Jochen Kärcher
SVP, Global Manufacturing
Bosch
March 17, 2026
* JOIN US FOR THE PRE-EVENT HAPPY HOUR on March, 16 2026 FROM 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Sponsored by:
7:00 am – 8:00 am CST
Delegate Registration and Networking Breakfast
8:00 am – 8:10 am CST
Chair's Welcome and Opening Remarks
Process Optimization
MODERN FACILITIES
Daniel Seidel
Chief Operating Officer, North America
HelloFresh
Talent
Christopher Grail
SVP and Head, Global Pharma Engineering
Bayer
Innovation
Steve Marshall
VP, R&D Process Innovation
Cargill
Plant Management
Lori Canzanese
Executive Director, Digital Manufacturing Operations
Merck
8:10 am – 8:40 am CST
Keynote
Chris Nielsen
EVP, Chief Supply Chain and Quality Officer
Toyota North America
Engineering a customer-centered and trusted supply chain to navigate disruption and sustain operational excellence
- Transitioning to digital operations powered by AI and based on Toyota Production System principles
- Leveraging strong, collaborative partnerships to further strengthen supply networks to ensure business continuity
- Leveraging data-driven supply chain representation to enhance end-to-end transparency and real-time responsiveness
- Aligning supply chain strategies with sustainability and regulatory compliance goals
- Empowering team members to manage growing complexity and create value for customers along the entire supply chain
8:40 am – 9:10 am CST
Plenary
Rebecca Teeters
SVP, Fluoromaterial Stewardship and President, Chemical Operations LLC
3M
Optimizing Manufacturing Excellence and Innovation for Sustainable Growth
- Leveraging advanced manufacturing technologies to optimize processes
- Building a culture of accountability and continuous improvement
- Enhancing quality, delivery, and cost through operational excellence
- Fostering a learning organization to drive performance and growth
- Implementing sustainable practices for long-term operational success
9:10 am – 9:40 am CST
Plenary
Speaker TBA
Innovapptive
Driving Operational Excellence with Connected Worker Platforms
- Digitizing frontline workflows to reduce downtime and eliminate paper-based inefficiencies
- Empowering workers in real time with mobile access to critical maintenance and inspection data
- Streamlining asset management through intuitive, role-based mobile applications
- Enhancing collaboration and safety across teams with connected worker technologies
- Improving data capture and visibility to drive continuous improvement and smarter decision-making
9:45 am – 11:25 am CST
Refreshments, Networking, and Pre-Arranged 1-2-1 Meetings
11:30 am – 12:00 pm CST
Sessions
Process Optimization
Kelly DiPucchio
VP, Operations and Innovation
Medtronic
Strategies to Scale Innovation Across Manufacturing Operations
- Leveraging data analytics to drive informed decision-making in manufacturing processes
- Integrating advanced automation to enhance precision and reduce production variability
- Collaborating cross-functionally to ensure technology solutions meet diverse stakeholder needs
- Adapting scalable technologies to accommodate both large-scale and specialized production lines
Modern Facilities
Dan Campion
VP, Operations, Large Power Systems Division
Caterpillar
Modernizing Manufacturing with Smart Tech, Sustainability, and Scalable Systems
- Enabling flexible manufacturing with modular layouts and reconfigurable production lines
- Leveraging smart sensors and automation for predictive maintenance and reduced downtime
- Aligning facility modernization with workforce agility, safety, and digital skills development
- Integrating sustainability into facility upgrades for long-term environmental and economic performance
- Building strategic roadmaps for capital investment in scalable, data-driven infrastructure upgrades
Talent
Peter Shearstone
VP, Global Quality and Regulatory Affairs
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Building Influence and Credibility: Advancing Q&RA Talent Through Business Partnership
- Shifting from transactional approver roles to trusted, enterprise-level business partners
- Earning a place at the table of influence on new product development, regulatory strategy and other major decisions from the earliest stages
- Communicating effectively in the language of business risk, metrics, and P&L impact
- Reframing constraints and compliance challenges into viable, value-creating paths forward
- Demonstrating value beyond conventional expectations by proactively offering suggestions, performance data and market intelligence that drive business growth
Innovation
Maria Genouzos
VP, Manufacturing Operations
Estée Lauder
Leading with Data and Lean to Elevate Warehouse and Manufacturing Performance
- Utilizing data mining to uncover process inefficiencies and drive strategic improvements
- Optimizing warehouse operations for speed, accuracy, and reduced operational costs
- Applying Six Sigma to enhance quality, consistency, and throughput across facilities
- Building data-driven leadership teams focused on accountability and continuous improvement
- Integrating analytics into decision-making from floor-level operations to executive reporting
- Aligning KPIs and performance dashboards with plant-level and enterprise-wide priorities
Plant Management
Dave Smith
VP, Global EHS
Stanley Black & Decker
Advancing Environmental, Health, and Safety Excellence in Global Manufacturing Operations
- Embedding a proactive safety culture across all manufacturing sites worldwide
- Leveraging digital tools and data analytics to predict and prevent incidents.
- Aligning EHS strategies with sustainability and regulatory compliance goals
- Enhancing workforce engagement through training, leadership, and accountability programs
- Reducing environmental impact through waste, energy, and emissions management
- Driving continuous improvement in EHS performance for operational excellence
12:05 pm – 12:35 pm CST
Workshops
Room 1
Alexandre Gervais
Director, Growth
Vooban
The Era of Manufacturing Agents: From Static ERP to Real-Time Intelligent Orchestration
- What “Manufacturing AI Agents” really are (and what they are not)
- Concrete use cases with measurable business impact
- How manufacturing leaders can start safely and pragmatically
Room 2
Shane Yount
Chairman and Founder
Competitive Solutions Inc
The Secret Superpower of High Functioning Leaders: How Process Intelligence Creates Aligned, Accountable Teams
- Turning leadership consistency into a competitive advantage through Process Intelligence and performance software
- Aligning frontline execution to enterprise priorities with clear, visible expectations
- Converting data into leadership discipline that improves accountability and decision quality
- Enabling focused executive and plant level conversations grounded in real time insight
- Strengthening operational reliability across safety, quality, and productivity
- Scaling high functioning leadership behaviors across plants, regions, and the enterprise
Room 3
Mark Fosdike
CEO
Datch
AI Diagnostics in Asset Maintenance
- Addressing the challenge of a retiring workforce: how to leverage tribal knowledge and historical data to upskill new workers
- Empowering frontline workers with AI Diagnostics to achieve faster troubleshooting
- Leveraging agentic AI for root cause analysis and improving first-time-right fixes
Room 4
Duncan Banks
Business Advisor
Oliver Wight Americas
Driving Strategy Execution to the Next Level!
- Why extensive long-range planning so often fails to translate into achieved strategic outcomes.
- The root causes behind poor strategic execution
- The critical processes required to prepare the organization for successful execution.
- How to embed strategic initiatives into the monthly Integrated Business Planning (IBP) cycle to operationalize strategy.
- Practical tools, templates, and techniques to track progress, manage resources, and forecast initiative impact.
- How IBP aligns teams, accelerates execution, and delivers measurable, sustained results.
Room 5
Ron Nahcum
CEO
Sapien
Unlocking Operational Agility with AI-Driven Financial Intelligence
- Breaking down silos between finance, operations, and supply chain
- Gaining real-time visibility into costs, margins, and performance drivers
- Leveraging AI for proactive scenario planning and variance analysis
- Transforming finance into a strategic partner for operational decisions
- Case insights: accelerating insights from weeks to minutes
12:40 pm – 1:40 pm CST
Lunch & Learn Roundtable Discussions and Open Seating Lunch
Benefit from additional learning by joining a moderated roundtable discussion on pressing issues in the industry. Registration is required, and attendance for moderated roundtables on Day 1 is limited to attendees and speakers. Choose from:
Speaker TBA
Infor
Driving Smart Factory Success: Leveraging Cloud ERP to Optimize People, Process, and Performance
Speaker TBA
Verizon Business
Enhancing Productivity and Visibility with Next-Gen Connectivity
Julie David
Business Advisor
Oliver Wight Americas
Why People and Process Still Matter in the Age of AI
Hugues Foltz
VP
Vooban
Agentic AI in Manufacturing: Executive Roundtable on the Next Operating Model
Speaker TBA
Laserfiche
Reinventing Manufacturing Operations: Automated Document Management, AI‑Driven Workflows, and Compliance
Speaker TBA
Uncountable
Accelerating R&D Innovation Using AI-Driven Data Management and Collaborative Experimentation Platforms
Don Ryan
VP, Sales
AssetWatch
Maximizing Asset Performance with Real-Time Condition Monitoring and Predictive Maintenance Insights
Speaker TBA
UCBOS
Empowering Smart Manufacturing with Real-Time Data, Strategy, and AI Integration
Ashok Erramilli
General Manager
Eyelit Technologies
Real‑Time AI‑Driven Scheduling & Execution: Optimize Factory Operations
Sarah Johnston
Managing Director Marketing and Carbon Differentiated Strategy
Calpine Energy Solutions, LLC
Executive-Level Energy Procurement Decisions: Renewables, EFECs, and Cost Risk Management
Doug Wenninger
CEO
Alliance Automation
Powering the Modern Factory: Automation as the Engine of Growth
Susan Anderson
Senior Director, Strategic Sales
Express Employment Professionals
Strategic Workforce Planning: Aligning Talent with Operational Demands
Speaker TBA
Redzone
Unlocking Frontline Excellence: Driving Productivity with Connected Workforce Systems
Speaker TBA
Squint
Smart Frontlines: Using AI and Real-Time Guidance to Eliminate Downtime
Speaker TBA
Incorta
Real-Time Insights for Smarter Manufacturing
Anish Gulati
Senior Director, SAP Solution Advisor
Argano
Outcome-Driven Supply Chains: The Impact of AI Agents and Services
Speaker TBA
MaintainX
Optimizing Maintenance Performance Through Real-Time Data and Frontline Execution
Glenn Archer
VP of Sales & Marketing
Melton Machine & Control Company
Boosting Manufacturing Performance with Smart Welding Systems
David Weeks
Director, Industry Practice Lead
Moody's
From Disruption to Resilience: The New Era of Unified Supply Chain Risk Management
Ben Hartmere
CEO
Map My Customers
What Your Sales Leader Isn't Telling You
Robert Guthrie
Strategic Business Development Manager, Industrials
Honeywell
Shaping the Future of Industrial Facilities by Detangling Disparate Detection and Control Systems
Robert Lang
Senior Manager
Arcwide
Driving Operational Excellence Through ERP-Powered Data and Insights
1:45 pm – 2:15 pm CST
Sessions
Process Optimization
Daniel Seidel
Chief Operating Officer, North America
HelloFresh
Advancing Lean with AI: Using Predictive Tools and Repeatable Systems to Streamline Operations
- Leveraging AI to anticipate quality issues and take action before they impact output
- Implementing repeatable lean tools to standardize processes and improve team efficiency
- Driving continuous improvement by embedding advanced analytics into lean initiatives
- Using predictive insights to elevate production planning and decision-making
- Aligning cross-functional teams to support lean transformation and performance ownership
Modern Facilities
Brian Boland
VP and Global Head, Manufacturing Science and Technology
Bristol Myers Squibb
Douglas Kent
EVP, Corporate and Strategic Alliances
Association for Supply Chain Management
Managing Advanced Manufacturing Plants for Reliability, Quality, and Scale
- Managing complex cell therapy manufacturing plants where precision, compliance, and speed are equally critical
- Translating enterprise strategy into day-to-day plant execution in regulated, high-variability environments
- Building strong site leadership teams to drive accountability, engagement, and consistent performance
- Embedding quality, safety, and regulatory excellence into every aspect of plant operations
- Leveraging digital tools, real-time data, and standardized work to improve visibility and decision-making on the shop floor
- Scaling plant capabilities to support clinical-to-commercial transitions and future pipeline growth
Talent
Eugene Bocis
VP, Global Head, Operational Excellence
Ball Corporation
Maximizing Plant Efficiency Through Lean Systems and Agile Teams
- Driving productivity with energy-efficient systems and data-informed resource management
- Applying lean thinking to optimize flow, reduce waste, and increase responsiveness
- Fostering a continuous improvement culture across manufacturing teams and shifts
- Enabling frontline teams with real-time insights and performance ownership
- Using Scrum and agile practices to enhance team collaboration and delivery
- Aligning facility goals with enterprise metrics to track progress and drive results
Innovation
Mike Blaney
VP, Engineering, Reliability and Automation
Newell Brands
Moving From Smart Operations to Dark Operations: Advancing Manufacturing To Lights-Out
- Building a reliability-first asset strategy powered by smart automation
- Automating physical and information processes to enable near lights-out manufacturing
- Building the factory of the future with a solid foundation of People, Process, Technology and Data.
- The confluence of LEAN/TPM and Shop Floor Digitization
- Aligning automation and engineering initiatives with business and growth goals
- Strengthening collaboration across engineering, operations, IT, and automation teams
Plant Management
Christine Cowell
Vice President, Enterprise Capital Engineering
Kimberly-Clark Corporation
Jay Douglass
Chief Operating Officer
ARM Institute
Transforming Manufacturing Through Enterprise Capital Strategy and Engineering Excellence
- Aligning enterprise capital investment strategy with long-term manufacturing and growth priorities
- Prioritizing and governing capital projects to maximize value, speed, and operational impact
- Standardizing engineering practices to improve project execution, safety, and cost performance
- Leveraging digital engineering tools, modeling, and data to enhance capital planning and delivery
- Integrating sustainability and energy efficiency into capital design and decision-making
- Building cross-functional collaboration between engineering, operations, and finance to drive disciplined execution
2:20 pm – 2:50 pm CST
Workshops
Room 1
John Dale
Director
Havior
Leading Through the Chaos: Driving Performance & Engagement
- Overcoming the daily challenges of manufacturing leadership to drive real impact
- Breaking the cycle of failed performance initiatives and creating lasting momentum
- Applying behavioral science-backed strategies to boost engagement and results
- Practical leadership approaches that work in high-pressure manufacturing environments
Room 2
Ashok Erramilli
General Manager
Eyelit Technologies
Peter Nilsson
Chief Marketing Officer
Eyelit
Closing the Loop Between Optimized Planning & Execution
- Modern APS systems use advanced optimization algorithms to create efficient plans and production schedules
- Changes in supply chain conditions, demand, and manufacturing constraints often occur between planning and execution. As a result, optimized plans can quickly lose relevance or become difficult to execute on the shop floor
- Aligning optimized planning with real world execution has long been a key goal of S&OP and S&OE initiatives. Many organizations struggle to achieve this alignment due to fragmented data, limited execution visibility, and static planning assumptions
- A unified, high resolution data foundation can help reconcile planning decisions with execution realities
- Advanced optimization techniques can support continuous adjustment of plans and schedules as conditions change
Room 3
Patrick Heiser
VP, Sales, American and Europe
Nanoprecise
From Signals to Confident Maintenance Decisions How AI turns machine data into operational clarity
- Moving beyond alerts to evidence-backed maintenance decisions
- Identifying which issues matter now—and which can safely wait
- Turning continuous machine data into clear maintenance priorities
- Reducing reactive work by acting earlier and with confidence
- Enabling teams to focus on reliability, not data interpretation
Room 4
Jason Hehman
Industrials Vertical Lead
TXI
Unlocking Digital Transformation Through Custom Software and Innovation Strategy
- Designing human-centered digital solutions that solve complex operational challenges
- Modernizing legacy systems to drive agility, scalability, and innovation
- Building custom software that integrates seamlessly with industrial tech stacks
- Accelerating time-to-value with agile, collaborative development methodologies
- Aligning digital strategy with business goals to drive measurable outcomes
- Partnering cross-functionally to turn big ideas into scalable digital products
Room 5
Tom Roberts
VP, Enterprise Engagement
QAD
Elevate Your Factory Floor: Boosting Profits with a Connected Workforce and Champion AI
- Connecting frontline teams with real-time data and communication to improve daily execution
- Empowering operators and supervisors with AI-driven insights to identify issues and act faster
- Reducing downtime, waste, and rework through better visibility and standardized workflows
- Improving productivity and labor efficiency by aligning people, processes, and technology
- Driving higher adoption of digital tools by simplifying frontline experiences with AI support
- Turning frontline execution data into measurable profit and performance improvements
2:55 pm – 4:15 pm CST
Happy Hour, Networking and Pre-Arranged 1-2-1 Meetings
Sponsored by:
4:20 pm – 4:50 pm CST
Plenary
Christopher Grail
SVP and Head, Global Pharma Engineering
Bayer
Petra Jakobs, PhD
Chief of Staff Global Pharma Engineering & Maintenance Excellence
Bayer AG
Engineering Innovation for Operational Excellence
- Developing engineering solutions that enhance reliability, scalability, and performance in manufacturing environments
- Modernizing production systems through the adoption of advanced materials and automation technologies
- Optimizing facility design and operations to support efficiency, flexibility, and speed-to-market
- Strengthening collaboration between engineering, operations, and digital teams to accelerate continuous improvement
- Case study: How Bayer is advancing engineering capabilities to drive performance across global manufacturing sites
4:50 pm – 5:20 pm CST
Plenary
Speaker TBA
UCBOS
Future-Proofing Manufacturing: Aligning Workforce Development and Quality Control for Scalable Growth
- Unlocking performance improvements by centralizing and contextualizing operational data
- Building digital strategies that align with core business and manufacturing objectives
- Breaking down silos between teams through real-time data visibility and collaboration
- Enhancing agility and decision-making with AI-driven operational intelligence
- Accelerating digital transformation through scalable, flexible technology architectures
- Empowering leadership with actionable insights to drive continuous improvement
5:20 pm – 6:05 pm CST
Panel Discussion
Steve Marshall
VP, R&D Process Innovation
CargillSneha Atwal
VP, Manufacturing
Virginia Economic Development PartnershipBrian Boland
VP, Cell Therapy Drug Product Manufacturing Operations
Bristol Myers SquibbMike Blaney
VP, Engineering, Reliability and Automation
Newell BrandsPeter Shearstone
VP, Global Quality and Regulatory Affairs
Thermo Fisher ScientificDan Campion
VP, Operations, Large Power Systems Division
Caterpillar
The Evolving Manufacturing Workforce – Building and Leading Teams for the Next Era
- Strategies for upskilling and reskilling teams across evolving global manufacturing operations
- Empowering frontline workers with digital tools to enhance productivity and decision-making
- Adapting leadership approaches to engage and manage a multigenerational workforce effectively
- Balancing automation advancements with meaningful investment in human capital and development
- Fostering purpose-driven cultures to increase employee retention, engagement, and performance
- Aligning workforce transformation strategies with long-term business goals and operational resilience
6:05 pm – 6:15 pm CST
Chair's closing remarks
Process Optimization
Jochen Kärcher
SVP, Global Manufacturing
Bosch
MODERN FACILITIES
Daniel Seidel
Chief Operating Officer, North America
HelloFresh
TALENT
Christopher Grail
SVP and Head, Global Pharma Engineering
Bayer
INNOVATION
Steve Marshall
VP, R&D Process Innovation
Cargill
Plant management
Lori Canzanese
Executive Director, Digital Manufacturing Operations
Merck
6:15 pm – 7:15 pm CST
Networking drinks reception
Sponsored by:
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