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In Touch with Tennessee
In Touch with Tennessee
CONNEX Tennessee: Connecting Suppliers and Manufacturers
CIS Solutions Consultant Kevin Cooper and Dwaine Raper, CIS director of manufacturing extension discuss CONNEX Tennessee. CONNEX is a powerful online capabilities and connectivity platform that enables manufacturers to find additional suppliers or to become a supplier to others. This state-of-the-art platform is provided through the UT Center for Industrial Services’ Tennessee Manufacturing Extension Partnership in collaboration with the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry as a no-cost resource for Tennessee manufacturers.
Audio file
Transcript
00:00:03 Susan Robertson
When COVID-19 was declared a pandemic in March 2020, the world as we knew it changed.
00:00:10 Susan Robertson
It wasn't long before the word supply chain became a part of everyone's vocabulary.
00:00:16 Susan Robertson
Everything from toilet paper to personal protective equipment to frozen vegetables became scarce in our country.
00:00:22 Susan Robertson
Supply chain was called into question.
00:00:26 Susan Robertson
Because of many lessons learned, the manufacturing extension partnership is focused on growing the nation's database and suppliers.
00:00:34 Susan Robertson
Hi and welcome to In Touch with Tennessee, a podcast of the University of Tennessee Institute for Public Service.
00:00:43 Susan Robertson
CONNEX Tennessee is a powerful online capabilities and connectivity platform that enables manufacturers to find additional suppliers or become a supplier to others.
00:00:55 Susan Robertson
This state-of-the-art platform is provided through the UT Center for Industrial Services - Tennessee Manufacturing Extension Partnership.
00:01:03 Susan Robertson
In collaboration with the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry as a no cost resource for Tennessee manufacturers.
00:01:12 Susan Robertson
Whether you're a large OEM or small supplier, CONNEX Tennessee platform benefits you by combining Tennessee manufacturer and supplier data supplier.
00:01:23 Susan Robertson
Into a searchable scouting database to better connect manufacturers, provide supply chain visualizations and display workforce and R&D efforts within the region.
00:01:36 Susan Robertson
This platform will enable you to adapt more successfully to changing market demands.
00:01:41 Susan Robertson
Assess supply chain risks and new qualified suppliers and,
00:01:46 Susan Robertson
Contract opportunities to connect to state manufacturing resources and ultimately discover new business opportunities.
00:01:54 Susan Robertson
Joining us today to talk about CONNEX Tennessee are CIS Solutions Consultant Kevin Cooper.
00:02:01 Susan Robertson
And Dwaine Raper, CIS director of manufacturing extension.
00:02:06 Susan Robertson
Thank you both for joining us.
00:02:07 Susan Robertson
So let's talk about the supply chain.
00:02:09 Susan Robertson
Issues that became
00:02:11 Susan Robertson
evident to pretty much everyone during COVID
00:02:16 Kevin Cooper
Sure, and and thank you.
00:02:18 Kevin Cooper
I have been managing supply chains for a long time and I saw some new challenges with COVID.
00:02:25 Kevin Cooper
It started off as a demand disruption and then it quickly became a supply disruption.
00:02:30 Kevin Cooper
And typically when in supply chain we manage and and try to mitigate.
00:02:35 Kevin Cooper
Just the short-term supply disruptions that we see, but with COVID, we saw a change in consumer habits, and that stressed the already existing supply chains.
00:02:46 Kevin Cooper
Then to add insult to injury, along came the supply disruptions.
00:02:50 Kevin Cooper
Often due to things like labor shortages, and we saw these predominantly in industries like motor vehicles, recreational goods, furniture and appliances.
00:03:03 Kevin Cooper
Now with COVID, these supply and demand shifts were sustained and it's taking the supply chain a lot longer to respond to those.
00:03:10 Kevin Cooper
The main shares.
00:03:11 Kevin Cooper
In the past, we would see more regional disruptions of a very limited duration and it really would only temporarily affect our lives.
00:03:22 Kevin Cooper
But COVID it has been sustained and we're still seeing a lot of it, you know, three years after it's begun.
00:03:29 Kevin Cooper
It's a lot of fun to beat up supply chains and and we've seen that on the media, but they're designed to meet an anticipated demand and they're also often enough factoring in things like minimize cost and adaptability to the change and how well companies
00:03:49 Kevin Cooper
During the COVID pandemic is a function of how well they designed their supply chain for this adaptability.
00:03:56 Kevin Cooper
Now companies that didn't do so well, they're revisiting their priorities and asking how they can be more flexible within change.
00:04:07 Susan Robertson
So that's what our next comes in on this particular podcast.
00:04:12 Susan Robertson
Anyway, talk about the formation of the CONNEX platform.
00:04:17 Kevin Cooper
Well, actually CONNEX started in 2017 in Utah and the objective was to connect
00:04:25 Kevin Cooper
Local manufacturers and to strengthen the state economy.
00:04:30 Kevin Cooper
And it worked.
00:04:31 Kevin Cooper
You know, actually the success of the platform in Utah, the decision to launch the platform nationwide began.
00:04:40 Kevin Cooper
And they've since partnered with about 20 states.
00:04:43 Kevin Cooper
We're on track to have the majority of the US on board by the end of the year.
00:04:47 Kevin Cooper
Now Tennessee implemented a connection in
00:04:49 Kevin Cooper
June of 2022. So we have almost a year under our belt and we're becoming more effective every day.
00:04:57 Susan Robertson
Explain how the platform works.
00:05:00 Kevin Cooper
Well, it's a national manufacturing database of about well actually of over 140,000 US manufacturers and suppliers. Tennessee represents about 7,100 manufacturers and within this platform a user can perform
00:05:21 Kevin Cooper
an in-depth search.
00:05:22 Kevin Cooper
It's based on any desired production capability that they are looking for.
00:05:28 Kevin Cooper
Specific processes certifications, materials that they're accustomed to working with industry sectors and a number of other criteria that they know may be relevant for the search.
00:05:42 Kevin Cooper
And I like to
00:05:43 Kevin Cooper
I do work with the companies in building their profile, and when I'm doing this.
00:05:47 Kevin Cooper
Wanting them to be as complete.
00:05:50 Kevin Cooper
And specific as possible so that they have the highest possible chance to be found in the search as a potential supplier.
00:05:59 Kevin Cooper
The buyers and sellers can connect directly through the platform, so there's no middleman or anonymous brokerage listing.
00:06:08 Kevin Cooper
And heck, I'm not even involved in some of these
00:06:11 Kevin Cooper
Connections.
00:06:12 Kevin Cooper
And the the search process can either be active through the marketplace exchange and the marketplace exchange is an area where you can post and respond to your request for information, request for quotes, or the process can be passive.
00:06:33 Kevin Cooper
And that's by having a complete company profile so that when someone is looking for the the processes that you provide that you'll appear in that search.
00:06:47 Kevin Cooper
There is one thing it does.
00:06:50 Kevin Cooper
It does also allow it to visualize your supply chain, and by doing that you can identify and remediate any weaknesses.
00:06:58 Kevin Cooper
So this would have been particularly handy during COVID.
00:07:02 Kevin Cooper
It actually would have been handy to have before COVID.
00:07:05 Kevin Cooper
So that they could anticipate those weaknesses before they occur.
00:07:10 Kevin Cooper
And the reason that is so important is that it will better prepare you.
00:07:14 Kevin Cooper
For the next disruption now, even though we're not out of COVID yet, something else is coming.
00:07:20 Kevin Cooper
We don't, you know, because it always has.
00:07:23 Kevin Cooper
We don't know what it looks like.
00:07:25 Kevin Cooper
We don't know whether it's going to be a weather or any other type of event, but it's coming.
00:07:32 Kevin Cooper
So, we need to be looking at our supply chain.
00:07:34 Kevin Cooper
And be as adaptive as possible.
00:07:40 Susan Robertson
You mentioned that this is nationwide.
00:07:46 Susan Robertson
So anyone from across the country could find a Tennessee supplier.
00:07:54 Dwaine Raper
Can can I?
00:07:55 Dwaine Raper
This is Dwaine and I'd like to to talk about that just a little bit.
00:08:00 Dwaine Raper
Kevin mentioned the connectivity with
00:08:04 Dwaine Raper
Other states we call it CONNEX Tennessee and we would like to bring all the opportunities and help companies make connections here Tennessee but sometimes those needs go beyond the state borders.
00:08:23 Dwaine Raper
So that you know during COVID there became a
00:08:28 Dwaine Raper
A real need for certain items like respirators
00:08:37 Dwaine Raper
And those kind of devices, medical devices that were primarily.
00:08:46 Dwaine Raper
So there were, you know, the MEP network worked together to find companies small and large alongside the government to find companies small and large
00:09:01 Dwaine Raper
to be able to respond to the need for for those devices, so.
00:09:07 Dwaine Raper
we know that working together across the nation, we can.
00:09:12 Dwaine Raper
Be really powerful.
00:09:13 Dwaine Raper
Well, so this and we started hearing the words national supply chain database as something that's needed in the media and by the and by the political network.
00:09:29 Dwaine Raper
So this CONNEX platform.
00:09:35 Dwaine Raper
In conjunction with the other states that have CONNEX really.
00:09:40 Dwaine Raper
Begins to put together a national supply chain database.
00:09:46 Susan Robertson
So talk a little bit about how this helps the Tennessee manufacturers?
00:09:54 Susan Robertson
What benefits do they?
00:09:55 Susan Robertson
See out of
00:09:56 Susan Robertson
Being listed in CONNEX
00:09:58 Kevin Cooper
Yeah, I actually that answer that question is a direct follow on Dwaine’s comment. Because CONNEX is the only dedicated tool to help Tennessee manufacturers find their additional suppliers or to become a supplier
00:10:12 Kevin Cooper
Are of others, and when you know we do mention that it is a Tennessee tool.
00:10:19 Kevin Cooper
But as Dwaine mentioned, it does have a a national reach and the objective of this
00:10:27 Kevin Cooper
is often to find a more local supplier because these long lead times and long supply chains really.
00:10:37 Kevin Cooper
Give us a lot of trouble when we're trying to respond to some type of disruption.
00:10:42 Kevin Cooper
So when you look at this database that Dwaine did mention, it includes neighboring states like Mississippi, Alabama, Kentucky and we have relationships with South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Arkansas.
00:10:57 Kevin Cooper
And then we can cast the the net further and the reason I bring that up is it's really in your best interest to have your supplier as local as possible.
00:11:09 Kevin Cooper
And you know, that may cross the Tennessee line, which is fine, but we do want them as they, as you know, close geographically as we can do.
00:11:19 Kevin Cooper
So this gives you visibility into who is out there and helps them participate within your supply chain issues.
00:11:28 Kevin Cooper
Now it also helps.
00:11:30 Kevin Cooper
But I'll just mention that it helps Tennessee manufacturers find the more local suppliers and that may be within the state.
00:11:38 Kevin Cooper
It may be within the national network, but it gives the the visibility now by having that shorter supply chain or how the supply.
00:11:48 Kevin Cooper
Or closer to you, you're going to be far more responsive to any disruptions that do occur.
00:11:54 Kevin Cooper
So that's you know that is a great tool to mitigate the impact of any of these disruptions.
00:12:03 Kevin Cooper
Now, if you're a manufacturer, well, so far we've been talking about the supply side and the supplier base, but it's not just about that.
00:12:12 Kevin Cooper
If you're a manufacturer and you're wanting to go after more business CONNEX is the tool to help you get the word out not only of your interest, but it.
00:12:22 Kevin Cooper
Allows you to clearly communicate what your manufacturing capabilities are, and you could do that in very specific terms.
00:12:31 Kevin Cooper
And my elevator speech when I'm describing CONNEX is that it helps you either find suppliers or to be found as a supplier and.
00:12:43 Kevin Cooper
That's it in a nutshell now.
00:12:46 Kevin Cooper
I would love to tell you that there's an easy button and you just claim your profile and all this happens, but it's kind of like a gym membership in that it requires you to put in a little effort on your part.
00:12:58 Kevin Cooper
Yeah, you have to visit the platform on some regularity to participate in the opportunities that are being discussed.
00:13:06 Kevin Cooper
And you just need to really be part of that conversation and then you will see that opportunity and you'll realize the benefit from CONNEX
00:13:16 Susan Robertson
Right.
00:13:17 Susan Robertson
And, you know, before you said that, I was thinking, you know, we have quite a few large.
00:13:23 Susan Robertson
Auto manufacturers here in Tennessee,
00:13:27 Susan Robertson
They have their suppliers, but at the same time they're constantly looking for additional suppliers.
00:13:34 Kevin Cooper
And I I tell you, the automotive industry is so strong in Tennessee and we have relationships with neighboring states who are on CONNEX
00:13:44 Kevin Cooper
So I only see a growth in collaboration within the auto industry, not only within the state, but with neighboring states.
00:13:52 Kevin Cooper
So they're going to be some good things to come.
00:13:54 Kevin Cooper
Within that industry segment, as well as some others.
00:13:57 Dwaine Raper
I'll also say that the
00:13:59 Dwaine Raper
Automotive industry is going through.
00:14:04 Dwaine Raper
A generational shift to the to the EV market in Tennessee is a really, really strong player and recruiting electric vehicle component manufacturers.
00:14:22 Dwaine Raper
And electric vehicle companies.
00:14:26 Dwaine Raper
So there's a transition that's happening in this supply chain.
00:14:31 Dwaine Raper
And I think that CONNEX Tennessee could be a really strong , it could help companies to quickly identify.
00:14:42 Dwaine Raper
The suppliers that they need that are alternate suppliers to.
00:14:48 Dwaine Raper
To conventional internal combustion vehicle components.
00:14:54 Susan Robertson
How does a company sign up for a CONNEX Tennessee account?
00:14:58 Kevin Cooper
There are so many ways to sign up.
00:15:01 Kevin Cooper
It almost make your head hurt.
00:15:03 Kevin Cooper
Probably the most direct way is to go to.
00:15:08 Kevin Cooper
The CIS Tennessee website and just search for CONNEX Tennessee and that will appear and it will guide you through the process and and by going in and and claiming your profile.
00:15:24 Kevin Cooper
I'll get an e-mail from this and then you'll hear back from me and I'll start a conversation.
00:15:29 Kevin Cooper
To find out exactly.
00:15:30 Kevin Cooper
What you're looking for in the system, and how that we can best.
00:15:34 Kevin Cooper
Another way is to contact your local University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Service Solutions consultant.
00:15:42 Kevin Cooper
Every region has got one and it's a good chance that you already have had conversations with that individual.
00:15:49 Kevin Cooper
Just let them know what you want to do and they will take good care of you.
00:15:53 Susan Robertson
OK.
00:15:54 Kevin Cooper
We also have, oh, I'm not done. We've got more. You could contact me directly at kevin.cooper@tennessee.edu.
00:16:03 Kevin Cooper
You and the last option is just Google CONNEX Tennessee.
00:16:09 Kevin Cooper
We're going to up here at the top of the search and then from there it will navigate you through and getting your profile.
00:16:17 Kevin Cooper
OK, I'm done now.
00:16:18 Susan Robertson
That's OK, that's OK.
00:16:21 Susan Robertson
Any last words on CONNEX Tennessee that you want to share with any of the companies that you know may still be on the fence about signing up?
00:16:30 Kevin Cooper
Dwaine you got any ideas or?
00:16:34 Kevin Cooper
Me to take this.
00:16:34 Dwaine Raper
Well, I think it's a great opportunity for companies to.
00:16:39 Dwaine Raper
You, you know, as they maybe are reshoring.
00:16:46 Dwaine Raper
Components from suppliers that they've had difficulty getting delivery from or what we hear of companies bringing complete supply chains back to the US whenever.
00:17:03 Dwaine Raper
Or or if there's an industry shift and you find yourself looking for new suppliers, then CONNEX is a it's almost like a fast lane to help you get a quick list of.
00:17:22 Dwaine Raper
Suppliers that have the exact qualifications that you're looking for.
00:17:27 Dwaine Raper
So I think it's a great opportunity for companies to take advantage of.
00:17:36 Kevin Cooper
And Susan, I I would like to add on to what Dwaine said.
00:17:41 Kevin Cooper
Is is the scale.
00:17:43 Kevin Cooper
Is particularly important here because companies that could benefit from CONNEX could be, you know, some of the largest chemical or automotive manufacturers in the state, but also the small to mid-size manufacturers can benefit.
00:18:01 Kevin Cooper
Just as much and it can be just as transforming for their business because they don't have the infrastructure.
00:18:08 Kevin Cooper
When it comes to modifying their supply chain, it can be an overwhelming task.
00:18:13 Kevin Cooper
So this is just one of those.
00:18:15 Kevin Cooper
Those great tools that are available for the small manufacturers to help them resolve any issues that they're going to have or currently have and and it's just so simple.
00:18:28 Kevin Cooper
And so straightforward.
00:18:29 Kevin Cooper
And they're going to have all the assistance that they need to make that happen.
00:18:35 Kevin Cooper
So I I love the scale in that it helps out the small, small manufacturers as well.
00:18:43 Susan Robertson
Well, thank you both for joining us today.
00:18:45 Susan Robertson
This has been very informative.
00:18:48 Kevin Cooper
Oh, thank you.
00:18:50 Susan Robertson
Thank you, listeners.
00:18:51 Susan Robertson
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