Events

October 21, 2025
11:45 am - 3:45 pm

OpExChange members visited Northern Tool + Equipment’s Fort Mill distribution center to explore “Smart Distribution.” The tour showcased advanced automation—AutoStore and Packsize—paired with a people-first culture, long-tenured employees, and workforce development initiatives like Tools for the Trades™. NTE demonstrated that operational excellence thrives when technology and human talent work together.

September 23, 2025
10:30 am - 12:00 pm

South Carolina is experiencing a surge in data center growth, reshaping opportunities for manufacturers. In a recent webinar, industry experts highlighted the forces driving this expansion—from fiber and power availability to automation, controls, and AI. Local manufacturers like AFL and Daedalus Industrial are already supplying critical infrastructure, positioning the state to play a major role in the global digital economy.

September 9, 2025
12:45 pm - 3:45 pm

Itron’s West Union facility offered a compelling look into the future of energy, water, and smart city management. As the company centralizes North American operations, the site is driving a renewed lean transformation supported by advanced automation, real-time analytics, and a strong culture of engagement. Attendees saw high-speed meter assembly, innovative gas meter technology, and battery-powered device production—all underscoring Itron’s role as a global leader in grid modernization and resource efficiency.

August 19, 2025
12:45 pm - 4:00 pm

The August visit to BMW Spartanburg offered a powerful look inside Assembly Hall 52, where automation, digital twins, and AI are transforming automotive production. Guided by Brad Stone and BMW’s Innovation team, attendees saw how advanced robotics, data-driven decision-making, and human-centered ergonomics come together. The experience showcased BMW’s vision for the factory of the future—and practical ideas for today.

August 5, 2025
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

In the nearly 24-year history of the OpExChange, no plant tour has been larger than the recent visit to SEW-Eurodrive’s Lyman, South Carolina campus. More than one hundred guests from forty-seven organizations, representing 17 counties, gathered to experience one of the more advanced manufacturing operations in the Southeast.

July 15, 2025
12:00 pm - 3:45 pm

In the quiet town of Bamberg, South Carolina, Phoenix Specialty Manufacturing stands as a shining example of American manufacturing resilience. A fourth-generation, family-owned company with roots dating back to 1907, Phoenix was recently honored by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as a Hero of American Manufacturing.

June 26, 2025
1:00 pm - 3:45 pm

IFA’s Summerville plant is transforming to meet the rapid shifts in the automotive industry. During a recent site visit, guests saw how the team is investing $40 million in advanced automation, expanding half-shaft production, and strengthening problem-solving systems. From fully automated assembly lines to skilled workforce development, IFA is redefining modern automotive manufacturing in South Carolina.

June 18, 2025
10:30 am - 11:30 am

The OpExChange community gathered virtually for a webinar introducing a valuable new tool designed to help manufacturers navigate the increasingly complex world of sustainability. This event spotlighted the recently launched Sustainability Resource Guide – a comprehensive, easy-to-use reference developed specifically for small and mid-sized manufacturers.

June 2, 2025 @ 7:00 am — June 5, 2025 @ 3:30 pm

In early June, something remarkable happened in Columbia, South Carolina. FN America opened its doors not just for a typical plant tour – but for a first-of-its-kind, multi-day Kaizen event hosted through the OpExChange. It marked an exciting new chapter for this South Carolina manufacturing network that, for the past twenty-three years, has connected peer manufacturers to share best practices, benchmark operations, and help drive continuous improvement.

May 6, 2025
12:00 pm - 3:45 pm

The OpExChange community had the privilege of touring one of the most advanced manufacturing sites in the flooring industry last week, as Shaw Industries welcomed us to their Aiken, South Carolina plant – known internally as Plant 78. What we witnessed was not just a testament to operational excellence, but a glimpse into the future of manufacturing in South Carolina and beyond.