Plan to attend The IMTS 2018 Conferences to gain deeper insights into new manufacturing technologies and ideas!

About the topic 

Isn’t it ironic that at the very moment when lights-out manufacturing seems to be within reach, global consumers demand something quite different from mass-produced, cut-cost Industry 4.0-style goods? 

Craft beers, individually designed furniture, hi-tech products with a personal touch – almost anything that bears the imprint of human craftsmanship, and that helps the individual consumer express his or her own unique identity. A new consumer macro-trend is emerging, and the best that industry technology has to offer – Industry 4.0 – seems quite ill-equipped to accommodate this trend.

This session will explore the nature of this trend – which we’ll call the human touch revolution – the perspectives and approaches that manufacturers need to adopt to meet the demand for human touch products, and the interplay between workers and technologies that is needed to produce such goods at all – an interplay we call Industry 5.0.

Registration is now open, so check out the IMTS 2018 website for more information. 

Meet your presenter 

Technologist, futurist and, above all, humanist, Esben H. Østergaard co-invented the world’s first commercially successful collaborative robot, and co-founded Universal Robots, the global market leader in collaborative robotics. Today, Østergaard serves as CTO of Universal Robots, where his work focuses on evolving consumer macro-trends, the role of human labor and technology in meeting future market demand, and the science of human-machine collaboration. He is a prolific lecturer and seminar participant at technology-related events around the world. In 2017, Østergaard was appointed by Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen to the newly formed Danish Disruption Council.

Cleveland, Ohio – Sergio Marchionne, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA)'s former chief executive officer, died Tuesday following complications from surgery. He was 66.

Marchionne, who has been credited with saving both Fiat and Chrysler from insolvency during his career, had been hospitalized following shoulder surgery, and his health had deteriorated so sharply that FCA's board of directors replaced him as the company's head on Sunday.

Throughout the auto industry, one of the greatest insults is to call someone an accountant instead of a car guy, a criticism leveled at cost cutters who don't appreciate great designs. Marchionne was the exception, a Canadian/Italian cost manager whose time at the head of the global automaker was one of product renaissance. 

"I believe that the best way to honor his memory is to build on the legacy he left us, continuing to develop the human values of responsibility and openness of which he was the most ardent champion," FCA Chairman John Elkann said. "My family and I will be forever grateful for what he has done. Our thoughts are with Manuela, and his sons Alessio and Tyler."

Tributes to Marchionne flowed Wednesday:

• Tributes pour in for ex-Fiat boss Marchionne
• Sergio Marchionne, CEO Who Steered Fiat Chrysler, Dies Aged 66
• Sergio Marchionne, who saved Chrysler and Fiat, dies at 66

We at General Motors offer our condolences to Sergio Marchionne’s family and friends. Sergio created a remarkable legacy in the automotive industry. Our thoughts are also with our industry colleagues at Fiat Chrysler as they deal with this sudden loss.

— Mary Barra (@mtbarra) July 25, 2018

Thoughts from Bill Ford on the tragic passing of Sergio Marchionne. pic.twitter.com/MgenIcuVEo

— Mark Truby (@mtruby) July 25, 2018

UAW President Gary Jones

“During the industry’s dark days of the recession, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram were at a perilous point. Working with the UAW members, the FCA rebirth was borne when many doubted it would come. As in all labor-management relationships, there were clashes and disagreements. Our thoughts and prayers are with Sergio’s family. And when history looks back at his legacy, despite bumps and bruises along the way, in the end, the sun wasn’t setting when he left the company, the sun was rising. That will long be remembered.”

UAW Vice President Cindy Estrada, Head of The FCA Department

“UAW FCA members recognize that Sergio Marchionne helped build a growing company that provides job stability and certainty for their families every day. We may not have always agreed. We may have had some tussles along the way at the bargaining table. But Sergio Marchionne never abandoned his commitment to the collective bargaining process even when he disagreed with membership. For our members the success of his vision changed people’s lives. That is a rich legacy.”

Detroit, Michigan – Answering the pleas of thousands of journalists and auto executives who consider visiting Detroit in January an exercise in masochism, organizers of the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) will move that exhibition to June, starting in 2020.

Organizers say the move to the week of June 8, 2020, will allow auto companies to use outdoor space, something typically not possible in the ice-covered, snowy days of January in the Motor City.

"Our show is undergoing its most significant transformation in the last three decades," said Rod Alberts, executive director, NAIAS. "Detroit will continue to be a global stage for some of the world's most significant and iconic vehicle reveals and host an unparalleled international audience of media and key industry influencers."

NAIAS is one of the most influential global auto events, touching all facets of the industry and attracting the largest concentration of the world's top industry leaders – from automakers and suppliers, to tech startups and venture capitalists, to universities and policymakers.

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder said, "Moving the show to the summer opens up new opportunities for companies as well as creating new experiences for attendees."

The move also recognizes a long-known truth about the city – Detroit can be a wonderful place to visit in the spring and summer but a miserable destination in the dead of winter. A summer show will highlight retail and dining opportunities in the city’s revitalized downtown and allow visitors to enjoy the city’s riverfront.

The show is run by the Detroit Auto Dealers Association and its Executive Board. As part of the DADA and Board's due diligence in exploring new opportunities for the show, hundreds of meetings and conversations with key stakeholders – automakers, suppliers and sponsors, as well as industry and government leaders – were had around the world.

"Our ultimate goal is to provide an experience and opportunity for participating companies and attendees, that only Detroit can offer," said Doug North, DADA president. "June will allow us to better showcase the automotive leadership, development, and heritage our great city and region holds."

Hosting the show in June sets the stage for exhibitors to conduct dynamic outdoor experiential brand activations, immersing and engaging the media and consumers in memorable product experiences. A sampling of outdoor experiential activities might include:

• Dynamic vehicle debuts
• Ride and drives
• Autonomous/automated driving
• Off-road challenges

Organizer expect exhibitors to use more sites in downtown Detroit to showcase vehicle – instead of staying inside Cobo Hall’s heated rooms. Hart Plaza, Detroit RiverWalk, Campus Martius, Woodward Ave., and Grand Circus Park could all serve as show venues

"The potential to create a month long automotive festival in Detroit starting with the Detroit Grand Prix, going through our show and concluding with the nationally-celebrated fireworks on the river, will provide an unmatched festival-like experience for all attendees," added Alberts.

The move to June will translate into substantial cost savings for exhibitors. Eliminating November, December, and January holidays from the move-in equation will reduce overtime labor costs for builds. Additionally, the show will have a shorter move-in schedule of three weeks, significantly reduced from the current eight weeks on average it takes for move-in.

Automakers are supporting the move:

• "Reinventing NAIAS as a summertime festival of design, speed and innovation is incredibly exciting. It will showcase the best of our industry and the best of Detroit, and should become a can't miss event on the calendar for global automakers and media," said Mark Truby, vice president, Communications, Ford Motor Co.
• "The North American International Auto Show has provided GAC Motor with a tremendous platform – connecting us with key media and industry executives," said Yu Jun, GAC Motor president. "As we look to enter the U.S. and increase our market share, Detroit will continue to serve as a critical part of our global marketing strategy and we look forward to the new exciting opportunities June will offer."
• "We applaud the DADA for thinking big and really taking advantage of this opportunity to re-imagine the auto show and position Detroit in the best light. We're excited to be a part of a festival-like series of events that showcase all the great things that are happening in both the auto industry and Detroit," said Tony Cervone, senior vice president, Global Communications, General Motors Co.
• "Hyundai is always excited to participate in the North American International Auto Show and display its products to the Motor City. We already are planning an exciting reveal in 2019. It certainly will be a new experience leaving the ski hats and Chap-Stick at home and packing our Tigers baseball caps and sunscreen. We look forward to the evolution of the show," said Jim Trainor, director, Hyundai Motor America.
• "Toyota is excited to see the North American International Auto Show move to June in 2020," said Scott Vazin, group vice president and chief communications officer, Toyota Motor North America. "With a new summer timeframe, industry leaders and international media will see Detroit in a new light, paving the way for exciting outdoor activities and more opportunities to explore this vibrant city."

Plan to attend The IMTS 2018 Conferences to gain deeper insights into new manufacturing technologies and ideas!

About the topic 

Smart Manufacturing requires a balance of automation (to reduce manpower) and process control (to ensure quality). Initiatives such as Industry 4.0 promise better control of operations by having more information available at your fingertips. To be valuable, this data must be accurate and actionable. With a focus on production of metal components, join Renishaw as we discuss techniques and tools that increase the productivity of any manufacturing operation.

Key topics

• Understanding the principles of a productive process
• Practical steps that will boost productivity
• What is Industry 4.0 and how can you use it?
• Metal additive manufacturing and how it fits into traditional manufacturing operations

Registration is now open, so check out the IMTS 2018 website for more information. 

Meet your presenter 

Dan Skulan, General Manager Industrial, Metrology Group Renishaw Inc.

Skulan helps companies increase production throughput, maximize flexibility, and ensure optimal part quality in precision metal manufacturing — CNC and metal additive. Backed by a global team of industry experts, he works consultatively with companies that wish to achieve higher levels of productivity while reducing cost. Dan holds degrees in electronics technology, industrial manufacturing, and marketing. He has more than 35 years practical experience with manufacturing process evaluation, design, and control as a user, integrator, and supplier. He is currently marketing chair for the Association of Metal Additive Manufacturing and is the industry development board representative to the Metal Powdered Industries Federation.