Executive Summits · by the Future of Manufacturing Alliance
Tax Credits, Incentives & Project Financing Summit for Manufacturing Plants
Meet the plant leaders with approved projects and no capital to start them.
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, finance, engineering and energy leaders from Midwest manufacturers deciding how to pay for new equipment, expansions and energy projects. Pre-scheduled 1-on-1 meetings. No expo hall.
The people who sign the PO for tax-credit and financing 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.
- CFO / ControllerOwns the capital budget
- Plant ManagerNeeds the project
- Plant Engineering DirectorEquipment and expansions
- Energy ManagerEnergy projects and credits
- Tax / Finance DirectorR&D and energy credits
Where past delegates worked
Plant leaders at past FMA summits, by industry.
Industries we are inviting to this summit: Automotive and parts (new lines, EV and battery work) · Metals (furnaces, electrification) · Food and beverage (expansions, refrigeration) · Chemicals and plastics (process R&D) · Industrial machinery (product engineering).
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 sponsors and delegates.
Their words, not ours.
“We landed a Fortune 100 company at that event so we decided to come again.”
Past sponsorGuy PetersonVP Marketing & Corporate Communications, Energy BankRead 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.”
“High quality customers and the right kinds of decision makers were here.”
Past sponsorJeff MetcalfVice President, Ameresco“Every year we are able to find new partners to develop breakthrough projects”
Read the whole quote
“FMA Summit has been a very friendly business event for General Motors. Every year we are able to find new partners to develop breakthrough projects”
Past delegateBreitner MarczewskiDirector of Energy Engineering, General Motors“We will be partnering with a couple of the presenters at the Summit”
Read the whole quote
“…The expertise represented at this Summit (solar, lighting, etc.) was impressive and very informative. We will be partnering with a couple of the presenters at the Summit…”
Past delegateScott CullenAmericas Environmental Compliance Manager, BostikSee 8 moreShow fewer
“I 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“The presenters were very knowledgeable and did a great job of communicating during the one on one time during breaks. I look forward to the site visits so we can learn more about what each company has to offer.”
Past delegateJohn ShewmakerFacility Maintenance Manager, Hitachi Automotive Systems“I am always skeptical with conferences whether they will be worth my time. This Summit was a very good blend and balance of solutions and testimonials. I will recommend this seminar to others in my company…”
Past delegateLarry GlaserAVP, Director of Operations Support, OSI Industries“…Enjoyed the Summit and met some good contacts.”
Past delegateRuss 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.”
Past delegateEd 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.”
Past delegateJohn 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.”
Past delegateBrendan 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.”
Past delegateChris WendtFacilities Manager, Standard Motor Products, Inc.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 tax credits, incentives and project financing category has room for more. If you've solved a problem like these, your story belongs on this program.
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Tax credits and incentivesInvited
How an Ohio manufacturer secured $515,693 in incentives for a South Carolina acquisition
Sikich's site selection and incentives team took the project to the South Carolina Department of Commerce: a $75,000 cash grant, $75,000 in corporate income tax investment tax credits, $300,000 in sales tax exemptions and a $65,693 local property tax abatement over 5 years, "$515,693 Total Incentives Negotiated", equal to 33% of capital investment (achieved; as reported by Sikich).
The problem: An Ohio-based manufacturer wanted to buy an existing company in South Carolina on a short timeline, keep its jobs and create 25 new full-time positions, with a projected capital investment of $17,200,000.
Published result: Sikich's site selection and incentives team took the project to the South Carolina Department of Commerce: a $75,000 cash grant, $75,000 in corporate income tax investment tax credits, $300,000 in sales tax exemptions and a $65,693 local property tax abatement over 5 years, "$515,693 Total Incentives Negotiated", equal to 33% of capital investment (achieved; as reported by Sikich).
Invited: Sikich · Read the published case
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C-PACE and energy-as-a-serviceInvited
How Rhoads Industries rebuilt a 1919 Navy building in Philadelphia with $47 million in C-PACE
CCG PACE Funding lent $32,000,000 in C-PACE for phase 2 (closed October 4, 2024), for a total of $47,000,000 at a 6.89% blended rate over 27 years, covering high-efficiency HVAC, LED lighting and controls, roof and wall systems and cranes; projected annual savings of $97,000 and 11,503 metric tons of CO2e avoided over the project's life (as reported by the Philadelphia Energy Authority).
The problem: Rhoads Industries' Building 57 at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, built by the U.S. Navy in 1919, was in significant disrepair when Rhoads bought it in 2014.
Published result: CCG PACE Funding lent $32,000,000 in C-PACE for phase 2 (closed October 4, 2024), for a total of $47,000,000 at a 6.89% blended rate over 27 years, covering high-efficiency HVAC, LED lighting and controls, roof and wall systems and cranes; projected annual savings of $97,000 and 11,503 metric tons of CO2e avoided over the project's life (as reported by the Philadelphia Energy Authority).
Invited: CCG PACE Funding and the Philadelphia Energy Authority, with Rhoads Industries · Read the published case
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Equipment finance and leasingInvited
How Western States Glass equipped a new Los Angeles-area plant on one credit line
PNC Equipment Finance consolidated its funding into one equipment line of credit with a seven-year term, allowing phased equipment purchases and coordinated vendor payments; no dollar amounts are published (as reported by PNC).
The problem: Western States Glass, a flat glass distributor and fabricator, had financed equipment deal by deal with several lenders and needed faster access to capital for a new manufacturing facility.
Published result: PNC Equipment Finance consolidated its funding into one equipment line of credit with a seven-year term, allowing phased equipment purchases and coordinated vendor payments; no dollar amounts are published (as reported by PNC).
Invited: PNC Equipment Finance, with Western States Glass · Read the published case
See all 7 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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Tax credits and incentives
3 stories invited · 1 open slot-
Invited
How an Ohio manufacturer secured $515,693 in incentives for a South Carolina acquisition
Sikich's site selection and incentives team took the project to the South Carolina Department of Commerce: a $75,000 cash grant, $75,000 in corporate income tax investment tax credits, $300,000 in sales tax exemptions and a $65,693 local property tax abatement over 5 years, "$515,693 Total Incentives Negotiated", equal to 33% of capital investment (achieved; as reported by Sikich).
The problem: An Ohio-based manufacturer wanted to buy an existing company in South Carolina on a short timeline, keep its jobs and create 25 new full-time positions, with a projected capital investment of $17,200,000.
Published result: Sikich's site selection and incentives team took the project to the South Carolina Department of Commerce: a $75,000 cash grant, $75,000 in corporate income tax investment tax credits, $300,000 in sales tax exemptions and a $65,693 local property tax abatement over 5 years, "$515,693 Total Incentives Negotiated", equal to 33% of capital investment (achieved; as reported by Sikich).
Invited: Sikich · Read the published case
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Invited
Site selection and incentives for Bakerly's new bakery plant in San Antonio, Texas
Baker Tilly narrowed the search to three metro areas, analyzed two sites in detail and helped procure "incentives exceeding 10% of project capital costs"; the 135,000-square-foot plant opened in March 2024 (achieved; as reported by Baker Tilly).
The problem: Bakerly, a family-owned baked goods company, needed to find the best location for future food production capacity and secure credits and incentives for it.
Published result: Baker Tilly narrowed the search to three metro areas, analyzed two sites in detail and helped procure "incentives exceeding 10% of project capital costs"; the 135,000-square-foot plant opened in March 2024 (achieved; as reported by Baker Tilly).
Invited: Baker Tilly, with Bakerly · Read the published case
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Invited
How ARaymond turned R&D work and solar fasteners into seven-figure tax savings
A multiyear R&D tax credit analysis that "delivered a seven-figure cash benefit", a cost segregation study for its new U.S. headquarters, and Section 45X advanced manufacturing credits for its solar fasteners, where "in the most recent tax year, total savings surpassed seven figures" (achieved; as reported by Plante Moran).
The problem: ARaymond's investments in innovation and new facilities, including structural fasteners for the solar industry, opened the door to several credit and incentive opportunities it had to assess, calculate and claim.
Published result: A multiyear R&D tax credit analysis that "delivered a seven-figure cash benefit", a cost segregation study for its new U.S. headquarters, and Section 45X advanced manufacturing credits for its solar fasteners, where "in the most recent tax year, total savings surpassed seven figures" (achieved; as reported by Plante Moran).
Invited: Plante Moran, with ARaymond · 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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Equipment finance and leasing
1 story invited · 1 open slot-
Invited
How Western States Glass equipped a new Los Angeles-area plant on one credit line
PNC Equipment Finance consolidated its funding into one equipment line of credit with a seven-year term, allowing phased equipment purchases and coordinated vendor payments; no dollar amounts are published (as reported by PNC).
The problem: Western States Glass, a flat glass distributor and fabricator, had financed equipment deal by deal with several lenders and needed faster access to capital for a new manufacturing facility.
Published result: PNC Equipment Finance consolidated its funding into one equipment line of credit with a seven-year term, allowing phased equipment purchases and coordinated vendor payments; no dollar amounts are published (as reported by PNC).
Invited: PNC Equipment Finance, with Western States Glass · 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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C-PACE and energy-as-a-service
3 stories invited · 1 open slot-
Invited
How Rhoads Industries rebuilt a 1919 Navy building in Philadelphia with $47 million in C-PACE
CCG PACE Funding lent $32,000,000 in C-PACE for phase 2 (closed October 4, 2024), for a total of $47,000,000 at a 6.89% blended rate over 27 years, covering high-efficiency HVAC, LED lighting and controls, roof and wall systems and cranes; projected annual savings of $97,000 and 11,503 metric tons of CO2e avoided over the project's life (as reported by the Philadelphia Energy Authority).
The problem: Rhoads Industries' Building 57 at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, built by the U.S. Navy in 1919, was in significant disrepair when Rhoads bought it in 2014.
Published result: CCG PACE Funding lent $32,000,000 in C-PACE for phase 2 (closed October 4, 2024), for a total of $47,000,000 at a 6.89% blended rate over 27 years, covering high-efficiency HVAC, LED lighting and controls, roof and wall systems and cranes; projected annual savings of $97,000 and 11,503 metric tons of CO2e avoided over the project's life (as reported by the Philadelphia Energy Authority).
Invited: CCG PACE Funding and the Philadelphia Energy Authority, with Rhoads Industries · Read the published case
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Invited
How OEM Controls in Connecticut replaced its HVAC, lighting and roof with no upfront cost
Starting in April 2025, Budderfly invested $1.5 million at no upfront cost to the manufacturer: 18 high-efficiency HVAC units, a full LED overhaul, 230 kWdc of rooftop solar, new roofing and monitoring software. The solar now generates "over 40%" of on-site energy needs, with a 60-70% carbon cut expected (as reported by Budderfly).
The problem: OEM Controls' aging 75,000 sq ft plant had uneven heating and cooling, inefficient HVAC, outdated lighting and rising energy bills, and replacing it felt out of reach without heavy capital investment.
Published result: Starting in April 2025, Budderfly invested $1.5 million at no upfront cost to the manufacturer: 18 high-efficiency HVAC units, a full LED overhaul, 230 kWdc of rooftop solar, new roofing and monitoring software. The solar now generates "over 40%" of on-site energy needs, with a 60-70% carbon cut expected (as reported by Budderfly).
Invited: Budderfly, with OEM Controls · Read the published case
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Invited
How a global life sciences manufacturer funded seven years of energy upgrades without capital
Redaptive funded and managed a three-site lighting pilot that grew into HVAC, central-plant and on-site solar work under one master agreement: 24 sites upgraded, $6.17M CapEx avoided, $12.8M gross energy and maintenance savings and 189M kWh saved over 10 years (projected); the company hit its 2025 emissions target two years early (as reported by Redaptive).
The problem: A life sciences manufacturer with plants, distribution centers and warehouses had to show emissions progress, but capital was earmarked for other priorities and decisions were split between sites and headquarters.
Published result: Redaptive funded and managed a three-site lighting pilot that grew into HVAC, central-plant and on-site solar work under one master agreement: 24 sites upgraded, $6.17M CapEx avoided, $12.8M gross energy and maintenance savings and 189M kWh saved over 10 years (projected); the company hit its 2025 emissions target two years early (as reported by Redaptive).
Invited: Redaptive · 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 programCredits, equipment finance, C-PACE and energy-as-a-service. 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.