Leadership

The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) turns 115 this Mon., Nov. 10, celebrating more than a century of leadership, advocacy and partnership on behalf of Ohio’s manufacturing community.

Founded in 1910, when J.G. Battelle of Columbus Iron & Steel brought together industry leaders to form a unified voice for manufacturers, the OMA has remained at the forefront of shaping Ohio’s economic success. From its early focus on worker safety, fair compensation and taxation to today’s work on energy reliability, workforce development and competitiveness, the OMA has continually evolved to meet the needs of a changing economy.

Today, the association represents one of the most powerful and innovative manufacturing networks in the nation, driving collaboration among industry, education and policymakers to secure Ohio’s manufacturing future. This week’s eighth annual OMA Workforce Summit continued that legacy by bringing together problem-solvers from across the state to strengthen talent pipelines and prepare for the next generation of manufacturing. 11/7/2025

Ohio voters kept a steady hand in this week’s elections, re-electing incumbent mayors in Cleveland and Cincinnati while ushering in new leadership in Dayton.

Nationally, Democrats notched victories in reliably blue states as Mikie Sherrill won New Jersey’s governor’s race, Abigail Spanberger became Virginia’s first female governor, and California voters approved Prop 50 to redraw congressional maps favoring Democrats following recent Republican efforts in states like Texas. In New York City, Zohran Mamdani made history as the city’s youngest and first Muslim mayor.

For Ohio manufacturers, the takeaway is clear: the state’s business-friendly climate remains steady, but local engagement and federal shifts in trade, workforce and infrastructure policy will be worth watching. 11/5/2025

The Ohio Redistricting Commission’s newly approved congressional maps have redrawn the state’s 13th District, shifting its partisan lean toward Democrats and prompting Republican Kevin Coughlin to end his 2026 campaign against incumbent Rep. Emilia Sykes, D-Akron.

Coughlin, who lost to Sykes by two points in 2024, cited the district’s new D+4 tilt as a key factor in his withdrawal.The map keeps Akron and Canton together while moving GOP-leaning Stark County areas into the safer 6th District.

Though a bipartisan compromise, the changes eliminate one of Ohio’s few competitive seats. OMA will track how this and other redistricting outcomes may affect federal policy priorities critical to manufacturing, including trade, energy and infrastructure. 11/4/2025

The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) on Wednesday responded to Gov. Mike DeWine and JobsOhio’s announcement of the $100 million Energy Opportunity Initiative, a new effort to strengthen Ohio’s natural gas, power generation and nuclear supply chain infrastructure.

“Ohio manufacturers, like other businesses and families, are feeling the pain of rising power bills,” said OMA President Ryan Augsburger. “Our grid operator now has billions of dollars to attract competitive electric generation. That’s why the OMA has called for accountability and real market reforms. We look forward to working with JobsOhio to make sure any new energy investments are fair, customer-focused, and built on competition, not costly mistakes.”

The initiative, unveiled this week in Columbus, is billed as a way to boost energy reliability and investment as Ohio’s manufacturing base grows, though questions remain about how the funds will be used and whether the effort will deliver real market benefits for customers. 10/29/25

More than 150 students from Russia, Minster and Versailles high schools toured Superior Aluminum Products as part of Manufacturing Day in Russia, Ohio. The visit gave students a firsthand look at career opportunities in welding, logistics, assembly, shipping, engineering and more.

For Superior’s employees, it was a rewarding opportunity to share their skills and enthusiasm for manufacturing. The company — a leading producer of exterior building products — has welcomed local students for Manufacturing Day since 2016 and values the chance to inspire the next generation of the manufacturing workforce. 10/27/2025

Elite Biomedical Solutions welcomed students from Batavia High School earlier this month in celebration of Manufacturing Month. Students toured the company’s Cincinnati facility to see how medical device components are designed and produced, learning firsthand about the skills and technology driving modern manufacturing.

Team members from across departments shared insights into career paths in engineering, production, quality control, and logistics. The visit aimed to highlight the many opportunities available in Ohio’s growing manufacturing sector and to inspire students to consider future careers in the industry. 10/27/2025

Gov. Mike DeWine announced that the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services has submitted two waivers to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a statewide Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) demonstration project — one restricting the purchase of sugar-sweetened beverages and another addressing hot prepared foods.

The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) opposed the beverage restriction but worked with state leaders and partners to help ensure the waivers were developed in a workable and balanced way. The OMA continues to engage in education and implementation efforts to support retailers and manufacturers as Ohio launches the Healthy Food Choice Demonstration Project. 10/29/2025

The Ohio Senate has approved Senate Bill 146, which would revise state corporation laws to better protect related but distinct companies from liability and damages. Sponsored by Sens. Theresa Gavarone, R-Bowling Green, and Jane Timken, R-Canton, the bill clarifies corporate separateness — an important safeguard for manufacturers and other businesses with complex organizational structures.

The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association supports the legislation as it would help preserve fair business practices and provide greater legal certainty for employers. The bill now heads to the Ohio House of Representatives for further consideration. 10/29/2025

The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) has partnered with the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and fellow state affiliates to urge Congress to enact a clean continuing resolution without delay, bringing the federal government shutdown to an end.

In a unified letter to congressional leadership, the manufacturing community cautioned that the shutdown is severely disrupting essential federal services — including permitting, inspections, and regulatory support — that underpin U.S. industrial operations and job creation.

The OMA and NAM demanded swift restoration of full government functions to safeguard economic stability, stressing that prolonged Washington uncertainty undermines manufacturers’ capacity to invest, expand their workforce and remain competitive globally. 10/30/2025

On Friday, leaders from the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association welcomed the newest class of Legislative Service Commission (LSC) Fellows for an engaging and informative tour of Honda’s cutting-edge Marysville Auto Plant.

The LSC Fellowship Program is a prestigious and highly selective paid internship sponsored by the nonpartisan Legislative Service Commission of the Ohio General Assembly. This 13-month program offers recent college graduates an immersive introduction to state government. Fellows gain invaluable experience in the legislative process, policy research and public service, equipping them for impactful careers in law, politics, public administration and media.

The auto plant, operational since 1982, is a hub of advanced manufacturing, producing vehicles like the Honda Accord, Acura Integra and NSX. Skilled associates use innovative processes — stamping, robotic welding, precision painting and final assembly — and have crafted more than 15 million vehicles since the plant’s opening.

Following the tour of the auto plant, fellows visited the Honda Heritage Center also housed on Honda’s 8,000-acre campus in Marysville. The center celebrates Honda’s storied legacy, groundbreaking innovation and lasting impact on manufacturing in Ohio and across North America. 10/20/2025

October marks Manufacturing Month nationwide, with celebrations taking place throughout Ohio. This month, ArcelorMittal in Shelby and Fastlane and Sinclair Community College in Dayton hosted events to inspire youth and highlight the exciting career opportunities available in manufacturing. The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) actively supports these efforts by promoting manufacturing career pathways education and providing valuable resources for students, parents and educators alike.

To have your company’s Manufacturing Day event highlighted in next week’s Leadership Briefing, please email Dave O’Neil, OMA director of communications, by Weds., Oct. 29. 10/23/2025

Together with Maribeth Burns, President of the Wayne County Economic Development Council, and her team, Ohio Manufacturers’ Association staff toured the Will-Burt Company on Tues., Oct. 14 in Orrville. “With more than a century of excellence, Will-Burt — now an ESOP, exemplifies the ingenuity and strength of Ohio manufacturing,” said OMA President Ryan Augsburger in commending Wayne Chamberlain, Mike Gibb and Heidi Hostettler for hosting the visit. 10/14/2025

The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association team also visited the Quality Castings Company this past Tuesday in Orrville. Quality Castings has been a trusted leader in gray and ductile iron castings for more than 90 years. In thanking Matt Nicholas, Steve Yonto and Jennifer Elsass for hosting the visit, OMA President Ryan Augsburger applauded Quality Castings “for combining high-volume capability with custom solutions, setting the standard for reliability in American manufacturing.” 10/14/2025

As part of manufacturing month, Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) President Ryan Augsburger spoke with members of the Wayne County Economic Development Council for their Briefings for Business on Tues., Oct. 14 in Orrville. Augsburger shared insights to challenge popular misconceptions about the state of our supply of electricity and the importance of trusting the free market, not government fiat to supply increased demand. Click here to read the OMA’s primer on electricity policy. 10/14/25

Two members of the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association made big news for Manufacturing Month with major new investments in Ohio. Stellantis plans to invest nearly $400 million into its Toledo Assembly Complex, and bring production of a new midsize pickup truck to the facility. The upgrade will support advanced manufacturing processes and is expected to create up to 900 jobs beginning in 2028 — reinforcing Ohio’s role in automotive innovation.

Whirlpool also announced a $300 million investment across its Clyde and Marion plants to enhance appliance manufacturing capabilities. This modernization effort includes state-of-the-art equipment and automation upgrades, aiming to increase efficiency and production capacity. The expansion will generate between 400 and 600 new jobs, further strengthening Ohio’s position as a national leader in home appliance manufacturing.

These announcements highlight continued confidence in Ohio’s skilled workforce, robust supply chain and pro-manufacturing business climate — making this Manufacturing Month especially meaningful for the Buckeye State. 10/16/25

Gov. Mike DeWine is pursuing a federal waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that would allow Ohio to ban the use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for purchasing certain sugary beverages.

In June 2025, DeWine announced the formation of a working group tasked with developing recommendations for the proposed waiver. According to the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services, the group focused on beverages deemed to have “minimal nutritional value and contributing to health conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension.” Any such restriction requires USDA approval.

The working group submitted its final report to the governor in late September. Ohio’s official waiver request must be submitted to the USDA no later than Tues., Oct. 28, 2025.

The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association opposed the ban in the state operating budget and submitted comments to the group that any ban on sugar-sweetened beverages include exemptions for infant formulas, medical foods, and foods for special dietary use — vital for disease management, health maintenance and survival for vulnerable populations.

If approved, Ohio would become the 13th state to implement such a restriction, joining Arkansas; Colorado; Florida; Idaho; Indiana; Iowa; Louisiana; Nebraska; Oklahoma; Texas; Utah; and West Virginia. 10/16/25

Next week, the “Digital Fair Repair Act” is scheduled for a hearing before the House Technology and Innovation Committee. The bill would require manufacturers of digital products to publicly provide information on how to diagnose, maintain and repair their devices — including both hardware and software.

The bill would also prohibit companies from blocking third-party repairs or the use of aftermarket parts and tools. The proposal marks the latest effort in Ohio’s broader “Right to Repair” movement, following the defeat of Senate Bill 73 in the previous General Assembly, which was opposed by the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association.

Manufacturers concerned about the legislation and interested in giving testimony should contact James Lee for details on how to engage. 10/16/25

Members of the OMA Government Affairs Committee met Tuesday, Sept. 30 in Columbus to review public policy priorities of interest to manufacturers. More than 100 industry leaders were on hand to gain insights from Gov. Mike DeWine who engaged with members at length. The group also visited with members of the Governor’s cabinet and Speaker of the House Pro Tempore Gayle Manning (R-Avon).

A lively and entertaining debate followed to critique the political environment before the group adjourned for a legislative reception. The Committee will meet one final time in 2025 on Thursday, Dec. 4. “Manufacturing leaders are invited to attend. You won’t want to miss out,” said OMA managing director of public policy James Lee. 10/9/2025

Hundreds of manufacturers convened to kickoff Manufacturing Month together at the Ohio Manufacturers’ Leadership Forum on Wednesday, Oct. 1 in Columbus. The jampacked agenda featured numerous industry leaders and was hosted by OMA Chairman Scott Corbitt, Regional Vice President for Anheuser-Busch (pictured left).

The keynote address was delivered by Fox News personality and program host Laura Ingraham who spoke from personal experience about being from a manufacturing family where she learned to appreciate working class values and the opportunities for one to advance themselves through hard work and determination. 10/9/2025

Longtime OMA board member and past chairman David W. Johnson, of Summitville A Brand of General Shale Brick, was presented the Dan French Legacy Award for exemplary service to the Ohio community of manufacturers at the Ohio Manufacturers’ Leadership Forum on Wednesday, Oct. 1 in Columbus. Additionally, Julianne Kurdila of Cleveland-Cliffs (pictured left) was presented the William Babington, Jr. Award for her years of leadership on the OMA Environment Committee. 10/9/2025