Hardware Podcasts

259: Data Centers, Modularity, and Mission Critical Manufacturing featuring Keith Hutchens of BW Design Group

Manufacturing Happy Hour · 28 Oct 2025 · 36m

What this episode covers

Keith Hutchens, Partner at BW Design Group (part of Barry-Wehmiller), discusses the transformative impact of AI-driven data center construction on the manufacturing supply chain, noting that capacity is doubling every 3-4 years and creating severe strain on components like transformers and PLCs. He explains how modularity allows builders to manufacture units in parallel before site selection, a critical strategy for hyperscalers racing for speed to market. Hutchens also details BW Design Group's shift from commercial DDC controls to industrial PLCs for mission-critical redundancy and outlines their 'truly human leadership' philosophy, which includes formal principal engineer tracks and flexible relocation programs to manage large, dispersed site teams.

Most relevant to

companies scaling up

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
BW Design Group, Barry-Wehmiller, Rockwell Automation, Sierra Nevada
Products
CDU
Tools
PLC, DDC

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