Manufacturing Software Panel Discussion

Dan McKiernan has more than 30 years of automotive manufacturing experience. In 2003, he co-founded eFlex Systems, a company specializing in software for managing complex and flexible assembly operations. Epicor acquired eFlex in 2022, and Dan continues to help manufacturers solve challenging problems. About the company: A division of Epicor Software, eFlex Systems is changing manufacturing with innovative software. The company’s Epicor Connected Process Control delivers the simplest path to digital transformation. This Industry 4.0 software is built on a web-based, proven IIoT platform that will adapt to any discrete manufacturing environment. It’s all connected, so it doesn’t need months to configure or get started. Simply turn on the applications you need now and add more as you grow. Fast-track paperless manufacturing, empower shop floor teams, enforce process and quality control, and get business intelligence.

Floyd Dickson is Vice President of Sales for Ujigami, a plant floor software platform that delivers the highest quality and productivity at the lowest cost. Ujigami is a user-configurable Industry 4.0 and IIoT platform that coordinates, controls and communicates all manufacturing activities using Artificial Intelligence (AI) methodologies. Previously, Floyd worked for various companies including General Motors, Magna, Martinrea and Signature Aluminum in roles ranging from Production Supervisor, Industrial Engineer, Engineering Manager, Director of Quality, General Manager, and culminating as Vice President of Operations of a global Tier 1 automotive organization. Floyd holds degrees in B.Sc. Mechanical Engineering with an Industrial Engineering Cognate and MBA with a Marketing Major. Floyd enjoys combining his technical operations experience and leadership skills with his passion to help companies improve by implementing sustainable plant floor environments using Ujigami.

Working for Aegis Software provides Michael the opportunity to apply his software for electronics assembly manufacturing experience to further drive technology solution innovation, satisfying evolving business needs in modern digital manufacturing. Throughout his career, including eight years working in Japan, Michael has been instrumental in creating and evolving revolutionary software solutions for assembly manufacturing, that meet the most demanding expectations. Today, Michael is an established thought leader for Industry 4.0 data-driven manufacturing, and an active contributor to industry standards. In 2021, Michael was recognized by IPC with a Fellowship Award, for contributions to standards including CFX, traceability, secure supply-chain and Digital Twin standards. Michael regularly contributes articles, columns and blogs in several leading industry publications.

Kyle is the Director of Sales and 1 of 4 Executive Managers at VKS. Currently operating in it's 7th commercial year and in the midst of kicking the start-up label; Kyle has played a critical role in helping VKS grow from a company of 4 to nearly 50 employees in 3 different offices. Kyle's primary focus is overseeing the Sales team and it's day-to-day operations which includes maintaining relationships with customers and partners while also developing new strategies to penetrate & expand VKS' scope into new markets and industries. In doing so, Kyle has helped transform VKS from a start-up to an Industry 4.0 leader with over 300 installations in over 30 countries around the world. Kyle's scope of the market and manufacturing knowledge stems from years of shop-floor labour while studying in High-School and University. He's been able to transform that knowledge into a product realization which has been a corner stone in the success he has seen in the sales world. Kyle has always believed that is much easier to sell something when you truly understand and believe. The ability for Kyle to wear multiple hats from a young age and positively contribute to key business decisions being made has propelled not only his career, but more important, the product he sells. VKS is now recognized as a world leader in work instruction software and is wildly known not just within Canada and the US, but all around the world - This is something that brings a strong sense of accomplishment and pride as a grass-routs day 1 member.