Executive Summits · by the Future of Manufacturing Alliance
Industrial IoT, Sensors & Plant Networks Summit for Manufacturing Plants
Meet the plant leaders still walking the floor to read a gauge.
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, maintenance, controls and energy leaders from Midwest manufacturers deciding which sensors, meters and networks go on the floor. Pre-scheduled 1-on-1 meetings. No expo hall.
The people who sign the PO for sensor and plant network 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 ManagerSigns off on the rollout
- Controls & Automation EngineerTies it to the PLC
- Maintenance & Reliability ManagerWants the alert first
- Energy ManagerMeters every utility
- IT / OT Network ManagerOwns the plant network
Where past delegates worked
Plant leaders at past FMA summits, by industry.
Industries we are inviting to this summit: Automotive and parts (Ohio, Michigan, Indiana) · Food and beverage (utilities, cold rooms, washdown) · Metals (hot, harsh, hard to wire) · Chemicals and plastics (pressure, temperature, flow) · Paper and packaging (long lines, many motors).
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.
- 5Cypress EnvirosystemsIndustrial IoT · 5 summits
- 4IBMIndustrial IoT · 4 summits
- 3ICONICSIndustrial IoT · 3 summits
- 2Rockwell AutomationIndustrial IoT · 2 summits
- 18US LED18 summits
- 17Kaeser Compressors17 summits
- 14Covanta14 summits
- 14Solution Dynamics14 summits
- 10Advanced Power Technologies10 summits
- 8Smardt Chiller Group8 summits
- 7BASF7 summits
- 7LG Electronics7 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 · AgriPower 6 · 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 · 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 · EQUIDEX Energy 7 · 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 · ICETEC Energy Services 2 · 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 · 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 met people at the right level in knowledge and decision making.”
Past sponsorHarry SimCEO, Cypress EnvirosystemsRead the whole quote
“We met people at the right level in knowledge and decision making. FMA did a great job scheduling the meetings. We had a lot of good quality interaction between us and potential customers.”
“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, 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.”
Past delegateWarren VoughtCorporate Facilities Manager, Archer Daniels MidlandSee 8 moreShow fewer
“…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“The FMA Energy and Sustainability Summit provides valuable insight into where leaders in various industries are finding success in systems and processes that drive overall efficiencies and organizational sustainment.”
Past delegateBrian SkrobarcekCorporate Director of Environmental Affairs, StandardAero“…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 MartinSet 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 industrial IoT category has room for more. If you've solved a problem like these, your story belongs on this program.
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Plant networks & private 5GInvited
How Whirlpool in Clyde, Ohio kept its factory robots moving with private 5G
AT&T installed a private 5G network for the real-time data the robots need: the network covers 200,000 square feet and helps power over 80% of the Clyde factory's AMRs (measured; period not stated). Whirlpool expects to extend 5G to its warehouses and add more connected AMRs (as reported by CTIA, in its 2025 guide for manufacturers).
The problem: Before the private network, the Seegrid autonomous mobile robots that deliver heavy appliance parts would suddenly stop because of poor signals or interference from metal and equipment.
Published result: AT&T installed a private 5G network for the real-time data the robots need: the network covers 200,000 square feet and helps power over 80% of the Clyde factory's AMRs (measured; period not stated). Whirlpool expects to extend 5G to its warehouses and add more connected AMRs (as reported by CTIA, in its 2025 guide for manufacturers).
Invited: AT&T, with Whirlpool · Read the published case
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IoT sensors & monitoringInvited
How Standard Steel's wheel mill in Burnham, Pennsylvania caught three failures in its first month of wireless sensors
Azima wireless triaxial vibration and temperature sensors on over 300 critical assets, with maintenance scheduled in eMaint: within a month three assets were saved from failure, including a wheel press boost pump whose failure would have "lost our entire wheel mill production line" (measured) (as reported by Fluke Reliability).
The problem: The previous vibration analysis vendor was too expensive and did not give enough value for maintenance decisions.
Published result: Azima wireless triaxial vibration and temperature sensors on over 300 critical assets, with maintenance scheduled in eMaint: within a month three assets were saved from failure, including a wheel press boost pump whose failure would have "lost our entire wheel mill production line" (measured) (as reported by Fluke Reliability).
Invited: Fluke Reliability (Azima), with Standard Steel · Read the published case
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Plant networks & private 5GInvited
How GM's Factory ZERO in Detroit-Hamtramck, Michigan brought private 5G to the plant floor
Verizon brought private 5G to Factory ZERO for faster speeds, scalability, reliability and more overlap in the factory's communications; no figures published (as reported by CTIA, in its 2025 guide for manufacturers).
The problem: The plant wanted better employee safety and less downtime, and easier ways for workers to shift workstations and for AGVs to deliver goods around the floor.
Published result: Verizon brought private 5G to Factory ZERO for faster speeds, scalability, reliability and more overlap in the factory's communications; no figures published (as reported by CTIA, in its 2025 guide for manufacturers).
Invited: Verizon Business, with General Motors · 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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IoT sensors & monitoring
3 stories invited · 1 open slot-
Invited
How Standard Steel's wheel mill in Burnham, Pennsylvania caught three failures in its first month of wireless sensors
Azima wireless triaxial vibration and temperature sensors on over 300 critical assets, with maintenance scheduled in eMaint: within a month three assets were saved from failure, including a wheel press boost pump whose failure would have "lost our entire wheel mill production line" (measured) (as reported by Fluke Reliability).
The problem: The previous vibration analysis vendor was too expensive and did not give enough value for maintenance decisions.
Published result: Azima wireless triaxial vibration and temperature sensors on over 300 critical assets, with maintenance scheduled in eMaint: within a month three assets were saved from failure, including a wheel press boost pump whose failure would have "lost our entire wheel mill production line" (measured) (as reported by Fluke Reliability).
Invited: Fluke Reliability (Azima), with Standard Steel · Read the published case
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Invited
How Ternium's steel plant in Monterrey, Mexico ended needless roller changes with wireless temperature sensors
Rosemount wireless temperature transmitters on a WirelessHART network, starting with 24 I/O points and expanded to 48, with an alarm at 85 °C: unnecessary shutdowns eliminated on six production lines and about $650,000 per month saved (as reported by Control Global from Emerson Exchange 2025).
The problem: Bearing lube oil and cooling water on hot-steel rollers were checked with a thermal gun on manual rounds, the cooling water made readings unreliable, and preventive, sometimes unneeded roller replacements were costly.
Published result: Rosemount wireless temperature transmitters on a WirelessHART network, starting with 24 I/O points and expanded to 48, with an alarm at 85 °C: unnecessary shutdowns eliminated on six production lines and about $650,000 per month saved (as reported by Control Global from Emerson Exchange 2025).
Invited: Emerson, with Ternium · Read the published case
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Invited
How a building products maker swapped out failing wireless sensors at five North American plants
After a 6-month single-site trial, Emerson AMS Wireless Vibration Monitors and portable analyzers replaced the incumbent at five sites (more than 2,500 wireless sensors): $661,500 in savings across seven machine saves in the first 12 months and a 100% reduction in catastrophic spindle failures in the first year (measured) (as reported by Emerson).
The problem: High maintenance costs and catastrophic failures of critical machinery; the incumbent supplier's portable data collectors and wireless sensors were not delivering, and its sensors missed a fan that was clearly in distress.
Published result: After a 6-month single-site trial, Emerson AMS Wireless Vibration Monitors and portable analyzers replaced the incumbent at five sites (more than 2,500 wireless sensors): $661,500 in savings across seven machine saves in the first 12 months and a 100% reduction in catastrophic spindle failures in the first year (measured) (as reported by Emerson).
Invited: Emerson · 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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Metering & submetering
Open: no story invited yet -
Plant networks & private 5G
3 stories invited · 1 open slot-
Invited
How Whirlpool in Clyde, Ohio kept its factory robots moving with private 5G
AT&T installed a private 5G network for the real-time data the robots need: the network covers 200,000 square feet and helps power over 80% of the Clyde factory's AMRs (measured; period not stated). Whirlpool expects to extend 5G to its warehouses and add more connected AMRs (as reported by CTIA, in its 2025 guide for manufacturers).
The problem: Before the private network, the Seegrid autonomous mobile robots that deliver heavy appliance parts would suddenly stop because of poor signals or interference from metal and equipment.
Published result: AT&T installed a private 5G network for the real-time data the robots need: the network covers 200,000 square feet and helps power over 80% of the Clyde factory's AMRs (measured; period not stated). Whirlpool expects to extend 5G to its warehouses and add more connected AMRs (as reported by CTIA, in its 2025 guide for manufacturers).
Invited: AT&T, with Whirlpool · Read the published case
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Invited
How GM's Factory ZERO in Detroit-Hamtramck, Michigan brought private 5G to the plant floor
Verizon brought private 5G to Factory ZERO for faster speeds, scalability, reliability and more overlap in the factory's communications; no figures published (as reported by CTIA, in its 2025 guide for manufacturers).
The problem: The plant wanted better employee safety and less downtime, and easier ways for workers to shift workstations and for AGVs to deliver goods around the floor.
Published result: Verizon brought private 5G to Factory ZERO for faster speeds, scalability, reliability and more overlap in the factory's communications; no figures published (as reported by CTIA, in its 2025 guide for manufacturers).
Invited: Verizon Business, with General Motors · Read the published case
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Invited
How Toyota Material Handling in Columbus, Indiana replaced its whole Wi-Fi network with private 5G
An Ericsson private 5G network, designed and installed by integrator STEP, replaced the entire Wi-Fi network at the 200,000 square-foot factory, which now runs business-critical operations on it exclusively. Ericsson's deployment took two-to-three months, against nine-to-12 months for working directly with telecom providers; three major US carriers extended public 5G across the site (as reported by RCR Wireless).
The problem: The forklift factory wanted a more reliable and secure network for worker communications, IoT-based predictive maintenance, fleet management and telematics.
Published result: An Ericsson private 5G network, designed and installed by integrator STEP, replaced the entire Wi-Fi network at the 200,000 square-foot factory, which now runs business-critical operations on it exclusively. Ericsson's deployment took two-to-three months, against nine-to-12 months for working directly with telecom providers; three major US carriers extended public 5G across the site (as reported by RCR Wireless).
Invited: Ericsson and STEP, with Toyota Material Handling · 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
Industrial IoT sponsors were in 11 of the 35 summits. Every sponsor and speaker, as printed.
Open any programCypress Envirosystems sponsored 5 summits. 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.