Executive Summits · by the Future of Manufacturing Alliance
Robotics & Automation Summit for Manufacturing Plants
Meet the plant leaders who can't staff the second 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 managers, manufacturing engineers and operations leaders from Midwest manufacturers deciding where robots, cobots and automated material handling pay back. Pre-scheduled 1-on-1 meetings. No expo hall.
The people who sign the PO for automation 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 ManagerLabor, safety, output
- Manufacturing Engineering ManagerPicks the cell
- VP OperationsSigns the capex
- Controls & Automation EngineerIntegrates and maintains it
- EHS ManagerGuarding and ergonomics
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) · Metal fabrication (welding, machine tending) · Food and beverage (packing and palletizing) · Plastics and rubber (molding, trimming, packing) · Appliances and equipment (assembly, material moves).
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“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“…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.What 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 robotics and automation category has room for more. If you've solved a problem like these, your story belongs on this program.
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CobotsInvited
58 cobot welders across Tate's plants in Kentucky, Virginia and Arkansas
A fleet of 58 Hirebotics Cobot Welder systems across three facilities: a 12x increase in per-welder throughput on critical structural assemblies (period not stated) (as reported by Hirebotics, August 2026).
The problem: Tate, which makes structural ceilings and containment systems, needed more welding output on critical structural assemblies.
Published result: A fleet of 58 Hirebotics Cobot Welder systems across three facilities: a 12x increase in per-welder throughput on critical structural assemblies (period not stated) (as reported by Hirebotics, August 2026).
Invited: Hirebotics, with Tate · Read the published case
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Industrial robotsInvited
How Regal Finishing in Coloma, Michigan more than doubled painted parts with robots
A FANUC paint-robot line integrated by RTSS: overall daily throughput up about 125%, first-run good parts up about 35%, six painters replaced by three operators (a 50% salary savings) and paint material costs down about 10-15% (as reported by FANUC, January 2026).
The problem: Multiple paint lines, excessive part handling, rising scrap and rework, and a shortage of skilled painters limited throughput.
Published result: A FANUC paint-robot line integrated by RTSS: overall daily throughput up about 125%, first-run good parts up about 35%, six painters replaced by three operators (a 50% salary savings) and paint material costs down about 10-15% (as reported by FANUC, January 2026).
Invited: FANUC America and RTSS, with Regal Finishing · Read the published case
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Mobile robots & AMRsInvited
How Jasper Group in Orleans, Indiana replaced golf-cart shuttles with mobile robots
Three MiR600 AMRs integrated by Robotic Solutions LLC took over material runs that had needed "three people working eight hours a day"; those workers moved to other departments, and the robots run nonstop through the shift carrying up to 1,250 lbs (no savings figures published) (as reported by Robotics Tomorrow).
The problem: Raw materials moved from receiving to production by golf cart on multiple daily shuttles, and "it felt like the materials were never there when you needed them."
Published result: Three MiR600 AMRs integrated by Robotic Solutions LLC took over material runs that had needed "three people working eight hours a day"; those workers moved to other departments, and the robots run nonstop through the shift carrying up to 1,250 lbs (no savings figures published) (as reported by Robotics Tomorrow).
Invited: MiR, with Jasper Group · 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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Industrial robots
2 stories invited · 1 open slot-
Invited
How Regal Finishing in Coloma, Michigan more than doubled painted parts with robots
A FANUC paint-robot line integrated by RTSS: overall daily throughput up about 125%, first-run good parts up about 35%, six painters replaced by three operators (a 50% salary savings) and paint material costs down about 10-15% (as reported by FANUC, January 2026).
The problem: Multiple paint lines, excessive part handling, rising scrap and rework, and a shortage of skilled painters limited throughput.
Published result: A FANUC paint-robot line integrated by RTSS: overall daily throughput up about 125%, first-run good parts up about 35%, six painters replaced by three operators (a 50% salary savings) and paint material costs down about 10-15% (as reported by FANUC, January 2026).
Invited: FANUC America and RTSS, with Regal Finishing · Read the published case
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Invited
How Will-Burt in Orrville, Ohio added 240 to 320 welding hours a week
Two FANUC arc-welding robot systems integrated by Weldbot of Akron: robots on average "3 to 4 times more efficient" than manual welding, each system adding 240 to 320 additional hours of welding per week and enabling approximately $4 million of contract fabrication work (as reported by FANUC).
The problem: A shortage of skilled welders limited how much work Will-Burt could take on, costs were rising, and hand-welding large parts raised ergonomic and safety issues.
Published result: Two FANUC arc-welding robot systems integrated by Weldbot of Akron: robots on average "3 to 4 times more efficient" than manual welding, each system adding 240 to 320 additional hours of welding per week and enabling approximately $4 million of contract fabrication work (as reported by FANUC).
Invited: FANUC America, with The Will-Burt Co. · 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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Cobots
3 stories invited · 1 open slot-
Invited
58 cobot welders across Tate's plants in Kentucky, Virginia and Arkansas
A fleet of 58 Hirebotics Cobot Welder systems across three facilities: a 12x increase in per-welder throughput on critical structural assemblies (period not stated) (as reported by Hirebotics, August 2026).
The problem: Tate, which makes structural ceilings and containment systems, needed more welding output on critical structural assemblies.
Published result: A fleet of 58 Hirebotics Cobot Welder systems across three facilities: a 12x increase in per-welder throughput on critical structural assemblies (period not stated) (as reported by Hirebotics, August 2026).
Invited: Hirebotics, with Tate · Read the published case
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Invited
How Raymath in Ohio doubled welding output with cobots
Universal Robots cobots for MIG/TIG welding and CNC tending: four cobot MIG welders run by two operators, "half the number of operators, welding at twice the speed" (4X); TIG welding two to six times faster than by hand (one aluminum part from 15 minutes to five to six minutes); machine tending reaching 24 hours of machining time, a more than 600% productivity boost; ROI in less than 12 months (period not stated) (as reported by Universal Robots, published by IFR).
The problem: Customers wanted fewer suppliers, so Raymath had to make more kinds of high-mix, low-volume sheet metal parts; complex aluminum TIG welding was all manual and third-shift machine tenders were hard to find.
Published result: Universal Robots cobots for MIG/TIG welding and CNC tending: four cobot MIG welders run by two operators, "half the number of operators, welding at twice the speed" (4X); TIG welding two to six times faster than by hand (one aluminum part from 15 minutes to five to six minutes); machine tending reaching 24 hours of machining time, a more than 600% productivity boost; ROI in less than 12 months (period not stated) (as reported by Universal Robots, published by IFR).
Invited: Universal Robots, with Raymath · Read the published case
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Invited
How Great Lakes Stainless in Northern Michigan cut a three-hour weld to 15 minutes
A FANUC CRX cobot with a LightWELD laser welder, proposed by integrator Serra Laser: welding time fell from approximately three hours to roughly 15 minutes, a "95 percent reduction" (as reported by FANUC).
The problem: Forming a curved stainless escalator part meant cutting, hand MIG and TIG welding and finishing, about three hours of labor-intensive work per part.
Published result: A FANUC CRX cobot with a LightWELD laser welder, proposed by integrator Serra Laser: welding time fell from approximately three hours to roughly 15 minutes, a "95 percent reduction" (as reported by FANUC).
Invited: FANUC America, with Great Lakes Stainless · 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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System integrators
2 stories invited · 1 open slot-
Invited
How Land O'Frost in Lansing, Illinois cut daily labor cost 20% with palletizing robots
Formic installed five gantry palletizing robots over two weekends while production ran and programmed all SKU patterns: labor-related OpEx reduced by 20% daily, with operators moved into robot-operator roles (as reported by Formic, in The Provisioner).
The problem: Every SKU changeover needed a new pallet pattern, so floor operators had to be retrained constantly, and hand-stacking boxes was a safety concern.
Published result: Formic installed five gantry palletizing robots over two weekends while production ran and programmed all SKU patterns: labor-related OpEx reduced by 20% daily, with operators moved into robot-operator roles (as reported by Formic, in The Provisioner).
Invited: Formic, with Land O'Frost · Read the published case
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Invited
How Pentaflex in Springfield, Ohio cut line labor from seven to two per shift
JR Automation upgraded the line with FANUC robots; in the CEO's words, "seven units of labor per shift and we've now been able to take that down to two", with increased output (no output figure published) (as reported by FANUC).
The problem: A manufacturing labor shortage, aging automation and shrinking profits on the brake-spider line Pentaflex has run for 40 years.
Published result: JR Automation upgraded the line with FANUC robots; in the CEO's words, "seven units of labor per shift and we've now been able to take that down to two", with increased output (no output figure published) (as reported by FANUC).
Invited: JR Automation, with Pentaflex · 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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Mobile robots & AMRs
3 stories invited · 1 open slot-
Invited
How Jasper Group in Orleans, Indiana replaced golf-cart shuttles with mobile robots
Three MiR600 AMRs integrated by Robotic Solutions LLC took over material runs that had needed "three people working eight hours a day"; those workers moved to other departments, and the robots run nonstop through the shift carrying up to 1,250 lbs (no savings figures published) (as reported by Robotics Tomorrow).
The problem: Raw materials moved from receiving to production by golf cart on multiple daily shuttles, and "it felt like the materials were never there when you needed them."
Published result: Three MiR600 AMRs integrated by Robotic Solutions LLC took over material runs that had needed "three people working eight hours a day"; those workers moved to other departments, and the robots run nonstop through the shift carrying up to 1,250 lbs (no savings figures published) (as reported by Robotics Tomorrow).
Invited: MiR, with Jasper Group · Read the published case
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Invited
How Rockwell Automation's Twinsburg, Ohio plant saved $162,000 a year with AMRs
Three OTTO 100 AMRs and forty carts in phase 1: $162,000 in annual labor savings and space utilization improved by 70%; phase 2 tied FactoryTalk Orchestration to OTTO Fleet Manager, with an estimated impact of $1 million (estimated; period not stated) (as reported by OTTO by Rockwell Automation).
The problem: About 52% of daily material trips were done by hand with carts, adding labor, extra work in process and staging floor space that limited growth.
Published result: Three OTTO 100 AMRs and forty carts in phase 1: $162,000 in annual labor savings and space utilization improved by 70%; phase 2 tied FactoryTalk Orchestration to OTTO Fleet Manager, with an estimated impact of $1 million (estimated; period not stated) (as reported by OTTO by Rockwell Automation).
Invited: OTTO by Rockwell Automation, with the Rockwell Automation Twinsburg plant · Read the published case
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Invited
How a Tier 1 auto supplier in Fraser, Michigan got an 11-month ROI on AMRs
Seven OTTO 100 AMRs, expanded to 14 with the original seven still running on a 24/6.5 operation: "an 11-month ROI and a 15% reduction in work cell size" (as reported by OTTO by Rockwell Automation; customer not named).
The problem: Conveyors and AGVs were inflexible and took a large, costly footprint, while aisles changed daily and the line ran on just-in-time deliveries of small batches.
Published result: Seven OTTO 100 AMRs, expanded to 14 with the original seven still running on a 24/6.5 operation: "an 11-month ROI and a 15% reduction in work cell size" (as reported by OTTO by Rockwell Automation; customer not named).
Invited: OTTO by Rockwell Automation · 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. Small on purpose, so every sponsor gets real meetings.
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.