# Modernizing the Traditional Manufacturing Facility w/ Chris Stevens

- Show: [The Manufacturing Executive](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive)
- Published: 2024-08-20
- Length: 34m
- Episode: 219
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-08-20-modernizing-the-traditional-manufacturing-facility-w-chris-stevens
- Listen: https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-manufacturing-executive#episode-f78c2371-1594-4f25-86ed-aa5c2408ffeb

## Summary

Chris Stevens, Senior Vice President of Automation for Siemens Digital Industries, explains how manufacturers can modernize facilities by starting with business problems rather than technology. He distinguishes between Brownfield transformations, which require edge computing and virtual PLCs to avoid disrupting production, and Greenfield projects, which leverage digital threads for seamless integration. Stevens highlights digital twins and virtual commissioning as key tools for reducing physical commissioning time by over 30% and attracting talent through modern, IT-like shop floor experiences.

## Chapters

- [0:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-08-20-modernizing-the-traditional-manufacturing-facility-w-chris-stevens#t=36) Introduction: Chris Stevens and Siemens Digital Industries
- [4:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-08-20-modernizing-the-traditional-manufacturing-facility-w-chris-stevens#t=263) Stevens' Career Path and the Automation Market Outlook
- [13:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-08-20-modernizing-the-traditional-manufacturing-facility-w-chris-stevens#t=813) Defining Digital Twins: Product and Production Simulation
- [18:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-08-20-modernizing-the-traditional-manufacturing-facility-w-chris-stevens#t=1100) Use Case: Virtual Commissioning for an EV Manufacturer
- [20:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-08-20-modernizing-the-traditional-manufacturing-facility-w-chris-stevens#t=1216) Brownfield Modernization: Edge Computing and Virtual PLCs
- [27:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-08-20-modernizing-the-traditional-manufacturing-facility-w-chris-stevens#t=1656) Greenfield Strategy: Digital Threads and Integration
- [30:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-08-20-modernizing-the-traditional-manufacturing-facility-w-chris-stevens#t=1855) Getting Started: Roadmaps and Business Outcomes

## Topics

- [Mechanical engineering](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/mechanical-engineering)
- [Factory operations & automation](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/factory-operations)
- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Siemens (company)
- Siemens Digital Industries (company)
- SDRC (company)
- Fiat Chrysler (company)
- Nvidia (company)
- AWS (company)
- SAP (company)
- Gorilla 76 (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [End-to-End Digital Transformation with Bob Murphy and Scott Feldmann](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2020-07-14-end-to-end-digital-transformation-with-bob-murphy-and-scott-feldmann) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [250: How to Uncover Your "Hidden Factory" and Extract More Value from the Plant Floor featuring Tri Tech Automation](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) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [BONUS: The Future of Intralogistics featuring Siemens' Joel Thomas and Markus Thiel](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-08-04-bonus-the-future-of-intralogistics-featuring-siemens-joel-thomas-and-markus-thie) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [165: Unlocking the Full Potential of Frontline Operations, Lean Manufacturing, and Industry 4.0 with Natan Linder, Co-Founder & CEO of Tulip](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2023-12-26-165-unlocking-the-full-potential-of-frontline-operations-lean-manufacturing-and) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [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)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2024-08-20-modernizing-the-traditional-manufacturing-facility-w-chris-stevens. 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 The Manufacturing Executive.