Day Two

7:30 am Networking & Refreshments

8:00 am Chair’s Opening Remarks

Exceeding Current & Future Project Requirements

8:40 am Panel Discussion: Navigating Uncertainty: The Impact of Tariffs on Advanced Manufacturing Projects

  • Chad Champine Vice President, Wayne Brothers
  • Jason Beck Managing Director of Project Planning & Development, Kraus-Anderson
  • Brian Miller Senior Principal Scientist, Pfizer
  • Kim Lovan Associate Vice President, Black & Veatch

Synopsis

  • Exploring alternative material sourcing strategies to mitigate tariff uncertainty 
  • Incorporating tariff risk into financial modeling to improve investor confidence and support more predictable project execution
  • Strategically leveraging local partnerships to mitigate trade risks and adapt to a shifting geopolitical landscape

9:20 am Audience Discussion: Adapting to Emerging Technologies Within Advanced Manufacturing Facilities to Align With Owner Requirements

Synopsis

  • Evaluating current technologies being used across the semiconductor landscape to better define design and construction considerations
  • Looking at possibilities of future technologies such as robotics to communicate how we can futureproof our facilities to answer facility infrastructure demands
  • Assessing key differences among semiconductor, EV, automotive, battery, solar, and aerospace manufacturing to understand their unique technological needs for construction and design, delivering facilities that meet operational needs

10:00 am Morning Refreshments

Track 1: Strategic Project Planning & Management

Optimizing Strategic Levers


10:40 am Diving Into Current Incentives Across the US to Maximizing Project Benefits

  • Ensuring compliance with the Inflation Reduction Act to optimize your project’s cost saving opportunity
  • Understanding federal and state incentives utilized across different regions to capitalize on potential cost savings and influence your future site selection and project planning
  • Exploring the future of tax breaks, incentives, and government influence on your future manufacturing projects

Greg Burkart, Principal of Site Selection Services, Walbridge


11:20 am Case Study: Discussing How We Used Historical Project Data to Drive Strategic Decisions & Optimize Timelines

  • Identifying recurring bottlenecks by analyzing past project data, allowing us to implement proactive risk mitigation measures that accelerate project completion
  • Leveraging real-world project insights to determine the appropriate balance between prefabrication and onsite construction for optimal quality, cost, and project timeliness
  • Applying historical cost analysis to allocate resources more effectively, ensuring budget optimization and improved financial predictability throughout the project lifecycle

Alonso De Avila, Senior Project Manager, General Motors

Alan Blanchette, Vice President Automotive & Battery, Barton Malow


12:00 pm Audience Discussion: Defining & Communicating Facility Expectations to Build Relationships With Your Project Stakeholders

  • Defining facility operational needs to better align design and construction considerations with your intended project outcomes
  • Understanding how to communicate your internal decision-making process for approvals to help project teams prepare for seamless execution
  • Creating effective feedback loops with your stakeholders to implement change in requirements while not affecting timelines

Gregory Danohoo, Construction Project Director, LG Chem-Cathode Expansion

Track 2: Design & Engineering
Track 3: Project Execution From Preconstruction to Delivery

12:40 pm Lunch

Building A Robust Solution to Limited Labor

1:40 pm Audience Discussion: Bridging the Generational Gap in Advanced Manufacturing to Retain Knowledge & Improve Execution

Synopsis

  • Understanding the challenges of the retiring workforce and the generational gap in expertise within the advanced manufacturing industry
  • Discovering strategies to capture and transfer leadership knowledge to the next generation of workers to prevent reinventing existing solutions
  • Exploring when and how to implement potential data governance and knowledge management strategies to ensure smooth project execution with limited experienced labor

2:20 pm Leveraging Technology & Collaboration to Address Labor Challenges in Highly Complex & Technical Advanced Manufacturing Projects

  • Charles Jabara Advanced Manufacturing & Life Science Professional, DPR Construction

Synopsis

  • Investing in automation, AI, and robotics to mitigate labor shortages and enhance operational efficiency
  • Implementing digital twins and technology-driven solutions to quickly train and equip new employees, ensuring project timelines stay on track
  • Fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration tools to streamline workflows, maximize workforce productivity, and overcome skill gaps in complex manufacturing projects

3:00 pm Chair’s Closing Remarks

3:10 pm End of Conference