Events

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.

September 9, 2020

Sunland Logistics Solutions hosted an in-person OpExChange event in Simpsonville, sharing their lean journey and continuous improvement culture. Leaders highlighted Sunland’s servant-leadership values, visual daily management, workforce engagement through Two-Second Lean, and investment in a dedicated CI Dojo for hands-on learning. The visit included a full facility tour and interactive discussion, giving members practical examples of how Sunland drives operational excellence across its 3PL operations.

September 3, 2020

Bosch Engineering and Production Services shared how they are taking a holistic approach to Industry 4.0 during an OpExChange webinar attended by 94 participants from 47 sites across South Carolina. The session focused on connectivity—linking people, machines, and systems—and emphasized that Industry 4.0 is a cultural transformation, not just a technology or IT initiative. Bosch outlined its five implementation levels, lessons learned from its North American model plants, and the critical role of people and change management. The webinar concluded with practical recommendations and an invitation for future plant visits and continued learning around Industry 4.0 and IoT.

August 25, 2020

BOMAG shared how its Ridgeway, SC team uses the SCAT (Systematic Cause Analysis Technique) to thoroughly investigate every safety incident. Rather than stopping at surface-level causes, the process helps uncover deeper systemic issues such as communication gaps and compliance weaknesses. Through a real-world case example, BOMAG demonstrated how disciplined root-cause analysis strengthens safety culture and drives more effective corrective actions.

August 13, 2020

This webinar explored collaborative robots (cobots) and their growing role in small and mid-sized manufacturing. Bob Goosen of Purdue MEP outlined how cobots differ from traditional robots, where they fit best, and how to evaluate ROI. With lower costs, quick payback, and the ability to work safely alongside people, cobots are a flexible automation option for low-to-medium volume, high-mix operations.

August 6, 2020

A webinar on additive manufacturing explored how 3D printing complements traditional manufacturing by enabling greater design flexibility, faster prototyping, and new production possibilities. Justin Hopkins reviewed key additive technologies and where they add value across the product life cycle—from rapid prototyping and production ramp-up to tooling, spare parts, and end-of-life support. Real-world case studies showed how manufacturers are using additive methods to reduce lead times, improve performance, and gain economic advantages. While not a replacement for conventional processes, additive manufacturing is an increasingly important tool to include in a modern manufacturing toolkit.