Covid-19 has renewed interest in evaluating the present manufacturing landscape and the value of smart manufacturing takes on an added dimension. Though a significant number of manufacturers are re-strategizing the roadmap to build around capabilities a robust approach should be a blend of a continuity plan, diversification in supplier base, manufacturing process and logistics. This should address the persistent problems of supply chain resiliency, lack of digital skills, handling the data deluge through technology innovation and enabling value creation. Nevertheless, understanding the implications of smart manufacturing and where to implement the right technology in your manufacturing environment can be strenuous. Discover the benefits through this event by re-thinking on the ideation, address existing challenges, planning, value realization and paving the way in building a smart manufacturing ecosystem.

The impact of Smart Manufacturing is no longer limited to factories, but has expanded to the end-to-end manufacturing value chain; manufacturing organizations are striving to become modern enterprises comprising of three primary themes: 1. Next Generation Customer Experience; 2. Visibility and Predictability; and  3. Learning Organization. 

Join us for a discussion on the priorities and approaches needed to become a modern manufacturing enterprise based on the foundation of supply chain efficiency and resiliency, Industry 4.0/5.0, the power of data, and adoption of digital technology, along with a discussion on examples of organizations embarking on the journey towards becoming a true modern manufacturing enterprise.

As travel restrictions abound, companies are mobilizing virtually at an increasing rate. Travel in general is costly and options that eliminate the need for travel tend to pay for themselves after a few uses. This solution also helps in situations where frontline workers need their hands free to perform tasks or maintenance in the field. 
The solution allows SMEs to collaborate in a remote user’s line of sight and direct them in real time with the ability to annotate, send documentation which increases productivity.
Augmented solutions that leverage guided content provides new ways of delivering visual aids and training that aid in decreasing errors.

These sessions provide hands-on demonstrations of innovative and cutting-edge technologies that are helping to shape the future of business.

Change is inevitable. Regardless of what else is going on in the world, change will continue to occur, and the need for a strategic approach to organizational change management (OCM) has never been greater.  As technological advances create smarter manufacturing processes, along with the need to produce in the most cost-effective way possible, companies must continuously remain on their toes to identify and exploit opportunities and ensure their employees’ knowledge and skills are changing along with the processes and technologies. How should OCM be optimized as key to driving behavior and process changes, while increasing manufactured products? What are key performance indicators to measure success?

We have all heard of Industry 4.0 and the evolution of technologies to create smart factories. With these changes, requirements for people on the shop floor have also evolved.  This is Industry 5.0 – today’s industrial revolution - where human and machine find ways to work together to improve efficiency and production. Factory workers are equipped with mobile devices, data analytics, 3D printing, digital wins, augmented reality, and connectivity that permits smarter and faster decision-making. What are the ways in which Industry 5.0 will change your factory? Join our industry experts as they explore questions about how to guide your enterprise through transformation for success.
•    How do you ensure widespread adoption of digitalization (capabilities such as predictive people analytics, digital learning platforms and engagement technologies)? 
•    How can you ensure your factory floor enables the collaboration of people and intelligent machines, rather than opposition?
•    Beyond the soft skills required, what technical skills are required to enhance and support your workforce? 
•    How do you train these workers to embrace the changes that smart manufacturing brings to their daily work?

These sessions provide hands-on demonstrations of innovative and cutting-edge technologies that are helping to shape the future of business.

2020 forced many manufacturers to recognize that resilience is imperative to master current challenges reflecting that change and uncertainty are imminent to the "New Normal". To continue to succeed, there is now an opportunity to reconsider traditional manufacturing operating models by adopting new digital technologies and agile practices. This session provides insights on how you can optimize a "remote-agile" operating model for satisfied customers, employees, and partners. Furthermore, this session provides insights on how successful companies benefit from new opportunities created by the "New Normal" and how agility is the key to success of your organization.

Supply chain resiliency has always been an important element of competitive advantage to manufacturers. In earlier generations, it was necessary to own the entire supply chain to ensure a company controlled its own raw supplies, manufacturing, and distribution destiny. Recall the days of 1920s Ford Motor Company making their own steel. Today, leading automobile makers, indeed OEMs in general, have flourished via a distributed supply chain operating model, where nearly all component design, build, and delivery are outsourced across a multi-tiered global supplier network. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the criticality of supply chain resiliency has been laid bare for everyone to witness. So, what is Supply Chain Resiliency? It is the supply chain's ability to be prepared for unexpected risk events, responding, and recovering quickly to potential disruptions to return to its pre-event state or adapt by moving to a new, more desirable state to increase customer satisfaction, market share and financial performance. Manufactures are being forced to recognize their vulnerabilities and with advanced technologies and Industry 4.0 adoption – interconnected sensors, computer vision, robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, digital twins, IIOT, and 5G network infrastructure – have proven to increase supply chain resiliency. Our panel of experts will discuss their experiences in managing their supply chains through the economic and technological disruptions and their strategies for the new future.

As stay at home orders swept the nation in 2020, GE Appliances began planning for a recession, but quickly pivoted to respond to record orders and continued growth. Using Industry 4.0 tools, GE Appliances shifted its business model, drove flexibility and responsiveness, and accelerated growth plans throughout its supply chain.