By Mike Demos, OpExChange Coordinator for the SCMEP The anticipation was palpable on August 19 as members of OpExChange gathered for a highly coveted tour of BMW Manufacturing’s Spartanburg facility. Promoted since January, the event filled its 45 available spots in just five minutes, leaving a growing waiting list…
Critical Threats and How to Defend Against Them In the evolving landscape of modern commerce, the role of a small business CEO is synonymous with vigilance. The digital age has presented a double-edged sword: while opportunities abound, so too do the pitfalls. To lead with foresight is…
The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) Upstate Chapter #164 is experiencing a significant revitalization, focusing on strengthening the manufacturing community in Upstate South Carolina through enhanced networking opportunities and innovative educational programs. The chapter’s flagship initiative, the IDEA DRIVE 2025: CO2 Dragster Derby Competition, launched at the…
Recently, while pruning plants that had suffered from sun and water stress, I noticed that after pruning, beautiful new growth emerged rapidly. This experience inspired me to express the importance of leaders in fostering similar rejuvenation in their teams by addressing stress and promoting a supportive and…
By Mike Demos, OpExChange Coordinator for the SCMEP Lyman, SC – 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…
South Carolina’s manufacturing powerhouse is getting stronger with CONNEX SC – the free, state-funded platform connecting local manufacturers with verified suppliers The Supply Chain Reality Facing SC Manufacturers in 2025 Supply chain disruptions continue to challenge South Carolina’s rapidly growing manufacturing sector, which recorded $8.19 billion in…
By Mike Demos, OpExChange Coordinator for the SCMEP 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…
By Andre Harris, Vice President, A M King This is Part 3 in our three-part series about manufacturing equipment installation. See Part 1 and Part 2 if you missed them. This time we’re focusing on the finer points of this complex process and sharing client results. A…
By Mike Demos, OpExChange Coordinator for the SCMEP Summerville, SC – The manufacturing landscape is in constant flux, and nowhere is this more evident than in today’s automotive industry. Electrification, digitalization, shifting supply chains, workforce challenges, and sustainability mandates are forcing manufacturers to adapt at an unprecedented pace. Amid…