84 stories
Introduction In the heart of Fort Mill, South Carolina, a beacon of innovation and sustainability shines brightly. Schaeffler, a renowned motion technology company with a legacy spanning 75 years, recently opened its doors to some of their peer manufacturers across the Carolinas. The occasion was the September OpExChange plant tour, an event that brought together […]
A frequent topic of discussion during OpExChange plant visits is the scarcity of skilled workers. How do you effectively preserve the valuable knowledge and expertise possessed by long-serving employees, ensuring it can be passed down to newer generations of workers? During a recent visit to the Stanley Black & Decker (SB&D) plant in Fort Mill, […]
Taiichi Ohno, the creator of the Toyota Production System, was a leader in industrial engineering and is well known for his contributions to the development of Lean theory and continuous Improvement processes. One of his most famous quotes is “The plant shop floor is a reflection of leadership.” This quote highlights the importance of leadership […]
The OpExChange recently experienced one of their marquee plant visits of the year. The BMW factory in Spartanburg hosted 48 participants from 33 manufacturing and distribution companies across South Carolina. This experience provided a firsthand look into the cutting-edge processes and methodologies that drive one of the most innovative automobile manufacturing facilities in the world. […]
The OpExChange is thrilled to unveil some exciting updates to its Advisory Board. The selection process has brought forth three exceptional individuals who will now join the board – Kevin Batten with Graphic Packaging International, Todd Jamison with Phoenix Specialty Manufacturing, and Ron McKenna with Asten Johnson. Each of these individuals has been acknowledged and […]
A Reputation of Reliability T&S Brass and Bronze Works is a company that embodies the core values of reliability and excellence. Headquartered in Travelers Rest, South Carolina, T&S is a renowned global leader in the design, manufacture, sales, and distribution of faucets, fittings, and specialty products and accessories. With a rich history spanning 75 years, […]
Lean Manufacturing has been a game-changer for numerous manufacturing plants in the United States since its inception in the 1990s. These practices have led to remarkable improvements in both profitability and operational efficiency. However, the majority of manufacturers have yet to fully embrace Lean principles, missing out on substantial financial gains. Lean Manufacturing has always […]
Many manufacturers still question the effectiveness of lean manufacturing and whether it brings tangible benefits to a company’s bottom and top lines. However, during a recent OpExChange plant tour hosted by SixAxis in Andrews, SC on May 16th, 2023, these doubts were addressed. The primary focus of the tour was to showcase SixAxis’s successful implementation […]
The OpExChange plant tour in Duncan on May 9, 2023, was anything but ordinary. Not only did members witness firsthand how AFL Conductor Accessories has skyrocketed on-time delivery and sales with very little capital investment, but they also had the privilege of being taught how to do it themselves with a tutorial from Gemba Systems […]
Carolina Food Service in Loris, South Carolina has done exceptionally well since opening in 2009. This broadline food distributor specializes in supplying products to Latino and Mexican restaurants across the Carolinas. From their very beginning, the leadership team focused on the most important factor to their future success – superior customer service. As their reputation […]
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