Steve George
Speaker at WEST: Steve George, Senior Manager Product Engineering – Solid Rounds, Kennametal
Speaker at WEST: Steve George, Senior Manager Product Engineering – Solid Rounds, Kennametal
WEST Session: As manufacturers face new requirements to safeguard Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) under CMMC 2.0, many see compliance as a costly obligation. Yet, when implemented as intended, these same controls create a foundation for operational excellence—connecting machines and data securely, automating oversight, and strengthening resilience. From CUI to ROI reveals how aligning cybersecurity, compliance, and smart manufacturing turns regulatory readiness into measurable business performance and long-term return on investment.
Speaker at WEST: Anmol Singh, Founder and CEO, Fabriom
WEST Session: AI promises to transform manufacturing and service operations, but for most teams the challenge is not algorithms—it’s integration and adoption. This session will be co-presented by industry experts who will share real-world lessons from deploying AI-powered workflows at an e-recycling facility and in design-for-manufacture (DfM) and quoting. Attendees will learn a practical framework for deciding when to use deterministic software workflows, when to embed AI as an enabler, and when—if ever—to rely on autonomous AI “agents.” Using concrete metrics, we’ll show how hybrid approaches reduce cost, latency, and risk while delivering measurable gains. We will also describe the importance of human feedback in improving accuracy metrics. This is an inside look at what’s working (and what isn’t) as we automate inspections, quoting, and compliance tasks across the physical and digital sides of manufacturing. You’ll leave with a decision surface you can apply immediately to your own operations.
Speaker at WEST: Chris Joco, Principal Solutions Architect, DSD Business Systems
Speaker at WEST: Patrick Hundley, President, West Coast Manufacturing
WEST Session: In this engaging discussion, an automation and robotics expert sits down with two executives from a small Southern California commercial & industrial appliance company, to explore the real-world journey of a small fabrication shop embracing automation. From initial skepticism to now multiple successful robot deployments, Bryan Montez & Pat Hundley share how their small team identified the right automation solutions, justified the investment, and overcame common barriers faced by small and medium-sized manufacturers. Attendees will walk away with practical insights into the automation decision-making process, some common lessons learned, and the cultural shifts enabling smooth transitions. Whether you're just beginning to explore automation or looking to scale your efforts, this session offers valuable takeaways for manufacturers and fabricators of all sizes & experience levels.
Speaker at WEST: Paul Boris, Strategic Accounts, Manufacturing & Industrial Operations, UiPath
Speaker at WEST: Olivier Thenoz, Principal Product Manager, Production Machining Software, Hexagon
WEST Session: Many well-established manufacturing and supply companies are rooted in their original non-digital technology and payments processes. From still using credit card swipers, to sending paper invoices, to even receiving paper orders from customers that included credit card numbers scribbled on them, high-end tile supplier, Decorative Materials, was experiencing the pain of outdated tech. They knew they needed a more innovative solution that would continue to grow with them while also providing the secure, digital payment options their customers and employees needed. This presentation will cover their case study and feature the challenges they were facing with meeting today’s technology and security standards, and how they updated their existing order system to a newer, more innovative solution that provided increased security, fewer human errors, increased time savings, and an overall improved customer experience. And it was all embedded directly into their ERP system.