What happens when a young troublemaker with a love for computers and cars finds himself at the forefront of the robotics and machine vision industries? Nikki and Courtney chat with Erick Collins, owner of Rockport Integration and Automation.

Through a significant change in career direction and the influence of pivotal figures, Erick's path was anything but ordinary. Discover how a friend's advice led him from auto mechanics to computer science and ultimately into the captivating world of automation.

Disclaimer: This episode was cut short due to an interrupted upload via Riverside.

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Co-Hosts are Alicia Gilpin Director of Engineering at Process and Controls Engineering LLC, Nikki Gonzales Head of Partnerships at Quotebeam, and Courtney Fernandez Robot Master at FAST One Solutions.

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Music by Samuel Janes

Audio Editing by Laura Marsilio

Ali and Nikki sit down with Kathy Rinne, the Conveyor Cougar from Flex-Line Automation, and Ed Garstkiewicz, Sr. Industry Segment Manager of Automation and Robotics from HARTING.

They touch on how in the ever-evolving landscape of industrial automation and marketing, collaborating with experts is more important than ever.

And ever wondered how a 12-year-old can transform a Gen Xer's approach to B2B marketing? Kathy shares how their TikTok skyrocketed Flex-Line Automation's web traffic by a whopping 300%!

Support the show

Co-Hosts are Alicia Gilpin Director of Engineering at Process and Controls Engineering LLC, Nikki Gonzales Head of Partnerships at Quotebeam, and Courtney Fernandez Robot Master at FAST One Solutions.

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Get in touch at automationladies.io!


Music by Samuel Janes

Audio Editing by Laura Marsilio

Join the Automation Ladies once again at Automate 2024 as they chat with Corey Jenkins from HARTING and Ale Walker from Gray Solutions. Corey dives into the engineering magic behind HARTING's plug-and-play solutions, while Ale brings a personal touch, giving a heartfelt shout-out to her mom, Kathy Walker, the CEO of eCami. They share how these connections aren't just mechanical but deeply personal, enhancing the efficiency and flexibility of modern automation systems.

Explore the future of automation with insights from Corey on miniaturization and sustainability trends that are shaping the industry. From the nitty-gritty of connectors to the fun of cowboy boots, this episode contains more talk on connectors.

Support the show

Co-Hosts are Alicia Gilpin Director of Engineering at Process and Controls Engineering LLC, Nikki Gonzales Head of Partnerships at Quotebeam, and Courtney Fernandez Robot Master at FAST One Solutions.

Follow us on Linkedin and YouTube for live videos, demos, and other content!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for episode updates, job announcements, and more!

Get in touch at automationladies.io!


Music by Samuel Janes

Audio Editing by Laura Marsilio

Join the Automation Ladies as they chat with Casey Spitz, the VP of Development and Innovation at HARTING. She takes us through setting up product development teams in the US, all things connectors, and customer engagement strategies.

Discover the role of connectors in transforming data centers and AI technologies, and learn how these small components continue to drive technology forward.

Support the show

Co-Hosts are Alicia Gilpin Director of Engineering at Process and Controls Engineering LLC, Nikki Gonzales Head of Partnerships at Quotebeam, and Courtney Fernandez Robot Master at FAST One Solutions.

Follow us on Linkedin and YouTube for live videos, demos, and other content!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for episode updates, job announcements, and more!

Get in touch at automationladies.io!


Music by Samuel Janes

Audio Editing by Laura Marsilio

Join us as the Automation Ladies sit down with McKenzie Reed, President of Single Paired Ether Standards Development / CLN of South Florida, and Ed Garskowitz, Business Development Manager at HARTING.

Mckenzie shares his journey from working at Harting to acquiring his own industrial machinery company. Alongside McKenzie, Ed reflects on their collaborative history, and their innovative office. They talk all about SPE's, their IoT integration, and empowering smaller systems.

Support the show

Co-Hosts are Alicia Gilpin Director of Engineering at Process and Controls Engineering LLC, Nikki Gonzales Head of Partnerships at Quotebeam, and Courtney Fernandez Robot Master at FAST One Solutions.

Follow us on Linkedin and YouTube for live videos, demos, and other content!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for episode updates, job announcements, and more!

Get in touch at automationladies.io!


Music by Samuel Janes

Audio Editing by Laura Marsilio

Ali and Nikki speak with Chris Luecke from Manufacturing Happy Hour and Amanda Marx, Senior VP of Marketing Digital Strategy & IT at HARTING. This minisode goes from casual LinkedIn conversations to establishing a dynamic community for women in industrial automation.

They uncover the secrets of building niche communities, the importance of multi-generational workforces and the unique approaches younger generations bring to learning and collaboration.

Support the show

Co-Hosts are Alicia Gilpin Director of Engineering at Process and Controls Engineering LLC, Nikki Gonzales Head of Partnerships at Quotebeam, and Courtney Fernandez Robot Master at FAST One Solutions.

Follow us on Linkedin and YouTube for live videos, demos, and other content!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for episode updates, job announcements, and more!

Get in touch at automationladies.io!


Music by Samuel Janes

Audio Editing by Laura Marsilio

Ready to revolutionize your approach to automation and connectivity? Join us on the show floor at Automate, where Nikki and Ali sit down with two industry powerhouses, Sandro Quintero from Festo and Lucas Knapp from HARTING. You'll uncover the secrets behind Festo's groundbreaking transition from traditional pneumatics to state-of-the-art electric automation solutions. Sandro delves into his fascinating background in mechatronics engineering and the rapid growth of educational programs in this field. Nikki also shares her personal insights and experiences from her time at Festo, highlighting the company's pivotal role in training the next generation of mechatronics engineers.

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the critical world of connectors and their essential applications in industries ranging from automotive to medical devices. Hear about the real-life challenges and rewards of working with such a broad product spectrum, and learn why reliable connectors are vital to success—illustrated by a dramatic tale from a robotics competition. This segment underscores the importance of early education in connectivity for young engineers and the indispensable role of sales engineers in bridging the gap between innovation and reliability.

Lastly, we dive into the future of machine-building with a focus on advancements in configurator technology. Lucas Knapp explains how modern configurators, like those from Harding, simplify the design process and improve efficiency in flexible manufacturing systems. We discuss the impact of AI on these tools and the continuing need for intuitive, adaptable solutions. Wrapping up, we spotlight Sandro's influential content on LinkedIn and YouTube, offering invaluable resources for anyone in the field, and extend an invitation to our listeners to connect and collaborate at upcoming industry events. Don’t miss out on this action-packed episode loaded with insights and expert advice!

Support the show

Co-Hosts are Alicia Gilpin Director of Engineering at Process and Controls Engineering LLC, Nikki Gonzales Head of Partnerships at Quotebeam, and Courtney Fernandez Robot Master at FAST One Solutions.

Follow us on Linkedin and YouTube for live videos, demos, and other content!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for episode updates, job announcements, and more!

Get in touch at automationladies.io!


Music by Samuel Janes

Audio Editing by Laura Marsilio

In this second "minisode" from the floor of Automate 2024, Nikki and Ali sit down with Ed Garstkiewicz, Senior Industry Segment Manager at HARTING, and Luis Narvaez, Automation & Marketing Specialist at Siemens.

We unpack the modernization trends reshaping the landscape of PLCs, automation, and manufacturing — the move to decentralized automation, the rise of modular connectors, the shift to virtual PLCs and digital twins, and hardware-agnostic solutions!

Support the show

Co-Hosts are Alicia Gilpin Director of Engineering at Process and Controls Engineering LLC, Nikki Gonzales Head of Partnerships at Quotebeam, and Courtney Fernandez Robot Master at FAST One Solutions.

Follow us on Linkedin and YouTube for live videos, demos, and other content!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for episode updates, job announcements, and more!

Get in touch at automationladies.io!


Music by Samuel Janes

Audio Editing by Laura Marsilio