Executive Summits · by the Future of Manufacturing Alliance
Forklift & Fleet Charging Summit for Manufacturing Plants
Meet the plant leaders still swapping lead-acid batteries on every shift.
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, operations, facilities and energy leaders from Midwest manufacturers moving forklifts, yard trucks and plant fleets to lithium-ion, fuel cells and new charging. Pre-scheduled 1-on-1 meetings. No expo hall.
The people who sign the PO for charging 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 ManagerFleet capex and uptime
- Operations / Logistics ManagerRuns the trucks
- Facilities ManagerBattery room and chargers
- Energy ManagerCharging load and demand charges
- EHS ManagerAcid, hydrogen and battery safety
Where past delegates worked
Plant leaders at past FMA summits, by industry.
Industries we are inviting to this summit: Automotive and parts (multi-shift forklift fleets) · Food and beverage (cold storage, 24/7 shipping) · Consumer products (big in-plant warehouses) · Metals and building products (heavy-capacity trucks) · Paper and packaging (roll and pallet handling).
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“Great Summit to attend and see the diversity of industry and government. Several vendors presented new ideas to problems we all face in the industry.”
Ed HagerstromDirector EHS, Refresco Beverages US Inc.“Excellent set of presenters on a wide range of subjects, lots of new and forward thinking. Great networking with small groups- startup dinners and circulation times.”
John DeVinneySenior Project Manager, Perdue Farms“…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.“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 forklift and fleet charging category has room for more. If you've solved a problem like these, your story belongs on this program.
-
Lithium-ion forklift batteriesInvited
How Badger Paperboard in Fredonia, Wisconsin cut forklift maintenance in half
Five Big Joe integrated lithium-ion trucks so far, two at the 50,000 sq ft Fredonia plant: maintenance costs down 50% (the president's estimate), and telemetry shows one 5,000-pound truck saving $2,788 a year in fuel against the internal-combustion truck it replaced (as reported by Modern Materials Handling, August 6, 2026).
The problem: Internal-combustion and lead-acid lift trucks across its paperboard plants meant fuel, battery watering and maintenance costs.
Published result: Five Big Joe integrated lithium-ion trucks so far, two at the 50,000 sq ft Fredonia plant: maintenance costs down 50% (the president's estimate), and telemetry shows one 5,000-pound truck saving $2,788 a year in fuel against the internal-combustion truck it replaced (as reported by Modern Materials Handling, August 6, 2026).
Invited: Big Joe Forklifts, with Badger Paperboard · Read the published case
-
Industrial charging and battery roomsInvited
How a defense electronics plant electrified 27 propane forklifts without losing uptime
Maintenance-free TPPL batteries with chargers that top up during breaks: more than 2,000 tons of CO2 reduction and over $465,000 in operational and propane savings across the fleet's service life, plus an estimated $23,000 per year in carbon-offset value (as reported by EnerSys, 2026; service-life figures projected; customer not named).
The problem: To keep Department of Defense contracts, the plant had to cut emissions from 27 propane trucks running two 10-hour shifts with almost no spare equipment.
Published result: Maintenance-free TPPL batteries with chargers that top up during breaks: more than 2,000 tons of CO2 reduction and over $465,000 in operational and propane savings across the fleet's service life, plus an estimated $23,000 per year in carbon-offset value (as reported by EnerSys, 2026; service-life figures projected; customer not named).
Invited: EnerSys · Read the published case
-
Hydrogen fuel cellsInvited
How Southwire is moving its new Texas distribution site to hydrogen forklifts
More than 50 fuel-cell forklifts and a four-dispenser fueling station, expected to displace over 1 million pounds of CO2 per year (as reported by Plug Power, March 13, 2025; projected; a manufacturer's distribution site, not a production plant).
The problem: The wire and cable maker wanted to cut carbon from its supply chain at a new Dallas-Fort Worth distribution site.
Published result: More than 50 fuel-cell forklifts and a four-dispenser fueling station, expected to displace over 1 million pounds of CO2 per year (as reported by Plug Power, March 13, 2025; projected; a manufacturer's distribution site, not a production plant).
Invited: Plug Power, with Southwire · 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.
-
Lithium-ion forklift batteries
3 stories invited · 1 open slot-
Invited
How Badger Paperboard in Fredonia, Wisconsin cut forklift maintenance in half
Five Big Joe integrated lithium-ion trucks so far, two at the 50,000 sq ft Fredonia plant: maintenance costs down 50% (the president's estimate), and telemetry shows one 5,000-pound truck saving $2,788 a year in fuel against the internal-combustion truck it replaced (as reported by Modern Materials Handling, August 6, 2026).
The problem: Internal-combustion and lead-acid lift trucks across its paperboard plants meant fuel, battery watering and maintenance costs.
Published result: Five Big Joe integrated lithium-ion trucks so far, two at the 50,000 sq ft Fredonia plant: maintenance costs down 50% (the president's estimate), and telemetry shows one 5,000-pound truck saving $2,788 a year in fuel against the internal-combustion truck it replaced (as reported by Modern Materials Handling, August 6, 2026).
Invited: Big Joe Forklifts, with Badger Paperboard · Read the published case
-
Invited
How a paper and packaging maker saved $1.5 million by leaving propane trucks
One operation replaced internal-combustion equipment with 130 lithium-ion trucks and saved $1.5 million at one facility; the other moved 684 trucks off lead acid (as reported by Hyster; period not stated; customer not named; page undated, © 2026).
The problem: Two paper and packaging operations were running internal-combustion and lead-acid fleets with fumes and charging upkeep.
Published result: One operation replaced internal-combustion equipment with 130 lithium-ion trucks and saved $1.5 million at one facility; the other moved 684 trucks off lead acid (as reported by Hyster; period not stated; customer not named; page undated, © 2026).
Invited: Hyster (Hyster-Yale) · Read the published case
-
Invited
How Arctic Glacier's Oceanside, California ice plant stopped running out of charge mid-shift
With lithium packs, drivers finish an entire 15-hour shift on a single charge, watering ended, and packs recharge from a 110-volt outlet in an hour or two (as reported by Flux Power, 2024; no cost figures).
The problem: Lead-acid batteries lost charge mid-shift or failed in the swing between frozen and hot delivery conditions, and drivers carried two pallet jacks to finish a day.
Published result: With lithium packs, drivers finish an entire 15-hour shift on a single charge, watering ended, and packs recharge from a 110-volt outlet in an hour or two (as reported by Flux Power, 2024; no cost figures).
Invited: Flux Power, with Arctic Glacier · Read the published case
- Open slot
Your customer's story goes here.
Solved a plant problem in this category? Propose it for the program.
-
-
Industrial charging and battery rooms
1 story invited · 1 open slot-
Invited
How a defense electronics plant electrified 27 propane forklifts without losing uptime
Maintenance-free TPPL batteries with chargers that top up during breaks: more than 2,000 tons of CO2 reduction and over $465,000 in operational and propane savings across the fleet's service life, plus an estimated $23,000 per year in carbon-offset value (as reported by EnerSys, 2026; service-life figures projected; customer not named).
The problem: To keep Department of Defense contracts, the plant had to cut emissions from 27 propane trucks running two 10-hour shifts with almost no spare equipment.
Published result: Maintenance-free TPPL batteries with chargers that top up during breaks: more than 2,000 tons of CO2 reduction and over $465,000 in operational and propane savings across the fleet's service life, plus an estimated $23,000 per year in carbon-offset value (as reported by EnerSys, 2026; service-life figures projected; customer not named).
Invited: EnerSys · Read the published case
- Open slot
Your customer's story goes here.
Solved a plant problem in this category? Propose it for the program.
-
-
Hydrogen fuel cells
1 story invited · 1 open slot-
Invited
How Southwire is moving its new Texas distribution site to hydrogen forklifts
More than 50 fuel-cell forklifts and a four-dispenser fueling station, expected to displace over 1 million pounds of CO2 per year (as reported by Plug Power, March 13, 2025; projected; a manufacturer's distribution site, not a production plant).
The problem: The wire and cable maker wanted to cut carbon from its supply chain at a new Dallas-Fort Worth distribution site.
Published result: More than 50 fuel-cell forklifts and a four-dispenser fueling station, expected to displace over 1 million pounds of CO2 per year (as reported by Plug Power, March 13, 2025; projected; a manufacturer's distribution site, not a production plant).
Invited: Plug Power, with Southwire · Read the published case
- Open slot
Your customer's story goes here.
Solved a plant problem in this category? Propose it for the program.
-
-
Electric fleet and EV charging
2 stories invited · 1 open slot-
Invited
How a major automaker's parts centers swapped diesel yard trucks for electric
Electric yard trucks at three parts DCs cut 270 metric tons of carbon in four months, and the fleet "could be on track to recover their investment after three and a half years" (as reported by Orange EV, April 28, 2025; payback projected; automaker not named).
The problem: Diesel yard trucks at the automaker's busiest parts distribution centers burned fuel and can see "as much 20% downtime".
Published result: Electric yard trucks at three parts DCs cut 270 metric tons of carbon in four months, and the fleet "could be on track to recover their investment after three and a half years" (as reported by Orange EV, April 28, 2025; payback projected; automaker not named).
Invited: Orange EV and TA Dedicated · Read the published case
-
Invited
How DHL Supply Chain moved 50 yard trucks from diesel to electric
50 Orange EV electric yard trucks at more than 30 US sites; the first two have run more than 24,000 and 17,000 hours, and running 50 electric trucks instead of diesel eliminates more than 2,500 tons of CO2 a year (CO2 figure is a company estimate; sites not named; as reported by DC Velocity, January 10, 2024).
The problem: Diesel yard trucks shuttled trailers around the clock at its US sites, burning fuel and adding emissions.
Published result: 50 Orange EV electric yard trucks at more than 30 US sites; the first two have run more than 24,000 and 17,000 hours, and running 50 electric trucks instead of diesel eliminates more than 2,500 tons of CO2 a year (CO2 figure is a company estimate; sites not named; as reported by DC Velocity, January 10, 2024).
Invited: Orange EV, with DHL Supply Chain · Read the published case
- Open slot
Your customer's story goes here.
Solved a plant problem in this category? Propose it for the program.
-
"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 with the biggest fleets 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.