Manufacturing a Stronger Standard

Live from FABTECH 2023: Stories From the Field with LestaUSA’s Brad Ruppert

Brad Ruppert

Live from FABTECH 2023; there were plenty of stories to share from the world of automation, robotics, and finishing. In the bustling and competitive world of manufacturing, innovation is the name of the game. The rapid embracement of automation technologies is a testament to the industry’s relentless pursuit of efficiency and quality. A study…

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Engineering & Construction
FABTECH 2023: Finishing Consultants Partners with LestaUSA to Bring Proven Robotic Finishing Solutions

The rapid evolution of technology in recent years has drastically transformed the manufacturing industry, unlocking new horizons in efficiency, precision, and scalability and bringing forth proven robotic finishing solutions. This transformation into an adoption of robotics and automation is reshaping the realm of finishing solutions within manufacturing. With FABTECH 2023 serving as a veritable…

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Engineering & Construction
FABTECH 2023: A Finishing Industry Update from LestaUSA National Sales Director, Steve Schwartz

The modern manufacturing industry stands at the cusp of a paradigm shift ushered in by the robust adoption of robotic technology and automation, particularly in finishing operations. While promising a leap in efficiency and precision, this transition invites many challenges and considerations. As showcased in FABTECH 2023, the amalgamation of seasoned expertise with innovative…

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Articles Software & Technology
Live from FABTECH 2021: Bill Heuer and Paul Peterson

While automation is prevalent in many aspects of manufacturing, finishing and liquid applications have been slower to find the right solutions. Derek DeGeest, host of Manufacturing a Stronger Standard, spoke with Product Marketing Manager Bill Heuer and Worldwide Sales Director for Automation-Liquid Finishing Paul Peterson of Graco at FABTECH 2021 about their partnership as a…

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Articles Software & Technology
Richards-Wilcox and LestaUSA Increasing Customers’ Production with New Automation Systems with Matt Chorski

Achieving automation systems on the finishing side requires many pieces—two of the most important being the conveyor system and robotics. Host of Manufacturing a Stronger Standard Derek DeGeest spoke with Systems Sales Manager Matt Chorski of Richards-Wilcox Conveyors about their partnership as an Authorized Equipment Partner of LestaUSA while at FABTECH 2021. Chorski described the…

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Articles Software & Technology
Finishing Industry Trends and Challenges

This episode of Manufacturing A Stronger Standard is live from FABTECH 2021. Host and President of LestaUSA and DeGeest Corp. Derek DeGeest, talked with Scott Francis, editor-in-chief of Products Finishing, the media brand devoted to all things finishing. The company covers the latest industry trends, including equipment, technology, processes, and best practices when it comes…

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Articles Software & Technology
Live from FABTECH 2021: Eddie Saunders of Flex Machine Tools

This is another episode of Manufacturing A Stronger Standard live from FABTECH 2021. Host and President of LestaUSA and DeGeest Corp., Derek DeGeest, talked with Eddie Saunders, Creative Director and host at FlexLive of Flex Machine Tools. Flex Machine Tools designs and manufactures a wide range of machine tools including Waterjets, Vertical Machining Centers, Tapping…

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experiential learning
Flood the Zone: University of Virginia’s New Strategy to Scale Experiential Learning for Every Student
February 16, 2026

Experiential learning is having a bit of a reckoning moment in higher ed. For years, the default answer was “get an internship” or “do a co-op”—as if every student can pause life, relocate for a summer, and take on a high-stakes role that’s supposed to define their future. But students’ realities have changed: many…

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free tools
The True Cost of Free Tools: When Free Platforms Own More of Your Network Than You Do
February 12, 2026

Nowadays, getting a project off the ground usually means moving fast. A quick map gets sketched. A file gets shared. A design gets reviewed in whatever tool is closest at hand. In the moment, it feels efficient — even smart. But in the telecommunications industry, as networks become more automated, location-aware, and powered by AI,…

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telecom
Predictive Networks: How Baron Weather and GIS are Strengthening Telecom Operations
February 12, 2026

Severe weather is no longer an occasional disruption for telecom providers—it’s becoming part of the operating environment. During Hurricane Ida in 2021, the Federal Communications Commission reported that nearly 1,000 cell sites across Louisiana and Mississippi went offline. In 2024, Hurricane Milton left more than 12% of cell sites in impacted areas of Florida…

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The DAISY Foundation: Impacting Nurse Careers Through Recognition
The DAISY Foundation: Impacting Nurse Careers Through Recognition
February 12, 2026

Recognition is often described as a “nice to have” in healthcare, but on this episode of Care Anywhere, it’s framed as something far more essential. Host Lea Sims sits down with Deb Zimmermann, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, Chief Executive Officer of The DAISY Foundation, and Bonnie Barnes, FAAN, co-founder of the organization, to explore…

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Other Manufacturing a Stronger Standard
FABTECH Show Kickoff and Overview of Solutions Distributed by DeGeest
June 30, 2022

This is another episode of Manufacturing A Stronger Standard live from FABTECH 2021. Host and President of LestaUSA and DeGeest Corp., Derek DeGeest, talked with Brad Ruppert, Engineering Manager, and Application Specialist at LestaUSA. They spoke about FABTECH and what they’ve done at previous shows. This is the second time that they have been at…

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Adapting Existing and New Wagner Solutions to Leverage Self-Learning Robots
June 30, 2022

This episode of Manufacturing A Stronger Standard was live from FABTECH 2021. Host and President of LestaUSA and DeGeest Corp., Derek DeGeest, talked with JR Rogers, National Sales Manager for Engineered Systems for Wagner, a leading global manufacturer of systems for surface finishing with liquid paints, powder coating, adhesives, and sealant materials. Wagner is also…

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Improving Quality and Bottomline for Finishing Operations
June 30, 2022

This is another episode of Manufacturing A Stronger Standard from FABTECH 2021. Host and President of LetsaUSA and Degeest Corp., Derek Degeest, talked with Bill Robinson, President and Kris Bonnegent, Regional Sales Manager, at Eurosider and Coating Delivery Technology, which provides Nitrotherm and Polifluid systems to hundreds of companies around the world including OEM’s Toyota,…

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FABTECH Show Kickoff and Overview of Solutions Distributed by DeGeest
June 30, 2022

This is another episode of Manufacturing A Stronger Standard live from the FABTECH Show 2021. Host and President of LestaUSA and DeGeest Corp., Derek DeGeest, talked with Brad Ruppert, Engineering Manager, and Application Specialist at LestaUSA. They spoke about FABTECH and what they’ve done at previous shows. This is the second time that they have…

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How Lesta’s Robots Elevate Production and Automation in Wood Finishing
May 11, 2021

Wood finishing work is a craft requiring a keen eye and precise application, which has made it particularly hard to automate, but new technology is changing that. Offering insights on these new capabilities, Manufacturing a Stronger Standard brings listeners a conversation with DeGeest and Lesta USA President Derek DeGeest and Igor Kania, Wood Finishing Specialist for Lesta SRL from…

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Self-Learning Robots Find a Better Way to Dry
May 11, 2021

Derek DeGeest, President of DeGeest Corporation & LestaUSA, and Brad Ruppert, Engineering Manager and Application Specialist at DeGeest Corporation & LestaUSA, have a passion for new technology. When they can apply that to the manufacturing finishing process, it gives them a level of excitement that is contagious. They were excited to announce a new product…

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Certify Before You Buy—How To Deal With New Machinery
May 10, 2021

Derek DeGeest, President of DeGeest Corporation and LestaUSA, knows when the industry comes together to help each other, successful integration of robotics and automation into operations follows. After being on both sides of the coin of installing a large finishing system and shepherding in new self-learning robotic technology to North America, it’s important to share…

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Polifluid’s Benefits for Finishing Technology
May 8, 2021

Sometimes business improvements are stumbled upon by pure luck. That was certainly the case for Derek DeGeest, President of DeGeest Corporation, who chanced upon Polifluid during a recent trip to Europe. Derek is joined by Bill Robinson, President of Coating Delivery Technology, as well as host Tyler Kern, to dive deeper into this discovery and…

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DeGeest Steel Works Changes Name, Enters New Era as DeGeest
August 12, 2020

DeGeest Steel Works recently announced a name change – the second in company history – to simply DeGeest, a simplification that better reflect the company’s constant commitment to expanding its range of solutions and services for its customers. This is more than a name change. DeGeest’s offerings are expanding from exceptional steel fabrication to include Finishing…

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