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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.

Speaker at WEST: Randy Eickoff, Founder & Head Coach, Acena Consulting, LLC

WEST Session: Internal audits are more than a compliance requirement, they are a strategic tool for driving performance, reducing risk, and building a culture of continual improvement. This session explores how disciplined audit programs can deliver both tangible and intangible business value. Attendees will learn how effective internal audits reduce the cost of poor quality, minimize hidden risks, and strengthen external confidence with customers and regulators. We’ll examine common barriers, such as audit fatigue, time conflicts, and data silos, and offer practical, low-cost tools to overcome them, including risk-based scheduling, clause matrices, and competency-driven auditor training. The session will also discuss how to embed audit outcomes into daily operations, promote transparency, and use trend data to guide decision-making. Whether you're refining a mature system or rebuilding from the ground up, this session offers actionable insights to increase engagement, sharpen focus, and get more value from every audit.

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WEST Session: Manufacturers from fabricators to assembly shops are all challenged with workforce woes, the need to boost productivity and the endless quest for quality. Knowing automation is the answer is one thing, but actually finding real success with technology investments can feel challenging and risky. How do you know what will truly bring value to the organization? How do you determine the return? And now with the hype of Artificial Intelligence (AI) seemingly on every product, how do manufacturing leaders determine the right places to invest limited time and capital budgets? In this session, we will delve into the ever-evolving landscape of automation & AI in the factory and take a look at technologies that are having a real impact today across the shop floor. Then we will stare into the crystal ball to look forward at technologies that are on the near horizon that manufacturing leaders should be keeping an eye on. Covering important topics like human-robot collaboration, automated equipment tending, data-driven insights, cobot welding, predictive maintenance, robot guided vision, bin picking, collaborative automation, quality inspections, and much more, attendees should leave this session ready to make value-creating technology investments in their business. Join us as we explore how AI is reshaping the factory floor — one algorithm at a time.

Speaker at WEST: Billy Bogue, President, Matsuura Machinery USA

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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