Thursday, October 16th, 2025, marked a historic milestone for DBR77. Inside a packed PORTAL Atrium at UNC Charlotte, the inaugural IEX: Innovation Exchange officially kicked off. Under the theme “From Lean to AI: The Next Chapter for Carolina Manufacturers,” we brought together leaders, innovators, and industry practitioners to collectively write the next chapter for manufacturing right here in the Carolinas.
The energy, engagement, and sheer depth of conversation exceeded our highest expectations. This event wasn’t just the official launch of our DBR77 US headquarters in Charlotte; it was the powerful birth of The Makers Network community.
Where Strategic Vision Meets Practical Solutions
The evening began with inspiring opening remarks from leaders at the City of Charlotte: Alexis Gordon and UNC Charlotte: Greg Needham, underscoring the critical partnership between industry, academia, and government in driving regional economic growth.
Our keynote speaker, Celestine Pressley (former CIO for the White House Trade Office), then delivered a powerhouse presentation. She provided a pragmatic roadmap for implementing AI in manufacturing, showing attendees how to move beyond the hype and achieve measurable business results.
Setting the global context, DBR77 CEO Dr. Piotr Wiśniewski shared the strategic vision behind our U.S. expansion, emphasizing our commitment to being an accountable partner for American manufacturers on their digital transformation journey.
The Makers Network is Born & Future Tools Unveiled
Torian Richardson, President of DBR77 USA, masterfully hosted the event and captured the audience’s hearts with his authentic vision for building The Makers Network – a community founded on collaboration, knowledge sharing, and mutual support within the Carolinas’ manufacturing ecosystem.
His premiere presentation of key findings from our “Robotics Market Growth in the USA 2025” report provided hard data, illuminating the scale of challenges and opportunities facing American industry in robotics and logistics.
Another key highlight was the presentation by Justyna Łaskowska, DBR77’s Ecosystem Architect, who officially launched our new educational program, “Masterclass DBR77“. Justyna demonstrated how this practical, case-based curriculum equips leaders and teams with the essential skills needed to manage the smart factory of the future.
Expert Panel: A 360° View on the Future of Carolina Factories
The core of the evening’s knowledge exchange was the dynamic panel discussion, “The Future of Smart Factories in the Carolinas.” Expertly moderated by Dr. Jose Outeiro (UNC Charlotte), our panelists offered a truly comprehensive perspective:
- Jared Nichols (Nu Futurist®): Challenged attendees to think beyond immediate horizons and anticipate Industry 4.0 disruptions.
- Dr. Meera Sridhar (UNC Charlotte): Underscored the fundamental importance of cybersecurity in the era of intelligent factories.
- Brittany Conner (Spencer Pettus): Brought the invaluable, practical voice of a local North Carolina manufacturer, grounding the discussion in shop-floor realities.
- Dr. Paul Yanik (Western Carolina University): Provided deep insights into the latest advancements in robotics and machine learning.
The Start of a New Chapter for DBR77 in the USA
IEX 2025 was far more than a conference. It was a testament to the incredible potential pulsing within the Carolina manufacturing community. It was proof of the power of collaboration and open dialogue in driving industrial innovation.
We extend our deepest gratitude to all attendees, speakers, and partners – UNC Charlotte, City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, and University City Partners – for your trust and enthusiastic engagement.
This is just the beginning of our journey together in the United States. The conversation continues.
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