Agenda

2023 now agenda available! Contact us to review agenda.

We are always looking for inspiring stories of tech-led innovation!
If you are interested in sharing your experience with other manufacturers please contact us.

DAY 1: Tuesday April 26, 2022

7.30 am
Networking & Refreshments

KEYNOTES: WHAT ADVANCED MANUFACTURING LOOKS LIKE

7.30 am
Networking & Refreshments
-KATHY MILLER, CO-FOUNDER, OPSISTERS (IN)
8.45 am    
Presentation: CONFRONTING THE COMMON CHALLENGE: STEPS TO FIXING THE SUPPLY CHAIN IN 2022

Before the pandemic, most manufacturers could focus primarily on market growth, and now the focus for many is how to address supply chain problems, raw material shortages and the broken components of logistics.

Join and gain immense insights from this data analytics leader, responsible for driving operational efficiencies within ABB’s manufacturing plant and supply chain, as well as solving customers’ challenges. Hear the latest on how to leverage data and analytics when tackling the supply chain issue, discover which partners you need to help with inventory management and planning, and how to transform teams and processes.

- MICHAEL THORNE, DATA ANALYTICS ARCHITECTURE LEAD – ELECTRIFICATION BUSINESS AREA, ABB (NC)
9.10 am
Presentation: THE WHY, WHAT & HOW: MICHELIN’S DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION JOURNEY
- CHAD CORBIN, DIGITAL MANUFACTURING LEADER, MICHELIN, (SC)
9.30 am 
Presentation: ADVANCING MANUFACTURING- STARTING WITH THE BUSINESS OUTCOME & TRANSFORMING THROUGH TECHNOLOGY

Meet to hear different perspectives from those who have done it already, and those who have helped them, as they address the important ‘Ps’ to help you get started with tech-led smart manufacturing, or to help reevaluate, your digital transformation strategies.

Questions to be answered include…
PEOPLE: How to address labor shortages, and build the right teams? Which roles should collaborate to ensure implementation does not fail
PLAN: Where do you start? And how do you win over skeptics to gain buy-in? Why is automation investment crucial now more than ever?
PROCESSES: How do you get your ERP, MES, and PLM seamlessly communicating? How do you automate business processes for more seamless change management?
PARTNERS: How do you ensure you choose a vendor that suits you? Which platforms, tools, systems, etc. work together well and can scale?

Moderator: JOSEPH ETRIS, VP OF IOT SOLUTIONS, GEMBA SYSTEMS (SC)
- RAMY HARIK, CHIEF MANUFACTURING OFFICER, NEPHRON PHARMACEUTICALS (SC)
- CHRIS MERCURIO, CONNECTED INDUSTRY CONSULTANT DC/PJ-I4.0, BOSCH REXROTH (NC)- CHAD CORBIN, DIGITAL MANUFACTURING LEADER, MICHELIN, (SC)
10.10 am
NETWORKING & REFRESHMENT BREAK

DIVING INTO INDUSTRY 4.0 & BEYOND

10.55 am
Panel Discussion: INDUSTRY X.0 101 - STARTING SMART MANUFACTURING

This panel brings together large, medium, and small-sized manufacturers to focus on how to get started with digitalization. Hear stories on how manufacturers took their first steps away from manual, pen and paper, analog management, and implemented real-time digital tools and leveraged the power of data.

Panelists discuss where they drew inspiration for digital transformation and what they learned along the way. Take away lessons in:
Gaining buy-in for digital initiatives.
How to run pilots while avoiding downtime and avoid purgatory.
Coaching, and getting people behind new technology.
How to coordinate across different teams and plants, without stunting creativity.
The technologies they started with, and initial results.
Where they are today, and where they want to be.

Moderator: MIKE DEMOS, SOUTH CAROLINA COORDINATOR, OPEXCHANGE (SC)
- MIKE CUGGY, GLOBAL OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE LEADER, ASTENJOHNSON (SC)
- ROBERT STUCKY, LEAD MANUFACTURING ENGINEER, SYLVANSPORT (NC)
- ERIN WELKEN, PLANT OPERATIONS MANAGER, CORNING (NC)
- MEG LANZA, US HEAD OF TECHNOLOGY at BSH – BOSCH’S HOME APPLIANCES (SC)
11.35 am
Presentation:  INTRODUCTION TO SERVITIZATION - ENGINEERING EXPERIENCES, NOT JUST PRODUCTS

Join this large, global manufacturer to understand what the later steps of digital transformation can bring. Understand how data is enabling manufacturers to deliver the service, not just the product.
Begin by exploring the term ‘Servitization’. And get details of what IoT has allowed manufacturers' suite of products and services?
Dig deep into how to leverage the data yielded from 5G connectivity and IoT to create end-to-end experiences e.g., customization, upgrades, repairs, platforms, and user communities.

- JAN PINGEL, PRODUCT LEADER, DIGITAL SOLUTIONS, INGERSOLL RAND (NC)
12.25 pm
NETWORKING & REFRESHMENT BREAK
1.30 pm    
Presentation:  DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION: GETTING IT WRONG UNTIL YOU GET IT RIGHT

Join to hear this digitalization journey within Boeing; discover the steps and sore points of going from a whiteboard to company standard.

See the full lifecycle of removing a paper chain to creating a full digital kit, cutting down administration time and utilizing data effectively. Hear how to get business buy-in, what it involves when taking plans from the factory floor to IT adoption.

- THOMAS ORTIZ, DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION LEADER, BOEING (SC)
1.55 pm
Presentation: ACCELERATE YOUR DIGITALIZATION JOURNEY TO ACHIEVE AN INTELLIGENT FACTORY WITH INDUSTRY 4.0

Digitalization of manufacturing operations is and will continue to be a top priority in coming years for most of manufacturing organizations. The traditional path with silos of multiple solutions and application stacked in different parts of the business poses multiple challenges. Challenge examples include – higher time to deploy, innovation cost, and overall achievement of potential of benefits. To achieve the transformation goals and speed up incremental benefits achievements, it is:

Critical to have one integrated data flow from initial Product Design through Planning and Manufacturing and Delivery including all Operational processes that support each phase.
Important to also have integrated processes that span across business functions from the design in an engineering department, to production on the shopfloor, on-time logistics/traceable material flow and finally maintenance and service operations – until an asset is sunset as a single digital thread.
Key to enable these processes work on common taxonomy to achieve a cohesive approach to production and intralogistics processes, while also empowering workers for better productivity through bi-directional machine to machine, person to person and machine to person connectivity.

In this session, you hear examples of companies who have enabled factory and plant process transformations at enterprise scale with an approach towards Industry 4.0 best practices. This comprehensive, yet simple approach helps mitigate innovation challenges for customers looking to reinvent production, intralogistics, quality, maintenance, and service processes to build the journey toward Intelligent factory and plants and to embark on journey which creates a competitive advantage, increases productivity, and – ultimately – improves business performance.

- RAKESH GANDHI, VP DIGITAL SUPPLY CHAIN & INDUSTRY 4.0 CUSTOMER INNOVATION HUB, SAP (MD)
2.15 pm
Presentation:  BUSINESS AGILITY IN A ‘PROJECT TO PRODUCT’ TRANSFORMATION: BALANCING TYPE OF TEAMS, WORK, AND PEOPLE

The digital transformation of business has a huge impact on IT, and often barriers are faced when it comes to IT integration. IT/OT Convergence is the biggest pain point for manufacturers as they digitalize and embrace Industry 4.0. Tying together teams, solutions, partners, and infrastructure components, requires a lot of analysis around better ways of working.

In this session we will take a high-level view of Business Agility and the concept of migrating from a Project Mindset to a Product Mindset. Business Agility is the ability to compete and thrive in the digital age by quickly responding to market changes and emerging opportunities with innovative, digitally enabled business solutions. We will look at balancing our transformation from Projects to Products, focusing on types of teams, work, and people. The goal is to give you a starting point for each of the important concepts to help you in your specific journey.

- DAVID WADE, SENIOR AGILE TRANSFORMATION COACH, BOEING (SC)
2.40 pm
NETWORKING & REFRESHMENT BREAK

DEVELOPING A WORKFORCE FOR THE DIGITAL AGE

3.20 pm
Presentation: DON'T SLEEP ON A LEAN JOB: ENGAGING YOUR PEOPLE IN TRANSFORMATION
- JOSEPH STANFORD, SR. MANAGER OF ENGINEERING, SLEEP NUMBER (SC)
3.45 pm
Presentation:  ASSESSING THE PAYBACK - INVESTING IN REAL-TIME LOCATING SYSTEM ASSISTANCE

When and how do you decide to take the leap with a technology investment? Join Eric Borowicz, General Manager of AFL Accessories in South Carolina, to understand the complexities of a build to order job shop, and which technologies are helping to assist systems, and bring time and cost savings. Benefit from a 360 view of the delivery and implementation of a new technology investment. And then, gain real life examples of the advantages brought to the operations of a ‘spaghetti shop’, and a view of the new possibilities automated processes bring to customer service.

- ERIC BOROWICZ, GENERAL MANAGER, AFL ACCESSORIES (SC)
4.10 pm
Panel Discussion: ADVANCING PEOPLE & SKILLS TO ENSURE MANUFACTURING PROWESS

To get true ROI from your technology investment, you need to take your people with you and gain buy-in at all levels. However, this is much easier said than done, especially in a time of labor shortages and skills gaps.

This broad range of panelists bring a mix of perspectives and tips on people management, answering questions and discussing:
What does Manufacturing X.0 management look like? Coaching and leading through change.
Which do core competencies are required in the digital age, and how do you train, and assess?
What is the best way to fill a skills gap- do you build your own ‘digital brain’ or outsource?
Steps to inclusive recruitment and diverse teams.

Moderator: JON QUIGLEY, COLUMN WRITER, PMTIPS, ASSEMBLY MAG & AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRIES ONLINE (NC)
- IDA STÅHL, SENIOR MANAGER, VOLVO CARS (SC)
- ALICIA LOPEZ FLOYD, HR LEADERSHIP NEXT SENIOR PROGRAM MANAGER, BOEING (SC)
- ANN WYATT, PRESIDENT/AGENCY OWNER, ANN WYATT RECRUITING (AL)
4.50 pm
MANUFACTURING X.0 INNOVATION DEN

This session will consist of 3 x 10-minute pitch-style presentations focused on how new, innovative vendors’ products or platforms are bringing savings and efficiencies, followed by comments and questions from our judging board, and audience vote.
The winner will be announced at the beginning of Day 2 of the conference.

4.50 pm – Judge’s Intro
4.55 – 5.05 pm    PITCH 1: CHRISTOPHER LEWIS, SENIOR DIRECTOR, SOLUTION CONSULTING, INFOR
5.05 – 5.10 pm    Judges’ Q&A
5.10 – 5.20 pm    PITCH 2: AMANDA DOTTEN, SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE, SYMPHONY INDUSTRIAL AI
5.20 – 5.25 pm    Judges’ Q&A
5.25 – 5.35 pm    PITCH 3: JASON ADAIR, VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES, AIRGAP NETWORKS INC.
5.35 – 5.40 pm    Judges’ Q&A

Judges:
BRYAN BAUW, HEAD OF MANUFACTURING & PARTNER, PRIME MOVERS LAB (AL)
DANIEL GAMBRELL, INVESTMENT ASSOCIATE, SCRA: SOUTH CAROLINA RESEARCH AUTHORITY (SC)
RHONDA HUSKINS, REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT, SCMEP (SC)
MIKE UNGAR, BUSINESS COACH, FOCALPOINT (SC)
5.40 – 6.45pm
CLOSE OF DAY 1 & NETWORKING DRINKS RECEPTION

DAY 2: Wednesday April 27, 2022

8.15 am
Networking & Refreshments

KEYNOTES: FUTURE RESILIENCE

7.30 am.
CHAIRPERSON’S OPENING REMARKS
- MIKE UNGAR, BUSINESS COACH, FOCALPOINT (SC)
9.10 am
Presentation: A SIMPLE STRATEGIST'S GUIDE

Transforming operations and augmenting human capabilities to drive scalable value. There can be no success without a vision. Join Peggy Gulick, a renowned smart factory leader as she shares her invaluable insights on:
There can be no success without a vision
           ⦾ Evolution vs revolution
           ⦾ Rethinking how we work
Culture eats strategy for breakfast and technology for lunch
           ⦾ Continuous Innovation, the new continuous improvement
When you have the ideas, but the plants have the money
Millennials, meet the Gen Z workforce
           ⦾ Upskilling for factory of the future

- PEGGY GULICK, DIRECTOR, SMART FACTORY, KOHLER (WI)
9.35 am
Presentation: THE DIGITAL T’S - THREADS, TWINS, TECHNOLOGY, & TRANSFORMATION

Learn about the history of 3D model-based engineering (MBE), which some years ago fostered the creation of the Digital Thread and enabled improved integration between engineering, manufacturing, suppliers, and sustainment. Gain further knowledge of the plethora of advanced manufacturing technologies such as automation, optical projection, and non-contact metrology.

Then examine Digital Twins, a close relative of the digital thread, and how the digital representations of physical or virtual assets engendered the use of modeling and simulation to reduce the cost and span for product development and testing.

Analyze how together these technologies comprise Digital Transformation, focused on increasing enterprise speed, agility, insight, and competitiveness, and what distinct advantages they can bring to your business.

Moderator: JOSEPH ETRIS, VP OF IOT SOLUTIONS, GEMBA SYSTEMS (SC)
- KIRSTEN BOOTH, SENIOR MANAGER, MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING, ROLLS ROYCE (SC)
- CHETAN POLAVARAM, GLOBAL DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION LEADER, COCA-COLA COMPANY (GA)
- THOMAS ORTIZ, DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION LEADER, BOEING (SC)
- JOHN CADE FARRIS, CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT MANAGER, SUNLAND LOGISTICS SOLUTIONS (SC)
- MINA HOSTAGE, COMMERICAL EXEC, DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION, TULIP (SC)
10.00 am
NETWORKING & REFRESHMENT BREAK

MANAGING INVESTMENT & IMPLEMENTATION

11.45 am
Presentation: INDUSTRIAL CYBERSECURITY ISN'T A DESTINATION—IT'S A JOURNEY. WHERE DO YOU BEGIN?

Join this session and leave with key takeaways in:

1. Defining the OT, IoT, IIoT, XIoT and why securing it is critical to the uptime and safety of your OT environment.
2. Best practices for getting started with an XIoT asset visibility program.
3. Common pitfalls other manufacturing teams have faced in their journey to gaining visibility into the XIoT, and how you can avoid them.
4. Next steps in the journey to securing the XIoT once you gain visibility.
5. How to measure the success of your XIoT visibility program.

RYAN BOWERY, PRINCIPAL SOLUTIONS ENGINEER, CLAROTY
12.05 pm
Presentation: MANAGING RISK TOGETHER: HOW CAN PARTNERS AT A STATE-LEVEL AID YOUR ADVANCEMENT?

Hear how regional bodies can support manufacturers’ plans to advance their manufacturing processes and people through technology investment.
Learn the moves being taken to overcome labor shortages, attract and upskill talent and investment in South Carolina.
Dig into the resources available for small and midsize industrial producers.
Ask your questions directly to the panel, to pinpoint how local partners can back your business goals and lower the risk of your investment.

Moderator: MIKE UNGAR, BUSINESS COACH, FOCALPOINT (SC)
- ANDY CARR, SVP - OPERATIONS, SC MEP (SC)
- CYNTHIA DAVIS, BUSINESS & INDUSTRY PROGRAM MANAGER, SC DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (SC)
- CATHERINE HAYES, INDUSTRY MANAGER, SCRA: SOUTH CAROLINA RESEARCH AUTHORITY (SC)
- JAMES RITCHER, DIRECTOR OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, SOUTH CAROLINA MANUFACTURERS ALLIANCE (SC)
- SUSIE SHANNON, PRESIDENT & CEO, SOUTH CAROLINA COUNCIL ON COMPETITIVENESS (SC)
12.50 am
Presentation: INVESTING FOR SCALE IN HARD TECH
- BYRAN BAUW, HEAD OF MANUFACTURING & PARTNER, PRIME MOVERS LAB (AL)
1.10 pm
NETWORKING & LUNCH BREAK

TODAY’S TECHNOLOGIES DRIVING EFFICIENCIES & SPEED

2.10 pm
Presentation: XR-BASED TECHNOLOGY: FROM PLAYSTATIONS TO THE PLANT FLOOR

The use of mixed reality in manufacturing has become more and more prevalent in production and design, and now XR tools are starting to transform the industrial workforce training and development, driven undoubtedly in part by the widespread shift to work from home policies. Join this expert to determine how XR training can help you overcome the challenges of a retiring workforce, the skills gap, and safety concerns when returning to the plant and office.

NICHOLAUS HUGHES, DIGITAL EXPERIENCE DESIGNER, XR LEAD, AMSTED RAIL (SC)
2.35 pm
Presentation: LARGE LANGUAGE MODELS AND MANUFACTURING APPLICATIONS
- SANDEEP JEEREDDY, RESEARCH & INNOVATION ENGINEER, BMW GROUP (SC)
3.00 pm
 Group Sessions: INNOVATION TABLES: NOW IT IS TIME TO ACT!

Work with fellow manufacturing attendees, share ideas, challenge ideas, and have fun!
Join one of three groups.
60 minute engaging and interactive sessions.
Discussion is led and facilitated by subject experts.
Summarize the key conclusions you will take back to the office.

Group discussion centered around:
1. What did you come to learn at the conference?
2. Where are you up to in your digital transformation journey, and did you have a specific problem to solve?
3. Which application of Industry 4.0 impressed you the most? Why?
4. What is one discovery from the conference that you will be taking back to your company that will be a quick win to improve business results?
5. Who have you met at the conference that you will reach out to after the conference?  And for what purpose?

Group Facilitators:
- MIKE UNGAR, BUSINESS COACH, FOCALPOINT (SC)
- BRIAN KUNEY, SCMEP REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT (SC)
- JERRY PILEWSKI, FOCALPOINT BUSINESS COACH (SC)
- TONY MOORE, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, SCMEP (SC)
- JOHN RONEY, OWNER, FOCALPOINT (SC)
4.00 –4.20 pm
WRAP UP & CHAIR’S CLOSING REMARKS
Hear the group leaders share key points discussed on each Innovation Table during the previous session, and final remarks from the day’s Chairperson.

MX.0 Past Attendees Include:

2023 MX.0 Southeast Agenda

We are always looking for inspiring stories of tech-led innovation!
If you are interested in sharing your experience with other manufacturers please contact us.

*Manufacturer Passes are awarded at the discretion of LCA Content & Events. Manufacturer Passes are available for approved manufacturers now using, purchasing or exploring technology solutions and working within a manufacturing company in roles including Continuous Improvement, Data Analytics & Science, Digital Transformation, Engineering, Field Services, HR, Diversity & Inclusion, Innovation , IT, Manufacturing Operations, Plant Facilities & Management, Procurement, Product Development, R&D, Security, Technology Development, Supply Chain & Logistics. A LinkedIn profile URL or business card are required to register for the Manufacturer Pass. Those working within Marketing, Sales, Account Management, PR and other client facing roles are required to purchase the Solution Partner Pass.Academic/ Association/Not-for-Profit organization complimentary passes are also awarded at the discretion of LCA Content & Events.We thank you for your understanding and cooperation and if you have any questions please email info@mx0events.com

Day 1  |  Wednesday, April 26, 2023

7:00 am
Registration, Networking & Refreshments
8:00 am
Welcome & Speed Networking!
Welcome & Speed Networking! Rise and shine! Let’s getmoving and make some new friends before we dive into a full day of brain powered discussion and learning. Participate in our popular networking session to meet as many people in the room as you canin 15 minutes.
KEYNOTES: LEADING DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION ACROSS YOUR WHOLE BUSINESS, NOT JUST THE FACTORY FLOOR
8:15 am
Chair's Opening Remarks
Jeff Winter, Director, Smart Manufacturing Division, International Society of Automation (ISA)
8:30 am


Presentation
Lessons Learned from Airbus North America's Digital Transformation Journey...So Far
Virginie Collin-Banerji, Head of NA IM Regionalization & Digital Initiatives, Airbus (NC)

Join Airbus' digital transformation leader to get practical lessons in rolling out your digital transformation projects, and what leading implementation and cultural change actually looks like in a real-life setting.

Hear experiences and lessons learned, to pinpoint:
• How to build and implement automation, and quickly, to avoid lost time and money for your business.
• How to identify the tools and systems needed to automate your businesses’ needs, and how to integrate new software into your legacy systems.
• How to ensure your talent is aligned with your tools and technology to avoid pilot purgatory.

Virginie Collin-Banerji, Head of NA IM Regionalization & Digital Initiatives, Airbus (NC)

8:55 am

Presentation
Business Process Management: Applying Supply Chain Thinking Beyond the Shop Floor
Mike Fitzmaurice, Chief Evangelist & VP - North America, WEBCON

If you asked me to describe supply chain thinking, I’d say it involves a strategic and holistic approach to managing the flow of goods, information, and finances from suppliers to end customers. It emphasizes collaboration, efficiency, and agility to respond to changing customer demands and market conditions.

I’d describe business process management the same way, except that it applies to nearly every facet of running a business. By engineering business functions (sales, HR, finance, marketing, etc.) with a common goal of meeting customer needs, manufacturers can reduce costs, improve quality, eliminate errors, increase speed to market, build employee excellence, and enhance customer satisfaction.

Processes are also necessary for a sound digital automation strategy; you can’t achieve digital transformation without both. Join us to hear several real-world examples of companies that made this work with exceptional results.

Mike Fitzmaurice, Chief Evangelist & VP - North America, WEBCON 

9:15 am







Panel Discussion
Cross-Departmental, Data-Led, Collaboration: How to Lead a Digital Enterprise & Achieve Business Resilience & Visibility
throughout your Manufacturing & Supply Chain Operations

Moderator:
Joseph Etris, Vice President IoT Solutions, Gemba Systems
- Mike Fitzmaurice, Chief Evangelist & VP - North America, WEBCON 
- Michael Stroebel, Vice President for Information Technology, BMW Group (SC)
- Tim Vibbert, Executive Director & Plant Manager, GE Appliances, a Haier company (KY)

Industry 4.0, or even Industry 5.0, may not be your reality yet but human-technology collaboration is ever-increasing, with the pandemic having sped up technological innovation and adoption.

Digital transformation, at whatever stage, requires collaboration and communication across departments, to avoid pilot purgatory. Many manufacturing businesses are now taking a more holistic approach to tech implementation, striving to be smart enterprises, not just smart factory floors.

Join this panel to hear leaders from different parts of the product journey to learn from their experiences in working together to ensure technology investments pay off across manufacturing and supply chain operations.

• Gain best practices in data sharing and cross-departmental security policies.
• Hear how to ensure the processes are in place to maximize human and tech efficiency.
• Take away template approaches to people and processes to support successful digital transformation rollout.
• Gain insights into how to recalibrate according to market trends, and the impact of macroeconomic and political shifts.

Moderator: Joseph Etris, Vice President IoT Solutions, Gemba Systems
- Mike Fitzmaurice, Chief Evangelist & VP - North America, WEBCON 
- Michael Stroebel, Vice President for Information Technology, BMW Group (SC)
- Tim Vibbert, Executive Director & Plant Manager, GE Appliances, a Haier company (KY)

9:50 am
Refreshment Break & Networking
10:30 am



Presentation
Supply Chain Resiliency & The Operational Role for Sustainability
Simon Ellis, Group VP, IDC

What are manufacturers and retailers doing to improve supply chain resiliency, how mature are these efforts, and to what degree does sustainability play a role in both the current and future of the supply chain. Simon Ellis, Program Vice President at IDC will review recent survey insights and offer his views on both the near and longer term directions for supply chains.

Simon Ellis, Group VP, IDC

10:50 am

Fireside Chat
Data-driven, Resilient & Sustainable Manufacturing: How to Leverage Data to Reduce Future Risks & Avoid
New Costs
N.Tyrone Ellis, Aftermarket Engineering Leader, Trane Technologies (NC)
Paige Goff, MBA, Vice President, Sustainability, Domtar (SC)
Josh Riggs, Senior Manager, Sustainability, Milliken & Company (SC)

Industry 5.0 might seem like a very distant goal, but sustainable manufacturing, a key pillar of its concept, is already here.

Future regulations, taxes, and a negative impact on manufacturers’ bottom line are lurking, and sustainability practices driven by data are needed to meet future business challenges. This session discusses:

- The business value of ESG and the opportunities for financial gain.
- Upcoming regulatory changes and how to mitigate new costs to small to large manufacturing businesses.
- How to advance and automate data analytics to operationalize sustainability practices in the most efficient way.
- How to set up each step in your sustainability rollout to have the infrastructure in place to scale.
- How to meet your supply chain where they are at and decide on a shared and practical ESG approach.

N.Tyrone Ellis, Aftermarket Engineering Leader, Trane Technologies (NC)
Paige Goff, MBA, Vice President, Sustainability, Domtar (SC)
Josh Riggs, Senior Manager, Sustainability, Milliken & Company (SC)

11:20 am
ROUND TABLE DISCUSSIONS
WestRock Company, INVISTA, Industry 4.0 Club, BMW Group, SCRA

Meet with peers in a closed group discussion led by a senior manufacturer to get to grips with your key challenges.
This is your chance to ask questions to a manufacturer who has already carried out your future plans and probe your peers to find practical solutions collaboratively, benchmarking your approaches. Discussion Group Topics:

Mixed Reality for Training & Workforce Development
Scott Burkey, Technology Fellow, XR, WestRock Company (GA)
Dane Laughlin, Operations Transformation Leader, INVISTA (KS)

Reskilling the Workforce for Industry 4.0 - Where to Begin & What To Do
Mike Ungar, Co-Founder, Industry 4.0 Club
Tim Vibbert, Executive Director & Plant Manager, GE Appliances, a Haier company (KY)

The Effects of Onshoring & How Tech is Helping to Fill the Skills Gap
Michael Stroebel, Vice President for Information Technology, BMW Group (SC)
Jonathan Weiss, Smart Manufacturing and Industrie 4.0 - Advisor and Software Executive

• Defining Industry 4.0 & Digital Transformation for Your Company
Jeff Winter, Director, Smart Manufacturing Division, International Society of Automation (ISA)

12:05 pm
Lunch & Networking
TRACK A: 
STARTING YOUR DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION JOURNEY
track b:
scaling INDUSTRY 4.0
1:05 pm

Track Chair's Welcoming Remarks
Joseph Etris, Vice President IoT Solutions, Gemba Systems
Track Chair's Welcoming Remarks
Cynthia Davis, Existing Industry Team Lead, SC Department of Commerce
1:10 pm














Panel Discussion
Breaking Down Barriers to Entry: How to Set Your Digital & Data-Driven Vision for the Factory Floor to Determine Your Starting Point & Overcome Hesitancy to Tech-led Efficiency

Moderator:
Joseph Etris, Vice President IoT Solutions, Gemba Systems
- Catherine Briley, Director of Industry 4.0 Integration, Cooley Group (NC)
- Meg Lanza, Head of Technology, BSH Home Appliances Group (SC)
- Jason Richardson, Digital Transformation Leader, AstenJohnson (SC)
- Marcos Servilla, Manufacturing Lead, Borg Warner (SC)


Presentation
Case Studies Showing How Global Manufacturing Leaders Are Using Industry 4.0 to Deliver Breakthrough Results
Gustavo Chohfi, VP, Quality Assurance & Continuous Improvement, Cornerstone Building Brands (MI)

Meet with a panel of manufacturing leaders who have implemented a variety of automation technologies on the factory floor to bring operational gain.

Understand how to avoid doing tech for tech’s sake by identifying the technology that matches the business problem that you are trying to solve.

• Discover how to set your vision and measure progress along the way to track the effectiveness of your digital investment.
• Assess low-code/no-code approaches to automation projects and learn how to select the software suitable for your business and team’s needs.
• Brainstorm and benchmark your approach to data: when to start collecting, when is there enough data, and in a manual manufacturing process, what big data can be used, and which decisions can be made using it?
• Hear key tried and tested steps to take, and avoid, when stepping away from manual manufacturing processes.

Moderator: Catherine Hayes, Industry Manager, South Carolina Research Authority (SC)
- Catherine Briley, Director of Industry 4.0 Integration, Cooley Group (NC)
- Meg Lanza, Head of Technology, BSH Home Appliances Group (SC)
- Jason Richardson, Digital Transformation Leader, AstenJohnson (SC)
- Marcos Servilla, Manufacturing Lead, Borg Warner (SC)

Benefit from Gustavo's many years of digital manufacturing leadership as he dives into case studies unpicking:

- How to use data to drive breakthrough quality results.
- How to overcome the challenges of transferring products and production lines to another country (with poor documentation and language barriers).
- How to capture and transfer the knowledge of key employees.

Gustavo Chohfi, VP, Quality Assurance & Continuous Improvement, Cornerstone Building Brands (MI)

1:40 pm




Presentation
Technologies, Tools & Talent: How to Digitally Transform Existing Tools & Actions to Bring Immediate Advancements to Your Production
Karthikk Munirathinam, Director - Digitalization, Schaeffler (NC)
1:30 pm - Presentation
Spatial Computing in Manufacturing: How to Prepare & What to Invest in the Future Platform
Nick Hughes, Digital Experience Designer, Amsted Rail (SC)

Hear how to implement new technologies, and learn the steps to achieving tangible benefits.Exploring case studies in automated tuggers/automation, AI and mobile apps, everyday tools, and more.

Karthikk Munirathinam, Director - Digitalization, Schaeffler (NC)

Industry pros says that spatial computing is the next iteration of computing platforms. Join this session to investigate spatial computing and how it is empowering actual digital transformation in manufacturing.

Learn how Amsted is creating high-fidelity, interactive digital twins and how video game engines are helping reimagine the management of automated production lines. Explore these topics in depth and peek into Amsted’s current XR portfolio.

Gain an understanding of spatial computing to determine how itwill disrupt manufacturing operations in the next five years.

Take away insights into the components to invest in to bring real value to your business, and those over-hyped trends to avoid putting your dollars into.

Nick Hughes, Digital Experience Designer, Amsted Rail (SC)

2:00 pm














Presentation
Practical Analytics: How to Use the Tools You Already Have to Improve Real-time Visibility, Enable Better Decision-Making, Align People Across Roles & Hierarchies, & Drive Top & Bottom-Line Results
Eric Borowicz, General Manager - Accessories, AFL (SC)
1:50 - 2:20 pm - Panel Discussion
Transformation at Scale: How to Take Stock Of & Consolidate Different Systems to Implement Secure, Digital Plans & Processes Across Multiple Sites

Moderator:
Coral Warren, Project Engineer, Polaris (AL)
- Erin Chase, Director, Operations Excellence & Digital Manufacturing, Johnson Controls (NC)
- Framarz Mistry, Director, Design Technology, Mohawk Industries (GA)
- Marco Rabe, Director Strategic Projects, Continental Tires (IL)


Are you drowning in data, while starving for reliable and actionable insights? Are you spending hours on end updating, double-checking, and refining ever-expanding Excel sheets and manual reports? Are the numbers not quite as consistent or reliable as you’d like? Could the right information help you make better decisions more quickly?

In this powerful testimony, Eric Borowicz from AFL Accessories will share his company’s journey, over the past 2 years, achieving a company-wide culture change towards data-driven decision-making, management by exception, and continuous improvement.

Among other useful and practical insights, Eric will share:
•How the process got started and has evolved over the past 2 years
•Which departments and use cases have benefitted the most so far - and how
•Which analytics and other tools his company has been using on their “data journey”
•How he’s nurtured the adoption of a data-driven mindset across his entire organization•How to assess the ROI, and justify the initial and continued investment
•What’s been the overall impact of “practical analytics” at AFL Accessories

Eric Borowicz, General Manager - Accessories, AFL (SC)



Moderator: Coral Warren, Project Engineer, Polaris (AL)
- Erin Chase, Director, Operations Excellence & Digital Manufacturing, Johnson Controls (NC)
- Anand Jaiswal, Director, Industry 4.0, Mativ (GA)
- Framarz Mistry, Director, Design Technology, Mohawk Industries (GA)
- Marco Rabe, Director Strategic Projects, Continental Tires (IL)

How do you achieve standardized digital transformation at scale? Join these leaders from global manufacturing players to identify the steps that need to be taken when scaling digital transformation strategies.

Answer questions such as where do you start when you have multiple ERPs, across multiple sites and systems are disconnected, and speak different languages? And then, how do you go about tackling legacy systems, and cybersecurity across national, or even global, manufacturing organizations? And, what about getting your people on board, your most important asset?

2:20 pm
Refreshments & Networking
3:00 pm





Presentation
Confronting Cybersecurity & Regulatory Changes: Steps a Small Manufacturer Needs to Take to Ensure Compliance with Cybersecurity Standards
- Allison Giddens, President, Director of Operations, Win-Tech, Inc. (GA)
- Andy Sauer, Partner & CISO, Sentinel Blue (VA)

Presentation
Winning with the Digital Twin: Intelligent Design & Production
Nick Hughes, Digital Experience Designer, Amsted Rail (SC)

You’re a small manufacturer in an industry that requires you to be compliant with cybersecurity standards to play in the sandbox. You see on LinkedIn that your competitor recently shut its doors after a devastating ransomware attack. Your email is inundated with vendors telling you “Our product is exactly what you need to get compliant.” Is your head spinning?

In this presentation, a small manufacturer discusses their experience in building cybersecurity maturity and compliance readiness.
Learn how to prioritize security to ensure compliance comes more naturally
Understand shared compliance responsibilities of both the business seeking an MSP partner, and the MSP
Gain real-life insights and shared experiences from an MSP/SMB partnership.

- Allison Giddens, President, Director of Operations, Win-Tech, Inc. (GA)
- Andy Sauer, Partner & CISO, Sentinel Blue (VA)

Digital twins allow data to be turned into intelligent action, offering to replicate what is happening to an actual specific product in the real world. Join this session to understand how the digital twin helps your organization exactly, the value they have brought to products and services to date, plus, what the future holds for AI + Digital Twins.

Start with the basics: what is the difference between a Digital Twin and a simulation? And how have IoT and data enabled the power of the Twin? What are the common errors to avoid that slow the Digital Twin process down, and how do you avoid them? How do you go from initial design to accurate replicas?

Also, do you recognize the advantages of using Digital Twins as a larger smart manufacturing platform or to virtually test other new technologies? Engage to answer all your questions, and don’t be left behind.

Nick Hughes, Digital Experience Designer, Amsted Rail (SC)

3:20 pm




Presentation
Advantages of a Lean Supply Chain Strategy: Resilience, Efficiency & Cost Savings
Bob Daymon, Head of TM Operations, Uber Freight
3:20 pm - Presentation
Digitizing Enterprise Workflows: How to Improve Experience & Drive Action Across the Entire Manufacturing Value
Allen Hackman, Area Vice President/General Manager Manufacturing Industry, ServiceNow

In this session, Bob will delve into the advantages of a lean supply chain strategy and best practices for improving supply chain resilience and transportation stabilization to optimize overall operations. He’ll discuss examples of companies that have successfully implemented lean principles within the supply chain to increase productivity and reduce costs. He’ll also cover the importance of improving stability in transportation planning and execution, and how technology can unlock greater access to capacity, flexibility, and efficiency.

Audience Takeaways:
• How to adopt lean principles to drive greater supply chain efficiency and resilience.
• How technology enables greater visibility into supply chain operations as well as broader market conditions.
• How companies can improve supply chain stability and better navigate market disruptions.

Bob Daymon, Head of TM Operations, Uber Freight

Reimagine how work gets done by leveraging a single digital workflow platform to improve experience and action across the entire manufacturing value chain. Learn how having a single digital thread weaving disparate people, processes and technologies together can improve productivity, reduce risk, and increase revenue.

During this session, attendees will gain insight into:
• How organizations can reduce time to market for new products
• Improve supplier collaboration and reduce supply chain risk
• Secure your enterprise technology assets (including operational technology) and prevent downtime from cyberattacks
• Digitize factory-floor processes to lower costs, survive labor shortages and transition to smart factories
• Improve customer experience and reduce the cost to serve

Allen Hackman, Area Vice President/General Manager Manufacturing Industry, ServiceNow

3:40 pm






Panel Discussion
The AI Gamechanger: How to Apply AI to Data Analysis to Future-proof Production & Processes

Moderator:
Suzanne Dickerson, Director of SC Fraunhofer USA Alliance, SC Council of Competitiveness (SC)
- Matthew Hill, Industry 4.0 Transformation Manager, Michelin North America (SC)
- Phil Hunt, Chief Architect, Orange Bees
- Dr. Marcel Schaefer, Senior Research Scientist, Fraunhofer USA (SC)

Gain a 101 in AI. Define what AI looks like in manufacturing with those working with it on the factory floor, and hear:

Real life case studies of how AI has improved manufacturing production with financial benefits.
The AI solutions available and how to assess them based on your business needs.
Essential steps to take during AI implementation, and common mistakes to avoid, to ensure ROI
How to prepare your people and data to guarantee AI’s effectiveness.

Moderator:
Suzanne Dickerson, Director of SC Fraunhofer USA Alliance, SC Council of Competitiveness
-
Matthew Hill, Industry 4.0 Transformation Manager, Michelin North America (SC)
- Phil Hunt, Chief Architect, Orange Bees
- Dr. Marcel Schaefer
, Senior Research Scientist, Fraunhofer USA (SC)

4:10 pm
Quick Coffee Break
4:25 pm
Afternoon Chair's Address
Jeff Winter, Director, Smart Manufacturing Division, International Society of Automation (ISA)
4:30 pm




Innovation Den
- Brandon Rudnicki, Enterprise Account Executive - Automotive North America, NavVis
- Tim Felbinger, Founder & CEO, StartProto
- Devin Bhushan, Founder & CEO, Squint, Inc

This ‘shark tank’ session will consist of 3 x 10-minute pitch-style presentations showcasing the latest vendor innovations on the market!

Hear 10-minute presentations on hot solutions, then listen to the presenter answer the judging board’s questions for five minutes, before voting for the product you find to be the most impressive, via the Event App.

4:30 pm: Judges’ Intro
Bryan Bauw, Professor, University of North Alabama & Investor
Erin Chase, Director, Operations Excellence & Digital Manufacturing, Johnson Controls (NC)
Daniel Gambrell, Investment Associate, South Carolina Research Authority


4:35 pm: Pitch 1 + Q&A- Bridge the Gap Between the Physical and Digital World

Brandon Rudnicki, Enterprise Account Executive - Automotive North America, NavVis

4:50 pm: Pitch 2 + Q&A - Fixing Communication Barriers in Manufacturing
Tim Felbinger, Founder & CEO, StartProto

5:05 pm: Pitch 3 + Q&A - Create Impact Today: How Squint Revolutionizes Manufacturing Operations, Maintenance & Training

Devin Bhushan, Founder & CEO, Squint, Inc

5:20 pm








Closing Panel Discussion
The Future Digital Manufacturer: How to Rethink & Retrain to Mitigate the Challenges Caused by
Skills Gaps, Varying Levels of Employee Experience & Different Learning Needs

Moderator:
Ramy Harik, Professor, University of South Carolina (SC)
- Scott Burkey, Technology Fellow, XR, WestRockCompany (GA)
- Andy Carr, President/ CEO, South Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (SC)
- Manuele D’Aversa, CEO & General Manager, Linde+Wiemann US Inc (SC)
- Hao Dinh, Vice President of Technology, Enpro & First Movers Fellow, Aspen Institute (NC)
- Rebecca Short, Director of Operations, Center for Workforce Development, Clemson University (SC)

Technology is changing manufacturing systems and tools rapidly but, at present, humans are still very much central to technology’s success. Today, the fluctuating levels of skills and experience, and gaps in the labor market, present a strong roadblock to manufacturers looking to get the most out of their technology investment. From education systems, to approaches to internal training, there are few who don’t agree change is needed.

Join this panel of experts to learn how you can play your part in leading change and bring future financial benefits to your industry.

Key Discussion Points:

How can commercial, education, state, and government bodies improve collaboration to standardize the skillsets needed by manufacturing companies, and advance productivity and effectiveness?
What steps can education programs take to enhance engineers’ employability, and what can those working within the manufacturing industry do to support the development of future talent?
What can be done to innovate workforce training alongside your systems to ensure that decade-old practices are not being used to teach modern-day techniques?
How to rethink your technology implementation strategy and training approaches to overcome hesitancy, and even fear, of new digital technologies.
How can you use immersive technologies to support and teach Gen Z employees?

Moderator: Ramy Harik, Professor, University of South Carolina (SC)
-
Scott Burkey, Technology Fellow, XR, WestRockCompany (GA)
-
Andy Carr, President/ CEO, South Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (SC)
-
Manuele D’Aversa, CEO &General Manager, Linde+Wiemann US Inc (SC)
-
Hao Dinh, Vice President of Technology, Enpro & First Movers Fellow, Aspen Institute (NC)
-
Rebecca Short, Director of Operations, Center for Workforce Development, Clemson University (SC)

6:00 pm
Chair's Closing Remarks & Announcement of the 2023 MX.0 Southeast Innovation Den Winner
Jeff Winter, Director, Smart Manufacturing Division, International Society of Automation (ISA)
6:05 pm -7:15 pm
Drinks & Networking
Intro

For the first time a team of Webflow experts will get together in order to teach you personally

No many people will have this kind of opportunity, so get ready and prepare for the most productive, full of learning and a lot of fun at the Webflow conference.

Jorge Natielly

Conference Director

Yes, the deal is real.
We will have our first Webflow
Conference!

Collaboratively administrate turnkey channels whereas virtual e-tailers.

Objectively seize scalable metrics whereas proactive e-services. Seamlessly empower fully researched growth strategies and interoperable internal or “organic” sources.

Credibly innovate granular internal or “organic” sources whereas high standards in web-readiness. Energistically scale future-proof core competencies vis-a-vis impactful experiences.

Dramatically synthesize integrated schemas with optimal networks.
Interactively procrastinate high-payoff content without backward-compatible data.

160+

Participants

We are expecting more than 160
attendees this year. Limited seats available, get yours today!

06

Speakers

We are expecting more than 290
attendees this year. Limited seats available, get yours today!

12

Workshops

We are expecting more than 290
attendees this year. Limited seats available, get yours today!

Video

Take a look to our event presentation video for this year

Have a insider look to what we have been preparing for your upcoming visit!

Sponsors

This year we count with the presence of amazing sponsors

We want to thank to each and one of this year sponsors, this event would'n be possible without them

Features

From the workshops to the hands on training you will very busy every day

This is a learning experience and we want to make sure you get the most of us in this event.

Hans on Training

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Learn more

Lots of Knowledge

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Experienced teachers

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Intro

Our speaker are experts in their respective Webflow platform areas

They know what they are talking about, so pay close attention to what they have to say!

Perks

If you are searching for a conference that has it all, you should come this year with us

Seriously, we have it all. From the experts to the awesome place, plus a bunch of nice people.

Hans on Training

Seamlessly empower fully researched growth strategies and interoperable internal or “organic” sources.

Expert Speakers

Seamlessly empower fully researched growth strategies and interoperable internal or “organic” sources.

One On One Training

Seamlessly empower fully researched growth strategies and interoperable internal or “organic” sources.

Explanation Videos

Seamlessly empower fully researched growth strategies and interoperable internal or “organic” sources.

Live Streaming

Seamlessly empower fully researched growth strategies and interoperable internal or “organic” sources.

Q&A Sessions

Seamlessly empower fully researched growth strategies and interoperable internal or “organic” sources.