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The Delaware Manufacturing Extension Partnership (DEMEP) and Delaware Technical Community College are pleased to announce the launch of CONNEX™ Delaware, a free online software platform designed to strengthen the state’s local and domestic manufacturing supply chain. Through the platform, Delaware manufacturers will be able to better connect with each other, find local suppliers, mitigate risk, discover new business opportunities, and manage their supply chains. “We are thrilled to introduce the CONNEX™ platform to our state’s manufacturers,” said Rustyn Stoops, DEMEP deputy director. “Not only will this help manufacturers in our state source materials and services from one another, but it will also allow them to offer their goods and services to manufacturers across the country.” The CONNEX™ Delaware platform will allow manufacturers to post Requests for Information (RFI), Requests for Proposals (RFP) and Requests for Quote (RFQ) in the platform’s B2B Exchange Center and quickly identify Delaware suppliers who can meet their needs. Delaware suppliers can also increase their discoverability by large primes and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) through their CONNEX profile, which catalogs their capabilities, equipment, processes, materials, certifications, and more. This will lead to manufacturing opportunities in new markets. “We are always looking for ways to help Delaware manufacturers achieve their goals,” said Stoops. “CONNEX™ Delaware will be a tremendous resource for our manufacturers and is another example of our commitment to provide manufacturers with resources that ensure a productive, efficient, and resilient manufacturing community.” Through the sponsorship of the Delaware Manufacturing Extension Partnership and funding provided through the CHIPS and Science Act, a local version of the platform will be provided for free to all Delaware manufacturers to connect with each other and find new business opportunities within the state. In addition, Delaware MEP is offering manufacturers a free one-year upgrade to the entire national platform if they sign up by Dec. 6, 2023. This means Delaware manufacturers can freely connect with all U.S. manufacturers and discover new business opportunities across the country. “We are excited to be part of the CONNEX™ Delaware implementation,” said CONNEX™ Marketplace President and CEO Alan Davis. “This dynamic platform will help connect and lift Delaware’s manufacturing ecosystem, align local, state, and national manufacturing goals, increase collaboration across all state manufacturing organizations, and better connect large and small manufacturers across the state with new business opportunities.” Registration for Delaware manufacturers and suppliers is now underway. To register or get more information, visit https://www.demep.org/connex/