Executive Summits · by the Future of Manufacturing Alliance
Equipment Rental & Used Equipment Summit for Manufacturing Plants
Meet the plant leaders who need a chiller, a generator or a whole line by Monday.
New category for 2027. Same plant leaders who came to 35 summits.
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, maintenance, engineering and asset leaders from Midwest manufacturers planning shutdowns, covering emergencies and buying, selling or clearing equipment. Pre-scheduled 1-on-1 meetings. No expo hall.
The people who sign the PO for rental and used-equipment 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 ManagerKeeps the line running
- Maintenance ManagerEmergencies and shutdowns
- Plant Engineering DirectorTemporary power, air and cooling
- Asset / Capital Projects ManagerBuys, moves and sells equipment
- VP OperationsConsolidations and closures
Where past delegates worked
Plant leaders at past FMA summits, by industry.
Industries we are inviting to this summit: Chemicals and materials (turnarounds and outages) · Food and beverage (cooling and power backup) · Metals and steel (big outages, heavy equipment) · Automotive and parts (retooling and line moves) · Multi-plant manufacturers (consolidations, surplus assets).
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.
- 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
- 6Schneider Electric6 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 · Burns & McDonnell Engineering 3 · 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 · 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 delegates.
Their words, not ours.
“Every year we are able to find new partners to develop breakthrough projects”
Breitner MarczewskiDirector of Energy Engineering, General MotorsRead 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”
“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…”
Scott CullenAmericas Environmental Compliance Manager, Bostik“…full of opportunities to network with vendors I was interested in”
Read the whole quote
“I found the experience well organized and full of opportunities to network with vendors I was interested in.”
Warren 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.”
Kevin ButtGeneral Manager and Chief Environmental Officer, Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.See 8 moreShow fewer
“The presenters were very knowledgeable and did a great job of communicating during the one on one time during breaks. I look forward to the site visits so we can learn more about what each company has to offer.”
John ShewmakerFacility Maintenance Manager, Hitachi Automotive Systems“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…”
Carrie BertolinoEnergy Analyst, UniFirst Corporation“I am always skeptical with conferences whether they will be worth my time. This Summit was a very good blend and balance of solutions and testimonials. I will recommend this seminar to others in my company…”
Larry GlaserAVP, Director of Operations Support, OSI Industries“…Enjoyed the Summit and met some good contacts.”
Russ DelozierDirector of Sustainability, J+J Flooring Group“…We enjoyed attending your event and definitely appreciated presenting our LEED gold plant and our sustainability programs. … We definitely learned some things as well.”
Gregory ClarkDirector of Construction & Facilities Management, White Castle Management Co.“First time Summit attendee. Great introduction to a number of topics important to Facility Managers of the Future.”
Alec 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.”
Reed GibsonFacilities Manager, Pall Corporation“I very much enjoyed participating in the summit…”
Kurtis 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 equipment rental and used equipment category has room for more. If you've solved a problem like these, your story belongs on this program.
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Temporary power, cooling and airInvited
How a steel mill in Butler, Pennsylvania kept running for ten months after its compressor cooling failed
A temporary closed-circuit air-cooled heat exchanger was running in under two days and gave ten months of uninterrupted production while permanent equipment was sourced, using 2 million gallons less water than conventional cooling towers and 600 MWh less power than chiller-based options (as reported by Aggreko; customer not named).
The problem: A centrifugal compressor lost its cooling system in freezing weather, threatening an immediate shutdown, and the site had too little power for large chillers.
Published result: A temporary closed-circuit air-cooled heat exchanger was running in under two days and gave ten months of uninterrupted production while permanent equipment was sourced, using 2 million gallons less water than conventional cooling towers and 600 MWh less power than chiller-based options (as reported by Aggreko; customer not named).
Invited: Aggreko · Read the published case
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Industrial auctions and asset recoveryInvited
How ADM turned idle equipment across its plants into $43M
Through Liquidity Services' AssetZone program: $16M+ in asset sales, $27M+ in internal transfers and $43M in CapEx savings, revenue and cost avoidance, a 36:1 return (as reported by Liquidity Services; period not stated).
The problem: ADM had no company-wide way to see surplus equipment, so sites bought new instead of reusing idle assets, and selling surplus carried risk.
Published result: Through Liquidity Services' AssetZone program: $16M+ in asset sales, $27M+ in internal transfers and $43M in CapEx savings, revenue and cost avoidance, a 36:1 return (as reported by Liquidity Services; period not stated).
Invited: Liquidity Services, with ADM · Read the published case
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Industrial equipment rentalInvited
Testing a new packaging line before buying it: a taco shell maker rents a shrink overwrapper
Frain rented an nVenia overwrapper from stock, plug-and-play on arrival, and the successful test led the customer to buy a new nVenia machine (as reported by Frain Industries; customer not named; no figures given).
The problem: The maker wanted to test a shrink overwrapper for a new product line but could not commit capital before validating it.
Published result: Frain rented an nVenia overwrapper from stock, plug-and-play on arrival, and the successful test led the customer to buy a new nVenia machine (as reported by Frain Industries; customer not named; no figures given).
Invited: Frain Industries and nVenia · Read the published case
See all 7 stories, in 4 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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Temporary power, cooling and air
3 stories invited · 1 open slot-
Invited
How a steel mill in Butler, Pennsylvania kept running for ten months after its compressor cooling failed
A temporary closed-circuit air-cooled heat exchanger was running in under two days and gave ten months of uninterrupted production while permanent equipment was sourced, using 2 million gallons less water than conventional cooling towers and 600 MWh less power than chiller-based options (as reported by Aggreko; customer not named).
The problem: A centrifugal compressor lost its cooling system in freezing weather, threatening an immediate shutdown, and the site had too little power for large chillers.
Published result: A temporary closed-circuit air-cooled heat exchanger was running in under two days and gave ten months of uninterrupted production while permanent equipment was sourced, using 2 million gallons less water than conventional cooling towers and 600 MWh less power than chiller-based options (as reported by Aggreko; customer not named).
Invited: Aggreko · Read the published case
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Invited
Getting degas water cold enough at a steel facility in Braddock, Pennsylvania without a permanent rebuild
Temporary cooling towers, heat exchangers and pumps diverted about 2,000 GPM through a side loop and brought the mixed outlet below 90°F with no permanent changes, while steel production kept running (as reported by Aggreko; customer not named; no savings figures given).
The problem: The degas process needed water cooled from 135°F to below 90°F, but the existing system only reached 107°F and a permanent fix meant months of planning and major investment.
Published result: Temporary cooling towers, heat exchangers and pumps diverted about 2,000 GPM through a side loop and brought the mixed outlet below 90°F with no permanent changes, while steel production kept running (as reported by Aggreko; customer not named; no savings figures given).
Invited: Aggreko · Read the published case
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Invited
How a rural Ohio dairy plant added cooling at peak production without waiting months for the utility
A 230-ton chiller on a temporary 350 kW generator, later switched to natural gas from the plant's own line, kept full production from day one with no capital spending and saved $60k a month on average by switching from diesel to natural gas (as reported by Aggreko; customer not named).
The problem: The dairy needed more process and comfort cooling at peak production, but its electrical service had no spare capacity and utility upgrades would take months.
Published result: A 230-ton chiller on a temporary 350 kW generator, later switched to natural gas from the plant's own line, kept full production from day one with no capital spending and saved $60k a month on average by switching from diesel to natural gas (as reported by Aggreko; customer not named).
Invited: Aggreko · 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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Industrial equipment rental
1 story invited · 1 open slot-
Invited
Testing a new packaging line before buying it: a taco shell maker rents a shrink overwrapper
Frain rented an nVenia overwrapper from stock, plug-and-play on arrival, and the successful test led the customer to buy a new nVenia machine (as reported by Frain Industries; customer not named; no figures given).
The problem: The maker wanted to test a shrink overwrapper for a new product line but could not commit capital before validating it.
Published result: Frain rented an nVenia overwrapper from stock, plug-and-play on arrival, and the successful test led the customer to buy a new nVenia machine (as reported by Frain Industries; customer not named; no figures given).
Invited: Frain Industries and nVenia · 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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Used and surplus equipment dealers
Open: no story invited yet -
Industrial auctions and asset recovery
3 stories invited · 1 open slot-
Invited
How ADM turned idle equipment across its plants into $43M
Through Liquidity Services' AssetZone program: $16M+ in asset sales, $27M+ in internal transfers and $43M in CapEx savings, revenue and cost avoidance, a 36:1 return (as reported by Liquidity Services; period not stated).
The problem: ADM had no company-wide way to see surplus equipment, so sites bought new instead of reusing idle assets, and selling surplus carried risk.
Published result: Through Liquidity Services' AssetZone program: $16M+ in asset sales, $27M+ in internal transfers and $43M in CapEx savings, revenue and cost avoidance, a 36:1 return (as reported by Liquidity Services; period not stated).
Invited: Liquidity Services, with ADM · Read the published case
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Invited
Retiring 16 paper bag lines at Georgia-Pacific and recovering $13.5M
A sealed-bid auction and AllSurplus sales brought $13M+ in gross surplus sales, $500K in removal savings and $13.5M+ in recovered value (as reported by Liquidity Services).
The problem: Georgia-Pacific stopped making paper bags, leaving 16 bag lines, seven sheeters, converting and packaging equipment, yellow iron and MRO stock to sell.
Published result: A sealed-bid auction and AllSurplus sales brought $13M+ in gross surplus sales, $500K in removal savings and $13.5M+ in recovered value (as reported by Liquidity Services).
Invited: Liquidity Services, with Georgia-Pacific · Read the published case
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Invited
Selling everything in Smithfield's closed Farmer John plant in Vernon, California
The auction drew over 9,000 bids from 250 bidders in 11 countries and realized over $4.5 million in gross auction sales (as reported by Liquidity Services).
The problem: Closing a 57-acre, 1.9 million sq ft pork plant meant selling every asset on a tight timeline while managing over 70 rigging contractors on site.
Published result: The auction drew over 9,000 bids from 250 bidders in 11 countries and realized over $4.5 million in gross auction sales (as reported by Liquidity Services).
Invited: Liquidity Services, with Smithfield Foods · 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
30 printed programs, with every sponsor and speaker as printed.
Open any programCapped at 20 sponsors per summit. The plants that need equipment fast are in one room.
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.