What does manufacturing excellence really look like in today’s custom, engineer-to-order environment?

In this episode of Powering the Process℠, host Jen Little sits down with Michael Stewart, Vice President of Manufacturing at ProcessBarron, to explore what manufacturing excellence truly looks like inside a custom, engineer-to-order environment, and why it’s foundational to delivering reliable industrial equipment.

Michael shares how ProcessBarron’s manufacturing operations support critical industries by aligning people, process, and technology to deliver high-quality equipment on time. From managing more than 120,000 square feet of manufacturing space to coordinating engineering, production, quality, and safety, manufacturing excellence at ProcessBarron is driven by precision, consistency, and accountability at every step.

The conversation dives into:

• What manufacturing excellence means in a custom equipment, engineer-to-order operation
• How robotic welding and cobots improve consistency while empowering skilled welders to focus on complex work
• The role of no-code robotic programming in increasing speed and flexibility on the shop floor
• Why “quality at the source” is critical to delivering reliable equipment that customers depend on
• Maintaining rigorous safety standards through stop-work authority and daily safety engagement
• Developing skilled talent through mentoring, apprenticeships, and community college partnerships
• How continuous improvement, automation, and process discipline drive long-term manufacturing performance

This episode highlights how manufacturing excellence is built through people, technology, and culture, and how ProcessBarron continues to raise the standard by investing in innovation, workforce development, and continuous improvement.

Michael Stewart, Vice President of Manufacturing

Michael Stewart serves as Vice President of Manufacturing at ProcessBarron, where he leads production operations, quality, safety, and continuous improvement initiatives across the organization. With nearly nine years at ProcessBarron, Michael brings extensive experience in custom equipment manufacturing, automation, and workforce development.

His leadership focuses on integrating advanced manufacturing technologies, such as robotic welding and precision machining, while maintaining rigorous quality and safety standards. Michael is deeply committed to developing skilled talent through mentorship, apprenticeships, and partnerships with local community colleges, ensuring ProcessBarron continues to deliver reliable, high-quality equipment for critical industrial applications.

In this inaugural episode of Powering the Process℠, host Jen Little sits down with Tim Iori, President and CEO of ProcessBarron, to explore what it truly means to build America, and the critical role industrial manufacturing plays in strengthening the nation’s infrastructure.

Tim shares how ProcessBarron supports the backbone industries that keep the economy moving, including pulp and paper, cement, steel, utilities, biomass, waste-to-energy, and emerging data center infrastructure. From air handling and material handling to environmental systems and steam turbines, ProcessBarron delivers turnkey solutions that reduce downtime, improve efficiency, and solve complex operational challenges.

The conversation dives into:

• Why domestic manufacturing is essential to national resilience and supply chain confidence
• How ProcessBarron’s design–manufacture–install–service model creates a competitive advantage
• A real-world example of reducing fan replacement lead times through proactive engineering and inventory strategy
• The role of advanced manufacturing technologies, including CNC machining, robotic welding, and CFD-driven engineering
• Developing the next generation of engineers and skilled trades through internships, co-ops, and apprenticeships
• Key challenges facing American manufacturing, and where the greatest growth opportunities lie over the next decade

This episode sets the foundation for Powering the Process℠ by highlighting the systems, people, and strategies behind reliable industrial operations, and the resilient culture that drives ProcessBarron forward.

Tim Iori, President & Chief Executive Officer

Tim Iori joined ProcessBarron as our Chief Operating Officer in 2020. He was promoted to President in 2022. Tim has many years of expertise in global business operations, integration, cultural change management, product line strategies, and global growth strategy. Tim started his career at GE in the Operations Management Leadership Program. After graduating from this program, Tim served in operations, quality control, engineering, and plant and general management roles across the globe.

His technical and business background enables him to effectively align ProcessBarron’s operations with our goals, culture, and vision.

Tim received a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Clemson University and an MBA from the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina.

Welcome to Powering the Process℠, the podcast where industrial expertise meets real-world application.

Hosted by ProcessBarron industry leaders and subject-matter experts, this podcast explores the systems, people, and innovations that keep critical industries running. From material handling and air & gas handling systems to plant optimization, field services, and manufacturing excellence, each episode delivers practical insights you can apply on the plant floor and beyond.

Designed for engineers, plant managers, maintenance leaders, and operations professionals, Powering the Process℠ explores the challenges facing modern manufacturing and the solutions that drive efficiency, reliability, and uptime. You’ll hear firsthand perspectives from industry leaders, field experts, and decision-makers shaping the future of manufacturing, energy, steel, cement, pulp & paper, and more.

If your focus is on reducing downtime, improving performance, and building resilient operations, this podcast is built for you.

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