Events

February 18, 2025 @ 1:00 pm — February 18 @ 3:45 pm

In February, 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 diversified technology leader. With a sharp focus on lean manufacturing and Industry 4.0 integration, FujiFilm highlighted how continuous improvement has kept them at the forefront of their industry.

January 22, 2025 @ 10:30 am — January 22 @ 11:30 am

In January, Jason Merschat, founder of Advanced Process Automation, led a thought-provoking webinar on the use of simulation to create effective Digital Twins for manufacturing operations. Jason, who partners with SCMEP to teach Lean Six Sigma classes and provide consulting services to manufacturers, shared his expertise in leveraging simulation techniques alongside Lean Six Sigma principles, positioning this approach as the next evolution of Lean Six Sigma.

January 14, 2025 @ 1:00 pm — January 14 @ 3:45 pm

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.

December 18, 2024

This webinar provides an overview of SCMEP’s Advanced Manufacturing Guide, available for download. It highlights how SCMEP supports manufacturers of all sizes in adopting technologies that reduce cost, improve quality, and enhance safety. Key focus areas include AI/ML, VR/AR, cybersecurity and CMMC, network penetration testing, digital twins, robotics and automation, and Power BI.

December 10, 2024

December 5, 2024

November 14, 2024

David Woods delivered a clear, practical introduction to Lean—covering its origins, the eight wastes, and core tools like 5S and standardized work. Drawing on his Toyota and Danaher experience, he emphasized one central message: Lean starts with people. SCMEP offers coaches and training to support any manufacturer beginning or advancing their Lean journey.

November 2, 2024

October 24, 2024

AS9100 Overview Webinar Stephen Deas, Process Improvement Coach for SCMEP, hosted an insightful webinar yesterday focused on AS9100. With extensive experience in helping South Carolina companies implement Quality Management Systems (QMS), Stephen provided a comprehensive, hour-long overview of this aerospace and defense industry standard. During the session, he compared and contrasted AS9100 with ISO 9001:2015 and outlined the key steps required to achieve AS9100 certification. Stephen also introduced a useful self-assessment QMS survey that participants can use to evaluate their current alignment with the seven quality management principles outlined in the AS9100 standard. Note that the self-assessment workbook is a good reference regardless of your industry or standard you ar using or pursuing. His presentation and self-assessment workbook are included as resources below.

September 29, 2024

Michelin opened its doors to OpExChange members for a rare look at how digital innovation is reshaping tire manufacturing. During a visit to the US7 plant in Lexington, teams from US5 and US7 showcased major projects—from Automated Guided Forklifts and augmented-reality work instructions to autonomous inspections performed by Spot, the robot dog. Members also toured the facility, witnessing production of some of the world’s largest tires. Beyond technology, Michelin highlighted its people-focused culture through the “Spark Team,” a design-thinking initiative that enhances the employee experience. The visit demonstrated how Michelin is blending advanced automation with deep workforce engagement to drive safety, quality, and continuous improvement.