Too often manufacturing and warehousing facility owners view an investment in protective guarding solutions as a cost center. In reality, however, implementing the right technologies can deliver significant return on investment (ROI) through improved safety and reduced risks. To help operations better understand the impact of protective guarding solutions on the bottom line, the members of the Protective Guarding Manufacturers Association (ProGMA) will present “Achieving ROI with Protective Guarding” during ProMat 2025.

The education session is free to all ProMat attendees. It will occur on Wednesday, March 19 from 2:15 – 3:00 p.m. Central time. Attendees will find the seminar in the MHI Industry Groups Theater to the right of the ProMat Pier in McCormick Place’s Lakeside Center Hall D.

Session Answers Questions About Protective Guarding Solutions

“There are multiple protective guarding solutions available to protect employees from the risk of a workplace injury,” said ProGMA Chair Ken Parrott, Director of Business Development at Impact Recovery Systems. “Often, several different options exist to safeguard workers from dangerous interactions with equipment, machinery, or other hazards. It can be challenging for operations managers to determine the ideal solution.”

For that reason, the seminar will first outline what protective guarding entails, Parrott added. “We’ll cover its key components, such as physical security measures, surveillance systems, and personnel training.”

Session attendees will also learn how to measure ROI in the context of security investments and what factors influence ROI in protective guarding.

“To help attendees assess and compare the different potential financial impacts of various protective guarding solutions, we’ll detail how to perform a cost-benefit analysis,” he continued. “Part of that will include how to balance cost with the effectiveness of protective solutions. This will help operations ensure that the protective measures chosen are both efficient and impactful.”

The presentation will also share case studies of successful protective guarding implementations and the resulting ROI. Those examples will detail the operational strategies used to identify and mitigate risks.

“Many successful deployments integrate technology as well,” Parrott added. “The session will offer insights and examples of how technology can boost protective guarding ROI. Additionally, to help companies measure and continuously improve their guarding, we’ll present key metrics and best practices for tracking effectiveness as part of achieving ROI.”

Session Attendees to Collect Actionable Takeaways

Because protective guarding, risk management, and ROI impact multiple aspects of an operation, Parrott expects the seminar to draw attendees with a range of job titles.

“Operations managers, health and safety compliance professionals, manufacturing engineers, process engineers, and finance and procurement managers will all find the session useful,” he said.

Parrott highlighted three key takeaways for session attendees:

1. How to conduct an effective cost-benefit analysis. “Participants will learn how to determine the financial value of different protective guarding measures,” he said. “We’ll cover approaches for evaluating the initial costs and ongoing expenses. We’ll also explore the potential savings or value generated through risk reduction and enhanced security.”
2. Why integrating advanced technologies maximizes ROI. “Utilizing technology to optimize security practices can have a significant impact on overall returns,” noted Parrott. “The session will explain how leveraging surveillance systems, access control, and other tools enhances the overall efficiency and impact of protective measures.”
3. The benefits of continuous evaluation and improvement. “The presentation will share a system for regularly assessing and refining protective guarding strategies. This helps ensure that security measures remain effective and cost-efficient over time, contributing to sustained ROI,” he said.

Those who are unable to attend ProGMA’s presentation in person can find a recording online after ProMat concludes. Registration for the entire event—including all education seminars—is free.

Panel Comprised of Protective Guarding Experts

Representatives from four ProGMA member companies will share their expertise in the seminar. They include:

• James Augustyniak, Regional Sales Manager at Steel King Industries, Inc.
• Aaron Conway, President of Mezzanine Safeti-Gates
• Sam Tromblay, Business Development at Rite-Hite

ProGMA Members Will Showcase Range of Guarding Options

Both before and after the education session, ProMat 2025 attendees can explore a variety of protective guarding products. Several ProGMA members will have exhibits at the show. They include:

Although the ProGMA members listed below will not have exhibits at ProMat, attendees can connect with them via mhi.org/progma.

• 4Front Engineered Solutions
• Jesco Industries, Inc.

Find Protective Guarding Solutions, Resources Online

Can’t wait until ProGMA’s session to learn more about how protective guarding enhances ROI? The Protective Guarding Manufacturers Association (ProGMA) offers multiple resources and information about safety solutions. These include a Protective Guarding Search Tool, a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs), case studies, and more.