Looks like our first Packaging Automation Forum was a resounding success. About 150 machinery builders, users and technology suppliers gathered to hear 13 speakers from the industrial world talk about what they are doing to bring new success to manufacturing. The speakers left no doubt that the future belongs to such concepts and techniques as modular software, industrial networks and information sharing. Packaging professionals had best acknowledge the growing reality that their realm is now an integral part of the manufacturing process. Several speakers warned that the automation engineers in both the processing and the packaging areas of the company had best learn how to align their priorities with corporate ones in order to make themselves a vital part of business growth and profitability and not be thought of as a liability to be endured until something better comes along.
There will surely be a second PAF. Just as surely, look for an Automation World conference in the future, as well. These forums are not only a place to hear experts present papers, but they are also a great place for discussions on topics important to all of us as well as a great place to meet new people and perhaps transact a little business.
The speakers and their companies were:
Wade Latz, The Hershey Co.
Brad Neuroth, Wyeth
Aubrey Hawkins
Mark Swatling, AstraZeneca
Brian Hemphill, Clos du Bois
Larry Trunek, Miller Brewing Co.
Brenton Smith, The Aagard Group
Russ Agrusa, OPC Foundation
Doug Gray, Coor Brewing Co.
Dave Chappell, Procter & Gamble
Dave Bauman, OMAC
Joe Wagner, The Hershey Co.
Dragan Filipovic, Kraft Foods
12:34:45 PM 
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