Your place for real talk about working efficiently and kicking back on your downtime. Pull up a chair and join manufacturing veterans Ed Ballina and Alvaro Cuba as they break down factory life.

## Episodes

### Episode 45

## [Survive a Plant Visit From Senior Leadership](/content/podcasts/survive-a-plant-visit-from-senior-leadership/ "Permanent Link to Podcasts"/index.html)
Jul 2, 2026 · 35:16 Min listen

### Episode 44

## [Survey: What 500 Manufacturers Want You to Know](/content/podcasts/survey-what-500-manufacturers-want-you-to-know/ "Permanent Link to Podcasts"/index.html)
Jun 11, 2026 · 28:25 Min listen

### Episode 43

## [Why AI Rollouts Stall (And How to Start Anyway)](/content/podcasts/why-ai-rollouts-stall-and-how-to-start-anyway/ "Permanent Link to Podcasts"/index.html)
May 28, 2026 · 36:01 Min listen

### Episode 42

## [Maintenance Budget Getting Cut? Here’s What to Say.](/content/podcasts/maintenance-budget-getting-cut-heres-what-to-say/ "Permanent Link to Podcasts"/index.html)
May 13, 2026 · 36:01 Min listen

### Episode 41

## [Fix Reactive Maintenance with Better Planning ft. Doc Palmer](/content/podcasts/fix-reactive-maintenance-with-better-planning-ft-doc-palmer/ "Permanent Link to Podcasts"/index.html)
Apr 29, 2026 · 39:21 Min listen

### Episode 40

## [From Reactive to Proactive: Ricky Smith, CMRP](/content/podcasts/from-reactive-to-proactive-ricky-smith-cmrp/ "Permanent Link to Podcasts"/index.html)
Apr 17, 2026 · 30:30 Min listen

## Meet Our Hosts

### Alvaro Cuba

Alvaro Cuba has more than 35 years of experience in a variety of leadership roles in operations and supply chain as well as tenure in commercial and general management for the consumer products goods, textile, automotive, electronics and internet industries. His professional career has taken him to more than 70 countries, enabling him to bring a global business view to any conversation. Today, Alvaro is a strategic business consultant and advisor in operations and supply chain, helping advance start-ups in the AI and advanced manufacturing space.

### Ed Ballina

Ed Ballina was formerly the VP of Manufacturing and Warehousing at PepsiCo, with 36 years of experience in manufacturing and reliability across three CPG Fortune 50 companies in the beverage and paper industries. He previously led a team focused on improving equipment RE/TE performance and reducing maintenance costs while improving field capability. Recently, Ed started his own supply chain consulting practice focusing on Supply Chain operational consulting and equipment rebuild services for the beverage industry.