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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

• 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.

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.

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?