
Hosted by Ciaran Gillen · EN

In this episode of Machinery Masters, Ciaran Gillen hands over hosting duties and turns interviewee to talk about Digital Iron and his route into the machinery industry.Ciaran explains how he left hospitality after seeing a more durable future in recycling and waste management – through his exposure to the machinery and dealership side of this space, he was led to start his own company Digital Iron, with the goal of smoothing the process of support and servicing for dealerships, and helping their customers to avoid potentially ruinous machine downtime.Ciaran goes on to talk AI and its potential to transform the industry, but he is quick to recognize the pushback and mistrust of this technology in this space. This doesn’t deter Ciaran, who has long been an advocate of digitization amid an environment that is seen as being based primarily on “paper and handshakes”. Bringing people with him on his innovating journey is Ciaran’s greatest pleasure and success in his work, and he talks passionately about the satisfaction he gains from sharing a vision and delivering for his clients and their customers.If you’re interested in learning more about the dealing of machinery, this episode is definitely for you, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.Episode Chapters00:00 - Intro00:28 - Moving From Hospitality into Recycling02:20 - Innovating with Technology and Starting a Company05:32 - Digital Iron and Leveraging Data07:22 - Looking After Customers and Avoiding Machinery Downtime08:42 - Unlocking Unused Data Warehouses10:27 - Advocating for Digitalization12:08 - AI’s Potential to Transform the Industry13:17 - The Importance of Embracing AI14:26 - Experimenting In Small Ways with AI15:49 - Bringing People With Him and Inspiring Peers16:55 - The Next Five Years in Heavy Machinery19.20 - Sharing Information Within the Industry20:58 - Digital Iron’s Future22:24 - A Call to Action23:16 - OutroCiaran Gillen on LinkedInMachinery Masters is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of Machinery Masters, Ciaran Gillen speaks with former Marine Corp engineer John Dowling about overcoming the challenges of civilian life to achieve his ambitions.John cites the importance of mentors at John Deere and elsewhere for helping him first learn his craft by the book, before being pushed to really develop the individual problem-solving skills that you need to go to the next level.Where John has really thrived beyond his technical expertise is in how he has grown to understand the consumer on a deep level. He talks to Ciaren about the customer’s inherent desire to not only be served, but to be respected and empowered.As a former military man, John is someone who sets his own standards of excellence, but as he explains, he does not want to waste time on tasks that are unnecessary. He is all about efficiency and this is why he’s so excited by the potential of AI and other technology to transform the industry.He goes on to discuss the possible introduction of drones and even robotic assistants to aid mechanics in a work landscape that will increasingly lean towards field-based service and away from shop-focused mechanics.If you’re interested in learning more about the dealing of machinery, this episode is definitely for you, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.Episode Chapters00:00 - Intro00:16 - John’s Toy Truck and Early Lessons01:37 - John’s Evolving Career Ambitions and Joining the Marine Corp04:40 - A Job at John Deere and Mentors08:31 - Adapting to Civilian Life10:08 - Evolving Tools and the Utility of Laptops12:47 - John’s Book: Service by the Boxes14:27 - Customer Service16:34 - Busting myths of starting an online business19:05 - Efficiency, Emerging Technology and AI20:52 - Overcoming Dyslexia and a Stutter22:32 - Successes Beyond Making Money26:10 - Potential for Drones and More Advanced Robotics29:04 - Outro John Dowling LinkedInCiaran Gillen LinkedInMachinery Masters is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In the first episode of Machinery Masters, Ciaran Gillen speaks with Aidan McGeary, the Managing Director at Blue Machinery about his father’s decision to break from Powerscreen and start his own specialist provider of material processing and handling equipment. Today, Blue Machinery is one of the largest dealerships in the UK.Aidan discusses why it was felt that moving from a regional to a national remit would mean the new Blue Machinery brand could attract bigger and better suppliers and customers than the regional Powerscreen branch.He goes on to talk about his own story, starting out on the tools, before moving into sales and finally into his current job. He explains that, much like the business and the companies they work alongside, having the space to grow and develop into each bigger new role was vital for his own growth as a professional.Another topic touched on is the intensified demands from both suppliers and customers in the current landscape, and how the gap that Blue Machinery needs to breach between those parties is far bigger than it used to be, with each side having more and more rigorous demands. Chapters00:00 - Intro00:12 - Aiden’s Father and Power Screen02:00 - The Challenges of Moving to England from Northern Ireland03:36 - Engineering Apprenticeship to Selling in the Family Business05:44 - Joining Forces with Other Brands08:19 - Uniting Those Different Brands09:38 - From Technical to Management Positions and Having the Room to Grow12:00 - Growing with the Customers and Having Long-Standing Relationships16:22 - Managing Growth19:14 - Developing Personal Confidence21:00 - Technology and Knowing How to Engage with PeopleEpisode ResourcesAiden McGeary LinkedInCiaran Gillen LinkedInIf you’re interested in learning more about the dealing of machinery, this episode is definitely for you, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Machinery Masters is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so