Executive Summits · by the Future of Manufacturing Alliance
Solar Summit for Manufacturing Plants
Meet the plant leaders with a big roof and a bigger power bill.
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 energy, sustainability, engineering and plant leaders from Midwest manufacturers looking at rooftop, ground-mount and solar PPAs. Pre-scheduled 1-on-1 meetings. No expo hall.
The people who sign the PO for solar 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.
- Energy ManagerkWh, tariffs, net metering
- Sustainability DirectorScope 2 goals
- Plant Engineering DirectorRoof, structure, interconnection
- Plant ManagerSigns off on capex
- VP of FinancePPA vs. own, tax credits
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 (big roofs, steady daytime load) · Plastics and packaging (daytime-heavy loads) · Building products (large sites, open land) · Metals and fabrication (high daytime demand).
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.
- 3Advanced Green TechnologiesSolar · 3 summits
- 3Greenworks Energy SolutionsSolar · 3 summits
- 3Solar UV SolutionsSolar · 3 summits
- 2EDF Renewable EnergySolar · 2 summits
- 2EnterSolarSolar · 2 summits
- 2GE SolarSolar · 2 summits
- 18US LED18 summits
- 17Kaeser Compressors17 summits
- 14Covanta14 summits
- 14Solution Dynamics14 summits
- 10Advanced Power Technologies10 summits
- 7LG Electronics7 summits
See the other 102 companies that sponsored two or more FMA summits
3M 2 · Acuity Brands 4 · Advantix Systems 8 · AERCO International 5 · AgriPower 6 · Air Balance 2 · AmbiRad 3 · Ameresco 2 · Armstrong Fluid Technology 5 · Badger Meter 2 · BASF 7 · 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 · Edison Energy 2 · Emerson Climate Technologies 2 · Energy Management Systems 4 · Energy Source 2 · EnerNOC 2 · Enertech Global 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 · Gexpro 3 · GI Energy 2 · Green Ballast 2 · Greenstar Recycling 6 · 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 · Smardt Chiller Group 8 · 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 have already sent out our first proposal to a billion dollar company”
Past sponsorChris ScyocurkaPresident, Green Earth Energy PhotoVoltaic Corp.Read the whole quote
“The conference isn’t even over and we have already sent out our first proposal to a billion dollar company in which the conversation took place over lunch”
“Get in early if you’re considering sponsoring.”
Read the whole quote
“…FMA does an excellent job choreographing these events, getting the right people in the room, setting up the network opportunities you want and getting the right customers and sponsors in the room together. … Get in early if you’re considering sponsoring. FMA does a very good job at not overloading a room with folks providing very similar services. …”
Past sponsorJosh SmithSenior Vice President of Development, KDC Solar“We landed a Fortune 100 company at that event so we decided to come again.”
Read the whole quote
“This is my second FMA Summit event. I had attended a prior event … and was very pleased with it. We landed a Fortune 100 company at that event so we decided to come again.”
Past sponsorGuy PetersonVP Marketing & Corporate Communications, Energy Bank“…probably 4 to 5 different touch points”
Read the whole quote
“This event has been really great in that we have seen potential customers not once but there has been probably 4 to 5 different touch points in that they have been sincere and meaningful.”
Past sponsorTim MagnerSenior Sales Manager, GE SolarSee 9 moreShow fewer
“Very intimate, which was nice. Good contacts. … Good participation- all in all a great event!”
Past sponsorMaha KashaniSr. Account Manager, AES Distributed Energy“…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“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“I have learned about solar integration into facilities. How and when to install a solar system.”
Past delegateMark NovatnackFacilities Supervisor, Trividia Health“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.“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“…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 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 solar category has room for more. If you've solved a problem like these, your story belongs on this program.
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Rooftop solarInvited
How GMi Companies in Lebanon, Ohio put nearly all its power on the roof
A 950 kW, 1,600-panel standing-seam roof mount built Dec 2025 to Jul 2026, expected to supply almost 100% of the facility’s electrical use; over $70,000 in energy cost savings in the first year and nearly $5.8 million over 30 years (projected; as reported by Melink Solar).
The problem: A family-owned whiteboard and furniture maker wanted to cut its electric bills and carbon without adding batteries.
Published result: A 950 kW, 1,600-panel standing-seam roof mount built Dec 2025 to Jul 2026, expected to supply almost 100% of the facility’s electrical use; over $70,000 in energy cost savings in the first year and nearly $5.8 million over 30 years (projected; as reported by Melink Solar).
Invited: Melink Solar, with GMi Companies · Read the published case
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Solar PPAs & financingInvited
How Kingspan’s Mendota, Illinois plant put solar on its roof through a PPA
An 881 kW system on about 50,000 sq ft of roof, owned and operated by REC Solar under a 25-year PPA, expected to generate around 1 million kWh a year; Kingspan’s third such US site (expected; as reported by REC Solar).
The problem: The insulation maker wanted rooftop solar at its plants without upfront capital and with predictable power costs.
Published result: An 881 kW system on about 50,000 sq ft of roof, owned and operated by REC Solar under a 25-year PPA, expected to generate around 1 million kWh a year; Kingspan’s third such US site (expected; as reported by REC Solar).
Invited: REC Solar and Dynamic Energy, with Kingspan Insulation · Read the published case
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Ground-mount & carport solarInvited
How Poland Spring’s Hollis, Maine bottling plant runs partly on its own solar field
A 13 MW ground mount on 50 acres next to the plant, over 23,000 modules, over 18 million kWh a year, about 20% of bottling operations, owned by Onyx under a 25-year PPA (expected; as reported by pv magazine USA, with PowerFlex as EPC).
The problem: A bottling plant running 24/7 for 363 days a year wanted cleaner power without buying the array.
Published result: A 13 MW ground mount on 50 acres next to the plant, over 23,000 modules, over 18 million kWh a year, about 20% of bottling operations, owned by Onyx under a 25-year PPA (expected; as reported by pv magazine USA, with PowerFlex as EPC).
Invited: PowerFlex and Onyx Renewables, with Primo Brands · Read the published case
See all 8 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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Rooftop solar
3 stories invited · 1 open slot-
Invited
How GMi Companies in Lebanon, Ohio put nearly all its power on the roof
A 950 kW, 1,600-panel standing-seam roof mount built Dec 2025 to Jul 2026, expected to supply almost 100% of the facility’s electrical use; over $70,000 in energy cost savings in the first year and nearly $5.8 million over 30 years (projected; as reported by Melink Solar).
The problem: A family-owned whiteboard and furniture maker wanted to cut its electric bills and carbon without adding batteries.
Published result: A 950 kW, 1,600-panel standing-seam roof mount built Dec 2025 to Jul 2026, expected to supply almost 100% of the facility’s electrical use; over $70,000 in energy cost savings in the first year and nearly $5.8 million over 30 years (projected; as reported by Melink Solar).
Invited: Melink Solar, with GMi Companies · Read the published case
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Invited
How IKO’s Blair Rubber plant in Seville, Ohio added solar without hurting the roof
A 503.1 kW flat-roof system designed to protect the roof, expected to generate the equivalent of 16% of the facility’s total energy demand and more than $2.7 million in avoided energy costs over its lifetime (projected; as reported by Artisun Solar).
The problem: The rubber linings plant wanted solar power on a flat roof without shortening the roof’s life.
Published result: A 503.1 kW flat-roof system designed to protect the roof, expected to generate the equivalent of 16% of the facility’s total energy demand and more than $2.7 million in avoided energy costs over its lifetime (projected; as reported by Artisun Solar).
Invited: Artisun Solar, with IKO (Blair Rubber) · Read the published case
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Invited
How Subaru’s Lafayette, Indiana plant added rooftop solar without stopping production
A 204 kW rooftop system on the plant expansion, installed safely without disrupting operations; no output or savings figures published (as reported by Emergent Solar Energy).
The problem: The plant needed solar installed on a new expansion while a high-volume campus kept running.
Published result: A 204 kW rooftop system on the plant expansion, installed safely without disrupting operations; no output or savings figures published (as reported by Emergent Solar Energy).
Invited: Emergent Solar Energy, with Subaru of Indiana Automotive · 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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Ground-mount & carport solar
3 stories invited · 1 open slot-
Invited
How Poland Spring’s Hollis, Maine bottling plant runs partly on its own solar field
A 13 MW ground mount on 50 acres next to the plant, over 23,000 modules, over 18 million kWh a year, about 20% of bottling operations, owned by Onyx under a 25-year PPA (expected; as reported by pv magazine USA, with PowerFlex as EPC).
The problem: A bottling plant running 24/7 for 363 days a year wanted cleaner power without buying the array.
Published result: A 13 MW ground mount on 50 acres next to the plant, over 23,000 modules, over 18 million kWh a year, about 20% of bottling operations, owned by Onyx under a 25-year PPA (expected; as reported by pv magazine USA, with PowerFlex as EPC).
Invited: PowerFlex and Onyx Renewables, with Primo Brands · Read the published case
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Invited
How Drake Plastics in Cypress, Texas fit solar onto its roof and parking lot
A 1.3 MW rooftop and employee carport system, completed late 2025 within six months of contract; the 30% overall energy use offset goal has been achieved, with a projected IRR of nearly 20% and payback of under four years (projected; as reported by Trinasolar and Spear).
The problem: A new plastics plant had a tight footprint and wanted to offset 30% of its energy use.
Published result: A 1.3 MW rooftop and employee carport system, completed late 2025 within six months of contract; the 30% overall energy use offset goal has been achieved, with a projected IRR of nearly 20% and payback of under four years (projected; as reported by Trinasolar and Spear).
Invited: Spear Commercial & Industrial, with Drake Plastics · Read the published case
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Invited
How Kia’s West Point, Georgia plant turned hail protection into a solar plant
Solar hail-protection canopies over 3.2 million sq ft of lots, up to 10 MW, all power used on site, offsetting approximately 10% of the facility’s annual electricity use (as reported by Georgia Power, with VPS).
The problem: A 2023 hailstorm damaged more than 13,000 new vehicles parked in the plant’s outdoor lots.
Published result: Solar hail-protection canopies over 3.2 million sq ft of lots, up to 10 MW, all power used on site, offsetting approximately 10% of the facility’s annual electricity use (as reported by Georgia Power, with VPS).
Invited: VPS and Georgia Power, with Kia Georgia · 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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Solar PPAs & financing
2 stories invited · 1 open slot-
Invited
How Kingspan’s Mendota, Illinois plant put solar on its roof through a PPA
An 881 kW system on about 50,000 sq ft of roof, owned and operated by REC Solar under a 25-year PPA, expected to generate around 1 million kWh a year; Kingspan’s third such US site (expected; as reported by REC Solar).
The problem: The insulation maker wanted rooftop solar at its plants without upfront capital and with predictable power costs.
Published result: An 881 kW system on about 50,000 sq ft of roof, owned and operated by REC Solar under a 25-year PPA, expected to generate around 1 million kWh a year; Kingspan’s third such US site (expected; as reported by REC Solar).
Invited: REC Solar and Dynamic Energy, with Kingspan Insulation · Read the published case
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Invited
How Toyota Boshoku in Lawrenceville, Illinois got 85% solar power with no upfront cost
A 5.7 MW ground mount on about 17 acres next to the plant under a PPA with no upfront capital, to fulfill 85% of electricity needs and generate more than 9.5 million kWh in its first year (expected; as reported by Onyx Renewables and Sol Systems).
The problem: The auto interiors plant wanted most of its power from solar without spending its own capital.
Published result: A 5.7 MW ground mount on about 17 acres next to the plant under a PPA with no upfront capital, to fulfill 85% of electricity needs and generate more than 9.5 million kWh in its first year (expected; as reported by Onyx Renewables and Sol Systems).
Invited: Onyx Renewables, Sol Systems and Nelnet Renewable Energy, with Toyota Boshoku 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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Panels, inverters & racking
Open: no story invited yet
"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.
“This is a region for our business that we're not as familiar with, and this was the perfect entry point into the region. We had a lot of folks from Chicago and then Michigan and Wisconsin coming down, all really interested in broadening their knowledge of sustainability and solar specifically.”
Tim Magner, Sales Leader, GE Solar. The photo is the GE Solar exhibit at a past FMA summit.
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
Solar sponsors were in 15 of the 35 summits. Every sponsor and speaker, as printed.
Open any programSolar UV Solutions sponsored 3 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.