Executive Summits · by the Future of Manufacturing Alliance
Motors, Drives & Pumps Summit for Manufacturing Plants
Meet the plant leaders still running pumps flat out and throttling the valve.
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 engineering, maintenance and energy leaders from Midwest manufacturers replacing old motors, adding drives and fixing oversized pumps. Pre-scheduled 1-on-1 meetings. No expo hall.
The people who sign the PO for motor and pump 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 Engineering DirectorWrites the motor and pump spec
- Maintenance & Reliability ManagerRepair or replace
- Energy ManagerkWh and rebates
- Utilities ManagerPumps, fans, cooling water
- Plant ManagerSigns off on capex
Where past delegates worked
Plant leaders at past FMA summits, by industry.
Industries we are inviting to this summit: Food and beverage (pumps, fans, refrigeration) · Chemicals and materials (process pumps, agitators) · Metals and steel (large motors, cooling water) · Paper and packaging (fans, pumps, drives) · Automotive and parts (Ohio, Michigan, Indiana).
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.
- 5Armstrong Fluid TechnologyMotors, drives and pumps · 5 summits
- 18US LED18 summits
- 17Kaeser Compressors17 summits
- 14Covanta14 summits
- 14Solution Dynamics14 summits
- 10Advanced Power Technologies10 summits
- 8Smardt Chiller Group8 summits
- 7BASF7 summits
- 7EQUIDEX Energy7 summits
- 7LG Electronics7 summits
- 6AgriPower6 summits
- 6Greenstar Recycling6 summits
See the other 102 companies that sponsored two or more FMA summits
3M 2 · Acuity Brands 4 · Advanced Green Technologies 3 · Advantix Systems 8 · AERCO International 5 · Air Balance 2 · AmbiRad 3 · Ameresco 2 · 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 · 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 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“…so we can learn more about what each company has to offer”
Read the whole quote
“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 SystemsSee 8 moreShow fewer
“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“I’ve been to a lot of conferences and I found the FMA sessions to be excellent, engaging and interesting. I think it had some of the best speakers I’ve ever seen in a conference I’ve been to. I certainly liked the format, the 20 minutes sessions, so you can get the top level ideas or thoughts without having to hear in infinite detail. The format is well structured, the speakers were really, really good and I would highly recommend this conference to anybody in this field.”
Brendan SullivanExecutive Director, Facilities, Estée Lauder“The Summit was truly ‘eye-opening’. I got an excellent sense of momentum building for companies and institutions making significant changes for the future. Woe betide those organizations who turn a blind eye to the need and benefits of changing how they manage and operate their facilities.”
Chris WendtFacilities Manager, Standard Motor Products, Inc.“As a global leader, it’s extremely important for me to stay current on technological advances. The FMA Summit brought current advances and best practices to me in an efficient 1.5 day event”
Maria WatsonSr. Manager Global Energy, Pall 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.”
Brian SkrobarcekCorporate Director of Environmental Affairs, StandardAeroWhat 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 motors, drives and pumps category has room for more. If you've solved a problem like these, your story belongs on this program.
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Drives (VFDs)Invited
How a poultry plant with more than 500 drives found a replacement strategy that doesn't stop the line
After drives programmed without mains power and a 3 HP trial drive proved out, the plant began standardizing on Yaskawa VFDs across the site, letting maintenance staff handle drive programming themselves; no figures given (as reported by Yaskawa; customer not named; dated © 2025 only).
The problem: Aging drives and limited distributor support put production at risk, and leadership doubted another brand of drive would communicate with the plant's PLC system.
Published result: After drives programmed without mains power and a 3 HP trial drive proved out, the plant began standardizing on Yaskawa VFDs across the site, letting maintenance staff handle drive programming themselves; no figures given (as reported by Yaskawa; customer not named; dated © 2025 only).
Invited: Yaskawa America · Read the published case
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MotorsInvited
How a Syngenta chemical plant quieted and slowed an overworked waste-stream pump with a motor that has the drive built in
An ITT VIDAR motor swapped in within a few hours (a conventional VFD would have taken four to six weeks): under automatic speed control the pump runs at 1,160 RPM, 19.9 hp and 20 amps, for an overall energy savings of $10,041 per year and 40-50% lower overall cost than a traditional VFD installation (as reported by ITT and Syngenta in Plant Services; plant location not stated).
The problem: A 30 hp fixed-speed motor on a chlorinator pump pushed against a control valve held 40% closed, drawing up toward 33 hp and 40 amps, overheating, tripping on overload and running at 105 dB.
Published result: An ITT VIDAR motor swapped in within a few hours (a conventional VFD would have taken four to six weeks): under automatic speed control the pump runs at 1,160 RPM, 19.9 hp and 20 amps, for an overall energy savings of $10,041 per year and 40-50% lower overall cost than a traditional VFD installation (as reported by ITT and Syngenta in Plant Services; plant location not stated).
Invited: ITT, with Syngenta · Read the published case
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PumpsInvited
How a meat and poultry processor cut pump sanitation and unplanned maintenance
With Unibloc QuickStrip Series 600 lobe pumps, sanitation routines take just minutes to disassemble and clean, reassembly errors were eliminated and unplanned maintenance virtually disappeared; no figures given (as reported by Unibloc; customer not named).
The problem: Growth had outrun capacity, the old lobe pumps risked damaging shear-sensitive product, and complex pumps took too long to strip and clean with a short-staffed night shift.
Published result: With Unibloc QuickStrip Series 600 lobe pumps, sanitation routines take just minutes to disassemble and clean, reassembly errors were eliminated and unplanned maintenance virtually disappeared; no figures given (as reported by Unibloc; customer not named).
Invited: Unibloc Hygienic Technologies · 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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Motors
2 stories invited · 1 open slot-
Invited
How a Syngenta chemical plant quieted and slowed an overworked waste-stream pump with a motor that has the drive built in
An ITT VIDAR motor swapped in within a few hours (a conventional VFD would have taken four to six weeks): under automatic speed control the pump runs at 1,160 RPM, 19.9 hp and 20 amps, for an overall energy savings of $10,041 per year and 40-50% lower overall cost than a traditional VFD installation (as reported by ITT and Syngenta in Plant Services; plant location not stated).
The problem: A 30 hp fixed-speed motor on a chlorinator pump pushed against a control valve held 40% closed, drawing up toward 33 hp and 40 amps, overheating, tripping on overload and running at 105 dB.
Published result: An ITT VIDAR motor swapped in within a few hours (a conventional VFD would have taken four to six weeks): under automatic speed control the pump runs at 1,160 RPM, 19.9 hp and 20 amps, for an overall energy savings of $10,041 per year and 40-50% lower overall cost than a traditional VFD installation (as reported by ITT and Syngenta in Plant Services; plant location not stated).
Invited: ITT, with Syngenta · Read the published case
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Invited
How Rockwool cut 738 MWh a year by replacing legacy motors after an energy appraisal
After an ABB energy appraisal, legacy motors were upgraded to IE4/IE5 SynRM motors with ACS880 drives; the project saves 738 MWh of electricity and avoids 142 tons of CO₂ annually while meeting the customer's payback target (as reported by ABB; plant outside the US, location not stated in the source).
The problem: Legacy motors and drives were using more electricity than needed, and the company wanted to cut energy use and emissions within its payback target.
Published result: After an ABB energy appraisal, legacy motors were upgraded to IE4/IE5 SynRM motors with ACS880 drives; the project saves 738 MWh of electricity and avoids 142 tons of CO₂ annually while meeting the customer's payback target (as reported by ABB; plant outside the US, location not stated in the source).
Invited: ABB, with Rockwool · 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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Drives (VFDs)
2 stories invited · 1 open slot-
Invited
How a poultry plant with more than 500 drives found a replacement strategy that doesn't stop the line
After drives programmed without mains power and a 3 HP trial drive proved out, the plant began standardizing on Yaskawa VFDs across the site, letting maintenance staff handle drive programming themselves; no figures given (as reported by Yaskawa; customer not named; dated © 2025 only).
The problem: Aging drives and limited distributor support put production at risk, and leadership doubted another brand of drive would communicate with the plant's PLC system.
Published result: After drives programmed without mains power and a 3 HP trial drive proved out, the plant began standardizing on Yaskawa VFDs across the site, letting maintenance staff handle drive programming themselves; no figures given (as reported by Yaskawa; customer not named; dated © 2025 only).
Invited: Yaskawa America · Read the published case
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Invited
How a tire plant making over 4 million tires a year upgraded the drives on its air table blowers
GA500 drives with a PLC add-on instruction gave smoother control, faster response times and improved system feedback, cut programming time, and led the plant to plan replacing more non-Yaskawa drives; no figures given (as reported by Yaskawa; customer not named; dated © 2025 only).
The problem: The plant wanted better performance from the drives on its air table blowers, but any new drive had to work seamlessly with the PLC that sequences the process.
Published result: GA500 drives with a PLC add-on instruction gave smoother control, faster response times and improved system feedback, cut programming time, and led the plant to plan replacing more non-Yaskawa drives; no figures given (as reported by Yaskawa; customer not named; dated © 2025 only).
Invited: Yaskawa America · 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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Pumps
1 story invited · 1 open slot-
Invited
How a meat and poultry processor cut pump sanitation and unplanned maintenance
With Unibloc QuickStrip Series 600 lobe pumps, sanitation routines take just minutes to disassemble and clean, reassembly errors were eliminated and unplanned maintenance virtually disappeared; no figures given (as reported by Unibloc; customer not named).
The problem: Growth had outrun capacity, the old lobe pumps risked damaging shear-sensitive product, and complex pumps took too long to strip and clean with a short-staffed night shift.
Published result: With Unibloc QuickStrip Series 600 lobe pumps, sanitation routines take just minutes to disassemble and clean, reassembly errors were eliminated and unplanned maintenance virtually disappeared; no figures given (as reported by Unibloc; customer not named).
Invited: Unibloc Hygienic Technologies · 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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Motor and pump repair
2 stories invited · 1 open slot-
Invited
How a rubber plant got its main mixer back in under a week instead of waiting 50 days for a new motor
The shaft was repaired and the motor reinstalled in less than seven days, against the manufacturer's quoted lead time of 50-55 days for a new motor; the plant resumed production the next morning (as reported by Horner Industrial; customer not named).
The problem: A 400HP motor on the main mixer's hydraulic power unit failed when a bearing welded itself to a cracked shaft, and with the backup mixer already down, raw rubber production stopped.
Published result: The shaft was repaired and the motor reinstalled in less than seven days, against the manufacturer's quoted lead time of 50-55 days for a new motor; the plant resumed production the next morning (as reported by Horner Industrial; customer not named).
Invited: Horner Industrial · Read the published case
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Invited
How a cement plant rebuilt a 72-inch fan in time to start its new 1,250 HP drive
The fan got a new hub and shaft, crack repair, ultrasonic testing and dynamic balancing, and despite two days of storm delays the work finished on time and the plant resumed operations as planned; no figures given (as reported by Horner Industrial; customer not named).
The problem: A cracked 72-inch fan and shaft assembly had to be rebuilt within a 10-day shutdown so a new 1250HP Toshiba medium-voltage drive could be commissioned.
Published result: The fan got a new hub and shaft, crack repair, ultrasonic testing and dynamic balancing, and despite two days of storm delays the work finished on time and the plant resumed operations as planned; no figures given (as reported by Horner Industrial; customer not named).
Invited: Horner Industrial · 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
Motors, drives and pumps sponsors were in 5 of the 35 summits. Every sponsor and speaker, as printed.
Open any programArmstrong Fluid Technology sponsored five times. 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.