Leadership

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

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