Ep. 167 - Transforming Manufacturing: Evolution of IIoT Industry 4.0 through 3 Decades of Experience

Manufacturing Hub

Jane Arnold has had an extensive career spanning over three decades in the manufacturing and process control industries. Her journey began unexpectedly with a summer job in instrumental electrical drafting, which sparked her passion for engineering and manufacturing. This led to a 16-year tenure at Sterling Chemicals, where she worked on significant projects like panel board to DCS migrations and safety instrumented systems. Her role evolved to include process control algorithm development and intensive operator training, which gave her a deep appreciation for the operational nuances crucial to effective process management.

Moving to Bayer MaterialScience (later Covestro), Jane continued to excel, eventually becoming the production train lead and later transitioning to a leadership role in global process control technology in Germany. Her tenure in Germany was marked by the challenge of implementing Industry 4.0 initiatives across different manufacturing sites, emphasizing standardization and knowledge sharing as key to success despite cultural differences.

Following her tenure at Covestro, Jane joined Stanley Black & Decker, venturing into discrete and additive manufacturing, which presented new challenges despite the underlying similarities in manufacturing principles. Here, she focused on leveraging her extensive process control experience to tackle data integration and connectivity issues inherent in the manufacturing industry.

Currently, Jane serves as the Head of Customer Success at Imperative, where she applies her wealth of experience to drive customer satisfaction and operational excellence. Her career highlights include pioneering the use of IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) and Industry 4.0 technologies to enhance operational efficiency, predictive maintenance, and data-driven decision-making in manufacturing.

Throughout her career, Jane's approach has been characterized by a deep respect for frontline operators and a commitment to integrating their expertise into technological advancements. Her insights underscore the transformative potential of IIoT in modern manufacturing, emphasizing cost-effective solutions and the importance of cultural alignment alongside technological innovation.

About Manufacturing Hub:

Manufacturing Hub Network is an educational show hosted by two longtime industrial practitioners Dave Griffith and Vladimir Romanov. Together they try to answer big questions in the industry while having fun conversations with other interesting people. Come join us weekly!

**********
Connect with Us

• Jane Arnold
• Vlad Romanov
• Dave Griffith
• Manufacturing Hub
• SolisPLC

.
#automation #manufacturing #robotics #industry40 #iioT