
Cost reduction, production optimization and labor efficiencies through Industry 4.0 and smart technology
26 October 2021 | Crowne Plaza Chicago West Loop, Chicago, IL
Industry 4.0 has continued to disrupt the manufacturing industry at a rapid pace with many organisations progressing through their smart technology and automation journeys. Whilst some manufacturers are at the early stages of their journey and evaluating their business, others have identified appropriate solutions and now at the point where they are selecting vendors, implementing and integrating new technologies and scaling throughout the organization.
The benefits of technology is clear; with many manufacturers already realizing that robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning and collaborative automation can drive productivity & efficiency gains whilst at the same time reduce costs and overheads, minimize risks and maintain safe operations.
Utilizing technology as a solution can certainly drive value, but the challenge then lies in the ability to build the business case, secure funding, develop an effective smart manufacturing and automation strategy, lead change, up-skill staff, select technology and prove ROI by defining clear metrics to measure success.
Learn From Our Smart Manufacturing & Automation Specialists Including

Hicham Wazni, Global Director, Continuous Improvement and Smart Manufacturing, Howmet Aerospace

Swamy Prasad VARANASI, Director of Manufacturing Engineering, Cummins

Anthony Huffman, Director of Data & Integration, Molex

Leonel Leal, Director, Independent Consultant

Paul Griswold, Chief Product Officer, Honeywell Connected Enterprise – Cybersecurity

Chavis Ferguson, Vice President of Operations, Coast Packing Company

Sourabh Banerjee, Product Marketing Manager, Software & Systems, SICK, Inc.

John Harrington, Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer, HighByte

Willem Sundblad, co-founder and CEO, Oden Technologies

Salim Dabbous, Director, Sensor & Safety Integration, SICK, Inc.

Brett Knittle, Robotics & Automation Specialist – Global Advanced Manufacturing Engineering, Hillrom

Robert Martens, Global Director, Advanced Manufacturing Engineering and Core Technology, Nexteer Automotive

Joseph Myers, Head of Quality, Waupaca

Tomas Norbut, Manager IoT Infrastructure and Manufacturing Networks, Trelleborg
This event will provide you with the necessary tools to:
- Redefine business strategy and develop a technology driven business model#
- Establish a smart manufacturing and automation strategy
- Determine what level of automation is applicable and select the right technology to support it
- Achieve new levels of productivity, performance, flexibility, efficiency and quality through automation
- Reduce overheads, operating and capital costs to increase profitability
- Instil a culture of innovation, manage change and successfully transition the workforce into the digital era
- Exploit IoT, Advanced Analytics, AI and ML technology to achieve business drivers
Smart Manufacturing & Automation - Agenda
Tuesday 26 October 2021
07:30 Registration and morning coffee
07:55 Opening Remarks from AMG World
08:00 – 09:00 Digital transformation for industry 4.0: Bringing the smart factory vision to life
Presenter:
Hicham Wazni, Global Director, Continuous Improvement and Smart Manufacturing, Howmet Aerospace
08:30 Workforce of the future: Bridging the skills gap and managing the impacts driven by advanced manufacturing
Presenters:
Robert Martens, Global Director, Advanced Manufacturing Engineering and Core Technology, Nexteer Automotive
09:00 Reducing Industrial Cybersecurity Risk with Early Threat Detection & Incident Response
Presenters:
Paul Griswold, Chief Product Officer, Honeywell Connected Enterprise – Cybersecurity
09:30 NETWORKING / 1-2-1 MEETING SESSION 1
09:50 NETWORKING / 1-2-1 MEETING SESSION 2
10:10 Roundtable Discussions
Creating and developing your Smart Manufacturing Roadmap
Facilitator: Leonel Leal, Independent Consultant
Standardization, centralization, and lean manufacturing: Driving consistency across the entire organization
Facilitator: Chavis Ferguson, Vice President of Operations, Coast Packing Company
11:10 NETWORKING / 1-2-1 MEETING SESSION 3
11:30 Roundtable Discussions
Leveraging IoT enabled machines and cloud data to coordinate manufacturing operations across multiple sites
Facilitator: Hicham Wazni, Global Director, Continuous Improvement and Smart Manufacturing, Howmet Aerospace
Data accessibility and information usability: Curating, delivering and governing data effectively
Facilitator: John Harrington, Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer, HighByte
Leveraging smart technology to reduce overheads, operating and capital costs to increase profitability
Facilitator: Swamy Prasad VARANASI, Director of Manufacturing Engineering, Cummins
12:30 Manufacturing on the Edge
Presenters:
Salim Dabbous, Director, Sensor & Safety Integration, SICK, Inc.
Sourabh Banerjee, Product Marketing Manager, Software & Systems, SICK, Inc.
13:00 LUNCH AND NETWORKING / 1-2-1 MEETING SESSION 4
14:00 Intelligent Industrial Automation: How Manufacturers Can Launch Their Industrial IoT, AI, and Machine Learning Journey
Presenter:
Willem Sundblad, Co-founder and CEO, Oden Technologies
14:30 Roundtable Discussions:
Re-justifying investments and proving payback in times of disruption: Building the business case, demonstrating ROI, gaining buy-in and securing funding
Facilitator: Tomas Norbut, Manager, IoT Infrastructure and Manufacturing Network, Trelleborg Group
IIoT: Reactive and proactive approaches to critical machine monitoring
Facilitator: Robert Martens, Global Director, Advanced Manufacturing Engineering and Core Technology, Nexteer Automotive
Operational Excellence: Smart technology to enhance business outcomes
Facilitator: Brett Knittle, Robotics & Automation Specialist – Global Advanced Manufacturing Engineering, Hillrom
15:30 TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATIONS: QUICKFIRE TECHNOLOGY AND PRODUCT DEMONSTRATIONS
16:15 Roundtable Discussions:
Strategies to ensure the efficient integration and harmonization of platforms and Data & Analytics Systems
Facilitator: Anthony Huffman, Director of Data & Integration, Molex
How to Use Data to Make Decisions
Salim Dabbous, Director, Sensor & Safety Integration, SICK, Inc.
Sourabh Banerjee, Product Marketing Manager, Software & Systems, SICK, Inc.
Overcoming the barriers associated with smart manufacturing: Understanding how to effectively introduce and implement new technologies into the business
Facilitator: Joseph M Myers, head of Quality, Waupaca
17:15 Navigating challenging times and on-going disruption through Automation, Technology and Digitalization
Panellists include:
Hicham Wazni, Global Director, Continuous Improvement and Smart Manufacturing, Howmet Aerospace
Tomas Norbut, Manager, IoT Infrastructure and Manufacturing Network, Trelleborg Group
Joseph M Myers, Head of Quality, Waupaca
18:00 Closing Remarks from the Conference Chair
18:05 Drinks Reception
Who Should Attend:
Smart Manufacturing & Automation 2021 is designed for VP’s, Directors, Heads and Managers from:
- Smart Manufacturing
- Automation
- Technology
- Industrial Strategy
- Operations
- Engineering
- Operations
- IT
- Data, AI & ML
- Plant Management & Operations
Our sponsors include technology, service & solution providers specializing in:
- IoT Platforms
- Location Detection Technologies
- Advanced Human-Machine Interfaces
- Cyber Security, Authentication and Fraud Detection
- 3D Printing
- Smart Sensors
- Big Data & Analytics, AI and Machine Learning
- Augmented Reality & Wearables
- Cloud Computing
- Mobile Devices
- Integrators
Sponsored by:





*Complimentary passes are only available to manufacturing organizations. Individuals from suppliers or solution providers do not qualify. Approval of guest passes is subject to AMG World’s terms and conditions. Email info@amg-world.co.uk for more information.