October was a busy month for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA), and we’ve got the tour dates to prove it. From factory floors in Marysville, Urbana, Canton and Piketon to manufacturing conversations in Cleveland, Bowling Green and Washington, D.C., OMA spent the month connecting with members, policymakers and industry partners across Ohio and beyond.

The itinerary included visits to Honda, Bundy Baking Solutions, Ohio Gratings and Centrus Energy, along with Manufacturing Day celebrations, workforce discussions and policy events across the state. OMA also convened its Annual Forum, launched its Workforce Training Directory at Bowling Green State University and hosted its first Manufacturing Month Member Experience in Canton. It was a packed schedule, with plenty of miles between stops.

But October was about more than logging miles. Plant tours gave OMA a firsthand look at the investments and challenges shaping Ohio manufacturing, while conversations with policymakers and workforce partners tackled everything from rising electricity costs to the need for skilled workers. Each stop offered another opportunity to strengthen relationships, hear directly from members and bring their priorities into discussions shaping Ohio’s economic future.

“At some point, we realized we’d visited enough places to qualify as a touring act,” said Dave O’Neil, director of communications for the OMA. “The T-shirt seemed like the logical next step. We’re still working out the details of our merchandise empire.” 11/6/2026