Events

February 3, 2026
10:30 am - 11:30 am

Artificial Intelligence is no longer confined to tech companies—it’s quickly becoming a practical tool for manufacturers looking to work smarter and stay competitive. In this one-hour OpExChange webinar, Cameron Duncan, Co-Founder of Hallian Technologies, breaks down Generative AI in plain language and shows how organizations can begin applying it safely and effectively. From Large Language Models to Retrieval Augmented Generation, this session focused on what AI really is, how it works, and how to start small without the hype.

February 10, 2026
10:00 am - 2:00 pm

OpExChange is launching a new event designed by plant managers, for plant managers. This Plant Manager Exchange will offer a confidential setting where leaders can share challenges, exchange ideas, and collaborate on solutions that drive operational excellence. The session will be moderated by Dale McClelland, Plant Manager at Timken – Union. This isn’t a presentation – it’s an exchange of insight and experience among those leading the manufacturing teams.

February 17, 2026
12:30 pm - 3:45 pm

Join us at Harsco Rail, a global leader in railway maintenance-of-way equipment, for an inside look at their ongoing Lean journey. After lunch and networking, guests will tour key production areas—Materials, Machining, Sub-Assembly, Core, and Specialty—and see how Harsco uses tools like MDI, Kanban, and structured problem-solving to improve communication, material flow, and performance.

February 25, 2026
10:00 am - 2:30 pm

Reduce downtime. Boost productivity. Gain a competitive edge. Discover how SMED (Single Minute Exchange of Dies) can revolutionize your operations in this hands-on, half-day workshop. This session will show you how to dramatically cut equipment changeover times using a proven Lean manufacturing approach.

March 2, 2026 @ 7:00 am — March 5, 2026 @ 4:00 pm

Join us for an exclusive, four-day Kaizen event hosted at Leidos in North Charleston. This is not a classroom exercise – this is hands-on learning in a real factory, assembling sophisticated people-screening systems. This is a rare opportunity to sharpen your Lean skills while making a meaningful impact at a high-performance operation. Take what you learn back to your own facility and drive measurable change.

March 3, 2026
11:45 am - 2:30 pm

Join us for an inside look at ITW Hartness, a Greenville-born innovator whose legacy began in 1940 when Tom Hartness engineered the first Hartness case packer to improve bottling efficiency. Today, ITW Hartness is a global leader in packaging automation, operating from a state-of-the-art 256,000 sq. ft. facility and backed by more than 100 patents.

March 11, 2026
10:00 am - 2:30 pm

In this hands-on workshop, you’ll get no-nonsense, actionable insights on how to leverage generative AI tools securely and effectively. Learn what matters most to your business and prepare your company for the future... without the buzzwords. Walk away with practical workflows you can implement in months, not years.

March 24, 2026
1:00 pm - 3:45 pm

Join this plant visit to see how Isringhausen utilizes a Quick Kaizen culture to continuously improve flexibility, customer responsiveness, quality and cost. “Two Plants in One” describes Isringhausen USA. Established in Ladson to be adjacent to the Mercedes Benz Van assembly operation, the high-volume seat manufacturing operation is a model of synchronized production.

April 7, 2026 @ 8:00 am — April 8, 2026 @ 5:00 pm

The premier event is dedicated to advancing digital transformation in manufacturing. This unique conference is led by manufacturers, for manufacturers, and features insightful case studies and presentations from industry leaders. Several OpExChange member companies will be presenting and will also share their expertise during the event.

April 22, 2026
10:00 am - 2:30 pm

Are utility costs cutting into your margins? Has your company been receiving more inquiries about sustainability performance? This half-day workshop will explore actionable steps to meet these increasing requirements in ways that are practical and relevant to your business. We’ll share strategies for smarter energy, water, and waste management, and guide you through calculating your Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions.