Leadership

In an interview with IndustryWeek during the National Association of Manufacturers’ State of Manufacturing stop in Cleveland, Ohio Manufacturers’ Association President Ryan Augsburger pointed to rising electricity prices as a growing concern for manufacturers. He noted that companies have seen significant spikes without clear offsetting customer benefits. Augsburger said energy and electricity regulation are largely handled at the state level and emphasized the importance of understanding the factors driving recent cost increases.

“Manufacturers are being asked to absorb rising electricity costs based on forecasts that deserve closer scrutiny,” he said. “When prices rise faster than expected and customers are not seeing clear benefits, it raises serious questions about the assumptions driving Ohio’s energy decisions.”

The IndustryWeek story also highlighted workforce development challenges, including uncertainty surrounding federal funding for Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) programs. Augsburger warned that several MEP organizations in Ohio have already closed and said the longer programs remain shuttered, the harder it may be to restart them.

His comments were featured alongside broader national discussions about permitting reform, immigration policy and manufacturing competitiveness discussed during the event. 2/25/2026

The Ohio Republican Party’s (ORP) state central committee voted on endorsements across statewide and legislative races ahead of the May primary, backing candidates in dozens of contests while leaving several high-profile legislative primaries without a party pick. Rep. Beth Lear did not receive the party’s endorsement in her Ohio Senate race. Sen. Andrew Brenner and Rep. Ron Ferguson also went without endorsements in their respective House contests, including Ferguson’s matchup against former Sen. Frank Hoagland. In another race, the committee endorsed Larry Kidd, a challenger to Rep. Jason Stephens. Rep. Rodney Creech secured the party’s backing for re-election as he faces former Rep. Jay Todd-Smith.

The committee’s actions in statewide races drew the most attention. Members endorsed Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague in the contested secretary of state primary, defeating Marcell Strbich in a secret-ballot vote. Meanwhile, the party declined to endorse in the Republican treasurer primary after a 36-28 vote, according to Signal Ohio, fell short of the supermajority required under party rules. The outcome became an early signal of shifting alliances within the state party. GOP gubernatorial frontrunner Vivek Ramaswamy backed Sen. Kristina Roegner, and Ohio House Speaker Matt Huffman also pushed for her candidacy, while Vice President J.D. Vance supported former Rep. Jay Edwards, reflecting multiple power centers within the state party as the 2026 cycle takes shape. In uncontested races, members unanimously endorsed Secretary of State Frank LaRose in his bid for auditor and Auditor Keith Faber in his campaign for attorney general.

Democrats have not announced a comparable round of legislative or statewide primary endorsements.

“Campaign season always brings surprises,” said Ohio Manufacturers’ Association President Ryan Augsburger. “The real question for manufacturers is what happens after the yard signs come down.” 2/26/2026

Gov. Mike DeWine recently urged President Trump to pursue comprehensive immigration reform after the 2026 midterms, leveraging strengthened border security as a foundation for pragmatic changes to legal immigration pathways. In a “Face the Nation” appearance, DeWine likened the moment to “Richard Nixon going to China,” saying policymakers must decide “who we really want to come in” to support workforce and economic growth while maintaining secure borders.

DeWine highlighted legal immigrants’ role in Ohio’s economy, noting that foreign-born residents comprised about 70% of the state’s population growth last year. Their presence has been linked to local economic activity, including housing investment, new businesses and increased consumer spending. He pointed to Springfield’s manufacturing rebound as a prime example. Haitian workers on Temporary Protected Status filled jobs that local employers could not otherwise staff, contributing to Springfield’s manufacturing rebound and supporting factories that keep Ohio competitive.

The governor emphasized retaining foreign talent, such as Ohio’s 22,000 international students, as key assets for advanced manufacturing and high-skill sectors, where workforce shortages persist. The comments highlight an ongoing policy debate over how immigration rules can support workforce availability, economic growth and long-term manufacturing competitiveness. 2/23/2026

Ohio Manufacturers’ Association President Ryan Augsburger helped place Ohio at the center of the national manufacturing spotlight Thursday as the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) launched its 2026 State of Manufacturing Tour from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. National industry leaders, students and policymakers gathered for the kickoff event highlighting Ohio’s industrial momentum and the policies shaping what comes next.

NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons outlined priorities including tax certainty, energy leadership, permitting reform and workforce development, emphasizing the conditions manufacturers need to compete and grow. Augsburger said starting the national tour in Cleveland underscores Ohio’s role in driving innovation, investment and opportunity across the manufacturing economy.

The multi-state tour will continue across the country, showcasing manufacturing innovation and reinforcing a pro-growth policy agenda aimed at strengthening U.S. competitiveness.

“When national leaders want to talk about the future of manufacturing, they come to Ohio,” Augsburger said. “Our companies are proving that the right policies and a strong workforce still make this state a national leader.” 2/19/2026

In a Cleveland.com guest column, Ohio Manufacturers’ Association President Ryan Augsburger and National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons write that Ohio is proving what modern manufacturing leadership looks like in practice.

As global competition intensifies and policy choices carry higher stakes, the pair make the case that collaboration between manufacturers, educators and policymakers is turning strategy into action across the state. From workforce pipelines to energy reliability and tax policy, they outline how disciplined, employer-led solutions are strengthening competitiveness while creating new opportunities for the next generation.

Their message to state and national leaders is clear: manufacturing momentum does not happen by accident. It happens when policy keeps pace with innovation and leaders choose to build on success instead of standing still. 2/19/2026

Writing in the Akron Beacon Journal, Canton manufacturer Bradley H. Belden (right), president and COO of The Belden Brick Company, chair of the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) Energy Committee and a member of the OMA Board of Directors, puts policymakers on notice, arguing that Ohio’s rising electric bills are being driven by incentives baked into the system, not unavoidable market forces. Drawing on generations of manufacturing in Ohio, Belden writes that manufacturers plan with discipline because jobs, capital and communities are on the line, while monopoly utilities continue earning guaranteed returns tied to expanding forecasts. He warns that speculative demand projections are being treated as confirmed growth, allowing billions in infrastructure spending to move forward while captive customers absorb the risk and utilities keep the upside. Belden calls on lawmakers, regulators and PJM to demand transparency, independent review and real accountability before long-term investments are approved, warning that reliability cannot become a blank check that locks Ohio families and manufacturers into decades of higher electricity costs driven by paper forecasts. 2/18/2026

Worthington Steel, a longtime Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) member of more than 30 years, announced a $2.4 billion acquisition that signals continued momentum for Ohio manufacturing and strengthens the company’s position in global steel processing markets. The deal expands Worthington Steel’s geographic reach and product capabilities, reinforcing central Ohio’s role as a hub for advanced manufacturing investment and growth.

OMA President Ryan Augsburger said the move reflects the confidence Ohio manufacturers continue to show in innovation, scale and long-term competitiveness. “While some headlines focus on uncertainty, manufacturers in Ohio are investing, growing and proving that industrial leadership still starts here,” Augsburger added. “This kind of expansion shows what’s possible when companies commit to technology, talent and a manufacturing-first mindset.”

The announcement underscores the strength of OMA member companies driving growth across the state’s industrial economy. 2/16/2026

Last week, the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) changed the narrative on rising electric bills across Ohio, a shift reflected clearly in the coverage that followed.

Coverage from Columbus Business First, Utility Dive, The Toledo Blade, Cleveland.com, WSYX-TV (Columbus), Politico and other outlets focused on the same conclusion. Inflated utility load forecasts, not data centers, are pushing electricity prices higher for families and employers across Ohio. Reporters highlighted OMA’s new analysis, testimony from independent energy experts, and growing bipartisan concern that speculative demand projections are being treated as guaranteed growth.

That message came through clearly during the press conference.

“Ohioans are being asked to pay for a future that exists on paper, not on the grid,” said OMA President Ryan Augsburger. “When speculative forecasts are treated like guaranteed demand, customers lose and utilities win. Before anyone is forced to fund billions in new power projects, those assumptions need to be tested, transparent and accountable.”

The coverage also spotlighted the policy momentum coming out of the event. Multiple outlets reported on forthcoming legislation that would require independent verification and public scrutiny of large-load forecasts before they can be used to justify billions of dollars in new generation and transmission spending. The proposal was widely framed as a commonsense safeguard that protects customers while still supporting responsible economic growth.

Most importantly, the reporting reinforced a clear message from manufacturers. Rising electric costs are not inevitable, and they should not be accepted without scrutiny. The event put utility forecasting practices on notice and helped set the stage for legislative action at the Statehouse. In the weeks ahead, OMA will continue pressing for transparency and accountability with opportunities for members to engage as legislation moves forward.

Paper forecasts are driving real costs, and manufacturers are done staying quiet about it. 2/9/2026

Honda engineers are bringing Ohio manufacturing expertise to the Olympic stage, applying advanced automotive research to help Team USA Bobsled/Skeleton gain a competitive edge. Inside Honda’s HALO wind tunnel at the Transportation Research Center in East Liberty, engineers are analyzing aerodynamics, athlete positioning and performance data to find gains measured in hundredths of a second.

With skeleton events underway and bobsled competition set to begin this weekend, sliding sports are taking center stage in Cortina, where races are often decided by fractions of a second. Using data-driven design and high-performance testing, Honda’s team is helping athletes refine everything from sled drag to helmet positioning. The project highlights how innovation from an Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) member company continues to shape performance far beyond the factory floor.

“Sliding down an ice track at highway speeds isn’t for the faint of heart,” OMA President Ryan Augsburger said. “That’s why it takes serious engineering, real data and Ohio manufacturing know-how to give athletes the confidence to push the limits.” 2/13/2026

If Sunday night’s Super Bowl felt light on drama, the commercials picked up the slack. While the game itself may fade from memory, ads from two Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) member companies did not. Ferrero North America made its Super Bowl debut with a playful, space-themed spot for Kinder Bueno and also aired a colorful commercial for NERDS, showcasing the breadth of its candy portfolio and marking a major moment for the global confectionery brand with a growing Ohio manufacturing footprint. Anheuser-Busch returned to the Big Game with familiar energy, as Budweiser and Michelob ULTRA leaned into heritage, performance and lifestyle themes.

“By Monday morning, nobody in our office was really talking about the game. Honestly, I’m not sure people were even talking about it by the end of the third quarter,” OMA President Ryan Augsburger said. “The commercials were what people remembered.” 2/9/2026

U.S. manufacturing employment increased by 5,000 jobs in January, marking the sector’s first monthly gain after more than a year of declines, according to new federal labor data. The improvement follows losses of 10,000 jobs in November and 8,000 in December and stands in sharp contrast to January 2025, when the sector shed 20,000 positions.

Total nonfarm payrolls rose by 130,000 jobs, while the unemployment rate edged down to 4.3 percent, highlighting continued strength in the broader labor market. Manufacturing’s return to growth signals early signs of stabilization across the industrial economy as employers continue investing in talent and positioning operations for future demand.

“Manufacturers don’t hire unless they see real opportunity ahead,” said Ohio Manufacturers’ Association President Ryan Augsburger. “After more than a year of contraction, even modest job growth signals that Ohio’s industrial base is stabilizing and preparing for the next phase of growth.”

While workforce challenges persist, the latest numbers suggest manufacturers are building momentum heading into 2026, supported by steady hiring and ongoing demand for skilled workers. 2/11/2026

Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) member Jergens Inc. is expanding its northeast Ohio operations, reshoring production tied to aerospace and aviation supply chains while adding new investment in the region. Supported by JobsOhio and Team NEO, the project reflects growing demand for domestically produced precision tooling and workholding solutions. Company leaders said the move strengthens supply-chain resilience and positions Ohio manufacturers closer to key customers. The expansion highlights a broader trend of advanced manufacturers bringing work back to the United States to improve reliability, shorten lead times and reduce risk, reinforcing Ohio’s reputation as a hub for high-precision, globally competitive production.

“Reshoring isn’t just a slogan. It’s companies like Jergens investing here in Ohio to strengthen supply chains and keep advanced manufacturing competitive,” said OMA President Ryan Augsburger. 2/12/2026

A new report from the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) finds that unverified electricity demand forecasts are inflating projected power needs and driving higher electric bills across the PJM region.

The report was released alongside a preview of proposed legislation that would require independent verification and public review of large-load forecasts before they can be used to justify major power infrastructure spending.

“Customers are being asked to pay for a future that may never arrive,” OMA President Ryan Augsburger said. “Speculative forecasts are being treated like guaranteed demand, and paper demand is driving real costs.”

The report cites findings from PJM’s Independent Market Monitor showing speculative load forecasts increased regional electricity capacity costs by $21.3 billion over three years, compared with $1.8 billion tied to actual realized load growth during the same period. Those assumptions are being incorporated into long-term planning models as guaranteed growth, pushing up capacity prices and triggering unnecessary transmission and generation projects, the report says.

Because utilities and transmission owners earn returns on approved infrastructure, overstated forecasts can encourage building even when projected load never materializes, shifting the cost to customers.

At a news conference hosted by OMA, State Sen. Mark Romanchuk, R-Ontario, discussed the proposed Electricity Forecast Integrity Act, which would require large-load projections to be independently verified before being incorporated into regional planning and pricing models.

“This proposed bill draws a clear line between real demand and hypothetical demand,” Romanchuk said. “Ohioans deserve a power system built on evidence, not assumptions.”

Click here to read the OMA’s executive summary of the analysis. 2/5/2026

Angela Phillips, an Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) board member and CEO of Phillips Tube Group, is featured in a Spectrum News 1 report examining how the so-called “benefits cliff” can discourage workers from accepting raises or advancing in their careers. Phillips said manufacturers frequently see situations where modest wage increases trigger the loss of public assistance benefits, leaving workers financially worse off despite earning more.

The story also highlights federal legislation supported by Ohio Sen. Jon Husted that would allow public benefits to phase down gradually as income rises, rather than dropping off abruptly. Supporters say the approach would encourage upward mobility while strengthening workforce participation.

Phillips said addressing the benefits cliff is critical for manufacturers working to recruit, retain and advance talent, particularly as employers invest in workforce development and long-term economic growth.

“Angela brings an invaluable, real-world perspective to workforce policy conversations,” said OMA President Ryan Augsburger. “As the leader of Phillips Tube Group, she sees firsthand how the benefits cliff affects workers and employers alike. We appreciate Sen. Husted for shining a light on this issue and for his focus on solutions that help people keep moving forward while supporting Ohio’s manufacturing economy.” 2/5/2026

Ohio Manufacturers’ Association President Ryan Augsburger joined education, workforce and local leaders this week at the ribbon cutting for the new Advanced Manufacturing Workforce and Innovation Hub in Hamilton. The facility is a partnership among Miami University, Butler Tech Career Technical Center, OhioMeansJobs Butler County, the city of Hamilton and Butler County. It is designed to strengthen regional talent pipelines by connecting hands-on training with employer needs.

The hub brings together high school, career-technical and collegiate programs in one location and provides students with access to manufacturing career pathways ranging from industry-recognized credentials and associate degrees to advanced engineering technology programs in robotics, electro-mechanical engineering and related fields. Leaders said the employer-aligned model reflects the goals of the Ohio Manufacturing Workforce Blueprint by linking learners to in-demand careers and expanding opportunities for hands-on, work-based learning.

“This is what workforce development should look like,” Augsburger said. “When education and industry work side by side, students get real skills and manufacturers get the talent they need to grow.” 2/3/2026

A federal judge on Monday blocked the scheduled termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian nationals, pausing the Trump administration’s effort to end the humanitarian program as a legal challenge proceeds. U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes ruled that the planned Feb. 3 expiration was “null, void and of no legal effect,” preserving work authorization and protection from deportation for Haitian TPS holders while the case moves forward. Reyes was appointed to the federal bench by President Joe Biden and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 2023.

The Biden administration last extended and redesignated Haiti for TPS in June 2024, citing ongoing political instability and humanitarian conditions, setting the current expiration date in 2026. TPS was first granted after Haiti’s 2010 earthquake and has been repeatedly renewed due to continuing crises. An analysis by Bricker Graydon Wyatt said the ruling maintains current protections while the court considers the underlying challenge. Homeland Security officials are expected to appeal.

The ruling provides short-term workforce stability by allowing Haitian TPS holders to continue working legally while the case moves forward. Employers avoid the sudden loss of trained workers and the costs of turnover and retraining in an already tight labor market. Industry groups said the decision offers temporary certainty for staffing and compliance planning, though longer-term impacts will depend on the outcome of the court challenge and any future action by federal officials. 2/6/2026

As subzero temperatures settled across Ohio this week, grid officials again described extreme cold as a “special challenge” for the power system. The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) pushed back, saying winter weather should not be framed as an emergency surprise for infrastructure that customers pay to be reliable year-round.

Manufacturers rely on continuous electricity to operate safely and protect equipment, and they already fund that reliability through their monthly power bills. OMA said treating predictable cold snaps as extraordinary events shifts attention away from whether the system is actually built to perform when demand spikes.

“Cold weather isn’t a curveball,” OMA President Ryan Augsburger said. “It’s in the calendar every year. If the system can’t handle winter, then customers are paying for promises instead of performance.”

OMA said the latest cold snap underscores the need for stronger planning and accountability so customers are not left footing the bill for a grid that struggles under conditions it is supposed to handle. 1/28/2026

Ohio manufacturers are continuing to press state lawmakers to restore funding for the state’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) network, saying recent layoffs and office closures are already weakening support for small and mid-sized companies.

Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) President Ryan Augsburger told FreshWater Cleveland that MEP centers such as MAGNET are critical to helping manufacturers adopt advanced technologies and boost productivity.

“Abrupt funding cuts put jobs, competitiveness and local supply chains at risk,” Augsburger said. “Like Ohio’s agricultural extension network, MEPs provide trusted, on-the-ground expertise where it matters most.”

Augsburger said MEPs help position Ohio to reshore more production by connecting companies with innovation and process improvements they could not develop on their own, a role that is especially important for smaller manufacturers without large engineering teams.

Officials have tied the funding suspension to financial reporting concerns, though industry leaders say they were not given an opportunity to resolve them. Augsburger said manufacturers should document lost projects and delayed investments, warning that every month the system sits idle makes it harder for Ohio to compete for new production and jobs. 1/28/2026

Winter storm Fern disrupted normal business at the Statehouse this week, with heavy snow and bitter cold forcing travel restrictions and widespread cancellations. Gov. Mike DeWine declared a state of emergency ahead of the system, which brought dangerous conditions across much of Ohio. Ohio Senate committee hearings were canceled for the entire week, effectively pausing legislative activity as lawmakers and staff stayed off the roads. The Ohio Senate is next scheduled to meet on Wednesday, Feb. 11 and the Ohio House is scheduled to convene for the first time this year on Wednesday, Feb. 18.

The disruption means several policy discussions of interest to Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) members will shift into early February. OMA staff will remain in contact with legislative offices as the weather moves through and will resume engagement once committees return to the schedule. 1/30/2026

A Trump administration energy announcement last week renewed attention on pressures affecting electricity markets and power costs across the PJM region. The plan calls for steps to strengthen grid reliability and address capacity pricing pressures across the nation’s largest power grid.

Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) President Ryan Augsburger said the announcement underscores long-standing concerns with pricing failures inside PJM Interconnection, where inflated demand assumptions and record-high capacity prices have increased costs and uncertainty across the region. He noted that the states and businesses served by PJM account for the largest share of U.S. economic output, making competitive and transparent electricity markets essential to national competitiveness.

The debate highlights growing tension between data center development, grid planning and market design. OMA continues to press for reforms that restore accountability, improve forecasting accuracy, and ensure electricity markets deliver affordable and reliable outcomes as demand continues to evolve. 1/20/2026