OpExChange

OpExChange – 2022 Review and Awards

The annual year-end review and awards ceremony for the OpExChange was held in early December. Mike Demos, coordinator for this collaborative group of manufacturers in South Carolina, led this virtual event with participating companies from across the state. Mike began this session by announcing that this is…


Automation and Robotics at Campbells Snacks Bakery

The last OpExChange plant visit of 2022 definitely did not disappoint the attendees from across South Carolina. This was held at Campbell’s Snacks just over the border in Charlotte, NC. Not only were the participants able to sample some of the most popular snack foods in the…


Contract Workforce Strategic Advice

Finding, training, and retaining employees is probably the hottest topic among manufacturers and distributors in South Carolina. At most OpExChange plant visits this year, this is raised as the most crucial problem manufacturers are facing. Many companies are turning to workforce solution providers to help in various…


Lean Logistics: Making Material Flow

The OpExChange virtual event on October 18, 2022, “Lean Logistics: Making Material Flow” had the highest attendance this year and the second highest of all time. A total of 91 participants from 42 organizations joined this broadcast. Justin Goethe, President of Allied Logistics, presented on the importance…


OpExChange Companies Win 2022 Manufacturing Excellence Awards

At the South Carolina Manufacturing and Expo in early November 2022, the awards ceremony celebrated the success of several organizations across South Carolina. The SCMEP Manufacturing Excellence awards were presented to companies demonstrating outstanding superiority in improving their operational performance, the lives and well-being of their employees,…


A Small Business Success Story in SC
Phoenix Specialty Manufacturing

Phoenix Specialty Manufacturing is a job shop located in Bamberg County, South Carolina. Although located in a rural setting, they have a tremendous success story with a bright future. They are a fourth-generation, family-owned business with an extremely loyal workforce and low turnover. In their state-of-the-art facility,…


Press Release: The OpExChange Adds Six New Board Members

The OpExChange is pleased to announce the addition of six new members to its Advisory Board: Amy Williams, Joseph Stanford, John Leek, Blake Leaphart, Andrew Klein, and Sparky Avant. “I am so pumped about the recent additions to the OpExChange Board,” OpExChange Coordinator Mike Demos said. “The…


Digital Transformation – Are You Ready?

We have heard this for several years now – “The fourth industrial revolution is upon us!”  In the last two years in the OpExChange, plant visits and presentations showcased successful implementation of some of the industry 4.0 tools achieving great success. Shaw Industries showed how they are…



OpExChange Event – John Maxwell Leadership Game

In July, the OpExChange held one of the most engaging and interactive events of the year! Chris Stoecklein, CEO of Stoecklein Consulting and Executive Director of the John Maxwell team, led several participants from OpExChange companies through the John Maxwell Leadership Game. This game is a fun…