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Hi folks, I’m working on implementing the second version of our trust scoring system and I’m curious to get your feedback on it. Does it seem fair, useful, and accurate to you? NORAMARK Trust Score System The NORAMARK Trust Score helps manufacturers evaluate credibility, activity, and reputation across the network. Your score reflects your company's level of verification, transparency, and contribution to the NORAMARK community. What Is the Trust Score? The Trust Score is a dynamic number that starts with your tier level and evolves based on your engagement in the network. It can grow without limit as you build trust with peers — and will never fall below your tier’s baseline. Tier Levels & Starting Scores Each manufacturer's baseline trust score is determined by their tier level: Tier Baseline Trust Score Description Tier 3 20 Entry-level. No referrals required. Tier 2 40 One verified referral required. Tier 1 60 Three verified referrals required. Super Patriot 100 Verified with elite reputation. How to Increase Your Trust Score You can build trust over time by actively contributing to the community: 1. Be Invited by Trusted Manufacturers If you're invited by a high-trust manufacturer, you’ll receive a boost based on the inviter’s trust score. 2. Upload Referrals Submitting referrals shows you vouch for others. When those referrals are approved by others in the network, you earn trust: Approver's Tier Trust Boost Tier 3 +2 Tier 2 +3 Tier 1+ +4 3. Approve Referrals By verifying connections between manufacturers, you help NORAMARK stay reliable. You’ll earn +1 point per approved referral. 4. Reject Low-Quality Referrals If you reject a referral, the submitter loses trust (-2 points) and you gain +1 point for protecting the network. Trust Score Decay To ensure active participation, trust scores decay by 1 point per month if inactive — but never fall below your tier’s baseline. Why It Matters Trust Scores impact your: Visibility in the network Eligibility for badges and achievements Perceived credibility with peers and trade organizations FAQ Q: Can my Trust Score go over 100? Yes! There is no upper limit. The more trust you build, the higher your score. Q: What happens if my referrals are rejected? You’ll lose 2 points per rejection. Submit only high-quality, legitimate referrals. Q: How do I become a Super Patriot? Super Patriot is by invite only and limited to 10 members at a time.

At NORAMARK, we’re building something simple: a tool that reflects how you already do business and makes it easier, faster, and more effective. No one has time to learn a new system. You need software that gets out of the way and helps you focus on what really matters: building trusted relationships, growing your network, and getting work done. You’re Already Doing the Hard Part. We’ll Make It Scale. You’ve built relationships over years, even decades. You know who’s reliable, who delivers on time, and who’s worth working with again. NORAMARK is built to put that knowledge at your fingertips and put it to work for you. Instead of starting from scratch every time you need a new supplier or a referral, our platform helps you tap into your real-world network, fast. Real Traction, Real Users—Because It Feels Familiar In our first month, nearly 30 manufacturers and 200 users signed up. Not because we pitched them a “network.” They joined because what we built felt familiar. Invite codes? We're all familiar with that idea. Referrals? We vouch for our partners and peers every day. Trust scores? That’s just putting a number to what you already know. This isn’t about software. It’s about solving real business problems in ways that feel intuitive. Designed Around You: The NORAMARK User Console We’re rolling out a new version of NORAMARK soon, and it’s all about making your experience smoother. Once you're logged in, you won't even see our public site unless you go looking for it. What you will see is: Dashboard: Your Day, Prioritized A clear list of the most important actions you can take—replies, messages, payment issues, pending invites. Smart recommendations based on what you’ve done so far: Want to boost your trust score? Grow your network? We’ll show you how. No digging, no hunting; just what needs your attention, right when you log in. Trust Score: Reputation, in Plain English We track how people interact with you through referrals, invites, and approvals and turn that into a score you can use to build and see credibility. Everything’s transparent. You’ll see what’s helped your score, and how to improve it further. Think of it as your digital handshake, earned over time, and visible to the people who matter. Network: See Who You Know—and Who You Should If you’re not yet connected to others, we’ll prompt you to join or create a manufacturer or organization. Higher-tier manufacturers get more visibility into their extended networks and more tools to reach out directly. Invite codes and referrals are front and center, so you can grow your network with a few clicks. Community: Everything in One Place Messaging, forums, blog articles, and event calendars, combined into one space so you don’t have to jump between apps. You decide who can message you and how you want to be contacted. Manufacturer & Organization Tabs: Total Clarity Manage your own manufacturer or organization, see your badges, update your profile, and track your subscriptions. Want to upgrade your tier? You’ll know exactly what you get with each level without guesswork. Profile: You, at a Glance Employment history, affiliations, trust score, and more—displayed in a format that looks familiar and is easy to edit. Set your communication preferences, privacy settings, and notification options. Works Wherever You Are On mobile, the interface adjusts to give you the most important tools at your fingertips. Messaging, referrals, and key actions are optimized for fast, on-the-go use. Tiers That Actually Mean Something We designed high-value tiers that reflect what you need at different stages of your business' growth: Tier 3 gives you access and visibility. Tier 2 gives you discoverability, insights, and context. Tier 1 gives you control—messaging, full network access, and deeper analytics. Everything is designed to deliver clear, immediate value. If you upgrade, it’s because the tools are making your job easier. You Come First At every step, we ask: will this help our customers solve a real problem? Will it make them feel more in control, more informed, and more capable? If the answer is no, we don’t build it. Our goal isn’t to build flashy software. It’s to make something that feels invisible; something that works the way you already work, just faster, more scalable, and ultimately with better results. So whether you're just starting out, a very well-connected veteran, or somewhere in between, NORAMARK is built to help you win. We’re honored to build alongside you.

Manufacturing and industry are the backbone of a country's economy, driving economic growth, ensuring national security, and creating opportunities for innovation and employment. This article explores the multifaceted importance of the manufacturing sector, detailing its economic impact, contributions to national security, and the wide range of opportunities it generates. Economic Impact The manufacturing sector is a crucial pillar of every economy, contributing significantly to GDP, job creation, and economic stability. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), manufacturing accounted for approximately 11% of the U.S. GDP in 2022, with the sector employing over 12 million people. Key Economic Contributions: GDP Contribution: The manufacturing sector’s output exceeds $2.5 trillion annually in the U.S. Job Creation: Manufacturing jobs support an additional 3.4 jobs in other sectors, according to the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). Innovation and R&D: The sector drives technological innovation, with American companies investing over $600 billion in R&D in 2022, per the National Science Foundation (NSF). National Security Manufacturing is vital for national security, ensuring the country can produce essential goods and maintain critical infrastructure. The ability to manufacture domestically reduces dependence on foreign sources for key materials and technologies, enhancing national resilience. Key Security Contributions: Defense Manufacturing: The U.S. Department of Defense relies heavily on domestic manufacturers for defense equipment, from aircraft and vehicles to advanced electronics and weapons systems. Critical Infrastructure: Manufacturing supports the production of components essential for national infrastructure, such as energy, transportation, and communication systems. Supply Chain Security: Policies like the Defense Production Act (DPA) empower the government to prioritize and allocate resources to domestic manufacturers in times of national emergency. Economic Policies and Tariffs Government policies and tariffs play a crucial role in shaping the manufacturing landscape. By creating a favorable business environment, these measures encourage domestic production and protect against unfair competition. Key Policies and Tariffs: Section 232 Tariffs: Imposed on steel and aluminum imports to protect national security by ensuring the viability of domestic industries. Incentives for Domestic Production: Tax incentives, grants, and subsidies for manufacturing investments, such as those provided under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), encourage companies to produce domestically. Opportunities in Manufacturing The manufacturing sector offers numerous opportunities for economic development, job creation, and technological innovation. These opportunities are critical for maintaining a competitive edge in the global market. Key Opportunities: Advanced Manufacturing: Technologies like automation, robotics, and AI are transforming manufacturing processes, increasing efficiency, and reducing costs. Sustainable Manufacturing: Implementing eco-friendly practices and reducing carbon footprints can attract environmentally conscious consumers and comply with stringent regulations. E-commerce and Private Label Manufacturing: The rise of e-commerce creates new markets for manufacturers, particularly in the private label sector, where businesses can quickly bring customized products to market. Specific Threats and Challenges Despite its strengths, the manufacturing sector faces several challenges and threats that must be addressed to maintain its critical role in the economy and national security. Key Threats: Global Competition: Manufacturers face intense competition from countries with lower labor costs and less stringent regulations. Supply Chain Disruptions: Events like the COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted vulnerabilities in global supply chains, underscoring the need for resilient domestic production. Intellectual Property Theft: Protecting IP from foreign competitors, particularly in countries with lax enforcement, is crucial for maintaining a competitive advantage. Government Actions: Tariffs and Trade Policies: The U.S. government imposes tariffs on imports that threaten domestic industries and negotiates trade agreements that protect American manufacturers. Investment in R&D: Federal funding for research and development supports innovation and helps maintain technological leadership. Workforce Development: Programs that invest in education and training for manufacturing skills ensure a steady pipeline of qualified workers. Conclusion Manufacturing and industry are essential to the American economy, national security, and the creation of new opportunities. Through strategic policies, technological innovation, and sustainable practices, the United States can strengthen its manufacturing sector, ensuring continued growth and resilience. For businesses looking to leverage the strengths of American manufacturing, American sourcing offers unparalleled quality and reliability. Invest in the future of manufacturing, become a part of the community.

I think this gets at the heart of the soft infrastructures necessary to (re)develop manufacturing capability and capacity. There's still more to the complete picture, but building out a capability to reliably connect manufacturers is definitely one of the bigger steps!

@michael-kornuta I wouldn't say optimism right now haha. More like waiting out the uncertainty. Honestly, Trump needs to make up his damn mind. Are we having tariffs or not? There needs to be a clear direction put in place. Main reason is to serve the NA markets with local assembly and sales/technical support. They have existing business here, so instead of shipping over finished goods with long lead times, they can assemble domestically. Tariffs have companies interested for sure. EU companies don't have much of a concern. Chinese companies are more concerned. US companies want to strengthen supply chain resilience to get CMs out of China. IP protection is another reason for that. Another is the US does not allow Chinese BMS in utility BESS for grid security.

Part of my business is recruitment. We don't get into general labor / blue collar roles because, frankly, people suck. Low skills, low ambition, low morals. Companies ask us all the time and we point them to Indeed. Humanoid robots will be the norm very soon and our general labor workforce has no one to blame but themselves. Engineer levels on up is where we play and it's much easier. They show up to work and they work hard. Looking into EV charging infrastructure, there aren't enough electricians and installers to meet the demand. That is a good spot to be in if you're young, handy, and know the difference between red and black wires.

Battery cell manufacturing. I have $1-2B worth of business to give to a company that's making 4695s without Asian backing.

@robertbeecher I am so happy it worked! thank you for your patience

this is interesting and related [image: 1744670052657-screenshot-2025-04-14-at-3.33.32-pm.png] [image: 1744670052699-screenshot-2025-04-14-at-3.33.42-pm.png]

@nick-valentine Just north of Indianapolis.

Let's go! The sooner this network builds the better. I have a lot of work to do and I'm doing it manually now.

All true but it's an art, hard to set a flat rate using these as a guide because we have different skill/pay levels on the shop floor.

This is scary to me. I think half is being generous and this might be where the trends come from in the first place. So many investors and content creators pushing wild dreams about things they have never even seen or touched in person.

Hi folks, we did a big release of new software today. We now have Calendars that any tier 1 manufacturer or organization can post to: https://noramark.com/events Over time we'll be adding all of the public events to this calendar as well so if you're curious about trade shows, factory tours, etc. they'll be listed there. Manufacturers and Organizations can even make private events for their members, only. We've added an easy way to see your information in our User Console, located here: https://www.noramark.com/user-console/ (and the big button at the top of noramark.com) View the manufacturers that you own or are a member of View the Organizations that you own or are a member of View the manufacturers that are in your network (Tier 1 or Super Patriot sees full details. Tier 2 can see a count, only) See who's following you or who you are following (nice way to make and manage a list of manufacturers) See if any pending payments are due or referral uploads are required, as well as what your subscription details are Edit your personal user profile Ease of navigation - we got rid of the drop-down for navigation and have a button for forums, a button for User Console, and a button to see your profile, all in the upper right. Should make getting around a lot easier. Simplified Registration - for folks creating manufacturers, we noticed that a lot of you got stuck in the process. So, we re-did it and now it's very simple to go through the sign-up. Payment can be taken directly or the free tier (Tier 3) can be chosen. We don't prompt for referrals in the sign-up process any more, they are provided via the User Console instead. We added a page that explains how NORAMARK works. Manufacturers, Super Patriots, the tiers, the network, the trust scores... how do they all work together? We've laid it all out here: https://www.noramark.com/about-noramark/ If you know someone that might be interested in joining, this page is a great thing to share with them so they can better understand what we're all about. As always, we love to hear your feedback and we're constantly improving and releasing new features. Shoot me a note with your thoughts!

NORAMARK Practical Use-Cases These are a few practical scenarios that illustrate the ways that manufacturers can use our system and why they may want Tier 1 over Tier 2, etc. It also covers some more complex use-cases such as service providers, creating a trade org to manage a network, and more. Scenario 1: New Service Provider Joining the Network as a Manufacturer Goal: A business offering specialized manufacturing services wants to join NORAMARK and expand their client base. Steps: User Registration: Sign up as a user on NORAMARK.com with your professional email. Create Manufacturer Profile: Complete your Manufacturer Profile, detailing services, products, and US manufacturing credentials. Choose “Service Provider” as your category. Select Membership Tier: Review the detailed pricing and features document provided on the website. Verification: Submit required referrals (e.g., invoice confirmation, certifications) to qualify for Tier 1 or Tier 2. Remember, if you want invite codes, you’ll need to be Tier 1. Activate Subscription: Choose the appropriate subscription tier and activate. Network Expansion: Obtain an invite code (if Tier 1) to share with existing trusted partners or clients to quickly expand your trusted network. Optional: If Tier 2, you can create your own Organization and invite Manufacturers to join that, instead (since you won’t have invite codes as a Tier 2). The manufacturers that join your organization can elect to be Tier 1, 2, or 3. This creates a lower trust network than if you join as Tier 1 and use Tier 2 invite codes But it does enable you to create a group that you can communicate with. Scenario 2: Existing Manufacturer Inviting Partners Goal: A Tier 1 manufacturer aims to quickly onboard trusted vendors or partners onto NORAMARK to streamline communication and collaboration. Steps: Generate Invite Code: From your NORAMARK Manufacturer dashboard, get your unique invite code. Invite Partners: Share invite code directly with trusted vendors via email or your preferred communication channel. Partner Sign-up: Invited partners use the code upon registration, automatically associating them within your network and streamlining their verification. Immediate Network Visibility: Invited manufacturers quickly appear in your network, facilitating immediate secure communication and collaboration. Remember: Your reputation is on the line as well, so only invite highly-principled US Manufacturers. The Manufacturers that you invite, if they join as Tier 1, will also have invitation codes to share with their partners which will further increase the size of your own network. The rising tide raises all boats. Scenario 3: Subscription & Onboarding for Multiple Businesses Goal: An industry expert wants subscriptions for their multiple businesses and to introduce their existing professional network to NORAMARK. Steps: Initial User Registration: Register a primary user account. Add Manufacturer Entities: Create your first Manufacturer profile. We don’t yet support separate multiple Manufacturer profiles for one user in our application although the back-end does support it. If this is important for you to have multiple manufacturers set up for one user, reach out to us via email and we’ll do it for you (feature will be added in a few weeks) Select Appropriate Tiers: Choose tiers according to the verification level and desired features for each business entity. Verification: Provide required verification documents or references for each entity. Whitepaper and Pricing: Access and share the latest NORAMARK whitepaper and the comprehensive features & pricing guide available on the website. Invite Professional Network: Generate invite code and distribute within your professional network, quickly establishing your connected ecosystem. Scenario 4: Enhancing Visibility and Trust Goal: A Tier 3 Manufacturer seeks to boost their visibility and trust within the NORAMARK community. Steps: Engage Proactively: Participate in public forums and attend NORAMARK events. Complete Successful Transactions: Secure and fulfill contracts with Tier 1 or Tier 2 manufacturers. Get feedback, submit these as referrals through the User Console. Positive Feedback: Encourage satisfied business partners to leave positive reviews and ratings, boosting your Trust Score. Monitor Progress: Regularly check your improved Trust Score and pursue opportunities to move up tiers.

How NORAMARK Works NORAMARK connects trusted US manufacturers through a transparent, relationship-driven platform designed to enhance trust, simplify collaboration, and strengthen US manufacturing. Entities and Relationships: Super Patriots Invite-only elite group of up to 10 exemplary US manufacturers. Establish trust guidelines and standards. Advise Noramark, Inc. on critical trust-related decisions (e.g., admission criteria). Manufacturers Tier 1 Manufacturers: Verified through three referrals or invited directly by a Super Patriot. Maximum visibility, messaging, and networking privileges. Tier 2 Manufacturers: Require one referral or an invitation from a Tier 1. Moderate visibility and network-building privileges. Upgrade to Tier 1 possible with additional verification. Tier 3 Manufacturers: No initial referrals required. Limited visibility (not searchable). Communication primarily through Trade Organization affiliation. Can improve Trust Score through positive interactions. Trade Organizations Professional groups manufacturers join. Provide exclusive calendars and private forums. Facilitate connections and information sharing. Trade Schools Free for public institutions. Manufacturers use for talent sourcing and internships. Eligible manufacturers offer factory tours to students. Users Individuals managing or affiliated with Manufacturers or Trade Organizations. Roles include Owners, Administrators, Employees, Members, or Students. Some users engage purely for calendar events or forum participation. Key Concepts Trust Score Score from 0-100 reflecting adherence to US manufacturing standards. Influenced by verified referrals, successful transactions, and community feedback. Higher scores increase opportunities and trustworthiness. Networks Automatically formed via referrals, invitations, or Trade Organization memberships. Facilitate efficient discovery of trusted partners. Maintain supply chain confidentiality. Badges Visual symbols of engagement and achievement. Awarded for milestones, event attendance, and community involvement. Prominently displayed on manufacturer profiles. Detailed Comparison of Manufacturer Tiers Level System-wide Search Messaging Network Visibility Manufacturer Research Forums Calendar LinkForge Tier 1 Highest ranking Message anyone; control message privacy See entire network; direct messaging Invite code for Tier 2 View affiliated Users' names Private Tier 1 & Tier 2 forums Private & public calendar posting Request & auto-pair interns/mentees Tier 2 Visible in search Message via Manufacturer profile if allowed See network size only. No invite codes View and follow Manufacturers Private Tier 2 forums Public calendar; private invites Receive mentor invites; mentee auto-pair Tier 3 Not visible Receive messages only No network visibility. No invite codes Follow Manufacturer profiles General forums Public calendar; Org-invite only Not eligible A Visual Overview Only for the daring.... [image: 1744161644592-mermaid-diagram-2025-04-08-204909-resized.png]

@Robert_Beecher The best place to start is to invite us manufacturers and supporters to noramark so they can be connected in the community. We need to get everyone connected and expand the connective tissue that has been eroded for so many years. We will all have to work together.

I have seen this and thought about it for years. Such a simple (and heavy) part to make I never understood why they would make them in India. I would much rather see our tax dollars staying in the US

This is super cool. Really enjoyed reading it!

Can’t wait to check it out, I just subscribed.