SCMA and SCMEP make their de facto parternship an official one

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Two organizations dedicated to supporting and growing the manufacturing industry and assisting manufacturing companies in the state have entered a formal partnership.

The S.C. Manufacturers Alliance and the S.C. Manufacturing Extension Partnership have formalized their relationship after many years on working together on projects. A goal of the partnership is to collaborate formally on efforts to elevate industry and manufacturing statewide, according to a news release.

SCMA has works to ensure manufacturers have the right legislative climate and network to encourage growth and prosperity for the facilities operating in the state. SCMEP has a long history of providing a wide range of consulting and training services that helps small- to medium-sized manufacturers increase their competitiveness, the news release said.

A primary aim of the partnership will focus on increased promotion of the services the two organizations provide, ensuring more companies are able to access their support and, in the process, further strengthening the state’s overall manufacturing environment.

“The S.C. Manufacturers Alliance and our colleagues at the S.C. Manufacturing Extension Partnership have always worked toward the same goal — creating the most supportive manufacturing environment possible,” SCMA President and CEO Sara Hazzard said in the release. “By creating and committing to a more formal partnership, we will be better equipped to learn from each other, build on each other’s work and provide a comprehensive resource for manufacturing companies in our state.”

SCMEP is headquartered in Greenville and SCMA is based in Columbia, though each delivers services across the state.

“Our two organizations share a common vision, and our combined approach will help ensure manufacturers have the tools and environment they need to thrive,” SCMEP President and CEO Andy Carr said in the release. “This is an important development for our industry, and I’m excited to start working more closely with the passionate team at SCMA on behalf of manufacturers in South Carolina.”

SCMA is the only statewide organization dedicated exclusively to the interests of manufacturers. Its mission is to strengthen and advance S.C. manufacturing by advocating for members, fostering a world-class workforce and bringing together manufacturers to connect, share and solve industry challenges. The SCMA membership is comprised of more than 200 manufacturing companies that represent more than 100,000 associates in South Carolina.

SCMEP is a private, non-profit group that serves as a resource to manufacturing companies, providing them with a range of strategies and solutions. An affiliate of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, SCMEP operates under the U.S. Department of Commerce to promote innovation and industrial competitiveness.