In this episode of Industrial Theory, Kerry Siggins is joined by Fritz Kin, Director of Safety, Security, & PSM at Marathon Petroleum Company LP. With over 35 years of experience in safety, including extensive time in refining, Fritz discusses human performance optimization and its transformative impact on safety culture and company growth at Marathon Oil. Their conversation delves into reducing the stigma around safety, embracing mistakes, and building a better company. Kerry and Fritz explore the power of this approach in fostering growth and open communication.

Guest: Joseph Blackman, Founder of Vitendo Quick Background: This episode of Industrial Theory features Kerry Siggins and guest Joseph Blackman, the founder of Vitendo. Vitendo is an industrial media and education company that’s taken a contemporary approach to delivering customized training videos for large, municipal equipment and vehicles. Joseph explains the importance of delivering this type of training content through modern, digestible user experience features like real-time video, media sharing, and optimized mobile access. Joseph and Kerry discuss the value of relationships in business and why we need to advocate and advance industrial trades as a whole. Plus, hear about Joseph’s entrepreneurial journey from starting the company to his work today with large municipalities and industrial organizations.

On this special episode of Industrial Theory, host Kerry Siggins is joined by StoneAge sales extraordinaire, Carrie Grant. Carrie joins the podcast to share about StoneAge’s AutoBox 1L— a newly designed, dual belt driven tractor with increased pulling power for single lance operations. Carrie explains that when paired with the Compass radial arm and Sentinel technology, this new AutoBox 1L helps operators rapidly deliver reliable, thorough results when cleaning confined spaces, evaporators, condenser boxes, channel heads, and vertical/horizontal heat exchangers. Kerry and Carrie discuss how easy it is to operate the system thanks to its intuitive, game-inspired controller and autonomous features like AutoFeed and AutoMove. Carrie explains how one controller can pair with any Sentinel-enabled system, giving operators data analytics and productivity gains during more of their cleaning applications (not to mention a way to stretch their Sentinel investment). She also talks about why she loves being part of the StoneAge team and delivering on the StoneAge Assurance Promise: we do what it takes to help our customers complete their jobs safely, on time, on budget and as easily as possible. Guest:  Carrie Grant is the North American Sr. Sales Manager at StoneAge. Carrie has served StoneAge customers for the past 23 years, first through StoneAge’s shipping and receiving department, then purchasing, sales, global dealer relations, and now in her current role overseeing the North American sales team.

In this episode of Industrial Theory, host Kerry Siggins is joined by Rhein Britz, Turnaround Manager at Contract Resources in Australia. Diving into their mutual passion of automation, Kerry and Rhein discuss the sentiment around automation in areas such as the Middle East, South Africa, and Australia. Rhein shares about his numerous experiences implementing automated solutions, including when he helped a South African company successfully remove all hands from high pressure hoses and lance work. They discuss the safety, productivity, and efficiency benefits of automation, as well as related topics like labor shortages and imported labor. Listen to the episode to learn more about implementing automation in industrial cleaning operations worldwide. Guest:  Rhein Britz, Turnaround Manager at Contract Resources Australia

In this episode of Industrial Theory, host Kerry Siggins welcomes Dick Hannah, the VP of Learning and Innovation at the Health and Safety Council (HASC). Formerly known as the Houston Safety Council, Dick shares the organization’s new, expanded direction following their rebrand as the HASC. Through hard work and dedication, he has created a learning community of contractors and refinery owner/operators that stretches beyond the Houston area and throughout the country. Building safe workplaces is the vision and goal of the HASC and to create the best possible training that is both worthwhile and effective. Kerry and Dick discuss the importance of learner integrity, and the pitfall of having a “check the box” approach to training that doesn’t result in actual memory and adoption of safety practices. The goal is for the learner to retain the new knowledge they acquired by engaging them after the fact. And, by making sure the training is effective, the methods learned in training come to life in the field. The goal of the HASC is to inspire and facilitate field worker career progression while also addressing learner challenges; such as language barriers. These efforts to build safe workplaces takes into consideration that the learners they are working with are unique; they prefer to get their hands dirty as opposed to sitting in front of a computer. Guest: Dick Hannah, VP of Learning and Innovation at the Health and Safety Council

As the safety supervisor for Kuraray EVAL, Richard Bass talks with Kerry Siggins about the shift in asset owners to incorporate waterblasting and the desire to make positive impactful changes to affect not only revenues, but more importantly the safety of workers. He shares Kuraray’s journey to implement the WJTA’s hydroblasting certification throughout Kuraray and why he sees the relationship between asset owners, service providers, and OEMs. Richard also highlights the work the Houston Business Round Table has done to increase safety at plants across the Gulf Coast. Guest:  Richard Bass is the Safety Supervisor at Kuraray EVAL, Chairperson for the Houston Business Roundtable, Chairperson of the Texas Chemical Council 2023 EHS Seminar, Texas Chemical Council Occupational Safety Committee Vice Chair, 2021 TCC Safety Professional of the Year, Vice Chair of the La Porte, Morgan’s Point and Shoreacres LEPC, consultant to the La Porte Plant Managers Network, Texas Safety Foundation board member, and a member of San Jacinto College CPET EHS advisory board.

In this episode of Industrial Theory, host Kerry Siggins is joined by StoneAge’s director of global sales, Mike Taylor. Mike shares his perspective of the company’s recent acquisition of longtime competitor and industry legend, Terydon. Kerry and Mike discuss the plan for bringing Terydon products to StoneAge dealers and customers worldwide, beginning with the Jack Track cutting system. Mike details the inventors’ motivation to create a versatile cutting system with both flexible and rigid track, plus magnetic and suction attachment options. Mike shares how waterblast contractors can use the Jack Track to cut into door sheets and curved tanks, whether for demolition cuts or highly precise, clean lines for re-welding. Lastly, Mike and Kerry talk about differences between the wired and wireless versions of the Jack Track that contractors should keep in mind when purchasing or renting the system. Guest: Mike Taylor, Director of Global Sales at StoneAge

In this episode of Industrial Theory, host Kerry Siggins sits down with Sam Smolik to discuss his 50+ years of experience managing energy and petrochem facilities, as well as his new book, “The Daily Pursuit of Excellence.” Reflecting on the evolution of industrial cleaning practices, Kerry and Sam discuss the value of facility owners supporting and engaging with advancing standardized safety training. They dive into the importance of having a strong company culture that also extends to contractors, and the influence Sam’s leadership experience has had in his recent work as an author. Sam also details the message he plans to share at the upcoming Safety Council Summit, that “every job can be done safely.” Guest: Sam Smolik spent his career in a series of global executive leadership roles at The Dow Chemical Company, Shell, and LyondellBasell Industries. His focus during his 50+ year career was on leadership, people development, operational excellence, management systems, sustainable development, and achieving superior performance. Sam has recently authored a new book, “The Daily Pursuit of Excellence,” to share his experiences and leadership techniques for improving personal effectiveness, influencing others, and enhancing organizational performance. Smolik graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering degree from The University of Texas at Austin. He currently serves on the board of directors for Axalta Coating Systems, Evergreen Industrial Services, and Ducks Unlimited.

In this episode of Industrial Theory, host Kerry Siggins welcomes back Jimmy Peck, General Manager of MPW Industrial Services and the podcast’s first-ever guest over three years ago. Kerry and Jimmy discuss what they’re looking forward to at the upcoming WJTA Conference & Expo in New Orleans, LA, including the new asset owner track and operator training opportunities. Expanding on the topic, Jimmy details the value of formalized training and certifications within the industrial cleaning industry— especially for new hires. From networking to education sessions, hear what’s in store for asset owners, contractors, manufacturers, suppliers and more at the tradeshow this November 1st – 3rd.

In this episode of Industrial Theory, host Kerry Siggins is joined by Terry Gromes Jr., Product Strategy Manager at Terydon. Terydon is an Ohio-based waterblasting equipment and technology manufacturer that was recently acquired by StoneAge. Learn what this powerful joint venture means for the industrial cleaning industry, specifically for the continued innovation of accessories that optimize water delivery on the job. Kerry and Terry discuss the horizon for computerized, sensor-based cleaning equipment that can help mitigate human error and reduce water and fuel consumption. They also talk about the importance of collaborating with asset owners to plan the facility’s cleaning solution and maintenance schedule concurrent with initial construction. Lastly, Terry details his excitement about the Terydon team joining StoneAge’s employee ownership program.