Cozette Robinson
Speaker at SOUTHEAST: Cozette Robinson, CEO, CYR Consulting, LLC
Speaker at SOUTHEAST: Cozette Robinson, CEO, CYR Consulting, LLC
SOUTHEAST Session: Many small and medium-sized manufacturers feel overwhelmed by the hype around artificial intelligence yet struggle to see where to begin without significant disruption or cost. This talk will present a practical, proven framework that helps owners, operators, and engineering managers adopt AI in a step-by-step approach. Real case studies will be shared, including a sales order entry automation initiative that reduced manual effort by 60% through the use of a third-party AI solution, allowing employees to focus on higher-value customer service and informed decision-making. Attendees will gain a clear roadmap to identify high-impact opportunities, pilot small projects, and scale AI solutions that deliver measurable ROI and strengthen long-term competitiveness. This session provides actionable strategies and dispels common myths, demonstrating that digital transformation does not have to be complex or out of reach for smaller manufacturers ready to take the first step.
SOUTHEAST Session: "The Manufacturing Leader's Playbook for Surviving Tariffs, Taxes, and Tech Turm," explores strategies for mitigating the effects of taxes and tariffs on manufacturing businesses through the use of modern business software. It covers key financial and operational factors such as OBBA, tariffs, and technology, highlighting how these elements impact R&D credits, clean energy credits, bonus depreciation, and potential savings. The presentation also delves into the benefits of ERP software, emphasizing the need for high-quality data ingestion, cost accounting, supplier diversification, customer prioritization, and predictive analytics to enhance profitability and market share. Additionally, it provides an example of a modern ERP platform and discusses the integration of Acumatica Manufacturing ERP, which combines financials, planning, and scheduling to support diverse manufacturing strategies and deliver real-time insights.
SOUTHEAST Exhibitor: Allied Machine & Engineering Corporation is a leading manufacturer of replaceable-tip drilling systems in Dover, Ohio.Allied provides precision holemaking technologies with the highest level of performance for end users worldwide. Our precision engineering and expert application support make us the first and best choice for answers to complex metal-cutting challenges.Allied devotes our advanced engineering and manufacturing capabilities to creating the widest selection of value-added tooling available to metal-cutting industries around the world. Our tooling solutions deliver the lowest cost-per-hole in many varieties of drilling, reaming, boring, and threading applications.
Speaker at SOUTHEAST: Brandon White, Vice President of Sales, Acieta
SOUTHEAST Exhibitor: Blum-Novotest, Inc., is a fully owned subsidiary of Blum-Novotest GmbH, a leader in cutting edge measurement and testing technology, with more than 50 years of experience as a supplier for the worldwide machine tool, automotive and aircraft industries. As the North American subsidiary, we are responsible for all sales and service activities in USA, Canada and Mexico. We provide tactile and optical measuring systems for automated tool setting and spindle probe systems for workpiece setting and inspection applications in machine tools. We integrate such devices into your machines for increased automation of job setup and monitoring of the manufacturing process.
Speaker at SOUTHEAST: Robert Jacobs, Digital Growth Director, CliftonLarsonAllen
SOUTHEAST Exhibitor:
SOUTHEAST Exhibitor:
SOUTHEAST Session: Digital twins are rapidly becoming a cornerstone of advanced manufacturing, enabling companies to simulate, optimize, and validate their production processes in a virtual environment before committing to physical execution. This presentation explores the value of digital twins specifically in the domains of CNC machining, robotic automation, and the broader virtual factory. In CNC machining, digital twins replicate the behavior of machines, tools, and part geometries, allowing for precise simulation of toolpaths and real-time detection of potential collisions, over-travel, and inefficiencies. By simulating the exact machine kinematics, spindle dynamics, and tool libraries, manufacturers can reduce setup times, improve part quality, and significantly lower the risk of costly rework or downtime. In robotic work cells, digital twins mirror robotic behavior, motion, and task sequences. This enables manufacturers to program, test, and optimize robot trajectories and tool interactions virtually - ensuring safety, cycle time optimization, and maximum utilization of expensive automation assets. Collision detection, reach analysis, and process synchronization can all be handled digitally before deployment on the shop floor. At the virtual factory level, digital twins provide a holistic view of the entire manufacturing environment - integrating machines, robotics, material flow, operators, and logistics into a unified simulation. This enables strategic decision-making, accurate capacity planning, and the ability to test process changes in a risk-free virtual environment. The result is greater agility, resilience, and efficiency across the entire production lifecycle. Attendees will gain insight into how digital twins reduce risk, increase productivity, and enable smarter planning across manufacturing operations. By harnessing digital twins in CNC machining, robotic systems, and factory-wide simulations, companies can accelerate their journey toward digital transformation and fully realize the promise of Industry 4.0.