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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: 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credit card numbers scribbled on them, high-end tile supplier, Decorative Materials, was experiencing the pain of outdated tech.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.

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: Manufacturers face constant pressure to improve output while controlling costs, yet productivity gains are often pursued through equipment upgrades or process reengineering alone. A critical but overlooked lever is the frontline workforce—the people running machines, moving materials, and maintaining operations every day. When employees are disconnected from the information, communication, and tools they need, even small inefficiencies compound into significant losses. This presentation explores how targeted technology investments can unlock measurable productivity improvements, sometimes as much as 25%, by empowering frontline employees. We will examine the most common friction points that reduce performance, such as paper-based reporting, limited resource access at work stations, delayed reporting and task triggers, inconsistent training and retention, and siloed communication. We’ll then show how software solutions can extend existing ERP, HCM, and MES systems to the shop floor, creating a single hub where employees can access workflows, compliance updates, and real-time alerts. Attendees will see how manufacturers are achieving faster response times, reducing downtime, streamlining onboarding, and improving compliance by modernizing the employee experience. The session will provide a practical framework to quantify workforce productivity losses and demonstrate the ROI of equipping employees with the right digital tools.

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: David Hallac, Founder and CEO, Viaduct

WEST Session: A recent MIT study, highlighted by Forbes , found that 95% of corporate AI pilots have failed to produce meaningful results or delivered ROI. There are many challenges and complexities that contribute to these failures, including company-wide strategy, technical system integrations, and internal cultural adoption to AI. As for the successful pilots, they often involve systems that learn, admit uncertainty, and integrate deeply into workflows, focusing on back-office functions where ROI is direct. This presentation will share lessons learned and successful use cases from the field and reveal the Top 5 focus areas every manufacturer should prioritize to turn AI pilots into ROI generating engines.

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.