The Manufacturing Technology Series SOUTHEAST supports a rapidly growing manufacturing sector in South Carolina. According to the National Association of Manufacturers, manufacturing in South Carolina comprises 13.3% of the state’s gross domestic product (GDP) and the state supports a manufacturing workforce of 263,000.
South Carolina’s robust manufacturing industry is supported by an extensive ecosystem of educational institutions and organizations in the state. At the Manufacturing Technology Series SOUTHEAST, this industrial ecosystem is brought together to celebrate and advance the state’s thriving manufacturing sector.
Taking place in Greenville, South Carolina, from Oct. 21-23, 2025, this event features SOUTHTEC and the Smart Manufacturing Experience, among other showcases. With a wide range of manufacturing knowledge and technology, the Manufacturing Technology Series SOUTHEAST caters to each industrial facet in the region.
South Carolina Manufacturing: Education, Employment, Partnerships
The booming industrial sector in South Carolina marks the state and the greater Southeast region as a vital area for advancing manufacturing in the United States. It’s not luck that has led to this success, but rather a dedicated effort in South Carolina to broaden the state’s manufacturing industry.
Education
Part of this effort comes from technical colleges and programs in the region that have created manufacturing training and classes. One example is Greenville Technical College (GTC), which offers training programs for several different manufacturing areas, including CNC machine operation, welding, and mechatronics. Enrollees receive certifications in these areas and can often also work for a manufacturing company in the region while completing these programs.
For those looking for further education in manufacturing, GTC also offers two-year associate degrees in mechanical engineering, engineering design, and electronics engineering. Additionally, GTC offers the option of an applied bachelor’s degree in advanced manufacturing technology. GTC has a booth at the Manufacturing Technology Series SOUTHEAST where attendees can learn more about the college’s education offerings and about its opportunities for collaboration with local manufacturing companies.
Aside from GTC, several other of the region’s educational institutions offer training and degree programs in manufacturing. These include Aiken Technical College's advanced manufacturing certification, the University of South Carolina’s manufacturing leadership program, and Piedmont Technical College’s South Carolina Manufacturing Certification, to name a few.
Employment
With such a wide breadth of manufacturing education opportunities in the state, it’s no wonder that South Carolina has averaged more than 17% growth in manufacturing employment over the last decade. This growth includes the announcements of over 60,000 new manufacturing jobs between 2017 and 2023, and of more than 65 planned manufacturing company expansions in 2022 and 2023. These developments have contributed to the increase in South Carolina’s manufacturing workforce, which makes up nearly 14% of the state’s private sector workers.
South Carolina has a long and varied history of manufacturing success, dating from its beginnings in textile manufacturing through a boom in machinery manufacturing in the early 2000s. The state now boasts a much more advanced, diversified industrial sector. Automotive, chemicals, electronics, and appliances are a few of the notable manufacturing industries dominating South Carolina’s economy.
The growing industrial sector has led South Carolina to become known as a leader in manufacturing. In addition to high employment numbers and investment in manufacturing expansion, South Carolina reported $36.4 billion worth of exported goods in 2023. Top export destinations for the state’s products include Germany, Canada, China, Mexico, and Belgium. Among many exported products, South Carolina leads the nation in passenger vehicle export sales.
Manufacturing Partnerships and Alliances
A manufacturing sector as extensive as South Carolina’s requires investment and commitment to maintain and grow. Organizations dedicated to advancing manufacturing are important to ensure the industry is prioritized by all levels of government.
Two national organizations — SME, formerly the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, and AMT, the Association for Manufacturing Technology — manage the Manufacturing Technology Series, including the SOUTHEAST event. Regional organizations are also dedicated to growing manufacturing within this area. South Carolina has a few statewide manufacturing associations.
One of these, the South Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (SCMEP), will also be participating in the Manufacturing Technology Series SOUTHEAST. SCMEP serves as a resource to assist South Carolina manufacturers with competitiveness, performance, and profitability.
By offering consulting as well as training and development services to manufacturers in the state, SCMEP helps to ensure that South Carolina’s industrial economy is flourishing. Other state organizations, like the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance, also help achieve this goal.
Contributing to South Carolina Manufacturing at the Manufacturing Technology Series SOUTHEAST
The Manufacturing Technology Series SOUTHEAST is a three-day in-person event that promotes face-to-face connections between manufacturers and industry professionals in the Southeast region of the country. This event brings together the full manufacturing ecosystem in South Carolina and surrounding states.
Aside from offering the opportunity to build and strengthen business relationships, the SOUTHEAST event has helped manufacturers find solutions to their most challenging issues for over 35 years. Not only is the expo a place for South Carolina manufacturing to converge, it also aids the region’s manufacturing growth and competitiveness.
Attendees have the opportunity to see new products, learn from industry experts during keynotes and panel discussions, and explore the latest in advanced manufacturing technologies. Exhibitors can easily meet new prospects who influence purchasing decisions at their companies and have large equipment budgets to work with.
These meaningful interactions help manufacturing companies continue to thrive in the Southeast, ensuring the industry stays on an upward trajectory in the region. In-person conversations and relationships within the industrial sector are necessary to combat industry issues and provide a framework for manufacturing success.
Attending the Manufacturing Technology Series SOUTHEAST
The South Carolina manufacturing sector continues to expand and shows no signs of slowing down. Crucial to maintaining this growth are the region’s many manufacturing educational opportunities, varied industrial jobs, and several industry organizations.
While the SOUTHEAST expo brings this region’s industrial sector together, it is not the only regional event advancing manufacturing in the United States. The overarching Manufacturing Technology Series consists of four events — EAST, WEST, SOUTHEAST, and SOUTHWEST.
Each of these events connects national and regional manufacturing companies with industry professionals to establish a thriving manufacturing ecosystem throughout the country. For decades, this series of events has helped manufacturers overcome industry challenges, remain competitive, and grow their business.
In-person events are the only manufacturing events that allow you to experience dozens of new technologies and meet face-to-face with a myriad of exhibitors within the span of a week. If you’re a manufacturer in the Southeast U.S., make sure to register to attend our SOUTHEAST event.