Main Conference Day 1 - Wednesday October 15

7:00 am - 8:55 am Registration, Check In & Networking Breakfast

7:55 am - 8:00 am Welcome From Conference Director - Doug Power, IQPC

8:00 am - 8:10 am Chair’s Opening Remarks

Robert Schoenberger - Editor in Chief, Industry Week
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Robert Schoenberger

Editor in Chief
Industry Week

The Future of Manufacturing: Resilience, Agility and Growth in a Recovering Economy

8:10 am - 8:40 am Keynote Address: Empowering your Front-Line Workers and Enhancing the User Experience

The integration of connected worker solutions can lead to significant improvements in operational efficiency, product quality, and a more engaged workforce. However, with complex digital architecture requirements and varied levels of digital literacy across the manufacturing sector, companies will face many challenges during the implementation phase if they are to deliver on their smart factory connected worker plans.  

Our industry leader panellists will discuss: 

  • Driving enterprise optimization and connected worker digital architecture  
  • Driving user adoption through strong leadership and effective change management 
  • Realizing the potential of data-driven connected worker solutions for maximum ROI 
  • Moving from a predictive to a prescriptive operating environment through the utilization of AI, ML & advanced analytics 

From workforce shortages to rising operational costs and digital disruption, manufacturers are being challenged to rethink how they empower their most valuable asset—their people. In the face of global economic uncertainty, rapid tech innovation, and workforce transformation, the "connected worker" has emerged as a key enabler of resilience, agility, and productivity. 


In this dynamic panel, leaders from some of the most forward-thinking manufacturers share how they are deploying connected worker technologies to close the skills gap, drive plant efficiency, and deliver bottom-line results. Each panelist brings a unique lens shaped by their organization’s transformation journey, offering practical insights on what’s working, where the roadblocks are, and how to scale success across the enterprise. 

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Mike Tomasco

Senior Vice President - Chief Information Officer
FUJIFILM Diosynth Biotechnologies

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Soma Venkat

Chief Information Officer
Cooper Standard

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Sugato Bose

Senior Director & Chief Enterprise Architect
Medline Industries, LP

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Jon P. Atienza

Director, Intelligent Automation
The Coca-Cola Company

9:10 am - 9:30 am Data in Motion: Powering the Connected Workforce Through Advanced Analytics

  • Moving from data collection to contextual intelligence 
  • The new user experience: Data driven training tools that empower the frontline 
  • Examples of how data can reduce downtime and improve throughput 
  • Measuring the ROI of data investments 


9:30 am - 10:00 am Case Study: Ensuring your Digital Transformation Projects Deliver Maximum Operational Value

Leo Rajapakse - Global Head of Platform Infrastructure, Digital & Advanced Technologies, Bimbo Bakeries Usa

Discover how Bimbo Bakeries, the world’s largest bakery operating in 35 countries, leveraged cloud solutions, data platforms, and IoT analytics to drive innovation, enhance operational efficiency, and empower its workforce. This session will explore how strategic alignment between IT and business can maximize the impact of digital transformation, ensuring scalable, data-driven success in modern manufacturing.  

 

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Leo Rajapakse

Global Head of Platform Infrastructure, Digital & Advanced Technologies
Bimbo Bakeries Usa

10:00 am - 10:30 am Morning Networking Break

Track A - Industrial Connected Workforce

10:30 am - 11:00 am From Field to Cloud: Digitally Empowering the Industrial Connected Workforce

The future of operational excellence lies in how well you connect your people to data, tools, and each other. In this session, our panellists explore how they are using mobile platforms, wearable tech, and cloud-connected tools to equip frontline workers with the right information—at the right time. 

  • Blueprint for digital field enablement: mobile apps, AR, hands-free devices 
  • Improving safety, productivity, and compliance through real-time access 
  • Change management and user adoption strategies that stick 


Track A - Industrial Connected Workforce

11:00 am - 11:30 am Skill Meets Signal: Workforce Intelligence Through Connected Systems

Data is no longer just for machines. With connected workforce systems, companies are generating and leveraging human-centered data to improve training, scheduling, and collaboration. This session highlights how to use connected workforce tech to close skill gaps, boost retention, and optimize performance. 


  • Building a connected workforce strategy: data, process, tech, and culture 
  • Integrating HR, OT, and operational systems for a 360° workforce view 
  • Insights into fatigue management, shift optimization, and competency modeling 
  • Real-world examples of intelligent scheduling and digital training adoption 

  

Track A - Industrial Connected Workforce

11:30 am - 12:00 pm Human + Machine: Rethinking Work in the Age of AI and Automation

As AI, robotics, and automation reshape the industrial workplace, how do we redesign roles—not replace them? EY and ServiceNow lead this forward-thinking session on creating a collaborative future where human talent and smart technologies work side by side. 

  • The new role of the human in high-automation environments 
  • Co-pilots, not replacements: how GenAI and AI assistants enhance decision-making 
  • Building a talent roadmap: upskilling, digital dexterity, and culture 
  • The future-of-work: Operating models and governance 


Track B – Data Driven Decision Making to Improve Plant Efficiency

10:30 am - 11:00 am Panel: Achieving Leaps in Manufacturing Performance and Productivity Through a Data-Driven Culture
  • Enriching the performance visibility of assets through data collection, exploration, and analysis 
  • Utilizing data analytics to drive efficiency and productivity in multi-tiered manufacturing operations 
  • Opening the door to next-generation generative and agentic AI by building out comprehensive data management 


Track B – Data Driven Decision Making to Improve Plant Efficiency

11:00 am - 11:30 am Case Study: Revolutionize Asset Performance with IIoT to Provide Real-time Ingestible Data to Every Operator
  • Leveling up asset management by utilizing real time and historical data to predict downtime, maintenance, and avoid failures 
  • Learning to optimize the entire production process, finding the small actions that will generate massive improvements 
  • Equipping workers to make informed decisions now, and build long-term strategies with a wealth of easily digestible information 


Track B – Data Driven Decision Making to Improve Plant Efficiency

11:30 am - 12:00 pm Panel: Data Science: The Missing Link for Intelligent Insights and Actionable AI
Bharathi Rajan - Vice President - Enterprise Data, Insights & Applications, Swire Coca-Cola


  • Data Capture: Understanding the hardware and software integrations required to properly capture requisite data for intelligent decision making and AI modelling 
  • Data Security: Examining best-practices approaches to securely store and call upon the wealth of data needed for intelligent decision-making processes 
  • Value Generation: Discussing real-world utilization of world-class data science to provide actionable insights, generate AI programs, and build powerful visualization platforms. 


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Bharathi Rajan

Vice President - Enterprise Data, Insights & Applications
Swire Coca-Cola

Track C: Revolutionizing Performance with Powerful Connectivity

10:30 am - 11:00 am Panel: Revolutionizing Plant Worker Performance with Powerful 5G Connectivity
  • Accelerating digitalization with 5G private networks to streamline processes and improve efficiency 
  • Enabling real-time data exchange for critical applications like predictive maintenance, autonomous operations, and worker safety monitoring 
  • Connecting your workforce and infrastructure to facilitate autonomous operations, predictive maintenance, and improved decision-making


Track C: Revolutionizing Performance with Powerful Connectivity

11:00 am - 11:30 am Fireside Chat: Accelerating the Transformation of your Manufacturing Operations with 5G
  • Modernize your operations with intelligent automation and cloud computing powered by industrial private wireless networks 
  • Speed up processes, lower operating costs and improve quality with intelligent business applications that connect your production lines over a 5G network 
  • Keeping your teams safe and connected with ruggedized 5G devices 


Track C: Revolutionizing Performance with Powerful Connectivity

11:30 am - 12:00 pm The role of 5G in using Data to Support Smart Manufacturing
  • Connecting your data and gaining greater insights on optimization with 5G 
  • Connecting and analyse data streams from a wide range of assets from IIoT devices to CCTV cameras and AGV’s 
  • Creating digital twins of your factory environment to drive productivity and efficiency improvements  


12:00 pm - 1:00 pm Networking Lunch


Track D: Connected Worker Technology in Action

1:00 pm - 1:30 pm Reducing Downtime and Drive Productivity with AI-Powered Asset Management
  • Revolutionizing asset management with AI driven predictive maintenance 
  • Leveraging the power of AI and ML to predict equipment failures 
  • Achieving enhanced reliability-centered maintenance to provide more accurate and timely insights into equipment health 


Track D: Connected Worker Technology in Action

1:30 pm - 2:00 pm Case Study: Bridging the Gap between Engineering and Operations with Centralized Data Foundations at Eastman
Jan Shumate - Engineering & Construction Solutions/Corp Manufacturing Automation Transformation, Eastman
Keith Parker - Engineering Design Digitization Manager, Eastman
  • Creating a unified view of business data to improve collaboration and business decision making 
  • Enhancing data analytics capabilities with centralized data foundations 
  • Shifting to a data centric approach to enhance productivity and discover new opportunities for optimization and growth 


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Jan Shumate

Engineering & Construction Solutions/Corp Manufacturing Automation Transformation
Eastman

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Keith Parker

Engineering Design Digitization Manager
Eastman

Track D: Connected Worker Technology in Action

2:00 pm - 2:30 pm Using Computer Vision to Optimize Processes, Identify Safety Hazards and Automate Defect Detection
  • Analysing visual data in real-time to enable proactive safety measures 
  • Automating defect detection on production for quality control 
  • Analysing video feeds to detect hazards and identify unsafe behaviour 


Track D: Connected Worker Technology in Action

2:30 pm - 3:00 pm Panel: Leveraging Gen AI Enhanced Intelligent Automations to Improve Employee Productivity and Knowledge Transfer
Jon P. Atienza - Director, Intelligent Automation, The Coca-Cola Company
  • Integrating people, process technology and data to achieve intelligent process automation  
  • Overcoming unstructured data using intelligent automation  
  • How do you automate end to end processes?  
  • Using Gen AI to automate the creation, optimization and analysis of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's)  



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Jon P. Atienza

Director, Intelligent Automation
The Coca-Cola Company

Track E: Connected Worker Technology in Action

1:00 pm - 1:30 pm AI Copilots and Agents for Manufacturing: Empowering the Workforce of the Future
  • Explore how Generative AI Copilots and AI Agents are empowering frontline workers across manufacturing and other industries.  
  • Learn how AI-powered connected worker technology is enhancing onboarding and enabling learning in the flow of work.  
  • See how Generative AI is driving more efficient upskilling and reskilling for frontline teams. 


Track E: Connected Worker Technology in Action

1:30 pm - 2:00 pm Case Study: Harnessing LTE & 5G to Seamlessly Connect Workers, Information and Assets Across Plants at LyondellBasell
Douglas Michael McDowell - Solutions Center Manager, LyondellBasell
  • Developing vendor selection criteria aligned to project goals and long-term needs 
  • Overcoming the unfamiliarity of corporate IT when deploying connectivity solutions in plant environments 
  • Discussing deployment challenges around change management, permitting and available labor 
  • Managing your vendors post-install to mitigate risks


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Douglas Michael McDowell

Solutions Center Manager
LyondellBasell

Track E: Connected Worker Technology in Action

2:00 pm - 2:30 pm Giving Frontline Workers Near-Instant Access to their Colleagues with Advanced Push to Talk Solutions
  • Unify your connected workers on one communication platform with push to talk solutions 
  • Achieve game changing operational efficiencies and enhance team connectivity 
  • Connect globally in real-time to drive productivity and speed-up workflows 


Track E: Connected Worker Technology in Action

2:30 pm - 3:00 pm Panel: Cutting Through the AI Noise to Build What Matters: A Pragmatic Dialogue on Navigating the Crowded AI Landscape and Driving Real Innovation at Speed and Scale
Martin Gonzalez - Innovation & Technology Principal, BP
Mike McFarlane - Member Board of Trustees, AI Applied consortium
Konrad Konarski - Chair, AI Applied consortium

AI is everywhere, in every sales pitch, boardroom conversation, and strategy document. But as vendors flood the market, how do organizations separate signal from noise? This panel brings together seasoned industry leaders and innovation experts to unpack what actually works, what to ignore, and how to move at the speed of innovation without sacrificing trust or impact. 

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Martin Gonzalez

Innovation & Technology Principal
BP

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Mike McFarlane

Member Board of Trustees
AI Applied consortium

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Konrad Konarski

Chair
AI Applied consortium

Track F: Connected Worker Technology in Action

1:00 pm - 1:30 pm Actionable AI: A Step Change in Risk Visibility
  • Evaluating the most mature application areas of AI in construction 
  • Revolutionizing the way we build with artificial intelligence 
  • Examining practical examples and real-world use cases 
  • Considering the results: bringing a cultural shift with tech-enabled EHS management 


Track F: Connected Worker Technology in Action

1:30 pm - 2:00 pm Panel: Taking a Proactive Approach to Asset Management to Anticipate Equipment Failures and Reduce Costly Downtime
  • Exploring how digital twins can transform business intelligence and provide actionable insights 
  • Real-time monitoring of asset health to find anomalies and drive proactive responses 
  • Connecting frontline workers to information to enhance incident response time 


Track F: Connected Worker Technology in Action

2:00 pm - 2:30 pm Operationalising Predictive Maintenance: Moving beyond Fixing What’s Broken to Predicting What’s Next

3:00 pm - 3:40 pm Solution Spotlight Session and Afternoon Networking Break

3:40 pm - 4:10 pm Keynote Panel: Avoiding Buyers Regret: Identifying the Right Technologies that Align with your Business Goals in a Dynamically Shifting Business Landscape

Darwin Jebha - Vice President IT, Thermon Inc
Alex Costa - VP of IT, PSC Group
Robert Pitts - Global Projects IT Discovery And Strategy Manager, ExxonMobil
Ilker Kalali - Chief Technology Officer, Pirelli Tires North America

“While 89% of large companies globally have a digital and AI transformation underway, they have only captured 31% of the expected revenue lift and 25% of the expected costs savings from the effort” Harvard Business Review 

 

  • In a crowded market, how do you decide on the technologies and vendor partners that will achieve project success? 
  • Analysing existing processes, inefficiencies and prioritizing areas that will have the most significant impact 
  • Ensuring that you invest in technologies that that are aligned to critical business activities 
  • Keeping implementation costs in budget through phased rollout  


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Darwin Jebha

Vice President IT
Thermon Inc

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Alex Costa

VP of IT
PSC Group

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Robert Pitts

Global Projects IT Discovery And Strategy Manager
ExxonMobil

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Ilker Kalali

Chief Technology Officer
Pirelli Tires North America

4:10 pm - 4:40 pm Presentation by EY/ServiceNow

4:40 pm - 5:10 pm Combining Knowledge AI and Data AI to form Automated Reasoning

Keynote Speaker Ron Norris returns to the Connected Worker Series to share the latest evolution of his Causal AI journey. 

Recently retired as Director of Innovation at Georgia-Pacific, Ron is a renowned innovation leader with a track record of driving sustainable growth through cutting-edge technologies and forward-thinking strategies. With deep expertise in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Causal AI, he has helped leading organizations bridge operational gaps and achieve strategic goals.Known for his ability to break down complex AI concepts into actionable insights, Ron will deliver the closing keynote, covering: 

  • How to apply math, knowledge, and data to AI models to accelerate decision-making and transform operations 
  • How Knowledge AI and Data AI combine to create Automated Reasoning  
  • How advanced Causal AI moves beyond traditional, data-centric AI—delivering unprecedented insights that enhance operational efficiency, drive faster and more accurate decision-making, and empower teams from the front lines to the C-suite 


5:10 pm - 5:40 pm Closing Keynote: Shaping Digital Transformation at the Intersection of Tech and Humanity

Helen Yu - CEO, Tigon Advisory Group

Helen Yu, founder and CEO of Tigon Advisory, is a renowned digital transformation expert who has driven multibillion-dollar revenue growth for global tech giants like Oracle and Adobe. She has been recognized as a Top 10 Global Influencer in Digital Transformation by IBM and is a WSJ Best Selling Author. 

 

Helen firmly believes that growth thrives at the intersection of #Tech and #Humanity. There are only two options when it comes to digital transformation: to disrupt or be disrupted.  The digital transformation process demands leaders who anticipate opportunities and threats and embrace disruption.  Technology only contributes to 20% toward a successful digital transformation, 80% is leading people through change management and helping them understand how technology advancement directly correlates to the greater success of the company and the world we live in. 

 

Join Helen in her closing keynote where she will discuss how integrating advanced technologies like AI and IoT with human-centric a approaches can significantly boost workforce efficiency, optimize production processes, reduce downtime, and improve overall plant operations. 

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Helen Yu

CEO
Tigon Advisory Group

5:40 pm - 5:45 pm Chair’s Closing Remarks, Day One Concludes

5:45 pm - 6:45 pm Networking Drinks Reception

All attendees, speakers and sponsors are invited to join us for drinks, and canapes.