Events

July 18, 2023

Michelin has developed a world-class maintenance training program focused on building critical technical skills and strengthening long-term workforce retention. Through a partnership with SCMEP and the South Carolina Department of Commerce, this “Talents for Manufacturing” program is now available to manufacturers across the state. Recently, OpExChange participants from twenty companies experienced the program firsthand through in-depth overviews and hands-on workshop tours at Michelin. The training emphasizes real-world scenarios, with nearly 75% of the time spent applying skills at the workbench. This practical approach equips maintenance professionals with the confidence and capability to perform when it matters most.

June 20, 2023

T&S Brass and Bronze Works has built its reputation on reliability—both in the products it delivers and the culture it sustains. During an OpExChange plant visit, participants gained insight into how respect, flexibility, and humanity are intentionally woven into daily operations, driving exceptional employee retention and engagement. Leaders shared how a family-oriented culture, reinforced over decades, empowers employees to take ownership of both quality and community. This people-first mindset is matched by rigorous quality systems, hands-on testing, and continuous investment in safety and automation. Together, these elements reflect a company where “Reliability Built In” is more than a tagline—it’s a lived experience.

June 6, 2023

Lean Manufacturing remains one of the most effective ways to improve productivity and profitability in U.S. manufacturing, yet most companies have yet to fully embrace it. In a record-attended OpExChange virtual session, Doug Berger of Industry Reimagined 2030 shared research showing that manufacturers who treat Lean as a people-centered, continuous improvement system achieve dramatically better results. The path forward is clear: make Lean practical, relevant, and focused on execution.

May 16, 2023

AFL Conductor Accessories showcased how practical analytics and a strong, people-centered culture can drive exceptional results during an OpExChange plant tour in Duncan. By leveraging Microsoft Power BI, the team achieved dramatic gains in on-time delivery, revenue growth, and operating profit—without significant capital investment. Just as impressive is their culture, reflected in world-class safety performance and employee retention. The visit highlighted how accessible data, empowered teams, and collaboration fuel sustained operational excellence.

May 16, 2023

SixAxis demonstrated that lean manufacturing delivers real, measurable results when it is deeply embedded in daily operations and culture. During this OpExChange visit, the team openly shared how disciplined lean deployment, standard work, and employee engagement drove dramatic improvements in safety, quality, delivery, and cost. Just as important, they showed how sustaining lean success depends on leadership, transparency, and making continuous improvement everyone’s responsibility.

May 2, 2023

OpExChange members toured Otis Elevator’s Florence plant, exploring three years of automation and Industry 4.0 initiatives. Fourteen robots have been deployed, reducing labor needs, eliminating errors, and boosting safety. Visitors also learned about connected equipment dashboards, a digital twin for process simulation, and plans for a fully SMART factory by 2025. Lean practices, visual management, and workforce engagement were highlighted throughout the tour.

April 28, 2023

During an OpExChange tour, RASCO highlighted their successful plant-wide implementation of Training Within Industry (TWI). The six-year initiative standardized job instruction, trained over 100 employees, and enhanced operational performance. Using structured scripts, reflection meetings, and technology-enabled tracking, RASCO ensures employees perform tasks safely, correctly, and efficiently while fostering engagement and continuous improvement.

April 13, 2023

Cybersecurity is no longer optional for manufacturers. In this virtual session, Wes Knight outlined the risks SMEs face, from potential losses of $100K to $1.5M to the threat of business closure following an attack. Beyond risk mitigation, implementing standards such as CMMC or TISAX can provide a competitive advantage, streamline audits, and help attract new clients. The session also emphasized the importance of maintaining standards, documenting processes, and fostering a culture of compliance.

March 21, 2023

Carolina Food Service in Loris, SC, has grown rapidly since 2009 by focusing on superior customer service. During an OpExChange visit, President Juan Serrato shared how the company leveraged SCMEP resources to develop a five-year strategic plan, boosting sales, refining marketing, and building a culture of continuous improvement. Initiatives like TalentClick assessments, Enterprise Café analytics, and lean-inspired warehouse practices have helped CFS expand market share and improve operational efficiency.

March 14, 2023

Chris Wayne, VP of Business Development & Growth at SCMEP, led a one-hour OpExChange webinar on Value Analysis/Value Engineering (VAVE). He explained how VAVE can increase customer value and reduce manufacturing costs by making strategic design decisions early, using cross-functional teams to explore cost “knobs” and levers. Examples ranged from a simple pencil to the Apollo 11 Lander, showing that while the process is straightforward, it requires diverse perspectives and openness to new ideas. The full recording, presentation deck, and Excel templates are available on the OpExChange Portal.