Leadership

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

With Election Day approaching, the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) is bringing two of the country’s best-known political analysts to Columbus for a timely look at the races, numbers and voter trends shaping 2026.

Kyle Kondik, managing editor of Sabato’s Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics, will join OMA’s Government Affairs Committee on Wednesday, Sept. 30, to break down the latest polling, voter sentiment and political trends heading into November.

Kondik also brings a distinctly Ohio perspective to the conversation. An Ohio native and graduate of Ohio University’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, he previously worked in state government and is the author of The Bellwether: Why Ohio Picks the President, an examination of Ohio’s long role in presidential politics.

The next day, NBC News Chief Data Analyst Steve Kornacki will headline the Ohio Manufacturers’ Annual Forum with the fast-moving, data-driven election analysis that has made his “big board” a fixture of election coverage.

“Kyle knows Ohio politics exceptionally well, and Steve has a remarkable ability to make complicated election data understandable,” said James Lee, managing director of public policy for the OMA. “Having both of them with us just weeks before Election Day gives our members a chance to hear what is really shaping the 2026 races.”

The Annual Forum is Thursday, Oct. 1, at The Grand Event Center in Columbus. Networking begins at 11 a.m., followed by the program from noon to 2 p.m. Forum registration also includes the Sept. 30 welcome reception at Hofbräuhaus Columbus.

With the campaign entering its final stretch, there may not be a better time to hear from two analysts who spend their lives studying where voters are moving and why.

Register now for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Annual Forum. 9/3/2026

Ohio Manufacturers’ Association President Ryan Augsburger told a sold-out audience of more than 600 business leaders Thursday morning that Ohio’s ability to compete will depend in part on getting energy policy right.

Speaking at the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber’s Salute to Business alongside OMA Board member Mark Lamoncha, Augsburger highlighted manufacturing’s $138 billion contribution to Ohio’s economy and the opportunities ahead in reshoring, defense, automation and advanced manufacturing.

Energy was a major part of that discussion. Augsburger walked through how generation, distribution and transmission costs show up on customer bills, while making the case that Ohio needs both affordable and reliable power to support future growth.

He also emphasized the need for greater accountability in electricity demand forecasting, including safeguards against counting the same proposed load multiple times and assumptions that fail to keep pace with rapid advances in technology and energy efficiency.

“We appreciate the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber bringing together such a strong group of business leaders for this conversation,” Augsburger said. “Ohio has tremendous opportunity in front of it. We need an energy system that supports that growth with affordable, reliable power, better forecasting and more room for innovation and competition.” 9/3/2026

Ohio manufacturing is having a pretty good moment.

Business Facilities’ 2026 Annual Rankings put Ohio No. 3 in the nation for manufacturing jobs and No. 4 among manufacturing hubs. The state also ranked No. 2 for automotive manufacturing, while Columbus, Cincinnati and Findlay all earned top-10 spots among manufacturing hubs in their respective city-size categories.

“That is what a manufacturing powerhouse looks like,” said Ryan Augsburger, president of the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association. “Ohio is No. 3 in manufacturing jobs, No. 4 among manufacturing hubs and No. 2 in automotive. At some point, you stop calling that potential. You call it what it is. Ohio is one of the best places in America to make things.”

The rankings measure factors including manufacturing employment, investment activity, industrial momentum and sector strength, putting Ohio near the top across several of the categories that matter most to manufacturers. 9/2/2026

ProVia is making a major bet on Dover, acquiring Schaeffler’s unfinished manufacturing facility and planning a $110 million investment that is expected to create about 400 jobs and $27 million in annual payroll. The Ohio company will complete the 310,000-square-foot facility in 2027 and use it to manufacture custom replacement windows.

“ProVia keeps giving us reasons to brag about Ohio manufacturing,” said Ryan Augsburger, president of the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA). “Seeing an OMA member invest $110 million and add 400 jobs is a pretty good one.”

Schaeffler had originally planned to manufacture electric vehicle components at the Dover site before changing course as the EV market shifted. ProVia, headquartered in Walnut Creek, had been looking for additional capacity as its existing operations continued to grow. 8/31/2026

Livi Steel, Inc. is preparing for Manufacturing Month in October with a milestone on the horizon. The third-generation, family-owned structural steel fabricator will mark 49 years in business Oct. 13.

Founded in 1977, Livi Steel has grown from its Mahoning Valley roots while maintaining a strong family culture inside the company. The Warren manufacturer fabricates structural steel for schools, warehouses, medical facilities, office buildings and other projects across the region, while investing in advanced technology including the PeddiAssembler and PythonX robotic platform.

“Companies like Livi Steel are a big part of what makes Ohio manufacturing special,” said Ryan Augsburger, president of the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA). “Nearly 50 years of building a business, investing in technology and creating opportunities for people in the Mahoning Valley is something worth celebrating. Livi Steel has kept evolving while staying rooted in the people and community that built the company.”

Livi Steel, an OMA member, also partners with workforce organizations including Flying HIGH Inc. to help train welders and fitters and serves as a Second Chance Employer. The company plans to use Manufacturing Month to highlight careers in the skilled trades as it approaches 49 years in business and continues building toward its next chapter. 9/4/2026

Labor Day weekend gets treated like the unofficial end of summer. In Ohio manufacturing, it is also a good reminder of who keeps this state moving.

Every shift, every shipment and every production line depends on people doing skilled, demanding work that rarely gets much attention outside the plant.

This weekend, they deserve it. 9/4/2026

After a day spent questioning forecasts, costs and who ultimately gets stuck with the bill, attendees at the Ohio Manufacturers’ Energy Conference left with one more takeaway.

A red DENIED stamp.

The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) handed one to every attendee as a reminder that not every forecast, assumption or cost shift deserves an automatic yes.

“We considered something more subtle, but subtle isn’t really our style,” said Dave O’Neil, director of communications for the OMA.

The message behind the stamp was simple. When the numbers do not add up, when the risk gets pushed onto existing customers or when “because the forecast says so” becomes the justification, manufacturers should be ready to push back.

Now they have the stamp to prove it. 8/27/2026

State Sen. Mark Romanchuk was honored Thursday with the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association’s (OMA) Dan French Legacy Award, recognizing his leadership, service and commitment to Ohio manufacturing.

Romanchuk, a manufacturer himself at PR Machine Works, brings something especially valuable to the Statehouse. He knows firsthand what policy decisions look like once they reach the plant floor. He understands the pressure of rising costs, the need to stay competitive and the consequences when government gets the details wrong.

His leadership has been especially important on energy policy. Romanchuk is the co-sponsor of Senate Bill 457, the Electricity Forecast Integrity Act, which would bring greater independent review, transparency and accountability to the load forecasts driving billions of dollars in grid investment and customer costs.

“Mark does not just accept the numbers he is handed,” said Lindsey Short, managing director of advocacy and energy services for the OMA. “He asks who checked the math, who bears the risk and who gets stuck with the bill if the forecast is wrong. That kind of scrutiny is exactly what Ohio energy policy needs.”

The Dan French Legacy Award honors individuals who demonstrate exemplary service and leadership on behalf of Ohio’s manufacturing community. 8/27/2026

After a standing-room-only crowd at yesterday’s Ohio Manufacturers’ Energy Conference, the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) is already looking ahead to the next big one.

The 2026 Ohio Manufacturers’ Annual Forum is set for Oct. 1, headlined by Whirlpool Chairman and CEO Marc Bitzer and NBC News chief data analyst Steve Kornacki.

Bitzer will bring the perspective of a global manufacturing leader navigating investment, innovation and workforce challenges. Kornacki will break down the political landscape just weeks before Election Day, giving attendees a data-driven look at the races and trends shaping 2026.

“The OMA has apparently forgot how to host small events,” said James Lee, managing director of public policy services for the OMA. “After packing the room for Energy Conference, we figured we might as well keep going. Bitzer and Kornacki on the same program is a pretty good way to do it.”

Our Energy Conference packed the room. The Annual Forum should do it again. Register today. 8/28/2026

Cleveland-Cliffs is putting $1 billion behind Middletown Works, with Washington picking up half the tab.

The U.S. Department of Energy announced a $500 million award to support a $1 billion modernization project at Cleveland-Cliffs’ Middletown Works facility. Vice President JD Vance and Energy Secretary Chris Wright visited the plant this past Friday to highlight the investment, which is expected to protect 2,300 jobs and strengthen domestic steel production.

The project will rebuild and upgrade Middletown Works’ main blast furnace, deploy artificial intelligence to improve furnace operations and energy efficiency, and build an on-site facility to convert steel mill process gases into electricity. Cleveland-Cliffs also plans follow-on investments that would turn industrial byproducts into materials used in concrete.

“A billion-dollar investment tells you everything you need to know about Cleveland-Cliffs’ commitment to Middletown,” said Ryan Augsburger, president of the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA). “This is not some press release promise. It is real capital going into a real Ohio plant, supporting thousands of jobs and strengthening one of the most important pieces of the American manufacturing supply chain.”

Cleveland-Cliffs, an OMA member, is the nation’s largest flat-rolled steel producer, and Middletown Works supplies steel used by the automotive, HVAC, appliance and steel-distribution industries. Construction is expected to begin in the coming weeks. 8/24/2026

Ohio’s manufacturing workforce strategy drew national attention this week as Ohio Manufacturers’ Association President Ryan Augsburger participated in a workforce roundtable with Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling, U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno, JobsOhio and state and business leaders in Columbus.

The discussion focused on how Ohio’s industry-led approach can help advance America’s Talent Strategy by making workforce systems more responsive to employer demand and expanding training and earn-and-learn opportunities that help manufacturers build the talent they need.

“Ohio already has the relationships, the infrastructure and the employer leadership to execute,” Augsburger said. “The opportunity now is to scale what works and show the country what an industry-led workforce system can deliver.”

The stakes are substantial. Ohio manufacturing needs an estimated 35,000 new entry-level operators and mid-level technicians each year to support continued investment and growth across the state. 8/17/2026

Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman will meet with Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) members Sept. 30 for a Government Affairs Committee discussion on the policy and political issues shaping Ohio’s manufacturing economy.

The meeting gives members a direct opportunity to hear from one of the state’s most influential policymakers and engage on the issues likely to drive the months ahead. The OMA Public Policy team will also provide an update on key legislative and regulatory developments.

“Speaker Huffman is right in the middle of the decisions that will shape Ohio’s business climate for years to come,” said James Lee, managing director of public policy services at the OMA. “This is a valuable opportunity for members to hear directly from him, ask questions and understand where the General Assembly may be headed next.”

The discussion kicks off the OMA’s Annual Forum experience, followed by the welcome reception at Hofbräuhaus Columbus and the Oct. 1 Forum featuring Whirlpool Chairman and CEO Marc Bitzer and NBC News Chief Data Analyst Steve Kornacki.

Registration for the Annual Forum is open now. 8/21/2026

Predictability matters when businesses are making decisions that will shape Ohio’s economy for decades.

That was the message this week as the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) joined the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, NFIB Ohio, Ohio Business Roundtable and Ohio Farm Bureau Federation in supporting Justice Dan Hawkins and Colleen O’Donnell for the Ohio Supreme Court.

Court decisions can shape everything from contracts and taxes to workers’ compensation and regulation. OMA President Ryan Augsburger said Ohio needs judges who understand the importance of applying the law consistently and leaving policymaking to the legislature.

“Manufacturers make investments measured in decades, not election cycles,” Augsburger said. “Justice Dan Hawkins and Colleen O’Donnell understand that courts should provide certainty by applying the law as written, not creating new policy from the bench.”

That kind of judicial restraint matters to Ohio’s business climate. Long-term investment depends on knowing the rules will be applied consistently, not rewritten from the bench. 8/18/2026