Leadership

The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association’s Jessica Borza and Lindsey Short joined U.S. Sen. Jon Husted, acting U.S. Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling and northwest Ohio manufacturers Monday at Owens Community College to discuss the workforce challenge still limiting the industry’s growth.

The discussion centered on a persistent disconnect. Manufacturers have jobs, but too many people are still being steered toward education and training that do not connect directly to available careers. Participants focused on expanding apprenticeships and earn-and-learn programs, introducing students to manufacturing earlier and making the workforce system more responsive to the skills employers actually need.

“Sen. Husted understands that workforce policy has to begin with the jobs employers are actually trying to fill,” Short said. “The real test is whether people are gaining relevant skills, getting hired and building lasting careers in Ohio manufacturing.”

OMA continues to work with manufacturers, educators and regional partners to expand practical pathways into the industry and ensure workforce programs respond to actual employer demand. 8/4/2026

Acting U.S. Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling got a firsthand look at how Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) member Whirlpool is building its manufacturing workforce during a visit Monday to the company’s Clyde plant with OMA’s Lindsey Short and Jessica Borza.

The visit also included Luke Harms, Whirlpool’s director of government relations and chair of the OMA Government Affairs Committee, and Kristin Day, an OMA board member and Whirlpool’s vice president of U.S. manufacturing operations. Sonderling toured the production floor, tried several of the same hands-on tasks new workers learn and heard directly from current apprentices and program graduates.

“The average registered apprenticeship, once you graduate, you earn $86,000, which is $20,000 more than going to a traditional four-year college, without any debt,” Sonderling said during the tour.

The visit highlighted the value of introducing students to manufacturing careers earlier and expanding apprenticeships that lead directly to good-paying jobs.

“Whirlpool is showing what works when manufacturers, schools and communities build clear pathways into the industry,” Borza said. “Young people need to see these careers earlier and understand that they can earn, learn and build a lasting career without taking on years of college debt.” 8/4/2026

U.S. manufacturing expanded for the seventh consecutive month in July and posted its strongest overall growth in more than four years.

New orders and production both increased, signaling stronger demand and busier factory floors. Four of the nation’s six largest manufacturing industries also reported growth.

Manufacturers added workers for the first time in nearly three years, another encouraging sign that the sector is entering the second half of 2026 with renewed confidence.

“Orders are up. Production is up. Hiring is up. American manufacturing is moving again,” said Ryan Augsburger, president of the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association. 8/3/2026

Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) member Kokosing is celebrating 75 years in business, growing from a small Fredericktown company into one of the largest family-owned construction companies in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic.

Today, the third-generation company employs about 4,000 people and works across industrial construction, transportation, pipelines, water and wastewater, marine, power and energy, asphalt and aggregates. Its ability to self-perform much of its work has helped Kokosing build a reputation for taking on complex projects and delivering them well.

Kokosing credits generations of employees for the company it has become and says its focus will remain where it has always been: on safety, its people and steady improvement.

“Kokosing has spent 75 years showing what can happen when an Ohio company takes care of its people, does the work the right way and keeps building for the long term,” said Ryan Augsburger, OMA president. “Ohio is stronger because Kokosing calls it home.” 8/6/2026

The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association Political Action Committee (OMA-PAC) has endorsed Colleen O’Donnell and Justice Dan Hawkins for election to the Ohio Supreme Court.

The court’s decisions shape the rules governing taxes, contracts, workers’ compensation, product liability and regulation. Manufacturers making long-term investments need confidence that statutes will be applied as written, contracts will be enforced and legal principles will be applied consistently.

“Ohio manufacturers need a Supreme Court that understands its role and follows the law, regardless of the issue or the parties involved,” said OMA President Ryan Augsburger. “Colleen O’Donnell and Justice Dan Hawkins have the experience, judgment and discipline Ohioans should expect from their highest court.”

Both candidates thanked OMA-PAC for its support and emphasized their commitment to the rule of law. OMA-PAC’s endorsements reflect the importance of electing justices who will provide the consistency and predictability manufacturers need to invest, grow and create jobs in Ohio. 8/5/2026

NBC News and NBC Sports chief data analyst Steve Kornacki will headline the Ohio Manufacturers’ Annual Forum on Thursday, Oct. 1, at The Grand Event Center in Columbus.

Known for his fast-paced “big board” breakdowns of elections, politics, culture and sports, Kornacki will bring timely political analysis, sharp data insights and plenty of energy to the stage as Ohio manufacturers look ahead to the 2026 election and the policy decisions that will shape the state’s economy.

The Annual Forum kicks off Manufacturing Month and brings together manufacturing executives, policy leaders and industry professionals from across Ohio for networking, recognition and an inside look at the forces shaping Ohio’s largest industry.

“Steve Kornacki has a rare ability to make complicated political and economic trends understandable, relevant and even fun,” said Ryan Augsburger, president of The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA). “With a major election approaching and enormous policy decisions ahead, there could not be a better time to bring him before Ohio’s manufacturing leaders.”

The forum begins with a networking reception at 11 a.m., followed by the program from noon to 2 p.m. Registration is $150 for OMA members, $250 for non-members and $49 for government attendees.

The full experience begins Sept. 30 with OMA’s Government Affairs Committee meeting and the Annual Forum Welcome Reception at Hofbräuhaus Columbus Biergarten. 7/30/2026

Michigan may have experience stealing signs, but one of its leading policy groups now says the state should start copying Ohio’s economic strategy.

The Michigan-based Mackinac Center for Public Policy says Ohio is “eating our lunch,” pointing to lower unemployment, stronger economic performance and a more competitive tax and regulatory climate. Those advantages matter especially in manufacturing, where states compete directly for plants, expansions, workers and supply-chain investment.

The center credits Ohio’s lower income-tax rate, lighter occupational-licensing burden and recent efforts to cut unnecessary regulations. Its message to Michigan is straightforward. States that make it easier to build, hire and produce will win more investment.

“We are always happy to help Michigan with its homework, although its recent history suggests we may need to keep an eye on how the answers are obtained,” said James Lee, managing director of public policy services for The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association. “Ohio’s advantage is no mystery. Competitive tax and regulatory policies make it easier for manufacturers to invest, hire and grow.” 7/29/2026

The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) joined community leaders in Wilmington on Monday for the dedication of Clinton County’s new America 250-Ohio barn mural celebrating Ohio’s manufacturing heritage.

Dave O’Neil, director of communications for The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association, delivered remarks during the ceremony on behalf of the OMA.

Painted by renowned barn artist Scott Hagan, the mural is the final barn mural commissioned by America 250-Ohio for the nation’s 250th anniversary. The barn previously served as Clinton County’s official Ohio Bicentennial Barn and now begins a new chapter as an America 250-Ohio landmark.

Visible from Interstate 71, the mural will be seen by millions of motorists for decades to come, offering a lasting reminder of the people and industries that have helped build Ohio.

“Ohio has always been a state that makes things,” O’Neil said at the event. “Manufacturing is a huge part of our history, but it is not some museum piece. It is still central to our economy, our communities and our future.”

The event was hosted by the America 250-Ohio Commission and the Clinton County History Center, with support from barn owner Sheri Kellogg and other community partners.

Because many of the barn’s original boards would have needed replacement, the mural was painted on a new steel surface.

“When an old Ohio barn needs a new surface, apparently we make that out of steel too,” O’Neil said. “That may be the most Ohio solution possible.” 7/27/2026

Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) member G&J Pepsi-Cola Bottlers has completed a $45 million expansion of its Columbus manufacturing and distribution facility, adding new jobs, advanced production equipment and more than 100,000 square feet of office and warehouse space.

The project expands the Milo-Grogan facility to 375,000 square feet and includes more than $17 million in new equipment and technology, including autonomous material-handling systems. The company now employs 661 people at the Columbus operation, where more than 50,000 cases of beverages move through the plant each day.

G&J Pepsi operates 14 locations across Ohio and Kentucky and is the largest independent bottler in the PepsiCo franchise system. Its Columbus facility, which opened roughly 60 years ago, produced its 2 billionth bottle in 2024.

“G&J Pepsi’s expansion is exactly the kind of investment Ohio should celebrate,” said OMA President Ryan Augsburger. “The company is creating jobs, modernizing its operation and building for long-term growth. That is a win for Columbus and for Ohio manufacturing.” 7/27/2026

Seaman Corporation has completed a 10,200-square-foot expansion of its Wooster headquarters, supporting the creation of more than 50 jobs and increasing office capacity by 30%.

Seaman Corporation, a member of The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA), added offices, open workstations, a multipurpose gathering room and expanded parking. The project also puts Seaman products on display, including a Lightweight Structures canopy at the new entrance and more than 1,600 yards of FiberTite roofing membrane installed on the expansion.

Seaman has operated in Wayne County for more than 40 years and now employs about 600 people across facilities in Ohio, Tennessee and Pennsylvania. The company manufactures industrial coated fabrics used in roofing, water management, military, architectural and other industrial applications.

“Seaman Corporation has spent decades proving that Ohio manufacturers can lead specialized markets, serve customers around the world and still grow from home,” said Ryan Augsburger, OMA president. “This expansion is a strong vote of confidence in Wooster, its workforce and the future of manufacturing in Ohio.” 7/29/2026

The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) Political Action Committee endorsed Vivek Ramaswamy for governor Wednesday during an event at Stamco Industries in Euclid.

Stamco founder Bill Sopko opened the event by crediting the employees who built the company through decades of precision, quality and pride.

“All the people here made it possible,” Sopko said.

OMA President Ryan Augsburger said the endorsement reflects the importance of electing a governor who understands Ohio’s product-based economy and the policies that determine whether companies invest, expand and create jobs.

“Ohio is not just a manufacturing state. Ohio is the manufacturing state,” Augsburger said. “This is an amazing state of makers and creators and innovators. But if we’re going to succeed in today’s globally competitive marketplace, we need government leadership that understands and supports the product-based economy.”

Augsburger said Ramaswamy’s business experience, market-based approach and ability to work with President Donald Trump’s administration make him best prepared to help Ohio win the next wave of reshored manufacturing.

Ramaswamy pledged to lower taxes, cut burdensome regulations and expand reliable, affordable energy.

“As governor, I’ll fight every day to make Ohio the nation’s leading state for manufacturing,” Ramaswamy said. “Together, we will create more high-paying jobs and better opportunities for this generation and the next.” 7/22/2026

Apparently, not everyone is thrilled about the conversations happening at this year’s Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) Energy Conference. We will take that as a sign the program is hitting the right nerves.

Perhaps the consultant class is worried that a room full of customers might hear something beyond the utility industry’s preferred narrative. Either way, skip the boycott and get the rest of the story on Ohio’s energy future Aug. 27 at the Hilton Columbus Downtown. Early-bird pricing ends Thursday, July 30.

“When the people paid to defend the status quo start grumbling, you know the conversation is worth having,” said Lindsey Short, OMA managing director of energy and advocacy services. “Our members deserve more than polished talking points. They deserve the full story.” 7/24/2026

Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) President Ryan Augsburger joined U.S. Bridge employees, company leaders and community partners in Cambridge last week to celebrate the longtime OMA member’s 90th anniversary.

The event included plant tours, remarks from state and local leaders, and the official renaming of the company’s address to 100 U.S. Bridge Way.

During the tour, Ryan saw employees building the new Front Street bridge for downtown Columbus, including the precision bending of massive steel girders under 800 tons of force.

“What stayed with me was the pride these employees take in building something that thousands of people will depend on every day,” Augsburger said. “They understand that every weld, bend and measurement matters. That skill, care and pride in getting it right are what make Ohio manufacturing so special.”

Founded in 1936, U.S. Bridge remains family-owned and operated and is now moving forward with a multimillion-dollar expansion expected to create 41 jobs and increase production for domestic and international markets.

Congratulations to the Rogovin family and the entire U.S. Bridge team on 90 years of building bridges and strengthening communities. 7/20/2026

Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) member Hynes Industries has earned a 2025 Platinum Award from Wabash for excellence in supply chain performance. The Youngstown-based company was one of 32 suppliers nationwide recognized for its commitment to quality, innovation and operational excellence.

“Hynes Industries is showing the country what Ohio manufacturing excellence looks like,” said OMA President Ryan Augsburger. “This is a tremendous honor, and we are proud to count them among our members.” 7/23/2026

In a new guest column published by the Dayton Daily News, Lindsey Short, managing director of energy and advocacy services for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association, argues that Ohio lawmakers should reject House Bill 646 and its utility-backed approach to serving data centers and other large electricity users.

The central question is simple. Who should pay for the infrastructure required by a massive new customer?

“Who should pay for the enormous cost of serving new data centers and other large electricity users? The answer should be straightforward. The customer creating the cost should pay the full cost upfront.”

Short warns that House Bill 646 would give utilities a path to build more infrastructure, recover those costs and an approved profit for decades, and leave existing customers exposed when projects are delayed, downsized or abandoned.

She also challenges the use of speculative load forecasts to justify new spending before demand is proven. Projected electricity use should be independently reviewed and supported by signed, enforceable commitments, not treated as certain simply because it appears in a utility forecast.

A pending AES Ohio case illustrates the stakes. Two proposed data centers could require $837.5 million in new grid projects, while other customers could ultimately be left covering a gap of more than $1.3 billion.

As Short writes, “Lawmakers should not write a utility business model into statute and call it customer protection.”

Manufacturers take responsibility for the risks and costs of their own expansion plans. Utilities and data centers should be held to the same standard. 7/15/2026

Ohio’s economy has likely surpassed $1 trillion, and a new column argues that manufacturing deserves much of the credit.

Drawing heavily from the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association’s Manufacturing Counts report, Rick Platt, president and CEO of the Heath-Newark-Licking County Port Authority and a JobsOhio board member, notes that manufacturing accounts for 15% of Ohio’s economy, supports one in seven jobs and generates more wages than any other sector.

The column also highlights a fact that is often overlooked: More than 60% of Ohio manufacturers employ fewer than 20 people, while midsized manufacturers account for the largest share of manufacturing employment.

“The bottom line? It’s personal,” Platt writes. “It’s our neighbors who work in manufacturing.”

Ohio did not reach a $1 trillion economy by accident. It got there because manufacturers of every size continue to invest, hire and produce in communities across the state. 7/13/2026

Do your customers and prospects know why they should choose you? If your website says one thing, your sales team says another, and your distributors say something else entirely, that disconnect is costing manufacturers more than they realize. Ohio Manufacturers’ Association member Akhia explains how to strengthen value proposition alignment. 7/17/2026

Ryan Augsburger, president of the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA), will join U.S. Bridge today as the longtime OMA member celebrates its 90th anniversary and the renaming of its Cambridge address to 100 U.S. Bridge Way.

“U.S. Bridge has spent 90 years building bridges, creating jobs and investing in Cambridge,” Augsburger said. “That is a legacy worth celebrating and a strong foundation for the company’s next chapter.”

Founded in 1936, the family-owned company has grown into a global bridge designer and manufacturer known for pioneering factory-produced, all-welded steel truss bridges.

The milestone comes as U.S. Bridge moves forward with a multimillion-dollar expansion expected to create 41 jobs and increase production for domestic and international markets.

Today’s celebration will include an open house, plant tours and remarks from company, state and local leaders before the official unveiling of 100 U.S. Bridge Way. 7/17/2026

Ohio has been named CNBC’s top state for business in 2026, a recognition the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) says reflects decades of progress that have strengthened the state’s economy and manufacturing base.

That progress did not happen overnight. It was built through sustained investment in infrastructure, workforce and the conditions manufacturers need to compete.

“Ohio did not stumble into the No. 1 spot,” said Ryan Augsburger, OMA president. “This ranking reflects decades of progress, investment and hard work by Ohioans who produce what the country needs and solve problems others cannot. Manufacturing is not simply part of Ohio’s success story. It is the reason Ohio leads.”

Ohio’s central location, skilled workforce, strong transportation network, competitive cost structure and deep manufacturing expertise continue to set the state apart.

“Other states are trying to build a manufacturing advantage. Ohio already has one,” Augsburger said. “Our job now is to protect it, strengthen it and make sure the next 250 years of American manufacturing run through Ohio.” 7/9/2026

U.S. Sens. Jon Husted and Bernie Moreno are supporting draft bipartisan legislation that would protect the Manufacturing Extension Partnership, a nationwide program that helps small and midsized manufacturers modernize, improve productivity and compete.

The proposal would limit the Department of Commerce’s ability to suspend or cancel funding for a center without first conducting a formal performance evaluation. It follows federal funding decisions that have disrupted the MEP network, including the closure of six Ohio centers after the loss of more than $6 million in support.

“Ohio manufacturers do not need another speech about rebuilding American manufacturing. They need the proven programs that help them compete,” said Ryan Augsburger, president of the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association. “The Manufacturing Extension Partnership delivers real results for small and midsized manufacturers across Ohio. We commend Senators Moreno and Husted for cutting through the rhetoric and working to restore a program that supports jobs, investment and manufacturing strength in communities across our state.” 7/9/2026