8:00 AM ET: Hypertherm Associates - Digital Manufacturing Transformation

Brendan Walsh, IT Business Relationship Manager for Engineering, Supply Chain, Hypertherm Associates

Hypertherm Associates, an employee-owned company, is dedicated to achieving positive outcomes across its triple bottom line: People, Planet, and Profit. With a strong history of empowered continuous improvement, we have innovatively addressed individual challenges across our seven manufacturing facilities. While this ungoverned approach led to rapid profitability and revenue growth in the 2000s, it also resulted in significant technical debt. Currently, we manage over 200 customized shop floor software solutions, reporting to more than 50 disparate databases across our machining, assembly, and automation manufacturing cells. To mitigate this technology risk, we developed the Enterprise Hypertherm Digital Manufacturing Roadmap. This abstract reviews our strategy and progress in deploying an integrated ERP-MES-IoT solution.

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9:00AM ET: Weaving Intelligence into Performance

Victor Venancio, Director of Digital Solutions LatAm, SAMSON GROUP

Everyone talks about Industry 4.0. But what does it actually take to move from theory to real, daily impact on the plant floor? In this session, we’ll show what happens when predictive intelligence is no longer a future goal. But a working part of plant operations. We’ll share a real use case from a production plant, where a near-miss was caught just in time thanks to AI-powered insights based on existing data. No new sensors. No complex integrations. Just smart analysis, human expertise, and timely action that made all the difference. What makes this work? It's not just the technology. It's the way it's delivered. With a “brain behind your data” approach, SAM GUARD combines machine learning with a global team of process engineers who work hand-in-hand with the plant team to ensure the insights don’t just reach the screen - but lead to action. In this session, attendees will gain: A practical model for embedding predictive analytics into everyday workflows Insights into how to surface early warnings from raw operational data Lessons on bridging the gap between digital tools and human decision-making A clear path to align reliability, sustainability, and business outcomes It’s about using what you already have: data, people, and process to prevent failures before they happen and boost performance where it matters most.

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10:00 AM ET: Streamline, Conserve and Reuse: The New Rules of Manufacturing

Joanne Friedman, CEO, Connektedminds Inc.

Scott King, Director of Manufacturing IT, Ford Motor Company

Jeremy Meegan, Channel Sales Manager, SmartSights

Dave Noller, Retired, Virginia Tech

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11:00 AM ET: Smart Manufacturing Intelligence: Transforming Data into Value with AI

Bill Rokos, CTO, Parsec Automation LLC

In today’s fast-paced manufacturing environment, data is abundant, but actionable insights are often out of reach. The challenge is clear: manufacturers are overwhelmed with data but struggle to turn it into value without delays, IT bottlenecks, or complex data science. In this session, we will explore how TrakSYS IQ, an AI-powered manufacturing intelligence solution, transforms raw data into real-time insights—enabling faster, smarter decisions directly on the factory floor. We will begin by discussing the data overload challenge that many manufacturers face, highlighting the impact of delayed decision-making on productivity, sustainability, and profitability. Next, we will introduce TrakSYS IQ, an AI-enhanced feature of the TrakSYS Manufacturing Execution System (MES) that empowers operators, engineers, and decision-makers to access data-driven insights without technical expertise. Attendees will learn how TrakSYS IQ leverages natural language queries, real-time anomaly detection, and predictive analytics to provide a clear, actionable understanding of their operations. Using real-world examples, we will demonstrate how manufacturers have improved efficiency, reduced downtime, and minimized waste by enabling AI-powered insights across their production lines. We will also discuss how this technology aligns with the MESA theme of People, Planet, and Profit by democratizing data for workers (People), optimizing resource usage (Planet), and driving measurable financial outcomes (Profit). Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of how they can harness AI-driven insights in their own facilities, achieving sustainable, profitable growth through smart manufacturing intelligence.

8:00 AM ET: Fostering IT/OT Convergence and Promoting Sustainable Industry Digital Transformation through Modular MES and Digital Product Passports

Thibaut Jouanin, Executive Director of Industry, L-Acoustics

Ayoub Mounaddam, Executive Director of IT & Digital, L-Acoustics

In the rapidly evolving landscape of industrial operations, the convergence of Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) is pivotal for achieving seamless integration and enhanced efficiency. This presentation explores the transformative potential of modular Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and Digital Product Passports (DPP) in driving IT/OT convergence and promoting sustainable industry digital transformation.

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9:00 AM ET: Digital Threads Across the Supply Chain for People, Planet, and Profit

Julie Fraser, VP Research for Operations and
Manufacturing and facilitator of the MESA Smart Manufacturing Community Smart Connected Supply Chain Group, Tech-Clarity

Dave Hinkler, Executive Director, Global Professional Services, On Time Edge

Giorgos Petropoulos, IT Manager, Coffee Island

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10:00 AM ET: Measuring Financial Benefits of Equipment Performance Improvements

Luis Golcher, Senior MES Consultant, IPG

This presentation explores various methods for measuring the financial impact of performance improvements in manufacturing equipment. While multiple approaches exist, the focus will be on evaluating which methods are most practical and effective for assessing the economic benefits of enhancing equipment performance.

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11:00 AM ET: Data is not a 4 letter word

Jeremy Gibbs, Senior Manager, Digital Solutions and Data Centers, ATS Global

In the world of MES (Manufacturing Execution System) implementations, one truth stands firm: data is not a four-letter word—even if it sometimes feels like one. Too often, data gets a bad rap as the tedious, messy, or overwhelming part of the project, but it’s not the villain. In fact, it's the blueprint, the foundation, and the fuel for everything your MES is supposed to deliver. This presentation makes the case that data must be the solid foundation of any MES initiative—because you can’t manage what you haven’t defined. We’ll explore the critical (and often underestimated) importance of identifying what data is needed—and why—early in the project, not halfway through implementation. From the pitfalls of vague data requirements and last-minute clean-up efforts, to the risks of assuming “we’ll figure it out later,” we’ll share real-world lessons on how early data scoping de-risks projects, accelerates integration, and enables long-term scalability. Whether you're a data champion or someone who’s been dodging the data discussion, you’ll leave with practical strategies to tame the data beast and build MES solutions that are accurate, resilient, and surprisingly likable. Because let’s face it—data may be four letters, but it’s not a dirty word.

8:00 AM ET: Building AI on Strong Data Foundations for Competitive Advantage

Nasser Ahmad, Director, Digitalization, Höganäs AB

Jason Bassett, IT Manager, Madsen's Custom Cabinets

David Batet, CTO, DigiProces

Julie Fraser, VP Research for Operations and
Manufacturing and facilitator of the MESA Smart Manufacturing Community Smart Connected Supply Chain Group, Tech-Clarity

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9:00 AM ET: Smart Manufacturing for a Smarter Planet: Balancing Profit and Purpose

Kiran Kumar Reddy Velagala, Limited Solutions Architect, HCL Technologies 

In today’s dynamic industrial landscape, manufacturers are under increasing pressure to deliver operational excellence while advancing sustainability goals. Smart manufacturing offers a powerful pathway to bridge this gap—enabling organizations to balance profitability with purpose. This presentation explores how emerging technologies such as AI, digital twins, and cloud-native platforms are transforming manufacturing operations into intelligent, agile, and sustainable ecosystems. By integrating real-time data from across the value chain, manufacturers can drive predictive maintenance, automate quality control, and optimize production planning. These capabilities not only reduce downtime and improve product quality but also lead to measurable gains in productivity and cost efficiency. At the same time, smart manufacturing enables organizations to track and reduce their environmental impact, supporting carbon footprint reduction and energy efficiency initiatives in alignment with global ESG mandates. The session will also highlight how digital twins and generative AI are redefining manufacturing intelligence. From simulating production scenarios to enabling data storytelling and decision automation, these technologies are enhancing agility and fostering a culture of continuous innovation. A unified data fabric and semantic models ensure a single source of truth for strategic decision-making across the enterprise. Ultimately, this presentation will demonstrate how smart manufacturing—when guided by a thoughtful digital strategy—can be a force for both economic resilience and environmental stewardship. Attendees will gain actionable insights into building scalable, future-ready manufacturing systems that serve both business and societal needs.

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10:00 AM ET:

Joanne Friedman, CEO, Connektedminds Inc.

Dave Hinkler, Executive Director, Global Professional Services, On Time Edge

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11:00 AM ET: People-Powered Profit: Accelerating Training & Productivity with AI Agents

Chris Andrassy, Astral Insights, Founder & CEO

Seasoned operators carry decades of tacit knowledge and expertise that rarely make it into SOP binders or MES screens. As retirements accelerate and new hires arrive with shorter tenures, manufacturers face a triple challenge: longer training cycles, escalating costs, and heightened quality risk. This session shows how agentic AI (LLM–powered, context-aware digital mentors) can capture and redistribute tribal knowledge at scale without disrupting existing processes. We will walk through a three-step solution blueprint: 1. Capture & Curate: ingest unstructured data (shift logs, manuals, videos), convert it into an AI-ready format, and link it to live production signals. 2. Coach & Collaborate: deploy voice-enabled assistants on the shop floor that deliver step-by-step guidance, detect anomalies in real time, and log operator feedback for continual learning. 3. Measure & Optimize: track onboarding duration, first-pass yield, and OEE uplift through embedded analytics. To date, pilot results include a 70% reduction in technician ramp-up time, an 18% boost in OEE on high-mix production lines, and a 12% reduction in unplanned downtime.

What you’ll take away:

• A step-by-step playbook for capturing tacit knowledge and turning it into contextual microlearning for every role, shift, and skill set.
• KPI templates and benchmarking information to build a business case that resonates with operations and finance leaders.
• Risk-mitigation tactics for data governance, IT/OT cybersecurity, and change-management best practices.