Reliable Plant & Machinery Lubrication Conference & Exhibition

Noria Media
Tags: reliability-centered maintenance, talent management, business management

Innovation and Insight Shine at Reliable Plant 2024 in Schaumburg

Exhibit Hall
Reliability Stage
Keynotes
Learning
Events
Experiences
Prizes
Sponsors

Vendors, speakers, experts, and practitioners, it's time to register for the 27th Annual Reliable Plant & Machinery Lubrication Conference & Exhibition. Based on this year's event, the maintenance and reliability community is in for one awesome show. Here's why!

The 2024 conference kicked off on June 3, 2024 in Chicago, IL, making it the epicenter for everything in reliability. This includes new products and industry leading experts. In fact, in a post-conference survey, 90% of attendees found a product or service they plan to purchase and nearly 90% saw value in bringing their leaders to the conference. Plus, most of this year's exhibitors have already committed to 2025 with more planning to join!

Aptly titled "Raise Your Game," this year's event set the standard as the place-to-be for stakeholders in this industry with over 50,000 square feet of exhibit hall space, more than 70 sessions and workshops, panels, two on-site trainings, exciting events, sponsored off-site excursions, and experience-driven elements. Check out the recap of the 2024 excitement in the video below.

Exhibit Hall

More than 100 exhibitors presented their wares and connected with attendees in the Exhibit Hall. Attendees got an up-close look at inspection robots, the latest oil filtration systems, innovative sensors, and so much more ingenuity. Get a feel for the buzzing Exhibit Hall in the video below.

Reliability Stage

Noria Corporation rang in the 26th Annual RP & ML Conference & Exhibition with a memorable opening ceremony on the Reliability Stage. Bennett Fitch (President, Noria) and Wes Cash (VP of Services, Noria) gave opening addresses, welcoming familiar faces, and new attendees. For the first time ever, Noria introduced Larry the Lube Tech on the Reliability Stage with a short, animated video highlighting the all too familiar struggles of managing a lubrication program. After Larry's on-stage debut, he went to work hyping up attendees and posing for group photos and selfies throughout the week. It's easy to see why Larry became an instant industry icon.

Then, Noria awarded the Nutrien team from Lima, OH, the heavyweight championship belt for winning the Lube Room Challenge Competition sponsored by OilSafe. Dean Hammes (Director of Sales, OilSafe) also presented Nutrien with a brand-new filter cart. Take a look at Nutrien's award-winning lube room!

Keynotes

Throughout the week, attendees gathered around the Reliability Stage to hear memorable keynotes from leaders inside and outside the industry. Wes Cash delivered the first keynote titled, "Critical Steps to Lubrication Program Transformation." Merry Frayne (Product Manager, Boston Dynamics), Caleb Sylvester (Sales Manager, Boston Dynamics), and their trusty robot dog, Spot®, delivered the headlining keynote address titled, “Revolutionizing Industrial Efficiency: AI-Powered Inspections with Boston Dynamics.”

“Very dynamic presentation. loved the explanations of AI being used for CBM routes and in reliability planning. I hope to see more of this as reliability progresses through the ages.”

- Parker Watson (Reliability Engineer, Nichiha USA)

Lake Speed Jr. (Tribologist, Total Seal Piston Rings) shared, “How Race-Winning Tribology Can Reduce Operating Costs & Downtime.” Jeremy Drury (Owner, Jeremy Drury) led a keynote titled, "The IoT Pilot Workshop." Jody Parsons (People Development and Performance Manager, TTCU Federal Credit Union) presented, “From Task Manager to Effective Leader: The People Business Paradigm.”

“This was a good and surprisingly different perspective on becoming a more responsive manager of people. I really liked the objective views to make better cultures.”

- Erik Forbus (Maintenance Planner & Scheduler, Cardinal Glass Industries)

Learning

Our speakers, who led more than 70 learning sessions and workshops set the stage by blending storytelling with expertise, making it easier for attendees to connect with real-world scenarios. Attendees seized these opportunities to learn the latest ideas and get inspired by the most exciting maintenance and reliability success stories.

Decluttering Your PM Program — Identifying & Eliminating Things That Are Killing Your Preventive Maintenance Efforts

"Mind blowing. Will totally change my direction."

– Daniel Bertles(Maintenance Manager, Grain Processing Corporation)

Integrating Your Oil Analysis Program Through an API Interface

"Impressive talk on how to standardize and integrate oil analysis data via API to CMMS systems."

– Jon Fazenbaker (President, WearCheck Lubrication Services)

Mastering Equipment Hierarchy for Enhanced CMMS Efficiency

"Great to see an end user doing a presentation. Easy to talk to and share similar journey."

– Jesse Moraski (Maintenance Engineer, Sumitomo Rubber USA)

Two co-located training courses began Tuesday. Paul Farless (Industrial Service Technician, Noria) and Jerry Putt (Instructor, Noria) led Machinery Lubrication I, Noria's most popular three-day certification prep training. Jim Fitch (CEO, Noria), Bennett Fitch, and Wes Cash led Oil Analysis Report Interpretation, a two-day course focusing on getting more value from reports.

One panel group equaling nearly 200 years of experience in oil analysis will have to continue their riveting discussion in 2025. Oil analysis legends, Jim Fitch, Danny Walsh (Director Technical Sales Support, Ametek Spectro Scientific, Inc.), Andy Lantos (PhD, Laboratorio Dr. Lantos), Jeff Walkup (VP, Fluid Life) and Jack Poley (Managing General Partner, CMI) discussed, “Beyond the Lab: Revolutionizing Machinery Health and Advanced Oil Analysis Techniques.”

Panelists shared their vision on the future of oil analysis related to integration and unification with other condition monitoring technologies/methods. They also discussed the influence and role of online sensors, the impact of AI on data interpretation, and how laboratories and instruments are changing.

Events

RP & ML Conference & Exhibition is known for its dazzling Casino Night! Attendees sipped on ice-cold beverages, snacked on hot hors d'oeuvres, and hit up the fifty Blackjack, Roulette, and Texas Hold'em tables. The lighting, decor, DJ, and 360-degree camera booth created an energetic atmosphere and a memorable experience. Watch all the fun and games unfold in the video below. We can't wait to do it again in 2025!

There was no shortage of networking events throughout the week. Exhibitors and workshop attendees were invited to join the open bar at the Monday Welcome Reception. At the Networking Reception Tuesday evening, a jazz band filled the hall with smooth licks and progressions. It was the perfect way to unwind after a full day of activities for vendors, speakers, and attendees. Two off-site excursions offered attendees alternative ways to network with peers.

Those wanting to get pointers on their backswings headed to "The Future of Reliability Exclusive Dinner & Networking Event" at Topgolf sponsored by Perceptiv (a Regal Rexnord Brand). PGA Pro and Coach, Jack Wilband, provided instruction in the bays. Attendees enjoyed libations and a fajita dinner. To see more of this event, watch the video below.

The Bureau Veritas Lab Tour, sponsored by Bureau Veritas, shuttled attendees to their lab for an in-depth look at oil analysis processes for making data-driven, preventative maintenance decisions. Attendees enjoyed Chicago-themed catering and an open bar. Check out some of the lab tour in the video below.

Experiences

In between the main events, attendees were entertained by a jazz band, mascot mashups and mini sports arenas. A caricature artist transformed attendees into cartoons and robot dogs walked the floor. In true Chicago spirit, deep dish pizza and Chicago-style hotdogs were served. Where else can you find an event like this in the reliability world?

Prizes

Finally, attendees gathered around the Reliability Stage for the Closing Ceremony. Bennett Fitch and Wes Cash gave closing remarks thanking exhibitors, speakers, and attendees for making Reliable Plant Conference such a success. The Noria team wrapped up the show with the crowd's favorite prize drawings and giveaways! Noria gave away 26 prizes representing the 26th anniversary of this conference. Winners went home with new gaming systems, home security devices, smart watches, and more!

Are you ready for the 27th Annual Reliable Plant & Machinery Lubrication Conference & Exhibition in Chicago, IL? General admission tickets are limited so get yourself and your group ready for the biggest event in Maintenance and Reliability!