TROY – Pavan Muzumdar has been hired by new Automation Alley Executive Director Tom Kelly to serve as chief operating officer for Michigan’s leading technology business association.

pavan-picMuzumdar comes to Automation Alley with an extensive background in organizational management and is the creator of the organizational tool icube, a collection of simple, effective techniques and disciplines that help companies run smoothly. In addition to serving as Automation Alley’s COO, Muzumdar will continue as the lead facilitator of the icube methodology in the organization’s successful entrepreneurship program, the Automation Alley 7Cs.

“We are pleased to have Pavan join our team and look forward to him serving as the conductor of our organization as we shift our focus towards helping Southeast Michigan companies navigate the rapid changes involved with smart manufacturing, or Industry 4.0,” said Kelly, who was named executive director in August following the retirement of the organization’s longtime leader Ken Rogers.

Industry 4.0, also known as the fourth industrial revolution, represents the convergence of digital and physical technologies currently disrupting the manufacturing industry. They include additive manufacturing; Internet of Things; cloud computing; cybersecurity; modeling, simulation and visualization (MSV); advanced robotics; big data and more.

“Our goal is to ensure local small and medium-sized manufacturers are ready for this massive industry shift ahead, as our factories become increasingly connected. Michigan has the opportunity to lead the nation as early adopters of factory automation technology and as the launching point for Industry 4.0, and Pavan’s appointment is in line with our execution strategy to do just that,” he added.

In order to help local companies prepare for Industry 4.0, Automation Alley is launching a new committee structure, comprised of members and regional thought leaders who will develop a strategy to help local companies adopt Industry 4.0 technologies.

“Automation Alley will be a critical resource for our region’s adoption of Industry 4.0 and a springboard for new advancements in advanced manufacturing,” Kelly said. “By joining one of our new Industry 4.0 committees, companies will have the opportunity to influence our programs and services, position themselves alongside other key players in our region and shape the future of tech and manufacturing. Pavan will be a big part of this new initiative.”

“icube is the cornerstone of the 7Cs program and something that all our startup clients rave about. What makes it unique is that it is a discipline that can be used in small startups and can be scaled to fit very large organizations. icube has also been transformational to Automation Alley itself since we started using it here two years ago,” Kelly said.

“Whether it’s providing essential funding to growing startup companies in this region, ensuring the local workforce has the skills necessary to compete globally, providing small and medium-sized companies with opportunities to sell their products and technologies around the world, or exposing them to new and emerging technologies, we want to be the No. 1 resource as we collectively chart a course to Industry 4.0,” Kelly added. “We want to put our flag in the ground as the epicenter for smart manufacturing in America.”

For more information, click on www.automationalley.com