142 stories
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 Technology (NIST) as a Hero of American Manufacturing. […]
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 this dynamic environment, IFA’s Charleston plant in Summerville […]
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 for this South Carolina manufacturing network that, for […]
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 undergone over the past several years, and how […]
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 terminal tractors—commonly referred to as yard trucks or […]
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 visits and workshops across the state. Their inaugural […]
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 from a traditional film photography company to a […]
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 collaboration. The visit was led by three seasoned […]
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 the state: achieving and sustaining high employee retention […]
AO Smith, a company with a rich history dating back to 1874, has been at the forefront of manufacturing and innovation. From their humble beginnings producing baby carriages to their critical role in World War II, supplying bomb casings, nose gears for B-25 bombers, propellers, and landing gear, AO Smith has consistently pushed the boundaries […]
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