Empowering Northeast Ohio Manufacturing

The vision set forward by The Blueprint for Manufacturing in Northeast Ohio inspires all of MAGNET's work.
The Blueprint identifies four pillars: Talent, Innovation, Transformation and Leadership.

Ohio Gratings, Inc. (OGI) Named Canton Manufacturer of the Year

Ohio Gratings, Inc. (OGI) was recently honored as MAGNET's Canton Manufacturer of the Year at the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce’s 110th Annual Meeting. With 800 employees and locations in Canton and Massillon, OGI continues to set the standard in the metal grating industry through its dedication to innovation and manufacturing excellence. This prestigious award highlights OGI’s significant contributions to the local economy and serves as a reminder of the strength and creativity driving Northeast Ohio's manufacturing sector. Congratulations to OGI for this well-deserved recognition and for their ongoing success in a rapidly evolving marketplace! Read more here.

2025 Economic Forecast: Key Takeaways from Dr. Mark Schweitzer

MAGNET recently held its annual Economic Forecast, sponsored by Case Western Reserve University. Economist Dr. Mark Schweitzer shared insight on supply chain dynamics, workforce labor trends and navigating economic uncertainty. The Q&A at the end of the session dealt with the potential impact of new tariffs and the role of emerging technologies in economic resilience. Many actionable insights can be found in the recording of the economic forecast here.

Overcoming Racial Disparities in Manufacturing Recruitment and Training

WorkRise recently hosted MAGNET's Lissy Rand to discuss how connecting underrepresented workers to job opportunities in manufacturing is transforming the industry and creating lasting change. This conversation includes information from a recently published report that tracks the impact of our ACCESS to Manufacturing on-ramp training program, which recruits workers into the manufacturing sector. Read the report here.

Don’t miss Lissy’s thought-provoking conversation with Megan Tackney of WorkRise! Listen here.

Celebrating 40 Years of MAGNET: Forging the Future of Northeast Ohio Manufacturing

MAGNET is celebrating 40 years of shaping the future of Northeast Ohio manufacturing and reflecting on a legacy of innovation, growth, and community impact. From the beginning as a pilot program in 1984 to our current role as a key resource for over 10,000 companies, MAGNET has helped transform the region's manufacturing landscape. As we look to the next 40 years, we remain focused on four pillars—Talent, Technology, Innovation, and Leadership—to continue driving sustainable growth and empowering local manufacturers. Join us in celebrating our past and forging a bright future for Northeast Ohio.

MAGNET Annual Report

MAGNET is on a mission to drive Northeast Ohio manufacturing growth. Read the full FY 24 Annual Report here.

Latest Blog Posts

From MAGNET's recent CoachU graduation to AI Roundtable discussions, read what has been happening with MAGNET staff and partners here.

Upcoming Events

Industry News

How Smaller Manufacturers Can Avoid Making Expensive Technology Mistakes - Ethan Karp's latest Forbes' article discusses how small and medium-sized manufacturers should jump on the technology train strategically, not blindly.
Magnet Marks 40 Years by Launching Forging the Future Campaign – The Youngstown Business Journal reports on our recently launched anniversary campaign!
How Trump’s Tariffs Will Impact Manufacturers – Ethan Karp's Forbes article dives into the complexity of Trump’s proposed tariffs.
40 Essential Truths To Succeed In Manufacturing Right Now - This Forbes article presents Ethan's list of core tenents that are foundational to succeeding in manufacturing today.
CMSD middle schoolers compete for state robotics competition - MAGNET was proud to be a part of bringing robotics competition to CMSD middle schools.
Artificial intelligence is full of power and promise – and potential for peril - Mike O'Donnell and Ethan Karp are cited in Crain's story about the importance of safeguarding sensitive data while integrating AI into a company's processes.

Bonus Episode Released!

Bonus Episode #4: Producer Margaret Kashmir interviews Ethan about the best moments and most insightful wisdom from our interviews with Hallie Stewart (Bee Valve), Tony Mazzella (Mazzella Companies), Wendy Slone (bTECH), and Paulo Ruiz (Eaton). Plus a not-to-be-missed wrap of insights from all of Season 1.

The Make It podcast episodes can be streamed here and the videos can be accessed here.

Interested in learning more about our consulting services, workforce development programs, dedication to the regional manufacturing community or taking a tour of our state-of-the-art facility? Click here.

The vision set forward by The Blueprint for Manufacturing in Northeast Ohio inspires all of MAGNET's work. The Blueprint identifies four pillars: Talent, Innovation, Transformation and Leadership.