MRC Automation & Manufacturing Technology Show
Features Innovation and Industry Advancements
For Immediate Release
April 25, 2024
Allentown, PA – The Automation & Manufacturing Technology Show, hosted by the Manufacturers Resource Center (MRC) brought together a full house of industry leaders, experts, and innovators for a day of insightful discussions and demonstrations focused on the latest trends and advancements in automation.
Rich Hobbs,
The event kicked off with a breakfast session and a warm welcome from Richard Hobbs, President & CEO of MRC, who opened the show with inspiring remarks. “We believe that automation is not just about technology; it’s about empowering people and driving organizational success. This event underscores the importance of investing in talent development and leveraging automation as a strategic tool to achieve business objectives.”
Attracting & Retaining Talent by Showing Off Investments – Shawn Hintosh, Plant Manager at McLean Packaging shared the message he used on his journey to win over the staff, namely that he was not replacing employees. Rather, he was reinvesting in the company and employee workforce development. With several impactful videos, the audience got a glimpse of the impressive automation now installed at the McLean Packaging plant. Hintosh’s key takeaway emphasized the importance of continued investment in automation and technology, alongside reinvesting in employees through training and development initiatives.
Automate the Mundane -Tyson Daniels, President & CEO of Polymer Contours, Inc., shared how they implemented automation to reduce the time spent on repetitive tasks. The outcome of their automation initiative was impressive: a huge reduction in before and after production time and completing purchase orders, demonstrating the effectiveness of automating mundane tasks that reduce labor hours but also improve efficiency and turnaround.
VR Training Revolution – David Marino, Cross Trainer Learning, showcased groundbreaking, web-based training software for companies with skilled positions and highlighted its significant return on investment (ROI). A video of the 1Pro VR demonstrated the virtual reality process in action to transfer knowledge for new hires and employee advancement.
Crushing Knowledge Loss Together – Furthermore, Tejas Nerukar, Founder of The BPR, emphasized the importance of preserving institutional knowledge within organizations concerned about “brain drain,” since 97% of manufacturers worry about knowledge loss due to retiring employees. Tejas’s platform creates a comprehensive library of standard operating procedures and efficient documentation of knowledge and skills tailored to a variety of industries and applications, providing manufacturers with a vital tool to ensure continuity in operations.
Shawn Furman
Setting Up for Success – In his presentation, Shawn Furman, AMT Strategy Manager at MRC, presented a guide for organizations on the path to success and introduced a 7-step Roadmap for implementing automation effectively, emphasizing the importance of adopting a lean mindset and applying automation strategically and systematically. “By proactively addressing these challenges and leveraging automation solutions, companies can enhance their competitiveness, improve efficiency, and ensure long-term success in the evolving manufacturing landscape,” says Furman.
The event also featured lively floor demonstrations and discussions with 24 exhibitors, providing attendees with hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of the latest automation technologies and solutions available in the market.
In closing, Furman said, “The Automation & Manufacturing Technology Show is a catalyst for collaboration and innovation in the manufacturing community. We look forward to continuing to support our industry partners in their journey towards greater efficiency, competitiveness, and success.”
Coming up on September 24, 2024, MRC is offering an AMT 101 Automation Manufacturing Technology course that focuses on the strategic aspects of automation adoption in manufacturing, emphasizing benefits, ROI analysis, and project development. Visit: https://www.mrcpa.org/event/amt-101-24/
Additional Media Coverage:
WFMZ Channel 69
The Morning Call
LinkedIn
Prodigy Press Wire
About Manufacturers Resource Center (MRC)
The mission of MRC is dedicated to serving manufacturers to enhance their productivity and technological advancements. MRC is part of the NIST MEP Network of national Centers in all fifty states and Puerto Rico. MRC is also a member of the Manufacturing PA Initiative which includes seven IRCs (Industrial Resource Centers) across the Commonwealth that are dedicated to serving the needs of small and medium manufacturers throughout Pennsylvania. NIST MEP Centers like MRC are a hub for manufacturers to connect with government agencies, trade associations, universities and research laboratories, state and federal initiatives, and other resources to help them grow and innovate. For more information about MRC, visit https://www.mrcpa.org.
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Contact Information
Patricia Felise | Media Relations
Manufacturers Resource Center
pat.felise@mrcpa.org | (610) 628-4640