# 250: How to Uncover Your "Hidden Factory" and Extract More Value from the Plant Floor featuring Tri Tech Automation

- Show: [Manufacturing Happy Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour)
- Published: 2025-08-26
- Length: 51m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-08-26-250-how-to-uncover-your-hidden-factory-and-extract-more-value-from-the-plant-flo
- Listen: http://manufacturinghappyhour.com

## Summary

Luke Manier, Adam Ruebsam, and Ryan Williams of Tri Tech Automation discuss how manufacturers can uncover their 'hidden factory'—untapped potential and invisible inefficiencies within existing resources. They explain that unlocking this value requires focusing on business outcomes first, empowering the workforce with data and guided instructions, and integrating OT data with ERP systems. The panel shares Tri Tech's own digital transformation journey, detailing how they used EPLAN and automated fabrication tools to shift from serial to parallel panel manufacturing, thereby increasing velocity and consistency across their St. Louis and Tulsa locations.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-08-26-250-how-to-uncover-your-hidden-factory-and-extract-more-value-from-the-plant-flo#t=0) Introduction: Tri Tech Automation and the Hidden Factory Concept
- [6:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-08-26-250-how-to-uncover-your-hidden-factory-and-extract-more-value-from-the-plant-flo#t=405) Business Value First: Right-Sizing Technology for Outcomes
- [12:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-08-26-250-how-to-uncover-your-hidden-factory-and-extract-more-value-from-the-plant-flo#t=755) Defining the Hidden Factory: Untapped Potential and Workforce Challenges
- [19:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-08-26-250-how-to-uncover-your-hidden-factory-and-extract-more-value-from-the-plant-flo#t=1195) External Case Study: Data Integration and ERP Connectivity
- [28:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-08-26-250-how-to-uncover-your-hidden-factory-and-extract-more-value-from-the-plant-flo#t=1706) Tri Tech's Internal Journey: EPLAN, Automation, and Parallel Paths
- [41:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-08-26-250-how-to-uncover-your-hidden-factory-and-extract-more-value-from-the-plant-flo#t=2461) Lessons from the Savannah Bananas and Career Mentorship Advice

## Topics

- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Tri Tech Automation (company)
- Urban Chestnut Brewing Company (other)
- EPLAN (tool)
- Savannah Bananas (other)
- EOS (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [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)
- [The Connected Factory Floor: L2L and Data Management](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/over-the-air/2025-01-09-the-connected-factory-floor-l2l-and-data-management) (Over the Air)
- [The Connected Advantage: Solving Real Problems with Hexagon's Digital Workforce, Ep #20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lights-out/2025-07-18-the-connected-advantage-solving-real-problems-with-hexagons-digital-workforce-ep) (Lights Out)
- [EMS@C-LEVEL Season #2021 Episode #8 with Anna-Katrina Shedletsky, Instrumental](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2021-08-09-ems-c-level-season-2021-episode-8-with-anna-katrina-shedletsky-instrumental) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [What Happens When Every Action Becomes A Data Point: EMS@C-Level with FermionX MD Will Patrick](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-10-29-what-happens-when-every-action-becomes-a-data-point-ems-c-level-with-fermionx-md) (EMS@C-LEVEL)

## Citing this page

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