People Powered Manufacturing Intelligence: Featuring Jay Settle

Manufacturing Intelligence, often shortened to MI, is frequently discussed in terms of dashboards, data models, and software platforms. At its core, MI is a human discipline. It depends on people who understand machines, data, and manufacturing processes well enough to turn raw information into insight that drives better decisions. 

That people‑first approach is clearly reflected in the work of Jay Settle, a Manufacturing Intelligence Software Architect II at GPA. Jay’s career has been shaped by curiosity, hands‑on problem solving, and a deep understanding of how technology and people intersect on the plant floor. His story highlights how Manufacturing Intelligence becomes most powerful when it is driven by people, not just platforms.

Meet Jay Settle: A Builder at Heart

Jay’s interest in automation did not begin in a classroom or a corporate office. It began with projects.

Outside of work, Jay has always been compelled to build things. From welding a picnic table onto a lawnmower engine for a homemade Indy 500 ride, to experimenting with microcontrollers on vintage equipment, his curiosity has consistently led him to explore how systems behave in the real world.

“I constantly have to have a project. Something tangible that gives me direction and lets me explore how systems behave.”

That drive to build and experiment is not a hobby separate from Jay’s career. It is the foundation of how he learns, solves problems, and approaches Manufacturing Intelligence work today.

That mindset followed him into college, where he pursued a degree in Industrial Technology with a minor in Computer Science at Tennessee State University. His senior project combined mechanical systems, process knowledge, and data-driven thinking: converting a 1984 Mercedes diesel engine to run on biodiesel.

This combination of hands‑on engineering and software logic would become a defining theme throughout his career.

From Brewing to Manufacturing Intelligence

Jay’s career path was anything but traditional, and that is part of what makes it relevant to modern manufacturing.

After college, he worked as a head brewer and distiller at a startup distillery in Nashville. There, he automated portions of a nearly 100‑year‑old still by controlling heat, steam, and water flow using microcontrollers. That project was eventually featured in Make Magazine and reinforced Jay’s interest in automation and data interpretation.

“When machines do a thing, they generate data. Manufacturing Intelligence is about taking that raw data and making it make sense.”

This perspective, grounded in both engineering and operations, would guide Jay as he transitioned out of brewing and into industrial technology.

He later moved into IT and manufacturing systems, spending more than a decade supporting large manufacturing environments. Over time, his work scaled from sensors and PLCs to Manufacturing Execution Systems and Manufacturing Intelligence platforms. That progression gave him an end‑to‑end understanding of how data is generated, structured, and ultimately consumed across an operation.

Jay at GPA: Turning Data into Meaning

Jay joined GPA in late 2025, bringing extensive experience in Ignition, MES development, and manufacturing data systems. Today, he works as part of GPA’s Manufacturing Intelligence development team, helping architect and build custom MI and MES solutions tailored to each customer’s operational reality.

No two days look the same. Some days are focused on feature development, others on refining data models, OEE calculations, or user interfaces that ensure information is clear and actionable.

“Our work usually starts with a question. How do we make this data meaningful? How do we turn machine output into information people can actually use?”

That question‑driven approach helps ensure solutions are built with the end user in mind, not just technical capability.

One of Jay’s most rewarding experiences at GPA has been working on the development of a custom MES platform, something he had long considered a personal milestone.

“Building a custom MES on a dedicated development team was always a bucket‑list goal for me.”

Being able to work toward that goal within GPA reflects both the technical depth of the MI team and the trust placed in its people.

What Manufacturing Intelligence Really Means at GPA

Jay’s experience closely reflects how GPA approaches Manufacturing Intelligence. At GPA, MI centers on turning data into meaningful insight through interpretation, context, and collaboration.

Many manufacturers approach MI knowing they need better insight, but not always knowing what questions they should be asking.

“One of the most common challenges is that customers do not always know what they want.”

Helping customers get clarity is a core part of GPA’s value.

“A lot of our job is helping break things down so they can figure that out.”

That process of breaking down complexity allows manufacturers to make informed decisions rather than reacting to disconnected data points.

GPA’s Manufacturing Intelligence services focus on bridging the gap between machines and people by:

• Structuring raw machine and process data into meaningful models

• Designing intuitive dashboards for operators, supervisors, and leadership

• Delivering accurate KPIs such as OEE with proper operational context

• Building scalable, custom MES and MI solutions

• Adapting systems as manufacturing technology continues to evolve

  
  

As platforms and tools advance, even minor software changes can significantly impact data handling and system behavior. GPA’s MI team stays closely aligned with these changes so customers do not have to navigate them alone.

A Human-Centered Approach to Intelligence

What truly differentiates GPA’s Manufacturing Intelligence services is the people behind them.

Jay describes his ideal work environment as one built on communication, transparency, and simplicity. Those values extend across GPA’s MI team, where collaboration and shared ownership ensure solutions remain aligned with real manufacturing needs.

Outside of work, Jay’s engineering mindset continues in his garage, where he

designed and built a custom CNC machine capable of precision cutting

large‑format materials.

“Once you have a new tool, you start seeing problems and solutions differently.”

That way of thinking carries directly into his professional work. Manufacturing Intelligence becomes a tool that reshapes how teams think about performance and efficiency while also driving continuous improvement.

People-Powered Intelligence, Real Results

Manufacturing Intelligence is most effective when it is built by people who understand both machines and the humans who rely on them. Jay Settle’s career is rooted in curiosity and hands-on experimentation, with a clear passion for bringing clarity to complex environments. That mindset closely reflects GPA’s approach to MI.

At GPA, Manufacturing Intelligence goes beyond software. It brings people and technology together within real manufacturing operations to turn complexity into insight.

This focus on people-powered intelligence is what drives real, lasting results on the plant floor.