Teams Meeting | Virtual
September 23, 2026
10:30 am - 11:30 am
Poor planning and scheduling cost manufacturers far more than missed due dates. Learn how scheduling impacts inventory, capacity, quoting, cash flow, and profitability—and discover practical steps and metrics you can begin using on the shop floor right away.
Teams Meeting | Virtual
September 30, 2026
10:30 am - 11:15 am
Get an insider’s look at the Top 10 Drivers of Sales, based on assessment data from hundreds of small and mid-sized businesses. Tim DeMint shares practical insights into the strategies, processes, tools, and talent factors that drive sales performance – with actionable takeaways you can put to work immediately.
Bausch+Lomb | Greenville
October 5, 2026 @ 8:30 am — October 9, 2026 @ 2:30 pm
Go beyond the classroom with this rare, hands-on SMED Kaizen experience hosted at Bausch + Lomb in Greenville. Work directly inside a live manufacturing environment applying SMED principles to real processes while learning how to reduce changeover time, eliminate waste, and improve operational flexibility under the guidance of David Woods, Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt. Walk away with practical experience, measurable results, actionable takeaways, and an SCMEP Certificate in the Application of SMED. Participation is limited to just 20 attendees.
SEW Eurodrive | Wellford
October 6, 2026
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
One of the greatest benefits of MX.0 Southeast was not just the technology – it was the conversations and connections between manufacturing leaders. This October, SEW Eurodrive opens its Maxolution showroom for the MX.0 Maxolution Mixer, an after hours networking event designed for manufacturing professionals to connect, collaborate, and discuss advanced manufacturing, AI, workforce challenges, and operational excellence. Because sometimes the biggest ideas – and strongest connections – start with a conversation.
IKO | Chester
October 13, 2026
1:00 pm - 3:45 pm
Get a firsthand look at how IKO approaches continuous improvement on the shop floor. The visit will explore how improvement opportunities are identified, communicated and acted upon to improve efficiency, productivity, safety and performance. Following the plant tour, participants will take part in a Plus/Delta discussion – sharing observations, ideas and lessons with the IKO team and fellow manufacturing professionals.
AFL | Duncan
October 27, 2026
12:45 am - 4:00 pm
This visit to AFL in Dunan will focus on operational excellence, manufacturing growth, and continuous improvement within one of South Carolina’s leading advanced manufacturing organizations. Attendees will gain insight into capital equipment expansion, plant layout optimization, material flow improvements, and AFL’s Manufacturing Excellence Operating System - all while supporting rapidly growing markets tied to AI, broadband infrastructure, and hyperscale data centers.
SCMEP | Greenville
November 4, 2026
10:30 am - 2:30 pm
In this hands-on, half-day workshop, you’ll learn how SMED (Single Minute Exchange of Dies) helps manufacturers dramatically reduce equipment changeover times using a proven Lean approach. Through a blend of instruction, real-world examples, and interactive exercises, participants will learn how to streamline changeovers, engage operators, improve safety and consistency, and respond faster to customer demand. You’ll leave with clear, practical strategies you can apply immediately on your plant floor – delivering measurable improvements in productivity and performance.
TS Conductor | Hardeeville
November 10, 2026
Join the OpExChange on November 10 for a plant visit at TS Conductor’s new $134 million manufacturing facility in Hardeeville, SC. Get an inside look at one of South Carolina’s newest advanced manufacturing operations as TS Conductor ramps up production of innovative technology designed to increase the capacity and efficiency of the electrical grid. Program and registration details coming soon.
Hitachi Rail | Lexington
January 13, 2027
1:00 pm - 3:45 PM
Get an inside look at Hitachi Rail’s manufacturing transformation while it is still underway. The team will share why the transformation was needed, how they approached it, what has been accomplished so far, and where they are headed next. The visit will highlight selected initiatives involving plant layout and material flow, digitalization, supply chain and inventory, leadership systems, workforce development, and continuous improvement – including the use of Power BI analytics and real-time location systems (RTLS).
Explore highlights from our past events, including key moments, takeaways, photos, and resources from each gathering.
Catch up on what you missed or revisit your favorite sessions.