Business man and woman walking through a manufacturing shop floor talking about the 2026 ECI Trend Report for Manufacturing

Turning 2026 Industry Shifts Into Operational Wins: A Panel Discussion

A discussion about strategies to navigate the workforce, technology, and cost pressures of the coming year.

Every year, the manufacturing industry undergoes unprecedented shifts, but 2026 is positioned to be a year of innovation driven by necessity. For SMB manufacturers, success in 2026 is not about a total overnight transformation; it is about modernizing to build a more stable, informed, and resilient business.

We’ve gathered a panel of ECI leadership that spans from sales to customer success to translate these trends into real-world effects to your shop floor. Our industry leaders are sharing their insider tips on how to maximize your business from top to bottom.

What you’ll learn:

The digital shift: Why 92% of manufacturers believe smart manufacturing is now the primary driver of competitiveness.
The workforce challenge: How to bridge the "knowledge continuity" gap as one in four workers approaches retirement.
Cybersecurity and connectivity: Practical steps to protect your business as IT and OT environments come together.
Trade and volatility: Strategies to manage margin pressure from challenging tariff-related cost increases and supply chain realignment.
Practical AI: How to move AI from a "curiosity" to a productivity multiplier embedded in your existing systems.

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Meet Your Expert Panel

Tim Watkins

VP of Integrated Solutions

With nearly two decades of sales experience, mainly in the small to medium business market, Tim Watkins brings expertise and consulting experience to the manufacturing industry. Working as a manufacturing rep for five years, Tim has walked the shop floors many times. He also spent five years working for FedEx and helping SMB manufacturing companies optimize their shipping channels. With seven years of software sales experience as well, Tim understands the benefits that software can provide your organization.

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Tom Latta

Vice President of Sales

Tom Latta leads account management and new customer sales for ECI's process manufacturing ERP platform. He has 25+ years of experience building and scaling teams, strengthening customer relationships, and driving predictable revenue growth for customers. Prior to ECI, Tom spent almost a decade leading direct and indirect sales teams including managing a $100M+ channel organization. He brings a practical, outcomes-focused perspective on how manufacturing organizations evaluate and adopt ERP to improve operational performance.

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Kelly Aulenback

Vice President of Account Management

Kelly Aulenback is a seasoned sales and account management leader with more than 16 years of experience across the manufacturing and ERP software space. Throughout his career, he has built and led high-performing sales organizations, driven consistent revenue growth, and more importantly helped manufacturing companies modernize operations through customer-centric, technology-driven solutions. Kelly brings a disciplined, data-driven approach to execution, paired with a strong passion for developing teams and building trusted customer partnerships. His background spans ERP optimization, go-to-market strategy, and large-scale customer transformations, with a focus on aligning solutions that deliver measurable business impact. Kelly is known for his ability to translate complex business challenges into actionable strategies, enabling both customers and teams to succeed while creating long-term value for the organizations he serves.

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Take A Look At Our Industry Specific Solutions

JobBOSS²

A simple, reliable tool built for job shops. JobBOSS² brings quotes, schedules, materials, and job costs together in one easy‑to‑use system designed for efficiency. Keep inventory under control, maintain production flow, and deliver on time without stress.

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M1

Powerful, flexible ERP built for mixed‑mode manufacturing. Unify quotes, orders, engineering, materials, and scheduling in one adaptable system so you can manage complexity, stay on schedule, and keep every job running smoothly.

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Deacom

When precision and consistency are non‑negotiable, you need software that keeps control at every step. With Hyper‑Tight Process Control™, Deacom unifies production, quality, and traceability in one adaptable system. Simplify workflows, strengthen compliance, and maintain visibility across every batch.

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