LTU to host international conference on advanced manufacturing technologies and electric vehicles on Oct. 9-11

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — The Industrial Engineering and Operations Management (IEOM) Society International is set to host its World Congress at Lawrence Technological University on Oct. 9-11. The event will bring together academics, researchers, and industry professionals from over 20 countries to exchange ideas and discuss trends and developments affecting the optimization of complex processes, systems, and organizations in industry.

The IEOM Society operates in 151 countries and strives to be the leading global organization dedicated to advancing industrial engineering and operations management for the betterment of humanity. The organization also has 248 student chapters in 55 countries, including one at LTU.

This year’s World Congress theme is “Advanced Manufacturing Technologies and Digitization, Including Vehicle Electrification and Smart Mobility.” The conference will cover topics ranging from manufacturing digitization and artificial intelligence in manufacturing to vehicle electrification and industrial automation. It will feature a diversity of keynote speakers from local and global companies, including:

• Nick Skope, vice president of vendor relations and new business development at Farmington Hills-based Electro-Matic;
• Jeffrey A. Abell, chief scientist for global manufacturing and director of manufacturing systems research at General Motors;
• Donna Bell, CEO of Dr. Donna Bell Consulting and former executive vice president of engineering, product creation, and procurement at Lordstown Motors;
• Greg MacLean, senior vice president of Huf North America;
• Lisa Sheth, operations manager for electric vehicle, digital, and design at Ford Motor Company;
• Shannon Dare, operations manager for electric vehicle, digital, and design at Ford Motor Company;
• Vijaya Neela, founder, president and CEO of Southfield-based supply chain technology company aThingz;
• John Allen, The New Science of Fixing Things partner at Livonia-based Crossover Solutions;
• Chenyuan Dumnmuh, technology director at Optum;
• Mohammad Islam, associate director at Optum;
• Tony Tyll, president and COO at Madison Heights-based Belmont Equipment & Technologies;
• Sander van Lokven, general manager at Districon Solutions North America LLC and North America lead at Royal HaskoningDHV;
• Sylvester Hester, president and CEO of Detroit-based LM Manufacturing.

In addition to presentations and panels, participants will have the opportunity to network with academics and professionals from a wide range of countries and backgrounds. The event will also serve as a platform for students to gain knowledge and insights and participate in paper and poster competitions.

“Keynotes and panels are organized toward open discussion of trends and engagement on EV production challenges and opportunities,” said Ahad Ali, associate professor of industrial engineering at LTU and World Congress co-chair. “Students will gain transformative knowledge to support a skilled science and engineering workforce.”

Lawrence Technological University is one of only 13 independent, technological, comprehensive doctoral universities in the United States. Located in Southfield, Mich., LTU was founded in 1932, and offers more than 100 programs through its Colleges of Architecture and Design, Arts and Sciences, Business and Information Technology, Engineering, and Health Sciences, as well as Specs@LTU as part of its growing Center for Professional Development. PayScale lists Lawrence Tech among the nation’s top 11% of universities for alumni salaries. Forbes and The Wall Street Journal rank LTU among the nation’s top 10%. U.S. News and World Report lists it in the top tier of best Midwest colleges. LTU is also listed in the Princeton Review’s “America’s Best 390 Colleges 2025,” which includes the nation’s top 15% of colleges and universities. Students benefit from small class sizes and a real-world, hands-on, “theory and practice” education with an emphasis on leadership. Activities on Lawrence Tech’s 107-acre campus include more than 60 student organizations and NAIA varsity sports.