It's happening this week in Detroit. We're here. Will provide some thoughts after the event. We've seen some of you here! Feel free to add on to this thread with your thoughts.

Reminder for the new folks; we'd love to know who you are. Please introduce yourself if you feel comfortable with it.

There are a lot of really helpful people here that you can get to know.

Hi Folks,

Our Forums are organized like this:

• Categories (we have a few major categories)
  --- Topics (areas for discussion within categories - you can create these)
  ------ Posts (Specific thoughts within topics, sort of like "sub-topics")
  --------- Replies (Replies to posts, to follow-up, chime-in, etc.)

You can't make new categories, but you can request them by shooting me a note.

New topics go into categories. For example, I'm creating this new topic "How to use the NORAMARK forums" in the "General Discussion" category. Someone might choose to create a post inside this Topic about "Ten tips for creating great posts".

People can reply to posts with the reply button.

Don't be shy... jump in and make a Topic or a Post or Reply to others. There's really no wrong way to do this. The goal is for everyone to share information and best practices related to US Manufacturing.

That sounds awesome.

And you're at SF Tech Week this week, right? Anything cool happening there?

Hi Ken, I can't seem to access the flyer link that you shared.

If you're still accessing the discussion forums from community.noramark.com, you should try the new, better way. Make sure you're logged in, then go to noramark.com and click on the Discussions tab.

You'll see "Forums" on the left. These are the same as community.noramark.com but in a new and much better interface.

You'll also see "Inbox" on the left. You can use this to send private messages to manufacturers, other people, and even compose group messages to coordinate with others. These same messages can be accessed from any part of the console by clicking the circle with the envelope in it on the bottom right!

Let us know what you think!

The sourcing management feature represents a significant enhancement to the NORAMARK platform, providing customers with a simple yet powerful tool to manage their manufacturer relationships and sourcing activities.

You go to the new Sourcing tab, create a project, add description and notes if you wish... and then search for and add manufacturers to the project. You can also add manufacturers from the Directory search (scroll down on the dashboard tab).

Let me know what you think and what you'd like added next!

Welcome, @Jared Glad to have you here!

Rudolph Bros. has real depth, and it shows. The mix of brand-agnostic product support, fast logistics, and now the Made Here Co. initiative hits exactly the kind of value we’re trying to highlight on Noramark. It’s great to see folks strengthening this mission.

Employee ownership, trade school reinvestment, and a focus on actual manufacturer needs… that’s awesome leadership.

Looking forward to seeing you around here!
-Andrew, Noramark Team

Shout out to @Bowman for encouraging folks to share here

We would love to hear about events that you've attended! We try to keep a comprehensive list here https://www.noramark.com/user-console/?tab=events Of course, we're not able to go to all of them, so if you've gone to one or are planning to go, post it here and let us know or arrange to meet up with other Noramark folks.

Next event I'm planning to be at is Reindustrialize 2.0. Anyone else going?

How have the tariffs affected your business so far? More business, or more expenses? How about the latest changes. Would love to hear your experience and what you’re hoping to see next.

This weekend, as we gather with friends and family, let’s take a moment to honor the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Their sacrifice makes everything we build possible.

At NORAMARK, we believe in strengthening America from the ground up and that starts with remembering those who stood for it when it mattered most.

Wishing you a safe, reflective, and meaningful Memorial Day.

— The NORAMARK Team

Welcome @Bowman !! we're very happy to have you here on NORAMARK.

If you get chance, check out our blog post on how NORAMARK Networks work: https://community.noramark.com/topic/69/noramark-concepts-networks

This is the core concept that lays the groundwork for high-trust supply chains and over time we will be adding more and more supply chain management features, including projects, notes, tagging, etc.

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!

Very cool, Zack. Do you primarily focus on companies near you in California, or do you work across the country?

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.

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 →

General Overview

Tier 1 users enjoy full visibility and control. They can explore and grow their network, view affiliated users, manage relationships, and use NORAMARK to analyze and expand their supply chain—both manually and through auto-pairing recommendations.

Tier 2 users are discoverable and connected but with more limited visibility. They can research and follow Manufacturers, access forums and calendars, and receive pairing suggestions for mentees, but supply chain expansion is manual and constrained without full network access.

Tier 3 users play a quieter role. They are not visible in search but can be found through affiliations with Organizations. They can follow profiles, join community forums, and receive messages, but do not initiate direct connections or supply chain research beyond basic forum use.

Detailed Comparison

Level	Baseline Trust Score	System-wide Search	Messaging	Network	Supply Chain	Researching Manufacturers	Forums	Calendar	LinkForge
Tier 1	60	Ranked highest	Can message anyone. Can opt to receive messages from anyone or network only.	Can view and message all Manufacturers and Users in their network.	Full visibility and auto-pairing recommendations. Build and manage supplier lists.	Full visibility into Manufacturer profiles and affiliated Users.	Access to Tier 1 and Tier 2 private groups.	Private calendar sharing. Can post to public calendar.	Can request pairings for interns or mentees. Auto-pairing enabled.
Tier 2	40	Appears in search	Can send messages via Manufacturer profiles (if allowed).	Can see number of Manufacturers in their network.	Manual supply chain research only. No access to auto-pairing.	View and follow Manufacturer profiles. Join networks based on trust score.	Access to Tier 2 private group.	Can view public calendar. Can be invited to private calendars.	Can receive mentor requests. Auto-pairing for mentees only.
Tier 3	20	Hidden from search	Cannot send direct messages. Can receive messages.	No visibility into network details.	Limited to forum-based discovery and public posts.	View and follow Manufacturer profiles.	Access to general forums only.	View public calendar. Invites to private calendars via Organizations only.	Not eligible.

Membership Options

Choose the tier that fits your goals and unlock tailored capabilities across the NORAMARK platform.

Tier 1 – Elite Access

$5,000/year

For leaders building advanced supplier networks and high-trust relationships.

• Maximum Visibility: Ranked highest in search. Always discoverable.
• Messaging Freedom: Message anyone directly. Set your own privacy preferences.
• Full Network Access: See and contact all affiliated Manufacturers and Users.
• Supply Chain Optimization: Save supplier lists, access auto-pairing and smart matchmaking.
• Deep Research Tools: See which Users are affiliated with each Manufacturer.
• Tiered Discussions: Join Tier 1 and Tier 2 private forums.
• Advanced Calendar Tools: Manage a private calendar. Share it or post publicly.
• Premium LinkForge: Get and manage intern/mentee pairings with auto-matching.

Tier 2 – Professional Access

$100/year

Designed for professionals growing their footprint and reputation.

• Enhanced Search Presence: Appears in system-wide searches.
• Profile-Based Messaging: Send messages via Manufacturer profiles when allowed.
• Basic Network Awareness: Track number of connections.
• Manual Supply Research: Investigate manufacturers and follow profiles.
• Private Forums: Engage in Tier 2 discussion groups.
• Calendar Viewing: View public calendars. Accept invites to private ones.
• Mentorship Opportunities: Receive mentor invites. Eligible for mentee auto-pairing.

Tier 3 – Community Access

Free Forever

For new members and early-stage businesses testing the waters.

• Indirect Discovery: Not searchable but visible via affiliations.
• Passive Messaging: Receive messages but cannot initiate.
• Manufacturer Following: Track activity and posts from selected manufacturers.
• Community Forums: Contribute to public forum discussions.
• Calendar Access: View public events. Receive private invites through Organizations.

Organizations

Free for public schools. Others evaluated case-by-case. Contact Noramark to apply.

Organizations serve as foundational hubs for Tier 3 users. They provide discovery pathways and calendar access. Contact us to explore whether your group qualifies.

Next, how [Networks] operate →

The NORAMARK Trust Score helps manufacturers evaluate credibility, transparency, and activity across the network. It reflects your company’s level of verification and contribution to the NORAMARK community.

Your Trust Score, combined with your Tier and Network, determines how visible you are and what you can access in the system.

What Is the Trust Score?

The Trust Score is a dynamic number that begins with your Tier’s baseline and evolves based on your actions. It can increase without limit through trusted activity and will never drop below your Tier’s baseline.

Tier Levels & Baseline Scores

Each Tier sets a starting point for your Trust Score:

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	Elite reputation. Invite-only.

How to Increase Your Trust Score

Build trust by contributing to the community in meaningful ways:

1. Be Invited by Trusted Manufacturers

Receive a score boost based on the inviter’s Trust Score.

Trust Score Boost via Invitations

• Calculation:delta = min(5, (inviter_score - invitee_score) * 0.05)
• Max boost: +5 points
• No double boosting: Controlled by trust_boost_applied flag
• Common boost range: +2 to +4 points

2. Upload Referrals

Submit referrals for other manufacturers. If approved, you gain trust:

Approver’s Tier	Trust Boost
Tier 3	+2
Tier 2	+3
Tier 1 or Super Patriot	+4

3. Approve Referrals

Verifying legitimate connections earns you +1 point per approved referral.

4. Reject Low-Quality Referrals

Protecting the network earns you +1 point for each rejection. The submitter loses -2 points.

Also see “Invitations”

Also see “Referrals”

Trust Score Decay

To encourage active participation, scores decay by 1 point per month during inactivity. However, your score will never fall below your Tier’s baseline.

Why It Matters

Your Trust Score directly affects:

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

More on this in “Trust, Tiers, and Networks”.

FAQ

Can my Trust Score exceed 100?

Yes. There is no upper limit. The more trust you build, the higher your score.

What happens if my referrals are rejected?

You lose 2 points per rejected referral. Only submit high-quality, legitimate connections.

How do I become a Super Patriot?

Super Patriot status is invite-only and capped at 10 manufacturers at a time.

Next, [Tier Access and Features →]

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 →]