Main Conference Day 2
7:30 am - 8:00 am
Check In & Networking Breakfast
8:00 am - 8:05 am
Chair’s Opening Remarks
Paul Boris -
Advisory Board Member Machine Learning & AI,
NGen Canada
8:05 am - 8:35 am
International Keynote:The Future of Manufacturing: How NEOM is Transforming Operations Through Metaverse Technology
Guillermo Renancio -
Head of Digital Technologies - Food,
Neom
NEOM is a futuristic megacity project in Saudi Arabia, planned to be built from scratch along the country's Red Sea coast, with estimated investment costs of over $500 Billion. With a focus on sustainability and innovation, NEOM aims to become a global hub for cutting-edge technologies, renewable energy, and advanced industries. This opening address, we will explore the factory of the future driven by IoT, edge computing, AI, ML, AR, VR and digital twins, where advanced technologies will enable people to work collaboratively with robots and machine learning will provide real-time analysis of the factory where computer vision will scan for imperfections that the human eye might miss.
- Opportunities for optimization, innovation and growth through metaverse technology
- Transforming your logistics and supply chain processes through Web3 technologies
- Exploring the revolutionary alliance between Ai and Gen Ai to further accelerate your smart factory operations
- Using AI-powered collaborative robots to increase efficiency, reduce errors and improve factory safety
8:35 am - 9:05 am
Case Study: Connected Safety: Dramatically Reducing Incidents by Enabling Smarter Decision Making
- Converging process and personal safety to protect your workforce and critical assets
- Using real-time intelligence to enable smarter decision making in hazardous environments
- Proactively prevent, respond and resolve incidents
- Leveraging data to improve incident investigation and reporting
9:05 am - 9:35 am
Panel: How Smaller Manufacturers can Upgrade their Tech to Improve the Efficiency & Productivity of their Operations
Ali Shakouri -
Associate Dean for Research and Innovation, College of Engineering,
Purdue University
Susan Carlock - EVP & Co-Owner, Mursix Corporation
The post-pandemic push to make supply chains more regional and resilient is creating growth opportunities for many of the domestic small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that large original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) rely on. This is opening opportunities for SMEs to adopt new software and manufacturing innovations, and rethink how to improve the efficiency and productivity of their operations. Join this panel to explore:
● Overcoming the reluctance to change existing processes
● Keeping up with technologies that are altering the competitive landscape
● Leveraging AI and new organizational cultures for workforce development
● Learning how to implement simple automation
Ali Shakouri
Associate Dean for Research and Innovation, College of EngineeringPurdue University
9:35 am - 10:05 am
International Keynote: The Digital Journey of Heineken: Agile Product Development, the Role of Lighthouse, and Key Happiness Indicators for Change Management
Joris Stolk -
TPM and Digital Innovation Manager,
CCU (Heineken JV)
- The Connected Brewery Project – retrofitting breweries with digital capabilities
- Employee engagement and change management during the transformation process
- Connecting agile product development with TPM continuous improvement methods
- Accelerating adoption by introducing advanced analytics and machine learning
10:05 am - 10:40 am
IDG L: User Adoption & User Experience
Jeremy Elias -
Manufacturing Digitalization Senior Manager Global Engineering,
Beam Suntory
10:05 am - 10:40 am
IDG N: Process Safety
Mashel Gonyora -
Manager SHE:Enablement, Compliance and Assurance,
Sasol
10:05 am - 10:40 am
IDG R: Knowledge Transfer & Upskilling
10:05 am - 10:40 am
IDG: P: Ruggedized Devices
10:05 am - 10:40 am
IDG T: Connected Inventory Management
10:05 am - 10:40 am
IDG M: Leadership & Change Management
Amir Zohar -
Digital Transformation Senior Manager,
LG Vertech Inc
10:05 am - 10:40 am
IDG S: Robotics & Drones
10:05 am - 10:40 am
IDG O: Architecture for Industry 4.0
10:05 am - 10:40 am
IDG Q: Scaling Connected Worker Across Multiple Sites
10:05 am - 10:40 am
IDG U: Decarbonizing Manufacturing
10:40 am - 11:10 am
Morning Networking Break
Track D – User Adoption & Project Delivery
11:10 am - 11:40 am Presentation: Providing the Vision, Direction and Motivation for Complex Connected Worker Transformation Projects Travis Prior - Manager – Adoption Lead, Enterprise Ops, Smart Factory, Collins Aerospace- Creating a narrative for change and inspiring the workforce to embrace digital transformation
- Anticipating potential roadblocks that can impede progress
- Building adaptability into your digital transformation plans in an ever-changing digital ecosystem
- Building consensus across key stakeholders for cohesive and collaborative decision making
Track D – User Adoption & Project Delivery
11:40 am - 12:10 pm Panel: Change Management for Industry 4.0 Smart Factory Projects Anis Isahak - Global Operational Excellence Leader, MolexBen Tanner - Senior Director of Operational Excellence, Winland Foods
- Discussing the impact of digital transformation on your shop floor teams
- Overcoming fear of associated job losses with increased automation
- Engaging your workforces to identify opportunities for process improvement and optimization
- Placing your impacted workforce at the core of the change process
Track D – User Adoption & Project Delivery
12:10 pm - 12:40 pm Panel: Measuring Digital Transformation Progress to Ensure Sustainable Change Garith Duncan - Digital Transformation Manager, SNF Holding CompanyEric Wong - Senior Vice President Operations, Polygroup
Angela Reamer - Vice President of Manufacturing, MONIN Americas
Cristi Fernandez - Senior Network Training Manager, Campbell Soup Company
The true measure of digital transformation initiatives is in the details of how the project impacts the company and requires tracking cross-organizational metrics at various levels. Join this panel to discuss:
- How you develop a transformation team that effectively manages digital transformation projects
- Going back to basics with your user adoption and change management efforts
- What metrics you should use to effectively track the effectiveness of your connected worker transformation project
- Empowering your leaders with the tools and training to be successful
Track D – User Adoption & Project Delivery
12:40 pm - 1:10 pm Case Study: How to Solve the Project Delivery Challenges you will Face when Setting up a Connected Worker- Defining an implementation plan that is aligned with your business objectives
- Considering the user experience, compatibility with existing systems and customization levels
- Developing a comprehensive change management plan that includes communication and training plans
Track E – Digital Transformation
11:10 am - 11:40 am Presentation: Using Innovative Technologies to Drive Supply Chain and Procurement Transformation Kelly Coble - Global Category Manager - MRO Global Procurement, ADM- Developing an RFID strategy through supplier collaboration and technology roll-out at our warehouse locations
- Creating a virtual vending machine environment through RFID towers connecting our workers in real time to view supplier owned inventory
- Creating supplier data driven dashboards for leadership to understand where their discretionary spend is going, spend per FTE (full time employee)
- Tool kits creation and lockers for check-in / check-out, with the possibility of RFID technology to track assets
Track E – Digital Transformation
11:40 am - 12:10 pm Case Study: Revolutionize your Warehouse Operations with Smart Technology Solutions- Developing a foundation with cloud-based warehouse management systems
- Using RFID tags to record and report the location of items in real time
- Leveraging IoT connected to vital machinery for detailed performance analysis
- Applying AI, ML and data analysis to leverage predictive analytics
Track E – Digital Transformation
12:10 pm - 12:40 pm Panel: Industry 4.0 and the Future of Smart Warehousing: The Smart Technologies that can make your Supply Chain More Nimble, Responsive and Cost Effective Ernesto Colombres - Regional Supply Chain Director LATAM, KerryGladis Araujo - Former Supply Chain Strategy VP, Mattel Inc
Smart warehouses are becoming increasingly popular as companies explore ways to cut costs and boost productivity. Join this panel to discuss the warehouse optimization technologies that can automate labor intensive tasks, improve accuracy and visibility and drive supply chain optimization.
- Optimizing warehouse operations with barcode scanners, smartphones, tablets and smart glasses integrated with existing infrastructure
- Overcoming siloed data and a lack of interoperability across multiple enterprise systems
- Managing the large volume of data that is generated by multiple IoT devices whilst also managing cost
- Using digital twin, IoT and advanced analytics to achieve agile, cost-efficiency and highly scalable warehouse operations
- How to better use data to be more predictive around how you service your customers
Track E – Digital Transformation
12:40 pm - 1:10 pm Case Study: Preventing Safety Incidents in High-Risk Environments with Advanced Technologies and Wearable Devices- Reducing safety incidents in operating environments where you are experiencing workforce attrition
- Use RFID technologies to avoid human and vehicle collision
- Using connected worker solutions to manage and monitor fatigue
Track F – AI & Gen AI
11:10 am - 11:40 am Presentation: Combining Knowledge AI and Data AI to form Automated Reasoning Ron Norris - Director of Innovation, Georgia-Pacific- Exploring how a combination of Knowledge AI and Data AI form Automated Reasoning
- Leveraging advanced Causal AI empowers enterprises with unprecedented insights that go far beyond correlations and data-centric artificial intelligence.
- Using the technology to enhance operational efficiency, enable proactive decision-making, minimize downtime, and optimize resource utilization.
Track F – AI & Gen AI
11:40 am - 12:10 pm Presentation: The Technical Challenges of Making Robotics, AI, and Advanced Automation Accessible for Use by Manufacturers Joseph Giampapa - Principal Robotics Scientist, The ARM Institute- Why manufacturers need robotics, AI, and advanced automation
- What are the challenges of applying robotics to manufacturing processes
- Ways of addressing the challenges
- Successful strategies for using manufacturing robotics
Track F – AI & Gen AI
12:10 pm - 12:40 pm Panel: Harnessing AI & Gen AI for Manufacturing Excellence Eric Reckenbeil - Director Global Operations, Manufacturing & Strategy, GoodyearCynthia Hutchison - Chief Executive Officer, US Center for Advanced Manufacturing
Kiara Thomas - Innovation Specialist, Nobel Corp
Lisa Zasada - Head of Digital Manufacturing, General Mills
Manufacturers are realizing major advancements in productivity, quality and effectiveness with AI and Gen AI solutions. Join this panel to discuss:
- Driving optimization through the identification of waste and inefficiencies in manufacturing and supply chains
- Optimizing processes, evaluate production and operational efficiencies and highlight areas for improvement
- Predicting potential failures and unplanned downtime through condition-based maintenance
- Examining use cases for Gen AI in manufacturing for increased productivity and competitive advantage
Track F – AI & Gen AI
12:40 pm - 1:10 pm Case Study: Enhancing your Connected Workers with Open AI Technology- Automating the process of capturing and organizing information
- Addressing privacy concerns and data management
- Exploring potential in the connected worker learning and development space
1:10 pm - 1:55 pm
Networking Lunch
1:55 pm - 2:25 pm
Panel: Decarbonizing through Digitalization: Making Manufacturing Greener and Smarter with Connected Worker Technology
Anne Emberson -
Area Vice President – Digital,
Nalco Water, an Ecolab Company
Grigor Bambekov - Former Senior Vice President Business Transformation, Delek US Holdings Inc
Hussna Mubarik - General Manager Digital Decarbonization, Shell
Dave McClure - Director, Manufacturing Innovation, StarPlus Energy
Decarbonization is a major challenge, but it also offers significant opportunities to make manufacturing smarter and greener with new innovative technologies that can deliver operational efficiencies whilst also benefitting the environment. This panel will examine the smart technologies that can accelerate your transition to decarbonization and discuss:
- Examining pathways to decarbonization through smart technologies
- Prioritizing energy efficiency to cut emissions and reduce costs
- Exploring the new digital technologies that can accelerate your decarbonization efforts
- Will demonstrating a commitment to sustainability and net zero attract talent to the manufacturing sector?
2:25 pm - 2:55 pm
Presentation: Autonomous Operations: The link between Advanced Technologies and Highly Efficient Manufacturing
Samuel Parra -
NA Manufacturing Integration Lead,
BASF
- Target Picture: What does it look like and why businesses need it
- Degrees of autonomy: The path for a real digital transformation
- Seamless integration: Bringing down data silos and streamlining data-driven decision making.
- ROI on new technologies: Understanding the difference between trendy and value-added technologies
2:55 pm - 3:25 pm
Panel: Balancing Scalability with Affordability: How do you Develop a Multi-Site Deployment Strategy that Anticipates the Project Risks you will Encounter?
Shawn D. Phillips -
Smart Connected Factory Manager – Tractors and Combines,
John Deere
Companies that are looking to deploy connected worker solutions across multiple sites can face several challenges as each plant invariably comes with its own nuanced architecture, siloed data sets and different technical maturity levels. Join this panel to discuss:
- Developing a multi-site strategy with scalable growth in mind from the start
- Overcoming a lack of standardization and siloed data sets across your plants
- Understanding the implementation challenges you will encounter with diverse workforce demographics across multiple sites
- The importance of leadership alignment and the creation of communities of best practice
3:25 pm - 3:55 pm
Closing Keynote Panel: Cyber Security for Smart Factories: Strategies for Managing OT Cyber Threats in Complex Environments
Piotr Topor -
Director of Information Security & Governance,
LSC Communications
Matt Luallen - Lead Research Scientist, University of Illinois
Michael Tanji - Director Cyber Security, MxD
Erwin Eimers - General Manager, IT & Cybersecurity, Sumitomo Chemical
Manufacturing was one of the top sectors targeted by cyber criminals in 2023. With the introduction of smart factory initiatives, the attack surface for criminals to exploit has widened and this is likely to increase with data analytics and AI driven automation opening up new vulnerabilities across connected systems. Join this session to discuss:
- How do manufacturers build security controls into smart factory transformation projects?
- What type of risks exist in smart factories?
- Establishing a formal cyber governance program for OT
- Investing in a cyber security program that extends across IT/OT Infrastructure
