Equipment Manufacturers Welcome SC Governor to BOMAG Americas

Published: 11/9, 2023

BOMAG Americas, in partnership with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), recently welcomed South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster to its 140,000 ft2 (13,000 m2) North American headquarters and manufacturing facility in Ridgeway, S.C. The Governor was on hand to launch CONNEX South Carolina, an online manufacturing supply chain solution connecting manufacturer to component suppliers across the state.

A recent AEM survey found that nearly 98 percent of equipment manufacturers were still experiencing supply chain problems, due in part to disruptions caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic. That makes CONNEX South Carolina particularly valuable to the state’s equipment manufacturers, which support more than 35,000 jobs, placing it 9th in the nation in terms of total jobs for the industry.

“This 21st century supply chain solution will help address deficiencies and speed up production timelines,” said BOMAG Americas president Brian Bieller, President. “Our operations are supported by a global supply chain, but manufacturers must be agile and ready to pivot when facing shipping constraints, workforce shortages, or other delays that impact our component and parts inventory.”

Gov. McMaster said the state must provide the industry with the advantages and resources needed to remain competitive.

“With Connex South Carolina, we will be able to provide equipment manufacturing companies like BOMAG Americas with the tools needed to optimize efficiency and ultimately help drive South Carolina’s economy to even greater heights,” McMaster added.

Kip Eideberg, AEM’s senior vice president of government and industry relations, praised efforts to support and strengthen people who build equipment in South Carolina’s Lowcountry region. “AEM looks forward to supporting CONNEX South Carolina and Governor McMaster’s work to help build a reliable and resilient supply chain that ensures the continued success of equipment manufacturers.”

CONNEX South Carolina will be made available to manufacturers through the state Department of Commerce, South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance, and the South Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership.