Advice and Research for Automation's "Middle-market"
Automation's advantages are well established: higher production rates, increased productivity, reduced material waste, improved product quality, better safety, shorter lead times. Historically, large corporations with substantial staff have reaped these benefits. Three primary factors have driven this trend: high capital investment, the technical risk of complex systems, and suppliers who have (naturally) ignored the middle market looking to land that "big fish." As a result, middle-market firms continue to lose market share to big, global companies, foreign and domestic.
Today's computer vision systems that "see" in 3D provide machines with unprecedented information about their environment. Collaborative robots work side-by-side with humans, adding remarkable flexibility to the list of automation's other benefits. And machine learning and artificial intelligence have revolutionized decision-making, particularly for inspection, scheduling, and resource deployment. Little wonder that middle-market firms have been slow to enjoy the same benefits as large firms. Lacking sufficient technical knowledge and staff to properly evaluate and select systems that would help them remain competitive, these business leaders are often so busy running their businesses that they have no idea where to begin searching for beneficial automation solutions.
At FOVity Advisors, we specialize in bringing automation suppliers and middle-market firms together. Whether it be an automation products manufacturer seeking to increase North American market share or a mid-sized manufacturing or logistics firm, our team of professionals with decades of "hands-on" experience and a vast professional network facilitates the deployment of practical automation solutions. In addition, we provide research and advice to both parties to help them make the appropriate business decisions.
If you're a manufacturer of automation products looking to increase your North American footprint, we encourage you to find out how FOVity Advisors can help with market intelligence and guidance through the business ecosystem. If you're a middle-market firm seeking guidance on automating a process, contact us to see how we can help you deploy effective solutions while minimizing technical risk.
Our Team
David Wyatt
David was educated as an Electrical Engineer at the University of Missouri. He is a Charter Member of the Machine Vision Association of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) and is the founder of Midwest Integration, Southern Automation and Automation Doctor Incorporated.
David began his vision guidance career in the early 1980's at Delco Electronics, where he was involved in the writing of many of the core vision algorithms still in use today. David also served as the Machine Intelligence Chairman for General Motors.
At Midwest Integration, Southern Automation and Applied Manufacturing Technologies, David deployed hundreds of automation projects, earning the Vendor of the Year Award from Day and Zimmerman Inc. as well as the US Small Business Administration’s Award for Excellence.
David served as Chairman of SME's Machine Vision Technical Community and continues to serve the industry through the Automated Imaging Association and Robotic Industries Association. His paper, “How to Implement a Machine Vision System” has been presented at a variety of industry trade shows. In 2011 David earned the Automated Imaging Association’s certification for both Basic and Advance Vision Professional and was nominated to the board of directors.
As founder of Automation Doctor Incorporated and Machine Vision Doctor LLC, David looks for new and better ways to serve the machine vision market given the rapid pace of capability growth. In 2016 David expanded operations of Automation Doctor from Northern Indiana to Jacksonville Florida, serving both the Midwest and the Southeast USA.
Pete Kepf
Pete Kepf is a recognized manufacturing automation technology professional with over 30 years of business and engineering consulting experience. He is the founder and CEO of FOVity Advisors, LLC, whose business activities center on helping industrial robot manufacturers, computer imaging, and machine vision lighting companies grow their North American businesses.
Pete leverages decades of hands-on business and technical experience to inform clients' decisions and help them manage risk; his extensive professional network is an invaluable solutions resource. To grow their North American market presence, Pete has worked with companies that provide industrial robots, 3D computer vision, AI/ machine software, machine vision optics, and lighting manufacturers. Projects include:
• Application engineering support for a German manufacturer of smart cameras;
• Brand development for a Japanese factory automation lens manufacturer;
• North American business development and sales channel management for a European headquartered 3D vision-guided robot software company;
• Business intelligence and marketing and technical communications for a US machine vision lighting company;
Pete is an active member of the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), the trade organization for machine vision, industrial robots, and motion control, where he holds an Advanced Vision Professional certification. He has authored several articles for industry trade journals and countless technical proposals and has negotiated numerous automation system performance agreements.
Pete Kepf is a US Navy veteran, a former submarine Nuclear Reactor Operator. He graduated Cum Laude from the University of Cincinnati, earning a Bachelor of Science in Marketing. Pete has also volunteered to support the ALS Association of East Tennessee. He and his wife live on their homestead in the Smoky Mountains, along with two cats, three dogs, two pigs, a flock of chickens, a herd of goats, and various wildlife.
