Events

September 23, 2026
10:30 am - 11:30 am

Hammer-IMS will share a real-world implementation of AI-driven quality inspection, showing how their team dramatically reduced programming time and automated complex defect detection. For OpExChange members eager to see practical examples of AI in manufacturing, this session will highlight lessons learned and insights from a successful integration.

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

Manufacturing leaders from across South Carolina gathered for a hands-on OpExChange workshop exploring how Generative AI can be applied inside manufacturing organizations. Cameron Duncan of Hallian Technologies demystified the technology and shared practical frameworks for identifying AI opportunities that increase productivity, reduce costs, and unlock new business value.

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

OpExChange members visited ITW Hartness in Greenville for an inside look at how the company applies the 80/20 philosophy to simplify operations, improve flow, and build high-performance packaging automation systems.

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.

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

In this workshop in Columbia, Master Black Belt David Woods led participants through a hands-on SMED (Single Minute Exchange of Dies) simulation — demonstrating how significant performance gains are often achieved not through capital investment, but through disciplined observation and application of Lean principles. Working in teams, participants analyzed a live changeover process, separating internal and external tasks, improving preparation, and eliminating waste. The results were immediate and measurable: the group achieved an average 89% reduction in changeover time. The exercise reinforced a core Lean truth: meaningful operational improvements are driven by people — their engagement, preparation, and ability to see and improve the work.

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

Harsco Rail opened its West Columbia facility to manufacturing peers across South Carolina for a candid look at what it takes to rebuild operational excellence in a complex, low-volume, high-mix environment. From stabilizing material flow and redefining daily accountability to aligning every initiative with measurable business impact, the message was clear: Lean is not a program. It is a path. What attendees saw was not a finished product — but a business deliberately, visibly, and methodically changing how work gets done.

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 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.

January 13, 2026
1:00 pm - 3:45 pm

At Timken’s Tyger River plant, operational excellence is not theoretical—it’s visible, measurable, and deeply embedded. During an OpExChange visit focused on TMOS 2, participants saw how a 125-year-old company is redefining flow, quality, and responsiveness in a highly complex, make-to-order job shop. Through disciplined systems, real-time data connectivity, and a workforce with extraordinary tenure, the team has turned material flow into a true competitive advantage—cutting lead times to levels competitors cannot match while maintaining the performance standards Timken is known for worldwide.

January 6, 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.