Guide Technologies Leads Lunch and Learn on the Future of Manufacturing at Labconco, Hosted by KCMN

Indianapolis-based ERP consulting firm shares insights on AI, Industry 5.0, and manufacturing readiness at Kansas City event

KANSAS CITY, Mo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Guide Technologies, an Infor Gold Resell Partner specializing in ERP solutions for manufacturers, participated in a Kansas City Manufacturers Network (KCMN) event hosted by Labconco Corporation. Guide Technologies lead the day with a Lunch and Learn session titled The Future of Manufacturing. The afternoon brought together manufacturers for an afternoon of industry insight, operational learning, and community impact.

Frank Palubiak, Account Executive, and Tyler Springer of Guide took the floor to share what they have been observing across the manufacturing landscape. From artificial intelligence to Industry 5.0, their message was direct: the future of manufacturing has already arrived and it’s happening faster than many expected. Whether a manufacturer is exploring AI or evaluating an ERP system, success depends on having a clear strategy and being prepared before taking action.

“The future of manufacturing has arrived faster than many expected.
Manufacturers must have a plan and be prepared before taking action.”

The session was held at Labconco Corporation, which is celebrating 100 years in business. Following the Lunch and Learn, attendees heard from Eric Herrs, Vice President of Manufacturing at Labconco, who provided an inside look at the company’s growth, operations, and diverse product lines. A guided facility tour offered participants a behind-the-scenes view of metal fabrication, additive manufacturing, paint, and testing operations with meaningful conversation at every stop.

The absolute highlight of the day was the involvement of all attendees in the community impact activity led by Care Package Inbound. Attendees packed backpacks for foster youth across the Kansas City area, supported by the organization’s mission to provide comfort and create generational impact for the foster care community.

“We are grateful to KCMN and Labconco for the opportunity to engage with manufacturers in the Kansas City area,” said Frank Palubiak, Account Executive at Guide Technologies. “The conversations during this event reflected exactly what we see with manufacturers every day—there is tremendous opportunity ahead, and the organizations that approach it with intention and the right technology foundation will be the ones who lead.”

About Guide Technologies

Guide Technologies is an Infor Gold Resell Partner headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, providing ERP consulting and implementation services to manufacturers across aerospace and defense, automotive, manufacturing and industrial equipment industries. Guide Technologies helps manufacturers select, implement, and optimize Infor ERP solutions — including CloudSuite Industrial (SyteLine), Infor LN, Infor XA, and Infor CloudSuite Gov Cloud—to drive operational efficiency and sustainable growth.

About Labconco

Labconco Corporation, located in Kansas City, MO celebrates 100 years of driving science forward. Since 1925, they have partnered with scientists to create equipment that protects people, preserves discoveries, and expands the boundaries of innovation. Trusted worldwide, their biosafety cabinets, fume hoods, freeze dryers and other equipment solutions have supported breakthroughs in medicine, forensics and environmental science. As Labconco honors their century of excellence, they drive to shape the next century of discovery.

About Kansas City Manufacturing Network (KCMN)

Kansas City Manufacturing Network (KCMN) was established in 1996 through a collaboration between two NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership organizations to strengthen manufacturing across the Kansas City metro. Supported by Kansas Manufacturing Solutions, KCMN has grown into a leading network where manufacturers connect, share best practices, and develop their workforce. Led by manufacturers for manufacturers, KCMN fosters peer learning, collaboration, and business growth, helping companies adapt and compete in an evolving manufacturing landscape.

About Care Package Inbound

Care Package Inbound is a nonprofit restoring dignity and stability for children and teens entering foster care and police protective services. They provide high‑quality and extensively researched emergency backpacks filled with clothing, hygiene items, and comfort essentials designed to support a child’s first 48 hours in a new placement. Through partnerships with hospitals, police departments, and child‑welfare agencies, Care Package Inbound ensures each bag reaches a child at the exact moment of transition to make sure no child enters foster care empty‑handed or unseen. Their mission is to transform the foster care community to make a generational impact.