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. 

Podcast Launch

MAGNET has launched a new podcast!

Make It: Frank Conversations about the Future of Manufacturing offers frank, unfiltered, and fascinating conversations about the future of manufacturing, what it’s really like to be in the CEO seat, and how leaders approach everything from innovation to mistakes, from ego to Industry 4.0. Hosted by MAGNET CEO Ethan Karp. 

Listen on Apple, Spotify or Amazon Music.

These are also available in video format. Click here to watch!

Join local manufacturing colleagues on March 5, 2024 for Make It Happen: The Future of Manufacturing is NOW. Sponsored by Bank of America, and in coordination with the Smart Manufacturing Cluster, the day will include useful information from local industry experts. 

AM SESSION:
8:30am-1:30pm. All are welcome.
Two years post-launch: What we’ve learned and accomplished from the Manufacturing Blueprint and what’s ahead for our region.

PM SESSION:
12-5pm. Manufacturers only. 
Learn practical steps for how to enter into the lucrative EV supply chain.

Location: Corporate College East, 4400 Richmond Road, Warrensville Heights, OH. Easy access off of I-271; free parking. $95 per person. 

Honoring Mentoring Month

January is nationally recognized as National Mentoring Month, dedicated to raising awareness about the power and impact of mentoring. MAGNET is fortunate to have extraordinary mentors on the Early College Early Career (ECEC) team. These dedicated professionals connect with ECEC students to guide them through all aspects of school, sports, and navigating the many choices that face today's youth. Marvin Rashad has been with Magnet since 2020 and quickly rose to the position of Mentorship Lead Coordinator, in which he leads and guides the mentorship coaches on the ECEC team. As a native Clevelander, he is a proud graduate of Collinwood High School and returned to Cleveland to continue serving youth and young adults in mental health, athleticism, health and wellness, and workforce development.

Investment Success

The Advanced Manufacturing Fund invested $1.7M into startups throughout Northern
Ohio in FY23. Investors provided an additional $630,000 in funding to companies across a range of industries from energy to automated machinery.

Seraphina Safety, the maker of "flame-resistant base-layer clothing for women working in industrial occupations and motorsports," received a $10,000 marketing prize at the 2022 Mspire event. Founder and CEO Kelly Franko has used the services of MAGNET‘s Strategy, Marketing, Sales (SMS) group to deliver the new website which will better serve her target customers. In addition, the New Ventures team helped Kelly research her addressable market. Learn more about MAGNET's New Ventures Team here. 

Industry 4.0 Partners

Talent Success

ACCESS to Manufacturing Careers is a three-week program in which students learn both job readiness skills and technical competencies the 20+ companies involved in hiring from the program desire. The curriculum includes technical skills training, career readiness, and hands-on training delivered by employers, as well as showcasing opportunities with engaged companies.

In 2023, MAGNET's ACCESS program graduated 111 students in 9 cohorts, resulting in 85 individuals placed in manufacturing jobs with 23 different companies with an average starting wage of $17.83/hour. Learn more here.

Industry News

FY2023 Annual Report Released

MAGNET's Annual Report was recently released and can be found online here. Thank you to the donors who helped drive community impact. 

This Election Year, Our Love For Making Things—And Distaste For China’s Dominance—Could Be The One Thing We Agree On.

Ethan Karp's Forbes article discusses how manufacturing is the great unifier in a time of deep division in the midst of an election year. 

Cleveland Water Alliance part of team receiving grant to fight 'forever chemicals'

The Fund for Our Economic Future, along with the Cleveland Water Alliance (CWA) and Teaching Institute for Excellence in STEM (TIES) in partnership with the Great Lakes ReNew collaborative, was selected as one of the National Science Foundation's regional innovation engines. 

Upcoming Events

HR 2024 Trends Webinar
Feb 15: Webinar: In this research-based webinar, Dr. Geri Puleo will discuss 2024’s Top 3 HR trends confronting manufacturers and provide practical, results-based tips to effectively address them. Register here. 

2024 Lighthouse Tour Kicks Off

Feb. 23: Join MAGNET for the first Lighthouse Tour of 2024. Learn how Great Lakes Growers uses a hydroponic greenhouse to grow local produce year-round!

February Fireside Chat

Feb. 23: Join Marissa Wilson, CEO Capsoul Company and MAGNET New Ventures Consultants for February’s Lunch and Learn Fireside Chat to learn about diversity in manufacturing through entrepreneurship. 

Skills for Effective Management and Impactful Leadership
Lunch & Learn Series (4 sessions) for Managers: Improve management skills with this impactful series of practical tips to increase effectiveness in your organization. 

       
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.