Hardware Podcasts

Training the Technician of the Future

The Manufacturing Executive · 30 Aug 2022 · 25m · Episode 117

What this episode covers

Tim Wilborne, owner of TW Controls, explains how he and his wife Amber transitioned from industrial controls integration to building a training business after struggling with cash flow and sales. He details the creation of their PLC trainer to generate steady revenue and the development of in-person courses that help technicians bridge the gap between mechanical and electrical roles. Wilborne argues that automation improves jobs by removing hazardous grunt work and discusses his strategy of building a large online audience through helpful, human-centric video content rather than direct promotion.

Most relevant to

early-stage companies

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
TW Controls, Gorilla 76, Boston dynamics
Products
PLC trainer

Related episodes from other shows

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Manufacturing Happy Hour · 48m

    How to Build an Industrial Automation YouTube Channel with Tim Wilborne

    Tim Wilborne, founder of TW Controls, explains how his accidental YouTube channel grew to 50,000 subscribers by providing free PLC training and troubleshooting videos to industrial technicians. He details the company's evolution from a garage startup to a family-run business, highlighting the challenges of cash flow, project failures, and the decision to pivot from sales-driven content to curiosity-driven education. Wilborne also discusses the mental toll of online negativity, his strategy for managing 'haters' through humor and boundary-setting, and his advice for creators to focus on community building rather than monetization metrics.

    Creator businessStarting a product company
    6 chapters

  • Manufacturing Happy Hour · 38m

    Taking the Entrepreneurial Leap with Joe Carson

    Joe Carson, founder of Pacific Blue Engineering, a Long Beach-based control systems integrator, discusses his transition from Rockwell Automation to starting his own company to avoid living with regret. He explains how Pacific Blue Engineering differentiates itself through strong team culture, heavy investment in technical training, and personal development strategies like those taught by Tony Robbins. The episode highlights their focus on migrating legacy PLCs to modern, connected automation systems, citing a specific project where text-based fault alerts reduced downtime for a life sciences customer. Carson also details the company's recent expansion into Northern California to guarantee 24-hour on-site engineer response across the state.

    Starting a product companyLeadership, teams & culture
    11 chapters

  • Manufacturing Happy Hour · 17m

    BONUS: BIG NEWS + 3 Reasons I'm Grateful I Worked at Rockwell Automation

    Chris Luecke, host of Manufacturing Happy Hour, announces his departure from Rockwell Automation after an 11-year career to launch a media and marketing agency in Milwaukee. He highlights his first client, Steamchain, a company providing machine-as-a-service solutions for industrial equipment. Luecke reflects on three key lessons from his time at Rockwell: learning to sell by embracing failure, the value of strong mentorship and management, and the inclusive, collaborative company culture.

    Careers & educationMarketing & brand
    5 chapters

  • The Amp Hour · 1h 20m

    An Interview with John Davis

    Chris Gammell, founder of Paul Davis Automation and 3ML, discusses his transition from software engineering to industrial sales and the realities of selling mechatronics solutions. He explains the economics of manufacturer's representation, the persistence of legacy technologies like ladder logic and Allen-Bradley PLCs, and the high stakes of industrial downtime. Gammell also details his company 3ML, which builds industrial IoT devices and data collection hardware for factories, emphasizing the value of solving specific engineering problems over generic connectivity.

    Direct-to-consumer & e-commerceEmbedded firmware
    6 chapters

  • Manufacturing Happy Hour · 34m

    Building an Automation Company on Ambition and Hustle with Malachi Greb

    Malachi Greb, owner of Elite Automation, discusses building a robotics and automation systems integration company from a one-person operation to a 25-employee team in just three years. He details his strategy of using guerrilla marketing and high-value content at trade shows like the Vision Show to drive growth without expensive booths. Greb also explains his focus on robotic welding, AMRs, and bin picking, as well as the challenges and cultural adjustments involved in executing his first international project in India.

    Marketing & brandScaling production
    7 chapters

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by The Manufacturing Executive. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.