FABTECH Special: On the Show Floor with Dean Phillips

Dean Phillips, Director of Technical Training at the Precision Metalforming Association, discusses his role with PMA, the technical training offerings at PMA, including in-plant and virtual training, as well as upcoming technical training programs including the PMA Metal Stamping Technology Conference coming up in Nashville in January 2025.

Dean joined the PMA staff as director of technical training in May 2024. Prior to this, he was heavily involved with PMA Tennessee District, served on the PMA safety committee, and was a contributor to MetalForming magazine.

Dean has been an active member of the forming and fabricating community for the past 35 years. He started his career at Niagara (later Clearing Niagara Bliss, CNB), serving as service tech, regional sales manager and fabrication product director. Later, he was the fabrication product director for Piranha/Allsteel and designed the Titan press brake with Tennsmith as its director of fabrication products. Dean also was national sales manager for Seyi Presses.

Dean is an expert in IIoT and strategy for AI-based systems, as well as an expert on safety and controls, working to make manufacturers as productive and safe as possible. Dean spent 20 years with Link Systems and is designing VR/AR as president of Longevity Industries’ “Reality Safe.” You can hear Dean, the host/producer of PMA's “Destiny of Manufacturing” podcast, with industry leaders and technical experts.