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 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…
In early June, something remarkable happened in Columbia, South Carolina. FN America, one of the world’s premier firearm manufacturers, opened its doors not just for a typical plant tour – but for a first-of-its-kind, multi-day Kaizen event hosted through the OpExChange. It marked an exciting new chapter…
The OpExChange community gathered virtually for a webinar introducing a valuable new tool designed to help manufacturers navigate the increasingly complex world of sustainability. This event spotlighted the recently launched Sustainability Resource Guide – a comprehensive, easy-to-use reference developed specifically for small and mid-sized manufacturers. A Strategic…
By Mike Demos, OpExChange Coordinator for the SCMEP Bausch+Lomb’s Greenville, South Carolina facility – a diamond-level OpExChange member with over 21 years of participation in the group – recently hosted a plant visit for fellow members. The focus of this session was the remarkable digital evolution the site has…
By Mike Demos, OpExChange Coordinator for the SCMEP A Unique Manufacturer with Operational Insight On April 1, 2025, TICO Manufacturing in Ridgeland, South Carolina, opened its doors to the OpExChange network for a powerful benchmarking event. TICO (Terminal Investment Corporation), headquartered in Savannah, Georgia, is a leading manufacturer of…
By Mike Demos, OpExChange Coordinator for the SCMEP On March 20, 2025, Atlas Copco welcomed OpExChange members for an insightful plant tour at their Rock Hill, SC, facility. Having joined OpExChange just last year, Atlas Copco has wasted no time fully engaging with the network, actively participating in plant…
By Mike Demos, OpExChange Coordinator for the SCMEP On February 18, 2024, FujiFilm’s Greenwood, SC facility opened its doors for the first time to the OpExChange, welcoming 21 companies from eleven counties in South Carolina and one from North Carolina. The visit provided an in-depth look at FujiFilm’s transformation…
In January, AstenJohnson’s Clinton, SC facility hosted OpExChange members for an exclusive visit, providing a firsthand look at the company’s unique culture and operations. The event spotlighted AstenJohnson’s core focus on safety, employee retention, and operational excellence, drawing attention to its longstanding dedication to continuous improvement and…
By Mike Demos, OpExChange Coordinator for the SCMEP In early December, I had the privilege of moderating a panel discussion with leaders from three exceptional OpExChange companies during the South Carolina Manufacturing Summit. The focus of our session was a topic of critical importance to manufacturers across…