Businesses Learn About AI, Innovation At Annual Manufacturing Breakfast

Leaders from McKenzie-area industries gathered at Bethel’s Vera Low Center for Student Enrichment Friday, October 10, for the McKenzie Chamber of Commerce and Industrial Development Board’s annual Manufacturing Breakfast, celebrating Manufacturing Month.

Danny Norman, advanced manufacturing consultant at the University of Tennessee’s Center for Industrial Services and lead for Manufacturing Extension Partnership’s (MEP) National Center for Advanced Tech Solutions, was the morning’s distinguished speaker. Norman travels to businesses across the state of Tennessee to teach manufacturing leaders about cost-efficient ways to remain innovative and competitive in their markets.

Norman’s presentation, titled “Building McKenzie Manufacturers’ Advanced Manufacturing Capabilities” primarily focused on ways artificial intelligence (AI) can bridge the gap between employee error and machine error and altogether improve manufacturing business systems.

Norman presented several anecdotes of the recreational ways people can use AI, like creating funny photos and videos, but explained how AI should be used more specifically for businesses.

“AI is way, way better and way more significant than the image generator that makes cute bunny rabbit pictures,” Norman said. “We’ve gotta use it and be trained to use it.”

He explained that, by giving AI generators like ChatGPT specific instructions and context, users can receive very helpful advice and insights like how to optimize employee output with a short staff. Additionally, he said AI can be the quick, cost-efficient answer to problems rather than purchasing new and expensive software.

“It’s such a bright time to be in manufacturing,” Norman said. With AI tools and the ability to use smart manufacturing, which Norman defined as communicating data through a reliable and ongoing data structure, companies have advancing opportunities for innovation.

Norman concluded his speech by inviting McKenzie industries to an AI and manufacturing training session in Knoxville and said, with enough interest, he could visit McKenzie again to present a comprehensive training course.

McKenzie Chamber of Commerce and Industrial Development Board Director Monica Heath thanked Norman for speaking and thanked attending businesses for their support.

“None of this work is possible without us all coming together,” said Heath. “Manufacturing Month is about celebrating our industries and our employees, opening the doors for our students and showing families the strong, high-paying careers we have in McKenzie. It’s about building futures where businesses thrive, families remain rooted and the next generation can see a clear path forward staying home.”

Manufacturing Month events stretched throughout the month of October, with several manufacturing plant tours and free meals scheduled for manufacturing employees.

McKenzie’s featured businesses during Manufacturing Month were Profile Metal Forming, PolyKem Materials Processing, Cachengo, Stanley Black & Decker, J&J Auto Racing, Pottery Direct, Plastic Product Formers, Commercial Metals, Haven Steel Products, Centennial Bank, Allegion and McKenzie Valve & Machining LLC.