375 stories
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 few. Simplify the rest. On March 3rd, OpExChange […]
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 a refreshingly honest look at their ongoing transformation. […]
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 on the challenges that exist in every operation. […]
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 achievable Minimize risks Pillar 3: SHARED VALUE Prioritize […]
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 most significant projects underway is Boeing South Carolina’s […]
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 transformative capital projects that elevated the airport’s regional […]
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 National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), MEPs […]
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 redefine how facilities operate, with trends pointing toward […]
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 Martin’s production of F-16 fighter jets in Greenville, […]
By Mike Demos, OpExChange Coordinator for the SCMEP Fort Mill, SC – October 21, 2025 Members of the OpExChange network gathered at Northern Tool + Equipment’s (NTE) 800,000-square-foot distribution center in Fort Mill for a deep dive into “Smart Distribution.” Hosted by DC Manager Amanda Stukitz, this benchmarking event highlighted how a family-owned company blends people, process, […]
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