The Downtime | Episode 31: Thankful

In this week's episode of The Downtime podcast, co-hosts Sarah Wynn and Sheri Kasprzak spotlight Morrison Container Handling Solutions.

Courtesy: WTWH Media

This week on The Downtime, co-hosts Sarah Wynn and Sheri Kasprzak kick off another energetic episode packed with industry insights, expert perspectives, and a little Thanksgiving-themed fun. The show begins at (00:30), and—as tradition demands—the duo launches into their trademark fit check, comparing outfits and setting a lighthearted tone before diving into the latest in packaging and plant operations.

Sarah leads the industry news segment by highlighting a new Packaging OEM article covering Festo’s updated CMMT-AS servo drives. She explains how the upgraded drives promise improved precision, smoother motion, and easier commissioning — key advantages for packaging OEMs looking to optimize performance while simplifying machine design. The article details how Festo’s enhancements help reduce setup time and integrate more seamlessly with modern automation architectures, making it a relevant read for engineers navigating fast-moving technology trends.

Sheri follows with insights from Plant Engineering, spotlighting a Q&A featuring Brian Kaiser of Life Cycle Engineering. The discussion centers on strategies to improve pumping system reliability, with Kaiser offering practical guidance on deploying both predictive and preventive maintenance tactics. Sheri notes how manufacturers continue to prioritize maintenance modernization heading into 2025, making guidance like Kaiser’s especially timely for operations leaders looking to reduce unplanned downtime and extend equipment life.

With the news wrapped, Sarah transitions to this week’s main segment: an interview with Dustin Lee, vice president of sales at Morrison Container Handling Solutions. Morrison, known for its expertise in container handling, changeover solutions, and high-speed packaging equipment, brings decades of engineering experience to the industry — and Lee brings that perspective to the show.

The interview begins at with Lee dives into Morrison’s customer-driven approach and the company’s commitment to engineering solutions that simplify operations on the plant floor. He describes how Morrison’s focus on reliability, intuitive design, and responsive service allows manufacturers to tackle changeovers faster and maintain uptime in demanding environments. Throughout the conversation, Lee shares insights into current customer challenges, from labor shortages to sustainability demands, and how Morrison’s technology portfolio is evolving to meet those needs. Whether discussing line optimization, container handling innovations, or Morrison’s collaborative engineering process, Lee offers a practical, real-world view of what today’s packaging customers expect.

The interview wraps, and the co-hosts shift gears into one of their most entertaining game segments yet.

During Game Time, and Sarah and Sheri face off in Regional Roasts: Thanksgiving Edition — a rapid-fire rundown of beloved (and sometimes questionable) holiday dishes from different parts of the country. From Midwest casseroles to Southern sides to East Coast traditions, the duo hilariously debates which dishes deserve a spot on the Thanksgiving table and which should be politely passed along.

The episode closes, ending another fun, informative week on The Downtime. Between servo drive updates, maintenance best practices, and a feast of regional Thanksgiving quirks, this episode balances engineering expertise with holiday cheer — exactly what listeners have come to expect from Sarah and Sheri.

The Downtime | Episode 31 Timestamps

00:30 – Episode begins.

01:07 – Co-hosts Sarah Wynn and Sheri Kasprzak conduct their routine fit check.

01:51 – Sarah highlights a new Packaging OEM article on Festo’s updated CMMT-AS servo drives.

02:10 – Sheri puts a spotlight on a Q&A at Plant Engineering, featuring advice on enhancing pumping system reliability through predictive and preventive maintenance strategies from Brian Kaiser of Life Cycle Engineering.

03:30 – Sarah introduces The Downtime’s interview with Morrison Container Handling Solution’s Dustin Lee, vice president of sales.

04:40 – Interview with Dustin Lee, vice president of sales, Morrison Container Handling Solutions, begins.

14:29 – Interview ends.

15:43 – Game time! This week, Sarah and Sheri play a game of Regional Roasts: Thanksgiving Edition, testing each other’s Thanksgiving dinner regional favorites.

24:57 – Episode ends