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Get a personalized, prioritized list of projects that will move the needle with MAGNET's

Smart Manufacturing Assessment

  • If you know technology—especially AI and Big Data—can give you a competitive edge, but aren’t sure where to begin
  • If you’re ready to make investments in systems and tools, but want direction or validation first
  • If you want your leadership team aligned on how to use digital technology to drive efficiency and growth
This assessment benchmarks your current technology use against other manufacturers in Northeast Ohio, reveals hidden opportunities, and highlights gaps you may not have seen. Then, in a 2-hour roadmap session with a smart manufacturing expert, your team will identify and prioritize the most valuable tech initiatives—so you can make confident decisions about where to invest next.

Drowning in Tech Decisions With No Clear Direction?

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Do any of these sound familiar?

  • You’ve spent thousands on ERP, CAD/CAM, or automation, but no one’s sure what’s actually working
  • You’re constantly hearing about AI, robotics, and smart systems, but can’t tell what’s hype and what’s mission-critical
  • You feel like you’re falling behind competitors who seem to be moving faster and smarter with technology
  • You know you need a plan—but everything feels reactive, fragmented, and too risky to commit to

Imagine Being Confident that the Technology You Implement is the Right One— and Will Deliver ROI

Imagine running a company where: 

  • A shared understanding of your current digital capabilities—and how you compare to other Northeast Ohio manufacturers
  • Alignment across IT, engineering, and operations on which technologies matter most right now
  • A ranked roadmap of tech initiatives tailored to your business goals and maturity level
  • A clear ROI story you can tell your leadership team—or your customers—about how you’re getting smarter and more efficient

No more guessing. No more internal debate. Just the clarity to move forward, the confidence to invest, and a plan that gets everyone on the same page.

Get a Clear Picture of Your Technology Gaps—and a Roadmap to Close Them

Many manufacturers know they need to modernize—but aren’t sure where to focus or how to start. MAGNET’s Smart Manufacturing Assessment gives you a fast, expert-guided way to benchmark your current technology use, uncover hidden opportunities, and align your team around next steps.

Why it Works: 

  • The Smart Manufacturing Survey shows how your company stacks up against other Northeast Ohio manufacturers—so you can see exactly where you’re ahead or falling behind
  • The Roadmap session helps you identify and prioritize tech initiatives that deliver real ROI
  • For a limited time, this $2,000 assessment is available for just $500 to manufacturers in MAGNET’s 24-county service area

How it Works:

  1. The Survey
    Your technical leadership team (typically 3–7 people from engineering, IT, and operations) will complete a 60–90-minute guided survey session with a MAGNET facilitator—a smart manufacturing expert who has led dozens of companies through this process. This process sparks valuable discussions and helps identify your current technology landscape.

  2. The Roadmap
    Within a week, you’ll come together with your MAGNET expert for a highly collaborative 2-hour working session where:
    • You’ll receive detailed benchmarking results comparing your technology use to other manufacturers in Northeast Ohio
    • The facilitator will guide a structured discussion to help your team identify, prioritize, and rank improvement opportunities
    • The process aligns your leadership team around a clear, actionable plan that everyone is excited to support
    • You’ll build a timeline for technology investments and leave with a customized report outlining your priorities and next steps

This confidential session is designed to foster alignment, engagement, and confidence—ensuring your next technology investments deliver measurable business results.

Northeast Ohio Manufacturers Who Have Benefited from the Smart Manufacturing Assessment

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How Much does the Smart Manufacturing Assessment Cost? 

The Smart Manufacturing Assessment is valued at $2,000. However, during the summer and fall of 2025, we're using some of MAGNET's Ohio Manufacturing Extension Partnership funding to get Ohio's small and medium-sized manufacturers ready for growth in 2026. Since these assessments jumpstart success, we're offering them for only $500 to allow more companies to reap the benefits.

For a limited time, the Smart Manufacturing Assessment is available for just $500.

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Ready to Get Started?

Are you ready to gain alignment and clarity on your smart manufacturing journey? Schedule your fit call for the Smart Manufacturing Assessment by clicking the button below.

Working with a MAGNET Growth Advisor is a chance for your leadership team to be open and transparent, creating the atmosphere needed to drive meaningful change. The more engaged your team is in the process, the greater the value you’ll gain. Your company should also have the budget and commitment to invest in the technology initiatives identified in the roadmap. If that sounds like your team, here’s the link to schedule your call:

MAGNET is committed to keeping your business details confidential. All information you share—your survey results, roadmap discussions, or any correspondence—is proprietary to your company and handled with the utmost care.

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Who is the Smart Manufacturing Assessment for? 

The Smart Manufacturing Assessment is designed for manufacturing leadership teams of 3–7 people—typically from engineering, IT, and operations—who:

  • Know AI and Big Data can be a game-changer but don’t know where to start
  • Want to move from reactive technology decisions to a clear, strategic plan
  • Are focused on identifying technology investments that deliver real ROI
  • Value expert guidance to gain clarity, prioritize investments, and build confidence in their next steps

If this sounds like your team, the Smart Manufacturing Assessment is the logical next step to elevate your technology strategy and drive measurable business impact.

Meet the Facilitators

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Joe Work

Joe is a Senior Growth Advisor who leads MAGNET's Industry 4.0 & Advanced Technology consulting area. He helps manufacturers move to the next level with technologies like IIoT, robotics deployment, machine monitoring, digital twin, and more. He came to MAGNET from Belcan Engineering Automation Group, where he provided turn key factory automation solutions for clients in a diverse array of industries—transportation, medical, energy, industrial,  consumer products—from start ups to Fortune 500 firms.

Bill Proctor

Bill Proctor

Bill has more than 26 years experience in Industrial Engineering and Organizational Development.  An Ohio State University graduate in Industrial Systems Engineering, Bill earned his M.S. in Organizational Development and Analysis with distinction from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University.

Still Have Questions? 

How much time will this take?

It breaks down this way:

  • You: 20 minutes (likely less) for your fit call, plus another 30 minutes for your intro call
  • Your whole team: Approximately 60–90 minutes together for the survey session, plus another 2 hours for the roadmap working session
What if my executive team isn't fully committed to a technology initiative like this?

It’s common for leadership teams to have different views on which digital projects to prioritize—or whether to pursue them at all. The Smart Manufacturing Assessment helps by requiring only a few hours of your team’s time and delivering clear, objective data. It doesn’t dictate your next move; instead, it provides the insights your team needs to come together and decide on the right technology initiatives for your company. The collaborative roadmap session naturally builds consensus around your priorities. With that consensus, your team is free to take the agreed-upon next step.

When asked if he'd recommend the assessment, the president of Rimeco Products said this:

"Yes, because MAGNET has a process for identifying your current state of digitization and ideas for how to implement new technology to improve digitization throughout your company."

- John Ribic, Jr., President of Rimeco Products, Inc.

How many people from my team should participate?

Our Growth Advisors We’ve found that having 3 to 8 people from engineering, IT, and operations works best. Fewer than 3 limits discussion, while more than 8 can make collaboration challenging.

What does the report include?
The customized report includes your team’s survey responses and benchmarking data comparing your technology use against other manufacturers in Northeast Ohio. It highlights strengths, gaps, and opportunities across key digital capabilities and technology maturity factors. The report also outlines prioritized initiatives developed during the roadmap session, with clear recommendations tailored to your business goals.
Is this assessment a sales pitch?

No. This assessment stands on its own as a valuable benchmarking and planning tool. You receive a comprehensive, detailed report and a facilitated roadmap session that guides your team’s next steps. Some companies may choose to engage MAGNET for ongoing support afterward, but many find the assessment empowers them to move forward independently.

Is there a next step to this assessment?

Some companies work with MAGNET to implement their roadmap and adopt new digital technologies. Others take a DIY approach using the insights and priorities from the assessment to guide their investments.

Why the discounted price?

MAGNET gets funding from Ohio Manufacturing Extension Partnership to help Ohio's small and medium-sized manufacturers increase sales, create jobs and generate cost savings through technological innovation, workforce training and improved management practices. This Smart Manufacturing Assessment jumpstarts success, so we're offering it at a discounted price to allow more manufacturers to benefit from it in the summer of 2025.

Who's eligible for the $500 limited-time price?

Manufacturing companies and adjacent industries within MAGNET's service area – 24 counties in Northeast Ohio – as designated by Ohio MEP. 

Take Your Next Technology Step With Confidence

If any of these statements resonate, why wait to schedule your fit call?

  • You’re not confident your leadership team is fully aligned on technology priorities
  • Digital strategy and technology investments feel overwhelming or inconsistent
  • You want to grow and improve efficiency without costly trial and error
  • You’re excited to get a handle on your tech strategy with the help of an experienced MAGNET Growth Advisor

The Smart Manufacturing Assessment, valued at $2,000, is available for just $500 in the summer and fall of 2025 — exclusively for Northeast Ohio manufacturers.

On the call, we'll ask you a few simple questions to confirm that your team is well-suited for the Smart Manufacturing Assessment and qualifies for the discounted price. If you're a fit, we'll send you the payment link and schedule your intro call with a MAGNET Growth Advisor. It's as easy as that.

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