OpExChange Archives - Manufacturing in South Carolina

OpExChange Mar 23

Peeling Back the Layers: A Lean Manufacturing Kaizen at Leidos in South Carolina

Hosted at Leidos’ operation near Charleston, this OpExChange Lean manufacturing Kaizen brought together 19 participants from six companies, representing a diverse cross-section of South Carolina manufacturing. The event took place inside a relatively new, high-tech environment – a 150,000-square-foot facility supporting advanced manufacturing and system integration for security technologies used around the world. From the […]

By SCMFG/Staff

OpExChange Feb 15

Demystifying Generative AI in South Carolina

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 Demystifying GenAI, drawing one of the strongest webinar […]

By SCMFG/Staff

OpExChange Jan 20

Timken Tyger River – TMOS 2 Flow, Quality, & Competitive Advantage

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 to evolve – combining disciplined systems, advanced data […]

By SCMFG/Staff

OpExChange Dec 3

SiMT in Florence: Where Advanced Manufacturing Meets Workforce Development

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 impact on the state’s manufacturing landscape stretches back […]

By SCMFG/Staff

OpExChange Nov 19

Home Turf Advantage: KION’s Expansion Strengthens South Carolina Manufacturing

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 craft – shaped a thoughtful, people-focused conversation. KION […]

By SCMFG/Staff

OpExChange Nov 6

Building a Digital Twin: Seeing the Future Before You Build It

By Mike Demos, OpExChange Coordinator for the SCMEP In the OpExChange, we’ve seen how powerful visualization can be in driving improvement. One of the most exciting tools helping manufacturers do just that is digital twin simulation modeling – a method that allows teams to test, refine, and de-risk decisions before they make them. On October 29th, Jason […]

By SCMFG/Staff

Manufacturing Oct 30

Smart Distribution, Human Touch: OpExChange Visits Northern Tool + Equipment in Fort Mill

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, […]

By SCMFG/Staff

OpExChange Oct 1

Itron: Creating a More Resourceful World

By Mike Demos, OpExChange Coordinator for the SCMEP In early September, the OpExChange held a plant tour at Itron’s West Union facility, giving members an inside look at how the company is shaping the future of energy and resource management. Itron’s mission is to “create a more resourceful world.” Their focus is on transforming how communities manage […]

By SCMFG/Staff

OpExChange Sep 24

From Fiber to Fabrication: South Carolina Manufacturers Ride the Data Center Wave

By Mike Demos, OpExChange Coordinator for the SCMEP South Carolina’s manufacturing landscape is experiencing a subtle but profound transformation, fueled by the rapid expansion of data centers. On a recent OpExChange webinar, a panel of experts explored the factors driving this growth and what it means for local manufacturers. Moderated by Shane Whatley of THS Constructors, the […]

By SCMFG/Staff

OpExChange Sep 11

OpExChange Golf Tournament, Raises $28,900 for Upstate Warrior Solution

By Mike Demos, OpExChange Coordinator for the SCMEP On Monday, September 8th, the Carolina Country Club in Spartanburg hosted the inaugural OpExChange Golf Tournament, bringing together 20 teams of four players each from OpExChange member companies for a day of friendly competition and camaraderie. The event was more than just golf – it was a chance to […]

By SCMFG/Staff

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