Manufacturing Insights Detroit: A Resounding Success

The city of Detroit, a beacon of American manufacturing innovation, was recently the host for a landmark event: the Manufacturing Insights Detroit 2025 conference. Held at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center, the two-day event brought together a community of senior leaders in manufacturing, all with a shared goal of leveraging intelligence solutions to drive profitability and streamline New Product Introduction (NPI) cycles. The energy in the room was palpable, and by all accounts, the conference was an unequivocal success, marked by insightful presentations and compelling case studies that demonstrated the transformative power of digital manufacturing solutions.

The Manufacturing Insights Detroit 2025 Conference

The conference agenda was rich with content, but what truly stole the show were the customer-led presentations. These were not theoretical discussions, but real-world accounts of tangible success, shared directly by the leaders who made it happen. Attendees had the unique opportunity to learn from the best in the business, hearing firsthand how aPriori’s digital manufacturing insights platform delivered measurable results.

One of the most anticipated presentations came from Dana, where Scott Steward, the Sr. Engineering Manager, detailed their journey to a more profitable future. His case study, titled “The Digital Transformation of Cost Management: How Dana Unlocked $4M in Savings,” was a masterclass in operational efficiency. Steward explained how Dana created a “single source of truth” for cost data, moving away from disparate spreadsheets and manual processes. This digital transformation wasn’t just about organizing data; it was about empowering engineers and sourcing professionals with real-time, accurate insights early in the design process. The results were astounding: a remarkable 4% savings on a $100 million annual spend in the first year alone. It was a powerful testament to how digital tools can turn a cost center into a strategic advantage, and the audience was captivated by the clear, quantifiable return on investment.

Another highlight was the presentation by Jill Snyder, Director of Cost Engineering at GE Appliances. Her talk, “Costing Evolution, from Basics to Business Intelligence,” provided a clear roadmap for companies at any stage of their costing journey. Snyder shared how GE Appliances evolved its “Should Cost” initiatives, moving beyond simple cost analysis with Excel spreadsheets to using data from aPriori’s Manufacturing Insights platform for strategic business decisions. Her insights underscored a crucial point: accurate costing data is not just for pricing; it can be used to inform broader decisions, from design choices to supplier negotiations. The success story of GE Appliances demonstrated the scalability and strategic value of these solutions.

The conference also featured a forward-looking perspective from the automotive industry. Rich Morabito, Head of Cost Engineering & Tooling Lead Expert at Slate Auto, took to the stage to present his company’s innovative approach in a talk titled “How to Manage Cost/Profitability at a Fast-Growing Automotive Company with a Radically New Design Approach.” In an industry defined by legacy processes, Slate Auto’s story was particularly inspiring. Morabito showcased how aPriori’s platform enabled their fast-paced, new design methodology, allowing them to maintain tight control over costs and profitability even while pioneering new product architectures. It was a clear example of how digital tools can not only support but accelerate disruption.

Finally, Chris Platz, Global Commodity/Category Manager at Woodward, brought a procurement perspective with his talk, “Speed Meets Strategy: Supplier Consolidation Powered by Digital Factories.” Platz’s presentation resonated deeply with attendees grappling with complex supply chain challenges. He described how Woodward used a data-driven approach, powered by digital factory frameworks, to streamline supplier selection and drastically reduce the time and effort required for traditional quoting processes. His story highlighted how a focus on digital intelligence could lead to a more agile and resilient supply chain, a critical lesson in today’s global market.

By the time the final sessions concluded, it was clear that the conference had achieved its mission. It wasn’t just a collection of presentations; it was a collaborative forum where industry leaders shared their blueprints for success. The powerful case studies from Dana, GE Appliances, Woodward, and Slate served as a powerful reminder that the future of manufacturing is not just about building things—it’s about building smarter, more profitably, and with an eye toward a truly connected and intelligent digital enterprise. The enthusiastic feedback from attendees confirmed what everyone already knew: Manufacturing Insights Detroit 2025 was a tremendous success.