June Toolbox Talk: Precision Performance with AI & Automation

Future‑Ready Precision: AI, Automation, and Simple Wins That Boost Performance

Toolbox Talk Panel & Happy Hour 

The event is hosted at:
MDI
3501 Broadway St, NE #100
Minneapolis, MN 55413

Join us for a three-part panel moderated by MPMA President, Steve Kalina, featuring industry experts discussing AI, digital twins, and practical low-tech strategies to improve shop efficiency. Panelists will share firsthand experiences with AI adoption and highlight opportunities to strengthen operations and grow your business. 

Featured speakers include:

• • Matt Timm, founder of Magnetic North, who will share his journey implementing AI in his business—highlighting both the challenges and opportunities it creates. He’ll break AI into practical, digestible concepts and show how businesses can use it to drive growth and efficiency.

• • Vivek Saxena, President of FactoryTwin, who will show how companies can use existing data and AI-driven intelligence to improve cost, quality, delivery, and key shop KPIs. He’ll share practical steps to get started, along with real-world examples from two high-mix, low-volume shops.
    
    
  • Rod Gramse, President of MRG Tool and Die, will engage in a conversation with Steve Kalina to explore the implementation and impact of multiple AI applications at MRG.

Presenters will include:
Matt Timm - Magnetic North 
Vivek Saxena - FactoryTwin
Steve Kalina & Rod Gramse - MRG Tool & Die

Agenda:
1:30 pm - Check-in
1:45 pm - Welcome, Steve Kalina - MPMA 
1:50 pm - Welcome MDI
1:55 pm - Presentation, Matt Timm - Magnetic North
2:20 pm - Discussion, Steve Kalina + Rod Gramse
2:40 pm - Presentation, Vivek Saxena - FactoryTwin
3:05 pm - Panel Q&A - All
3:25 pm - Closing Remarks
3:30 pm - Adjourn 
3:30 pm - Happy Hour at TwinCities 400 Tavern

Happy Hour Details (one free drink ticket is included with registration)
TwinCities 400 Tavern
1330 Industrial Blvd NE, Suite 400
Minneapolis, MN 55413

Why Should I Attend?

Noise about AI advancements is everywhere. It’s seemingly impossible to understand how to take the first, second and third steps on leveraging AI to make improvements in your business. This experienced panel will provide practical ideas for low-tech, high-impact moves that owners can make to improve efficiency without major capital investment. Attendees will walk away with actionable ideas that can be implemented immediately to improve business performance.

Who Should Attend?

Manufacture owners, operations and plant managers, engineers and process engineers, continuous improvement professionals, and those looking for new ways to improve the efficiency of their shop floor and/or any other all level of their business. 

Questions about this event? Contact Christina at events@mpma.com 

Thank you to our host facility MDI - Minnesota Diversified Industries.