Events

February 9, 2021

Jim Benson, co-author of Personal Kanban, led an interactive session on applying visual management to knowledge work. Using Turner Construction’s $922M Coney Island hospital rebuild as a case study, Jim demonstrated how visual tools support communication, collaboration, and flow in complex projects. Participants then experienced a live “Lean Coffee” exercise, showing how personal Kanban can democratize meetings and improve decision-making. The session reinforced a core takeaway: effective collaboration consistently drives higher quality, better delivery, and stronger outcomes.

January 26, 2021

Shaw Industries’ Aiken plant shared insights from its corporate co-op and Operations Management Training (OMT) programs, highlighting practical steps for launching a successful co-op model. College recruiter Bradley Townsend outlined the program structure, which supports 30–50 students per semester, with 47% returning for additional terms and 75% receiving job offers upon graduation. Claudia Paulson, a former co-op and now Quality Engineering Manager, emphasized the value of assigning real-world projects that drive measurable improvements while engaging students. Shaw also discussed virtual recruiting tools and concluded with clear “how-to-start” guidance for OpExChange members. Event recordings and resources are available on the Portal.

January 19, 2021

Bill Bliss of Bliss & Associates led an interactive workshop on candidate selection and interviewing, focused on reducing the high cost of bad hires. With less than 30 participants, the session covered interview preparation, defining job competencies, legal considerations, and using structured decision matrices. Role-playing interviews reinforced key concepts, while data highlighted that nearly half of new hires fail within 18 months, often at a cost exceeding 150% of base salary. The full recording, presentation, and reference materials are available on the OpExChange Portal.

January 11, 2021

In early 2021, Carolina CoverTech shared how strong leadership and a values-driven culture enabled them to not only withstand the pandemic, but to grow through it. President Rian True and Vice President of Operations Lisa Stuart discussed navigating multiple simultaneous crises by leaning into trust, teamwork, and transparency. Their candid conversation highlighted the power of complementary leadership styles, consistent communication, and visible care for employees. The session reinforced that in times of crisis, it is culture—not circumstance—that determines whether an organization merely survives or truly adapts and overcomes.

December 16, 2020

The OpExChange wrapped up 2020 with a virtual Year-in-Review highlighting strong engagement despite pandemic disruptions. A total of 26 events were held, with virtual sessions driving a 112% increase in average attendance during the second half of the year. Membership also grew, with 22 new companies joining—the highest increase since 2011. Looking ahead to 2021, OpExChange shared a robust Q1 schedule, new member tools through the Panorama portal, and recognized companies and individuals for outstanding participation and collaboration.

December 8, 2020

Wikoff Color Corporation shared how leadership development is central to its employee-owned culture. Through tools like stay interviews, individual development plans, and emotional intelligence assessments, Wikoff focuses on engagement, retention, and leader credibility. The session highlighted that strong leadership is built on both results and behaviors, reinforcing continuous improvement through people-focused development.

November 12, 2020

Corsica Cybersecurity hosted a webinar focused on new cybersecurity requirements for Department of Defense suppliers. He outlined the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), which replaces NIST 800-171 and now requires third-party audits rather than self-attestation. Most suppliers will fall under Level 3 compliance, and organizations already meeting NIST 800-171 have a relatively small gap to close. Robert emphasized that CMMC is an organization-wide responsibility, not just an IT initiative, and shared tools and reference materials to help suppliers prepare.

November 4, 2020

Dr. Eric Hayler showed how Industry 4.0 technologies can complement Lean Six Sigma without large capital investment. Drawing on his experience at BMW, Amazon, and as president of The Hayler Group, Eric introduced Low-Cost Intelligent Automation (LCIA) and connected it to the House of Lean, particularly the Jidoka pillar. He shared practical examples—such as sensors, scanners, AGVs, and pick-to-light systems—that are now affordable and easily integrated into kaizen activities. The key takeaway: technologies once considered advanced are now accessible tools for everyday lean improvement.

October 8, 2020

This broadcast focused on cybersecurity as a critical pillar of Industry 4.0, led by Delano Collins, VP of Corsica Cybersecurity. He emphasized that cybersecurity is not a product, but a continuous process—one that is increasingly vital as manufacturing connectivity and remote access expand. He outlined common intrusion methods targeting manufacturers, noting that most attacks exploit end users through phishing and weak access controls. The session highlighted practical countermeasures including employee training, patching, network segmentation, and continuous monitoring. Additional resources and a follow-up webinar were shared to help members assess and strengthen cybersecurity readiness at their facilities.

September 22, 2020

A live broadcast highlighted how three manufacturers—Dish Network, FN America, and Rolls-Royce—are approaching Industry 4.0 and IIoT at very different stages of maturity. Dish showcased practical, low-cost predictive maintenance and real-time monitoring to reduce downtime and lost production. FN America outlined a disciplined, architecture-driven digital strategy tightly aligned to business value and operator engagement. Rolls-Royce emphasized that successful digital transformation is ultimately about people and culture, supported by strong partnerships and a clear vision. Delta Bravo reinforced the message with real-world AI case studies, showing that starting small with clean data can deliver rapid, high-ROI results.