Nicky Pettit
Speaker at SOUTHEAST: Nicky Pettit, Account Executive, Limble
Speaker at SOUTHEAST: Nicky Pettit, Account Executive, Limble
SOUTHEAST Session:
SOUTHEAST Session: Manufacturers from fabricators to assembly shops are all challenged with workforce woes, the need to boost productivity and the endless quest for quality. Knowing automation is the answer is one thing, but actually finding real success with technology investments can feel challenging and risky. How do you know what will truly bring value to the organization? How do you determine the return? And now with the hype of Artificial Intelligence (AI) seemingly on every product, how do manufacturing leaders determine the right places to invest limited time and capital budgets? In this session, we will delve into the ever-evolving landscape of automation & AI in the factory and take a look at technologies that are having a real impact today across the shop floor. Then we will stare into the crystal ball to look forward at technologies that are on the near horizon that manufacturing leaders should be keeping an eye on. Covering important topics like human-robot collaboration, automated equipment tending, data-driven insights, cobot welding, predictive maintenance, robot guided vision, bin picking, collaborative automation, quality inspections, and much more, attendees should leave this session ready to make value-creating technology investments in their business. Join us as we explore how AI is reshaping the factory floor — one algorithm at a time.
Speaker at SOUTHEAST: Colin Gilchrist, Digital Systems Product Manager, Phillips Federal
Speaker at SOUTHEAST: Billy Bogue, President, Matsuura Machinery USA
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.
Speaker at SOUTHEAST: Veena Sriram, Vice President, Supply Chain Transformation, Sutherland Global
Speaker at SOUTHEAST: Kelvin Byrd, Dean, School of Advanced Manufacturing & Transportation Technology, Greenville Technical College
SOUTHEAST Session: Automation is transforming manufacturing, making it essential for companies to adopt and scale these technologies effectively. As industry trends favor smarter, flexible systems, understanding how to start and grow an automation journey is vital for competitiveness, efficiency, and growth. Many organizations face challenges in strategic planning, technology selection, and implementation. This presentation offers practical guidance on developing aligned strategies, avoiding common pitfalls, and partnering effectively to ensure long-term success. Staying informed and prepared in this evolving landscape is crucial for both new and existing users to unlock automation’s full potential.
Speaker at SOUTHEAST: Luis Solano, Customer Engineering- Manufacturing Lead, Google Cloud