Mark Woeppel explains why many plants fall into a cycle of expediting and reactive decision-making. Drawing on decades of experience, he shares examples of assembly operations overwhelmed by incomplete builds, conflicting priorities and systems that cannot keep pace with real-world conditions.

He also introduces the Theory of Constraints as a way to restore stability. By identifying the true constraint and aligning production around it, manufacturers can improve throughput, reduce chaos and regain control of delivery performance.

To learn more, join Woeppel for a live webinar on May 20 at 2 p.m. ET, where he will discuss how to right-size inventory levels and prevent assembly line stoppages in modern manufacturing environments.

As manufacturers push deeper into artificial intelligence, a new challenge is emerging: most factory networks weren’t built to support the speed, scale and reliability that modern AI systems require. From robotics to real-time analytics, connectivity is becoming a critical constraint on how far manufacturers can take automation.

One of the biggest forces behind that shift is the rise of physical AI: systems that interact with the real world, continuously learning from sensors and feeding data back into models. These applications depend on constant, high-performance communication between machines and centralized systems, placing new demands on factory infrastructure.

Dawn Fichter, owner of Tools 4 Hiring, discusses why so many manufacturing roles remain open for months and what hiring managers are often getting wrong. Drawing on more than 15 years of recruiting experience, Fichter explains why the challenge is often not a shortage of people, but a breakdown in process, alignment and expectations. She shares practical advice on how manufacturers can move faster, simplify job requirements and focus less on the perfect resume and more on trainability, mindset and soft skills.

Greg Dyer, chief commercial officer at Randstad USA, discusses the challenges manufacturers face as they work to recruit, develop and retain the workforce needed to keep production running. With reshoring efforts accelerating and experienced workers retiring in large numbers, manufacturers must rethink how they attract talent and build sustainable workforce pipelines. Dyer explains how the labor market for manufacturing remains strong but increasingly competitive, with companies needing the right mix of skills, location and recruiting strategies to succeed. He also discusses how automation, AI and digital tools are reshaping frontline manufacturing jobs, enabling workers to move beyond repetitive tasks and take on more data-driven and technology-enabled roles.

Blake Maurer of Loopr AI discusses how manufacturers can improve quality inspection by combining human expertise with AI-enabled visual inspection systems. He explains how platforms like Loopr are designed to reduce variability in inspections, digitize quality records and structure manufacturing data so companies can successfully scale AI across their operations. Maurer also explores the challenges manufacturers face when balancing speed with accuracy on the factory floor, why structured and well-labeled data is essential before AI can deliver meaningful results and where human inspectors still outperform machines.

Downtime Solutions: Power Strategies for Automotive Plants explores the role power distribution plays in facilitating efficiency on the factory floor. Tune in to learn how smarter power strategies have helped leading automakers reduce downtime and improve operational flexibility to support rapid production changes.

Sponsored By: Starline

Bill Good, Vice President of Manufacturing and Supply Chain at GE Appliances, discusses how the company rose to the number one spot in U.S. appliance manufacturing — not simply through scale, but through a deliberate strategy centered on automation, digitization and reshoring. Good explains how GE Appliances is investing in advanced robotics, virtual production planning and real-time data visibility to modernize its plants and strengthen domestic production. From piloting new processes in digital factory environments to launching its first in-house water filter manufacturing line at Appliance Park in Louisville, Kentucky, the company’s approach demonstrates how smart automation and a highly skilled workforce can reduce reliance on overseas supply chains while maintaining world-class output.