Manufacturing Summit

Manufacturers are under pressure to accelerate from pilot projects to enterprise-wide implementation of technologies such as AI, IoT, robotics and advanced analytics. However, many face steep obstacles in integrating IT and OT systems, ensuring clean and usable data, and establishing cross-functional collaboration across teams. According to research from IFS, 65% of manufacturers see themselves as digital laggards, at risk of falling behind due to stalled transformation projects and unrealized returns. So how do you ensure your transformation efforts realize real business outcomes – and transform from digital laggard to digital leader?

Discussion points:

• Creating phased roadmaps, from high-impact use cases to scaling enterprise-wide.

• Investing in IT/OT integration platforms to unify data streams.

• Establishing data governance to define ownership, quality standards and security protocols for machine and enterprise data.

• Upskilling engineering/operations teams to use digital tools and analytics more effectively.

Unpredictable tariffs, high freight costs, geopolitical tensions and the unprecedented rate of technology change continue to pressure margins and procurement strategies in the manufacturing space. In response, manufacturers need flexible, multi-sourced supply chains with real-time visibility into changing scenarios. They need resilient operations that are better able to cope with disruption when it happens. And they need to develop the organizational agility to turn potential chaos into market opportunity. So what does it take to develop resilient, agile and predictive operations in an age of uncertainty? Join this workshop to find out.

Discussion points:

• Building diversified, multi-region supplier networks to reduce geopolitical risk.

• Adopting real-time visibility tools and AI-driven dashboards for predictive disruption alerts.

• Using digital twins to model cost and lead-time impacts under different trade conditions for more effective scenario planning.

• Collaborating with supplier and logistics partners to secure capacity and optimize freight costs.

Persistent labor shortages, retiring baby boomers and the rise of automation demand new workforce strategies. Manufacturers are investing in upskilling, apprenticeships and integrating AI-powered workflows to retain knowledge and boost capabilities. But challenges remain, not least when it comes to understanding the balance between humans and technology, finding new talent, and how to meet the digital skills gap. Join this workshop to better understand the changing talent landscape, and what it means for your workforce.

Discussion points:

• Developing effective reskilling and upskilling programs.

• Implementing AI-assisted workflows to automate repetitive tasks while preserving human oversight.

• Using AR/VR, digital SOPs and other knowledge capture systems to retain expertise from retiring workers.

• Strengthening recruitment pipelines in order to overcome talent shortages and bridge existing skills gaps.

As factories become increasingly digitized, the threat landscape continues to escalate. Ransomware, AI-assisted attacks and supply-chain breaches all target weak OT security – meaning that cybersecurity has never been more critical in the manufacturing space. Zero-trust approaches, AI-enabled intrusion detection, and a robust GRC framework are now strategic necessities. But how do you integrate best-in-class cybersecurity practices without impacting operations? Join this workshop to better understand the rapidly shifting security landscape – and what it means for your business.

Discussion points:

• Adopting zero-trust architecture to apply strict identity and access controls across IT/OT.

• Developing continuous monitoring and deploying AI-driven threat detection for real-time anomaly alerts.

• Understanding vendor risk management and the third-party cybersecurity compliance landscape.