AEM Thinking Forward Podcast—Advancing the Equipment Manufacturing Industry

With a new decade upon us, a lot of people in the construction and agriculture business world are marking this milestone with some uncertainty about what the future may hold. While the last decade was one of slow but uninterrupted economic growth, global trade skirmishes and political instability have given business leaders pause as the calendar turns to 2020. So what do the experts expect to happen, and how can the heavy equipment industry be prepared for it? On this edition of the podcast, Harvard lecturer and economist Dr. Vikram Mansharamani weighs in with his take on the future. He’s a global trend hunter, author and equity investor, and his approach to managing risk and recognizing opportunities is the counsel you need as you plan for the next decade.

As more Baby Boomers are reaching retirement age, equipment manufacturers who want to stay competitive are going to need to attract and retain younger workers. But many companies don’t have a plan for appealing to Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z. And those that do might be basing it on false notions about generational thinking and mindsets. So in this edition of the podcast, Trend Hunter’s Senior Vice President of Research Services Courtney Scharf outlines their new, more precise framework of micro-generations, and shares some best practices that construction and agriculture equipment manufacturers can use to build an inter-generational workforce.

In the U.S., around 13 million acres of land are used as roads and rights-of-way in the interstate highway system. That’s a lot of real estate, and all it does is provide a surface on which to operate cars and trucks. But a pioneering new experiment in Georgia, known as The Ray, is reimagining what roads could look like if they multi-tasked. Allie Kelly, the executive director of The Ray, says their 18-mile stretch of highway is using IoT technology to communicate with smart cars, generating solar power, and even growing crops. And in this edition of the podcast, she explains how their project could mean new opportunities for the manufacturers of construction and agriculture equipment.

What does the future hold for equipment manufacturers? We asked one of the world’s most well-known experts in future trends in technology, Sheryl Connelly. Connelly holds the title of Chief Futurist at the Ford Motor Company, and publishes the Annual “Looking Further with Ford” trends report. For more than 20 years, she’s been tasked with helping company executives prepare for what’s on the third horizon. In this episode, she talks about the importance of applying a futurist mindset to the heavy equipment industry and seven trends that are reshaping the business world on a global scale. Music by Little Glass Men / CC BY 4.0

Statistics show that up to 90% of job site accidents are caused by unsafe behavior, not conditions. And Justin Ganschow of Caterpillar Safety Services believes that worksite rookies and veterans alike can benefit from learning critical safety lessons in a controlled, VR environment. In this episode, Ganschow takes AEM inside the Cat® Safety VR program, including a memorable hands-on demo, and explains the lessons that other equipment manufacturers can take away from the program’s success—like why workers who are trained on VR systems are more likely to remember their training than those who learn in a traditional classroom setting. Music by Little Glass Men / CC BY 4.0

Just about every major player in Silicon Valley and the auto industry has efforts underway to develop autonomous car technology. Not only will self-driving cars change the way the construction industry builds roads, but some of that same tech will power the autonomous heavy equipment of the future. In this episode, an update on who’s leading the autonomous charge from Alan Ohnsman, a senior editor at Forbes. Then, Ellice Perez from Waymo, formerly the Google self-driving car project, explains how equipment manufacturers can put LiDAR technology to work. And finally, what the advent of autonomous vehicles will mean for the roadbuilders of the future with Steve Vozar, the CTO of May Mobility.

Using farm data to improve operating margins is perhaps more important than ever, in a year where weak commodity prices, international trade uncertainty and abysmal planting conditions are putting farmers under serious pressure. But how can equipment manufacturers help growers reap the benefits of digital technology? In this episode, two experts from AEM member Trimble share their insights. Director of Strategy for Trimble Ag Business Solutions Clint Dotterer outlines how and why data can create value for farmers. And Program Marketing Manager Frank Fidanza explains how he’s putting the technology to use on his family farm in New York. Plus, AEM VP of Government and Industry Relations Kip Eideberg provides an update on the association’s advocacy efforts opposing tariffs.

Electromobility and automation are two of the hottest topics in leading edge technology right now. And at a test site in Sweden, Volvo CE has proved that these technologies can be combined to run a quarry that's virtually emission-free. In this episode, Volvo CE's Dr. Fares Beainy parses the benefits and challenges of an all-electric fleet of construction equipment and charts the future of autonomy for the construction industry. Overall, the project achieved a 98% reduction in carbon emissions, 70% reduction in energy cost, and a 40% reduction in operator cost. Learn more about the potential for autonomy in the equipment industry, or subscribe to the AEM Industry Advisor for regular updates in your email about industry news and insights. Music by Little Glass Men / CC BY 4.0

Additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, shows growing potential as a technique for fabricating parts out of plastic or metal. But what about building structures out of concrete? AEM member Oshkosh Corp. and Oak Ridge National Laboratory have teamed up to develop new 3D printed concrete technology, and the early results show the potential to reshape segments of the construction industry. In this episode, Oak Ridge's Dr. Brian Post provides an update on the project's status and explores the possibilities that 3D printed concrete could unlock, while AEM members speculate on what it means to them. Learn more about AEM's previous partnership with ORNL to build the world's first 3D printed excavator, or subscribe to the AEM Industry Advisor for regular updates in your email about industry news and insights. Music by Little Glass Men / CC BY 4.0

Space may be the final frontier, but the technologies being developed to land the first humans on Mars can also be leveraged by tech-savvy OEMs in the heavy equipment industry. In this episode, NASA technologist Steven Gonzalez explains the space agency's technology transfer program, which makes cutting-edge tech available to U.S. enterprises. And 21-year-old "Astronaut Abby," Abigail Harrison, discusses her goal to be the first human to walk on Mars, and how manufacturers can inspire the next-generation workforce to pursue careers in STEM. Learn more about AEM's workforce development efforts, or subscribe to the AEM Industry Advisor for regular updates in your email about industry news and insights. Music by Little Glass Men / CC BY 4.0

They say, “We’ve Always Done It That Way” are the six most destructive words in the business world. That’s truer than ever in an era of disruptive technology. So what are the assumptions that define the heavy equipment manufacturing industry, and how could they be disrupted? On this episode, AEM Futures Council chair Guru Bandekar from JLG Industries outlines some of those potential turning points, exploring electrification, IoT and other trends. And, fresh off his latest TED talk, Singularity University’s Digital Manufacturing Chair Andre Wegner explains why our industry shouldn’t fear technological disruption. Learn more about how to stay ahead of tech disruption, or subscribe to the AEM Industry Advisor for regular updates in your email about industry news and insights. Music by Little Glass Men / CC BY 4.0

Artificial intelligence is a technology that is poised to begin disrupting every industry it touches--including heavy construction and agriculture equipment. And according to digital strategist and TV host Amber Mac, the sooner manufacturers accept the inevitable roles of A.I. in their business models, the better off they will be. Plus, Singularity University’s A.I. Chair Neil Jacobstein outlines the real perils posed by the rise of the machines--and they're not what you think. Learn more about how A.I. is changing the way manufacturers innovate, or subscribe to the AEM Industry Advisor for regular updates in your email about industry news and insights. Music by Little Glass Men / CC BY 4.0

In the world of racing, Team Penske stands as an unrivaled success. But it turns out that they’ve got a lot to teach equipment manufacturers about collecting and analyzing IoT data off high-performance machines. In this episode, Team Penske's Carlos Gutierrez explains why, from an engineer’s perspective, there’s a lot of crossover between racing and the fields of construction and agriculture. Also, AEM VP of Construction, Mining and Utilities Al Cervero, Link-Belt's Casey Watts and Wacker Neuson's Jake Gaylord share their perspectives. You can also read Carlos Gutierrez's four tips for optimizing performance with machine data, or subscribe to the AEM Industry Advisor for regular updates in your email about industry news and insights. Music by Little Glass Men / CC BY 4.0

The "Membership Economy" is a hot topic among business leaders, and Robbie Kellman Baxter literally wrote the book on it. In this episode, she explains how heavy equipment manufacturers can use “forever promises” like Netflix does to move from an ownership business model to a membership model. That can mean new sources of revenue, ongoing customer relationships and constant feedback. Read more about the membership economy, and subscribe to the AEM Industry Advisor for regular updates in your email about industry news and insights. Music by Little Glass Men / CC BY 4.0

For the manufacturers who build agriculture equipment, understanding the Internet of Things, digital service business models and consolidating farm ownership is more crucial than ever before. Together with the Context Network, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers prepared "The Future of Agriculture," a comprehensive report on the trends that will impact manufacturers over the next 25 years. In this episode, Context's Doug Griffin and AEM VP of Ag Services Curt Blades flesh out key takeaways. Plus, learn about the test beds where these technologies are being pioneered from Dr. Dennis Buckmaster, Dean's Fellow for Digital Agriculture at Purdue University. Learn more about the future of agriculture, view webinars with the Context Network, and subscribe to the AEM Industry Advisor for regular updates in your email about industry news and insights. Music by Little Glass Men / CC BY 4.0

What if, instead of prototyping two or three different design concepts, your engineers could try thousands? By putting artificial intelligence and cloud computing to work for heavy equipment manufacturers, the innovators at Autodesk say their new software effectively lets you do just that. The process is known as Generative Design, and it is already producing some eyebrow-raising results for the companies that have experimented with it. In this episode, learn how it works from Autodesk's Bryce Heventhal, hear case studies including the one-of-a-kind collaboration with Lightning Motorcycles, and engage in a discussion with engineering experts from AEM member companies that stand to benefit from the technology. Learn more about generative design and see photos of the concepts discussed in this episode, and subscribe to the AEM Industry Advisor for regular updates in your email about industry news and insights. Music by Little Glass Men / CC BY 4.0

Renowned for its creative approach to workforce development, Vermeer Corporation was tested like never before when its manufacturing campus in Pella, Iowa was struck by a tornado on July 19. In the weeks since this near-disaster, the employees of this company have rallied around the concept of #VermeerStrong, picked up the pieces and begun the process of rebuilding. In this episode, former Vermeer President Mary Andringa discusses the recovery effort, Vermeer's workforce culture, and her rise as one of the first women to exert herself as a top leader in the industry. Andringa is interviewed by AEM VP of Marketing and Communications Nicole Hallada. And, AEM's Kate Fox Wood presents a new initiative to help members develop their own workforce development plans. Learn more about AEM's workforce development initiative, and subscribe to the AEM Industry Advisor for regular updates in your email about industry news and insights. Music by Little Glass Men / CC BY 4.0

"If you put fences around people, you get sheep." The McKnight Principles, penned by former 3M President William McKnight, define the corporate culture at this $32 billion a year company. But, from its start as a failed mining operation, 3M has never stopped reinventing itself. And by giving employees permission to experiment, and even to fail, 3M continues to pioneer innovative solutions to modern manufacturing challenges. In this episode, tour the 3M Innovation Center and learn lessons from 3M's history that can help you create a culture of innovation in your own company. Guests include 3M's Global Technical Director for Automotive and Aerospace Solutions Terry Ceulemans, 3M Innovation Center Manager Jason Campagna, Doosan Bobcat President Rich Goldsbury and many more. Learn more about 3M's Innovation Culture, and subscribe to the AEM Industry Advisor for regular updates in your email about industry news and insights. Music by Little Glass Men / CC BY 4.0

The digital revolution is opening up new sources of revenue to companies that know how to tap into it. And as the construction and agriculture equipment industry incorporates more software into the products it sells, there are valuable lessons manufacturers can learn from Silicon Valley. In this episode, former Oracle on Demand CEO, Stanford lecturer and IoT technology pioneer Dr. Timothy Chou discusses how OEMs can capture new revenue from digital services and attract the talent they need to make this corporate transformation. Dr. Chou will present a free AEM members-only executive-level workshop on Aug. 9. Sign up today to reserve your spot, and subscribe to the AEM Industry Advisor for regular updates in your email about industry news and insights. Music by Little Glass Men / CC BY 4.0

Innovative technology talent is tough to come by for manufacturers looking to make their equipment "smarter." But the business incubator and makerspace mHub in Chicago is turning the talent model upside down, enabling companies like the Marmon Group to contract out fresh solutions to industry challenges by tapping into mHub's deep pool of IoT talent. In this episode, learn how this unique partnership works from mHub co-founder Bill Fienup and Marmon Chief Innovation Officer Jeff Garascia. Meet mHub members Henry Africano and Katya Iwanik, and hear from AEM members Scott Radtke of the United Group and Noah Oken-Berg from Pop Art. Learn more about the Maker Movement, and subscribe to the AEM Industry Advisor for regular updates in your email about industry news and insights. Music by Little Glass Men / CC BY 4.0