Hey everyone,

I wanted to share a quick update on what we’re building and what’s coming next.

There are two things we’ve been hearing loud and clear from you, and we’re prioritizing both.

First, we’re making big changes to how the site is organized. Once you’re logged in, you’ll see a clean, simple Console. No more dropdown menus or scattered sections. Everything will be in one place: manufacturers, users, your network, invite codes, referrals, all of it.

Second, we’re building a mobile app. This one will take a bit more time, likely mid to late June, because it involves a lot under the hood and the usual App Store approval process. It will make using the site smoother, more practical, and feel much more native. It also opens up some great new features, like QR codes for your digital wallet and digital business cards.

We’re excited about what’s ahead and always grateful for your feedback.

Keep it coming.
– Andrew

Hi I'm Andrew Kornuta and I'm the founder and CTO of Noramark, Inc. I'm based in NYC which used to be the manufacturing powerhouse of North America. I would love to see it reindustrialized at some point, there's some amazing infrastructure here. I love learning from our customers and I love building a product that is mission-driven and all about accelerating US Manufacturing. I grew up building things and my father and grandfather had us in the shop all the time. I'm passionate about building and even though my professional focus has been software, I love all manner of building. Fun fact, my grandfather helped to put Disneyland (in Anaheim) together, re-assembling many of the rides that Walt Disney brought from the World Fair.

I'm working on adding a section to each Manufacturer profile on NORAMARK for Certifications and Accreditations. Totally optional of course.

Which ones would you like to see on there?

I started to compile the most common here:

Starting-point: U.S. Manufacturing Compliance Reference

Compliance Requirement	Description	Applicable Industries	Mandatory?	Certification Required?	Issuing / Enforcing Body	Renewal / Update Cycle	Penalties or Consequences	Relevance to Defense / Military Work	State-Specific Notes
NIST SP 800-171	Protects Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in non-federal systems.	Defense contractors, manufacturers handling CUI	Yes (for DoD CUI work)	Self-assessment or CMMC Level 2	Department of Defense (DoD)	Every 3 years or per contract	Loss of eligibility for DoD contracts	Required under DFARS 252.204-7012	N/A
CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification)	Formal certification framework building on NIST 800-171.	Defense contractors, manufacturers with DoD contracts	Yes (phased rollout)	Yes (3rd-party audit)	Cyber AB / DoD	Every 3 years	Loss of DoD contract eligibility	Essential for DoD work	N/A
ISO 9001	Quality Management System standard, common in manufacturing.	All manufacturing sectors	No (but often contractually required)	Yes (3rd-party cert)	Accredited ISO certifying bodies	Annual surveillance; full recert every 3 years	Loss of supplier eligibility	Often required by primes	N/A
ISO 14001	Environmental Management System standard.	Manufacturing, especially with emissions/waste	No	Yes (voluntary)	Accredited ISO certifying bodies	Annual surveillance; full recert every 3 years	None (voluntary)	May be requested by buyers	N/A
ISO/IEC 27001	Information Security Management System standard.	Electronics, aerospace, medtech, data-sensitive industries	No (but strongly recommended)	Yes (3rd-party cert)	ISO-cert bodies	Annual audit, 3-year recert	Loss of business for sensitive contracts	Sometimes required or preferred	N/A
Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)	Requires employers to provide a safe workplace and comply with OSHA safety standards (e.g., machine guarding, hazard communication).	All industries (manufacturing, construction, etc.)	Yes	No	OSHA (federal or state)	Ongoing compliance; inspections may trigger action	Fines, shutdowns, citations	Indirect (applies to all workplaces)	22 states have their own OSHA-approved plans
Clean Air Act (CAA)	Requires industrial facilities to obtain permits and meet emission standards for air pollutants.	Industries with air emissions (e.g. chemical plants, cement, metals, automotive)	Yes	Yes (air permits)	EPA or State Environmental Agency	5 years (Title V permits)	Fines, legal action, permit revocation	Applies if operating facilities	States enforce via SIPs; CA is stricter
Berry Amendment	Requires DoD to buy specific goods (e.g. textiles, metals) that are 100% U.S.-sourced.	Defense supply chain (textiles, food, metals, aerospace)	Yes (for relevant contracts)	Self-certification in bids	Department of Defense	Per contract	Contract loss, disqualification	Yes (directly)	N/A

I care a lot about Industrial Policy. The US is like the only major industrial nation to not have a national industrial policy. While I tend to shy away from TOO much government intervention, I think this is one area where private industry and government probably need to at least coordinate. We need a focus on cheap energy and raw materials to make it more cost effective for US manufacturers. Tariffs and government programs should be focused on those areas.

Then, a system like NORAMARK can be used to network manufacturers together that have common / shared interests. I often think of NORAMRK as a sort of "operating system" for network resource planning. In the mid to long-term I could see it being an effective tool for a National Industrial policy that is owned and operated primarily by the manufacturers themselves.

@Robert_Beecher Speaking of getting Gen Z on board, we are honored to have @Lucas_Pacheco from Hawthorne Academies School of Manufacturing and Engineering here. He is always looking for factories in Southern California to tour with his students. And of course, they are producing the next generation of manufacturers and engineers.

Just ordered two of these! http://shopterrytime.com/

This is one of @UNITED' brands (United State of Apparel).

What do you consider to be "Made in the USA"? What are some good and bad examples that you have seen?

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.

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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....

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Why It Matters

Trust Scores impact your:

• Visibility in the network
• Eligibility for badges and achievements
• Perceived credibility with peers and trade organizations

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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.

@Kyle_Rahe Welcome aboard! Congrats on your new business! This is a great place to make strong connections with our US Manufacturing businesses.

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.

Please post information about apprenticeships that you have available or have heard about.

What do you think about materials cost as well as the role that automation could play for labor cost?

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.

Next, how [Trust, Tiers, and Networks] work together →

Make a post if you're looking to hire or have something to sell.

@dave-mcchesney58 Welcome Dave! We're really excited to have you here! NORAMARK works because of participation from the community. thank you for joining!

Every Manufacturer on NORAMARK belongs to one of four tiers. Your tier determines your starting Trust Score, your visibility, and how you interact with others in the system.

• Invitations are how you expand your network. Unlike LinkedIn or other social platforms, this should be limited to partners you know very well, because inviting low-trust participants can reduce the overall integrity of your network.
• Referrals are how you build trust and qualify for higher tiers. This should be used frequently, as a feedback mechanism to reflect real work done with other manufacturers.

What Happens When You Invite Someone?

When you invite another manufacturer to join NORAMARK:

• They join your network. If they’re already in the system, the invitation links your profiles.
• They may qualify for a higher tier. Invitations bypass some of the usual referral requirements.
• You get visibility into their connections. After inviting three or more manufacturers, you can see the broader trust network around your invitees — without revealing individual connections.

This process is privacy-safe. You won’t see who invited whom or which manufacturers are directly connected. Instead, you’ll see that someone is part of your network, meaning they are trusted by you or your trusted connections.

This is one of the most powerful ways to explore and expand your supply chain.

If you work with a U.S. Manufacturer you trust, send them an invitation.

• If they’re already a NORAMARK member, they’ll be added to your network.
• If not, they’ll receive an invitation to join.

In both cases, you benefit: your network expands and your Trust Score can get a boost.

However, if you are not confident that this is someone you want in your network, do not invite them. If they have a low or declining Trust Score, this can ultimately harm your network until they are removed.

Invitation Behavior by Tier

Super Patriots

• Entry Requirement: Invite-only group limited to 10 exemplary U.S. Manufacturers. They set the standard for transparency, quality, and mission alignment.
• Invitation Power:
  • New invitees: Join as Tier 1 without uploading any referrals.
  • Existing members: Added to their network.

Tier 1

• Entry Requirement: Upload 3 approved referrals
• Invitation Power:
  • New invitees:
    • Join as Tier 2 (no referrals required), or
    • Join as Tier 1 if they upload 1 approved referral
  • Existing members: Added to their network.

Tier 2

• Entry Requirement: Upload 1 approved referral
• Invitation Power:
  • New invitees: Join as Tier 3. Invites do not count as referrals.
  • Existing members: Added to their network.

Tier 3

• Entry Requirement: None
• Invitation Power:
  • New invitees: Join as Tier 3. Invites do not count as referrals.
  • Existing members: Added to their network.

What Happens When You Refer Someone?

Referrals are a way to vouch that you’ve done business with another U.S. Manufacturer. They serve two purposes:

1. Gain Access to Higher Tiers
   • If you don’t have an invite code, referrals are how you qualify for Tier 1 or Tier 2.
   • For example:
     • 1 approved referral = eligible for Tier 2
     • 3 approved referrals = eligible for Tier 1
2. Increase Your Trust Score
   • Any manufacturer, regardless of tier, can continue uploading referrals to grow their Trust Score beyond the baseline.
   • A Tier 3 manufacturer can build their score up to 60, 80, or higher through consistent, approved referrals.

You should use referrals frequently to reflect the work you’ve done, expand your trusted network, provide feedback on others, and signal to the system who you trust based on real-world experience.

Referral Benefits

• Trust Score growth: Approved referrals increase your score based on the approver’s tier.
• System integrity: Reviewing and approving referrals helps maintain quality — and earns you Trust Score as well.

How to Submit Referrals

• Go to the Trust tab in your User Console.
• Open the Referrals section and upload manufacturers you’ve worked with and would recommend.

Next: [Trust Scores →]

NORAMARK Forums launching March 26th!

We're super excited to bring discussions and classifieds to NORAMARK.

I hope that all of our new manufacturers will take a moment to introduce themselves. I see several have joined over the past few days. We'd love to hear more about you!

Your success on NORAMARK depends on three things: your Trust Score, your Tier, and your Network. Each one affects what you can do, what you can see, and how others see you.

These three elements are tightly linked. They reinforce one another to create a reputation system that reflects real-world working relationships, not artificial gamification. This guide explains how they interact and how you can use them together to expand your visibility, grow your business, and coordinate faster.

Tier Determines Your Starting Position

Your Tier sets your baseline Trust Score and unlocks different levels of access across the platform.

• Tier 1 manufacturers have full system privileges and start with a Trust Score of 60
• Tier 2 manufacturers have most privileges and start with a Trust Score of 40
• Tier 3 manufacturers are limited in visibility and interaction, starting at 20
• Super Patriots are the highest trust category, starting at 100 and able to onboard others directly

Your Tier also determines how visible you are in search, what conversations and features you can access, and who you can message or match with.

Trust Score Reflects Ongoing Credibility

Your Trust Score is not fixed. It increases based on what you do:

• Referring and being referred for real work
• Approving high-quality referrals
• Engaging constructively in forums
• Receiving and responding to mentorship or invites from high-trust members

Your Trust Score does not drop below your Tier baseline, but it can rise far above it. A high Trust Score makes you more discoverable, more eligible for recommendations, and more appealing to buyers and collaborators.

You also receive trust boosts when invited by someone with a strong reputation. This jump-starts your Trust Score and signals that someone is willing to vouch for you.

Your Network Extends Your Reach

Your network is the group of manufacturers connected to you by real relationships. These may come from:

• Invitations
• Referrals
• Shared Organizations
• Mutual follows

The larger and stronger your network, the more second-degree connections you can see. These are manufacturers trusted by your connections. You can’t see who introduced them or why, but you know they are nearby in the trust graph.

When your network grows, so does your ability to source parts, build relationships, and respond to complex customer requests. You don’t need to rely on public directories or cold calls. You can turn to your network and find someone who can help.

Working Together

Here’s how the system works in practice:

1. You start at a Tier, either by invitation or by submitting referrals
2. That Tier gives you a starting Trust Score and feature access
3. You grow your Trust Score by contributing, referring, and engaging
4. As your Trust Score and Tier improve, your visibility increases
5. As your Network expands, you gain access to more manufacturers
6. With more visibility and more connections, you become a more powerful node in the NORAMARK ecosystem

You get faster at building supply chains. You become easier to find. You become more trusted, and more valuable.

Why It Matters

NORAMARK is not just a tool for showcasing your company. It is a system for coordination, designed to replace the fragmented, offline, relationship-based sourcing model that most U.S. manufacturers still rely on. By combining your Trust Score, Tier, and Network, NORAMARK gives you a faster, smarter way to find people you can actually work with.

If someone asks you to build something and you can only do part of it, you can use NORAMARK to locate a trusted supplier for the rest. If you need a die caster, a heat treater, or a specialty materials provider, you don’t need to start from scratch. You can search your network. You can act with confidence.

This is what makes NORAMARK more than a marketplace. It is a high-trust coordination layer for American manufacturing, built to help you move faster and scale without sacrificing quality or confidentiality.