Ryan Hiss with Better Engineering

Ryan Hiss, VP of Sales and Marketing at Better Engineering, discussed their industrial wash systems on the Industrial Talk Podcast. Better Engineering, founded in 1960, specializes in aqueous parts washers for various industries, including automotive, aerospace, and food and pharmaceutical. Hiss highlighted the importance of cleanliness in manufacturing, noting that their systems can process parts at high throughputs, ensuring quality control. The company also employs sensors to monitor equipment and proactively alert customers to maintenance needs. Better Engineering is expanding into automation and traceability in food and pharmaceutical industries to improve efficiency and sustainability.

Outline

Introduction and Welcome to Industrial Talk Podcast

• Scott introduces Ryan Hiss from Better Engineering, highlighting their expertise in industrial washers.
• Scott suggests an on-site conversation with Ryan to discuss industrial washers further.

Discussion on AI and Human Interaction in Business

• Scott discusses the role of AI in business and emphasizes the importance of human interaction in maintaining trust and engagement.
• Scott argues that companies need to tell their stories with a human face to build trust and authenticity.
• Scott shares his experience of creating content that reflects the human side of business.
• Scott encourages listeners to reach out to Industrial Talk for help in telling their stories effectively.

Introduction of Ryan Hiss and Better Engineering

• Scott introduces Ryan Hiss, VP of Sales and Marketing at Better Engineering, and discusses his background.
• Ryan shares his journey from Baltimore to California, his education, and his career in software sales before joining Better Engineering.
• Ryan talks about his father's retirement and his role in taking over the family business.
• Ryan provides a brief history of Better Engineering, founded in 1960 by his grandfather, and its evolution over the years.

Better Engineering's Products and Services

• Ryan explains Better Engineering's focus on industrial wash systems, also known as aqueous parts washers.
• Better Engineering offers a variety of wash systems, including small parts washers, conveyor washers, rotary basket washers, and custom units.
• Ryan highlights the company's work with major space, aerospace, automotive, and food and pharmaceutical OEMs.
• Ryan discusses the importance of cleanliness in manufacturing and the role of industrial washers in maintaining quality control.

Challenges and Solutions in Industrial Washing

• Ryan explains the need for high-throughput wash systems in automotive and aerospace manufacturing.
• Better Engineering's systems are designed to meet specific cleanliness standards and are tested using standard equipment.
• Ryan discusses the flexibility of Better Engineering's wash systems, which are modular by design to accommodate different customer requirements.
• Ryan shares examples of how Better Engineering modifies existing systems to meet new application needs.

Data Collection and AI in Manufacturing

• Ryan talks about the use of sensors in Better Engineering's wash systems to monitor and maintain equipment.
• Better Engineering collects data on various parameters, such as vibration, temperature, and chemistry concentration, to ensure optimal performance.
• Ryan explains the importance of traceability in food and pharmaceutical industries, where data is used to track and verify cleanliness.
• Better Engineering provides interfaces to send data to customers' SCADA systems or offers their own UI for data reporting.

Future of Better Engineering and Industrial Washers

• Ryan discusses the company's focus on automation and the integration of sensors and data collection in their wash systems.
• Better Engineering is expanding its work in the food and pharmaceutical industries, where automation is increasingly important.
• Ryan highlights the challenges of cleaning large containers by hand and the benefits of automating this process.
• Better Engineering aims to improve efficiency, reduce labor costs, and ensure consistent cleanliness in manufacturing.

Conclusion and Contact Information

• Ryan provides contact information for Better Engineering, including email and phone number, and encourages listeners to connect on LinkedIn.
• Scott thanks Ryan for the conversation and emphasizes the importance of telling the human story in industry.
• Scott invites listeners to reach out to Industrial Talk for more information and to schedule on-site interviews.
• The podcast concludes with a reminder of the importance of human interaction and storytelling in industrial manufacturing.