Executive Summits · by the Future of Manufacturing Alliance
Hydraulics & Pneumatics Summit for Manufacturing Plants
Meet the plant leaders mopping up hydraulic oil and replacing the same cylinder twice a year.
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 maintenance, plant engineering and automation leaders from Midwest manufacturers fixing leaking hydraulics, slow presses and air-hungry pneumatic machines. Pre-scheduled 1-on-1 meetings. No expo hall.
The people who sign the PO for fluid power 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.
- Maintenance ManagerLeaks, hoses, rebuilds
- Plant Engineering DirectorMachine specs and retrofits
- Controls & Automation EngineerValves, actuators, motion
- Reliability EngineerFluid cleanliness, failures
- Plant ManagerUptime and capex
Where past delegates worked
Plant leaders at past FMA summits, by industry.
Industries we are inviting to this summit: Metals and forming (presses, mills, shears) · Automotive and parts (stamping, assembly, robots) · Plastics and rubber (molding machines) · Food and packaging (pneumatic packaging lines) · Heavy equipment (test stands, assembly).
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.
- 3EatonPower management and lighting · 3 summits
- 2Emerson Climate TechnologiesHeating, cooling and refrigeration · 2 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
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 · EcoSafe Zero Waste 2 · EDF Renewable Energy 2 · Edison Energy 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 · Greenstar Recycling 6 · 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.
“We go through two dozen prospects here and get almost two dozen good, qualified leads to turn into business.”
Past sponsorWayne PerryTechnical Director, Kaeser CompressorsRead the whole quote
“…We come to these because we get to see the people that we spend months and months trying to get to at our other shows and never get to the actual decision makers. And the decision makers come to this show. We’ve been very successful with the quality of people and with the business that we get out of the show- that’s why we keep coming back. We go through two dozen prospects here and get almost two dozen good, qualified leads to turn into business.”
“…these contacts in many cases oversee programs that encompass many facilities rather than a single local facility”
Read the whole quote
“FMA has always proven to provide higher level contacts- these contacts in many cases oversee programs that encompass many facilities rather than a single local facility”
Past sponsorBill MehallSenior Manager, Key Accounts, Kaeser Compressors“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 like the fact that there is a single track of presentations. All attendees see all presentations. Most other events have multiple presentations going on at the same time.”
Past sponsorWayne PerryTechnical Director, Kaeser Compressors“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.“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.”
Past delegateJohn 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…”
Past delegateCarrie 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…”
Past delegateLarry GlaserAVP, Director of Operations Support, OSI Industries“…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.“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 hydraulics and pneumatics category has room for more. If you've solved a problem like these, your story belongs on this program.
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Hydraulic systems and power unitsInvited
How Pennsylvania press builder Gasbarre made a hydraulic press quiet enough for a quality lab
Two linked compact power units measured 62 decibels at the front of the press against the client's 83 dB limit, and the factory acceptance test planned for two days took three hours; energy savings of up to 80 percent, or 10,000 kWh, and 1 barrel less oil a year are vendor estimates (as reported by Bosch Rexroth; customer plant not named).
The problem: A client's US tungsten carbide powder plant needed a precise hydraulic press for a cramped quality lab, where a conventional power unit's constant noise and heat would be too much.
Published result: Two linked compact power units measured 62 decibels at the front of the press against the client's 83 dB limit, and the factory acceptance test planned for two days took three hours; energy savings of up to 80 percent, or 10,000 kWh, and 1 barrel less oil a year are vendor estimates (as reported by Bosch Rexroth; customer plant not named).
Invited: Bosch Rexroth, with Gasbarre · Read the published case
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Repair, filtration and fluid careInvited
How a Midwest deli meat plant stopped losing its high-pressure processing units to dirty oil
Offline filtration took fluid from ISO 19/17/14 to 16/14/10 and moisture from over 500 to under 10 ppm; one failure in fifteen months, 85,000 lb more product and over 1,000 gallons less fluid a year, and an estimated $350,000 a year more net income (as reported by Des-Case; customer not named; page undated).
The problem: Shattered ceramic pistons filled the hydraulic fluid of ten processing units with particles too small for the plant's 10-micron filters, causing about three failures a year.
Published result: Offline filtration took fluid from ISO 19/17/14 to 16/14/10 and moisture from over 500 to under 10 ppm; one failure in fifteen months, 85,000 lb more product and over 1,000 gallons less fluid a year, and an estimated $350,000 a year more net income (as reported by Des-Case; customer not named; page undated).
Invited: Des-Case · Read the published case
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Pneumatics and automationInvited
How machine builder Master Production cut a cartoning machine's air use by running it at lower pressure
Trials at 4.5 bar cut air from 13.2 to 9.6 m³ an hour; projected 24,711 m³ a year less air and a 27% lower running cost (€3,624 to €2,636), with at least 50% less nitrogen estimated (as reported by SMC; projected).
The problem: A horizontal cartoning machine with around 30 actuators ran at 6 bar, and continuous nitrogen blowing on a powder filler was wasting gas.
Published result: Trials at 4.5 bar cut air from 13.2 to 9.6 m³ an hour; projected 24,711 m³ a year less air and a 27% lower running cost (€3,624 to €2,636), with at least 50% less nitrogen estimated (as reported by SMC; projected).
Invited: SMC, with Master Production · Read the published case
See all 10 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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Hydraulic systems and power units
3 stories invited · 1 open slot-
Invited
How Pennsylvania press builder Gasbarre made a hydraulic press quiet enough for a quality lab
Two linked compact power units measured 62 decibels at the front of the press against the client's 83 dB limit, and the factory acceptance test planned for two days took three hours; energy savings of up to 80 percent, or 10,000 kWh, and 1 barrel less oil a year are vendor estimates (as reported by Bosch Rexroth; customer plant not named).
The problem: A client's US tungsten carbide powder plant needed a precise hydraulic press for a cramped quality lab, where a conventional power unit's constant noise and heat would be too much.
Published result: Two linked compact power units measured 62 decibels at the front of the press against the client's 83 dB limit, and the factory acceptance test planned for two days took three hours; energy savings of up to 80 percent, or 10,000 kWh, and 1 barrel less oil a year are vendor estimates (as reported by Bosch Rexroth; customer plant not named).
Invited: Bosch Rexroth, with Gasbarre · Read the published case
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Invited
How SKF's Lüchow bearing plant cut its hydraulic oil by 40% with a new power system
Nine modular power units cut oil volume 40%, from 20,000 to 12,000 liters, lowered system pressure from 85 to 78 bar and, with other measures, brought up to 24% energy savings; changeover took two weeks (as reported by Bosch Rexroth, via IndustryEMEA).
The problem: The plant's old central hydraulic system for its grinding machines no longer met economic or technical requirements, and a partial upgrade would have added cost and recertification.
Published result: Nine modular power units cut oil volume 40%, from 20,000 to 12,000 liters, lowered system pressure from 85 to 78 bar and, with other measures, brought up to 24% energy savings; changeover took two weeks (as reported by Bosch Rexroth, via IndustryEMEA).
Invited: Bosch Rexroth, with SKF · Read the published case
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Invited
How chemical maker Stahl cut hydraulic drive energy 60% at its Leinfelden plant
The actual saving against the old constant-pressure system is 60 percent and the entire plant uses 15 percent less power; the five-month project has had no downtime to date (as reported by Bosch Rexroth).
The problem: A constant-pressure central hydraulic supply turned much of its energy into heat at 23 agitators, and the old motor maker had stopped making spare parts.
Published result: The actual saving against the old constant-pressure system is 60 percent and the entire plant uses 15 percent less power; the five-month project has had no downtime to date (as reported by Bosch Rexroth).
Invited: Bosch Rexroth, with Stahl · 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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Pneumatics and automation
3 stories invited · 1 open slot-
Invited
How machine builder Master Production cut a cartoning machine's air use by running it at lower pressure
Trials at 4.5 bar cut air from 13.2 to 9.6 m³ an hour; projected 24,711 m³ a year less air and a 27% lower running cost (€3,624 to €2,636), with at least 50% less nitrogen estimated (as reported by SMC; projected).
The problem: A horizontal cartoning machine with around 30 actuators ran at 6 bar, and continuous nitrogen blowing on a powder filler was wasting gas.
Published result: Trials at 4.5 bar cut air from 13.2 to 9.6 m³ an hour; projected 24,711 m³ a year less air and a 27% lower running cost (€3,624 to €2,636), with at least 50% less nitrogen estimated (as reported by SMC; projected).
Invited: SMC, with Master Production · Read the published case
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Invited
How a bottle-filling plant cut machine air use by a third
Wireless air-management modules on ten machines brought a 33% reduction in compressed air usage and approximately $30,000 a year in savings (as reported by SMC Corporation of America, via NFPA; customer not named).
The problem: Ten filling machines kept drawing full compressed air even while idle.
Published result: Wireless air-management modules on ten machines brought a 33% reduction in compressed air usage and approximately $30,000 a year in savings (as reported by SMC Corporation of America, via NFPA; customer not named).
Invited: SMC Corporation of America · Read the published case
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Invited
How a pump maker saved $1 million in warranty costs by replacing a hydraulic press with an electric one
An electro-mechanical press brought 100% elimination of press-related failures and $1,000,000 saved in warranty costs in the first year (as reported by Promess in sponsored content; customer not named).
The problem: A hydraulic press inserted bearings at full pressure every cycle, over-pressing some parts and causing a 10–20% return rate.
Published result: An electro-mechanical press brought 100% elimination of press-related failures and $1,000,000 saved in warranty costs in the first year (as reported by Promess in sponsored content; customer not named).
Invited: Promess · 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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Fluid power distributors and service
1 story invited · 1 open slot-
Invited
How a food maker's drum-dumping elevator went from frequent failures to 100,000 cycles
A redesigned hydraulic system showed a 300% increase in carriage life in testing, now exceeding 100,000 duty cycles; throughput and cost savings were not quantified (as reported by Motion Repair & Services; customer not named).
The problem: A hydraulic elevator that tips 55-gallon drums into a 40-foot blender kept breaking bearings and torque tubes, and a failed control valve let the carriage lurch.
Published result: A redesigned hydraulic system showed a 300% increase in carriage life in testing, now exceeding 100,000 duty cycles; throughput and cost savings were not quantified (as reported by Motion Repair & Services; customer not named).
Invited: Motion Repair & Services · 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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Repair, filtration and fluid care
3 stories invited · 1 open slot-
Invited
How a Midwest deli meat plant stopped losing its high-pressure processing units to dirty oil
Offline filtration took fluid from ISO 19/17/14 to 16/14/10 and moisture from over 500 to under 10 ppm; one failure in fifteen months, 85,000 lb more product and over 1,000 gallons less fluid a year, and an estimated $350,000 a year more net income (as reported by Des-Case; customer not named; page undated).
The problem: Shattered ceramic pistons filled the hydraulic fluid of ten processing units with particles too small for the plant's 10-micron filters, causing about three failures a year.
Published result: Offline filtration took fluid from ISO 19/17/14 to 16/14/10 and moisture from over 500 to under 10 ppm; one failure in fifteen months, 85,000 lb more product and over 1,000 gallons less fluid a year, and an estimated $350,000 a year more net income (as reported by Des-Case; customer not named; page undated).
Invited: Des-Case · Read the published case
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Invited
How a Belgian steel plant freed sticking servo valves without a full flush
Within four months a decontaminating additive brought varnish potential from around 50 to under 18 and contamination from 290 to 30 mg/kg, and valve and pump sticking was eradicated (as reported by Fluitec; estimated; customer not named).
The problem: After switching hydraulic oil without flushing, the plant's servo valves stuck and filters plugged early.
Published result: Within four months a decontaminating additive brought varnish potential from around 50 to under 18 and contamination from 290 to 30 mg/kg, and valve and pump sticking was eradicated (as reported by Fluitec; estimated; customer not named).
Invited: Fluitec · Read the published case
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Invited
How a French tire plant stopped throwing away 2,000 liters of hydraulic oil a month
Offline water and particle filtration now recycles the oil, cutting oil consumption by 24,000 litres a year and saving 47,000 EUR a year on new oil (as reported by C.C. Jensen; customer not named).
The problem: Steam from 37 curing presses got into the hydraulic oil, and about 2,000 liters a month were scrapped, including leaks.
Published result: Offline water and particle filtration now recycles the oil, cutting oil consumption by 24,000 litres a year and saving 47,000 EUR a year on new oil (as reported by C.C. Jensen; customer not named).
Invited: C.C. Jensen · 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 machine and maintenance leaders 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.