Leadership

NBC News Chief Data Analyst Steve Kornacki brought the big board to Columbus yesterday at the Ohio Manufacturers’ Annual Forum, giving Ohio manufacturers a fast-moving look at the numbers, voter shifts and races shaping the final stretch of the 2026 election.

His appearance also helped kick off Manufacturing Month, a time to highlight the people, companies and investments that make manufacturing central to Ohio’s economy.

Kornacki moved from national attitudes on the economy, inflation and immigration to the fight for control of Congress, then zeroed in on Ohio. His presentation examined the U.S. Senate race between Jon Husted and Sherrod Brown, along with several congressional contests across the state.

“Steve has a way of cutting through an enormous amount of political data and showing you very quickly where the pressure points are,” said Ryan Augsburger, president of the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA). “Our members got a close look at the races, counties and voter shifts that could matter most over the next month.”

Kornacki’s appearance followed Wednesday’s Government Affairs Committee meeting and election analysis from Kyle Kondik, giving OMA members two days of close-up perspective on the political landscape heading into November. 10/1/2026

Whirlpool Corporation Chairman and CEO Marc Bitzer put Ohio at the center of the company’s continued investment in American manufacturing during his remarks yesterday at the Ohio Manufacturers’ Annual Forum.

Bitzer highlighted Whirlpool’s recent $360 million investment in Ohio manufacturing and the combination of talent, infrastructure and industry partnership supporting the company’s long-term presence in the state.

“Whirlpool Corporation started in America, stayed in America and we’re continuing to build our future here. Our recent $360 million investment in Ohio manufacturing recognizes this state as a vital part of our U.S. operations. It also serves as a testament to our confidence in Ohio’s talent pool and the state’s commitment to manufacturing,” said Marc Bitzer, chairman and CEO of Whirlpool Corporation. “Working together with organizations across the state, like the Ohio Manufacturers Association, we can ensure Ohio and the U.S. remain a growing hub for American jobs, ingenuity and manufacturing for generations to come.”

His message to OMA members was straightforward. Whirlpool is continuing to invest in American manufacturing, and Ohio remains an important part of where the company sees its future. 10/1/2026

More than two decades of leadership and service to Ohio manufacturing earned William “Bill” Sopko the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association’s (OMA) Dan French Legacy Award, presented Thursday at the Ohio Manufacturers’ Annual Forum in Columbus.

Sopko, president of Cleveland-area Wm. Sopko & Sons Co., Inc., and a longtime leader at Stamco Industries, has served on the OMA board since 2004, including a tenure as chairman. Throughout his service, he has brought the perspective of a family-owned manufacturer to the association, helping guide its leadership and champion the interests of Ohio’s manufacturing community.

“Bill Sopko has never been afraid to challenge us, tell us what we need to hear or roll up his sleeves and get to work,” said Ryan Augsburger, OMA president. “He understands what it takes to run a manufacturing business, and he’s spent more than 20 years making sure that perspective shapes this association. Bill has given us his time, his judgment and, when we needed it, a piece of his mind. That’s leadership, and OMA is better because of it.”

Established in 2023, the Dan French Legacy Award recognizes exemplary service and leadership on behalf of Ohio’s manufacturing community. It honors the late Daniel P. French, who served on the OMA board for 19 years and helped shape the association’s leadership and governance. Sopko’s decades of service reflect the same commitment to strengthening OMA and the industry it represents. 10/1/2026

Luke Harms, director of government relations at Whirlpool Corporation, received the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association’s (OMA) William Babington, Jr. Award during Thursday’s Ohio Manufacturers’ Annual Forum in Columbus, recognizing his volunteer leadership and commitment to Ohio manufacturing.

Harms, who has chaired OMA’s Government Affairs Committee since 2024, brings firsthand experience navigating the legislative and regulatory issues facing one of Ohio’s largest manufacturing employers. His work with OMA has helped shape the association’s policy priorities, build consensus among members and strengthen manufacturers’ engagement with state policymakers.

“Luke knows his stuff, and he knows how to get things done,” said Ryan Augsburger, OMA president. “He can walk into a room full of manufacturers with different priorities, find the common ground and turn it into a policy position that actually moves the needle. That’s not easy, and it’s one of the reasons OMA has been so effective with Luke leading our Government Affairs Committee.”

Presented on select occasions, the William Babington, Jr. Award recognizes outstanding volunteer leadership in advancing OMA’s mission and strengthening the association. It honors the late William Babington Jr. of Stone Container, whose dedication, high expectations and good humor left a lasting impression on the organization. 10/1/2026

Ohio manufacturers helped build America. Now they’re helping shape its next chapter. A new video debuted Thursday at the Ohio Manufacturers’ Annual Forum, bringing together industry leaders to reflect on the state’s manufacturing legacy, the people behind its success and the opportunities ahead as America celebrates its 250th anniversary.

From producing the equipment that helped win World War II to creating generations of middle-class opportunity, manufacturing has helped define Ohio’s economic history. In the video, manufacturers reflect on that legacy while making clear that the industry’s continued success depends on the same willingness to invest, innovate and adapt that shaped its past.

At the heart of that effort are people.

“Nothing is done without your people,” said Jack Schron, president and CEO at Jergens, Inc. “You’ve got to invest in their energy, their time, and their desire even to be in this sector.”

Manufacturers described opening their facilities to students, helping employees build lasting careers and expanding opportunities through second-chance employment and programs serving people with disabilities. Manufacturing’s continued success depends on making sure more Ohioans can see themselves as part of it.

The video also offers a look inside modern manufacturing, where lasers, 3D printing, advanced machinery and highly skilled employees are changing what happens on the factory floor. Beyond production, manufacturers highlighted careers in engineering, purchasing, human resources and other fields, challenging outdated perceptions of an industry that offers opportunities to learn, advance and lead.

That same commitment to progress extends beyond individual companies.

“We manufacturers have a responsibility to speak up for all manufacturers,” said Dale Foerster, owner and vice president at Starr Manufacturing Inc. “We are so interconnected and interdependent.”

Participants credited the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association with uniting the industry around shared priorities and providing expertise across advocacy, energy and workforce development. Foerster added, “When we all band together, our voice becomes so big and legislators listen.”

As the industry looks ahead, the video returns to a conviction shared by the manufacturers who helped tell its story. Ohio’s next chapter will be written by the people developing new technologies, preparing the next generation of workers and investing in the state’s manufacturing future.

“Ohio will lead the next 250 years of manufacturing because of the tenacity of the people here in the state of Ohio,” said Billy Vickers, president and CEO at Modular Assembly Innovations. 10/1/2026

The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) Board of Directors met Thursday in Columbus ahead of the Annual Forum, with plenty to discuss after a consequential few months for the association and its members. From rising electricity costs to new opportunities to help manufacturers grow, the conversation focused on turning OMA’s recent progress into tangible benefits for Ohio’s manufacturing community.

Among the biggest developments was OMA’s selection to lead Ohio’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership, which will bring new resources and technical expertise to small and medium-sized manufacturers across the state. Directors also reviewed efforts to expand technician training and strengthen the pipeline of skilled workers that Ohio companies need to compete.

“We’ve taken on some big challenges this year, and our board has been right there with us,” said OMA President Ryan Augsburger. “Whether we’re fighting to keep electricity costs in check or building an entirely new statewide network to help manufacturers grow, the expectation is the same. Our members should see real results from the work we’re doing.”

With 2027 approaching, OMA’s work on energy affordability, workforce development and manufacturing competitiveness remains a central focus. The board’s guidance will help shape the association’s efforts to address those challenges while ensuring members have access to the expertise, advocacy and services they need. 10/1/2026

Kyle Kondik, one of the nation’s leading election analysts, gave more than 140 members of the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) a look at the political landscape Wednesday, from the battle for control of Congress to Ohio’s closely watched races for governor and U.S. Senate.

Kondik, managing editor of Sabato’s Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics, examined President Donald Trump’s standing, the national political environment and the dramatic changes in Ohio’s electoral map. He also identified Mahoning, Delaware and Wood counties as places to watch in the governor’s race. He said both the U.S. Senate and gubernatorial races were “on a knife’s edge.”

“Everyone in Columbus thinks they know what’s going to happen in November. That’s why we brought in someone who actually studies the numbers,” said James Lee, managing director of public policy services for OMA. “Our job is to make sure manufacturers are prepared for what comes after the votes are counted.”

Political strategists Bob Clegg and Sandy Theis rounded out the Government Affairs Committee meeting with a discussion of Ohio’s elections, the upcoming gubernatorial transition and the legislative battles awaiting lawmakers after November. 9/30/2026

Manufacturing Day is Friday, Oct. 2, kicking off a month of activities celebrating an industry that drives Ohio’s economy, supports hundreds of thousands of jobs and creates opportunities in communities across the state. The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) wants to showcase how our members are marking the occasion.

From plant tours and student visits to employee celebrations and community partnerships, manufacturers are opening their doors, recognizing their people and introducing the next generation to modern manufacturing. These activities offer a firsthand look at the innovation, technology and career opportunities that define today’s industry.

Throughout October, OMA will spotlight member celebrations across our communications channels, highlighting the people, facilities and partnerships that make Ohio a manufacturing powerhouse.

We want to hear from you. Email Dave O’Neil your event details, photos and highlights so we can help share your story. 10/2/2026

Today is the final day to register for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Annual Forum, and space is getting tight.

We know. We’ve sent you a few emails about this one. Consider this the last one.

“We’ve emailed you about the Forum enough that you probably know the lineup by heart,” said Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) Director of Public Policy Services James Lee. “So here’s our final pitch. We’re almost out of seats, registration closes today, and we’d really like to see you there.”

On Oct. 1, Whirlpool CEO Marc Bitzer will dig into the forces reshaping American manufacturing, while NBC’s Steve Kornacki brings his data-driven look at the political landscape ahead. It’s a strong lineup, a nearly full room and your last chance to be part of it. 9/25/2026

A new Ogden Newspapers editorial is highlighting the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association’s (OMA) selection to lead Ohio’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership Center, praising the association as “the kind of organization that can help regain the federal government’s trust.”

“We appreciate the confidence, but the real measure is what manufacturers see from this program,” said OMA President Ryan Augsburger. “They should see a program that is easy to use, responsive to their needs and focused on helping companies solve problems and grow.”

The editorial pointed to the importance of the services at stake, especially for small and medium-sized manufacturers that rely on outside support for technology adoption, process improvement, workforce development, supply chain needs and growth strategy.

With approximately $12.2 million in annual program activity, OMA will lead the work of rebuilding a statewide network designed around the needs of Ohio manufacturers. 9/18/2026

Ohio leaders are making a coordinated push to bring the new U.S. Space Force Academy to Dayton, with Wright-Patterson Air Force Base and Wright State University at the center of the effort.

If Ohio lands the academy, the impact could extend well beyond the campus itself, creating new opportunities across the state’s defense and aerospace supply chain.

“This is exactly the kind of opportunity that can create a long runway for Ohio manufacturers,” said James Lee, Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) director of public policy services. “A project like this brings investment, talent and new demand into a sector where Ohio already has deep manufacturing strength.”

OMA members interested in the future of Ohio’s defense and aerospace sector can join the OMA Defense and Aerospace Committee on Nov. 18 for updates on the issues, investments and opportunities shaping the industry. 9/21/2026

Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) member PCPI Plastics is celebrating 50 years in business, marking a half-century of manufacturing built around quality, reliability, innovation and long-standing relationships with customers, employees and the community.

Founded in 1976, the company is recognizing the milestone with a special celebration for employees and looking ahead to its next chapter of growth.

“Fifty years in manufacturing says a lot about a company’s ability to adapt, compete and keep earning the trust of its customers,” said OMA President Ryan Augsburger. “PCPI Plastics has built something lasting, and we’re proud to celebrate this milestone with their team.”

PCPI President Guilherme Bornholdt thanked the employees, customers and community partners who have been part of the company’s journey and said the company is looking forward to “the next 50 years of growth and manufacturing excellence.” 9/22/2026

Manufacturers put plenty of attention into maintaining equipment on the plant floor, but aging IT infrastructure can create production headaches of its own.

A new article from Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) member Affiliated Resource Group looks at how outdated networks, weak wireless coverage and single points of failure can slow production, delay data and force employees into workarounds that cost time.

The piece also offers a practical starting point for manufacturers looking to get ahead of problems, including documenting existing network infrastructure, identifying critical failure points and putting IT equipment on a regular lifecycle schedule.

“This is a useful reminder that IT decisions are increasingly operations decisions, especially as more production systems depend on reliable connectivity,” said Dave O’Neil, director of communications for the OMA. 9/21/2026

Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) members will soon have a stronger statewide system to tap for hands-on help with technology, productivity, workforce, supply chain and growth.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology has selected the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association Educational and Industrial Development Institute to operate Ohio’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership Center, putting OMA in charge of building and overseeing the statewide network.

The new model will be industry-led, with manufacturers helping shape priorities and regional partners delivering services close to the companies that need them.

“Ohio manufacturers have spent months wondering what comes next,” said OMA President Ryan Augsburger. “Now we have a chance to rebuild these services around the companies that rely on them, with manufacturers setting the priorities and a statewide network built to deliver.”

OMA is grateful to Gov. Mike DeWine, Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel, U.S. Sens. Bernie Moreno and Jon Husted and the Ohio manufacturers who supported the application and helped preserve these critical services.

Implementation will begin immediately, and OMA will keep members informed as the new network takes shape. 9/15/2026

Ohio manufacturers will have new tools to compete for defense and aerospace investment under an Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA)-backed measure that is now law.

House Bill 292 creates the Ohio Defense and Space Advisory Commission and a new Defense and Aerospace Industries Expansion Program designed to help Ohio compete for defense and aerospace investment, strengthen coordination across the state and support manufacturers pursuing new opportunities.

OMA supported the legislation throughout the legislative process, arguing that Ohio needed a more coordinated strategy to capture defense manufacturing growth and help small and mid-sized suppliers compete for federal work.

Earlier this year, OMA member Eric Jenkusky, founder and CEO of T.J. Clark International, told lawmakers the legislation would help Ohio compete for high-value defense and aerospace projects while strengthening the manufacturers that make up the state’s defense industrial base.

The new law includes $5 million in FY 2027 for the Defense and Aerospace Industries Expansion Program and advisory commission.

“Ohio has the manufacturing depth to win more defense and aerospace work, but having the capability is only part of the equation,” said James Lee, OMA managing director of public policy services. “This gives the state a more deliberate way to connect Ohio manufacturers with investment and opportunities that too often go elsewhere.”

The law also complements OMA’s push to improve access to capital for smaller defense manufacturers, giving more Ohio companies a path to compete for growth in the sector. 9/14/2026

October is Manufacturing Month, with Manufacturing Day on Friday, Oct. 2, giving Ohio manufacturers a chance to show off the people, technology and careers behind one of the state’s most important industries.

Manufacturing Day is part of a national grassroots movement led by the Manufacturing Institute that encourages manufacturers to open their doors to students, educators, parents and community members through plant tours, hands-on activities, career conversations and other events. The goal is to give the next generation a firsthand look at modern manufacturing and the careers available in the industry.

Ohio has plenty to show off. Manufacturing supports 687,345 jobs, generates $137.9 billion in GDP and ranks No. 3 nationally in manufacturing employment. The sector also accounts for nearly $50 billion in annual payroll across more than 13,000 manufacturing establishments.

“When you travel around Ohio, you see how deeply manufacturing is woven into the state,” said Ryan Augsburger, president of the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association. “October is a chance to open the doors a little wider and show people what is actually happening inside these plants, the technology, the careers and the people building things every day.”

Throughout October, OMA will spotlight the people and places behind those numbers and show how manufacturing continues to shape Ohio’s economy.

Have information you’d like to share about Manufacturing Month? Contact Dave O’Neil with the details! 9/18/2026

The Ohio Manufacturers’ Annual Forum is the centerpiece on Oct. 1, but there is plenty happening before the program even begins. On Sept. 30, the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) Government Affairs Committee will meet with Kyle Kondik of Sabato’s Crystal Ball, Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman and a political panel, followed by the Annual Forum welcome reception at Hofbräuhaus Columbus.

Then comes the Annual Forum itself, with Whirlpool Chairman and CEO Marc Bitzer and NBC News Chief Data Analyst Steve Kornacki bringing two very different perspectives on the forces shaping manufacturing and the political environment heading into November.

“This is one of those times when it is worth blocking off more than a couple of hours on the calendar,” said James Lee, managing director of public policy services for the OMA. “You get manufacturers, policymakers and political analysts in the same place, with plenty of time to actually talk. That makes for a much better two days than just showing up for one program and heading home.”

If you are already coming to Columbus for the Annual Forum, make a couple of days out of it. Register now and join OMA for one of the biggest member gatherings of the year. 9/18/2026

Today marks 25 years since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

We remember the nearly 3,000 lives lost, the families forever changed, and the first responders, service members and countless others whose courage and sacrifice followed that day.

Across Ohio’s workplaces and communities, many still carry vivid memories of Sept. 11 and the days that followed. Today, we honor those we lost, salute those who answered the call, and remember the strength and resolve of a nation that refused to be broken. 9/11/2026

Yes, there is an election happening this fall. And yes, Steve Kornacki will be at the Ohio Manufacturers’ Annual Forum to break it all down.

But manufacturers will also hear from one of their own.

Marc Bitzer, chairman and CEO of Whirlpool Corporation, will headline the Forum with a CEO-level look at competitiveness, investment, technology and the future of American manufacturing. Bitzer has led Whirlpool through a period of major transformation in global manufacturing, giving him a firsthand view of the decisions companies are making about where and how to invest.

“Manufacturers spend plenty of time hearing people talk about manufacturing,” said James Lee, managing director of public policy services for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association. “This is a chance to hear from someone actually leading one of America’s iconic manufacturing companies through enormous change. That perspective is hard to beat.”

The Forum kicks off Manufacturing Month on Oct. 1 and will also feature Kornacki’s data-driven look at the political landscape just weeks before Election Day.

Register now and join us. 9/10/2026

Labor Day weekend is the unofficial starting gun for election season, and the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) is getting a head start.

The 2026 Ohio Election Guide is now online, along with OMA’s updated Manufacturing Election Services Center, giving voters one place to check candidates, district maps, political data, endorsements and key races across Ohio.

“After Labor Day, Ohio voters are about to get buried in campaign ads, mailers and talking points,” said Ryan Augsburger, president of OMA. “We figured we should give them something more useful.”

OMA has published the guide every two years for four decades. This year’s edition covers statewide, congressional, judicial and legislative races and includes updated maps, candidate profiles, political data and economic information showing how manufacturing fits into each district.

Start with the 2026 Ohio Election Guide, then head to OMA’s Manufacturing Election Services Center for endorsements, voter resources and everything else you need before Election Day.

Additional printed copies are available for $30 each, including shipping and handling. To order, email Lisa Cummings-Dye or call (614) 224-5111. 9/4/2026