Chief Executive’s 2nd annual Smart Manufacturing Summit in Peoria, Ill. kicked off on Tuesday to a standing-room-only crowd as keynote speaker Doug Oberhelman, Chairman and CEO of Caterpillar, spoke about how the global heavy equipment manufacturer is preparing for the future.
Following Oberhelman, Dave Bozeman, SVP of Caterpillar’s Enterprise System Group, asked attendees to challenge their own assumptions and apply lean thinking to every function—not just manufacturing. “Engineer the chain, not the links,” he said, and “start with customer requirements.”
After the networking break, Mark Cotteleer spoke about what’s next in additive manufacturing and 3D printing.
In speaking about the skilled talent shortage, Gwenne Henricks, Vice President of Product Development & Global Technology and CTO said, “Think about talent like an element of your supply chain and work backward. Start with ‘raw materials’ by encouraging young people to consider manufacturing careers. CAT now works with 40 community colleges to collaborate on curriculum and training to help prepare students for attractive careers. ”
Following that, John MacCrae of CohnResnick discussed the critical role of the c-level professional in the integrated business Planning (IBP) Process and Pierre Custeau of the Oracle Marketing Cloud talked about finding new paths to growth.
The luncheon was accompanied by Jay Timmons, President and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers who spoke about how to improve manufacturers’ competitiveness in today’s global environment.
After lunch, attendees toured three Caterpillar facilities. One of them is featured here in this TV commercial posted on YouTube, entitled “Jenga.” If you played Jenga as a child, or even if you didn’t, this commercial, which has already generated 2.1 million views, is a must-see.
On Wednesday, guest panelists discussed the smart manufacturing renaissance and how to make smart manufacturing work. Scott Crump, chairman of Stratasys, a manufacturer of 3D printing and materials, spoke about how 3D printing is disrupting manufacturing. “With 3D printing, the consumer is now the manufacturer of select products,” he said.
“As we look toward the future, manufacturers must become “connected enterprises,” said Keith Nosbusch, Chairman and CEO of Rockwell Automation. The connected enterprise, he said, turns raw data into actionable information and can drive faster time to market, lower cost of ownership, improved asset utilization and reduced enterprise risk.
Colin Masson, Manufacturing Industry Solutions Director at Microsoft, adds that this connected strategy should include “mobile, social, cloud and information to remain competitive.” To really get started in Smart Manufacturing, Robert Nardelli, Chairman and CEO of XLR-8, says “assemble your key people in a room with a white board and nail down your real key issues. That will keep the focus on business results.”
Following the panel discussions, Jim Blass, Director of Product Development & Global Technology at Caterpillar, gave an overview of R&D at his firm.
Tours continued in the after of the R&D and 3D printing facilities.
Chief Executive Group exists to improve the performance of U.S. CEOs, senior executives and public-company directors, helping you grow your companies, build your communities and strengthen society. Learn more at chiefexecutivegroup.com.
0
1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
