Plant Tours
Each plant tour offers a unique opportunity to dialog with peers from across industries and functions about best practices, challenges and solutions to moving the manufacturing enterprise forward.
Events
See Manufacturing 4.0 in Action
At an MLC Plant Tour, you’ll get an up-close look at leading manufacturing operations while networking with like-minded peers and finding solutions to your own challenges.
Why Attend
What You'll Take Away
Every tour is built around candid discussion with the host team and your peers.
- Discover proven solutions to common challenges
- Expand your thinking with new processes and practices
- Benchmark your factory's performance against state-of-the-art operations
- Bring back new ideas you can implement faster
Featured Plant Tour
Siemens Plant Tour
Discover how Siemens utilizes data, automation and standardized processes to drive quality and operational excellence. Visitors will see how high-quality electrical infrastructure equipment is designed, assembled and tested with emphasis on precision, consistency and efficiency.
Nov. 4-5 | Fort Worth, Texas
Upcoming Plant Tours
Tour Summaries
MLC Plant Tour: End-to-End Digital at Analog Devices and Lilly
October 5, 2026If you’re asked to picture the things that are “quintessentially Irish,” you might think of verdant landscapes, thatched-roof cottages, craft whisky and pub culture. But there is an additional, important element to add to that list: Ireland is also a global leader in advanced manufacturing. The Manufacturing Leadership Council recently brought around 100 of its…
MLC Plant Tour: An Up-Close Look at Kohler’s OT/IT Integration
June 5, 2026MLC members toured Kohler’s new 1-million-square-foot Arizona smart factory, learning how OT/IT integration, wireless networking and automation support bathtub production and warehouse operations.
Exploring Digital and Physical Convergence at Eclipse Automation
October 21, 2025MLC members toured Eclipse Automation’s iPort to see digital twins, AR/VR demos, and shop-floor innovation in action. The event highlighted how digital transformation and automation are accelerating factory design and production.
Digital Manufacturing in Action at GM’s Cadillac Plant in Tennessee
October 9, 2025GM’s Cadillac plant in Tennessee uses robotics, AI and automation to improve safety, quality and efficiency, including battery inspections and a robot installing seats on a moving line.
MLC Plant Tour: United Scrap Metal and Its Vision for a Coast-to-Coast Recycling Network
September 4, 2025United Scrap Metal grew from a $200 startup to a $725 million recycling network across nine states. MLC members toured its Cicero headquarters to learn about its technology, safety, culture and expansion plans.
In Mexico, Schneider Electric Showcases “Lighthouse” Accomplishments
May 13, 2025Schneider Electric showcased its Monterrey, Mexico Lighthouse plant, highlighting EcoStruxure-driven digital manufacturing gains, including 25% less downtime, 29% lower energy use, and zero waste to landfill.
EnerSys Tour Offers Immersive Lean Manufacturing Insights
November 4, 2024MLC members explore lean ecosystems, advanced battery production, and agile fulfillment strategies at EnerSys' Richmond facility.
EnerSys’ Richmond, Kentucky, site showcased how embedded lean principles, employee-led improvements and digital tools support agile battery manufacturing, fast “book-and-ship” fulfillment and scalable innovation across legacy and modern operations.
Exploring Automation and Culture at Amazon
August 2, 2024From garage to global giant: how innovation, data and machine learning drive Amazon’s BFI4 Fulfillment Center
Amazon’s BFI4 fulfillment center uses robotics, computer vision and machine learning to sort, pack and ship millions of items weekly. The article also highlights Amazon’s innovation culture, built on fast, data-driven decisions.
A Pioneer in Automation Becomes a Champion for Digital Transformation
May 6, 2024Rockwell Automation is using MES, IoT, digital twins and real-time analytics to drive digital transformation at its Twinburg plant, boost efficiency and reduce silos. The company is now exploring AI and generative AI to deepen data-driven operations.
Leading through Values at the Vermeer Corporation
November 29, 2023Vermeer Corporation’s growth stays rooted in putting people first, building quality products, and giving back. The company pairs Lean, Kaizen, and automation with workforce training and smart technology to improve safety, quality, and ROI.
