From Nuclear Submarines to Manufacturing Reliability: Lessons from Todd Gibbs

One of the things I enjoy most about hosting Maintenance Manufacturing Insights is the opportunity to sit down with experienced professionals who have spent decades solving problems and keeping manufacturing moving. Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking with Todd Gibbs, Maintenance Manager at Carlex Glass in Vonore, Tennessee.

A Career Built on Reliability

Todd's maintenance journey began in 1977 and included service in the U.S. Navy's nuclear submarine program. That experience gave him a unique perspective on reliability and the importance of understanding equipment at both the practical and theoretical levels.

Throughout our conversation, Todd shared how those lessons have guided him throughout his career and continue to influence the way he leads maintenance teams today.

Focusing on Reliability Instead of Just Repairs

One topic that stood out during our discussion was reliability-centered maintenance. Todd explained that simply completing preventive maintenance tasks isn't enough. The real goal is improving long-term equipment reliability.

We talked about vibration analysis, root cause analysis, and the importance of planned shutdowns. Todd also shared how something as simple as selecting a higher-quality bearing can make a significant difference in equipment life and reduce costly downtime.

Real-World Problem Solving

Todd shared several great examples from his career, including how his team avoided a catastrophic oven driveshaft failure by identifying the issue early and implementing a temporary repair that allowed production to continue until a scheduled shutdown.

He also discussed a major reliability improvement involving Tsubaki Lambda chain technology, which helped eliminate expensive conveyor downtime and delivered long-term savings.

Looking Toward the Future

We also touched on workforce development and the need to encourage more young people to pursue careers in the skilled trades. Todd believes technologies like 3D printing have their place, but that experienced people and sound maintenance practices remain the foundation of manufacturing success.

Listen to the Full Episode

You can hear my full conversation with Todd Gibbs in the episode:

"From Nuclear Submarines to Manufacturing Reliability with Todd Gibbs"

🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/maintenance-manufacturing-insights/id1892627315

📺 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ypI7FmM7Yw0

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