RIDGEWAY, SC — BOMAG Americas, in partnership with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), recently welcomed South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster to their North American headquarters. The governor was on hand to launch CONNEX South Carolina, a manufacturing supply chain solution connecting manufacturers, like BOMAG, to component suppliers across the state. The online platform will be made available to manufacturers through the South Carolina Department of Commerce, South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance, and the South Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership.

BOMAG, a compaction and road building equipment company, employs over 180 employees in their 140,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Ridgeway, South Carolina. Equipment manufacturers support more than 35,000 family-sustaining jobs in South Carolina, ranking the state 19th in the nation in terms of total jobs for the industry.

“It was an honor to host Governor McMaster at BOMAG Americas for the launch of CONNEX South Carolina. BOMAG is proud to deliver state-of-the-art roadbuilding equipment to pave the way for more efficient and safer roads, bridges, and highways,” said Brian Bieller, President, BOMAG Americas. “This 21st century supply chain solution will help address deficiencies and speed up production timelines. BOMAG’s 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. I thank Governor McMaster for his innovative solution to address manufacturing challenges, while allowing BOMAG to further its investment in the South Carolina economy through a local supply chain.”

"South Carolina is recognized around the world as a manufacturing state, therefore, we must do all we can to provide our manufacturing industry with the advantages and resources needed to continue to build upon our sterling reputation," McMaster said. "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."

“We are pleased to see South Carolina leading the way in providing innovative solutions to the supply chain challenges facing equipment manufacturers,” said Kip Eideberg, Senior Vice President of Government and Industry Relations for AEM. “We commend Governor McMaster for his decisive efforts to support and strengthen the men and women who build equipment in the Lowcountry, bolstering manufacturing competitiveness and driving economic growth in South Carolina. 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.”

In a recent survey conducted by AEM, nearly 98% of equipment manufacturers reported that they were still experiencing supply chain problems, partly due to the shortages and supply chain disruptions caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic. More than three years later, equipment manufacturers continue to advocate for policies that will strengthen and safeguard supply chains, bolster American manufacturing, and level the playing field for American companies competing in overseas markets.