Get a firsthand look into the heart of Australian manufacturing as hosts Phil Seboa and Ed Fuentes sit down with Shane Williams and Paul Mason, two prominent voices from the Manufacturing Tech Australia Podcast. This episode examines the practical sides of digital transformation—beyond the buzzwords—to the real drivers, pain points, and breakthrough strategies shaping factories across the country.

Listen in as the group compares IT and OT perspectives, highlights the evolving role of data, addresses challenges with legacy systems, and discusses how Australian businesses are tackling integration, culture, and rapid technological change. Candid stories from the plant floor meet sharp industry analysis, making this an essential listen for anyone invested in the future of manufacturing, automation, and technology adoption in Australia.

Topics include:

• Continuous improvement vs. digital transformation
• The value of real-time data and integration of old and new tech
• Breaking down IT/OT silos through collaboration
• The impact of AI and machine learning on manufacturing processes
• Shifting business models—from selling products to selling services
• Tips for setting a strong strategy and finding quick wins
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Listen to the Manufacturing Tech Australia Podcast:https://open.spotify.com/show/6Gzc6XBnjTP0WRw9g891IP

Connect with Shane on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanewilliamsau/

Connect with Paul on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/pdmason/

Connect with Phil on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-seboa/

Connect with Ed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-fuentes-2046121a/

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About Industry Sage Media:

Industry Sage Media is your backstage pass to industry experts and the conversations that are shaping the future of the manufacturing industry.

Learn more at: http://www.industrysagemedia.com

Hans Schrynemakers joins hosts Phil Seboa and Ed Fuentes to discuss his journey from frustrated nights on the factory floor to becoming an advocate for structured, modular PLC programming. Hans brings over 20 years of automation experience, sharing hard-earned knowledge on building scalable, maintainable industrial applications. The conversation spans practical strategies for naming conventions, documentation, and the role of comments, as well as his approach to training engineers worldwide. The episode also covers modernization projects, motion control, and the future of PLC programming in an AI-driven world.

About Hans:

Hans Schrynemakers has helped thousands of PLC programmers transform the way they build applications in TIA Portal. Twenty-three years ago, he was a rookie struggling with messy, unstructured PLC code. After a rough night on the factory floor, he discovered structured programming—a turning point that completely changed his perspective and revealed the difference between average logic and modular, scalable applications.

Today, with over two decades of experience, Hans is dedicated to helping others skip the struggles he once faced and start programming with confidence.

Connect with Phil on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-seboa/

Connect with Ed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-fuentes-2046121a/

Connect with Hans:

⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hans-schrynemakers⁠

Other ways to connect with Hans:

Free TIA Portal guide:

https://www.plcskilltree.com/free-guide-optin

YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/@plcskilltree

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/plcskilltree?igsh=MWlxN2piNnA0djBxcw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

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About Industry Sage Media:

Industry Sage Media is your backstage pass to industry experts and the conversations that are shaping the future of the manufacturing industry.

Learn more at: http://www.industrysagemedia.com

Phil and Ed sit down with Alex Sims, Technical Support Lead at Caliper. With a background as a qualified electrician and data technician, Alex offers a unique perspective on how practical trades experience can shape and refine IoT solutions for industrial and environmental challenges. The conversation uncovers practical stories from deploying climate sensors to protect bat colonies, managing connectivity in tough environments, and creating scalable, user-friendly IIoT products for real-world scenarios.

From tackling the steep learning curve of IoT as a tradie to overcoming industry-wide issues of scalability, integration, and support, Alex shares lessons learned on the plant floor and in the field. Gain a better understanding of the user experience for installers, the importance of open protocols, what to look for in an IIoT vendor, and the balance between public and private connectivity networks for industrial devices. Perfect for tradespeople, early-career tech professionals, and anyone interested in how field experience informs digital innovation and automation in industry.

Connect with Alex on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-sims-9b0490153/

Connect with Phil on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-seboa/

Connect with Ed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-fuentes-2046121a/

About Industry Sage Media:

Industry Sage Media is your backstage pass to industry experts and the conversations that are shaping the future of the manufacturing industry.

Learn more at: http://www.industrysagemedia.com