and reliability.• Challenges faced by trade industries due to a retiring workforce and the need for more skilled labor.• The importance of balancing technology with hands-on skills and institutional knowledge.• A special shoutout to Mike Rowe!Discover how companies can better prepare their workforce and the potential for a renaissance in trade education.#GearTalk #Onboarding #TechSkills #IndustrialEvolution #MaintenanceTraining #AI #TradeEducation #FutureOfIndustry #MikeRowe #PodcastInsights

In our latest episode, join Wes as we dive deep into the heart of NASCAR racing with tribologist Lake Speed Jr. Discover the critical role of tribology in the racing world and how it's not just about the car but the science behind it that leads to victory. From the intricate process of applying tribological principles to race cars to the complex chemistry of oil blending, Wes and Lake shed light on the unseen elements that fuel success on the track. Whether you're a NASCAR enthusiast, a car technology aficionado, or just curious about the science of speed, this episode is your pit stop for insights into how the worlds of tribology and racing collide to push the boundaries of performance. #geartalk #tribology #nascar #lakespeedjr #racing #oilblending #cartechnology

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.

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.

Join Wes and Jeremie as they discuss empowering operators to improve reliability and provide insights on why this is important, who are the best people to own it, and how to achieve success.

In this episode, Dr. John Ross with Maintenance Innovators joins Wes to discuss a topic commonly overlooked in the industry — the role of the storeroom in reliability.

In this episode of Gear Talk, Wes is joined by Scott Furman, Reliability Coordinator at the City of Tulsa, to discuss the growing need for reliability in public utilities, how tough it can be to sell the need for public utility reliability and what the City of Tulsa is doing in this space.