In the past two years, there has been a huge influx of interest in manufacturing expansion opportunities in South Carolina – not only for existing industries but also for new companies that do not have operations in the state. It seems that every day there is a…
Industry 4.0 is transforming the manufacturing industry at a remarkable rate, and South Carolina manufacturers are being faced with decisions on how and where to get started. Opinions vary on the best approach to begin, but there is general consensus – all manufacturers should get started ……
Dish Network in Spartanburg has been an active and contributing member of the OpExChange for over fifteen years. Through the years, they hosted numerous plant visits highlighting progression on their lean and operational excellence journey. They developed their own in-house lean six-sigma belt program and educated their…
Most manufacturing organizations have a strategic plan – a set of goals and actions essential to achieve those goals. These typically span a three-to-five-year period. Plant managers and directors periodically review and update the “Strat Plan” to confirm the company is on the right path. The goals…
Why did thirty-five manufacturing and distribution folks travel to a cow pasture in Abbeville? It may sound like a lead-in to a “Dad” joke, but this happened at the OpExChange plant visit to Stoll Industries last week. Although this site is not ideally located for a factory…
Lifetime Carbon Neutral A company’s carbon “footprint” is the impression that it leaves behind – the legacy of its impact on the environment. Achieving carbon neutrality is an active goal for most manufacturers. Corporate leadership realizes that it is not only the right thing to do for…
Twenty-Two years without a lost-time accident. Six-and-a-half million safe hours worked. These are some of the accolades for the AFL Accessories plant in Duncan, South Carolina. What makes this particularly impressive is the nature of work performed at this facility. Eric Borowicz, general manager of the 150K…
Most manufacturing companies care about their employees. Their leadership realize that an engaged workforce is fundamental to achieving their objectives whether those goals are operational, technical, financial, or societal. This essential engagement has been particularly evident during the recent workforce crisis. Manufacturers with an engaged workforce have…
The Fourth Industrial Revolution is progressing rapidly. Manufacturing companies are incorporating new technologies involving robotics, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality, just to name a few. There is a heightened sense of urgency for companies to get on board or be left behind. Most South Carolina manufacturers already…
Labor Shortage – What do we do? The current workforce labor shortage is pervasive. From recruitment to retention, from basic skills training to leadership development, workforce development has never been more challenging. Potential candidates “ghost” scheduled interviews and new hires do not show up after a lunch…