Robots are becoming more and more mainstream in manufacturing, but most organizations still think of them with sci-fi imagery rather than everyday tools. The gap isn’t in the technology, it’s in how we prepare people to work alongside it.
Jason Gryszkowiec from St. Onge Company and Ben Perlson from ABB Robotics join us to discuss why successful automation deployments focus on making robotics more digestible for everyday workers.
Jason emphasizes that the biggest challenge isn’t the technology, it’s ensuring supervisors understand both the capabilities and limitations of the systems they’re managing, while Ben explores how future developments like AI and voice control could bridge the gap from fixed path programming to more dynamic, adaptive systems.
The conversation covers why skipping change management creates bigger problems than the technology solves. Both Jason and Ben share practical approaches to starting with automation, from modular pilots that validate technology and training needs, to understanding how enterprise operations differ from Mom-and-Pop shops who need more hands-on partner support along their automation journey.
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3 Quick Things from this Episode
- Make robotics digestible by focusing on what matters to your workforce. Jason emphasizes that successful change management isn’t about the technology, it’s about ensuring supervisors understand both what robots can and can’t do. When people see automation as an everyday tool to enhance their work, they stop being hesitant about the technology and start getting excited about the possibilities.
- Use modular implementations to build confidence without risking operations. Both Jason and Ben stress that pilots validate technology and training needs before full rollout. Jason notes that testing concepts first helps you understand what SOPs need to look like, while Ben warns that downtime can kill projects, making offsite proof of concepts essential for risk management.
- Match your automation approach to your organization’s experience level. Ben explains ABB Robotics’ four-level segmentation (from basic robots to full turnkey solutions) helps meet customers where they are. Enterprises with change management experience need different support than smaller shops tackling their first automation project, and recognizing this difference determines success.
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Tweetable Quotes
- “The biggest hiccup or problem we typically see is a lack of successful change management. What very frequently happens is that a couple of shortcuts are taken during the implementation process which makes it less digestible for the people that end up using the system day in day out.” – Jason Gryszkowiec
- “When we talk about upskilling and reskilling, it’s about making people more comfortable to work alongside automation and to handle basic troubleshooting and fault correction. There’s still going to be different roles for different skillsets, but it’s about bringing people along the automation journey, rather than throwing them in the deep end.” – Ben Perlson
- “With experimental or new technology, do a pilot. Go out, confirm the concept, bring it in, test it out, and confirm it. This not only gives you a chance to confirm the economic feasibility and validate the technology, but as an organization, you can understand what training and SOPs need to look like before roll-out.” – Jason Gryszkowiec
Please Scroll Down for Recommended Resources from this Episode
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For more than 35 years, Moxa has focused on simplifying IIoT connectivity to support modern manufacturing. With rugged, edge-to-cloud infrastructure that is secure by design, Moxa helps to combine dependable networking with edge computing capabilities to support AI applications such as real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and automated responses, right where the data is generated. By delivering the reliable and secure connectivity foundation that advanced analytics and AI depend on, Moxa is empowering manufacturing systems to be more resilient, proactive, and intelligent than ever before.
What We Discuss with Jason and Ben
- Why shortcuts during implementation create bigger issues for end users
- How operators and supervisors are being upskilled and reskilled to manage new types of automation
- The importance of getting high-potential employees involved early as super users
- Why you need a champion at the site who enables automation projects to succeed
- How modular implementations helps validate technology and training needs before roll-out
- The risk management approach to introducing automation without killing operations with downtime
- How ABB Robotics’ four-level project segmentation helps meet customers where they are
Recommended Resources
- The Robotics Group (TRG) are leading manufacturers, integrators, consultants, and component suppliers of robotic solutions designed specifically for warehousing and distribution applications.
- ABB Robotics, one of the world’s leading robotics suppliers offering industrial and collaborative robots, autonomous mobile robots, and intelligent software solutions for industries including automotive, electronics, and logistics.
- Onge Company, a world-recognized supply chain strategy and logistics consulting firm.
- Listen to episode 78 “Overcoming Technology Hesitancy with Plus One Robotics CEO Erik Nieves”.
Connect with Jason and Ben
Jason Gryszkowiec | Ben Perlson
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