A few weeks ago, I found myself back at CAMX, the Composites and Advanced Materials Expo, for the third time. This show has become a real marker for me, because it always lands right around my “work anniversary.” This year, I kicked off my fourth year at Plataine.
If i had to sum it up in one short sentance, CAMX 2025 felt different.
Last year, everyone was buzzing after the keynote on AI. It was exciting, but I got the sense people were still trying to wrap their heads around what AI actually means for manufacturing in general, but not so much what it might mean for them. There was curiosity, a lot of “tell me more,” but not much clarity.
This year, though? It was like a switch flipped. Its obvious a lot has changed in the last 12 months. The conversations I had felt sharper, more informed, more practical. People came not just to talk about AI, but to ask how exactly it can help them, on their shop floor, with their schedules, with their people.
From Curiosity to Confidence
I remember last year’s CAMX clearly: so many attendees stopped by our booth wide-eyed about AI, but their questions were high-level. This year, I was struck by how many people came with specific scenarios in mind:
- “How would AI handle if one of my operators calls in sick last minute?”
- “Can you show me how scheduling works when a hot job comes in?”
- “What’s the real ROI on material optimization?”
Those aren’t theoretical questions anymore, they’re real, practical problems. And that’s when I knew the industry had crossed a line.
The End of Excel (and Whiteboards)
If I had a dollar for every time someone admitted they’re still running their factory on Excel spreadsheets or whiteboards, I wouldn’t just be taking Micky mouse out to a nice dinner in Orlando, I’d be counting stacks of cash, Scarface style. That’s how common it still is.
The problem is obvious: those methods can’t keep up when machines go down, operators call out, or urgent orders drop in at the last minute.
And even ERP systems, something many companies invested heavily in, aren’t solving the problem alone. In fact, more than a few people told me their ERP has become so rigid or complicated that they don’t know how to get real value from it.
That’s exactly where Plataine comes in. We don’t replace ERPs; we sit above them as a smart layer that takes all that existing data, connects it with what’s happening on the shop floor, and makes sense of it. The result? Real-time visibility, actionable insights, and decisions that actually reflect the messy, fast-changing reality of production.
Why AI Clicked This Year
For me, the biggest shift at CAMX 2025 was watching the lightbulb moments happen. People are beginning to see AI not as a buzzword, but as something that can take weight off their shoulders.
Instead of drowning in rework or spending hours shuffling schedules, they’re starting to imagine AI Agents doing the heavy lifting, while they step back and focus on strategy.
That’s powerful. It’s not about replacing people; it’s about giving them better tools. And that’s a story that resonates, whether you’re a plant manager, an engineer, or an operations director.
Beyond AI: The Other Trends I Noticed
Of course, AI dominated a lot of conversations, but a few other themes stood out:
- Sustainability – more talk about reducing scrap and extending material shelf life. This ties directly to optimization tools like ours, but the urgency is bigger: it’s about the industry’s footprint.
- Digital Twins – people are more open to experimenting virtually before making costly moves on the floor.
- Supplier Connectivity – manufacturers are realizing their supply chains need to be digitally connected, not just physically.
- Workforce Challenges – companies still struggle to attract and retain skilled workers, and many see digitalization as a way to make jobs more appealing.
My Takeaway from this year in Orlando
Walking away from CAMX this year, I felt energized. The composites community is no longer just dipping its toes into digital transformation, it’s diving in.
It struck me that just three years ago, AI in manufacturing felt futuristic. Last year it was “interesting but fuzzy.” This year? It’s practical, specific, and ROI-driven. That’s a huge leap in just 24 months.
And for me personally, starting my fourth year at Plataine, it was rewarding to see our conversations shift along with the industry. The questions I got this year proved that people are ready to move from talk to action.
Looking Ahead- next year in atlanta , AI and everything else
The next year is going to be big. The companies that start digitizing now, moving beyond spreadsheets, whiteboards, and over-engineered ERP systems, are going to be the ones that thrive.
I’m excited for what’s ahead, and I’m proud that Plataine is helping lead that shift. For me, CAMX 2025 wasn’t just another trade show. It was a turning point. And I can’t wait to see how the conversations we started in Orlando turn into real results on the factory floor.
So what will we be discussing next year at CAMX Atlanta? Watch this space…
