Meet Chris Balow who has 18 years of experience at Plex. With Chris has built a deep understanding of the manufacturing industry by visiting factory floors nationwide and forming valuable relationships with manufacturers from diverse sectors. His expertise spans integrated manufacturing, product design, and software development, particularly within the automotive industry. At Plex, Chris plays a crucial role in developing and implementing innovative manufacturing solutions that change to: enhance efficiency and fundamentally transform existing processes.
Hello, please introduce yourself.
I am the Director of Product Management at Plex, a division of Rockwell Automation. Over my journey with Plex, I've been privileged to visit factory floors nationwide and build relationships with manufacturers in various industries.
Tell us about your studies and career experiences.
I earned a degree in integrated manufacturing, which we used to call smart manufacturing. After graduating, I started my career as a product designer with Ford Motor Company, where I began developing software to support the automotive manufacturing sector. I joined Plex in 2005, focusing on implementation, which involved meeting manufacturers, understanding their challenges, and helping solve them. The role gave me extensive insight into all aspects of the supply chain across different industries, which was invaluable when I transitioned to product development. In my current role, I'm back to concentrating on smart manufacturing within the automotive industry.
What skills have you developed throughout your career?
Throughout my career at Plex, I've continually developed my skills to keep pace with the company's growth and the evolving needs of the manufacturing industry. My early experience in integrated manufacturing has been crucial in developing new or improved smart manufacturing solutions. Over the years, I've honed my abilities in product leadership, team building, project management, and cross-team collaboration.
What is Plex?
Plex is a Rockwell Automation company leader in cloud-delivered smart manufacturing solutions. We empower manufacturers worldwide to create outstanding products. The Plex platform allows manufacturers to connect, automate, track, and analyse every aspect of their business, driving transformation. BOXOUT our Smart Manufacturing Platform includes solutions for MES, ERP, quality, supply chain planning and management, asset performance management, production monitoring, process automation, and analytics. It connects people, systems, machines, and supply chains, enabling manufacturers to lead with precision, efficiency, and agility.
How are you supporting the circular economy?
Achieving true circularity involves integrating complex business processes under one digital umbrella. Real-time data and advanced analytics can manage vast data sets, delivering automation and efficiency beyond human capability. Plex supports the circular economy by providing digital tools that optimise resource use, product life cycles, and track product composition. For instance, Plex's DemandCaster helps manufacturers accurately forecast demand, ensuring efficient and sufficient inventory management.
Plex aids in:
- Sustainability: Tracking material usage, material genealogy, energy consumption, and waste generation to make informed decisions on sourcing sustainable materials, minimising waste, and designing products for recyclability.
- Operational Efficiency: Optimising production processes to reduce material waste and energy consumption.
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