Executive Summits · by the Future of Manufacturing Alliance
Economic Development, Site Selection & Design-Build Summit for Manufacturing Plants
Meet the plant leaders deciding where the next line goes.
Each summit is capped at 20 sponsors. Talk to Joe before it fills.
Who’s coming so far
21 manufacturers have confirmed they will send people. The target is 100+ plant leaders in the room by each summit.
- Honda
- GE Aerospace
- General Motors
- Stellantis / Jeep
- Procter & Gamble
- Cleveland-Cliffs
- Whirlpool
- Goodyear Tire & Rubber
- Parker Hannifin
- Swagelok
- Crown Equipment
- Lincoln Electric
- Sherwin-Williams
- + 8 very large manufacturers, not named at their request
Two days with plant managers, operations, engineering and real estate leaders from Midwest manufacturers weighing expansions, new lines and new buildings. Pre-scheduled 1-on-1 meetings. No expo hall.
The people who sign the PO for expansion projects.
Invited from plants across Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Pennsylvania and Kentucky. Every delegate is screened by title and plant.
1,470plant leaders from 495 manufacturers have come to past FMA summits.1,033 of them pick the vendor, own the budget or sign off.
Who decides a plant purchase, and how many came
- Step 1287Find the problem, write the specEnergy Engineer, Facilities Engineer, Environmental Engineer
- Step 2560Pick the vendorFacilities Manager, Environmental Manager, Energy Manager
- Step 3337Own the budgetDirector of Engineering, Director of Operations, Director of Manufacturing
- Step 4136Sign offPlant Manager, General Manager, President
Who we invite to this summit
Each title, and what that person owns.
- Plant ManagerMakes the case to expand
- VP OperationsChooses the site
- Plant Engineering DirectorBuilding and utilities
- Real Estate / Facilities DirectorSites and leases
- CFOIncentives and capex
Where past delegates worked
Plant leaders at past FMA summits, by industry.
Industries we are inviting to this summit: Automotive and EV (new lines, battery work) · Metals (power and rail) · Food and beverage (water, wastewater, workforce) · Chemicals and plastics (permits and utilities) · Industrial machinery (reshored work).
Counts are past FMA delegates, each counted once. They show who this audience is; they are not 2027 attendees.
Past speakers and delegates, by industry
Food and beverage
12 speakers · 161 delegates
Automotive
10 speakers · 192 delegates
Machinery, equipment and electronics
7 speakers · 209 delegates
Chemicals, plastics and rubber
6 speakers · 120 delegates
Steel and metals
2 speakers · 82 delegates
Aerospace, pharma, building and consumer products
29 speakers · 667 delegates
They came back.
Past FMA sponsors, and how many summits each one sponsored, from the printed programs.
- 3Burns & McDonnell EngineeringEconomic development, site selection and design-build · 3 summits
- 18US LED18 summits
- 17Kaeser Compressors17 summits
- 14Covanta14 summits
- 14Solution Dynamics14 summits
- 10Advanced Power Technologies10 summits
- 8Smardt Chiller Group8 summits
- 7BASF7 summits
- 7EQUIDEX Energy7 summits
- 7LG Electronics7 summits
- 6AgriPower6 summits
- 6Greenstar Recycling6 summits
See the other 102 companies that sponsored two or more FMA summits
3M 2 · Acuity Brands 4 · Advanced Green Technologies 3 · Advantix Systems 8 · AERCO International 5 · Air Balance 2 · AmbiRad 3 · Ameresco 2 · Armstrong Fluid Technology 5 · Badger Meter 2 · Be Power Tech 2 · Bio-Reaction Industries 2 · BLUEFIN 4 · Bosch Thermotechnology 2 · Camfil 2 · Capstone Turbine 2 · Chelsea Group 2 · Cleaver-Brooks 4 · ConDex Energy 2 · Constellation Energy 5 · Control Instruments 2 · CopperTree Analytics 3 · Cushman & Wakefield 2 · Cypress Envirosystems 5 · Doosan Fuel Cell America 3 · DTE Energy Services 2 · Dyson 4 · Eaton 3 · EcoSafe Zero Waste 2 · EDF Renewable Energy 2 · Edison Energy 2 · Emerson Climate Technologies 2 · Energy Management Systems 4 · Energy Source 2 · EnerNOC 2 · Enertech Global 2 · EnterSolar 2 · Environmental Resources Management 2 · ERS International 3 · ETwater Systems 2 · Every Watt Matters 2 · Eye Lighting International 3 · Facility Solutions Group 2 · FacilityConneX 2 · Fellon-McCord & Associates 3 · GDF SUEZ Energy NA 2 · GE Distributed Power 2 · GE Solar 2 · Gexpro 3 · GI Energy 2 · Green Ballast 2 · Greenworks Energy Solutions 3 · Harris Lighting 2 · Heritage Interactive Services 2 · Hurst Boiler & Welding Co. 2 · IBM 4 · ICETEC Energy Services 2 · ICONICS 3 · Invensys Operations Management 2 · JLL 4 · Jorgensen Facilities Services 5 · K+S Services 2 · KDC Solar 2 · KERAMIDA 2 · Knauf Insulation 2 · KVAR Energy Savings 3 · LEDtronics 2 · Lutron Electronics Co. 3 · MaxLite 2 · MCEnergy 2 · MEP Associates 2 · MPC Energy 5 · Munters 2 · Newton Distributing Company 2 · Nortec 3 · North America Power Partners 2 · North American Roofing 2 · OAKLEAF 4 · Optimum Energy 2 · Orion Energy Systems 2 · OSRAM SYLVANIA 5 · Pfister Energy 2 · PowerSecure 5 · Rinnai America 2 · Rockwell Automation 2 · ROXUL 2 · Rubicon Global 2 · SAP America 2 · Schneider Electric 6 · Shaw Environmental & Infrastructure 5 · Sloan 2 · Solar UV Solutions 3 · Solatube International 3 · Steril-Aire 2 · Synergy Investment 6 · The Dow Chemical Company 2 · Thermal Energy International 3 · Trane 2 · Tremco Roofing and Building Maintenance 2 · Viridity Energy 2 · Wahaso - Water Harvesting Solutions 2 · Zurn Industries 2
In writing, from past sponsors and delegates.
Their words, not ours.
“…brings the right people to the table”
Read the whole quote
“Joe organizes high quality events and brings the right people to the table. This creates the value we look for. He follows up well and keeps his commitments.”
“High quality customers and the right kinds of decision makers were here.”
Past sponsorJeff MetcalfVice President, Ameresco“Every year we are able to find new partners to develop breakthrough projects”
Read the whole quote
“FMA Summit has been a very friendly business event for General Motors. Every year we are able to find new partners to develop breakthrough projects”
Past delegateBreitner MarczewskiDirector of Energy Engineering, General Motors“We will be partnering with a couple of the presenters at the Summit”
Read the whole quote
“…The expertise represented at this Summit (solar, lighting, etc.) was impressive and very informative. We will be partnering with a couple of the presenters at the Summit…”
Past delegateScott CullenAmericas Environmental Compliance Manager, BostikSee 8 moreShow fewer
“I found the experience well organized and full of opportunities to network with vendors I was interested in.”
Past delegateWarren VoughtCorporate Facilities Manager, Archer Daniels Midland“…FMA is an extremely flexible, and very accommodating group. It’s been outstanding after I gave my presentation, the enthusiasm of the people, the questions continue even now, people wanting to know more details. It’s that sharing between people and myself. I’ve learned a lot myself so that’s been a great aspect of being here. The people that have come and I had interaction with have been the right kind of people I want to talk to.”
Past delegateKevin ButtGeneral Manager and Chief Environmental Officer, Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.“Very well organized! Great topics and great speakers. Spoke to vendors regarding current initiatives and met vendors regarding their initiatives and how they can provide guidance and services to UniFirst…”
Past delegateCarrie BertolinoEnergy Analyst, UniFirst Corporation“…We enjoyed attending your event and definitely appreciated presenting our LEED gold plant and our sustainability programs. … We definitely learned some things as well.”
Past delegateGregory ClarkDirector of Construction & Facilities Management, White Castle Management Co.“First time here, was impressed by many of the presenters and the issues they brought up and their solutions.”
Past delegateSteven JonesElectrical Engineer, ITW Hi-Cone“First time Summit attendee. Great introduction to a number of topics important to Facility Managers of the Future.”
Past delegateAlec BartolaiSustainability Program Manager, Sargento Foods, Inc.“I feel that a Summit like this adds to the tools needed to elevate my abilities and my company, to enable a better building/company.”
Past delegateReed GibsonFacilities Manager, Pall Corporation“I very much enjoyed participating in the summit…”
Past delegateKurtis JetselDirector - Facilities/ESH, Lockheed MartinWhat sponsors closed, and what buyers said.
Past sponsors on the business that came from an FMA introduction, and past buyers on the vendors they met there.
Set up Wednesday. Two full days of meetings. Home Friday afternoon.
Same schedule in Columbus and Detroit.
- Wednesday afternoonSponsors set up their exhibits. Everyone checks in.
- ThursdayThe full day: plant case studies, booked 1-on-1s, the reception and dinner.
- FridayMorning case studies, more 1-on-1s, closing lunch. On the road by mid-afternoon.
The hour-by-hour plan and the venues
| Time | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7:00 AM | Breakfast at your company table | Breakfast at your company table | |
| 8:00–10:00 AM | Plant case studies | Plant case studies | |
| 10:00 AM | Coffee and shop talk in the exhibit room | Pre-booked 20-minute 1-on-1s at your table | |
| 11:00 AM | Plant case studies | Plant case studies | |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch with your booked 1-on-1 meetings | Closing lunch with your booked 1-on-1 meetings | |
| 1:00 PM | Plant case studies | Plant case studies, then head home | |
| 2:00 PM | Sponsor setup and check-in | Pre-booked 20-minute 1-on-1s at your table | |
| 3:00 PM | Sponsor setup and check-in | Coffee and shop talk in the exhibit room | |
| 3:30 PM | Sponsor setup and check-in | Plant case studies | |
| 5:00–7:00 PM | Sponsor setup and check-in | Reception and dinner, with more 1-on-1s |
The full package's 15 pre-booked 20-minute 1-on-1s run Thursday and Friday: in the meeting blocks above, at lunch, and at the reception. Each is with a plant leader who asked to meet you, at your company table. You get your meeting schedule before you arrive, and the delegate list, with names, titles and companies, 30 days before the summit.
Venue photos via Wikimedia Commons: Hilton Columbus Downtown by Ɱ (CC BY-SA 4.0); Renaissance Center by Crisco 1492 (public domain).
The program: plant leaders come to hear how other plants fixed it.
The program is built from projects plants actually finished, presented by the plant and the company that did the work. Every economic development, site selection and design-build category has room for more. If you've solved a problem like these, your story belongs on this program.
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State and regional economic developmentInvited
Keeping a 25-year Ohio plant growing: Vertiv in Ironton and Westerville, Ohio
About $50 million to expand the Ironton plant and the Westerville headquarters, with up to 730 new jobs through 2029 (about 520 in Ironton, about 210 in Westerville), backed by a $3,000,000 JobsOhio grant in Lawrence County, a $1,000,000 JobsOhio grant in Delaware County and Job Creation Tax Credits (projected; Mar 30, 2026; as reported by JobsOhio).
The problem: Vertiv needed more manufacturing room and newer machinery at its Ironton plant, which builds thermal management systems for AI and traditional computing.
Published result: About $50 million to expand the Ironton plant and the Westerville headquarters, with up to 730 new jobs through 2029 (about 520 in Ironton, about 210 in Westerville), backed by a $3,000,000 JobsOhio grant in Lawrence County, a $1,000,000 JobsOhio grant in Delaware County and Job Creation Tax Credits (projected; Mar 30, 2026; as reported by JobsOhio).
Invited: JobsOhio and Ohio Southeast Economic Development, with Vertiv · Read the published case
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Design-build and industrial constructionInvited
Expanding a running assembly plant without stopping it: Ford Ohio Assembly Plant, Avon Lake, Ohio
$1.75-billion design-build expansion of 2.66 million sq ft on 246 acres, with SSOE Group as lead designer: 1,800 jobs created, more than 2,100 workers logged 1.7 million hours, safety nearly 50% better than industry averages, "completed on time and within budget" (ENR Midwest Best Manufacturing project, Nov 10, 2025; as reported by ENR, submitted by Rudolph Libbe Group).
The problem: Ford needed to consolidate the body and final assembly shops to improve logistics for a new commercial vehicle while the plant kept running 24/7, and late equipment deliveries hit the job.
Published result: $1.75-billion design-build expansion of 2.66 million sq ft on 246 acres, with SSOE Group as lead designer: 1,800 jobs created, more than 2,100 workers logged 1.7 million hours, safety nearly 50% better than industry averages, "completed on time and within budget" (ENR Midwest Best Manufacturing project, Nov 10, 2025; as reported by ENR, submitted by Rudolph Libbe Group).
Invited: Rudolph Libbe Group, with Ford Motor Co. · Read the published case
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State and regional economic developmentInvited
A new truck-cab line at a plant that started in 1845: J.M. Hutton in Richmond, Indiana
More than $6.25 million and up to 37 new jobs by the end of 2029 paying more than 125% of the county average, with up to $300,000 in IEDC tax credits plus local incentives (projected; Jul 27, 2026; as reported by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation).
The problem: J.M. Hutton, a precision metal fabricator with more than 250,000 sq ft in Wayne County, needed a new production line for truck cabs.
Published result: More than $6.25 million and up to 37 new jobs by the end of 2029 paying more than 125% of the county average, with up to $300,000 in IEDC tax credits plus local incentives (projected; Jul 27, 2026; as reported by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation).
Invited: Indiana Economic Development Corporation and Economic Development Corporation of Wayne County, with J.M. Hutton & Company · Read the published case
See all 6 stories, in 3 categories, and how a session runs
- 1The problemWhat was happening at the plant.
- 2The costEnergy, maintenance, downtime or lost output.
- 3The decisionThe options they weighed, and why this one.
- 4The workWhat changed, how long it took, what went wrong.
- 5The resultsMeasured before and after. Achieved, estimated or identified, said plainly.
- 6The lessonsWhat another plant should check first.
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State and regional economic development
3 stories invited · 1 open slot-
Invited
Keeping a 25-year Ohio plant growing: Vertiv in Ironton and Westerville, Ohio
About $50 million to expand the Ironton plant and the Westerville headquarters, with up to 730 new jobs through 2029 (about 520 in Ironton, about 210 in Westerville), backed by a $3,000,000 JobsOhio grant in Lawrence County, a $1,000,000 JobsOhio grant in Delaware County and Job Creation Tax Credits (projected; Mar 30, 2026; as reported by JobsOhio).
The problem: Vertiv needed more manufacturing room and newer machinery at its Ironton plant, which builds thermal management systems for AI and traditional computing.
Published result: About $50 million to expand the Ironton plant and the Westerville headquarters, with up to 730 new jobs through 2029 (about 520 in Ironton, about 210 in Westerville), backed by a $3,000,000 JobsOhio grant in Lawrence County, a $1,000,000 JobsOhio grant in Delaware County and Job Creation Tax Credits (projected; Mar 30, 2026; as reported by JobsOhio).
Invited: JobsOhio and Ohio Southeast Economic Development, with Vertiv · Read the published case
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Invited
A new truck-cab line at a plant that started in 1845: J.M. Hutton in Richmond, Indiana
More than $6.25 million and up to 37 new jobs by the end of 2029 paying more than 125% of the county average, with up to $300,000 in IEDC tax credits plus local incentives (projected; Jul 27, 2026; as reported by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation).
The problem: J.M. Hutton, a precision metal fabricator with more than 250,000 sq ft in Wayne County, needed a new production line for truck cabs.
Published result: More than $6.25 million and up to 37 new jobs by the end of 2029 paying more than 125% of the county average, with up to $300,000 in IEDC tax credits plus local incentives (projected; Jul 27, 2026; as reported by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation).
Invited: Indiana Economic Development Corporation and Economic Development Corporation of Wayne County, with J.M. Hutton & Company · Read the published case
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Invited
A conveyor maker adds a paint shop and 28,000 sq ft: Process Machinery Inc. in Shelbyville, Kentucky
Nearly $11.5 million to add over 28,000 sq ft in three phases by the end of 2026, creating 30 full-time jobs at a target average of $41.60 an hour including benefits; KEDFA preliminarily approved a 15-year Kentucky Business Investment agreement for up to $780,000 in tax incentives (projected; Apr 24, 2025; as reported by the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development).
The problem: PMI, which employs 90 Kentuckians making conveyors and aggregate plants, needed a paint facility, more manufacturing space and more equipment.
Published result: Nearly $11.5 million to add over 28,000 sq ft in three phases by the end of 2026, creating 30 full-time jobs at a target average of $41.60 an hour including benefits; KEDFA preliminarily approved a 15-year Kentucky Business Investment agreement for up to $780,000 in tax incentives (projected; Apr 24, 2025; as reported by the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development).
Invited: Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development and Shelby County Industrial & Development Foundation, with Process Machinery Inc. · Read the published case
- Open slot
Your customer's story goes here.
Solved a plant problem in this category? Propose it for the program.
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Site selection and utility economic development
Open: no story invited yet -
Design-build and industrial construction
3 stories invited · 1 open slot-
Invited
Expanding a running assembly plant without stopping it: Ford Ohio Assembly Plant, Avon Lake, Ohio
$1.75-billion design-build expansion of 2.66 million sq ft on 246 acres, with SSOE Group as lead designer: 1,800 jobs created, more than 2,100 workers logged 1.7 million hours, safety nearly 50% better than industry averages, "completed on time and within budget" (ENR Midwest Best Manufacturing project, Nov 10, 2025; as reported by ENR, submitted by Rudolph Libbe Group).
The problem: Ford needed to consolidate the body and final assembly shops to improve logistics for a new commercial vehicle while the plant kept running 24/7, and late equipment deliveries hit the job.
Published result: $1.75-billion design-build expansion of 2.66 million sq ft on 246 acres, with SSOE Group as lead designer: 1,800 jobs created, more than 2,100 workers logged 1.7 million hours, safety nearly 50% better than industry averages, "completed on time and within budget" (ENR Midwest Best Manufacturing project, Nov 10, 2025; as reported by ENR, submitted by Rudolph Libbe Group).
Invited: Rudolph Libbe Group, with Ford Motor Co. · Read the published case
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Invited
Renovating a secure plant while it stays open: L3Harris in Fort Wayne, Indiana
A phased renovation and expansion including a 26,000 sq ft lower-level engineering hub; 3D modeling caught clashes early and shutdowns were tightly timed to protect lab operations. No cost or schedule figures given (ENR Midwest Award of Merit, Manufacturing, Nov 10, 2025; as reported by ENR, contractor Hagerman Construction).
The problem: Renovating and expanding a highly secure, operating facility with limited ceiling space, aging systems to tie into, and sensitive labs that could not be disturbed.
Published result: A phased renovation and expansion including a 26,000 sq ft lower-level engineering hub; 3D modeling caught clashes early and shutdowns were tightly timed to protect lab operations. No cost or schedule figures given (ENR Midwest Award of Merit, Manufacturing, Nov 10, 2025; as reported by ENR, contractor Hagerman Construction).
Invited: Hagerman Construction, with L3Harris · Read the published case
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Invited
Building a steel tube mill inside a low building: Nucor in Ghent, Kentucky
More than 4,600 tons of structural steel racking across 396,000 sq ft, six fully automated overhead cranes, more than 3,100 ft of crane rail; shop welding removed 20,000 field bolted connections. The mill has capacity for 270,000 tons of steel tubing a year and brought 72 new jobs, with zero recordable injuries; completed November 2023 (ENR Midwest Award of Merit, Nov 15, 2024; as reported by ENR, submitted by JGM Fabricators & Constructors).
The problem: All steel for an automated racking system had to be erected inside a building with minimal height clearances, and more than 3,500 anchors had to go in for the racking columns.
Published result: More than 4,600 tons of structural steel racking across 396,000 sq ft, six fully automated overhead cranes, more than 3,100 ft of crane rail; shop welding removed 20,000 field bolted connections. The mill has capacity for 270,000 tons of steel tubing a year and brought 72 new jobs, with zero recordable injuries; completed November 2023 (ENR Midwest Award of Merit, Nov 15, 2024; as reported by ENR, submitted by JGM Fabricators & Constructors).
Invited: JGM Fabricators & Constructors, with Nucor · Read the published case
- Open slot
Your customer's story goes here.
Solved a plant problem in this category? Propose it for the program.
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"Invited" means invited: none of these companies has confirmed. Results are as published by the supplier; we ask every presenter for dates, baseline costs and verified results before the program is final.
Real FMA Summit rooms. No stock photography.
Get in front of the decision makers, not the crowd.
Full package
- 15 guaranteed pre-scheduled meetings
- A 20-minute case-study session
- A fully furnished exhibit
- Your corporate dining table
- Three people at full access
Add meetings up to 40 at $1,500 each.
- Any booked meeting that doesn’t happen is added to your next summit, written into your sponsor agreement.
- Each summit is capped at 20 sponsors, each solving a different problem for the people in the room.
Want the category to yourself? Each summit is capped at 20 sponsors. To talk about your category, .
- Plant leaders ask to meet you. We seat the ones who asked at your table.
- Your booked meeting schedule arrives before the summit.
- Any booked meeting that doesn't happen is added to your next summit: miss 3, and you get 15 plus 3. It's written into your sponsor agreement.
- You get the delegate list 30 days before the summit: names, titles and companies.
- Three people are included with full access. Extra passes are $2,900 each.
Or pick only what you wantMeetings from $15,000, talk $15,000, exhibit $15,000, dining table $10,000
One category, one summit. Prices in USD. Whatever you pick includes three people with full access. Meetings are booked on an opt-in basis before the summit; any booked meeting that doesn't happen is added to your next summit.
No vendor walks the show. Solution providers attend only as sponsors. A vendor that has not sponsored cannot register, attend or work the room, so the plant leaders you meet are not being chased by your competitors in the hallway.
The ten questions every sponsor asks.
Past sponsors answer all ten in one 5-minute film. Pick a question and the film jumps to its answer.
Now ask your own questions.
Answered on camera by past FMA sponsors. Recorded at past FMA summits.
Who's behind it.
Started FMA in Montreal in 2007 and has run every summit himself: 35 of them, 17,000+ meetings. Capped at 20 sponsors per summit, meetings booked before anyone arrives, and no vendor walks the show.
Read the full story
Economic development, site selection and design-build sponsors were in 3 of the 35 summits. Every sponsor and speaker, as printed.
Open any programEconomic development groups have sponsored FMA since the first summit. The summit is capped at 20 sponsors.
Twenty minutes with Joe Piazza: who is coming to your summit, where your company fits among its 20 sponsors, and what the agreement says. The sponsor brief has the delegate profile, the full agenda and the itemized pricing.
35 summits since 2007. Joe Piazza, who founded FMA, runs every summit himself. The videos on this page are from past summits.