[00:00:05] It’s time for Supply Chain Now Radio. Broadcasting live from the Supply chain capital of the country, Atlanta, Georgia. Supply Chain Now Radio spotlights the best in all things supply chain the people, the technology’s the best practices and the critical issues of the day. And now here are your hosts.

[00:00:29] Hey, good morning. Scott Luton here with you once again live on Supply Chain Now Radio. Welcome back to the show. We’re just about to be wrapping up our coverage here.

[00:00:38] We’ve been covering the AIAG SCAC Supply chain and Quality Conference in beautiful North Charleston, South Carolina. This conference has been dedicated to the World Automotive. And we really enjoyed interviewing many of the leading industry thought leaders that have been participating. We’re quite big thanks to our conference broadcast sponsor the Effective syndicate for making our coverage possible. The EFFECTIVE SYNDICATE helps companies win by optimizing process and developing winning culture as you can learn more at the effective syndicate dot com. Well, a quick programming note. Like all of our series on Supply Chain Now Radio, you can find our replays on a wide variety of channels Apple podcasts, SoundCloud, Spotify, YouTube, wherever else you find your podcast. As always, we would love to have you subscribe so you don’t missing thing. So let’s welcome in my esteemed co-host here today, Mr. Greg White, a regular co-host here at Supply Chain Now Radio, a serial supply chain tech entrepreneur and a trusted advisor. Greg, how you doing?

[00:01:37] I’m doing very regular. Thank you, Scott.

[00:01:41] Great. Actually, this has been a great couple of days. This has been a wonderful boon.

[00:01:47] We’ve been talking to some really interesting folks. Topics, passionate, passionate folks. And we’re gonna continue with this.

[00:01:52] This episode here we take actually the wall to see what we can get out of somebody from the Department of Commerce.

[00:01:58] Well, you know, as we’re Gates just her in just a second. But they’re busy. They’re busy making things. That’s right. And there’s growing healthy state. We’ve got to get we got to hurry. We’ve got to get her home. That’s right. That’s right. Sorry.

[00:02:12] Maybe she has been set.

[00:02:15] But Gruver, real quick. Erle, co-host, founder, president of the Effective syndicate, co-host of our successful Leadership Matters series here on Supply Chain Now Radio. Bo, how you doing? Good morning. I’m doing just right. Fantastic. I’ve really enjoyed last couple days with you and Alex is also on the team. And we’re gonna be chopping up a lot of content as we hit home in the weeks come. So all that said, this was welcome in this episode featured guests. We are really excited to have Ashely Teasdel, director of business services with the Southland Department of Commerce. Ashley, how you doing? Doing great. Fantastic. Well, as you mentioned, you’ve been on the road all week. You know, there’s no shortage of activity taking place in this state. And you know, the of the numerous russe ingredients that go into that. Clearly, that the state teams in busy making it happen. Yeah. Oh, yeah. All the time. Now we’re gonna talk more about the South Carolina Department of Commerce and your role, what you do. But tell us first tell us about yourself and your journey to your current role.

[00:03:16] Absolutely. So I’m Ashely Teasdel as you say it, the director of business services for South Carolina Department of Commerce. A little bit of background about me. My journey started in the financial services industry, in banking, started out with BB&T and that was looking back on those years was really the building blocks for where I am now. So starting now in your local branch, really helping customers more on the retail side was able to and was blessed to go to the leadership development program that they have in Western Salem, North Carolina. And that’s where you really started learning more, not only about the retail side, but the commercial side, how to really help a client. What is it that businesses are looking for? And that was a six month program, came back to Columbia and started managing my first branch from there. That’s when I started my love for small business. Understanding their needs. Understand, understanding what are those right. Probing questions to ask and helping them on all areas of deposits, loans, investments, employee benefits, cash management, merchant services, all those things. And that’s where a lot of this skill set in that love of finding out what are the gaps, what’s keeping them up at night, how can we help you? How can we fill those those interests with the right resources to be able to help them? So I ended up being a small business advisor, which grew into a small business commercial loan officer. Still at the bank. Still at the bank. I was there for nine years. An opportunity with Department of Commerce came up, they were looking for small business manager to manage more to small business efforts on on a statewide level, taught them my husband taught my parents, prayed about it and lo and behold ended up getting their opportunity. And that started the journey in government, in economic development, which I really didn’t know what that was.

[00:05:23] That makes that makes me. Yeah.

[00:05:26] So I never asked again. Sorry. So from there it is just grown from small business to now supporting all of the business services efforts. So I oversee five programs that support our small business and assistant industry. I have program managers that manage the execution of these strategies, so I’m overseeing that. We have five programs. One is small business helping us small businesses start up and grow. We can I. Yes, absolutely. Sure.

[00:06:00] So I don’t know about y’all, but when I hear the passion you just share and in here heard what you love to do.

[00:06:08] We need a lot more Ashlee’s in working in our in our government at all levels. I mean, what do you hear what she talked about? I love small business. I love being a resource.

[00:06:17] I think what’s really interesting is that that you recognize that passion and you are able to leverage it Lu from the bank to the state. Right. I mean, I think that’s really morphed somewhat. Yeah. Businesses can benefit. Yeah. Right. Yeah. Really.

[00:06:31] So now let’s talk about the fab programs. The first one, as you were saying before I rudely interrupted News-Wall.

[00:06:37] That’s fine. Yeah. Small business program that’s there to support your startups. And you know, your one, two, three year small businesses that maybe at the stage of I have an idea or they’re trying to get more business. How can I commit one thing that we realize with businesses across the state? They’re really, really good at what they do, but they really struggle with understanding the ecosystem in the state. And I know I have this issue, but I don’t know where to go to solve it. So we are there, problem solvers. The second program is our resistent industry program, where we support the existing manufacturers here in the State Department of Commerce. Of course, you know, we have a global development team that’s made up of our project managers, their recruiting industry here. But it is our job to help keep them here in this the same model. You know, how can we keep you here? What is going on? What can we connect to to solve some of those issues? Third program, we have a recycling market development program which helps our companies with their waste stream needs. Understanding the recycling supply chain to where you may have waste or product that’s just sitting there. How can we get that back into the supply chain? Get that over to some type of recycler or a supplier that can make that into another in product. Very robust recycling market development team. We hear all the time across the U.S. how our team at Commerce is the model for what’s going on to support recycling, recycling issues or opportunities going on in the state. We have a fourth program called Supplier Outreach, and our supplier outreach is there to support. Our existing supply chains are small and mid-size companies that are looking to do business with some of your larger your Volvos, your BMW, maybe your bowling.

[00:08:32] So we will put on B-to-B to where we will have these companies meeting with your larger OEMs into your ones to talk about what a mark. What am I capabilities? How can I solve some of the issues that you’re having? I would like to be a supplier, which you and I do, X, Y and Z innovatively. This can be janitorial. This can be events management. This can be a company that makes a widget that goes on a in product. But we do a lot of connecting through our supplier outreach and a lot of our OEM, the Tier 1s lean on Earth for support. And they will reach out and say, hey, we’re looking for it. Can you help us find a supplier or we’re looking for a supplier that’s a woman known or minority-owned. Can you help us find this? So we provide a lot of support on both ends. Lastly, the fifth program, which is evolving but is becoming something that we cannot ignore, is I Emergency Management program. A lot of people don’t know that we are responsible for the ESF 24 function whenever the state has a natural disaster. So we’re in charge of business response and recovery to help get our businesses back on their feet because you know, when we have a storm, it disrupts everything from moving product to our ports to Logistics to the interstates. Then they’re losing money, they’re getting flooded, they have damage. So how can we help support that and meet their needs? So as you can see, we we have a lot going on. In our division, yes, sir.

[00:10:02] Your third program we mentioned the recycling Maureen, I think a lot of our folks that listen are familiar with some of the changes made with some of the overseas countries and what they’re accepting. And that has had a serious ripple effect throughout Supply chain and caused a new sense of urgency. It seems like on how we can manage our waste and when we really have to figure out new ways. So are you all is that a busy, busy program?

[00:10:28] It is a very busy program because we are having to make that shift to have our companies think about regional more local suppliers. And we need to be preparing now on how to how to manage our own waste strength, because if we’re not able to send it to Thailand and to here and sit there, then we need to be able to manage that at home. Yeah. So how do we do that? Through local partners, the regional partners to other states. But that debt is a big piece of what they’re doing.

[00:10:59] And a big part of that, from what I understand and talk with some folks in the recycling industry, is is educating producers and manufacturers Ω Ω new ways of recycling, things that may didn’t exist just six months ago. That’s two years ago. And making them aware and aware of the folks that can take it and how that that facilitates, you know, because of these changes overseas. There was a city up in northeastern rudeness, one article about Greene Supply chain and without naming names, they for years were sending their waste overseas. And of course, that changed. So they began sending it to a domestic processor. And at the beginning of 2018, I want to say it was let’s just use round numbers. They were getting paid $5 or $10 per per ton of waste right by the processor. And as they were renegotiating that contract in the twenty nineteen, the rates were they were they were going to have to pay this up. The the taker one hundred one hundred twenty dollars per time. So not only had it shifted dramatically to where you know it’s not going to be a revenue stream but it was going to be a significant new burden, a burden on the business. So we’re going to have to get more creative. But I think one of the things that requires is we interviewed a car with Volvo Cars USA yesterday afternoon and they’ve got a big, big Harry iDesk audacious goal as relates to recycled plastics. Right. About 25 percent of all their plastics they’re gonna make recycled by just a few years from now. And that shit, while I’m sure that puts a big burden on finding suppliers and probably in automotive, making sure it meets specs, all this stuff. That’s some leadership, some ideas that it’s going to take. That’s right. And that’s that’s gonna.

[00:12:48] That’s what it’s gonna take to sustain us, to sustain the market, to help support companies to go more Greene. Yeah. And the more we able to make those shifts more domestically, then hopefully we’ll have other companies, you know, starting up and popping up that’s doing this to support that market, which is in turn creating more jobs, creating more opportunity. So it all plays hand-in-hand. Absolutely.

[00:13:11] And that was Malcolm just shot my note. It was 25 percent of all all plastics at Volvo Cars USA by 2025. Yeah. So that I saw dead on a slab yesterday. Yes. Six years. Right. And just six years away. All right. So let’s let’s talk about your role. So obviously you’re you’re leading PRB on but the five core programs in and overseeing those efforts. What else where else do you spend your time?

[00:13:38] Mostly, you know, trying to come to events such as this.

[00:13:42] Ecma is a huge partner of ours, and that’s the South Carolina Manufacturing Alliance, a great partner of ours, but is really important to spend time at platforms such as this so we can keep up what was going on from companies so we can continue to hear about trends, what’s happened and what are the concerns. So we can take that information back and continue to have those conversations internally to say what can we do to support that is really important to get out and hear that message, sit in an office all the time. You stay in a bubble, but you have to get out and to really understand what are their needs and what are some things that we can implement internally within our programs to really help support that. Our resistant industry program is just such a big piece of what we do because as this the industry touches everything. At one point I really wanted to make to is, you know, with commerce, our mission, you know, with the state’s lead business agency mission is economic development and improving the lives of our citizens through more opportunities. And we do this through the recruitment of new industry. But we also do it through support advisors to industry in helping them stay here. How do we. dem- grow and be sustainable. So what is this the industry program? I would be remiss if I didn’t add our partnership with South Carolina manufacturers tension partnership. We have a very strong alliance with them to where we do joint visits and we help companies with specific projects that they may have. And that can be around organizational issues.

[00:15:26] It can be systems, it can be workforce that can be sustainability. But we’re seeing a lot of great results from this partnership because, you know, we see ourselves as the ultimate competitor. And when they have this issue, they may need to be connected to a consultant that can help them with something on this Supply chain RMI internal system issue. We’re very proud that last fiscal year we had two hundred and forty joint visits and we MEP along with our is this the industry managers that are strategically placed throughout the state? One hundred and ninety completed projects through this partnership, through the work, two thousand two hundred and sixty nine jobs were created or retained and the statewide impact was six hundred and fourteen million. So the work that we’re doing out there is making a difference, is helping companies continue to move to move forward and really thinking about that connection from where I came from to now. You know, it’s so interesting how when I mentioned the building blocks, you know, I’m not having that conversation about deposits and investments in Treasury management, employee benefits. Now I’m having that conversation on different things business. Think about it. Think about recycling day, thinking about workforce, that making about supply chain, that thinking about how can I invest in new equipment to advance my company forward and oh my gosh, now I have this new equipment. My people aren’t trying to actually use this equipment. So how can we, you know, get them committed to maybe some income, a worker training programs so that so is is ultimately an act? Absolutely. We are the out.

[00:17:05] This is something about you mentioned the SC MEP. Yeah. And some our listeners may not be aware there is a MEP in every state. Right. And I’m not sure where the South Carolina won in Georgia. It goes to Georgia Tech in Alabama. They’ve got a where there in Birmingham and they’ve got a society that lit that house MEP. But regardless, great resources. And I love how you put it, where you you see your effort as as a connector, whether it’s programs you are leading in this. Right. Or other other programs. What about when you come out here and I also love how you put the you gotta come out and hear the voice, the customer and see what’s going on and connect with folks and get their feedback and take it back to the department. Commerce, what’s been talk about any key takeaways or what have been so the conversations you’ve had here so far.

[00:17:56] So I think for me, one of the biggest key takeaways is the whole cyber security room. And I don’t think a lot about companies. A truly understand how severe this is. M.B., there may be that they may not be quite ready for what they need to do to make changes internally, to be more compliant and to keep the intellectual property and patents, all of that protected. It was a very interesting session with the cyber security piece and we’ve been keeping an eye on that because there are also some D.O.D changes that’s coming down the pipeline for us Supply chain, which they’re gonna be requiring a new cybersecurity certification start in summer that’s now going to be implemented into their RFP. So, you know, more of your your OEM to was maybe a little bit more prepared for that one. But when you start talking two to three, the 4s are smaller businesses. They may not truly understand what it is that they need to do. How do we start engaging with them now to start thinking about this? Because this new CMC NCC, which stands for cyber security maturity model certification is around the corner. So we need to be thinking about that. So stay in a hit and understand and was coming down the pipeline and what can we do to provide to outreach? So you’re aware and then partnering with entities experts to help them, you know? Now doodah assessment. Now what can I put in place? So what type of security process would I need to be to put in place and then now help them with implementation so they can get ready for market changes that’s coming down the road? That’s what’s so important about platforms like this, going to conferences, going out and talking to companies, continue what to talk to our allies and our partners. That way we can help bita forward thinking for our companies here in the state.

[00:19:55] Love it. Malcolm to shop. A quick note, the Alabama Technology Network. Is who was part owner? Well, we weren’t in Birmingham broadcasting live there. That’s the local. State. What houses the MEP there? Okay. So.

[00:20:08] Oh yeah. Soaking of what’s on radars. Yeah. You got your finger on the pulse and love hearing you talk about how the state is interacting with the small business. Just fantastic. What are some of the trends that you’re aware of or watching or looking out for or maybe even worried about and you’re looking at the landscape.

[00:20:27] So some of the trends that we’re seeing last fiscal year, we did about 560 plus visits to companies across the state in the top three see areas of interest and trends that we are seeing is always centered around workforce, how to continue to be more competitive with the workforce, training opportunities, market development. How can we get more business? How can we commit to more business and help ourselves be a little bit more competitive? And then from there, trade is always a top issue is front and center. You know, it cannot be ignored, but it is a concern from imports to exports, which we do very well as a state with it’s poised and we have a very robust export trade department internally at Commerce. But those are the three areas that we’re seeing. And of course, to talked about cyber. It’s a big deal.

[00:21:28] He will do a great speaker here this week. Charles Mawson, CEO, Inc. You see that spoke around some of the cyber security challenges. And if you’re a manufacturer, if you’re in Supply chain, regardless of what sector and you don’t have some folks figuring out the landscape that’s going on in cybersecurity, do it. Do it today. Know, don’t wait till Monday. All right. So 560 visits in twenty nineteen, is that right? Fiscal year twenty eighteen. Twenty nineteen. Yeah. I thought I’ve done something by being a part. I’ve done well. I keep a worksheet in front of about 335 plant visits in my career and I thought I was doing something. The elf knocked out over 500 in less than a full year. And you going back you said 240 joint visits where you’re taken mepa. So you’ve got more resources, more brainstorming. That’s right. That’s really impressive. Okay. So how can our listeners tap into some of these things you’re doing? Right.

[00:22:26] So the best way to tap into us is w w w dot sc commerce dot com. And when you’re on site, click on at the top doing business here and it will list out all of the programs that I just mentioned as well as connect with us and you will be directly connected to someone on a team and we are looking forward to helping as much as we can.

[00:22:49] I believe it. Yeah. I will leave it. Love it. So we’ve been speaking with Ashely Teasdel director, business services with the South Carolina Department of Commerce. Thanks. What you do. Absolutely. Thanks for being in that opportunity. You bet. The ultimate connector that you the championship belt must come with the championship belt out to ya.

[00:23:06] Do I need to mention it when I go back at all? Yeah. Hey, good luck with jewelry.

[00:23:13] No, but getting a saw. I really appreciate what y’all do. And it’s no. We’ll come back South Carolina from the Atlanta area and tap in with what’s going on here. No wonder so many things. We good things are happening and so much team South Carolina approach. Yes, absolutely. Okay. Ashley, thanks so much. Have a wonderful weekend. And now we’re gonna finish a wrap up on just a couple upcoming events we’ve got coming up. Beau, 9:20, September 20th. We’ve got a executive roundtable. What would all we’re talking about?

[00:23:41] Yes. So myself and a Emory professor named Robert CCA’s engine are going to be talking about the elements of a good strategy and the elements of World-Class execution.

[00:23:52] Pen tastic hosts of our friends are all Golden Gregory LLP in Atlanta. Gorgeous view buildings got a test. Twenty five use up over the connector in Atlanta, shouts Atlanta. Looking forward to the event. If you need information or details, you can shoot us. Note to connect at Supply Chain Now Radio dot com.

[00:24:12] And one other touch on, Greg is the Georgia Manufacturing Summit on October 9 at the Cobb Galleria. So we’re gonna have about a thousand attendees. Is it? Is it at a thousand yet?

[00:24:23] Alex a thousand attendees browsing about ten thousand, representing about ten thousand Georgia manufacturers and the companies that do business with them.

[00:24:34] So it’s going to be a great session. Bo and Scott both have panel sessions there. They’re having a contest to see who’s who’s better. There is no contest. Now, there’s no contest because minorly better because I’m doing a live broadcast and I’m going to have a couple of trade ministers from. Yeah, some from a couple countries that are near us.

[00:24:56] What’s so cool about that, as Ashley mentioned, after five. Sixty visits, that short list of things are top, front and center for business leaders. You know, workforce market development and trade. Know, I’m really curious to see from kind of other perspectives we know what some some key takeaways, art and science.

[00:25:14] Well, it’s also interesting how much we talked about those issues in almost every single interview that we did at this show. The workforce certainly trade definitely impactful in a number of them. So, yeah, great point.

[00:25:28] Great point. And one other quick note about the Georgia manufacturing alliance and the Jordan manufacturing summit. October night is Jason Maule, CEO of the GMH has freed up 50 seats. Free and clear to our veterans. No strings attached. Well, we know we’ve talk about we’re passionate about serving that community. So if you’ve heard about any of our show. If you’re in any of our shows, we all talk about about the transition. You know, veterans have a challenge. Tom, transitioning into the private sector as well as once, sir, they’re developing that network. Right. And events like this, events like we’ve been at the last couple days are great opportunities. So if you’re a veteran listening and you’re interested, you can go to Georgia manufacturing alliance dot com and you can use the Code USA, a vet for one of the 50 seats if they’re still available. So great. Great job, Jason. And my team. OK. So Austin, Texas, November, Vegas and February. And then what? I guess maybe.

[00:26:22] Were you waiting for me to say what goes on there stays or what?

[00:26:26] But in March, Marc Jenny and Maureen, in which I biotech’s I bet is going to plenty of South Carolina business leaders at this event coming up then.

[00:26:33] Yeah, it’s amazing. Display of materials handling equipment there. I mean, they basically set up factories well and and warehouses right there in the facility. Thirty five thousand of your closest friends motor show dot com. Yeah. Right. March free to a twenty twenty. Oh okay. Oh what a great what a great show today. Actually, one more thing. Yeah. Please. Atlanta Supply chain Awards also on Tuesday, March 10th. Right. During mutex. Yeah, right. About moting Joy brought to you by Supply chain Supply chain. Now radio.

[00:27:07] Man Nice. Very nice. You working on that? No kidding aside, there’s so much going on. We love covering dummied just like what you heard today from Ashely Teasdel. There’s so many folks that are doing such critical work across and then supply chain and we’ll take it as our mission and get that get that information out, get those insights out, get those resources out. So I really have enjoyed this to our listeners. Be sure to check out other upcoming events, replays of our interviews, other resources at Supply Chain Now Radio dot com. You can find us again on Apple podcast, SoundCloud, YouTube, all the leading sites where podcast can be found. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss anything on behalf of the entire Supply Chain Now Radio team, including Greg and Beau. This is Scott Luton wishing you a wonderful week ahead. Weekend ahead. We’ll see you next time on Supply Chain Now Radio. Thanks for watching.