Materials.Business Newsletter ⚙️November 05th, 2024
Podcast Guest: Sanya Mathura
Video in English you can add subtitles in any language - see below to learn how!
Unlocking Insights in Reliability and Lubrication: A Conversation with Sanya Matura
In this episode of The Material Business Podcast, host Monica Hernandez sits down with Sanya Matura, a trailblazing engineer in reliability and lubrication. Sanya shares her journey from Trinidad and Tobago to the forefront of the industry as CEO of Strategic Reliability Solutions Limited. Through her unique perspective and years of expertise, Sanya discusses what it takes to excel in a male-dominated field, the importance of mentorship, and why lubrication should never be overlooked. Here’s a closer look at the highlights from their inspiring conversation.
Inspiring Curiosity and Entering the Lubrication Field
Monica asked Sanya to share advice for those considering a career in lubrication. Sanya’s response was simple yet powerful:
“Just be curious enough to want to learn and to be open enough to wanting to learn new things.”
She explained that working in lubrication is far from monotonous.
“A lot of people don’t realize how much it impacts everything else... If the lubricants aren’t working, then your pump isn’t working either.”
The field, she noted, is filled with challenges and opportunities to work with various machinery, making every day exciting and different.
Learning from Industry Veterans
The conversation turned to the value of industry knowledge held by veteran workers. Monica highlighted the potential loss of expertise as seasoned professionals retire, saying,
“The people that have the knowledge are going to go. And who’s there to carry-on?”
Sanya stressed the importance of learning directly from these professionals, noting that, they could pass it on to us within minutes rather than years. Sanya often volunteered to shadow experts, even jokingly saying,
“You don’t have to pay me… pay me in food,”
to emphasize her eagerness to absorb their insights.
Tips for Young Professionals
For recent grads, Sanya offered practical advice: approach seasoned colleagues with humility and a willingness to learn. She shared her approach:
“I’ll be your shadow for the day.”
This allowed her to gain field experience, which she emphasized cannot be taught in a classroom. Monica resonated with this, adding, “Nobody can tell me how the corrosion smells… I know that.” Their exchange highlighted how invaluable hands-on learning is in understanding the nuances of the work.
On Reliability and Diversity in Teams
Sanya shared her perspective on reliability, describing it as the practice of making things
“work better than they were before”
by enhancing equipment life and efficiency. Beyond technical skills, she championed the importance of diversity within teams, having such a diverse workforce brings different ideas and more value to the table. Monica agreed, noting how diversity, especially in a global context, leads to creative problem-solving that enriches teams and drives innovation.
Understanding Lubrication and Its Impact on Equipment Life
Sanya shed light on the often-underestimated role of lubrication, explaining that
“everything that moves requires some sort of lubricant, to minimize friction and wear"
She explained that using the correct lubricant, with the right viscosity, can prevent inefficiency and damage, even in high-stress environments. In particular, synthetic oils, she noted, “last longer and better withstand high temperatures.” Monica added that choosing the right materials and lubricants during the design phase can reduce an asset's environmental impact by as much as “about 75%.”
A Holistic Approach to Budget and Cost-Saving
Sanya wrapped up with insights on budgeting in maintenance. While lubricant expenses may seem minor in the bigger picture, compromising on quality can ultimately affect equipment efficiency and longevity. She cautioned, at the end of the day, your overall quality suffers. Monica agreed, underscoring the need for a holistic view, noting that,
“If we step back and then look at it in a holistic way, we can do something better.”
This shared perspective underscores the need for strategic decision-making that aligns with long-term performance and sustainability goals.
Both Monica and Sanya left listeners with a reminder that industries thrive when knowledge is shared and barriers are broken. This episode is a reminder of the profound impact that dedication, diversity, and hands-on learning bring to the engineering field, especially in areas like lubrication and reliability that often work behind the scenes to keep industries running smoothly. Don’t miss this insightful conversation with two champions of progress in engineering—check out the full episode of The Material Business Podcast!
#EngineeringCareers #ReliabilityEngineering #WomenInSTEM #LubricationScience #IndustrialMaintenance #materialsbusiness #womeninengineering #fristoneandonlyone
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Sanya is the Founder of Strategic Reliability Solutions Ltd and external steward of the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Mainstreaming Committee (EDIMC) of UWI’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. She works with global affiliates in the areas of Reliability and Asset Management to bring these specialty niches to her clients. She has a strong engineering background and continues to push barriers by being the first female to achieve numerous certifications in the lubrication industry globally. Sanya sits on several international boards and has published 6 books to date. When not writing or managing the business, you can find her supporting projects to advocate for women in STEM.
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