Rick Farrell

What is the Difference Between Simultaneous and Consecutive Interpretation Simultaneous interpretation and consecutive interpretation are two different methods of interpreting, each with its advantages and disadvantages. Our clients use both forms of interpretation but tend to use each in different…

Many Western businesses are adopting a Japanese workplace philosophy known as a gemba walk in order to eliminate waste while also improving their overall business philosophy and morale. Although this is a concept with which many are unfamiliar…

In a noisy workplace environment, employees can struggle with maintaining concentration as loud noise becomes a distraction, making it difficult to stay focused and productive. This constant background noise has been a major problem for industries in the past. But,…

Good communication is crucial in manufacturing and warehousing facilities due to the use of heavy machinery, obvious safety issues, and of course, typically high levels of background noise which often make normal conversation difficult. Going back to 2005, my experience…

When dealing with loud environments, having the proper hearing protection is vital. Not only does it prevent hearing damage, it increases productivity and helps ensure the overall health and safety of everyone involved. The first step to properly using your…

Manufacturing plants and facilities are typically large and loud environments that operate heavy machinery and equipment. In these sometimes harsh facilities, workplace safety can require a lot of attention to detail. However, it’s important to stay up-to-date with safety tips…

There’s a lot that goes into planning a successful event. Whether it be recreational or professional, large or small-scale, and in-person or online — your approach has to be smart. The very first step in the event planning process is…

No matter the work environment, workplace safety should always be the number one priority for both employers and employees, and the manufacturing industry is no exception. However, safety management for manufacturing companies can be particularly tricky. When it comes to…

In many environments, loud noises are extremely common; having the right personal protective equipment (PPE) for your ears is usually the first step in ensuring everyone in those environments remains healthy and safe. But hearing protection devices — HPDs —…

Real-time radio communication is essential for the proper functioning of countless businesses and organizations worldwide. Millions of two-way radio users need their radio transmissions to be safe from interference and/or prying ears. This is where two-way radio encryption comes in,…

Occupational noise exposure can be a serious health risk in countless work environments around the world. When it comes to loud noise, hearing protection devices (aka HPDs) are the first line of defense. The most common types of hearing protection…

There are hundreds of thousands of full-time, accredited tour guides around the world today. The tourism industry is booming like never before. Tour guide jobs are growing, and more people are choosing to make their mark in the travel industry….

Strategies to Reduce Noise in Factories It’s no secret that loud noise is common in an industrial setting. However, even though high noise levels come with the territory, they can lead to a whole number of issues. Problems can often…

8 Easy steps to organize a successful exhibition  Planning and executing any event — especially a successful trade show, convention, or exhibition — is not easy. It requires careful forethought, a high level of organization, grit, and a bit of…

As a manufacturer, your primary job is to produce a high-quality product while keeping everyone within the facility safe. Due to this, you may not instantly love the idea of outsiders coming into the plant and taking walking tours of…

You never know when you will have a surprise visit from your executive office or potential customers. When entering the factory offices, you must be prepared to see a “Welcome VIP Group” message on the reception room LCD monitors at…

Implementing a comprehensive safety plan at an automobile manufacturing facility is critical to improving the plant environment and safety. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers in the vehicle manufacturing industry suffer twice as many injuries as workers in…

Today, there are more monthly news headlines about contaminated food products, food recalls, and people who find foreign objects in processed foods. It’s possible to prevent problems in the food manufacturing industry with a better food safety program and tighter…

Noise cancellation headphones are different than noise reduction headphones. The former aim to remove as much external noise as possible using various techniques, while the latter simply use passive noise cancellation to physically block out external noise. Noise cancellation is…

Gemba walks are considered one of the most important tools for lean manufacturing in a wide range of industries. A gemba walk allows managers and leaders to observe employees and processes on the factory floor to help make improvements, eliminate waste, and streamline workflows…

Manufacturing companies depend on all of their team members when it comes to having a successful and efficient operation. This includes the frontline employees, the desk workers, and the workers on the production line. In the manufacturing business, production floor…

If you or your loved one is hard of hearing, then you probably know how difficult it can be to interact in noisy environments. This is where assistive listening devices (ALD) can come in handy.

Manufacturing Communication Trends in 2022  The state of manufacturing looks vastly different than it did a year ago. The industry is still reeling from an extraordinary year that introduced stay-at-home orders, global lockdowns, next-generation production technology, and the lowest employment…

A tour guide without a microphone will have to strain their voice or possibly shout to be able to communicate with a tour group. In a manufacturing setting, this challenge is usually much greater due to background noise and distance…

Plant-Tours.com has over 20 years of experience partnering with manufacturers to make sure that their employees and visitors communicate better in loud and large spaces like manufacturing facilities. The coronavirus pandemic created a challenge never seen before in this industry,…

A wireless tour guide system is a portable one-way or two-way headset communication system that provides crystal clear audio between presenters and tour groups. The need for audio transmission usually results from the challenge of communicating in an area with…

As we head towards the end of summer and the start of fall we are starting to see bookings for large group tours pick up. For business events of all kinds this is a common trend after Labor Day since…

The benefits of plant tours are numerous. There is only so much information you can acquire through spreadsheets, memos and videos which necessitates the need for one to take a plant tour in person. By physically touring a manufacturing facility…

As life slowly begins to return to pre- pandemic levels, manufacturing facilities are increasing capacity and holding more tours and training events. This return to “business as usual” comes with many changes to the manner in which work is done…

  Introduction to Plant-Tours.com   Plant-Tours.com is the only communications company that focuses on providing crystal clear audio sound quality for your employees, customers and VIP tour groups in manufacturing facilities (also known as factory or plant tours). We are…

Businesses organize factory tours for many reasons. It’s a great way to show customers, investors and internal stakeholders how products are manufactured and how processes work. Corporate headquarter presentations on lcd screens only go so far. Plant visits are where…

Communication in manufacturing facilities is of utmost importance but presents a major challenge to businesses. High noise levels prevent normal conversations from taking place and also present long term health risks to employees’ ability to hear. Mobile phones aren’t durable…

Two-Way Communication Systems Two-way communication systems have many uses. In manufacturing settings a two-way communication system is primarily used for interactive tours as well as collaborative training and meetings. When using a two-way system the user can push a button…

What’s the purpose of having a tour guide system at your facility?
There are many factors to consider when buying or renting a tour guide system. The purpose of the tour or training, noise conditions where the event will take place, distance needed between group members, personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements, number of people who will participate, budget and frequency of the tours and training are all very important factors to consider during the decision making process.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected millions of people around the world and has placed various sectors at risk for total closures. Unfortunately, the pandemic has compromised the travel industry the most, compromising hotel retailers, airlines, and of course, tour guides….

Businesses have had to make a rapid shift to stay afloat during the pandemic. While social distancing protocols have done an effective job of stemming the virus’s spread, it has also significantly impacted many businesses’ profitability. Workplaces have had to…

As an event planner, one of the biggest challenges remains in the form of audiovisual. Done right, it can bring the much needed wow factor to your event. The right timing of visuals and audio makes for a seamless audience…

When spearheading a project that requires a team effort, how well you communicate and collaborate can determine your output quality. Urgent messages mean you won’t have any time to enter your passcode and load up a text message. Time is…

If you’re already giving factory tours, you probably believe you have all things figured out. You know the best route to take and how to show off the finer sides of your business. You know what it takes to educate…

You’ve got enough on your plate while giving a factory tour. The last thing you need is to be fumbling over wires and cables running from your microphone system. Walking around with a microphone and attached speaker system simply isn’t…

Every plant tour is a little different from the last. Sometimes you’ll receive a question you never considered, and it leaves you trying to pinpoint the best way to answer it. Other times there might be something happening within the…

Manufacturing tours have become more important now than ever before. It’s not just to show off the facility to safety inspectors. It’s about highlighting what you do to investors and even showcasing your company to those on the outside who…

Providing tours has become an essential aspect of a growing number of businesses. These tours are not always in the traditional sense, where a presentation is given on a historical location or where a facility is built specifically to accommodate…

Sometimes manufacturers ask – What is a tour guide communication system, and do I need one? At Plant-Tours.com, we manufacture and sell one-way and two-way communication systems specially designed to meet the needs of industrial and manufacturing facilities. Of course,…

When running a manufacturing or distribution plant, your main goal is to get the job done as effectively as possible while keeping everyone safe. However, there are times where you’ll need to step out and provide additional services, including to…

If your industrial facility conducts tours or training events then a robust tour communications system is crucial. Such a system must be durable, professional quality, and easy to use. It makes your tour guides, trainers, and presenters look good since…

When it comes to offering tours and training sessions in an industrial or manufacturing facility, you need a powerful communication system. Sometimes people ask for a Plant Tour Premiere vs. ListenTALK review specific to industrial applications. We hope this comparative…

When choosing a tour communications system for an industrial setting, you need a high-quality system that is durable and easy to use. The right system should make your trainers, managers, and tour guides look good and allow them to focus…

When choosing a tour communication system for an industrial setting you need equipment that works as hard as your team. We hope this comparative Plant Tour premier vs. Sennheiser review makes the choice a little easier. This guide will walk…

We’ve had many businesses contact us to reevaluate their communications in the light to today’s “new normal.” They want to make sure they’re using the best system possible to help protect their operations, their people, and their investment. There’s no…

Offering plant tours are an excellent way to help clients understand your production practice while also expanding brand awareness. However, you don’t want to put on a poor tour. A poor tour at best will only waste a visitor’s time…

One of the first steps you can make toward improving the quality of your tour is to know what kind of audio system is right for you and your tour guests. Taking the initiative to invest in a quality tour…

As a tour guide you know how important it is for everyone in your group to hear you. If you’re making your way through a small space, a quiet exhibition, or you have just a few people this likely isn’t…

Do you give factory tours? If so, you know how difficult it can be to both presents the information in an easy to understand fashion for your guests while also hear their questions and what is being said. After all,…

When giving a factory tour you’re likely doing so for investors, to those potentially interested in buying products from your facility, or you’re attempting to sell the facility itself. Whatever the desired outcome of the factory tours you need to…

Giving a guided tour is part science part art. You very much need to take technology into consideration whenever crafting your tour. This includes selecting the right Whisper microphone system. The best microphone system will ensure you’re able to talk…