In episode 42 of The Downtime, a weekly manufacturing podcast from WTWH Media, co-host Sarah Wynn shares the new Packaging OEM report on remote management and discusses her recent trip to cover packaging innovations at Pack Expo East.
Additionally, co-host Sheri Kasprzak shares an article from Plant Engineering written by Wesco’s Sean Grasby. The piece explains how lighting audits can help plants avoid costly shutdowns.
New research: Smarter remote management
As packaging machines are running faster, across more sites, and handling more product variety than ever, remote management has become a necessity.
The latest Packaging OEM research report dives into the new remote management mindset: smart, scalable, and secure service. It features insights from these industry experts:
· Spencer Cramer, CEO of EI3, outlines how to turn machine data into insights.
· Joe O’Donnell, chief strategy officer and EVP of corporate development at Cyolo, explains how to use secure remote connections to limit cyber risk.
· Brandon Penrod, director of sales at IXON, highlights standardizing service workflows across fleets.
· Omar Asali, CEO of Ranpak, shares how Physical Artificial Intelligence (AI) enhances remote management services.
Click here to download the report.
On the road again: Pack Expo East
Packaging OEM was on the ground in Philadelphia last week at Pack Expo East. While on-site, we met with a variety of technology and machinery suppliers, all while capturing videos and photos along the way.
Below are some of the videos taken on-site, including information about linear bearings, end-of-line palletizing, control panel manufacturing, machinery for flexible packaging, and artificial intelligence (AI)-powered translation technology.
Linear bearings from NB Corporation of America
Vention’s Rapid Series Palletizer
Podium Automation’s industrial control paneling
Rovema North America’s vertical-form-fill-seal machinery
Weavix’s radio with AI-powered translation
Pack Expo East recap
Episode 42 | Show notes & time stamps
00:17 – The co-hosts kick off the episode
01:07 – Wynn shares how she just returned from Pack Expo East in Philadelphia and encourages listeners to check out Packaging OEM’s LinkedIn for video demonstrations and photos
01:19 – Wynn highlights the new Packaging OEM report on remote management, featuring insights from ei3, Cyolo, IXON, and Ranpak
02:19 – Wynn discusses her latest story, which explores how 2026 U.S. packaging regulations are impacting machinery design and format decisions
03:06 – Kasprzak sheds light on a new piece from Plant Engineering about how lightning audits aren’t just about energy efficiency
04:35 – Wynn discusses Pack Expo East, including meeting with Rovema North America, Vention, and NB Corporation of America
06:20 – The co-hosts discuss Weavix’s Walt AI-powered radio, which offers real-time translation in over 40 languages. Wynn tells Kasprzak how the radio translates to Swahili
07:24 – The co-hosts talk about event season and upcoming industry coverage
08:39 – Kasprzak talks about wearing her #Wynning T-shirt
09:05 – Wynn explains how she used her last name to become a personal brand
10:41 – Kasprzak talks about wanting to go to the beach after being hit with more than 33 inches of snow
14:51 – The co-hosts wrap up the episode
About The Downtime podcast and co-hosts
The Downtime is a weekly manufacturing podcast from WTWH Media that features insights from its automation publications. It’s co-hosted by Wynn, who serves as the senior editor (digital) for Packaging OEM, and Kasprzak, who is the executive editor for Plant Engineering, Control Engineering, and Consulting-Specifying Engineer.
The podcast is available weekly on YouTube, SoundCloud, and Spotify.
Check out The Downtime’s recent episodes
Episode 36: How Weintek’s HMIs act as a “universal remote” for packaging OEMs
Episode 37: CAPTRON on sensing technology for washdown environments
Episode 38: Festo on safety-integrated servo drives for packaging
Episode 39: Bosch Rexroth on modular conveyor design for CPG packaging lines
Episode 41: Preparing packaging lines for Sunrise 2027 with GS1 US
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