MS Companies Presents on AI in Manufacturing at the 2026 Honda Lean Conference
AI in manufacturing is no longer a future-state conversation. It is becoming a practical question for manufacturers facing quality pressure, capacity constraints, talent gaps, and rising expectations for faster, more visible decision-making. At the 2026 Honda Lean Conference, MS Companies joined manufacturing leaders to discuss what it takes to move AI from a buzzword to a practical tool on the plant floor.
Michael Roe, Director of Technical Services at MS Companies, and Everett Gilmore, Chief Technology Officer at Zinc Partners, presented on AI in manufacturing and the operational foundation needed to make it work. Their message was direct:
“AI can accelerate manufacturing performance, but only when it is supported by clean data, disciplined processes, and teams that understand how to turn insight into action.”
AI in Manufacturing Starts With the System
The session highlighted how AI can support production planning, production systems, quality, maintenance, and workforce strategy. Across quality and manufacturing operations, that can include computer vision for visual defect detection, machine learning for pattern recognition, generative AI for documentation and root cause synthesis, and predictive analytics for forecasting defects, scrap, or equipment failures before they disrupt production.
The presentation also connected these ideas to real operational examples. In one case, MS Companies helped improve machine shop throughput by focusing on CNC programming, tooling optimization, operator training, and production planning. The key takeaway was that process discipline created the data foundation for the next phase of improvement, including predictive scheduling and AI-assisted constraint identification.
Optimizing Automotive Machine Output
50% Production Throughput Increase | 4 Week Project Duration
Lean First, Then the AI Layer
AI is not a replacement for operating systems. It is not self-sufficient. It cannot be built on poor data. It is not a one-time implementation. For manufacturers, AI in manufacturing only becomes valuable when it is connected to the real conditions of the operation.
That is why lean remains essential. Standard work, visual management, value stream mapping, 5S, and PDCA give AI the structure it needs to produce meaningful outputs. If processes are inconsistent, maintenance logs are incomplete, or floor conditions are not visible, AI will surface noise instead of insight. When lean discipline is already in place, AI can help teams see constraints earlier, respond faster, and make better decisions with greater confidence.
Building an AI-Ready Workforce
Roe and Gilmore also emphasized the people side of AI adoption. AI in manufacturing is not a software project alone. Manufacturers need teams that can interpret dashboards, investigate anomalies, understand process behavior, and challenge outputs when something does not match reality. Technical aptitude matters, but deep product and process knowledge remains critical. In many cases, process knowledge takes years to develop, while AI tools can be learned much faster with the right training and change management support.
For MS Companies, this is where people, technology, and data come together. The company’s work in quality, recruiting, advisory support, and technology-enabled workforce solutions gives manufacturers a practical path to build stronger operations before adding more advanced AI capabilities. The strongest AI in manufacturing initiatives are built around practical business needs: improving quality, reducing risk, strengthening visibility, and helping teams make better decisions on the floor.
See Where Your AI Readiness Stands
To help manufacturers evaluate where they stand, MS Companies invited attendees to complete the MS Companies AI Assessment. The assessment is designed specifically for manufacturers and helps leaders understand their current AI readiness, identify gaps, and determine the most important next step for their operation.
Take the MS Companies AI Assessment today to see where your AI readiness stands.
Meet Your Experts
