At TXI, we’re always thinking about what’s next for modern manufacturing. That’s why we’re thrilled to return to the Connected Manufacturing Forum in St. Louis on June 23–24. This annual event brings together the brightest minds in the industry—executives, engineers, innovators, and operators—who are exploring the cutting edge of how things get made and moved.
This year’s agenda is packed with sessions on AI, digital twins, systems integration, and innovation leadership. But what really excites us is the chance to connect with other teams who are navigating transformation in real time.
We’ll be there in full force—representing TXI at Booth #203. Whether you’re facing technology roadblocks, looking to build a smarter factory floor, or thinking about where to invest next, we’d love to hear your story.
Here are a few of the conversations we’re especially looking forward to this year—and how they align with the work we’re already doing alongside ambitious manufacturers.
1. From simulation to real-world digital twins
Digital twin technology has matured beyond buzzword status. Manufacturers are using digital replicas not just to simulate physical systems, but to optimize and predict performance in real time. At Connected Manufacturing Forum, sessions like “From simulation to optimization: the real‑world impact of digital twin solutions” spotlight how digital twins are evolving into key strategic tools.
At TXI, we see digital twins as part of a broader shift toward intelligent data products. In Episode 27 of our Modern Industrialist podcast, Jason Hehman sat down with TXI engineering experts Andrew Horner and Alan Gardner to unpack the concept:
“We break down common misconceptions surrounding digital twins… moving beyond simple simulations to explore how they function as assistive tools for data‑driven decision‑making.”
This is precisely where our clients are headed. Whether we’re helping a client build “what-if” scenario planning models or simulate production workflows to identify inefficiencies, we’re applying digital twin thinking to support better, faster decisions—without disrupting what’s already working on the factory floor.
2. Making AI actionable, not aspirational
Artificial intelligence has reached an inflection point in manufacturing. Most leaders aren’t asking whether they should explore AI—they’re asking how to make it practical. Connected Manufacturing Forum’s sessions on AI operationalization, predictive maintenance, and smart automation mirror the conversations we’re having every week.
But here’s what we know: AI isn’t a magic wand. It depends on infrastructure, interoperability, and most importantly—clean, contextual data.
That’s where TXI comes in. Take our work with Dickson, a company that transformed its legacy atmospheric sensor systems into a modern, IoT-enabled platform called DicksonOne. Together, we created a real-time environmental monitoring solution that meets FDA compliance standards, integrates predictive alerts, and offers scalable insights across thousands of customer locations.
This wasn’t about installing “AI”—it was about building the right foundation so automation and intelligence could naturally evolve. We’re excited to explore how other companies at Connected Manufacturing Forum are building toward similar outcomes, starting with strong data governance and ending with measurable impact.
3. Modernizing systems without disruption
Let’s face it: most manufacturers are working with a blend of old and new technologies. Whether it’s a production tracking system from the early 2000s or a recently piloted MES platform, stitching these systems together can feel like solving a Rubik’s cube in the dark.
That’s why we’re glad to see this event focusing on legacy system integration and tech stack optimization. These are not just technical issues—they’re strategic decisions that impact every layer of operations.
One example: our partnership with Motorcity Systems, where we helped develop a mobile app that enhances driver experience without disrupting backend operations. The app supported features like document scanning, customizable configurations, and improved communication between dispatch and drivers—all while increasing engagement tenfold. Just as importantly, we worked shoulder-to-shoulder with their engineering team to ensure a seamless rollout and long-term sustainability.
Our philosophy? Don’t rip and replace. Modernize in layers, with clear priorities, short feedback loops, and minimal operational friction.
4. Innovation isn’t just about tech—it’s about culture
It’s easy to get caught up in tools and platforms. But the truth is, most digital transformation projects succeed or fail based on how well teams can align, adapt, and scale new behaviors. That’s why we’re excited about Connected Manufacturing Forum’s focus on innovation leadership, change management, and workforce transformation.
At TXI, we often partner with teams who are reimagining not just what their products do, but how their organizations think.
For us, transformation is as much about enabling people as it is about enabling platforms. We’re looking forward to swapping stories with other attendees on how they’ve approached culture change—whether that’s through better training, smarter onboarding, or more inclusive product development.
5. The power of incremental progress
One theme that cuts across all the Connected Manufacturing Forum topics this year is the idea that transformation doesn’t have to be monumental to be meaningful. Whether it’s adding a predictive model to an existing dashboard, enabling real-time sensor alerts, or digitizing just one workflow at a time—progress is progress.
That’s why we design our engagements to deliver value early and often. Through a mix of discovery, prototyping, and fast feedback, we help our partners take confident steps forward, rather than waiting for a massive go-live date to measure success.
Manufacturers today don’t need more big bets. They need more smart steps. That’s where we come in.
Let’s meet at booth #203
We’re energized by the challenges manufacturers are taking on—and inspired by the smart, strategic conversations Connected Manufacturing Forum makes possible. Whether you’re in the early stages of digital transformation or scaling a complex tech stack across operations, we’d love to learn more about what you're building.
Stop by Booth #203 to meet a few of the folks leading this work at TXI.
