UWEBC
Supply Chain and ManufacturingManufacturing

Operational Excellence

Quality and Continuous Improvement

Discuss how Operational Excellence, Quality, and Continuous Improvement can make automation investments actually pay off.

 - 2:00 pm CT
Hybrid

Please login or sign up for a UWEBC Member Account to register for or join this event.

Description

Wisconsin manufacturers are navigating a moment of real pressure. Automation and AI are reshaping what's possible on the plant floor, customers are demanding more variety and faster response, and the workforce that built the last generation of operations is changing. In the rush to digitize, it can be tempting to treat Operational Excellence, Quality, and Continuous Improvement as legacy disciplines. They aren't.

This UWEBC event convenes leaders from across Wisconsin and beyond to wrestle honestly with that tension. We will hear from Clint Wenthur at Plexus and Jeff Wilkerson at Caterpillar how their organizations are building durable OpEx and quality capability while integrating new technology, growing the workforce of the future, and sustaining improvement through volatility. Jared Petersen, COO of Schuette Inc., will share how a multi-generational metal fabricator in Central Wisconsin is building operational excellence into the next chapter of the business. A panel bringing together David Ding (UW-Stout), Sara Kraemer (UW-Madison), Mike White (Secchi), and Be Ware (Husco) will explore what's working in industry and what's not. Peer-facilitated breakout sessions will give participants direct space to compare notes with counterparts wrestling with the same questions.

Participants will leave with:
  • A clearer view of how manufacturers are connecting OpEx fundamentals to AI and automation investments
  • Practical approaches to building and sustaining the OpEx function, modernizing quality systems, and developing the 2030 workforce
  • Direct connections to peers across the state working on the same challenges
Whether your organization is early in its OpEx journey or extending mature capability into new territory, this workshop offers a focused day of substantive content and collaborative peer learning.

Agenda

Start Time
Title
Speaker(s)

9:00 AM

Welcome & Opening Remarks

Jim Rink, Manufacturing Practice Director  in Residence (UWEBC)

9:10 AM

Member Spotlight: Plexus 

Clint Wenthur, Global Director, Digital Manufacturing Operations

9:50 AM

Expert Spotlight: Caterpillar Inc. 

Jeff Wilkerson, Quality Manager

10:30 AM

Break

 

10:40 AM

Member & Expert Panel Discussion

David Ding, Professor, Associate Dean at UW-Stout 

Sara Kraemer, Lecturer at UW-Madison

Mike White, Founder at Secchi

Be Ware, VP, Business Process Optimization 

11:25 AM

Expert Spotlight: Schuette Metals

Jared Petersen, Chief Operating Officer

12:00 PM

Lunch (all)

 

12:30 PM

Breakout Discussions

In-person and virtual

1:55 PM

Wrap Up & Closing Remarks

Jenny Patzlaff, Supply Chain & Manufacturing Practice Director (UWEBC)

2:00 PM

Adjourn

Jenny Patzlaff, Supply Chain & Manufacturing Practice Director (UWEBC)