Program lead smart factory, Tata IJmuiden ● Erik Hermans leads the Smart Steel Factory program at Tata IJmuiden, showcasing over 15 years of dedication to Tata Steel in Europe. His roles have spanned chief engineer to business lead for quality and deviation management, emphasizing his contributions to enhancing production quality and operational efficiency. Erik has significantly impacted energy efficiency and cost optimization, particularly through his work as program manager for cost of liquid steel and as an improvement consultant in energy efficiency. His innovative efforts extend beyond the steel industry, including the design and prototyping of medical and optical devices. Hermans plays a crucial role in Tata Steel's digital transformation, driving advancements in digitalization, sustainability, and smart manufacturing processes.

Head of Industry 4.0, Primetals Technologies ● With over 25 years of dedication to Primetals Technologies, Kurt Herzog has played a pivotal role in steering the company towards the forefront of automation and digitalization within the steel industry. As the head of Industry 4.0, Kurt has been instrumental in the development of intelligent automation solutions that simplify the intricate operations of steel plants “through-process”. Kurt’s expertise extends to leveraging cyber-physical systems and digital twins for optimizing steel manufacturing processes, showcasing his commitment to enhancing productivity, flexibility, and product quality through digitalization.

Product Manager Liquid Production, Decarbonization & Energy Management, PSI ● Martin has studied physics and mathematics at the universities of Münster, Hamburg and Essen. After receiving his PhD in 1994, he started his career in the field of metal production as software engineer, project manager and consultant for level 2 and level 3 automation systems at Mannesmann, ThyssenKrupp, and Hewlett Packard. This was followed by more than 16 years as project group leader and deputy head of the department “Measurement and Automation Steelmaking” at the research institute BFI (VDEh-Betriebsforschungsinstitut). There he was responsible for the area of model-based monitoring, simulation, optimization, and control of liquid steelmaking processes from primary steelmaking to secondary metallurgical ladle treatment and continuous casting of the various semi-finished products. In July 2023, he joined PSI Metals as Product Manager for liquid production, decarbonization and energy management.

Sales Manager Digitalization, Primetals Technologies ● Hayane Bragança is sales manager for digitalization at Primetals Technologies in Linz, Austria, specializing in digital solutions and sales strategies. Her career includes significant roles in business development, strategy, and market analysis across various industries and locations, including Brazil and New Zealand. Before joining Primetals Technologies, Hayane engaged in volunteer work and sailing, showing her commitment to both professional growth and personal interests. Her diverse background enriches her approach to digital transformation in the steel industry, making her a key player in its future advancements.

Marketing Manager EA, Primetals Technologies Austria ● Christoph Stangl has more than 25 years international experience in marketing, sales, consulting, manufacturing and (information) technology. At Primetals Technologies he acts as moderator, conceptioner and creator of remarkable content. Christoph focuses on the needs, pains, gains and solutions of steel producers to improve the automation, optimization and digitalization of their steel plants.