Industry 4.0 Club forms new advisory board with manufacturing, technology focus
What you'll learn:
- The advisory board includes executives from Mars, Allegion, Mitsubishi, GE Vernova, Phoenix Contact, NWIRC, and NxGen.
- It combines practitioners, providers, and promoters to share expertise and advance modern manufacturing through digital content, events, workshops, and open industry dialogue.
The Industry 4.0 Club announced the formation of an inaugural advisory board that aims to bring manufacturing and technology leaders together as part of the organization’s focus on moving worldwide industrial evolution toward the digital transformation of manufacturing.
The club’s inaugural Advisory Board includes executives from Mars, Allegion, Mitsubishi, GE Vernova, Phoenix Contact, NWIRC, and NxGen to help advance digital transformation through nonprofit support of collaboration and education.
See also: Survey: AI adoption continues apace, despite uncertainties and failure risk
The Industry 4.0 Club is a global, growth-oriented community and educational platform for manufacturing professionals, technology providers, and thought leaders. It combines practitioners, providers, and promoters to share expertise and advance modern manufacturing through digital content, events, workshops, and open industry dialogue.
According to the organization, its mission is to host interdisciplinary conversations that expand understanding and adoption of Industry 4.0 while democratizing access to manufacturing education and expertise.
The announcement comes as manufacturers express varied views of how much industrial AI can change their operations, remaining divided on AI’s impact, according to one report.
But another report found that companies are still investing in AI programs in manufacturing settings amid supply chain uncertainties and failures, navigating the best applications for digital transformation.
See also: Report: Manufacturers split on whether to prioritize industrial AI
"Our community has grown because manufacturing leaders are willing to share their knowledge, experiences, and lessons learned," said Mike Unger, CEO of the Industry 4.0 Club. "This advisory board brings together accomplished practitioners, providers, and promoters who share a passion for advancing manufacturing. Their collective expertise will help us create even greater value for our members and strengthen our impact across the Industry 4.0 ecosystem."
See also: Blog: Manufacturing tech companies showcase big themes, trends at Automate 2026
The inaugural Industry 4.0 Club Advisory Board includes:
- Sara Hanks, executive, Quality Engineering and Data Analytics, NWIRC (MEP)
- Brian Marsh, director of automation, Allegion
- Sarah Morgan, director of digital supply chains, Mars
- Kyle Reissner, VP of product management, Mitsubishi
- Ira Sharp, director of product marketing, Phoenix Contact
- Luke Smaul, executive of product and strategy, GE Vernova
- Jim Wetzel, executive of engineering and reliability, NxGen, and formerly with General Mills
"The challenges and opportunities facing manufacturers today require collaboration across industries and disciplines," Morgan added.
"The Industry 4.0 Club has built a unique community that encourages open dialogue and practical learning. I'm excited to help expand that community and support manufacturers on their digital transformation journeys."
About the Author
Sarah Mattalian
Staff Writer
Sarah Mattalian is a Chicago-based journalist writing for Smart Industry and Automation World, two brands of Endeavor Business Media, covering industry trends and manufacturing technology. In 2025, she graduated with a master's degree in journalism from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, specializing in health, environment and science reporting. She does freelance work as well, covering public health and the environment in Chicagoland and in the Midwest. Her work has appeared in Inside Climate News, Inside Washington Publishers, NBC4 in Washington, D.C., The Durango Herald and North Jersey Daily News. She has a translation certificate in Spanish.