Schedule - BMI Events

Conference Schedule:

Sunday:

2:00 PM – 5:00 PM Conference Registration

3:30 PM – 5:00 PM Board of Directors Meeting

6:00 PM – 6:30 PM Opening Remarks

6:30 PM – 9:30 PM Strolling Supper – Discovery Science Center
Come join your fellow attendees for dinner and drinks while you network and play
in one of Charlotte’s premier educational venues.

Monday:

7:30 AM – 8:30 AM Continental Breakfast

8:30 AM – 8:45 AM Welcome – Issue Sharing

8:45 AM – 9:30 AM Industry 4.0 – What is it and why is it important in today’s world? – Ana Anbuselvan, Founder and Executive Chairman of Industry 4.0 Foundation

Overview: We are entering the 4th major industrial revolution. The first saw

the introduction of steam and water power. The 2nd saw assembly lines and mass

production. The 3rd was fueled by computers. Now, we see a 4th, marked by AI, big

data, Mobile devices, Industrial Internet of Things (IoT), machine learning, automation

and more. In this session, we will discuss:

What has changed from Industry 3.0 to 4.0
What do I need to prepare for as we progress through Industry 4.0
Digitization: Industry 4.0 Technologies as the Game changer. Why is it significant?
Are there opportunities I can take advantage of in this new paradigm
What pitfalls should I be sure to avoid

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM Guest Breakfast

9:30 AM – 10:30 AM AI and Automation: Natural Partners for Manufacturing – Dr. Noel Greis, UNC-Chapel Hill

Overview: Manufacturing’s AI future is already here. Investments in technologies ranging from AI and machine learning to automation and machine vision are beginning to realize the vision of Industry 4.0. A lot had been promised and there remains a big gap between ambition and execution. But these technologies are already setting a new bar for performance—both human and machine—as organizations invest and remake themselves.

In this session, we will discuss:

How much and how fast is AI developing—which technologies are having the most impact and what are the trends of the future?
Reshaping manufacturing—how are technologies like AI and automation disrupting manufacturing processes and demanding new workplace skills?
Closing the gap between ambition and execution on the manufacturing floor—what are the success stories?
A geo-political perspective of the global AI race—what can we expect in the face-off between China and the US?

10:30 AM – 11:00 AM Break

11:00 AM – 11:45 AM Sharing Automation Ideas for Lean Improvements – Nick Ott, Atlantic Packaging

Overview: A common question is asked across all industries, and certainly now more than ever… how do we optimize production capability while balancing labor efficiency and automation cost? While each industrial sector, sub-disciplines, and at the finite level company has its own nuances within manufacturing and packaging processes, we all share similar overall struggles. Let’s not reinvent the optimization wheel every time we look into leaner processes for our own facility, rather let’s take a look across industries to understand what’s already out there. Evaluate what’s worked well, what’s not worked so well, and use that information as a foundation for deriving a unique solution.

In this session, you will observe:

Common things to be aware of when evaluating lean improvements
Positive automation examples from other industries
Negative automation examples from other industries
General ideas for lean improvements focused around packaging operations

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Rising Star Awards Luncheon sponsored by Neenah

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM Panel Discussion: Automation and Book Manufacturers
– Moderated by Kent Larson, Bridgeport National Bindery

2:45 PM – 3:45 PM Panel Discussion: Automation and the Supplier Community
– Moderated by Jay Foster, Flex by SoftSolutions
– Paul Steinke, Standard Finishing
– C. Scott Ellis, Solema
– Jim Kaeli, Muller Martini

4:00 PM – 5:30 PM Information Exchange (InfoEx) – Roundtable Sessions

6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Reception

7:00 PM Dinner on your own – Evening Activity at Bowlero Strike City sponsored by LBS

Tuesday:

7:30 AM – 8:30 AM Continental Breakfast

8:30 AM – 9:00 AM InfoEx Wrap Up

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM Managing Change through Automation & Motivation – Dr. Ashley Lesko, SPHR, Square Peg Solutions

Overview: Automation is coming to change the industry as we know it. It is up to the leaders to understand how the changes that automation will bring will impact the employees involved so that the organization, leaders and employees of the businesses can survive… and thrive.

In this session, you will learn:

High level Change Management – interventions at 3 levels (changes for individuals, teams and organization
The impact of Change Management – How to mitigate problems caused by poor change management
Ideas on implementing automation in your area – with minimal impact or even appreciation by your employees
Motivation techniques – a look at 9 “career anchors” to help leaders understand their employees to get them to accomplish the mission

10:00 AM – 10:30 AM Break

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM Economics of Automation – Greg Simmons, Business Expansion Funding Corporation

11:30 AM – 1:00 PM Conference Committee Meeting

1:00 PM – 5:00 PM Optional Tour to LD Davis Plant

Please note that the conference attendance is open to

BMI Members & special invited Guests only.
Financing Equipment: Finding the right fit

Before you invest a large amount of money into new automation equipment, you need to do your due diligence. Having all the information available is key to making the best decision for your business.

In this session, you will learn:

What are Indicators I’m ready to buy new equipment?
The impact of Change Management – How to mitigate problems caused by poor change management
Am I prepared for a capital investment and the debt service?
What are banks looking for or need?
What structures and options are available?