Events

March 7, 2023

Cascades Tissue Group recently welcomed OpExChange members to share how they are strengthening employee engagement across their operations. The team highlighted practical approaches to communication, leadership involvement, and creating ownership at the front line. Rather than focusing solely on tools or programs, Cascades emphasized building trust and connection with their workforce. Attendees gained real-world insights into how engagement improvements can drive culture, performance, and retention.

March 2, 2023

ZF Transmissions showcased its Gray Court facility to highlight its rapid growth in e-Mobility and the use of Industry 4.0 technologies. The visit featured collaborative robots, data-driven condition monitoring, and an interactive e-Mobility Expo demonstrating how innovation is improving safety, productivity, and workforce engagement. Together, these initiatives underscore ZF’s role in advancing electric vehicle manufacturing in South Carolina.

February 6, 2023

Boeing South Carolina has been “building the dream” since establishing 787 Dreamliner final assembly operations in North Charleston in 2010. The site showcases advanced manufacturing through highly automated assembly, extensive use of carbon fiber composites, and innovative safety technologies such as ergonomic exoskeletons. Beyond production, Boeing has played a major role in strengthening South Carolina’s manufacturing ecosystem by expanding its supplier base and investing heavily in workforce development. Through statewide STEM outreach and programs like DreamLearners, Boeing is helping build a skilled talent pipeline that benefits both the aerospace industry and the broader South Carolina economy.

January 24, 2023

PCI Group in Fort Mill hosted an OpExChange plant visit focused on sharing progress in its lean journey and innovative approaches to employee development and engagement. The transactional mail provider demonstrated how lean principles, executive commitment, and standard work have supported significant growth while maintaining high-volume, high-security operations. Highlights included a highly automated production flow with minimal work-in-process, strong visual management tied to service-level agreements, and a robust onboarding and career progression program. The visit concluded with an engaging peer discussion centered on retention, training, and building a sustainable lean culture.

January 12, 2023

Dodge Industrial in Greenville, SC hosted an OpExChange plant visit that highlighted its long-standing commitment to operational excellence. As a founding and active OpExChange member, the site demonstrated its capabilities in manufacturing heavy-duty industrial gearboxes, supported by a strong Lean and Six Sigma infrastructure. Visitors observed multiple Kaizen initiatives, a structured tiered performance management process, and a dedicated lean laboratory. The visit also emphasized Dodge Industrial’s exceptional safety culture, including the SafeStart Now program, which has driven significant and sustained improvements in safety performance.

December 6, 2022

The year-end review highlighted strong growth, with membership increasing 64% since mid-2020, despite pandemic disruptions. In 2022, 33 events were delivered through a mix of in-person plant visits, virtual sessions, and half-day workshops, engaging more than 1,000 participants statewide. Several companies and individuals were recognized for outstanding engagement, collaboration, and employee development, including a renamed collaboration award honoring a long-time industry contributor. The update also outlined board leadership activity and previewed a robust slate of plant visits, workshops, and virtual events planned for the first quarter of 2023.

November 15, 2022

As hiring and retention challenges continue across manufacturing, many companies are partnering with workforce providers like MAU Workforce Solutions for support. MAU shared a lean, data-driven framework for building effective contract workforce partnerships, emphasizing upfront discovery, optimization of the hiring funnel, and ongoing collaboration. The key takeaway: treating the relationship as a true partnership—grounded in data and continuous improvement—drives better retention and performance.

November 8, 2022

Campbell’s Snacks hosted a plant tour in Charlotte highlighting a long-standing robotics culture across baking, packaging, and palletizing operations. Attendees saw multiple generations of ABB and Syntegon robots, including high-speed pick-and-place systems and newer technology that combines carton forming and packing to save space. The visit also showcased high-volume cracker production, flexible automation in the warehouse, and a strong emphasis on safety, benchmarking, and workforce engagement as key enablers of sustained automation success.

October 3, 2022

Phoenix Specialty Manufacturing is a fourth-generation, family-owned precision stamper in Bamberg County with a strong national presence. Their success is built on in-house tool and die capability, customer-focused flexibility, and a deeply engaged workforce. At the heart of it all is a leadership culture that prioritizes people and long-term performance.

September 23, 2022

Digital transformation continues to deliver real results for manufacturers—but only when it is tied to a clear business case. Industry examples show strong ROI from automation, analytics, and connectivity, yet many companies remain stuck in “pilot purgatory.” A key takeaway from this session was the importance of thinking big, starting small, and scaling fast, while aligning people, process, and technology. Conducting a structured Industry 4.0 assessment can help organizations identify high-value pilot opportunities, manage change effectively, and build a scalable roadmap for long-term success.