The latest episode of The Downtime podcast blends industry insight, innovation talk and a little Valentine’s Day fun — proving once again why Sarah Wynn and Sheri Kasprzak have become one of manufacturing media’s favorite duos. The co-hosts kick off the episode with their signature energy before previewing what’s ahead. Wynn and Kasprzak lay out the roadmap: a deep dive into PPE compliance, a packaging industry acquisition update and a can’t-miss interview recorded live at Schneider Electric’s 2025 Innovation Summit in Las Vegas. First up in the headlines, Kasprzak highlights a recent Plant Engineering story from Herbert Post examining a persistent issue in industrial facilities: why workers resist wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). While PPE is foundational to workplace safety, compliance isn’t always guaranteed. The discussion explores common barriers—comfort, convenience, culture and communication — and emphasizes practical strategies to improve buy-in. Among the takeaways: involve workers in PPE selection, ensure proper fit, prioritize training that explains the “why” behind requirements and foster leadership that models safe behavior. The segment reinforces that safety programs succeed when they focus on people — not just policies. Wynn shifts to packaging industry news, spotlighting Packaging OEM’s coverage of Coesia’s acquisition of selected assets from the Rotzinger Group. The move signals continued consolidation and strategic growth within the global packaging machinery sector. For OEMs and end users alike, it’s another example of how automation providers are expanding capabilities and refining their portfolios to meet evolving production demands. Wynn introduces the episode’s featured interview: Dante Vaccaro, digital transformation consultant at Schneider…
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