Longtime Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA) member The Elmet Group is set for a major expansion of its role in the U.S. defense supply chain following a $450 million federal investment announced this week.

The Department of War said the preferred equity investment will expand domestic tungsten processing capacity and strengthen U.S. access to a critical material used across missiles, aerospace, naval systems, electronics and other advanced manufacturing applications. Elmet, an OMA member since 1990, is the only U.S.-owned, fully integrated producer of tungsten and molybdenum materials and components.

“Elmet has spent decades building capabilities that are difficult to replicate and increasingly important to the country,” said Jacob Sargent, OMA director of public policy services. “This investment recognizes the value of having that production capacity in Ohio and gives the company room to grow it.”

The investment is expected to preserve high-paying manufacturing jobs at Elmet’s Euclid operations while supporting approximately 1,200 downstream jobs across manufacturing, engineering and logistics.

Elmet currently supports more than 100 U.S. defense programs, including the F-35, Patriot PAC-3 and Virginia- and Columbia-class submarines. 9/14/2026