The RAM Review Podcast

Episode 2 Logistics and Supply Chain Reliability from the Pandemic Forward with Robert Bain

Logistics and supply chain are critical to just-in-time and the maintenance organization and rely heavily on data integrity.  Weaknesses became apparent with the inability to meet demand starting early in the 2020 pandemic and the impact on business-to-business and business-to-customer delivery.  Supply chain systems are advancing but still remain individual silos in relation to the associated ERP systems.  Some of the challenges directly affect operations and maintenance of facilities.  In this high-level overview we will discuss supply chain reliability, logistics, transportation present and future, and the potential impact that the lessons learned from 2020 can have on improving these systems including technology and automation.  There might even be a little powerlifting.  Caution - some language is colorful in this episode. Robert Bain is a long-time logistics/supply chain veteran, holding a variety of roles in ops and sales, as well as leading teams as large as 100+ individuals in these types of organizations.  His focus is on the advancement of supply chain visibility and optimization through technology, and he aims to bring together many disparate channels of his enterprise partners to create creative, cost effective and impactful logistics solutions.  Outside of his profession Robert enjoys all things strength and fitness related, competing in powerlifting, assisting in the production of large strength events, and spending time with his wife Nichole and their four children.  Bain is based out of Des Plaines, Illinois.

Episode 1 The Economics of Manufacturing Machinery Maintenance with Douglas Thomas of NIST

With guest co-host Tom Moriarty, PE, CMRP, of Alidade MER, Inc. and Chair SMRP Government Relations.  Detailed contents and timeline below. The National Institute of Standards and Technology under the US Department of Commerce pursued an economic study on the impact of maintenance on manufacturing. This included tying maintenance practices to safety, energy, productivity, profitability and other aspects of the business as a whole. The purpose has been to strengthen the USAs manufacturing base through the promotion of maintenance techniques. In 2019, SMRP partnered with NIST to assist in the next stage of the project which involved a survey of corporations that focused on the costs and benefits of maintenance applications. In the end, the study, survey and resources have been developed to support the communication between the maintenance organization and the C-suite as well as tying maintenance to other key aspects of the company. The interview is with Douglas Thomas the lead economist for the project at NIST. The studies, papers and additional information may be obtained through NIST at: https://www.nist.gov/el/applied-economics-office/manufacturing/topics-manufacturing/manufacturing-machinery-maintenance [https://www.nist.gov/el/applied-economics-office/manufacturing/topics-manufacturing/manufacturing-machinery-maintenance] For a signed copy of Tom Moriarty's book "The Productive Leadership System" : https://www.paypal.com/instantcommerce/checkout/2CT2T4FMN8JCN [https://www.paypal.com/instantcommerce/checkout/2CT2T4FMN8JCN] or go to Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/Productive-LeadershipTM-System-Organizational-Reliability-ebook/dp/B0828DW5RC/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=The+Productive+Leadership+System&qid=1586361832&s=books&sr=1-2] (unsigned). Podcast Table of Contents: 00:00:00     Podcast Intro 00:00:48     Episode Intro 00:01:12     Tom Moriarty introduction and background 00:03:50     Discuss Tom's book, "The Productive Leadership System," leadership and change management 00:07:10     The C-suite challenge including communication between maintenance and the boardroom 00:12:28     Discussion of the NIST study 00:13:03     Introduced Doug Thomas and NIST 00:14:20      Scope and purpose of the Manufacturing Maintenance Project 00:18:27     Maintenance definitions for reactive, preventive and predictive 00:20:15     Safety and Maintenance 00:24:05     Business cost impacts of maintenance practices 00:25:55     General discussion of report and other business impacts including lost sales and lost American business 00:33:35     Change management and inertia 00:38:44     Impact on the bottom line 00:47:50     Where can I find the study and related information and tools at NIST 00:50:00     Lessons learned - takeaways from the study 00:56:15     How to get this information to the C-suite 01:00:46     End