Automation Discovery Walk
Event Date:
May 14, 2026
Event Time:
8:00 AM
Event Location:
Your Location
Clarity on the shopfloor. A plan you can act on. Is Automation Right for Your Operation?
You’ve probably thought about it. Maybe a machine that loads parts automatically. A conveyor that moves product between stations. A robot that handles the repetitive, back-breaking work your people have been doing for years. The idea makes sense, but where do you start? What does it actually cost? And is it even realistic for a company your size?
That’s exactly what the Automation Discovery Walk is designed to answer. In a single half-day visit, our automation experts walk your shopfloor alongside your team, evaluate your processes with fresh eyes, and deliver a clear, no-nonsense report that tells you exactly where automation can make a difference — and what it will take to get there.
What Is an Automation Discovery Walk?
The Automation Discovery Walk is a structured, on-site assessment designed specifically for small and mid-sized manufacturers. It’s not a sales pitch. It’s not a vague consulting engagement. It’s a focused, practical evaluation of your operation — done by people who understand manufacturing and automation from the ground up.
We come to you. We walk your floor. We ask the right questions, observe your processes, talk to your operators, and identify the opportunities that are actually worth pursuing — whether those came from ideas your team already has in mind, or opportunities we spot during the walk itself.
At the end of the engagement, you receive a written Automation Discovery Report that gives you everything you need to make informed decisions and move forward with confidence.
What’s Included
Every Automation Discovery Walk includes a written report covering:
Opportunity Inventory A ranked list of automation projects identified during the visit, including ideas your team brought to the table and additional opportunities uncovered during our shopfloor walk.
SQDC Impact Assessment For each opportunity, we evaluate the potential impact across the four dimensions that matter most to manufacturers: Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost. You’ll see at a glance which projects move the needle on the metrics your business cares about.
Capital Estimate (SWAG) A rough order-of-magnitude cost range for each project. Not a quote, but a realistic ballpark that helps you understand what you’re looking at before you invest time in detailed engineering.
ROI Projection (SWAG) A straightforward payback period estimate so you can evaluate each opportunity against your financial expectations and prioritize accordingly.
Feasibility Score Each project is rated on feasibility, factoring in technical complexity, disruption to current operations, and the availability of proven solutions in the market. No surprises down the road.
Strategic Roadmap A phased recommendation for how to sequence your automation investments, from quick wins you could execute in the near term to longer-horizon projects that require more planning.
Who Is This For?
The Automation Discovery Walk was built for manufacturers who are serious about improving their operations but aren’t sure where to start, or who want an outside perspective to validate and prioritize ideas they’re already considering.
It’s a great fit if you:
- Have automation ideas in mind but need help evaluating their feasibility and cost
- Sense there are opportunities on your shopfloor but haven’t had the time or expertise to identify them
- Want an honest, independent assessment before committing to a larger project
- Are preparing a capital budget and need realistic numbers to work with
- Have struggled to get clear answers from equipment vendors who have a stake in the outcome
Why It Works
Most manufacturers don’t lack ideas, they lack the structured process to evaluate them. Vendors have incentives to sell equipment. Internal teams are heads-down running production. And detailed engineering studies take months and cost tens of thousands of dollars before you even know if a project makes sense.
The Automation Discovery Walk fills that gap. It gives you expert eyes on your operation, an honest evaluation of what’s realistic, and a written plan you can take to leadership, your bank, or your equipment partners, all for a fraction of the cost of a traditional consulting engagement.
What Happens After the Walk?
The report is yours. You can use it however it serves you best, to build an internal business case, to prioritize your capital spending, or to kick off a more detailed project with a systems integrator or equipment supplier.
If you’d like help taking the next step on any of the identified opportunities, our team is here for that too. But there’s no obligation. The Discovery Walk is designed to stand on its own as a valuable deliverable, regardless of what comes next.
Schedule Your Automation Discovery Walk
Ready to see what’s possible on your shopfloor? Choose a date from the dropdown menu on the registration form below and let’s get started!
Not sure if it’s right for you? Let’s schedule a half-hour introduction call and we’ll answer your questions before you commit to anything. 
Schedule a call
The Automation Discovery Walk is offered through MRC. Our team brings hands-on experience in industrial automation, lean manufacturing, and systems integration to every engagement.
Questions?
Contact Shawn Furman at shawn.furman@mrcpa.org
Shawn Furman | MRC – Director, Automation and Manufacturing Technology Strategy
Shawn mentors MRC manufacturers to lead and guide them in advanced technologies that enhance quality, boost productivity, encourage innovation, and reduce production time. Today that also includes digital transformation, automation and robotics, and IT integration that enables innovation and smart manufacturing, driving extraordinary outcomes for customers.
Shawn demonstrates a 20-year proven, well rounded background in leading process improvements at industry icons directing or managing teams in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Maintenance Engineering, or combinations of both. Shawn also has the experience and talent small and mid-sized manufacturers need to help them implement their technology roadmap and guide them through the implementation of transformative technologies that are critical to compete and drive their companies into the future.
Prior to joining MRC, Shawn held positions of leadership at Boston Beer as Manager, Electrical and Automation Engineering, and Senior Automation Engineer. At Ainsworth Pet Nutrition, Shawn held positions as Director, Maintenance & Engineering, and Maintenance Manager. Earlier in his career, he held engineering positions at The Hershey Company. Shawn attended Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, and earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering.