JEFF WINTER
Industry 4.0 & Digital Transformation Enthusiast • Business Strategist • Avid Storyteller • Tech Geek • Public Speaker
My Passion
It's all about helping manufacturers, big and small, to embrace the digital age through Industry 4.0 technologies. Think of me as the bridge builder connecting the islands of business strategy, tech trends, and organizational change. I’m at my best when I’m weaving networks of collaboration with clients, partners, and my team, sparking that ‘aha!’ moment where potential meets practice.
I'm often referred to as the Industry 4.0 guy — the one with a finger on the pulse of manufacturing's future. I've carved out a niche in translating stats, trends, and benchmarks into actionable strategies. My forte is in demystifying the complexities of digital transformation, breaking down the highfalutin tech jargon into practical steps that manufacturers can actually use.
What I Do
I wear many hats, but they all fit under one umbrella: making digital transformation a reality for manufacturers of all stripes.
My day-to-day is a blend of art and science. I'm the guy who paints the big picture – the "Art of the Possible" – with broad strokes of innovation and visionary ideas. But I don't stop at just dreams and concepts; I then get down to the nitty-gritty – the "Art of the Practical." It's about crafting a transformation path that's not just shiny and futuristic but also smart and strategic for each unique manufacturing scenario.
In order to be successful in this role, I need to be intimately involved with what is happening in the industry. As a thought leader, I'm on the front lines, speaking, podcasting, writing, and constantly posting on LinkedIn.
I echo the pulse of the industry's heartbeat through my participation in associations, advisory groups, standards bodies, and research teams. It is here where I both learn and lead, sharing insights that cut through the noise to deliver value to keep the companies I work with at the vanguard of industry innovation.
How I Got Here?
Post-Purdue, armed with an Electrical Engineering Technology degree, I jumped into the industrial automation sector. My early career was spent learning the skills of sales, marketing, operations, and strategy across various hardware, software, and services companies.
My defining career leap occurred at Grantek, an OT systems integrator, where I recognized a golden opportunity in industrial safety and proposed a new business line. Given the chance to lead this initiative, the practice soared to a multi-million dollar profitable service revenue in less than 3 years, earning me a reputation as a thought leader and an award-winning expert in machine safety.
The next challenge was Industry 4.0. Promoted to lead Grantek's path in this revolution, I built a team of innovators and business leaders, spearheading our push into this space with focus and purpose. Immersing myself in this new field, I learned, networked, and helped contribute in the spaces shaping manufacturing's future, from IoT to AI, by getting involved with industry associations, academic groups, advisory boards, and industry research teams. This led to being picked up at Microsoft where I used my skills and knowledge to help the top US manufacturers digital transform at scale.
My Thought Leadership Journey
Starting in 2021 as a result of the pandemic, I focused on transforming my industry presence from average to authoritative through a well laid out thought leadership strategy and mastering the art of social media (LinkedIn) to become one of the world’s top figures in manufacturing and Industry 4.0. It took a little over 3 years to amass over 100,000 followers with over 50 million post impressions that ultimately landed me the #1 spot within Microsoft’s sales team on LinkedIn by 2022 (out of 38,356 at the time). In addition, In 2022 I became an official content creator for Microsoft, and within 3 months earned the #1 spot for most engagement (Created 0.5% of all company content, yet earned 9.5% of all engagement) influencing over $250 million in revenue). This personal digital transformation mirrored the transformation I champion in the physical world of manufacturing, marking a significant milestone in my story.
Credentials
With nearly two decades in manufacturing, spanning automation, safety, controls, OT & IT systems. I've been on thousands of shop floors, advising and guiding hundreds of manufacturers on embracing digital transformation. My educational background includes a technology undergrad and an MBA, equipping me with both deep industry insights and strategic acumen. This extensive experience makes me a trusted expert in steering companies towards Industry 4.0.
Smart Industry Readiness Index (SIRI) Certified Assessor
CESMII Smart Manufacturing Roadmap Professional
Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals
Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals
Certified Safety Professional (CSP)
Functional Safety Engineer (FS Eng), Machinery
Project Management Professional (PMP)
Accolades
Industry Involvement
Executive Board Member, 2024-Present
Smart Manufacturing & IIoT Division Director 2022-2024
Smart Manufacturing Advisor, 2022-Present
International Board of Directors, 2020-Present
Smart Manufacturing Working Group, 2019-2024
Global AI Ambassador, 2022-Present
Board of Advisors, 2022-Present
School of Engineering Technology Advisory Board, 2020-Present
Board of Advisors, 2021-Present
Board of Advisors, 2023-Present
Program Committee, 2024-Present
Connected Worker Series Events Advisory Board, 2023-Present
U.S. Registered Expert and voting member for TC65, 2020-Present
The Fun Side of Jeff
Leading with a smile and a sense of humor is my style. It's amazing how a little creativity and humor can make even the driest topics unforgettable and engaging. Fun keeps the energy high and the passion alive!
CONTACT JEFF
LET’S CHAT
I provide expert insights on the latest technology trends and innovations. Let's discuss how I can add value to your upcoming events, projects, or initiatives. Reach out today to learn more.