Hunter Industries has selected Augmentir, a provider of artificial intelligence-based connected worker software, as its next-generation Connected Worker platform for its manufacturing operations.

The selection of Augmentir’s connected worker platform reinforces those themes, allowing Hunter to deliver digital tools that help their manufacturing workforce perform at their best and improve overall efficiency. The company’s initial focus for Augmentir is on their injection molding and extrusion departments, where changeover processes often lead to downtime.

Augmentir’s software platform allows Hunter to:

• Digitize and standardize on work instructions for manufacturing, changeover and quality assurance (QA) procedures
• Create and deploy work instructions at a faster rate
• Accelerate onboarding and provide on-the-job instant training for technicians
• Gather instant feedback from their technicians as they perform tasks
• Reduce scrap and prevent unplanned downtime and quality issues within its manufacturing operation
• Provide remote guidance tools for technicians, allowing them to virtually connect with subject matter experts to help resolve manufacturing or maintenance issues

The Augmentir Connected Worker Platform is a comprehensive suite of AI-powered tools designed to help manufacturing and service teams improve operations, close skills gaps, capture tribal knowledge, and drive continuous improvement efforts. The platform provides tools to help teams author and publish digital work instructions and workflows and also provides an industrial remote assistance and collaboration solution to support remote expert guidance scenarios. In addition, the platform delivers AI-based organization-wide insights and recommendations that focus on improving the quality and productivity of frontline workers.

Hunter plans to expand its use of Augmentir across its operation and into its maintenance group, furthering the workforce efficiency and continuous improvement benefits that the platform offers.

The Davey Tree Expert Co. is taking its Talking Trees YouTube video series to Facebook for Talking Trees Live.

Davey arborists from across the U.S. will discuss topics of seasonal importance with viewers during bi-monthly, live events hosted on Davey’s Facebook page. Tree care topics will range from damaging insects and diseases, professional tree care advice to prepare for autumn and commonly asked fall-related questions.

Each session will be held on a Wednesday at 3 p.m. EST and will be hosted on the Davey Facebook page.

Session dates and topics will include:

Sept. 9: Arborist Josh Fritz from the Boston area will discuss why leaves change colors and what to do if your trees change early.

Sept. 23: Arborist Lou Meyer from the Chesapeake Bay area will talk landscaping advice for preparing to fall into winter, including dormant pruning, mulching and fertilization tips.

Oct. 7: Chicago-area arborist Shawn Kingzette will discuss “OAKtober,” touching on common oak diseases and insects that homeowners can watch for this fall.

Oct. 21: Matt Petty from Davey’s Houston area offices will talk “zombie trees,” how to spot them and what you can do to protect your property.

This series is held in partnership with Garden Media Group (GMG) and each event will be hosted by Katie Dubow, GMG president. Additional Facebook Live events are being considered on future, seasonal tree care topics.

Milwaukee Tool will expand its footprint in the U.S. with a new service hub in Greenwood, Ind.

Anticipated to open in March 2021, this centralized repair facility will complement the company’s other service hub in Greenwood, Miss.; both will act as the main axis points for the company’s service operations for users around the nation. It will employ more than 450 people and improve service response time for users.

Milwaukee will invest $6.75 million to establish its new service hub to accommodate the rapid growth the company has experienced in the last several years. The 150,000-square-foot facility in Greenwood, Ind., will house tool repair and warehousing space. It is expected to be operational by March 2021.