Strategies for Durable Success: Data-Driven Approaches for Manufacturers to Thrive in Volatility
In a recent webinar, sponsored by West Monroe and Databricks, industry experts discussed the strategies for building agile and resilient manufacturing operations using automation, AI, and machine learning. The webinar, which is now available on-demand, featured Shiv Trisal, responsible for the worldwide adoption of Databricks in the manufacturing, transportation, and energy sectors, and Doug MacWilliams, the Director of Technology at West Monroe.
Shiv Trisal, who holds a Bachelor's degree in Electronics Engineering from the Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology in Punjab, India, and a Master's in Business Administration from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, shared his insights on the importance of data in making faster, smarter decisions in manufacturing.
Randal Kenworthy, a Senior Partner at West Monroe, led the discussion with his extensive experience in the field. With over 20 years of experience, Randal has been named a Top Consultant by Consulting Magazine. Prior to joining West Monroe, Randal led Cognizant's IoT and Engineering practice. As a Senior Partner in the Consumer and Industrial Products space at West Monroe, Randal is known for driving agility, innovation, and operational efficiency in the face of rapid industry change.
Doug MacWilliams, who joined West Monroe in 2015, is a Certified MVP Databricks Champion. He works with clients to build a modern data vision, focusing on strategic investment and the building of flexible supply chains to enhance productivity and drive innovation in manufacturing.
The webinar, originally broadcast on July 31, 2025, highlighted several key strategies for building resilient manufacturing operations. These include the integration of real-time data pipelines, the utilization of AI and machine learning for predictive analytics, the automation of operational processes, agile operations through data-driven insights, collaboration between IT and line-of-business teams, and the adoption of cloud and hybrid infrastructure.
While the exact content of the webinar was not found, these strategic themes align with West Monroe’s digital transformation and analytics consulting focus. For more specific points from the webinar, checking directly on West Monroe’s or Databricks’ official websites or contacting them for the webinar recording or summary would be recommended.
In today's manufacturing landscape, resilient manufacturers act with confidence and turn uncertainty into opportunity. Modern manufacturing demands intelligence, with automation, AI, and machine learning being essential for building agile, resilient operations. The West Monroe and Databricks webinar provides valuable insights for manufacturers looking to navigate the challenges of disruption and thrive in an ever-changing industry.
[1] Apache Kafka, Apache NiFi, and Apache Flink, Databricks Blog: Real-time Data Pipelines with Apache Flink on Databricks
[2] Databricks Blog: Predictive Analytics with Databricks and MLflow
[3] Microsoft Azure
- Doug MacWilliams, who joined West Monroe in 2015, aids manufacturers in building a modern data vision, focusing specifically on strategic investment in technology like Apache Kafka, Apache NiFi, and Apache Flink, to enhance productivity and drive innovation in manufacturing operations.
- To advance their predictive analytics, manufacturers could consider adopting the integration of tools such as Databricks and MLflow, as showcased in the Databricks Blog post titled 'Predictive Analytics with Databricks and MLflow', which reinforces the importance of data-driven insights in fostering agile and resilient manufacturing.
