Schedule of Events
8:00 AM ET:
Trever White, Toyota
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9:00 AM ET: From Idea to Implementation: How Vibe Coding Empowers Manufacturers with AI
Nikhil Makhija, Sr. Manufacturing Systems Analyst, Fuji Film
Manufacturers in Industry 4.0 must adopt AI-driven solutions because the rapidly changing landscape demands increased efficiency, flexibility and innovation. The presentation introduces vibe coding as a software development method which uses artificial intelligence. Vibe coding is a method which enables users to transform natural language instructions into functional code through AI assistants including ChatGPT, GitHub Copilot, Replit and Cursor. The presentation demonstrates how vibe coding transforms manufacturing operations by making AI adoption more accessible. The implementation of AI applications for predictive maintenance, quality control and visual inspection traditionally needed programming expertise from specialists. Through vibe coding users can describe their goals in simple language so AI systems can quickly produce and improve and deploy required software components. Real-world examples will showcase how manufacturers can speed up their development processes and decrease expenses and achieve better agility through vibe coding implementation. The presentation highlights real-world use cases that demonstrate how manufacturers can leverage vibe coding to implement AI-driven solutions across various operational areas. The presentation will discuss the implementation challenges of maintaining code quality and managing complexity while ensuring human oversight in essential processes. The session will demonstrate how vibe coding enables manufacturers to achieve digital transformation through smarter, faster and more inclusive innovation on a scale.
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10:00 AM ET: Automotive Industry - Ecosystem Play in Sustainability transformation
Jennifer Heckmann, Sr. Manager, North America Sustainability Promotion, DENSO International America, Inc.
Doris Hill, Engineering Group Manager, Vehicle Chemical Regulatory Compliance and Certification (VCRC), General Motors
Naveen Mehata Kondamudi, Consulting Partner - Carbon & Energy - Sustainability Services Unit, TCS
Swati Murthy, PhD, Director - Global Sustainability Solutions Practice, TCS
Decarbonization across the manufacturing value chain is essential not only for regulatory compliance but can become a competitive advantage as well. Additionally, consumer behavior has driven companies to look at the embodied carbon of the product to help conscious and loyal users choose more sustainable products. This will involve careful consideration of the materials as well as enabling responsible design decisions for the end-products.
The panel discussion with leaders from the Automotive Industry and Sustainable Manufacturing ecosystem will explore how the different actors across the automotive value chain contribute towards sustainability transformation. We will discuss on how tech-enabled digital transformation can advance sustainability ambitions from materials to end-products making “sustainability by design” a reality.
We will understand the successful sustainability journeys taken up by 2 automotive companies and the challenges they had to overcome in this process and the best practices they would like to share. While the approach taken by these companies might be different, they share the common vision on sustainability.
In all these initiatives, we will understand the need for a strong digital thread which will manage the data, processes and the rules. Be it enabling existing PLM systems to track recyclability or using BIG data to measure carbon Scope 1,2 3 emissions. This will also emphasize the need for good data for AI/ML models for prediction of sustainability impact of new materials and composite designs.
The key challenges manufacturing customers face in selling the idea of decarbonization across the manufacturing value chain is cost. While compliance drives the need for its cost is the primary for delay in adoption. This discussion would focus on areas which would make decarbonization profitable.
The discussion will try to bring out the strategic initiatives the organizations have taken up to ensure the initiatives are profitable in the long term. The key takeaways to the audience would be on how to position and sell the sustainability initiatives for both the internal and external stakeholders so that the adoption and acceptance of these initiatives are high enabling the sustainability targets to be met.
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11:00 AM ET: Industrial DataOps today: Multi-Vendor Ecosystems and Unified Data Strategies
David Ariens, Author, The IT/OT Insider
2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for Industrial DataOps, with significant advancements on the horizon. However, more challenges remain than clear solutions. This presentation explores the current state of Industrial DataOps, focusing on its evolving role in multi-vendor ecosystems and unified data strategies. Key topics include: Capability Map Analysis: An in-depth look at the industrial data landscape, highlighting key capabilities and areas requiring further development. Unified Namespace (UNS) Demystified: Clarifying the role of UNS in bridging SCADA systems and data platforms, and its role in a multi-vendor environment. IT-OT Integration in Practice: Strategies for achieving seamless convergence between Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) within a multi-vendor environment. Future Directions and Challenges: An honest assessment of the hurdles facing Industrial DataOps, from standardization to vendor collaboration, and how these can shape its trajectory beyond 2025.
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:
Joanne Friedman, CEO, ConnectedMinds
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:
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
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10:00 AM ET: Measuring Financial Benefits of Equipment Performance Improvements: An Overview of Methods.
Luis Golcher, Principal, 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: Smart Manufacturing Research Findings
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
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.