The Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center (MAMC) and Advantage Valley will present an Industrial Supplier Expo on Sept. 26 from 9 a.m. to noon at Valley Park in Hurricane. The expo will connect West Virginia small businesses to supplier opportunities with large industries while providing an opportunity for large companies to shorten their supply chains by sourcing goods and services locally. There is no cost to participate.
“Small business representatives often don’t know how to pursue contracts with large companies,” says MAMC Director Derek Scarbro. “Conversely, many large companies are not aware that particular goods and services they need are readily available nearby from local vendors.”
“We proactively and aggressively promote business-to-business supply chain connections throughout the region,” says Terrell Ellis, president and CEO of Advantage Valley. “Through this effort we conduct targeted matchmaking, exposing small businesses to the supply chains of larger companies. These expos help to diversify our local economy.”
MAMC and Advantage Valley have helped facilitate supply chain connections through a series of industry-specific events, resulting in tens of thousands of dollars in contracts for West Virginia small businesses while reducing costs and lead-time for large manufacturers.
The format for this expo will differ from some previous events. Small businesses are invited to set up informational tables, which representatives for large industries can visit to learn more about the goods and services offered by the local small businesses.
Large companies participating in the expo are seeking the following types of goods and services:
- Maintenance parts and supplies.
- Pumps, valves, compressors, pipes and fittings.
- Pipe fabrication.
- Machining.
- Drums and containers.
- Pest control.
- Industrial maintenance and repair.
- Electrical and mechanical contracting services.
- Roofing repair.
- HVAC repair and service.
- Construction services.
- Packaging materials.
- Industrial gases and chemicals.
- IT and cybersecurity services.
- Crane and inspection services.
- Safety systems.
- Security systems.
- Signage.
- First aid supplies.
- Janitorial services.
- Steel and heat treatment.
- Plumbing.
- Fuel and petrol services.
- Waterproofing.
- Restoration services (flood, fire, mold).
- Paving services.
- Gates and fencing.
- Generator services and installation.
- Tanks and other vessels.
- Control systems and equipment.
- Logistics, trucking and warehousing.
- Non-destructive testing.
- Professional engineering services.
- Waste management services.
- Temporary employee services.
While the event is free, registration is required at www.mfg.marshall.edu/septexpo. Contact MAMC’s Tanner Drown for more information at tanner.drown@mfg.marshall.edu or 304-781-1688.
