WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7

1:00 – 5:00 pm

2:00 - 3:00 pm

3:00 - 3:45 pm

3:45 - 4:45 pm

5:00 - 7:00 pm

Gene Marks, The Marks Group

Labor issues for the manufacturing sector is the hot topic for 2018. How do you attract and retain great people? This entertaining and educational session will touch on some of the most important employee related issues and trends in HR regulations and the latest technology tools to recruit, manage and compensate your labor force. Gene will help you look ahead and will leave you with new ideas to optimize your work force.

OPENING KEYNOTE:YOUR PEOPLE: WHERE TO FIND THEM, WHAT TO PAY THEM & HOW TO KEEP THEM

REGISTRATION

EXHIBITORS NETWORKING BREAK

WELCOME RECEPTION

Sponsored by KURTZ ERSA, INC.

RAW MATERIAL TECH PANEL

Sponsored by

HIRSCH AMERICAS

Drink tickets sponsored by

FLINT HILLS RESOURCES, LP

Eric Weisenbach, BASF Corporation

Mark Slade, Flint Hills Resources

Jean-Pierre Gibeault, Nexkemia Petrochemicals

Don Harris, NOVA Chemicals

Jon Lewis, Styropek USA

Got problems? Get solutions! Expandable EPS resin experts will share their field experiences and provide hands-on insight on achieving molding perfection. This session will identify the most frequent technical issues found in the field and explore how those issues impact raw material and process performance.

2018CONFERENCE AGENDA

NOV 7-8

TREASURE ISLAND

LAS VEGAS

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8

Adam Robinson, Cerasis

Learn how to navigate the new transportation industry trends. From driver shortages to regulations, Adam will get you informed on how to combat rising costs, and thrive by creating a competitive advantage with improved freight management.

Doug Cassidy, Atlas EPS

From critical production equipment to electrical enclosures to storage and process areas, manufacturing plants require specialized knowledge to control potentially hazardous situations. Uncover the steps you can take to keep your facility protected.

7:30 - 8:30 am

9:15 - 10:15 am

10:15 - 11:00 am

11:00 - 11:45 am

8:30 - 9:15 am

11:45 - 1:15 pm

3:00 – 3:30 pm

3:30 – 4:15 pm

4:15 - 5:00 pm

5:00 pm

Agenda and speakers subject to change

Sponsored by NUOVA IDROPRESS SPA

Betsy Bowers, EPS Industry Alliance

Betsy will set the stage for a powerful program. Discover what forces are shaping the EPS industry, what they mean for our future and how EPS-IA is leading the way. Learn about new resources from EPS-IA and our initiatives to advance the EPS industry and create more synergy with stakeholders.

Kim Nash, Brown & Brown

Being a supervisor is one of the most difficult, demanding and challenging jobs in any company. It’s no secret that the most important influence on employee engagement and a company’s reputation is the supervisor. Kim will identify effective strategies for communication, delegation and boundaries between management and employees that will result in a more engaged and productive team.

Barry Ramsay, Huntington Solutions

Barry will show you how any “Changeover” process can be improved using the Lean Manufacturing tool SMED or “Single Minute Exchange of Die”. SMED is an improvement technique and philosophy that works for improving manufacturing processes like mold change, wire cutting changeover and assembly changeover processes. SMED can also be used to improve any Changeover process like Accounting’s month end closing, shipping/receiving, or improving the work transition during a shift change. Discover how your first attempt at SMED can potentially yield a 50% reduction in Changeover time.

IMPROVING CHANGEOVER USING SMED

BEING AN EFFECTIVE SUPERVISOR

EPS-IA GENERAL SESSION

EXHIBITORS NETWORKING BREAK

Sponsored by STYROPEK USA, INC.

BREAKFAST BUFFET

LUNCH W/ SPEAKER

EXHIBITORS NETWORKING BREAK

EQUIPMENT SUPPLIER PANEL II

EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE

CONFERENCE ADJOURNS

Paolo Maccabruni, Kurtz Ersa, Inc.

Philipp Frisch, VIRO EPS Systems

Greg Good, Xycorp, Inc.

Brad Zenko, ACH Foam Technologies

Get the nuts and bolts of EPS machine maintenance protocol. From complex fittings to valves, this session will keep your equipment in good working order. while reducing downtime and increasing profitability.

FREIGHT TRANSPORTATION TRENDS

PLANT FIRE SAFETY

1:15 - 2:15 pm

Mark Groening, Insulfoam LLC

Discover how Optimized Recycling efficiently recycles normal process yield loss back into premium molded products at its highest and best use. Mark will discuss how weekly dashboard tracking, innovations at the plant level and strategic capital investment in cost effective EPS reprocessing equipment minimize EPS scrap that “escapes” into the landfill.

OPTIMIZED RECYCLING

2:15 - 3:00 pm

Thom Parker, Johnston Boiler Company

Industrial boiler maintenance is critical for ensuring optimal efficiency and safety of your facility. Because steam boiler problems typically occur over a long period of time, regular monitoring and smart boiler maintenance go a long way in avoiding failures or catastrophic disasters. This session will deliver an operations and maintenance best practice guide you can implement at your facility.

THE HEAT IS ON - STEAM BOILER MAINTENANCE

Franco Cocci, Nuova IdroPress SpA

Gerry Mata, Erlenbach GmbH

Steve Weber, HIRSCH Americas

Ryan Birnbaum, MODIX Corporation

EPS manufacturing leaders will explore the latest developments in automation, hot wire cutting and equipment to enhance performance throughout the production process.

EQUIPMENT SUPPLIER PANEL I

Sponsored by ERELNBACH GMBH

Sponsored by NOVA CHEMICALS