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WEST Session: Moderated by: Jamie Goettler, BTX Precision Rather than start with a discussion of all the technologies available in the industrial marketplace, this panel session will start by outlining the primary concerns of manufacturing businesses. By first appealing to what the audience (machining businesses) cares about most at the start, the panel will logically ease into a discussion of how available technologies can help achieve greater outcomes for these businesses…in other words, solutions to the preeminent problems. Among the concerns highlighted at the outset will be improving competitiveness (domestically and globally), throughput (business growth), and yes productivity in the face of the manufacturing skills gap. The panel will be represented by industry leaders who either are dealing with these concerns directly, or those that have a “front row seat” to a variety of companies that seek to survive and thrive. Technologies that will be addressed will likely include automation, robotics, workforce training, machining technology, machine monitoring, software and AI to name a few.

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WEST Session: We don’t lose deals because we’re not working hard enough. We lose them because we’re working on the wrong things. In manufacturing, wholesale, and distribution, sales teams are moving faster than ever—yet growth feels stuck. Why? Noise. Endless updates. Unreliable forecasts. Chasing the wrong deals. We’ve accepted it as the cost of doing business. But what if it’s actually killing your momentum?This 20-minute talk is a call to rethink how sales teams operate—with more clarity. You’ll learn: Why noise—disguised as intuition—is wrecking your forecast How bad data and busywork eats into your selling time What top sales teams are doing to cut through the noise and stay laser-focused And you’ll see real-world proof: 44% growth at Creative Foam.This isn’t a product pitch. It’s a shift in perspective. If your team’s putting in the effort but still falling short, this is the rethink you’ve been waiting for.

WEST Session: Smart manufacturing is redefining the relationship between people and technology. As automation, artificial intelligence and machine learning continue to evolve, they are not replacing human intelligence - they are enhancing it. These technologies reduce the burden of repetitive, manual tasks and empower employees to focus on higher-value, strategic work such as problem-solving, innovation and continuous improvement. To unlock the full benefits of Industry 4.0, manufacturers must do more than adopt new tools - they must cultivate a resilient, future-ready workforce. This session will explore strategies for upskilling, nurturing adaptability and creating collaborative, digitally fluent work environments that help employees and organizations thrive in a rapidly changing landscape.

WEST Session: In this session, Randy Eickhoff, CPA, Founder and Head Coach at Acena Consulting, will walk attendees through how innovative manufacturers and product developers can leverage the R&D tax credit to uncover hidden value. Whether you’re developing new processes, improving products, or experimenting with automation, this credit could be a powerful cash generator. Randy will demystify the IRS criteria, share real-world examples, and show you how to avoid common pitfalls in documentation and qualification. You’ll leave with practical insights to help you assess eligibility and maximize savings.

WEST Session: Unexpected breakdowns, rising costs, and limited asset visibility continue to be a challenge for manufacturers, especially as teams face mounting pressure to do more with less – fewer technicians, tighter budgets, and limited time. But with the right technology and a practical approach to reliability, lean teams can shift from fighting fires to building long-term, operational resilience into every layer of production. In this session, we’ll showcase how manufacturers are using modern CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System) tools to drive higher uptime, extend asset life, and reduce reactive work – all without needing additional headcount or new equipment. We’ll demonstrate how top performing teams have digitized preventive maintenance schedules, deployed QR code-enabled work orders, and built mobile-first maintenance workflows that keep machines running and teams aligned. Whether you’re still using spreadsheets or looking to get more out of your current system, this session will provide a clear blueprint for building a smart, scalable maintenance program.

Speaker at WEST: Kartik Pasumarti, Vice President of Revenue, ShareCRM

WEST Session: Manufacturing field service operations are plagued by inefficiency, reactive responses, and disconnected systems that drain profitability and frustrate customers. Most manufacturers still rely on manual scheduling, disparate software solutions, and limited real-time visibility into field operations, technician status, and equipment performance, resulting in suboptimal routes, missed appointments, and escalating operational costs. This presentation demonstrates how manufacturers are transforming their service operations using ShareCRM's AI-powered, mobile-first field service platform. Attendees will discover specific technologies including intelligent scheduling and dispatch algorithms that optimize resource allocation and technician assignments, AI assistants that use real data to identify and resolve potential issues before they impact customers, and industry-leading mobile applications that empower field service reps to complete jobs efficiently from accepting work orders to delivering parts from their own inventory. The session features real-world implementation strategies showing how manufacturers achieve a single view of the customer throughout the entire sales, service, and marketing lifecycle while connecting teams, processes, and systems with smart, automated workflows. Participants will learn about AI-powered knowledge bases that instantly recognize issues and recommend solutions, customer service analytics that provide holistic team productivity insights, and partner relationship management capabilities that extend operations through dealer and distributor networks. Attendees will leave with actionable insights on implementing connected, intelligent field service solutions that maximize uptime, boost profitability, and deliver delightful customer experiences while transforming reactive service costs into proactive competitive advantages.  

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Speaker at WEST: Steve George, Senior Manager Product Engineering – Solid Rounds, Kennametal