Advancing cutting-edge manufacturing through digital innovation and automation
Experience automation innovation in action with an exclusive Manufacturing Leadership Council tour of Emerson’s state-of-the-art Boulder, Colorado factory. Following a recent 57,000-square-foot manufacturing expansion, the facility now includes 112,500 square feet of next generation manufacturing space featuring advanced welding capabilities, machine analytics, and a cutting-edge flow lab.
At the core of the tour is a fully integrated approach to automation. Visitors will experience Emerson’s immersive Interactive Plant Environment (IPE), a hands-on, multi-level space designed to demonstrate how data flows seamlessly from the physical factory floor through analytics and visualization layers to drive operational insight and decision making.
By combining advanced manufacturing, pervasive sensing and interactive digital experiences, the Boulder facility showcases how manufacturers can move beyond traditional automation to drive measurable improvements in reliability, availability, and performance.
Walk Away with Actionable Insights
Key Takeaways:
Emerson’s Boulder factory is a mature, high-mix/low-volume Coriolis meter manufacturing operation realizing real value from automation.
- See how integrated asset health monitoring, wireless sensing and AI-driven diagnostics enable predictive maintenance and automate workflows.
- Observe how advanced robotics-enabled processes enhance manufacturing precision, consistency, and throughput while reducing variability and rework.
- Learn how machine learning continuously adjusts control parameters in real time to reduce cycle times and maximize throughput.
- Explore how 3D digital modeling and simulation tools enable faster, data-driven factory layout optimization and more informed facility planning decisions.
- See how autonomous mobile robots support high-mix manufacturing by optimizing internal logistics and enabling flexible and responsive material movement.
Emerson | Boulder, Colorado
Emerson Plant Tour
Advancing cutting-edge manufacturing through digital innovation and automation
October 7-8, 2026, Boulder, Colorado
Please note all times listed are in LOCAL time, Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) (UTC-6).
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- 7:00 AM – Registration & Breakfast
- 7:45 AM – MLC Opening Presentation
- 8:00 AM – Emerson Opening Presentations
- 8:30 AM – Buses depart to Emerson Plant
- 9:00 AM – Plant Tour
- 11:40 AM – Buses depart to hotel
- 12:00 PM – Networking Lunch
- 1:00 PM – Breakout Sessions
Breakout Session Option 1: Aligning MES Strategy and an AI Roadmap for Operational Transformation
This session lays out how to build and justify a Manufacturing Execution System (MES) strategy that delivers. We’ll examine the risks of partial MES rollouts, the use of MES data to drive operational change, and the value of measuring task execution time at the station and operator level to identify continuous improvement opportunities. The session also frames Emerson’s current AI use—including wins, challenges and the organization’s AI roadmap—so leaders can connect MES investment to the broader digital transformation agenda.
Breakout Session Option 2: Smart Devices Connecting Maintenance and Capable Workforce
Every unplanned breakdown is a bill you never had to pay. Smart devices give your maintenance team the early warning it has been missing—flagging preventive work before a breakdown ever hits the floor. In this session, see how live device signals become CMMS tickets automatically, turning pressure, temperature, vibration and energy data into prioritized work orders and real dollars saved. We will break down the payoff of instrumenting critical equipment, less downtime, leaner inventory and fewer emergency calls, and show why this is the low cost, high value, fast start alternative to a full MES rollout. The Interactive Plant Environment (IPE) is a risk-free proving ground, a hands-on space to map and practice with smart devices and connectivity without touching production. Walk away knowing exactly how to use the IPE to upskill a workforce into a smart device-ready maintenance organization.
Breakout Session Option 3: Flexible Automation for Complex Manufacturing
Discover how flexible automation can support high-mix, low-volume manufacturing. This breakout session explores an approach that combines a global architecture and standardized playbooks with the flexibility needed to address each facility’s unique product mix, layout, cost structure and regional requirements. We will share real-world examples of how this strategy demonstrates business impact to increase the speed and scalability of technology adoption across a global manufacturing network. - 1:45 PM – Networking Break
- 2:00 PM – Panel Discussion
- 3:00 PM – Panel Concludes and Final Remarks
Speakers
John Bailey
Eric Novacek
Fabian Ochoa
Peter Von Arx
Billy Mansour
Katelyn Sand
John Summers
Group Hotel:
Embassy Suites by Hilton Boulder (2601 Canyon Boulevard, Boulder, CO 80302)
- Discounted room rates:
$259.00/night plus taxes/fees - Reservation cut-off date: September 15, 2026
(once the room block is filled, which may be before the cut-off date, availability and rate are not guaranteed) - To make your reservation online, visit https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/nam-mlc-emerson-plant-tour/
- To make your reservations by phone, call (303) 443-2600.
- Important Note: Cancellation fee of 1 night’s room and tax will be assessed for room reservations cancelled within 48 hours of arrival.
Airports
Suggested International Airports
- Denver International Airport (DEN) – 39 miles (40-minute drive by car)
Suggested Travel Dates
Arrival: Late morning/early afternoon on Wednesday, October 7, 2026
To ensure you arrive in time to attend the kick-off networking dinner on Wednesday evening.
Departure: Morning of Friday, October 9, 2026, or after 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
To ensure you do not need to leave the tour and sessions early or miss out on any post-event networking opportunities!
Transportation Information
- Details to come.
