LeanDNA to Host Third Annual Manufacturing Excellence Summit

The event brings supply chain leaders from the world's largest manufacturing companies together to explore the role of people, process, and platforms in the AI age.

AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- LeanDNA, a leading intelligent supply chain execution platform, will host its third annual Manufacturing Excellence Summit from Wednesday, Oct. 28, through Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, in Austin. The invite-only event brings together senior supply chain and operations leaders from across aerospace, automotive, industrial, and medical device manufacturing. 

This year's theme, Connected Intelligence: People, Process, and Platforms, reflects a shift happening across manufacturing. Over two days, attendees will explore how leading manufacturers build decision confidence from the shop floor to the top floor, adopt AI strategically, and keep their talent and technology aligned. Sessions will include discussions on the future of AI in supply chain, how to thrive in the new normal of constant disruption, and closing the gap on supplier shortages.

"Every manufacturer we talk to has access to more data and more AI than they did a year ago. They are all facing the challenge of creating systems and processes so that their planners, buyers, and executives are on the same page," said Andy Ellenthal, CEO of LeanDNA. "This summit is built around the people doing that work. The most valuable insights in the room come from peers who have begun to solve the same problems."

Speakers include more than 20 global supply chain leaders, including:

Boeing

• Amanda Bally, Director, Supply Chain Management, Boeing
• Dustin Dunn, Supply Chain Leader, 787 Program, Boeing

Carrier

• Tej Savant, Director, Global Planning Transformation, Carrier

Caterpillar

• Pete Targos, Supply Chain Project Manager, Caterpillar

Cirtec Medical

• Tim Binder, Senior Director of Supply Chain, Cirtec Medical

Daikin Applied

• Praveen Kanagaraj, Sr. Director of Digital Supply Chain, Daikin Applied

Dexter

• James Dawsey, Vice President, SIOP, Dexter

Enjet Aero

• David Nelson, VP of Supply Chain, Enjet Aero
• Patrick Quade, Director of Operations, Enjet Aero

Ford

• Mandeep Sahota, Global Director, Materials Planning & Logistics, Ford
• Vatsal Gandhi, Sr. Director, Global MP&L Strategy and Inventory, Ford
• Gerardo De La Torre Jimenez, Supply Chain Manager, Ford
• Juan Carlos Duarte, MP&L Strategy & Operations Manager, Ford
• Gladys Maziarz, Inventory Strategy Analyst, Ford

GE Appliances

• Thao Reed, Senior Manager, Materials Planning, GE Appliances

Husky Technologies

• Max Denton, Purchasing Team Leader, Husky Technologies

Johnson Controls

• Craig Schmitz, Senior Procurement Manager, Johnson Controls

Nelson Global Products

• Jamie Ressel, Director of Materials, Nelson Global Products

Radius Aerospace

• Darren Hill, VP of Supply Chain, Radius Aerospace

Siemens

• Rodolfo MacKinney, Orders Processing & Scheduling Manager, Siemens

Siemens Advanta

• Jon Pacheco, VP of Supply Chain & Cost Transformation, Siemens Advanta

Stanadyne

• Joe Coté, Global Materials Director, Stanadyne

The Summit will include a live presentation of the second annual LeanDNA APEX Awards, which recognize customers for measurable business impact, cross-functional collaboration, and leadership in supply chain transformation. This year's program categories have expanded, and nominations are now open to LeanDNA's customer community. Categories include APEX Architect, APEX Synergy, APEX Impact, First Ascent, Peak Performance (by Company and by Site), and Trailblazer awards.

Supply chain leaders and executives interested in future events can contact LeanDNA at [email protected].

Related:

• LeanDNA Announces 2026 APEX Awards Finalists
• LeanDNA to Host 2025 Manufacturing Excellence Summit
• 2024: LeanDNA Hosts First Manufacturing Excellence Summit

About LeanDNA

LeanDNA powers the world's discrete manufacturing with a single source of truth for factory-first materials orchestration and inventory optimization. APEX, the AI-powered expert execution platform from LeanDNA, transforms data into optimized decisions and action. LeanDNA empowers manufacturers in aerospace, HVAC, industrials, automotive, and medical to improve on-time delivery and working capital levels. Leading manufacturers including Caterpillar, Daikin Applied, Radius Aerospace, and Siemens use APEX for supply chain orchestration to gain visibility into current and incoming materials, take action based on inventory criticality, collaborate in real time with suppliers, and track progress toward inventory optimization goals. Learn more at LeanDNA.com.

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SOURCE LeanDNA Inc