Focus, Simplicity, and Operational Discipline In manufacturing, complexity often creeps in quietly. More product variants. More options. More engineering changes. More processes layered on top of processes. Left unchecked, that complexity can slow an organization down. At ITW Hartness, the philosophy is different. Focus on the critical…
Last week, Harsco Rail welcomed a full house of manufacturing peers from across South Carolina to its West Columbia facility for an OpExChange tour focused on operational transformation. The visit followed the familiar OpExChange format — presentation, plant tour, and peer collaboration — with Harsco Rail providing…
The OpExChange held a phenomenal event this week — and it was a little different than what we’ve done in the past. This was our first-ever “Plant Manager Exchange,” a pilot format built specifically for plant leaders to collaborate in a safe, peer-to-peer environment and trade ideas…
Generative AI is no longer a future concept reserved for tech companies. It is quickly becoming part of the operational toolkit for manufacturers across South Carolina – and leaders are working to separate meaningful opportunity from marketing hype. On February 3, OpExChange hosted a virtual session titled…
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…