Patrick Ives
Speaker at SOUTHEAST: Patrick Ives, Head of Operations, PRYM
Speaker at SOUTHEAST: Patrick Ives, Head of Operations, PRYM
Speaker at SOUTHEAST: Errol Burrell, National Product Manager, Matsuura USA
SOUTHEAST Session:
Speaker at SOUTHEAST: Andy Carr, President/CEO, SCMEP
SOUTHEAST Session: This session will be held on Tuesday, October 21st from 10:00am-Noon and will begin with a keynote focused on Michelin North America’s workforce development strategies including the company’s unique Talent Campus program. The keynote will be followed by a panel discussion with workforce development leaders from the state of South Carolina, the South Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (SCMEP), and Industrial Motor Service, Inc.
SOUTHEAST Session:
Speaker at SOUTHEAST: Colin Gilchrist, Digital Systems Product Manager, Phillips Federal
SOUTHEAST Session: Maintenance is one of the most powerful levers manufacturers can pull to reduce downtime, improve efficiency, and stay competitive in a world where reliability is everything. Yet too many organizations remain trapped in a reactive cycle, addressing equipment failures only after they occur. This presentation will explore how smart teams are moving beyond “fix it when it breaks” to build the foundation for AI-enabled maintenance. Attendees will learn how to apply predictive strategies, leverage IIoT data, and adopt mobile-first CMMS tools to unlock insights that prevent failures before they happen. We’ll cover practical change management tactics that ensure technology investments deliver results, plus real-world examples of how manufacturers are using digital workflows to streamline operations and reduce costs. Participants will leave with actionable steps to transform maintenance from a cost center into a strategic advantage — and a clear roadmap to prepare their teams for an AI-driven future in manufacturing.
SOUTHEAST Session: Manufacturers today face a critical workforce challenge. An aging labor pool, persistent skills shortages, and post-pandemic attrition have created gaps that traditional hiring alone cannot solve. These pressures demand innovative approaches to sustaining productivity and competitiveness. Robotics offers a practical, scalable solution, not as a replacement for people, but as a partner that augments human capabilities. Collaborative robots (cobots) are designed to work alongside operators, taking on repetitive, physically demanding, or hazardous tasks. This partnership allows employees to focus on higher-value activities such as quality control, process improvement, and customer engagement. Studies show that human–robot teams significantly reduce idle time and improve throughput compared to all-human work environments. Real-world examples illustrate the shift. Chipotle’s “Autocado” robot automates the tedious process of cutting and coring avocados, while staff concentrate on quality and service. On manufacturing floors, cobots assist with material handling, precision assembly, and inspection; areas where ergonomics and consistency are critical. Rather than eliminating jobs, robotics transforms them, creating safer workplaces and more sustainable operations. This session, “Robotics as a Partner, Not a Replacement, for Manufacturing Jobs,” will explore how manufacturers can strategically adopt robotics to address workforce shortages without diminishing employee value. Attendees will gain insights into the benefits of cobot integration, practical considerations for implementation, and the long-term potential of human–robot collaboration. The presentation emphasizes that the future of manufacturing is not a choice between people and machines, but a partnership that strengthens both.
SOUTHEAST Session: Manufacturing facilities generate vast amounts of visual data daily, yet most struggle to extract actionable insights from this untapped resource. This presentation demonstrates how Vision AI transforms existing camera infrastructure into intelligent systems that improve operational efficiency and reduce costs. We will explore practical deployment strategies that deliver measurable ROI within months. Attendees will learn how computer vision can be used for: detecting microscopic defects invisible to human inspectors, real-time SOP and process monitoring, automated inventory tracking, equipment utilization analysis, enhancing the safety culture and automating order accuracy verification. The session covers the complete implementation lifecycle—from identifying high-impact use cases to production deployment. We'll examine how Vision AI solutions can be integrated with your existing equipment and software. Attendees will leave with a clear framework for building their Vision AI roadmap, understanding both the technical requirements and organizational changes needed for successful adoption. Whether you're exploring initial pilots or scaling existing deployments, this presentation provides actionable strategies for leveraging Vision AI to reduce costs, improve quality, and accelerate your smart manufacturing transformation.