"Technology isn't the barrier - adoption is the key challenge facing industrial leaders today." - Nalin Jain

In this episode, Ayna’s Parthesh Shastri speaks with Nalin Jain, Group President of Digital Intelligence at Wabtec Corporation, about the digital transformation sweeping the rail and mining industries. Nalin details how Wabtec, a 150-year-old industrial leader, is leveraging AI, machine learning, and digital solutions to improve safety, efficiency, and sustainability. He highlights innovations like Trip Optimizer, which has helped save 752 million gallons of fuel and cut emissions by up to 25%. The discussion underscores the shift from physical to digital product management and the importance of customer-centric innovation in navigating industrial digitalization. Nalin also emphasizes that technology adoption—not availability—is the biggest hurdle, advocating for AI as a tool to augment human capability.

Nalin Jain brings extensive global experience to his role, overseeing digital and mission-critical control systems across railroad, mining, and port operations at Wabtec. He joined the company in 2019, initially leading the global equipment business before taking charge of its digital transformation efforts. With a mechanical engineering degree from National Institute of Technology, Surat and an MBA from Indian School of Business, Hyderabad, Nalin previously held leadership roles at GE, including CEO of GE Aviation and GE Transportation in South Asia. His expertise spans industrial technology, international business, and strategic digital innovation, making him a key voice in shaping the future of intelligent industrial systems.

Discussion Points

• (00:00) Nalin Jain introduces Wabtec’s 150-year legacy and how digital intelligence is transforming rail and mining operations.
• (01:16) Wabtec builds autonomous locomotives and software for coordinating trains across complex networks.
• (03:59) Safety is critical in long-haul operations; efficiency boosts capacity and digital tools drive emissions cuts.
• (07:13) Machine learning now powers predictive maintenance, with AI enhancing—not replacing—human roles.
• (12:08) Digital tools cut emissions by 20–25%; Trip Optimizer alone has saved 752 million gallons of fuel.
• (16:48) Global experience highlights the need for local adaptation; customer focus and curiosity fuel innovation.

Ayna is a premier advisory and implementation firm in the industrial technology space, leveraging a team of experienced leaders to help companies and investors drive performance improvement and value creation. The host of this episode is AYNA’s Parthesh Shastri.

For More Information

Nalin Jain LinkedIn

Wabtec Corp

Ayna.AI Website

Titanium Economy

Parthesh Shastri LinkedIn

“Data is not just a reporting tool; it's now a strategic asset. It's the key to everything.” - Jeff DeSandre

In this episode of our Titanium Economy series, host Parthesh Shastri speaks with Jeff DeSandre, former CIO at Harrington Process Solutions and America Royal, about digital transformation in industrial settings. DeSandre emphasizes the importance of starting with clear business outcomes and a strong data foundation—particularly around master data management. He shares practical strategies for modernizing legacy systems through hybrid architecture using API gateways and microservices and explains how metrics like inventory accuracy and freight cost optimization can clearly demonstrate transformation value.

With decades of IT leadership experience, DeSandre now serves as a Fractional CIO and Principal Consultant at CatalystCIO, advising mid-sized enterprises on digital strategy. His expertise spans legacy system integration, cybersecurity, cloud architecture, and strategic data analytics. At both Harrington and America Royal, he led complex ERP implementations, drove IT strategy during M&A, and built modern technology frameworks that delivered measurable business impact across the industrial sector.

Discussion Points

• (01:30) Digital Transformation & Legacy Systems – DeSandre stresses the need for clear business goals and strong data visibility, advocating API gateways and microservices to modernize without disrupting operations.
• (04:50) Measuring Success & Avoiding Pitfalls – He shares how his team boosted inventory accuracy by 90% and warns against overlooking master data and security in digital initiatives.
• (08:38) IT's Strategic Role & Staying Current – DeSandre discusses IT’s shift to a strategic function and his methods for staying up to date—daily research, vendor input, and tool evaluation.
• (11:58) Cloud & AI in Industrial Environments – He recommends a hybrid cloud approach starting with analytics and CRM and urges leaders to grasp AI fundamentals before rollout.
• (15:45) High-Impact Tech & CIO Advice – From EDI to process mining, DeSandre highlights valuable tools and advises new CIOs to listen, build trust, secure quick wins, and align closely with strategy.

Ayna is a premier advisory and implementation firm in the industrial technology space, leveraging a team of experienced leaders to help companies and investors drive performance improvement and value creation. The host of this episode is Anya’s Parthesh Shastri.

For More Information

Jeff DeSandre LinkedIn

Catalyst CIO

Ayna.AI Website

Parthesh Shastri LinkedIn

"There is a need for starting automation - robotics is a space that we can't postpone for too long. We want to make sure that you start adopting it." - Rishabh Agarwal

In this episode, host Parthesh Shastri speaks with Rishabh Agarwal, CEO and co-founder of Peer Robotics, about rethinking automation for small and mid-sized manufacturers. Drawing from his experience at Kuka, Siemens, and a family manufacturing background, Rishabh shares how Peer’s collaborative robots learn from human demonstrations—no coding required. He explains how their robots are designed to work with people, often elevating workers to more valuable roles, and encourages manufacturers to adopt automation gradually using tech that fits existing systems and is easy for non-technical users.

Rishabh Agarwal, an alumnus of IIT Delhi and the University of Maryland, combines academic rigor with practical insight. At Peer Robotics, he leads a lean, R&D-focused team building intuitive robots that simplify material movement on the factory floor. Backed by significant funding, the company prioritizes accessibility over sales infrastructure, empowering more manufacturers to embrace collaborative automation.

Discussion Points

• (04:11) Rishabh shares how their robots learn routes via human demonstration, eliminating reprogramming. He also explains Peer’s R&D-first approach, keeping dev and deployment teams closely aligned for rapid iteration.
• (09:09) From IIT Delhi to the University of Maryland, and stints at Siemens and Kuka, Rishabh reflects on his journey into robotics and how SMEs face unique automation hurdles due to their need for flexibility.
• (16:38) Peer’s automation strategy centers on plug-and-play integration, minimal user input, and intuitive interfaces. Their team handles complexity internally to deliver streamlined, infrastructure-light solutions.
• (22:36) Rishabh discusses how automation at Peer augments jobs rather than displacing workers, often promoting operators into new roles. He urges manufacturers to start small, enabling low-risk, scalable adoption.

Ayna is a premier advisory and implementation firm in the industrial technology space, leveraging a team of experienced leaders to help companies and investors drive performance improvement and value creation. The host of this episode is Anya’s Parthesh Shastri.

For More Information

Rishabh Agarwal LinkedIn

Peer Robotics

Ayna.AI Website

Parthesh Shastri LinkedIn