NORAMARK Concepts - Networks
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Most people think finding new suppliers is about trade shows or directories. But inside NORAMARK, we’re building something better. We’re creating the infrastructure for a high-trust, responsive supply chain, built on relationships, referrals, and shared work history.
Your NORAMARK network reflects the real connections you have with other manufacturers. These relationships help you move faster when opportunity strikes. If someone asks you to build something and you can handle only part of it, you can use NORAMARK to find and contact trusted suppliers for the rest; quickly, quietly, and confidently. That is what makes this a coordination platform, not just a listing service.
This guide explains how networks are built, what you can see, and how your network powers many of the most valuable features inside NORAMARK.
What Is a Network?
Your network is made up of manufacturers that you are directly or indirectly connected to through real-world activity. These connections are created by:
- Sending or accepting invitations
- Referring each other for completed work
- Belonging to the same Organization
- Following each other’s profiles
These signals form a private trust graph. You don’t need to maintain it manually. It grows as you use the system, and it gets smarter the more you engage.
What You Can See
You can always see:
- Which manufacturers are in your network
- Which second-degree manufacturers are available for discovery
You cannot see:
- Why someone is in your network
- Who else they are connected to
- Who invited or referred them
This structure protects your supply chain privacy. You gain trust and visibility without revealing your vendor list or customer relationships. The platform shows you only what you need to expand your reach while keeping sensitive business information confidential.
How Networks Grow
Your network grows automatically through four key mechanisms:
1. Invitations
When you invite a manufacturer and they accept, they are added to your network. Once you have invited three or more manufacturers, you begin to see second-degree connections—manufacturers that are trusted by your trusted contacts.
2. Referrals
Referrals represent completed business. When you refer another manufacturer, or they refer you, that’s a signal of verified work. These connections are especially strong and increase both your Trust Score and your network density.
3. Organizations
If you and another manufacturer are both members of the same Organization, such as a trade group, school, or certification body, that connection is added to your network. This creates medium-strength trust and broadens discovery within shared communities.
4. Follows
When you follow another manufacturer, or they follow you, you gain visibility into their updates. This connection is lighter weight but still helps build network density. If it turns into a referral or mutual invitation, the trust signal becomes stronger.
Second-Degree Visibility
Once your network includes a healthy number of direct connections, NORAMARK starts to reveal second-degree manufacturers, those trusted by the people you already trust. You can view their profiles, send messages (depending on your Trust Score), and receive auto-pairing suggestions through LinkForge.
You will never see the full connection path or reason why they are included. You only see that they are close to your trusted network and likely to be reliable.
This is how NORAMARK creates responsive coordination without exposing sensitive relationships. You can extend your capabilities without compromising the privacy of your business operations.
Why This Matters
In China, suppliers use platforms like 1688 or COSMOPlat to find each other instantly. A plastics shop can locate a mold maker with idle time that week. A CNC shop can find a local anodizer with a compatible ERP. That kind of intra-supplier coordination is one of China’s biggest competitive advantages.
In the U.S., that coordination layer doesn’t exist. Finding a heat treater or a fabricator often means asking around, posting in a forum, or Googling. You don’t know who’s still operating. You don’t know if they’re any good. You waste time on dead ends.
NORAMARK changes that. We help U.S. manufacturers find and trust each other based on real, verifiable signals. You don’t need a government program to coordinate. You just need a better way to connect.
How Networks Power NORAMARK
Your network unlocks much of what NORAMARK offers:
- Messaging: Contact manufacturers in your network if your Trust Score permits
- LinkForge: Get pairing suggestions based on trust and compatibility
- RFQs and Orders: Show up more often in searches when you are part of the buyer’s network
- Forum Access: Gain access to more discussions and content depending on your network and tier
The stronger your network, the more value you unlock.
What’s Coming Next
We are expanding network capabilities to include:
- Visual maps that help you understand your network reach
- Alerts when new manufacturers enter your extended network
- Smart suggestions to help you build out your missing capabilities
These features will make it easier to coordinate work, close capability gaps, and respond faster when a customer brings you a new opportunity.
