NFFS Innovation Summit 2026

Looking at the current Industry 4.0 conversation across the foundry industry, much of the focus is centered on digital transformation strategy, automation, AI, smart manufacturing, systems integration, and large-scale technology initiatives.

Those conversations have value, but they also leave a significant gap for many foundries.

Most foundries are not asking:

• “How do we build a digital twin?”
• "How do we justify a multi-million-dollar automation project?”
• “How do we implement AI across the enterprise?"

They are asking:

• “How do I get operators to consistently record defects?”
• “How do we stop tribal knowledge from walking out the door?”
• “How do I improve scheduling and communication using the systems I already have?”
• “How do I better use the data we’re already collecting?”
• “What practical improvements can we implement next quarter with little or no capital investment?”

That is where the NFFS Innovation Summit 2026 is intentionally different.

The summit is designed for foundry leaders, operators, supervisors, engineers, and decision-makers who are looking for practical ways to improve everyday operations and achieve measurable results. Rather than focusing on complexity or large-scale transformation initiatives, the event centers on real-world innovation that foundries can realistically implement now to reduce scrap, improve quality, increase efficiency, strengthen profitability, and simplify operations.

Attendees will leave with actionable ideas, proven strategies, and practical tools they can immediately apply within their own facilities. Sessions will feature foundry-led case studies, operational success stories, workforce solutions, process improvements, maintenance strategies, and practical technology applications grounded in the realities of running a foundry today.

The NFFS Innovation Summit is about helping foundries work smarter, solve problems faster, support the people closest to the process, and make meaningful operational improvements without requiring massive capital investment to get there.