The annual Manufacturing Operations Conference provides actionable solutions to operational challenges for Michigan manufacturers.
This powerful event offers proven strategies, tools and best practices in the areas of organizational culture, human resources, marketing and community relations, cybersecurity and technology, production and operational efficiencies, purchasing, finance and environmental health and safety.
Thursday, April 23, 2026 The Lansing Center
Save $25 when you register by February 27!
The full agenda will be announced soon. In the meantime, check out the keynote and breakout sessions below and register online.
Welcome
8:45 a.m.
Morning Keynote
8:50 a.m.
From Insight to Action: Applying AI Across Manufacturing Operations Morning Keynote Josh Johnston • Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center
Break
9:35 a.m.
Networking Break
Breakout Session #1
9:45 a.m.
Culture by Design: Building Ownership, Adaptability and Collaboration in Manufacturing Teams Jay Johnson • Coeus Creative Group
Leading with Confidence in Uncertain Times Mary Corrado • ASE
Accelerating Automation: How Manufacturers Are Scaling Faster Daniel Pereira • Conduit Michael McGray • Conduit Sahil Patel • Conduit Charles Washburn • Landscape Forms Chuck Werner • Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (MMTC)
10:45 a.m.
Breakout Session #2
11:20 a.m.
Strengthening Manufacturing Talent Pipelines for Long-Term Growth Jimmy Nelson • Frontline Training Solutions, an Express Professionals company
Costing as a Strategic Advantage for Middle Market Manufacturers Jon Wood • Plante Moran
Trade and Tariffs in the USMCA Region: What Manufacturers Need to Know Frederick Acomb • Miller Canfield Eduardo Arizpe • Miller Canfield Jennifer Shilson • Miller Canfield Miguel Valdes • Miller Canfield Richard Walawender • Miller Canfield Jeffrey Richardson • Miller Canfield (moderator)
Lunch
12:15 p.m.
Networking Lunch
Pitch Event
1:15 p.m.
i4.0 Pitch Event
2:00 p.m.
Breakout Session #3
2:30 p.m.
From Concept to ROI: How Michigan Manufacturers Are Applying AI Paul Warner • Augusto Digital
Designing for Durability: Strengthening Manufacturing Operations for the Future Tom Shemanski • Rehmann
From Top Performer to Effective Leader: Rethinking Frontline Promotions Russ Stewart • Clark Schaefer Consulting
Closing
3:30 p.m.
Closing Remarks
Josh Johnston of the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (MMTC) will challenge manufacturers to move beyond the buzz surrounding artificial intelligence and focus on practical, real-world applications in the 2025 MMA Operations Conference keynote. Johnston’s session will explore how generative AI tools such as ChatGPT can be used to accelerate research, enhance structured problem-solving and support more informed decision-making across manufacturing operations. Drawing on real manufacturing examples, Johnston will highlight how AI can improve efficiency in areas such as root cause analysis, supplier evaluation and workforce training while also sparking creativity in process improvement and team collaboration.
Culture is shaped by daily behavior — not slogans — and Jay Johnson of Coeus Creative Group will examine how intentional behavioral design drives stronger manufacturing teams. Drawing on data from hundreds of manufacturing leaders and frontline managers, Johnson will explore the behavioral drivers behind high-performing cultures, including ownership, feedback, adaptability and collaboration. Attendees will gain insight into how these micro-level behaviors influence trust, accountability and continuous improvement at scale, along with practical, evidence-based tools drawn from culture audit research used by manufacturers and industry leaders.
Uncertainty is a constant for today’s small businesses, and ASE’s Mary Corrado will explore how transparent leadership, agile decision-making and clear communication can help organizations remain steady and focused during periods of change. Attendees will gain insight into prioritizing effectively, keeping teams engaged and building resilient workplace cultures that can adapt to economic shifts, workforce changes and operational disruptions.
Daniel Pereira of Conduit will share how Michigan manufacturers are rethinking automation deployment by putting control back in the hands of their own teams. Featuring real-world insight from Michigan-based Landscape Forms, Conduit and Chuck Werner of the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (MMTC), this session will demonstrate how manufacturers can unify robots, CNCs and material-handling equipment into a single operational command center and scale automation in a way that is practical, flexible and aligned with long-standing continuous improvement frameworks.
Workforce challenges continue to evolve, and Jimmy Nelson of Frontline Training Solutions, an Express Professionals company, will share how manufacturers are building stronger, more adaptable talent strategies through real-world applications. Drawing on success stories from Michigan manufacturers, this breakout session explores approaches to expanding talent pipelines, engaging a multi-generational workforce and strengthening retention through intentional culture and career pathing. Attendees will gain insight into practical approaches for expanding talent pipelines, strengthening onboarding and development and improving workforce retention.
Jon Wood of Plante Moran will examine why accurate, adaptive costing models are essential for middle market manufacturers operating amid trade policy uncertainty, labor challenges and inflationary pressures. Wood will explore how modern costing approaches support more effective quoting, cost rationalization, prioritization of improvement initiatives and forecasting profitability as demand shifts. Drawing on real-world use cases, discover how predictive and flexible cost models strengthen agility and decision support across manufacturing operations.
Tariffs and trade policy continue to shape manufacturing and export strategies across North America, Miller Canfield attorneys Richard Walawender, Frederick Acomb, Jennifer Shilson, Eduardo Arizpe, Miguel Valdes and moderator Jeffrey Richardson will offer cross-border perspective from the U.S., Mexico and Canada (USMCA). Panelists will examine how manufacturers and policymakers across the USMCA region are responding to evolving trade pressures, including approaches to tariff mitigation, shifting regulatory expectations and the impact on integrated supply chains. Drawing on legal and on-the-ground insight from all three countries, the discussion will highlight how manufacturers are protecting margins, adapting operations and responding to policy changes that affect competitiveness throughout the region.
Artificial intelligence is already delivering measurable results on Michigan’s shop floors. Paul Warner of Augusto Digital will share how small and mid-sized manufacturers are turning AI from theory into execution. Warner will examine four real-world case studies that show how organizations identified the right use cases, launched quick-win pilots and scaled successful solutions to achieve meaningful return on investment. Attendees will gain insight into how AI is being used to improve operational efficiency, streamline processes and strengthen decision-making.
Promoting top performers into leadership roles is a common practice across manufacturing but, without preparation, it often comes at a cost. Russ Stewart of Clark Schaefer Consulting will examine the hidden impact of the “accidental manager” and how unprepared frontline leaders can quietly undermine communication, quality, engagement and continuous improvement. Drawing from real-world transformations across multi-site manufacturing operations, Russ will explore building leadership capability from the ground up, strengthening workplace culture and achieving measurable gains in output, quality and retention.
Resilience has become a defining requirement for manufacturers operating amid ongoing market uncertainty. Rehmann’s Tom Shemanski will examine how small and mid-sized manufacturers are strengthening their organizations through strategic value selling, thoughtful diversification and continuous improvement. Shemanski will explore approaches to protecting margins, balancing operational risk and leveraging technologies such as automation and artificial intelligence to drive efficiency and long-term sustainability. The discussion will also feature real-world examples from Augusto Digital’s Bryan Showers, highlighting how digital transformation and technology partnerships are accelerating resilience and innovation across manufacturing operations.
Sponsorship opportunities are available throughout the year. Increase your engagement with Michigan manufacturers through sponsorship, advertising and more. Work with MMA’s team to create your customized brand strategy. Learn more.
Ashley WakefieldDirector of Membership, Marketing & Events Call 517-487-8523 E-mail wakefield@mimfg.org
Elizabeth Maciejewski Membership & Event Coordinator Call 517-487-8542 E-mail maciejewski@mimfg.org