Leadership

A new statewide manufacturing resource is taking shape at the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) as the organization builds out the Ohio Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Center through the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association Educational and Industrial Development Institute.

The MEP Center will help small and medium-sized Ohio manufacturers adopt and scale advanced manufacturing technologies to improve productivity and strengthen their ability to compete and grow. Its work will connect technology adoption with customer and supply chain requirements, while building on OMA’s established Workforce Services work to help companies develop the skills needed to put those technologies to work.

“Technology is changing how manufacturers compete, but adopting it successfully takes more than buying new equipment,” said Ryan Augsburger, president of the OMA. “The MEP Center will help small and medium-sized manufacturers put advanced technologies to work, improve productivity and build the skills they need to get the most from those investments.”

OMA is also building the team that will lead the new center and support its coordination with Workforce Services. Geoff Lipnevicius joins OMA as founding MEP Center director and will lead development of the center’s team and statewide delivery network.

Jessica Borza moves into the role of executive advisor, workforce and MEP, helping guide strategy, partner engagement and coordination across both areas. Lauren Massie has been promoted to managing director of workforce services and will lead OMA’s statewide workforce strategy and initiatives.

Beth Hahn becomes managing director of operations, with responsibility for aligning teams, systems and implementation across OMA. Natisha Griffin is expanding her responsibilities to lead MEP compliance and financial management, helping establish the financial, reporting and audit infrastructure for the new center.

Tessa Ireton also joins Workforce Services as director of project management, coordinating complex initiatives and supporting implementation of statewide workforce projects.

The changes pair OMA’s established workforce network with a new statewide MEP capability focused on advanced manufacturing technology adoption, productivity and competitiveness. 10/8/2026

Ohio’s defense manufacturing industry is vital to America’s national security and economic strength, a connection highlighted Thursday as U.S. Sens. Jon Husted and John Kennedy visited T.J. Clark International in Delaware.

Joined by company founder and CEO Eric Jenkusky, the senators emphasized the importance of Ohio’s defense industrial base to military readiness, domestic production and the state’s economy. From specialized components to advanced manufacturing capabilities, Ohio companies help equip America’s armed forces while supporting skilled jobs and investment across the state.

The visit also highlighted an important policy challenge. Smaller defense suppliers need access to capital to expand production, modernize equipment and compete for military contracts. The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) has supported efforts to address those barriers, including House Bill 332, legislation aimed at improving financing opportunities for smaller defense manufacturers. Jenkusky previously testified in support of the measure.

“Washington can talk about rebuilding America’s defense industrial base, but that work happens on factory floors across Ohio,” said James Lee, OMA managing director of public policy services. “If we’re serious about strengthening national security, we need to make sure the smaller manufacturers supplying our military have the capital and capacity to deliver. Ohio has an enormous opportunity to lead, but those companies need the tools to grow.” 10/8/2026

Ohio is well positioned to win new manufacturing investment, but landing the next big project is only part of the equation.

In a sit down last week with New Albany Business, Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) President Ryan Augsburger said companies are rethinking supply chains and resilience, creating an opportunity for states that already have the people, infrastructure, suppliers and manufacturing base needed to compete.

“You don’t reshore manufacturing with slogans. You reshore it by making America a place where manufacturers can win,” Augsburger said.

That means making sure the manufacturers already operating here can keep growing too. Augsburger said the real test of economic development is whether a company that has employed 200 people in an Ohio community for 50 years still believes its next investment belongs here.

That is the member takeaway. Ohio can celebrate new investment while staying focused on the companies already building, hiring and investing here every day. 10/5/2026

The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) has joined manufacturers across the country in urging the U.S. Senate to move quickly on a bipartisan permitting reform package aimed at making it easier to build and expand in the United States.

OMA signed onto a National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) letter supporting the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026, which would set clearer timelines for environmental reviews, narrow some projects subject to federal review and create more certainty around permitting decisions.

NAM estimates permitting delays cost manufacturers at least $8 billion every year. The coalition letter also notes that permitting a manufacturing facility in the United States takes 80% longer than in other free-market economies, tying up money that could otherwise support hiring, plant expansions and new investment.

“Manufacturers are competing for investment every day, and the permitting process cannot be a reason those investments go somewhere else,” said Ryan Augsburger, OMA president. “Ohio manufacturers need a system that protects our environment while giving companies the certainty and speed they need to build, expand and create jobs here.”

Manufacturers are ready to build. OMA is urging Congress to give them a permitting system that lets them get to work. 10/6/2026

Students from Russia Local School and Fort Loramie Local Schools got a firsthand look at modern manufacturing during a recent Manufacturing Day visit to Superior Aluminum.

Students toured the company’s Russia facility, saw manufacturing operations up close and learned about the range of careers available across the business. The visit gave students a chance to connect what they are learning in school with the people, skills and technology behind products made in their own community.

“Students cannot picture themselves in careers they have never seen,” said Ryan Augsburger, president of the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA). “When young people can meet the people doing the work, see the technology and understand the careers available close to home, manufacturing becomes a much more tangible option for their future.”

OMA is highlighting member Manufacturing Month activities throughout October. Members hosting plant tours, student events or other activities are encouraged to share them with OMA. 10/5/2026

NBC News Chief Data Analyst Steve Kornacki brought the big board to Columbus yesterday at the Ohio Manufacturers’ Annual Forum, giving Ohio manufacturers a fast-moving look at the numbers, voter shifts and races shaping the final stretch of the 2026 election.

His appearance also helped kick off Manufacturing Month, a time to highlight the people, companies and investments that make manufacturing central to Ohio’s economy.

Kornacki moved from national attitudes on the economy, inflation and immigration to the fight for control of Congress, then zeroed in on Ohio. His presentation examined the U.S. Senate race between Jon Husted and Sherrod Brown, along with several congressional contests across the state.

“Steve has a way of cutting through an enormous amount of political data and showing you very quickly where the pressure points are,” said Ryan Augsburger, president of the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA). “Our members got a close look at the races, counties and voter shifts that could matter most over the next month.”

Kornacki’s appearance followed Wednesday’s Government Affairs Committee meeting and election analysis from Kyle Kondik, giving OMA members two days of close-up perspective on the political landscape heading into November. 10/1/2026

Whirlpool Corporation Chairman and CEO Marc Bitzer put Ohio at the center of the company’s continued investment in American manufacturing during his remarks yesterday at the Ohio Manufacturers’ Annual Forum.

Bitzer highlighted Whirlpool’s recent $360 million investment in Ohio manufacturing and the combination of talent, infrastructure and industry partnership supporting the company’s long-term presence in the state.

“Whirlpool Corporation started in America, stayed in America and we’re continuing to build our future here. Our recent $360 million investment in Ohio manufacturing recognizes this state as a vital part of our U.S. operations. It also serves as a testament to our confidence in Ohio’s talent pool and the state’s commitment to manufacturing,” said Marc Bitzer, chairman and CEO of Whirlpool Corporation. “Working together with organizations across the state, like the Ohio Manufacturers Association, we can ensure Ohio and the U.S. remain a growing hub for American jobs, ingenuity and manufacturing for generations to come.”

His message to OMA members was straightforward. Whirlpool is continuing to invest in American manufacturing, and Ohio remains an important part of where the company sees its future. 10/1/2026

More than two decades of leadership and service to Ohio manufacturing earned William “Bill” Sopko the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association’s (OMA) Dan French Legacy Award, presented Thursday at the Ohio Manufacturers’ Annual Forum in Columbus.

Sopko, president of Cleveland-area Wm. Sopko & Sons Co., Inc., and a longtime leader at Stamco Industries, has served on the OMA board since 2004, including a tenure as chairman. Throughout his service, he has brought the perspective of a family-owned manufacturer to the association, helping guide its leadership and champion the interests of Ohio’s manufacturing community.

“Bill Sopko has never been afraid to challenge us, tell us what we need to hear or roll up his sleeves and get to work,” said Ryan Augsburger, OMA president. “He understands what it takes to run a manufacturing business, and he’s spent more than 20 years making sure that perspective shapes this association. Bill has given us his time, his judgment and, when we needed it, a piece of his mind. That’s leadership, and OMA is better because of it.”

Established in 2023, the Dan French Legacy Award recognizes exemplary service and leadership on behalf of Ohio’s manufacturing community. It honors the late Daniel P. French, who served on the OMA board for 19 years and helped shape the association’s leadership and governance. Sopko’s decades of service reflect the same commitment to strengthening OMA and the industry it represents. 10/1/2026

Luke Harms, director of government relations at Whirlpool Corporation, received the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association’s (OMA) William Babington, Jr. Award during Thursday’s Ohio Manufacturers’ Annual Forum in Columbus, recognizing his volunteer leadership and commitment to Ohio manufacturing.

Harms, who has chaired OMA’s Government Affairs Committee since 2024, brings firsthand experience navigating the legislative and regulatory issues facing one of Ohio’s largest manufacturing employers. His work with OMA has helped shape the association’s policy priorities, build consensus among members and strengthen manufacturers’ engagement with state policymakers.

“Luke knows his stuff, and he knows how to get things done,” said Ryan Augsburger, OMA president. “He can walk into a room full of manufacturers with different priorities, find the common ground and turn it into a policy position that actually moves the needle. That’s not easy, and it’s one of the reasons OMA has been so effective with Luke leading our Government Affairs Committee.”

Presented on select occasions, the William Babington, Jr. Award recognizes outstanding volunteer leadership in advancing OMA’s mission and strengthening the association. It honors the late William Babington Jr. of Stone Container, whose dedication, high expectations and good humor left a lasting impression on the organization. 10/1/2026

Ohio manufacturers helped build America. Now they’re helping shape its next chapter. A new video debuted Thursday at the Ohio Manufacturers’ Annual Forum, bringing together industry leaders to reflect on the state’s manufacturing legacy, the people behind its success and the opportunities ahead as America celebrates its 250th anniversary.

From producing the equipment that helped win World War II to creating generations of middle-class opportunity, manufacturing has helped define Ohio’s economic history. In the video, manufacturers reflect on that legacy while making clear that the industry’s continued success depends on the same willingness to invest, innovate and adapt that shaped its past.

At the heart of that effort are people.

“Nothing is done without your people,” said Jack Schron, president and CEO at Jergens, Inc. “You’ve got to invest in their energy, their time, and their desire even to be in this sector.”

Manufacturers described opening their facilities to students, helping employees build lasting careers and expanding opportunities through second-chance employment and programs serving people with disabilities. Manufacturing’s continued success depends on making sure more Ohioans can see themselves as part of it.

The video also offers a look inside modern manufacturing, where lasers, 3D printing, advanced machinery and highly skilled employees are changing what happens on the factory floor. Beyond production, manufacturers highlighted careers in engineering, purchasing, human resources and other fields, challenging outdated perceptions of an industry that offers opportunities to learn, advance and lead.

That same commitment to progress extends beyond individual companies.

“We manufacturers have a responsibility to speak up for all manufacturers,” said Dale Foerster, owner and vice president at Starr Manufacturing Inc. “We are so interconnected and interdependent.”

Participants credited the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association with uniting the industry around shared priorities and providing expertise across advocacy, energy and workforce development. Foerster added, “When we all band together, our voice becomes so big and legislators listen.”

As the industry looks ahead, the video returns to a conviction shared by the manufacturers who helped tell its story. Ohio’s next chapter will be written by the people developing new technologies, preparing the next generation of workers and investing in the state’s manufacturing future.

“Ohio will lead the next 250 years of manufacturing because of the tenacity of the people here in the state of Ohio,” said Billy Vickers, president and CEO at Modular Assembly Innovations. 10/1/2026

The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) Board of Directors met Thursday in Columbus ahead of the Annual Forum, with plenty to discuss after a consequential few months for the association and its members. From rising electricity costs to new opportunities to help manufacturers grow, the conversation focused on turning OMA’s recent progress into tangible benefits for Ohio’s manufacturing community.

Among the biggest developments was OMA’s selection to lead Ohio’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership, which will bring new resources and technical expertise to small and medium-sized manufacturers across the state. Directors also reviewed efforts to expand technician training and strengthen the pipeline of skilled workers that Ohio companies need to compete.

“We’ve taken on some big challenges this year, and our board has been right there with us,” said OMA President Ryan Augsburger. “Whether we’re fighting to keep electricity costs in check or building an entirely new statewide network to help manufacturers grow, the expectation is the same. Our members should see real results from the work we’re doing.”

With 2027 approaching, OMA’s work on energy affordability, workforce development and manufacturing competitiveness remains a central focus. The board’s guidance will help shape the association’s efforts to address those challenges while ensuring members have access to the expertise, advocacy and services they need. 10/1/2026

Kyle Kondik, one of the nation’s leading election analysts, gave more than 140 members of the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) a look at the political landscape Wednesday, from the battle for control of Congress to Ohio’s closely watched races for governor and U.S. Senate.

Kondik, managing editor of Sabato’s Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics, examined President Donald Trump’s standing, the national political environment and the dramatic changes in Ohio’s electoral map. He also identified Mahoning, Delaware and Wood counties as places to watch in the governor’s race. He said both the U.S. Senate and gubernatorial races were “on a knife’s edge.”

“Everyone in Columbus thinks they know what’s going to happen in November. That’s why we brought in someone who actually studies the numbers,” said James Lee, managing director of public policy services for OMA. “Our job is to make sure manufacturers are prepared for what comes after the votes are counted.”

Political strategists Bob Clegg and Sandy Theis rounded out the Government Affairs Committee meeting with a discussion of Ohio’s elections, the upcoming gubernatorial transition and the legislative battles awaiting lawmakers after November. 9/30/2026

Manufacturing Day is Friday, Oct. 2, kicking off a month of activities celebrating an industry that drives Ohio’s economy, supports hundreds of thousands of jobs and creates opportunities in communities across the state. The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) wants to showcase how our members are marking the occasion.

From plant tours and student visits to employee celebrations and community partnerships, manufacturers are opening their doors, recognizing their people and introducing the next generation to modern manufacturing. These activities offer a firsthand look at the innovation, technology and career opportunities that define today’s industry.

Throughout October, OMA will spotlight member celebrations across our communications channels, highlighting the people, facilities and partnerships that make Ohio a manufacturing powerhouse.

We want to hear from you. Email Dave O’Neil your event details, photos and highlights so we can help share your story. 10/2/2026

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