Leadership

More than 400 manufacturing leaders, educators and policymakers gathered in Columbus last week for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) Workforce Summit, where Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel joined industry partners to highlight the state’s growing momentum in manufacturing talent development.

Held at the Hilton Columbus Downtown, the event debuted a new video featuring the Ohio Manufacturing Workforce Blueprint — a statewide plan to address 35,000 annual job openings by connecting systems, expanding career awareness, broadening the talent pool, aligning education and training, and advancing earn-and-learn models.

A JobsOhio market briefing underscored the urgent need to expand Ohio’s technician pipeline, highlighting a study that shows career decisions are being made earlier than ever and that parents and counselors are key influencers in shaping perceptions of manufacturing careers. The study calls for earlier outreach, stronger earn-and-learn pathways and clearer messaging about the stability and technology of technician work.

OMA President Ryan Augsburger spoke with NBC4 in Columbus on-site at the event about how collaboration and innovation are fueling Ohio’s manufacturing workforce.

“Ohio’s manufacturing engine is humming,” he said. “We’re building the people power to keep it that way.”

View photos from and read more about our eighth annual summit in the Workforce section below. 11/10/2025

Ohio’s 2026 governor’s race is heating up as term-limited Gov. Mike DeWine prepares to step aside, drawing national attention.

A new Ohio Federation of Teachers poll of 800 likely voters, conducted from Sept. 19 through Sept. 22, 2025, shows Democrat Amy Acton narrowly leading Republican frontrunner Vivek Ramaswamy 46% to 45%, within the poll’s ±3% margin of error. Acton, the former state health director who gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic, leads among independents 52% to 31% and holds a commanding 92% to 1% advantage among Democrats. Ramaswamy dominates Republicans 89% to 8%, highlighting the race’s strong partisan split.

Prediction markets, which are online platforms where participants buy and sell contracts tied to future events, show Republicans favored to hold the governor’s office. On Kalshi, a CFTC-regulated exchange, traders give Republicans about a 65% chance of retaining the seat, while Ramaswamy’s GOP nomination odds hover near 91%. Polymarket, a blockchain-based prediction market, gives the GOP roughly a 68% chance of victory, highlighting sustained confidence in Republican dominance in Ohio, where no Democrat has won since 2006.

For Ohio manufacturers, the race is worth watching. The next administration will influence policies on workforce development, energy and industrial competitiveness. 11/10/2025

On Nov. 10, the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association celebrated its 115th anniversary. Founded in 1910 to unify and strengthen the voice of Ohio industry, the association has played a key role in shaping policies that support competitiveness, innovation and workforce development.

The OMA advocates for practical regulations, responsible tax policy and statewide workforce initiatives. The association also works to address rising energy costs, which pose a growing challenge to manufacturers. By pushing for affordable and reliable energy solutions, the OMA helps protect industrial growth and maintain Ohio’s economic edge.

Manufacturing remains the backbone of Ohio’s economy, supporting nearly 700,000 jobs and driving progress through technology and talent. As the OMA enters its 116th year, it continues to focus on keeping Ohio manufacturing strong, adaptable and globally competitive. 11/14/2025

House Bill 447, which is under consideration in the Ohio House of Representatives, would raise limits on non-economic damage caps in civil lawsuits. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Brian Stewart, R-Ashville.

“The caps that were established in the tort reform legislation have served Ohio well, elevating Ohio from a risky and expensive place to conduct business to a more cost-competitive and predictable environment,” said Lindsey Short, managing director of advocacy services for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA). “Passage of tort reform was a top priority for the OMA for over a decade, and we will continue to protect those gains. That’s why we oppose House Bill 447.”

Short also chairs the Ohio Alliance for Civil Justice, which presented opponent testimony on the bill. 11/13/2025

The nation’s longest federal government shutdown ended this week after President Donald Trump signed a short-term funding bill to reopen agencies through Jan. 30, 2026. The 43-day shutdown had created mounting challenges for manufacturers, including stalled Environmental Protection Agency and Occupational Safety and Health Administration approvals, delayed Department of Defense payments, halted Army Corps of Engineers permits and disruptions to export licenses and CHIPS Act grant processing.

With federal employees returning to work and agencies resuming operations, Ohio manufacturers should see regulatory reviews, permits and contracting activity begin to move again. Another funding deadline arrives in late January, but the immediate reopening lifts a major source of uncertainty as the industry prepares for 2026. 11/13/2025

The U.S. Army plans to buy at least 1 million drones over the next two to three years, a major increase from about 50,000 a year, according to Reuters. Secretary Daniel Driscoll said the goal is to build a domestic supply chain for sensors, circuit boards, brushless motors and batteries, components now dominated by overseas production.

For Ohio manufacturers, the ramp-up signals potential growth in defense contracts and opportunities to expand into high-tech, precision manufacturing. Monitoring procurement trends and supply chain priorities will be key for companies seeking to compete in this emerging market. 11/10/2025

Earlier this week, the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) marked Veterans Day by saluting the brave men and women who have served our nation. Many of those veterans now lead and work within Ohio’s manufacturing sector, where their discipline, teamwork and commitment to excellence continue to strengthen our industry and communities.

From shop floors to boardrooms, veterans bring unmatched leadership and problem-solving skills to manufacturing. Their continued service, through innovation and productivity, helps keep Ohio’s economy strong and competitive.

The OMA supports efforts that help veterans transition their military experience into rewarding manufacturing careers. Learn how your company can recruit and empower veteran talent through OMA’s workforce initiatives. 11/14/2025

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