by Dennis Spielman
Joe Edmondson, a Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) with an MBA in supply chain management, brings his expertise to the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance (OMA), where he plays a crucial role in bolstering the state’s manufacturing sector. Since joining the OMA as part of the NIST MEP Supply Chain Initiative, Edmondson has focused on strengthening the U.S. supply chain, starting at the state level, working with both startups and established manufacturers to help them innovate and grow.
“Our main goal is assisting and growing manufacturing, whether that be assisting with automation or advanced technology to supply chain needs, whether that be supply chain 101, info mapping, value stream mapping, or capacity planning and demand planning to a business to business (B2B) connection,” said Joe Edmondson, Supply Chain Specialist for Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance.
At the core of Edmondson’s work is connecting companies with the resources they need to succeed. For startups, this means linking them with manufacturers and engineers to develop products and get them to market. For established manufacturers, Edmondson helps integrate them into larger supply chains and assists with process improvements to ensure they meet the standards required by top-tier contractors like Lockheed and Boeing.
“Say I have somebody that needs injection molding or a certain process,” said Edmondson. “I have a database that we built in Oklahoma that has nationwide access that can help find companies by capability. So, if I can’t find an Oklahoma company, I could reach out on my national platform and say, ‘Hey, I have company X that needs this specific product or process with these requirements. There is essentially a Joe looking through their database within each state. They present their matches to me, and then we go through the process of vetting the matches, setting up meetings, and starting the relationship.”
Edmondson is also passionate about helping Oklahoma manufacturers expand into new markets, including aerospace and energy innovation.
“Aerospace is growing in Oklahoma, whether it be in DOD, commercial, or space exploration,” said Edmondson. “We can help manufacturers historically focused on oil and gas expand into aerospace.”
Edmondson said the state’s recent selection as a tech hub through an EDA grant is another exciting development. Last October, the federal government named Tulsa a “Tech Hub,” a designation that opens the door to up to $75 million in federal funding for the Tulsa Hub for Equitable & Trustworthy Autonomy (THETA), a consortium led by Tulsa Innovation Labs.
“We’re working on the advancement of autonomous technology, like drones,” said Edmondson. “That’s going to affect a lot of smaller manufacturers and startups with new technology, how to develop a product, how to develop an idea that will ultimately benefit the United States.”
Join Joe Edmondson at the next Oklahoma Venture Forum Power Lunch on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, as he discusses Oklahoma’s supply chain future. The event will be open to members and guests in person at 36 Degrees North (36 E Cameron Street in Tulsa) and via Zoom.
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