# From ROI to Reality — Measuring Success After You Automate, Ep #32

- Show: [Lights Out](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out)
- Published: 2026-01-16
- Length: 38m
- Episode: 32
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-01-16-from-roi-to-reality-measuring-success-after-you-automate-ep-32
- Listen: https://8819970d-2c51-481c-b08a-4d2a806885b2.libsyn.com/from-roi-to-reality-measuring-success-after-you-automate-ep-32

## Summary

Hosts David Buick and Eric Nekich discuss how machine shop owners can validate the performance of automation systems post-implementation, focusing on measuring ROI through specific KPIs rather than just labor savings. They emphasize tracking core metrics like OEE, throughput, and utilization, while warning against the 'automation trap' of comparing shops to industry averages without context. The conversation highlights the importance of change management, ensuring shop floor teams view metrics as tools for continuous improvement rather than surveillance, and outlines three key post-implementation actions to lock in value.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-01-16-from-roi-to-reality-measuring-success-after-you-automate-ep-32#t=0) Introduction and IMTS Workshop Promo
- [3:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-01-16-from-roi-to-reality-measuring-success-after-you-automate-ep-32#t=202) The Risk of Flying Blind Without Measurement
- [7:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-01-16-from-roi-to-reality-measuring-success-after-you-automate-ep-32#t=427) Core KPIs: Labor, Throughput, and Cost Per Unit
- [12:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-01-16-from-roi-to-reality-measuring-success-after-you-automate-ep-32#t=730) Translating KPIs to Shop Floor Language and OEE
- [16:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-01-16-from-roi-to-reality-measuring-success-after-you-automate-ep-32#t=995) The Impact of Workholding and Process Reliability
- [22:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-01-16-from-roi-to-reality-measuring-success-after-you-automate-ep-32#t=1335) Benchmarking and the 'Automation Trap'
- [29:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-01-16-from-roi-to-reality-measuring-success-after-you-automate-ep-32#t=1747) Change Management and Shop Floor Buy-In
- [33:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-01-16-from-roi-to-reality-measuring-success-after-you-automate-ep-32#t=2037) Three Post-Implementation Actions to Lock in ROI

## Topics

- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Factory operations & automation](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/factory-operations)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Pro Shop (company)
- SMW Autoblok (company)
- Cascade (company)
- Insight Software (company)
- Hill and Smith (company)
- Fanuc (company)
- Hire MFG Leaders (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [The New ROI of Automation w/ Scot Lindemann](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2022-02-08-the-new-roi-of-automation-w-scot-lindemann) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [Digital Transformation in Smart Factory Settings | MachineMetrics's Dave Westrom](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/iot-for-all-podcast/2021-09-13-digital-transformation-in-smart-factory-settings-machinemetricss-dave-westrom) (IoT For All Podcast)
- [195: 3 Characteristics of Machine Shops That Adopt Technology and Thrive with Paul Van Metre](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2024-07-23-195-3-characteristics-of-machine-shops-that-adopt-technology-and-thrive-with-pau) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [How to Solve the Technology Hesitancy Issue in Manufacturing w/ Erik Nieves](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2021-09-07-how-to-solve-the-technology-hesitancy-issue-in-manufacturing-w-erik-nieves) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- ["What's the ROI?" is the Wrong Question: Measuring Marketing Impact w/ Joe Sullivan](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-10-28-whats-the-roi-is-the-wrong-question-measuring-marketing-impact-w-joe-sullivan) (The Manufacturing Executive)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2026-01-16-from-roi-to-reality-measuring-success-after-you-automate-ep-32. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Lights Out.