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Conference

Smart Fabrication

F201: Aligning People, Processes, First For Successful Ongoing Technology Transformation

  • Date

  • Time

  • Experience Level

    Intermediate

  • Location

    Room S405A

Overview

5 Key Steps - Put People+Process First for Successful, Ongoing Technology Transformation
In today's fast-paced business landscape, staying ahead requires more than just implementing new technologies on a case-by-case basis. To truly leverage digital transformation, it's essential to foster an environment where people, processes, and culture are aligned to enable rapid and painless adoption of relevant technologies as they become available. This session will address how to ensure people, process, and technology work together and how to achieve immediate buy in to change. Paul Vragel - 4aBetterBusiness, Inc.

Aligning People, Processes, and Technology for Maintenance and Reliability Success
Why do so many maintenance programs fail to meet their full potential? It’s not just about tools or talent — it’s the disconnect between people, processes, and technology. This session gets to the heart of the problem by introducing the concept of a Maintenance Charter — a foundational document that outlines the vision, roles, responsibilities, and objectives for your maintenance program. Acting as a shared roadmap, the charter ensures alignment across teams, simplifies workflows, and ensures technology drives efficiency, not complexity. Through real-world examples and actionable insights, we’ll explore how misalignment creates waste and limits growth, and how a well-crafted charter breaks silos, simplifies processes, and ties maintenance directly to the broader business goals. Whether you’re getting started or ready to scale, this session will provide you with a game plan to turn maintenance from a reactive indirect cost center or an afterthought into a competitive advantage for your business.
Chris Hutson – MaintainX

About the Speakers

  • Paul Vragel

    4aBetterBusiness, Inc.
    Biography
    Paul Vragel founded 4aBetterBusiness over 25 years ago and has deep experience leading process, technology and cultural transformations in complex manufacturing businesses. Previously, working with BP (formerly Amoco), Mr. Vragel was in charge of new technology evaluation for the computer group, managed ship construction overseas, and led large-scale, cross-function change. BSc from Webb Institute of Naval Architecture, MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He is a Lean Six Sigma Blackbelt, ISO 9001 lead auditor, and completed coursework in group dynamics.
  • Chris Hutson

    MaintainX
    Biography
    Chris Hutson is an expert in manufacturing, lean industry tools, and product lifecycle management, with over 30 years of experience helping manufacturers navigate strategic initiatives including digital transformation. He is currently the Director of Lifecycle & Manufacturing Solutions at MaintainX, and previously, he held roles at Roeslin & Associates and Intelligrated/Honeywell, where he managed facilities with more than 1,000 machines and developed strategies to reduce operating costs and increase capabilities.

Pricing & Registration

Sessions Member Price Non-Member Price
Individual Sessions $195 $220
Workshops $195 $220
Best Value
Full Conference
(5-10 Sessions)
$195 $220

Sessions Member Price Non-Member Price
1 Session $112.50 $125
2 Sessions $202.50 $225
3 Sessions $270 $300
4-8 Sessions $405 $450

Sessions Member Price Non-Member Price
Half-Day Workshops (W4, W11) FREE FREE
One-Hour Sessions (W12, W13, W14, W18) FREE FREE
Two-Hour Sessions (W16, W17) $50 $75
Weld-Ed Conference (W5) $50 $75
Half-Day Sessions (W2, W3, W7, W10) $345 $430
Full-Day Sessions (W6, W8, W9) $565 $665
Two-Day Session (W1) $795 $895
Professional Program (W15) $395 $495

* Non-member price for AWS Welding Full-Day Sessions only includes a one-year AWS Individual Membership.

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