Manufacturing Success

The Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network (MAGNET)’s mission is to drive Northeast Ohio manufacturing growth, especially in the small and medium companies that make up 98% of the region’s nearly 10,000 manufacturers. This series looks at MAGNET’s efforts, it’s  Blueprint for Manufacturing in Northeast Ohio, and the four pillars the manufacturing success: Talent, Transformation, Innovation, and Leadership. 

Seasoned startups: MAGNET Mspire pitch competition puts mature companies in spotlight
MAGNET's ninth annual Mspire pitch competition awarded $85,000 to seven innovative manufacturing startups in a diverse range of concepts and industries, from sustainable energy solutions with Accelerate Wind's turbines to cake pop molds made by Daisy Makes, to health technology developed by Auxilium Health.
Bridging the gap: MAGNET’s ECEC program grows manufacturing careers in high school
MAGNET's Early College, Early Career (ECEC) program allows high school juniors to get an early start in potentially lucrative manufacturing careers. Through ECEC, students attend classes three days a week, spend one day in training at MAGNET with mentors, and spend one day in internships with local manufacturing companies. More than 90% of graduates receive job offers at the end of the program that MANGET first launched in 2017.
Welcome aboard: NEO manufacturing companies open doors to diverse talent
Greater Cleveland has made progress in bringing minorities and women into the manufacturing industry, according to MAGNET, and about 2,000 people of color have entered the sector in the past two years. Although the region has seen an 80% jump in women and minorities in manufacturing leadership positions, a greater effort is needed to diversify the manufacturing workforce.
Hurdling obstacles: NEO is forging a path as a smart manufacturing hub
MAGNET's first Manufacturing Blueprint Report Card revealed that Northeast Ohio is making strides as an advanced production hub, illustrated by companies like Midway Swiss Turn, Inc and E.C. Kitzel & Sons. But there is still work to do. For instance, while high-tech adoption grew 80% since 2019, only a small number of companies are currently using Industry 4.0 innovations.
Signs of progress: NEO making gains in becoming smart manufacturing hub
MAGNET's first progress report card on its Blueprint for Manufacturing in Northeast Ohio was released last week. The report shows the area has exceeded industry goals, increased investment and products, and diversified top talent, among other milestones.
A few good founders: New physical products the focus of manufacturing-based venture fund
Ohio-focused Advanced Manufacturing Fund, a collaborative effort between MAGNET, JumpStart, and a group of private stakeholders, works with a variety of early-stage physical product and manufacturing ventures like—SweatID, Insitu Foods, and Octet Scientific—puts great ideas on the fast-track to success.
Frank talk: MAGNET launches podcast series to spark conversations on manufacturing's future
In its new podcast series, "MAKE IT," MAGNET president and CEO Ethan Karp sits down with local leaders of companies like Cleveland Whiskey, Lubrizol, Malley's Chocolates, and Lincoln Electric to talk about the region's manufacturing future.
Lighting the way: Bold leadership is a must-have for Cleveland manufacturers
Cleveland's manufacturers need to double their efforts in preparing for the high-tech future, warns MAGNET CEO Ethan Karp, and leadership is the linchpin in embracing Industry 4.0 so the region remains a manufacturing leader. Wooster-based Midway Swiss Turn is setting the example.
Open access: Talent attraction remains top-of-mind for Cleveland manufacturers
The manufacturing industry is expected to hire more than 30,000 workers in the next decade, leaving industry leaders and employers like MAGNET, Toward Employment, Precision Metalforming Association, and even CMSD, to create strategies to prepare a robust workforce. The ACCESS to Manufacturing Careers program just may be the answer in Northeast Ohio.
MAGNET: Innovation equals transformation and growth for area manufacturers
MAGNET’s Blueprint for Manufacturing in Northeast Ohio outlines the four pillars to manufacturing success: Innovation, Transformation, Talent, and Leadership. Transformation means adopting the newest technologies to stay ahead of the game.
Manufacturing blueprint: MAGNET champions plan for a high-tech, talent-rich manufacturing future
MAGNET, with backing from Team NEO, Greater Cleveland Partnership, and Case Western Reserve University, are cheerleaders for the success of Northeast Ohio's manufacturing industry with MAGNET's Blueprint for Manufacturing.
Make it better: Cleveland makers embrace innovation as a benchmark of growth
Building a transformative technology and forward-thinking are two key elements behind MAGNET's Make It Better: A Blueprint for Manufacturing in Northeast Ohio. Three local innovators—CLEANR, Skuld, and Seraphina Safety—share their tips for success and how they stick to the blueprint.
New cybersecurity compliance a potential boon for local manufacturing firms
Manufacturing companies are learning the importance of achieving the Department of Defense's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification, and the benefits that come along with it.
The dawn of ChatGPT: Artificial intelligence could be a boon for the manufacturing supply chain
It seems like the world is watching how the new AI platform ChatGPT can help students write papers or cheat on exams, but what can this AI technology do for the future of the manufacturing industry? MAGNET CEO Ethan Karp talks about the possibilities.
In the thick of it: New MAGNET HQ designed as a neighborhood manufacturing linchpin
With MAGNET's new 53,000-square-foot headquarters now up and running in the Hough neighborhood, officials hope to demystify local manufacturing and draw a new, diverse pool of talent into the industry.
MAGNET’s new Midtown manufacturing hub aims to create jobs, grow local economy
Last week, MAGNET moved into its new headquarters, the Manufacturing Innovation, Technology & Job Center, that will connect people to training and jobs, increase manufacturing innovation, and transform Northeast Ohio factories with advanced technologies.
Custom orders: MAGNET tailors its services to bring Cleveland builders to market
When MAGNET hosts its annual Mspire pitch competition—Ohio's only pitch challenge exclusively for manufacturing-focused entrepreneurs—the organization adapts to its individual entrepreneurs to offer the services they need to scale up and get to market. 
Innovation Square set to bring jobs, housing, and a bright future to Fairfax
The Innovation Square project is set to bring a mixed-use, mixed-income district along the Opportunity Corridor on Cleveland’s southeast side. Along with the new Meijer grocery story, neighborhood residents, business owners, and officials see potential for Fairfax to become an emerging, thriving neighborhood.
Expanding manufacturing innovations: MAGNET pitch competition now covers all of Northern Ohio
For seven years, MANGET's annual MSPIRE event has stood as the only pitch challenge for Northeast Ohio’s manufacturing-focused entrepreneurs. This year, the competition expands to all of northern Ohio, in a partnership with Toledo-based ProMedica Innovations. Who will pitch the most innovative hard tech, advanced materials, product, or technology this year?
Pitch perfect: Chalk paint maker, medical device distributor among 2021 Mspire winners
Meet Hikia “Coco” Dixon, founder of Coco’s Chalky Paints, and NelDerm founder Kevin Nelson—two of the seven winners at MANGET's 2021 Mspire manufacturing pitch competition. They beat out 43 other applicants for a wealth of prizes and services to move their businesses forward.