Innovative Manufacturers Center

10 Reasons to Adopt AI Agentic Systems
2026-05-13 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Zoom
10 Reasons to Adopt AI Agentic Systems
(1-hour, Webinar)

Manufacturers are facing a perfect storm: experienced employees are retiring, skill gaps are widening, operational complexity is increasing, and pressure for efficiency continues to mount. At the same time, AI is rapidly reshaping how work gets done across industries—including manufacturing.
AI agentic systems—AI that can reason, take action, and collaborate with people—are emerging as an essential resource for manufacturers that want to protect their knowledge, stabilize their workforce, and remain competitive.
This webinar focuses on WHY manufacturers are adopting agentic systems now—and why waiting carries real risk.

Join us May 13th for this no cost webinar!
Register
Zoom link will be emailed prior to event.
What You’ll Gain from This Session

In this session, we’ll examine 10 compelling reasons WHY manufacturers should implement AI agentic systems, such as:

Protecting proprietary processes and tribal knowledge
Capturing decades of tacit expertise threatened by retirements and turnover
Maintaining consistency, quality, and safety across shifts, teams, and facilities
Reducing training costs while accelerating productivity and onboarding
Increasing workforce efficiency and resilience without adding headcount

This webinar explores the strategic, operational, and workforce drivers pushing manufacturers to act.
Who Should Attend

This webinar is designed for manufacturing leaders and practitioners who are responsible for performance, capability, and long‑term competitiveness, including:

Operations and Plant Leaders
HR, Training, and Workforce Development Teams
Continuous Improvement and Lean Leaders
Safety, Quality, and Compliance Managers
IT and Digital Transformation Leaders
Executives and Strategy Leaders

If your organization depends on skilled workers, repeatable processes, and protected know-how, this webinar will help clarify WHY AI agentic systems are becoming a necessity for modern manufacturing—now.

Join us!
Register
This is a no-cost webinar.
Meet Your Presenter:
Dennis Gilbert is President of the IMC. His professional experience includes General Manager of a local manufacturing and retail operation, Managing Director of Workforce Development & Continuing Education at Penn College, and just prior to joining IMC in 2021, President/Owner of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. Dennis has extensive experience in manufacturing, leadership, non-profit management, and developing strategic marketing initiatives using social media platforms.
Dennis obtained his master’s degree from Pennsylvania State University in Workforce Education & Development, his bachelor’s degree from Pennsylvania College of Technology in Technology Management and an Associate degree in Computer Science from Williamsport Area Community College.

OSHA 10-Hour Training - Altoona
2026-05-20 08:00 - 2026-05-21 13:30 | St. Francis Curry Innovation Center, 1425 11th Avenue, Altoona, PA, 16601, United States
OSHA 10-Hour
(in-person, Altoona, PA)

The OSHA 10-Hour training for manufacturers is designed to give workers a clear understanding of common workplace hazards and the best practices to prevent them. Participants will also gain foundational knowledge of how OSHA operates, along with an overview of employee rights and employer responsibilities in maintaining a safe and healthy workplace.
Register now for only $269!
Register
The training is being held May 20 & 21, 8:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. each day. Light lunch provided.
Why Attend
Workplace safety is not just a compliance requirement—it’s a crucial part of protecting your team, your operations, and your bottom line. This program provides practical, real-world knowledge to help participants recognize, prevent, and respond to common workplace hazards. From machine guarding to emergency action planning, you’ll gain a strong foundation in essential safety practices that reduce risk and improve workplace culture. Upon completion, participants receive an official OSHA wallet card and training certificate, demonstrating their commitment to safety and compliance.
Topics Covered

Introduction to OSHA
Walking and Working Surfaces
Exit Routes, Emergency Action Plans, Fire Prevention and Protection
Electrical
Personal Protective Equipment
Hazard Communication
Machine Guarding
Lockout – Tagout
Safety and Health Programs

Who Should Attend
This training is designed for individuals working in the manufacturing sector who want to strengthen their knowledge of OSHA standards and workplace safety practices. Ideal participants include production workers and machine operators, frontline supervisors and team leads, maintenance staff and technicians, safety coordinators and compliance officers, HR or training managers overseeing workforce safety, and anyone new to manufacturing who wants a strong foundation in OSHA requirements
Register now for only $269!
Register
The training is being held April 15 & 16, 8:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. each day. Light lunch provided.
Instructor
Scott Witmer is the Owner and Principal Solutions Provider of EMS Consulting, specializing in safety, environment, energy, and materials consulting. He holds both a master’s and bachelor’s degree in environmental science with a focus on Pollution Control. With more than 18 years of experience in the manufacturing industry, over 20 years as an Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) professional, and more than a decade serving in operations and executive leadership roles, Scott has successfully designed and delivered comprehensive safety and environmental programs across diverse industries. His expertise helps organizations implement practical, forward-thinking solutions that drive sustainable growth, operational excellence, and regulatory compliance.
This training qualifies for WEDnetPA funding for qualified participants. Not familiar with WEDnetPA funding, Contact Us | info@imcpa.com | (570) 329-3200.

Exploring Lean Manufacturing Basics
2026-05-28 09:00 - 12:00 | St. Francis Curry Innovation Center, 1425 11th Avenue, Altoona, PA, 16601, United States
Exploring Lean Manufacturing Basics
Event Postponed until October 8th.
Visit https://imcpa.com/event/lean-basics-altoona/ to register
IMC’s Exploring Lean Manufacturing Basics, 3-hour introductory program, provides participants with a foundational understanding of Lean Manufacturing. Join us May 28th to explore the basic concepts behind Lean thinking and how it supports efficiency, teamwork, and continuous improvement in a manufacturing environment. The program is designed to help employees become familiar with the key principles, terminology, and workplace practices that are part of a Lean culture. No prior Lean experience is needed, just curiosity and a willingness to learn how your role fits into the bigger picture of improving processes and reducing waste.
Register now for only $189!
Register
Learning Objectives:

Recognize the basic principles of Lean Manufacturing and describe how they support an efficient and productive workplace.
Discover the importance of minimizing waste and being mindful of how everyday actions impact workflow and efficiency.
Understand common Lean concepts and terminology used in manufacturing environments.

Course Outline:

Introduction to Lean Manufacturing

Definition, origin and impact
Continuous Improvement: Kaizen and Kata

Principles of Lean Manufacturing

Understanding value from the customer’s perspective
Systems and process thinking
Improving Flow
Eliminating Waste

Lean Tools and Techniques

Lean Production

Improving Workflow
Mapping Processes

Reducing Waste

The 8 Wastes of Lean
Organization of Work and Workstations

Identifying and Solving Problems

Root Cause Analysis
Plan-Do-Check-Act Cycle
5 Whys

Definitions of Common Lean Terms
Q&A and Wrap-up

Why Attend?

Build confidence on the shop floor by understanding Lean Manufacturing principles and how they impact your daily work.
Explore what it takes to become a Lean/CI Rock Star when you learn tools and techniques that help you communicate better with continuous improvement leaders.
Using newly learned terminology, you’ll become a highly valued communicator who is more visible and respected by both leaders and peers.
Become a self-assured champion for team discussion when you use real-world examples, not textbook lingo when communicating with your peers.

Who Should Attend:
Ideal for anyone in manufacturing looking to boost efficiency and reduce waste. Perfect for: production operators, team leads, quality staff, maintenance, engineers, materials/inventory personnel, administrative support, and new hires. No Lean experience required—just a desire to improve processes.
Register now for only $189!
Register
Meet Your Presenter:

Instruction provided by IMC Business Advisor Tim Davis. Tim has over 35 years of management and operational experience in manufacturing businesses in Central and Southwestern PA. Various career roles include Operations Manager, Safety Manager, HR Manager, Sales Manager, Sales Rep, Service Manager, executive/business coach and trainer. His areas of expertise include employee development, strategic planning, people skills, effective communication, leadership, safety, time management, sales and customer service.

This training qualifies for WEDnetPA funding for qualified participants. Not familiar with WEDnetPA funding, Contact Us | info@imcpa.com | (570) 329-3200.
