In this installment of DH+ INSPIRE’s Women Transforming Manufacturing series, we speak with Mary Beth Hudson from the new Smart Factory Institute in Chattanooga, TN. Smart Factory Institute is a public-private partnership operated by PeakPerformance, Inc. and located inside the Volkswagen Academy. Their mission is to connect smart technology providers with manufacturers and educators to foster collaboration and encourage the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies.

Throughout this conversation, Mary Beth Hudson shares the human-focused approach to training and education that has allowed the institute to flourish globally. From conferences and networking events to staff training and more, the Smart Factory Institute is dedicated to empowering and optimizing the workforce through the latest technology. Mary Beth also elaborates about the resources available through the program that allow users to experience production systems before implementing them on the manufacturing floor. The conversation closes with a discussion about optimism, not just for the small suppliers hoping to adopt new technology, but for women in manufacturing, as more accessible training programs open doors for those interested in technology.

See below for timestamps and a detailed outline of our conversation:

00:00-3:48 Meet Mary Beth Hudson
We introduce Mary Beth Hudson, a woman transforming manufacturing as Executive Director of the new Smart Factory Institute in Chattanooga, TN. Mary Beth proceeds to expand upon the vision and mission of the Smart Factory Institute, and how the company aims to uplift manufacturers and educators through accessible technologies, resources and training.

3:48-5:20 Global Reach and Local Impact
How does the global nature of the Smart Factory Institute benefit operators? Executive Director Mary Beth shares how an expanding presence with multiple locations around the world allows them to host joint conferences, giving regional manufacturers access to the technologies available globally.

5:20-7:10 Optimizing the Workforce
Discussing the ever-evolving nature of manufacturing technologies, Mary Beth explains how Industry 4.0 acts as an interface, a hub of learning where employees can be trained and brought up to speed on the latest tech, certifications and best practices. This educational resource seeks to optimize a workforce, no matter how big or small the manufacturer.

7:10-10:00 Addressing Manufacturing Pain Points
We examine how the Smart Factory Institute addresses common pain points, helping manufacturers of all sizes to develop an Industry 4.0 roadmap for their workforce. The key question facing any prospective manufacturer before beginning training: “what is the tech that’s best-suited for my operations?”

10:00-15:08 Navigating Manufacturing as a Woman
After 32 years in chemical manufacturing, Mary Beth can share more than just her insights on developments in technology and the workforce. Touching on her own career, Mary Beth revels in the many positive changes within the industry over the years, including the growing number of women in manufacturing thanks to training programs such as her own.

To learn more about the Smart Factory Institute and PeakPerformance, please click this link.

If you’d like to connect with Mary Beth, she can be found here.