As we approach one of UWEBC’s signature events—the Wisconsin Digital Symposium (June 1) and the included Wisconsin Drives Manufacturing Summit (June 2)—we’ll be kicking off a four-part series based on insights from our March 26 Manufacturing & Digital Transformation event.
Throughout this campaign, we’ll explore:
- The role of manufacturing in the Midwest
- The impact of digital transformation across industries
- Where manufacturing and digital innovation intersect
- How leaders can prepare for what’s next
With over 100 years of relevance in the region, manufacturing is one of the Midwest’s most important economic engines, contributing over 16% of Wisconsin’s GDP and 475,000 jobs to the state. Today, the industry is evolving rapidly with the rise of agentic AI and broader digital transformation. In response, many of the state’s largest manufacturers are making significant investments in operational transformation, including manufacturing automation, advanced product design, and technology-driven business units.
By standardizing tools across the enterprise, organizations are unlocking new digital capabilities, establishing internal technology functions, implementing ERP systems, and developing defined process controls. These efforts are enabling companies to achieve levels of manufacturing productivity that were previously out of reach.
The Wisconsin Drives Manufacturing Summit is designed to support manufacturers across the Midwest as they navigate the challenges of digital transformation. Built by manufacturers, for manufacturers, the Summit brings together industry leaders to share how they are addressing operational challenges and integrating new technologies to shape the future of manufacturing. At the Wisconsin Drives Manufacturing Summit, the conversations go beyond strategy and into what’s actually working.
Next week in our series, we’ll take a deeper dive into AI and digital transformation in the manufacturing industry—and how the Wisconsin Digital Symposium is preparing leaders for the change ahead.