The Downtime | Episode 37: Sensored

Courtesy: WTWH

This episode of The Downtime Podcast opens with a little nostalgia and a lot of industry insight. Co-hosts Sarah Wynn and Sheri Kasprzak kick things off by leaning into the 2016 throwback trend, highlighted by Sarah’s Cleveland Cavaliers championship hat. The lighthearted moment sets the tone for an episode that balances fun, timely headlines with a deeper dive into automation technology and trends shaping manufacturing today.

Early on, Sarah teases the featured interview with Sean Walters, general manager of Captron. Listeners get a preview of what’s to come: a conversation focused on sensors, safety, and the evolving role of smart technology on the plant floor. Sheri adds an important note for anyone planning to attend the International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE) in Atlanta from January 27–29, sharing that Sean will also be delivering a TechTalk at the show — giving attendees another opportunity to hear his perspective live.

From there, the co-hosts move into the headline segment, spotlighting innovations and insights from across the packaging and manufacturing landscape. Sarah highlights JLS Automation’s introduction of a robotic system designed specifically for protein packaging, unveiled at IPPE. The system reflects a broader industry push toward automation that can handle complex, high-mix food applications while maintaining speed, safety, and sanitation.

Sarah also calls attention to BW Packaging’s high-speed sealing technology for cheese packaging, another example of how manufacturers are responding to growing demand with faster, more reliable solutions. These technologies underscore a recurring theme of the episode: automation is no longer just about efficiency — it’s about adaptability, precision, and long-term resilience.

Sheri then turns the spotlight to workforce trends, discussing Plant Engineering’s latest salary survey results and a newly released report available for download. The data offers valuable insight into compensation, roles, and expectations across the engineering and manufacturing workforce, making it a must-read for both employers and professionals navigating a rapidly changing industry.

At the heart of the episode is the interview with Sean Walters of Captron. Sarah and Sheri explore his background, Captron’s work in sensor technology, and how smart sensing solutions are enhancing safety and reliability in industrial environments. Sean shares thoughtful perspectives on how manufacturers can adopt new technologies without overcomplicating operations — and why intuitive design and user trust are critical for successful implementation.

The conversation wraps with a playful but revealing game called “Censor or Sensor,” where Sarah, Sheri, and Sean debate which industry trends should be “censored” and which ones deserve more attention. The game brings humor to serious topics and offers candid insight into what trends are truly adding value versus those driven by hype.

The episode closes with a sense of momentum — rooted in past wins, like a 2016 championship, but firmly focused on the future of automation, packaging, and smart manufacturing.

Timestamps for Episode 37

01:00 – Co-hosts Sarah Wynn and Sheri Kasprzak kick off the episode with a nod to the 2016 throwback trend, introducing Sarah’s Cleveland Cavalier’s championship hat.

01:40 – Sarah provides a sneak peek at the interview with Captron general manager Sean Walters.

02:00 – Sheri notes that Sean will be conducting a TED Talk at the International Production & Processing Expo in Atlanta January 27 to 29.

02:20 – Sheri introduces the headline segment.

02:24 – Sarah chats about JLS Automation introducing its robotic system for protein packaging at IPPE.

03:31 – Sarah also introduces BW Packaging’s high-speed sealing technology for cheese packaging.

03:37 – Sheri chats about Plant Engineering’s salary survey results and its new report available for download.

05:21 – Sarah and Sheri interview Sean Walters, general manager of Captron.

26:33 – Sarah, Sheri, and Sean play a game called censor or sensor in which they determine which trends should be censored and which trends they like.

33:11 – Episode ends.