On January 13, members of the OpExChange gathered at Timken’s Tyger River plant for a deep dive into the next evolution of the Timken Manufacturing Operating System (TMOS 2). More than a traditional plant tour, the visit offered an inside look at how a 125‑year‑old company continues…
Partnership Driving Success Encouraging and Enabling Entrepreneurial Enterprise Stand Out from Competition Beyond Quality and Service Transform your business with our comprehensive three-pillar approach: Pillar 1: SIMPLIFY Identify key areas for positive change Team Alignment Pillar 2: OPTIMIZE Analyze data to improve operational efficiency Make complex challenges…
Investment in commercial construction projects across South Carolina reflects a level of consumer confidence in the state’s future economic stability. Developers are moving forward with industrial, mixed-use, retail, and entertainment projects, signaling optimism in the long-term economic outlook despite higher construction costs and labor constraints. Among the…
After 16 years of leadership, Edwards leaves behind major expansions, national recognition, and a clear succession plan. Dave Edwards longtime president and chief executive officer of Greenville‑Spartanburg International Airport (GSP), will retire on January 9, 2026, concluding a 16‑year tenure marked by sustained growth, national accolades, and…
Manufacturing Legal Challenges Demand Specialized Online Presence The manufacturing sector faces unprecedented pressure heading into 2026. Trade uncertainties remain the top concern for American manufacturers, with 73.1 percent citing tariff volatility as their primary business challenge according to the National Association of Manufacturers Q4 2025 Outlook Survey….
A Look at How MEPs Drive Growth, Safeguard Jobs, and Fuel the Next Generation of Advanced Manufacturing For decades, the nation’s network of Manufacturing Extension Partnerships (MEPs) has served as one of the country’s most effective—and often under-recognized—economic development engines. Created under the U.S. Department of Commerce’s…
By Mike Demos, OpExChange Coordinator for the SCMEP On November 18, the OpExChange traveled to Florence for a visit to one of South Carolina’s most quietly influential manufacturing institutions – the Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing Technology, or SiMT. Although SiMT joined the OpExChange just over a year ago, their…
As 2026 comes into view, business leaders are bracing for a wave of transformation—and not the kind that leaves employees guessing. From smarter automation to stronger safety protocols, manufacturers now have a host of reasons to welcome the year ahead with optimism. Many analysts say 2026 will…
Members of the OpExChange network visited KION North America’s Summerville campus on November 4th for an immersive look at one of South Carolina’s most capable manufacturing operations. Leading the visit was Daniel Schlegel, Vice President of Operations, whose decades of experience – and genuine enthusiasm for the…
For decades, South Carolina was known primarily for textiles, agriculture, and — in more recent years — automotive manufacturing. But today, another industry has captured the spotlight and is transforming the state’s economic identity: aerospace. From Boeing’s gleaming 787 Dreamliner assembly line in North Charleston to Lockheed…