News & Insights
Advancing cement plant automation at the 2026 Cement Conference
Salas O’Brien’s John Glenski and Ketul Shah explore how smart instrumentation, AI, and real-time data are reshaping cement plant operations.
John Glenski, CPM, principal and senior director of automation and digital, and Ketul Shah, PE, vice president, will present at the 2026 IEEE-IAS/ACA Cement Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on April 27. Their session highlights how next-generation automation is changing the way cement plants operate, maintain equipment, and make decisions.
In the session, John and Ketul will share how smart instrumentation powered by Power over Data Line (PODL) is simplifying installation and improving connectivity across plant systems. These tools help teams gather more reliable data and lay the groundwork for smarter operations.
The presentation will also highlight how artificial intelligence supports predictive maintenance and real-time process optimization. With better data and advanced analytics, plant teams can identify issues earlier, reduce downtime, and make more informed decisions.
Drawing on experience supporting complex industrial operations, John and Ketul will share practical examples of how automation is evolving from a cost-saving tool into a strategic advantage for cement producers.
Session details
Monday, April 27 | 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. EST
Next-Generation Automation in Cement Plants: From Smart Instrumentation to AI
John Glenski and Ketul Shah, Salas O’Brien
About the Cement Conference
The IEEE-IAS/ACA Cement Conference is the cement industry’s premier technical conference, bringing together cement producers, engineers, researchers, equipment and service providers, and industry partners from around the world. For more than six decades, the conference has served as a forum for sharing practical knowledge, advancing cement manufacturing technology, and fostering collaboration across the global cement community. Learn more here.
About Salas O’Brien
Salas O’Brien is an employee-owned engineering and technical services firm focused on advancing the human experience through the built environment. Our team is engineered for impact®, helping clients solve complex engineering challenges with a focus on efficiency, resiliency, and sustainability, while advancing our team members through growth and opportunity. We are a top firm as ranked by Engineering News-Record and Consulting-Specifying Engineer, and we have appeared for over a decade on the Inc. 5000 list of North America’s fastest-growing private companies.
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