Catalyst Connection

What does modern manufacturing actually look like?

Today, students had the chance to find out firsthand at MFG Day @ Mill 19.

Throughout the day, they explored robotics, automation, CNC machining, additive manufacturing and other advanced technologies—while meeting the manufacturers and industry professionals who put them to work every day.

Experiences like these give students an opportunity to see beyond outdated perceptions of manufacturing and discover the technology, skills and career paths shaping the industry today.

A big thank you to the manufacturers, partners, educators and students who joined us and helped bring manufacturing to life.

This is what building the next generation of manufacturing looks like.

This past Friday, we gathered with Terri Campbell’s family and friends to celebrate her retirement. It was a chance to share stories, thank her, and reflect on just how much she has meant to Catalyst Connection and the manufacturers she’s worked with.

Since returning to Catalyst in 2018, Terri has helped put nearly 675 project agreements in place, representing almost $3.4 million in services. The manufacturers she worked with have reported more than $129 million in total economic impact.

Those are incredible numbers, but anyone who knows Terri knows there’s more to the story. She takes the time to get to know people, understand what they need, and follow through. She has built relationships that mean a great deal to our team and to the companies we serve.

Terri, thank you for the work you’ve done and for the person you’ve been to all of us. We will miss you. Wishing you a happy retirement! 💙

What manufacturing challenge would you like to hear discussed next?

The Smart Factory Podcast brings together manufacturers, technology leaders and industry experts for candid conversations about what’s changing—and what’s working—across the industry.

Explore practical insights on:
⚙️ Automation and advanced technology
🤖 Real-world applications of AI
👥 Workforce and leadership strategies
📈 Business growth and operational improvement
⚡ Energy and sustainable manufacturing

Listen to the latest episodes, then tell us in the comments: What topic or guest should we feature next?

🎧 Explore the Smart Factory Podcast:
https://bit.ly/4hFkSKT

AI is moving quickly—but is your team building the skills to use it effectively?

For small and mid-sized manufacturers, AI adoption does not begin with choosing the most advanced tool. It begins with giving employees the right training for where they are today.

Catalyst Connection is offering three hands-on learning opportunities:

🔹 AI Essentials: From Beginner to Confident User
📅 October 15 | No cost
A beginner-friendly introduction for employees who want to understand AI and use it more confidently.
Learn more: https://bit.ly/4ji1zbO

🔹 AI for Manufacturers: Claude Edition
📅 October 20 | $250 per person
An intermediate-level session focused on practical manufacturing applications using Claude.
Learn more: https://bit.ly/4y8FRM1

🔹 AI for Manufacturers: Copilot Edition
📅 November 10 | $250 per person
An intermediate-level session focused on putting Microsoft Copilot to work within everyday business workflows.
Learn more: https://bit.ly/4y8FSzz

The question is no longer whether AI will influence manufacturing. It is whether your workforce will be prepared to use it with purpose.

Choose the training that best matches your team’s current experience and the tools your organization uses.

Build practical skills in data analysis, workplace leadership and electrical fundamentals with these upcoming no-cost SkillMill19™ training opportunities:

📊 Manufacturing Statistics Cohort
Begins October 8 | Three sessions
Use Excel-based statistical and graphical tools to support problem-solving and process improvement.
Register: https://bit.ly/4hGFNNG

🤝 Training Within Industry: Job Relations
Begins October 9 | Two sessions
Learn a practical method for building trust, addressing workplace challenges and strengthening employee engagement.
Register: https://bit.ly/4AqwNDT

⚡ Electrical Technician Basics October 13 | 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Build a foundation in electrical safety, Ohm’s Law, multimeter use, wiring practices and essential electrical tools. Register: https://bit.ly/3TfZBhI

These courses are available at no cost to manufacturers thanks to SkillMill19™ at the Manufacturing Innovation Center. Space is limited.

View all upcoming SkillMill19 trainings:
https://bit.ly/4rsfRZA

Your next major sales opportunity may begin with a Google search.

After launching a website built around modern search behavior, SEO and buyer needs, one Eastern Ohio aerospace supplier generated five qualified RFQs in three months—including the largest bid package in its history.

Join Catalyst Connection for Beyond the Brochure Website to learn how manufacturers can turn digital visibility into qualified opportunities.

📅 October 7 | 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
💻 Virtual webinar

🔗 Register: https://bit.ly/3TMtW7H

Two virtual training options. Two different leadership needs.

Which one is the right fit for you or your team?

🔹 Leading Beyond Your Title
Designed for rising leaders and professionals who want to strengthen their confidence, influence and leadership presence—regardless of their current title.
Participants will explore career direction, conflict resolution, strategic thinking, communication and navigating high-stakes conversations.
📅 Eight 2-hour virtual sessions beginning October 2
💲$750
Learn more: https://bit.ly/3VqCHES

🔹 Frontline Supervisor Virtual Series
Designed for supervisors, managers and frontline leads who need practical tools to address everyday team challenges.
The series focuses on three immediate priorities: resolving conflict, delegating effectively and managing performance and accountability. Registration also includes three personalized one-on-one coaching sessions.
📅 October 8, 15 and 22 | 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
💲$225
Learn more: https://bit.ly/46CXgQZ

Whether you are preparing someone to lead or helping a current supervisor become more effective, Catalyst Connection has a virtual training option to support their next step.

Lean certification is coming to Somerset County!

Beginning October 8, Catalyst Connection’s Lean Certification Boot Camp will be held at the Somerset County Library—giving manufacturers in Somerset and surrounding communities convenient access to hands-on process improvement training closer to home.

Across six sessions, participants will learn how to:
✅ Identify and eliminate waste
✅ Improve production flow
✅ Find the root causes of recurring problems
✅ Implement standard work and visual management
✅ Build improvements that last

The series is designed for team leaders, manufacturing engineers, continuous improvement staff and others responsible for strengthening operations.

📅 Begins October 8
📍 Somerset County Library
6022 Glades Pike, Suite 120, Somerset, PA

Learn more and register: https://bit.ly/4h5PftP

What if your warranty claims could tell you where the next problem will occur?

Warranty and service data often contains valuable clues about product performance, recurring failures and customer needs—but uncovering those patterns can be time-consuming.

Join Catalyst Connection on October 6 for the webinar, Using AI to Improve Warranty and Service Operations in Manufacturing, and explore how manufacturers can use AI to:
🔹 Identify recurring product and service issues
🔹 uncover trends hidden in warranty data
🔹 accelerate problem-solving and root-cause analysis
🔹 turn service insights into opportunities for improvement

Discover practical ways to move from reacting to warranty issues to learning from them.
📅 October 6
💻 Live webinar

🔗 Register: https://bit.ly/4y38Q3N

Join fivestar*, Catalyst Connection, and Infor for the Infor CRM SLX User Group 2026 in Pittsburgh on October 14.

Connect with fellow Infor CRM SLX users, gain insights from industry experts, and explore what’s ahead for CRM technology. The event will feature product updates, an ERP partner perspective, customer success insights, and a look at what’s possible with AI in CRM.

📅 October 14, 2026
⏰ 11:30 AM–5:00 PM EST
📍 Pittsburgh, PA

Whether you're looking to get more from your current CRM system, learn about new capabilities, or connect with others in the Infor community, this workshop offers an opportunity to share ideas and learn what's next.

Join us in Pittsburgh and be part of the conversation - Infor User Group 2026 (https://bit.ly/3UUu3ys)