Driving Impact for Manufacturers Live is a LinkedIn Live series from NWIRC leading up to DIFM26 on March 25. Each episode features manufacturing leaders, operational experts, and industry partners discussing workforce challenges, operational excellence, leadership, technology investment, and practical strategies that drive results. The series creates space for real conversations that help manufacturers prepare, think strategically, and continue the dialogue in person at DIFM26.
Episode 6: Missed DIFM26? Here’s What You Need to Know
DIFM26 brought together manufacturers dealing with many of the same challenges, even if they don’t always realize it day to day.In this episode, Robin Keller sits down with Jeffrey Craig, CMRP, MS, Senior Project Manager at Fuss & O'Neill Manufacturing Solutions, to reflect on what stood out from the conference and the conversations happening across the floor.With experience in industrial maintenance and operations, Jeffrey shares his perspective on what manufacturers are really working through right now, from maintaining reliability to managing teams and navigating ongoing operational pressure. The discussion highlights how stepping outside of daily demands and into shared conversations can shift how leaders think about their own challenges.This episode captures some of the real insights and takeaways that came out of DIFM26 and what they mean moving forward for manufacturers.
29 Apr 2026
AI in Manufacturing: What Leaders Need to Know Now
Artificial intelligence is rapidly shaping how businesses operate, but many manufacturing leaders are still trying to understand what it truly means for their organizations.
In this episode of Driving Impact for Manufacturers Live, Robin Keller is joined by Andreas Welsch, an internationally recognized AI strategist, author, and former Vice President at SAP.
Andreas has spent more than two decades helping organizations move beyond technology hype and focus on applying AI in ways that deliver real business outcomes.
The conversation explores how manufacturers can approach AI thoughtfully, what leaders should be considering as the technology evolves, and how organizations can prepare their teams for the changes ahead.
With a global perspective on AI adoption and transformation, Andreas brings practical insight into how companies can move from curiosity about AI to meaningful implementation.
This episode offers perspective for executives and operations leaders who want to better understand how emerging technologies are influencing manufacturing strategy and workforce readiness.
As part of the Driving Impact for Manufacturers Live series, this discussion continues building momentum toward DIFM26 on March 25, where manufacturers will come together to explore leadership, operations, and technology shaping the industry.
Manufacturers across the industry are facing a growing challenge as experienced workers retire and decades of hands-on knowledge leave with them. Much of that expertise was never formally documented, making training, productivity, and operational consistency more difficult for the next generation of workers.In this episode of Driving Impact for Manufacturers Live, host Robin Keller is joined by Brandon Kegley, a manufacturing professional with more than 16 years of experience in operations, process improvement, and production leadership at C&J Industries.The conversation will explore how manufacturers can preserve institutional knowledge and why capturing expertise has become critical for maintaining performance and training new employees. Brandon will also share perspectives on how emerging tools such as AI and video are beginning to help organizations document processes, capture real-world expertise, and build stronger training systems for the future.This discussion is designed for executives, operations leaders, and manufacturing teams who are thinking about how to protect critical knowledge, improve training, and support workforce development in a changing industry.Join us live and continue the conversation as we build toward DIFM26 on March 25, where manufacturers will come together to share ideas, challenges, and solutions.Are you planning to attend?https://nwirc.org/difm26-manufacturin... (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa09pTVNta2JhQVdPTUFsZDN3UkVJZEE3Q3Qxd3xBQ3Jtc0tuNW1kT3lKaXdJYVFObjV0YnVpTW5LN08ybEx6UWVhNVpIV0dyVjAwZ01TSjZZb2RFQVpvZVFkMTNIdHctS0tMOTdLQWVPS0RTTHRvZUdNUmQxMUJ4clEzU04wWHZHUnh4Nk5kRkNqLVdBY1JOV0pGbw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fnwirc.org%2Fdifm26-manufacturing-conference%2F&v=WXWu3i6py6E)
2 Mar 2026
Episode 3: Automation Strategy for Manufacturers
Technology investments can accelerate growth or create costly complexity.
As automation continues to reshape manufacturing, leaders are under pressure to make smart decisions that improve productivity, reduce risk, and deliver measurable returns.
The challenge is not simply adopting new technology. It is knowing what to invest in, how to evaluate the return, and how to choose the right partner to implement it.
In this episode of Driving Impact for Manufacturers Live, Robin Keller is joined by Shane Cantrell, Operational Excellence Specialist at NWIRC, to discuss how manufacturers can more effectively evaluate and prioritize technology investments.
With more than 16 years of experience assisting manufacturers, including driving improvements that resulted in more than 275% first-year ROI, Shane brings a practical, results-focused perspective.
The conversation will explore how to measure ROI for automation initiatives, how to align technology investments with operational strategy, and what executives and operations leaders should look for when evaluating automation providers.
This episode is built for manufacturing executives and operations leaders who want to approach automation with clarity and confidence.
Are you planning to attend DIFM26 on March 25?
https://lnkd.in/gtnZvzqg
25 Feb 2026
Episode 2: Operational Excellence in Practice
Operational excellence is built through observation, engagement, and continuous improvement, not assumptions or shortcuts.
In this episode of Driving Impact for Manufacturers Live, Robin Keller is joined by Chad Courtney, Operational Excellence Specialist II, for a practical conversation on how tools like Gemba walks support better decision-making, stronger workflows, and more effective leadership on the manufacturing floor.
With more than 20 years of experience, Chad brings real-world insight into lean manufacturing, productivity improvement, and creating cultures where continuous improvement is part of daily operations.
The discussion focuses on how leaders can step closer to the work, uncover inefficiencies, and involve teams in meaningful problem-solving.
Chad also shares his perspective as a past DIFM attendee, reflecting on the value he gained from last year’s conference and why these conversations are important as manufacturers prepare for DIFM26.
This episode is part of a six-episode LinkedIn Live series leading up to DIFM26, highlighting the ideas, experiences, and people shaping the conference.
Register now for the conversation on Feb 11th at 12:15 PM EST
25 Feb 2026
Episode 1: Driving Impact for Manufacturers Live: It’s Go Time!
Manufacturing leaders are navigating real challenges related to workforce, leadership, retention, onboarding, operations, and emerging technology. They do not need buzzwords. They need strategies that work.
Driving Impact for Manufacturers Live is a new LinkedIn Live series from NWIRC created to spotlight the conversations, insights, and people behind DIFM26, NWIRC’s second annual manufacturing conference.
In this first episode, Robin Keller, conference lead for DIFM26, is joined by Sara Hanks to share why DIFM was created, why it continues to grow, and what manufacturers can expect from the 2026 conference.
They will talk through the real-world challenges DIFM26 is designed to address and how bringing manufacturers, workforce leaders, and partners together creates meaningful impact.
This conversation sets the foundation for a six-episode series leading up to DIFM26 and will feature conference leaders, presenters, and industry voices focused on turning strategy into action.
Whether you are scaling your operation, planning for the future, or investing in your workforce, this series is built for manufacturers who want practical insight and real connection.
Hosted by Robin Keller
Guest: Sara Hanks
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