We're cool for the summer because The Downtime is back

The Downtime podcast is back! And this time, host Sheri Kasprzak, chats with Jason Penkethman, chief technology and product officer of Limble, about CMMS and empowering maintenance technicians.

Just in time for the hottest summer days, The Downtime podcast is back with new episodes, fresh conversations and an exciting new format.

As the podcast begins its latest chapter, longtime co-host Sheri Kasprzak takes over as the solo host, continuing the show’s mission of bringing insightful conversations about maintenance, reliability, manufacturing, and industrial technology to listeners across the industry.

While fans will notice one familiar voice missing from the host’s chair, Sarah Wynn is not saying goodbye entirely. Although she is no longer serving as a regular co-host, she’ll be returning for future episodes as a guest host, giving listeners opportunities to hear her perspectives while allowing the podcast to evolve in a new direction.

The latest episode features an engaging conversation with Jason Penkethman, chief technology and product officer at Limble, who shares his expertise on maintenance management and the growing role of computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) in today’s industrial facilities.

Tech should enhance –– not replace

Throughout the interview, Penkethman emphasizes an important point that resonates with maintenance professionals: technology should enhance the work technicians perform —not replace it. Rather than viewing CMMS software as a substitute for skilled employees, he explains how platforms like Limble are designed to empower maintenance teams by providing better access to information, streamlining workflows, improving communication, and helping organizations make more informed maintenance decisions.

The discussion explores how a modern CMMS can simplify preventive maintenance scheduling, improve asset tracking, reduce downtime, and give technicians the tools they need to work more efficiently. By reducing administrative burdens and making critical maintenance information readily available, technicians can spend more time solving problems and keeping equipment running instead of searching for paperwork or outdated records.

Penkethman also highlights how successful maintenance programs depend on people as much as technology. Digital tools are most effective when they support experienced technicians, capture valuable institutional knowledge, and help organizations continuously improve their maintenance practices.

Sheri guides the conversation with thoughtful questions that make the episode valuable for maintenance managers, reliability professionals, plant engineers, and anyone interested in the future of industrial operations. Her approachable interviewing style keeps the discussion practical while exploring broader trends shaping modern manufacturing.

Following the interview, Sheri encourages listeners to stay connected with the latest industry news by subscribing to Factory Reset, Plant Engineering’s LinkedIn newsletter. The newsletter offers timely updates, expert perspectives, and valuable insights for manufacturing and maintenance professionals looking to stay informed about the latest trends and technologies.

Listeners can also continue engaging with the Plant Engineering community by following Plant Engineering and The Downtime podcast on LinkedIn, where they’ll find episode announcements, industry updates, and additional content between podcast releases.

Whether you prefer watching or listening, there are plenty of ways to catch every episode. The Downtime podcast is available on YouTube, SoundCloud, and plantengineering.com, making it easy to tune in wherever and whenever it’s most convenient.

With Sheri Kasprzak leading the show into its next era, guest appearances from Sarah Wynn on the horizon, and insightful interviews like this conversation with Jason Penkethman, The Downtime podcast is poised to continue delivering valuable discussions that help maintenance and manufacturing professionals stay informed, improve their operations, and embrace the technologies shaping the future of industry.

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