In this fourth episode of the relaunched 'Build Smart, Lead Strong' a trio of guests share two segments each. We begin with Scott Phillips, Expert-in-Residence; He's Founder of i4Score. 

Hear Scott join Elizabeth in this conversation about the trends affecting manufacturers, the challenges their facing, and the solutions they’re adopting in this two-part interview in the SoundCloud PodCast shared below!

In their conversation: The fourth industrial revolution, commonly referred to as Industry 4.0, is synonymous with Smart Manufacturing. Join this conversation with Scott Phillips, Expert in Residence and Program Manager of the Industry 4.0 Accelerator. The I4.0 Accelerator, powered by Centrepolis Accelerator and Lean Rocket Lab, accelerates Michigan’s manufacturers adoption of industry 4.0 technologies by connecting them to some of the greatest technology solutions from around the globe. Learn about the trends affecting manufacturers, the challenges their facing, and the solutions they’re adopting.

More about Phillips... 

Scott has spent time in multiple functional roles throughout his career but manufacturing is his passion. The interest started with the opportunity to learn about world-class manufacturing at Whirlpool Corporation. Back in the mid-nineties, twenty-five years ago, the three Whirlpool plants in Ohio were running around the clock turning out 18,000 washing machines, 12,000 clothes dryers and 8,000 dishwashers per day and running consistently at 100% of stated capacity.

In 2016, Scott traveled to Germany to learn about Industry 4.0 and brought that knowledge back the U.S. where he consulted with manufacturing companies for six years as part of a U.S. Department of Commerce Program to make manufacturers more competitive globally.

The development of the i4Score Industry 4.0 Roadmapping Tool is the incorporation Scott’s experience with helping hundreds of manufacturers into a tool which can be accessed online and free of charge to any manufacturer. i4Score is based on the application of the first principles of Industry 4.0 in order to make decisions faster, increase operating efficiency and create new business opportunities.

In addition to i4Score, Scott also spends time at the Centrepolis Accelerator at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, MI where he helps manage the Automation Alley Industry 4.0 Accelerator. Scott vets Industry 4.0 technology start-ups from around the world and makes introductions to Corporate Partners including Denso, Whirlpool, Forvia, Bosch, Siemens, Magna, Lear, Phoenix Contact and others based upon their Industry 4.0 Roadmaps.

Scott lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan with his wife Linda. He has three grown children and two grand dogs.

About i4score

//About Centropolis Accelerator : ACCELERATOR MISSION

Ambitious ideas & brilliant implementation

The Centrepolis Accelerator is on a mission to fuel the growth of Southeast Michigan’s small manufacturers and hardware entrepreneurs by providing access to key resources including mentors, workshops, cutting-edge technologies, corporate connections, student & faculty engagement, events, workspace, and a collaborative community of peers.

Accelerator members have access to a state-of-the-art 6,200 square foot facility featuring additional workspace, training facilities, and a premier manufacturing technology lab.