Rebecca Battle
Speaker at SOUTHEAST: Rebecca Battle, Director, South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce
Speaker at SOUTHEAST: Rebecca Battle, Director, South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce
SOUTHEAST Session: Moderated by: Jamie Goettler, BTX Precision Rather than start with a discussion of all the technologies available in the industrial marketplace, this panel session will start by outlining the primary concerns of manufacturing businesses. By first appealing to what the audience (machining businesses) cares about most at the start, the panel will logically ease into a discussion of how available technologies can help achieve greater outcomes for these businesses…in other words, solutions to the preeminent problems. Among the concerns highlighted at the outset will be improving competitiveness (domestically and globally), throughput (business growth), and yes productivity in the face of the manufacturing skills gap. The panel will be represented by industry leaders who either are dealing with these concerns directly, or those that have a “front row seat” to a variety of companies that seek to survive and thrive. Technologies that will be addressed will likely include automation, robotics, workforce training, machining technology, machine monitoring, software and AI to name a few.
Speaker at SOUTHEAST: Jamie Goettler, Chief Revenue Officer, BTX Precision
Speaker at SOUTHEAST: Robin Blackburn, Technical Wage Recruiter /Technical Scholar Recruiter, Michelin North America, Inc
Speaker at SOUTHEAST: Kenneth Cowan, Vice President, Paperless Parts
SOUTHEAST Session:
SOUTHEAST Session:
SOUTHEAST Session: Manufacturers face a dual challenge: reducing unplanned downtime while also addressing rising energy costs and sustainability targets. Traditional Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM) has focused on asset reliability and uptime, but it often overlooks the significant energy wasted when machines operate in a fault state, up to 20% more electricity. This presentation introduces Energy-Centered Maintenance (ECM) , a next-generation approach that combines predictive maintenance with energy efficiency. By monitoring key parameters of rotating equipment, ECM helps manufacturers detect early signs of inefficiency, prevent failures, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Attendees will see real-world case studies, including how a pharmaceutical manufacturer deployed over 140 sensors across global facilities to save 136 hours of downtime and $42,000 in excess energy usage. The session will demonstrate how ECM strategies deliver measurable ROI, improve operational excellence, and align maintenance practices with corporate sustainability goals
SOUTHEAST Session: "From Crisis to Control: Offset Impact of Taxes & Tariffs with Modern Mfr. Business Software," 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.
Speaker at SOUTHEAST: Robert Jacobs, Digital Growth Director, CliftonLarsonAllen