Gear Talk is the podcast that connects maintenance & reliability professionals with reliable information, insights, and experts, enabling them to accomplish their goals more effectively, efficiently and enthusiastically. Join Wes Cash each month as he talks shop with industry experts, thought leaders, and the folks in the trenches keeping industry moving.
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Gear Talk is the podcast that connects maintenance & reliability professionals with reliable information, insights, and experts, enabling them to accomplish their goals more effectively, efficiently and enthusiastically. Join Wes Cash each month as he talks shop with industry experts, thought leaders, and the folks in the trenches keeping industry moving.
AI, sensors, and digital tools are flooding the maintenance and reliability world—but are organizations adopting them the right way? In this episode of Gear Talk, host Wes Cash sits down with Dave Howard, CEO of Erbessd Instruments, to challenge the “technology-first” mindset and make the case for a more sustainable approach: people first, technology second.
Drawing on decades of experience—from military aviation and plant leadership to vibration analysis and executive leadership—Dave explains why technology alone can’t fix reliability problems, why AI won’t replace skilled analysts, and how cultural buy-in determines whether new tools succeed or fail. The conversation cuts through fear-based narratives and focuses on how technology can improve safety, reliability, and quality of life for maintenance professionals.
You’ll learn about:
Why people and culture must come before technology adoption
How AI should be used as a filter and efficiency tool—not a replacement for expertise
The limits of automation in vibration analysis and condition monitoring
When pilot programs make sense—and when they stall progress
How technology can reduce emergency call-ins and improve work-life balance
Whether you’re a maintenance leader evaluating new technology or a reliability professional concerned about the future of your role, this episode provides a practical, grounded perspective on adopting technology in a way that actually works.
Missed an episode of Gear Talk? Check out the playlist here. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUMZtxzM4WqOBC53dsyVBi6FQGWsMDPT4
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Gear Talk
Gear Talk is the podcast that connects maintenance & reliability professionals with reliable information, insights, and experts, enabling them to accomplish their goals more effectively, efficiently and enthusiastically. Join Wes Cash each month as he talks shop with industry experts, thought leaders, and the folks in the trenches keeping industry moving.
