253: Rapid Execution in Industrial Automation: From FEED Study to Recommissioning in Five Months featuring Cassy Gardner and Chris Schleich of E Tech Group

Manufacturers know that automation is table stakes in 2025, and yet it’s still a bit of an afterthought for some. You'd think something that can make or break a facility would be everyone’s number one priority. And as you'll hear in this episode, overlooking automation can sometimes have disastrous consequences.  

In this episode, we sit down with Cassy Gardner and Chris Schleich from E Tech Group over virtual Pellegrinos to unpack a real-world case study. They were called in to revive a mothballed solar facility where the owners had accidentally destroyed critical automation infrastructure during demolition. Cut wiring, severed connections, damaged systems... all the stuff they didn't realize was essential until it was gone. 

The two walk us through everything from why Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED) studies matter (even when you're racing against the clock) to how “humble confidence” became their project philosophy. You'll hear about oversized electrical panels, “pit bull” project managers, and why sometimes the best sales strategy is just showing up when you say you will. 

In this episode, find out: 

• Why automation often becomes an afterthought in capital projects, and the surprising impact that has 
• How automation may be a small slice of the spend, but determines how the plant runs 
• The most common pitfall manufacturers face when it comes to automation planning 
• What a FEED study is, and why it's essential in fast-paced projects 
• How "humble confidence" and "tenacious politeness" became guiding principles for E Tech 
• What happens when demolition destroys critical wiring and IO connections and how a hazardous monitoring partner failed mid-project 
• Lessons any manufacturer can apply whether that's running a project with 45 people or just five 

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Tweetable Quotes: 

• “Typically, in a large capital project, the automation budget is around 10%. But it's a really critical 10% that you need to invest to have the manufacturing work the way you want to work.” – Cassy Gardner  
• “Automation relative to mechanical, electrical process, etc. has an outsized impact.”– Chris Schleich  
• “Always start earlier than you think you need to start. If you can engage a partner who is an expert in automation, you will set yourself up for a foundation of success.” – Cassy Gardner  

Links & mentions: 

• E Tech Group, one of the largest engineering and systems integration companies in the US, providing automation, control and information systems 

Make sure to visit http://manufacturinghappyhour.com for detailed show notes and a full list of resources mentioned in this episode. Stay Innovative, Stay Thirsty.