CIO, Vijay Kumar Moderates Artificial Intelligence Panel at CalCIMA Conference

In November, folks from George Reed, 711 Materials and Reed Family Companies enjoyed the 2025 CalCIMA "The Magic of Materials Education Conference" in Anaheim, CA.  The "Materials Intelligence: The Magic of AI” panel session was moderated by our Chief Information Officer, Vijay Kumar. The session brought together industry leaders including Ben Rabchuk from Command Alkon Incorporated, Leanna East from CalPortland, Ino Tsichrintzi from Mapistry, and Jack Cove from Pathways.

The panelist conversations delved into the transformative power of AI across our industry, from enhancing heavy building materials operations and revolutionizing waste management to streamlining compliance processes and enabling sophisticated data transformations.

A key focus of the session was moving away from isolated "islands of data" toward connected systems that enable better operational efficiency - such as precisely tracking material deliveries to prevent production interruptions. The ultimate goal is creating a more integrated ecosystem where data flows seamlessly between systems, making compliance easier and operations more efficient.

The presentation acknowledged industry challenges: increasing regulatory requirements, data management burdens, and the reluctance of companies to share data online despite potential benefits. Particularly fascinating were the discussions around AI-driven production optimization and automated environmental product declarations (EPD). We extend our appreciation to the panelists for bringing their expertise and insights.

At Reed Family Companies, we recognize that AI implementation is crucial for helping our operating companies become more efficient and streamlined. Reed Family Companies is proud to be pioneering these technologies in the materials sector, creating sustainable solutions that drive our industry forward.