"Technology isn't the barrier - adoption is the key challenge facing industrial leaders today." - Nalin Jain

In this episode, Ayna’s Parthesh Shastri speaks with Nalin Jain, Group President of Digital Intelligence at Wabtec Corporation, about the digital transformation sweeping the rail and mining industries. Nalin details how Wabtec, a 150-year-old industrial leader, is leveraging AI, machine learning, and digital solutions to improve safety, efficiency, and sustainability. He highlights innovations like Trip Optimizer, which has helped save 752 million gallons of fuel and cut emissions by up to 25%. The discussion underscores the shift from physical to digital product management and the importance of customer-centric innovation in navigating industrial digitalization. Nalin also emphasizes that technology adoption—not availability—is the biggest hurdle, advocating for AI as a tool to augment human capability.

Nalin Jain brings extensive global experience to his role, overseeing digital and mission-critical control systems across railroad, mining, and port operations at Wabtec. He joined the company in 2019, initially leading the global equipment business before taking charge of its digital transformation efforts. With a mechanical engineering degree from National Institute of Technology, Surat and an MBA from Indian School of Business, Hyderabad, Nalin previously held leadership roles at GE, including CEO of GE Aviation and GE Transportation in South Asia. His expertise spans industrial technology, international business, and strategic digital innovation, making him a key voice in shaping the future of intelligent industrial systems.

Discussion Points

• (00:00) Nalin Jain introduces Wabtec’s 150-year legacy and how digital intelligence is transforming rail and mining operations.
• (01:16) Wabtec builds autonomous locomotives and software for coordinating trains across complex networks.
• (03:59) Safety is critical in long-haul operations; efficiency boosts capacity and digital tools drive emissions cuts.
• (07:13) Machine learning now powers predictive maintenance, with AI enhancing—not replacing—human roles.
• (12:08) Digital tools cut emissions by 20–25%; Trip Optimizer alone has saved 752 million gallons of fuel.
• (16:48) Global experience highlights the need for local adaptation; customer focus and curiosity fuel innovation.

Ayna is a premier advisory and implementation firm in the industrial technology space, leveraging a team of experienced leaders to help companies and investors drive performance improvement and value creation. The host of this episode is AYNA’s Parthesh Shastri.

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Nalin Jain LinkedIn

Wabtec Corp

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Titanium Economy

Parthesh Shastri LinkedIn

“Data is not just a reporting tool; it's now a strategic asset. It's the key to everything.” - Jeff DeSandre

In this episode of our Titanium Economy series, host Parthesh Shastri speaks with Jeff DeSandre, former CIO at Harrington Process Solutions and America Royal, about digital transformation in industrial settings. DeSandre emphasizes the importance of starting with clear business outcomes and a strong data foundation—particularly around master data management. He shares practical strategies for modernizing legacy systems through hybrid architecture using API gateways and microservices and explains how metrics like inventory accuracy and freight cost optimization can clearly demonstrate transformation value.

With decades of IT leadership experience, DeSandre now serves as a Fractional CIO and Principal Consultant at CatalystCIO, advising mid-sized enterprises on digital strategy. His expertise spans legacy system integration, cybersecurity, cloud architecture, and strategic data analytics. At both Harrington and America Royal, he led complex ERP implementations, drove IT strategy during M&A, and built modern technology frameworks that delivered measurable business impact across the industrial sector.

Discussion Points

• (01:30) Digital Transformation & Legacy Systems – DeSandre stresses the need for clear business goals and strong data visibility, advocating API gateways and microservices to modernize without disrupting operations.
• (04:50) Measuring Success & Avoiding Pitfalls – He shares how his team boosted inventory accuracy by 90% and warns against overlooking master data and security in digital initiatives.
• (08:38) IT's Strategic Role & Staying Current – DeSandre discusses IT’s shift to a strategic function and his methods for staying up to date—daily research, vendor input, and tool evaluation.
• (11:58) Cloud & AI in Industrial Environments – He recommends a hybrid cloud approach starting with analytics and CRM and urges leaders to grasp AI fundamentals before rollout.
• (15:45) High-Impact Tech & CIO Advice – From EDI to process mining, DeSandre highlights valuable tools and advises new CIOs to listen, build trust, secure quick wins, and align closely with strategy.

Ayna is a premier advisory and implementation firm in the industrial technology space, leveraging a team of experienced leaders to help companies and investors drive performance improvement and value creation. The host of this episode is Anya’s Parthesh Shastri.

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Jeff DeSandre LinkedIn

Catalyst CIO

Ayna.AI Website

Parthesh Shastri LinkedIn

"There is a need for starting automation - robotics is a space that we can't postpone for too long. We want to make sure that you start adopting it." - Rishabh Agarwal

In this episode, host Parthesh Shastri speaks with Rishabh Agarwal, CEO and co-founder of Peer Robotics, about rethinking automation for small and mid-sized manufacturers. Drawing from his experience at Kuka, Siemens, and a family manufacturing background, Rishabh shares how Peer’s collaborative robots learn from human demonstrations—no coding required. He explains how their robots are designed to work with people, often elevating workers to more valuable roles, and encourages manufacturers to adopt automation gradually using tech that fits existing systems and is easy for non-technical users.

Rishabh Agarwal, an alumnus of IIT Delhi and the University of Maryland, combines academic rigor with practical insight. At Peer Robotics, he leads a lean, R&D-focused team building intuitive robots that simplify material movement on the factory floor. Backed by significant funding, the company prioritizes accessibility over sales infrastructure, empowering more manufacturers to embrace collaborative automation.

Discussion Points

• (04:11) Rishabh shares how their robots learn routes via human demonstration, eliminating reprogramming. He also explains Peer’s R&D-first approach, keeping dev and deployment teams closely aligned for rapid iteration.
• (09:09) From IIT Delhi to the University of Maryland, and stints at Siemens and Kuka, Rishabh reflects on his journey into robotics and how SMEs face unique automation hurdles due to their need for flexibility.
• (16:38) Peer’s automation strategy centers on plug-and-play integration, minimal user input, and intuitive interfaces. Their team handles complexity internally to deliver streamlined, infrastructure-light solutions.
• (22:36) Rishabh discusses how automation at Peer augments jobs rather than displacing workers, often promoting operators into new roles. He urges manufacturers to start small, enabling low-risk, scalable adoption.

Ayna is a premier advisory and implementation firm in the industrial technology space, leveraging a team of experienced leaders to help companies and investors drive performance improvement and value creation. The host of this episode is Anya’s Parthesh Shastri.

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Rishabh Agarwal LinkedIn

Peer Robotics

Ayna.AI Website

Parthesh Shastri LinkedIn

"Experience tells you where you've been, character tells you where you're going." - George Randle

What can manufacturing leaders learn from military leadership? In this episode of the Titanium Economy podcast, George Randle—Army veteran, talent strategist, and co-author of The Talent War—joins host Nidhi Arora of AYNA.AI to explore why character consistently outperforms credentials. Drawing on lessons from both the battlefield and the boardroom, Randle shares practical advice: know your people, walk the floor, and explain the “why” behind the work. He shows how better leadership—not better perks—can drastically reduce attrition and build resilient teams.

George Randle is a seasoned talent executive, executive coach, and former U.S. Army officer with over 20 years of experience in global HR and talent acquisition. He has led teams that hired more than 80,000 professionals across 60 countries and advises organizations on building high-performing teams through character-based hiring. As co-author of The Talent War, he champions leadership rooted in authenticity, accountability, and values.

Discussion Points

• (00:00) George Randle blends 20+ years in Fortune 100 HR with a decorated Army career. His teams have hired 80,000+ professionals, including 2,500 senior leaders.
• (04:05) Leadership starts with humility. Randle shares how listening—over commanding—drives better outcomes in both military and corporate environments.
• (08:52) The Talent War argues that character trumps credentials. Randle explains why traits like grit and integrity predict leadership success better than résumés.
• (13:57) AI makes résumés look the same—so character must differentiate. Randle urges companies to define success beyond technical skills.
• (16:23) In interviews, Randle asks execs: Who have you mentored to greater success? Their answers reveal true leadership impact.
• (18:30) Manufacturing retention rises when leaders connect. One firm cut attrition from 22% to 2% just by walking the floor and explaining why the work matters.

Ayna is a premier advisory and implementation firm in the industrial technology space, leveraging a team of experienced leaders to help companies and investors drive performance improvement and value creation. The host of this episode Nidhi Arora is Vice President at Ayna.

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George Randle

"The Talent War" by George Randle

Titanium Economy

Ayna.AI Website

Nidhi Arora LinkedIn

"By applying advanced analytics and AI at scale, we were able to see significant increases in fuel economy, productivity, as well as avoidance of major downtime events." - Erik Udstuen

On this episode, Parthesh Shastri talks with Erik Udstuen, CEO of TwinThread, about the future of industrial AI and digital twins. Udstuen shares his journey from GE’s energy division to founding TwinThread, highlighting the blend of generative and traditional AI in industrial settings. He advocates for virtual operations centers that scale expertise globally—illustrated by a success story at Colgate’s pet food division—and outlines strategies for IP protection, including unidirectional communication, isolated language models, and secure, client-based cloud deployments. Udstuen sees industrial AI advancing from frontline support to product innovation, calling for safe experimentation as manufacturing faces a “triple squeeze” of constraints.

Erik Udstuen, a former GE executive and chemical engineer, is the CEO of TwinThread, an industrial tech company using AI-powered digital twins to drive productivity. His early work in neural networks set records in the paper industry, and under his leadership, TwinThread has grown 400% in three years and made the 2024 Deloitte Technology Fast 500. With a strong technical and entrepreneurial foundation, Udstuen is shaping the future of smart manufacturing, tackling challenges like workforce shifts and operational efficiency through advanced AI.

Discussion Points

• (00:00) Erik Udstuen’s experience at GE managing gas turbine fleets shaped his vision for industrial AI, improving fuel efficiency, productivity, and uptime across sectors.
• (04:20) TwinThread’s AI system transformed quality control at Colgate’s pet food division, analyzing sensor data to shift from co-pilot support to full closed-loop automation.
• (06:45) Udstuen defines industrial AI as a full-stack ecosystem—blending generative and traditional methods—requiring robust architecture for real-world integration.
• (08:47) TwinThread ensures data security with one-way data flows, isolated language models, and client-hosted deployments, preserving control and functionality.
• (11:21) Erik’s early work in neural networks for pulp manufacturing set production records; today, lower AI deployment costs unlock access across industrial sectors.
• (15:19) Udstuen sees AI enabling fewer engineers to manage more sites via centers of excellence and predicts future applications in product design and material science—all within secure, IP-safe frameworks.

Ayna is a premier advisory and implementation firm in the industrial technology space, leveraging a team of experienced leaders to help companies and investors drive performance improvement and value creation. The host of this episode is Anya’s Parthesh Shastri.

For More Information

Erik Udstuen LinkedIn

TwinThread

Ayna.AI Website

Parthesh Shastri LinkedIn

How are clean technologies reshaping industrial sustainability strategies?

In this episode, Ayna’s Mohit Jaju speaks with Bryan Siow, VP of Corporate & Business Development at Elessent Clean Technologies, on the realities of clean tech adoption. With 22 years of experience across ExxonMobil, McKinsey, and Halliburton, Siow shares how regional regulations and economic incentives shape implementation.

He discusses Elessent’s advanced technologies in sulfuric acid production, mist elimination, and green hydrogen, along with his strategic approach to growth—leveraging both vertical integration and horizontal expansion. Siow also explores the shift from electron-side to molecule-side clean tech investments and offers insights on navigating market volatility with long-term discipline and operational flexibility.

Bryan Siow serves as Vice President of Corporate and Business Development at Elessent Clean Technologies, leading strategy, business development, and M&A . With 22 years of experience across ExxonMobil, McKinsey & Co, and Halliburton—where he most recently served as Country Manager of Specialty Chemicals in Saudi Arabia. His career encompasses diverse sectors including upstream, downstream, chemicals, and oilfield services, with experience working alongside IOCs, NOCs, and governments across North America, the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. Bryan holds a Chemical Engineering degree from the National University of Singapore and an MBA from the University of Strathclyde.

Discussion Points

• (03:42) Clean tech adoption demands both innovation and economic alignment, ensuring sustainability efforts support business realities.
• (09:06) Elessent’s strategy blends vertical integration with horizontal expansion, unlocking new market opportunities in clean tech.
• (13:29) Investment is shifting from renewables to industrial process transformation, with rising interest in green hydrogen, SAF, and carbon capture.
• (19:08) In volatile markets, long-term investment discipline and operational agility are key to navigating uncertainty.

Ayna is a premier advisory and implementation firm in the industrial technology space, leveraging a team of experienced leaders to help companies and investors drive performance improvement and value creation. The host of this episode Mohit Jaju is President at Ayna.

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Bryan Siow LinkedIn

Elessent Clean Technologies

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Mohit Jaju LinkedIn

How can manufacturers establish digital authority without disrupting traditional distribution?

In this episode, Nidhi Arora, Vice President, Ayna, talks with Paul Miller, former head of global e-commerce at Grainger, who helped turn it into a digital powerhouse. From CD-ROM catalogs to advanced e-commerce platforms, Miller shares how Grainger embraced digital tools to enhance customer engagement. He explores the evolving manufacturer-distributor dynamic and why manufacturers must take charge of their digital presence. As tech-savvy professionals reshape the workforce, Miller highlights a step-by-step approach to digital adoption that delivers real results.

Paul Miller led Grainger’s e-commerce expansion, making it one of the largest industrial digital platforms. His expertise in customer-centric digital strategies has been pivotal in Grainger’s transformation and broader industrial digitalization.

Discussion Points

• (00:00) Grainger’s early digital adoption and customer focus fueled its e-commerce success. Paul Miller shares key lessons.
• (12:04) B2B can learn from B2C—merchandising and tech help overcome skepticism and drive digital adoption.
• (17:10) Manufacturers must own their digital presence to stay competitive in an evolving market.
• (26:24) Industrial tech is rapidly evolving—Chicago event will explore key digital transformation trends.

Ayna is a premier advisory and implementation firm in the industrial technology space, leveraging a team of experienced leaders to help companies and investors drive performance improvement and value creation. The host of this episode Nidhi Arora is Vice President of Content & Marketing at Ayna.

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Paul Miller LinkedIn

Grainger

Titanium Economy

Ayna.AI Website

Nidhi Arora LinkedIn

With the roofing industry set to grow 5% by 2026-2027, what key success factors should companies focus on?

Host Dinesh Chopra, President of Fernweh Group, welcomes John Geary, a 40-year industry veteran, to explore the shift from a seller’s to a buyer’s market due to inflation and supply chain shifts. John discusses just-in-time inventory, subcontracting for labor shortages, and tech adoption like CRM apps and aerial estimation tools. He also highlights the rise of sustainable materials and how smaller contractors can compete against major distributors.

John Geary, former CMO of Nations Roof, has held leadership roles at Firestone, Bradco, and Owens Corning. A respected industry speaker and board member, he now advises contractors, manufacturers, and investors as an independent consultant.

Discussion Points

• John Geary discusses the shift to a buyer’s market post-2020, highlighting just-in-time inventory and subcontracting to manage labor shortages
• Major distributors like ABC Supply dominate, but John sees opportunities for smaller contractors to grow by mastering key skills
• He predicts 5% industry growth by 2026-2027, driven by pent-up housing demand and lower interest rates
• John is optimistic about future opportunities, supported by federal infrastructure spending and a stabilizing market

Ayna is a premier advisory and implementation firm in the industrial technology space, leveraging a team of experienced leaders to help companies and investors drive performance improvement and value creation. The host of this episode, Dinesh Chopra, is President of Fernweh Group.

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John Geary LinkedIn

Dinesh Chopra LinkedIn

Nations Roof

Ayna.AI Website