2024 Annual Report | Manufacturing Works

Dear Friends of Manufacturing Works,

I am proud to reflect on a year of progress and growth for Manufacturing Works. This year was pivotal for our organization, marked by a leadership transition and continued commitment to strengthening the Northeast Ohio manufacturing community.

I am honored to step into the role of President and Executive Director, following the exceptional leadership of Ken Patsey, whose vision laid the foundation for much of our success. With the support of our talented team, we’ve made significant strides in expanding workforce development, fostering innovation, and building stronger connections across the region.

Key accomplishments this year include:

Expanding career pathways: We launched a pre-apprenticeship program in partnership with Lorain County JVS and Cuyahoga Valley Career Center, and became a recognized Apprenticeship Ambassador by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Growing our team: We welcomed new leaders who have already made a significant impact across our programs, from workforce development to strategic marketing.
Celebrating innovation: We launched the ManuFuture NEO network, celebrated Leadership Institute graduations, and highlighted the critical role of women in manufacturing at the Cleveland Women’s Summit.

Looking Ahead

We also made strides in community engagement and partnerships with local businesses to strengthen workforce development.

Looking ahead to 2025, we remain committed to building a vibrant, sustainable manufacturing ecosystem. Thank you for your continued support as we work together to strengthen manufacturing through connection, education, and training.

Sincerely,
Adam Artman
President and Executive Director, Manufacturing Works

Mission and Core Values

Mission

To strengthen manufacturing through connection, education, and training.

Core Values

Reliable: We walk the talk, meaning we do what we say we will. We transform the words behind our mission into tangible actions. We are trustworthy.
Supportive: We engage with businesses, communities, and individuals throughout the region and celebrate each one's success. We respect a diversity of ideas and people.
Dedicated: Because we believe in the why of what we do, we happily put forth the extra effort it takes to achieve our mission.
Community-Focused: We thoughtfully manage the relationships we develop. We recognize that every decision we make impacts someone.
Always Learning: Our mindset is to always do better, always be better. We pursue excellence without compromise to stay ahead of those who are content to stand still. We ask our members how we're doing and adjust our programs to answer the needs of the manufacturing community.

Strategic Priorities and Impact

To ensure long-term mission impact and sustainability, Manufacturing Works embarked on a strategic planning initiative. Partnering with Gallagher Consulting Group Inc., the planning process began with an environmental scan, gathering input from key stakeholders including the Board of Directors, members, staff, funders, and external partners. Following this, a planning session with the Board set the strategic direction for the next four years. A subsequent meeting with MW’s staff team operationalized this vision into actionable steps.

This Strategic Plan will guide Manufacturing Works from FY 2024–2027, and is designed to be a dynamic blueprint, adaptable to significant changes in the environment.

The plan focuses on the following strategic goals and objectives:

Goal 1 - Programs & Services: Offer education, workforce, and other programming that drives value for members, manufacturers, and the region.

Goal 2 - Member Engagement: Increase engagement and enhance the member experience.

Goal 3 - Awareness & Outreach: Elevate brand awareness and stakeholder engagement to support development efforts and advance the mission.

Goal 4 - Fiscal Stewardship & Strength: Increase and diversify funding and demonstrate sound fiscal stewardship to achieve sustained growth.

Goal 5 - Organizational Excellence: Achieve organizational excellence through commitment to the highest standards of operational and administrative practices.

Leadership Institute
Aimed at aspiring manufacturing leaders, this cohort-based program develops authentic leadership skills and encourages entrepreneurial thinking to drive business success.

19 program graduates in 2024

"The Manufacturing Works Leadership Institute was an overall great experience. Learned a great deal of manufacturing knowledge but more importantly built quality relationships that has opened the door for more business opportunities."

– Joseph “Trey” Lewis III, Lewis Unlimited

A.J. Rose Manufacturing Co. - Avon

A.J. Rose Manufacturing Co. - CLE

Absolute Machine Tools

Acchroma, Inc.

Adams Automatic, Inc.

Advance Paint Technology, Ltd.

Advanced Controls, Inc.

Advanced Polymer Coatings

Advanced Secondaries, Inc.

Advanced Welding Solutions, LLC

Aetna Plastics Fabrication, a Harrington Company

Aetna Plating Company Inc.

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.

Akron Rubber Development Laboratory, Inc. (ARDL)

Akron Tool & Die

Alcon Industries, Inc.

Alliance Industrial Solutions

Allied Tool & Die Inc.

Alloy Engineering Company

Amarok Partners

AMECO USA

Apex Paper Box Co

Applied Metals Technology

ArcAlloy Custom Metal Fab & Welding

Arkinetics Inc.

Art Galvanizing Works

ArtiFlex Manufacturing

ASG, div. of Jergens, Inc.

Ashland University - Dauch College of Business and Economics

ASK Chemicals LP

Association for Supply Chain Management, Akron Chapter

Auto Bolt Co.

Automation Plastics Corporation

Automation Tool & Die

A-Wall

Axiom Manufacturing Systems

Bank of America

Barnes Wendling

Beacon Marshall Companies DBA EM Construction

Beckett Thermal

Bee Valve

Bridgette Berthelot

Jim Black

Black Tip, LLC

Beate Blaich-Smith

Boutique IT Solutions (BITS)

Bowden Manufacturing

BoxIt

BWX Technologies, Inc.

Cabletek

Capsoul Collective

Cavitch Familo & Durkin Co. LPA

CBIZ

CBIZ Benefits & Insurance Services, Inc.

CF Bank

ChainRing Advisors

Chemical Solvents, Inc.

ChemMasters

City Plating

City Thermoelectrics LLC

Ciuni & Panichi, Inc.

Cleveland Compressor Service

Cleveland Controls

Cleveland Industrial Innovation Center

Cleveland Machinery Sales, Inc.

Cleveland Menu Printing

Cleveland State University - TransDigm Advanced Manufacturing Center

Cleveland Steel Tool Co.

Cleveland Wheel and Brake Systems

Cleveland Wire Cloth & Manufacturing

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.

CMIT Solutions of Cleveland Downtown & East

Coleys Inc

Control Electric Company, Inc.

Conveyer & Caster Corp.

Cook-Leitch & Associates, Inc.

Judith Crocker

Croghan Colonial Bank

Cuyahoga Community College

Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District

CW Industrial Partners

D. A. Surgical

Dan T. Moore Company

David Wolfe Design, Inc.

Day Piston Co.

Day-Glo Color Corp

Delta Business Strategies

Dennison Creative

Dependable Stamping Company

Die-Matic Corporation

Digital Leaf Media Consulting, LLC

Dott Foam Products, LLC

Dreison: DCM Manufacturing, Inc.

Dreison: Maradyne Corporation

Du West Tool & Die, Inc

Duffy+Duffy Cost Segregation Services

DuPont

DuPont - Electronics & Industrial

DuPont - Multibase

Duray Plating Company

e2b Teknologies

Eagle Elastomer

Efficient Machine Products Corp.

Electric Cord Sets

Ely Enterprises, Inc.

Empire Die Casting Company

Emprise Partners

Enerco Group Inc.

Energy Management Specialists, Inc.

EOX Vantage

Erie Industrial Equipment, Inc.

ErieBank

Essential Sealing Products

EZ Snap Covers

Factur

Fairport Wealth

Fastsigns Downtown Cleveland

Federal Gear

Felber PR & Marketing

Feldenkris CFO Services, LLC

FiberWorx

Fike Developing and Excavating, Inc.

First Commonwealth Bank

Flow Polymers, LLC

Flywire

Fully Promoted

Garick

Gates Group Advisors, LLC

Gebauer Company

Gem Tool

General Metal Heat Treating, Inc.

Giesecke + Devrient

Glavin ID

Globe Pipe Hanger Products, Inc.

Good Engineering and Marine Service, LLC

Gotta Groove Records

Grafix

Graici

Granite Steel & Processing, Inc.

Grategy

Great Lakes Towing Company

Guyer Precision

Halvorsen Co.

Harrington Electric Co.

Heat Seal/Ampak

HGR Industrial Surplus

Hinkley Lighting, Inc.

HKB Enterprises

HKM Direct Market Communications

Horizons HR Services

Jeb Howard

Hubbell Machine Tooling, Inc.

Huntington Bank - Business Banking West

Huntington National Bank

Huntington Private Bank

IER Fujikura Inc

Impact Armor Technologies LLC

Inglewood Associates LLC

Frank Injic

Inova Staffing

Involta

Jamestown Container Companies

Jergens, Inc.

Jiffy Products International

JIS, div. of Jergens, Inc.

Jones Drones Cleveland

Joseph T. Snyder Industries, Inc.

JTM Products, Inc.

Kaufman, Drozdowski & Grendell, LLC

Kay Chemical Company

Kerek Industries, LLC

KeyBank - Commercial Bank

Keystone Threaded Products

Kitzel Inc.

Kuhn Fabricating Inc

La Bamba Foods

Lakeside Supply Company

Lakewood Automation

Land

Lane Steel Co., Inc.

Laszeray Technology, LLC

Leafy Products

Lewis Unlimited Inc.

Lincoln Electric Holdings Inc.

Lorain County Community College - LCCC

Lowe Chemical

Lucas Precision

Lytkowski & Co. Inc

Mach3, An Alloy Engineering Company

MACK Growth Partners

Magis Advisory Group

Maloney + Novotny LLC

Margin Authority, LLC

David Martin

Martindale Electric Co.

Meaden & Moore

J Mentrek

Menyhart Plumbing & Heating Supply

Meyer Products (Aebi-Schmidt)

Midwest Compressor Co., Inc.

Midwest Transatlantic Lines, Inc.

Monroe Tool & Manufacturing Co.

Montville Plastics & Rubber, LLC

Moreland Connect

MPC Silent Wall

Msports Inc

National Commercial Warehouse

National Office Services, Inc

National Safety Apparel, Inc

NESCO, Inc.

Neverman Insurance Agency

Nimo (aka SchoolJoy)

Norman Noble, Inc

North Coast Container LLC

Northern Stamping Inc., Bear

Northern Stamping Inc., Plant 3

Northern Stamping, Inc., Plant 1

Northern Stamping, Inc., Plant 2

Northern Stamping, Inc., Plant 4

Nufacturing

Oatey Company

Oatey Company - IP

Oatey Distribution Center

Ohio Awning & Manufacturing Company

Ohio Laser Cleaning and Rust Removal

Oliver Inc/The Chilcote Company

Olstrad Corporation

On Technology Partners

Operations Feedback Systems

Optio Tempore LLC

Orlando Baking Company

Oswald Companies

OWETEC Services Company

PACE Converting Equipment Co, Inc.

PartnerShip

Paul Fike Builders, Inc.

Pearne & Gordon LLP

Pease Bell, CPAs

Peoples Bank

Phoenix Steel Service, Inc.

Pilot Plastics

Pioneer Products

PNC Commercial Banking

Polaris Automation, Inc.

Pompili Precast Concrete

Premier Development Partners, LLC

Presrite Corporation - Bessemer

Presrite Corporation - HQ

Process Technology

Productivity Solutions

Producto Dieco

Products Chemical Company LLC

Quality IP

Quez Media Marketing

Rainbow Rubber Extrusions

Ratliff & Taylor

Re:Build CDi

Re:Build CDi

Red Seal Electric Company, Inc.

Redmond Waltz

Reed Powder Coating

RGI Creative, Inc.

Riddell

Ridge Tool/Emerson Manufacturing Company

Rise Together

RML Tool & Die

Kelly Robbins

Sean Robbins

Robo Workforce LLC

Rockport Ready Mix

Royal Chemical Company

Royal Wire Products, Inc.

Rudolph Libbe Inc.

Sandler Training Powered by MP Solutions

ScaleCo Capital

Schauer Group, Inc.

Schooley Mitchell

Sea Air Space Machining & Molding

Seaway Bolt & Specials Corp

Semco Carbon

Sherwin-Williams Company

Sikich

Simplex-IT

Singleton Corporation

Skyhawk Resources, LLC

Skylift, Inc.

Scott Smith

Soundwich Inc.

Spiral Brushes Inc

St. Johns Ship Building

Standard Machine LLC

Stata Productions

Edward Steele

Steve Trapp Associates, Inc.

Stripmatic

Summers Rubber

Swagelok

Swift Filters, Inc.

Synthomer

T. J. Davies Company, Inc.

Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP

Talan Products, Inc.

Team Wendy, LLC

Tempest, Inc.

Tesar Industrial Contractors

The Bonnot Company

The Domingo Group LLC

The Gent Machine Company

The J.L. Taylor Company, Inc.

The Technology House, Ltd.

Thogus Products Co.

Timco Rubber Products, Inc.

TKG (The Karcher Group)

Tooling Solutions LLC

Tortilleria La Bamba LLC

Total Distribution, Inc.

TowSmart Custom, LLC

TPI Efficiency Consulting

TransitioNext Advisors

Transworld Business Advisors of Cleveland Metro

Tribco, Inc.

Triton Duro Werks/Zip Tool & Die Co.

Troy Innovative Instruments

Trust Manufacturing

UNIQUE Paving Materials Corp.

Universal Grinding Corporation

University of Cincinnati Partnership Development Team

Urban League of Greater Cleveland

Utmost Potential, LLC

V2 Technology

Venture Plastics, Inc.

VisComm

Visual Marking Systems

Voss Industries, Inc.

Warwick Products Co.

Waterlox Coatings Corporation

Werner G. Smith, Inc.

Weston Hurd LLP

Westside Supply Company, Inc.

Wire Lab Company

Wire Products Company

Wisdom Succession Strategies, LLC

WLS Fabricating Company

WLS Stamping Company

John Wojton

Wrap-Tite - HQ

Danielle Ross Wroblewski

Xadite Perceptions LLC

XQ Manufacturing

YES Electric Inc.

Youngstown Business Incubator

Zaclon, LLC

Zinner & Co., LLP

Zoetic Global A.J. Rose Manufacturing Co. - Avon

Individual Leaders in Giving ($1,000-$10,000)

Jason Collier

Patricia and Charles Mintz Philanthropic Fund of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland
Robert Shenton

Donors ($20-$999)

Les Artman
Jessica Barendt
Elise Bastian
Brian Carroll
Justin Cree
Mark Dawson
Marilyn Kysela
Todd Lancaster
Aaron Morrow
Mari-Elen Sammon
Anne Schaum
Schron Family Foundation

Corporate Donors

Cleveland Steel Tool Co.
General Metal Heat Treating, Inc.
Inova Staffing
Oliver Inc/The Chilcote Company
Sherwin-Williams Company
Thogus Products Co.

In-Kind Donors

Alliance Industrial Solutions
Millie Caraballo
Cleveland Steel Tool Co.
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.
Michael Fitzpatrick
Food for Thought
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
Jones Drones Cleveland
Premier Development Partners, LLC
Re:Build CDi
Brianna Schultz
Robert Shenton
Edward Steele
Swagelok
Howard Thompson
Brandi Turner
Roger Zona

Program Support

City of Cleveland – Department of Economic Development
Cuyahoga County
Cuyahoga Valley Career Center
Environmental Protection Agency
Friends of Max Hayes
Jobs and Family Services
Lorain County Community College
Lorain County Joint Vocational School
MAGNET
National Institute for Industry and Career Advancement
Ohio Department of Development
Swagelok
The Cleveland Foundation
TMGVA
Truist Foundation
U.S. Department of Energy
U.S. Department of Labor

Membership Program Partners

Grainger Supply/NTMA
Inova Staffing
PartnerShip
TPI Efficiency Consulting

2024 Program and Event Sponsors

Board of Directors

CHAIR
* Robert Shenton, Ohio Chamber of Commerce
VICE CHAIR
* Edward Steele, Rohrer Corporation
SECRETARY
* Betsy Minnick, Keystone Threaded Products
TREASURER
* Jon Shoop, CBIZ

Pete Accorti, Talan Products, Inc.
Bridgette Berthelot, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
Gwen Blagg, Buyers Products Company
Bryan Bradford, Swagelok
Brian Carroll, Lubrizol
Stephen Caviness, Team NEO
Ben Cooke, Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP
* Mark Dawson, Cleveland Steel Tool Co.
Goren Dillard, Urban League of Greater Cleveland
James Domingo, The Domingo Group LLC
Jason Drake, Dan T. Moore Company
Tracy Green, Lorain County Community College - LCCC
Robert Guy, Re:Build CDi
Jill Hennessey, PNC Commercial Banking
Mick Jendrisak,
Marilyn Kysela, Huntington Private Bank
Todd Lancaster, Oswald Companies
Una Lauricia, Eaton Corporation
Aaron Morrow, Sherwin-Williams Company
Jay O'Neill, Lane Steel Co., Inc.
Dave Robinson, Royal Chemical Company
Tom Schumann, Kitzel Inc.
Jason Tuma, Sikich
Roger Zona, R & R Executives
* Indicates Executive Committee

Finance Committee

CHAIR
Jon Shoop, CBIZ
Lauren Clark, PNC Bank
Robert Guy, Re:Build CDi
Kurt Schron, Jergens, Inc.

Governance Committee

CHAIR
Ben Cooke, Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP
Mark Dawson, Cleveland Steel Tool Co.
James Domingo, The Domingo Group LLC
Una Lauricia, Eaton Corporation
Jay O'Neill, Lane Steel Co., Inc.
Tom Schumann, Kitzel Inc.
Jason Tuma, Sikich

Manufacturing Technology Committee

CHAIR
Dave Robinson, Royal Chemical Company
Linas Biliunas, Martindale Electric Co.
Bryan Bradford, Swagelok
Brett Crawford, Troy Innovative Instruments
Tim Knezevich, Keystone Threaded Products
Charles Metcalf, Presrite Corporation - HQ

Membership Committee

CHAIR
Todd Lancaster, Oswald Companies
Cristina Bertero, Fully Promoted
Leslie Buzalka,
Laura Cox, Sikich
Karmen Harrison, Bank of America
Angie Kazi, Bank of America
Jim Lichtenberg, Schooley Mitchell
Chris McManis, Croghan Colonial Bank
Aaron Morrow, Sherwin-Williams Company
Thomas Murphy, Advanced Controls, Inc.
Trip Roney, Flywire
Erin Hlavin Schneider, Thogus Products Co.
Summer Trockley, National Office Services, Inc
Chuck Valenches, TPI Efficiency Consulting

Ownership Transition Committee

CHAIR
Stephen Caviness, Team NEO
James Domingo, The Domingo Group LLC
Larry Fulton,
Jill Hennessey, PNC Commercial Banking
Phoebe Lee, Acumen Apparel
Molly Leitner, Rudolph Libbe Inc.
Ken Patsey, Wisdom Succession Strategies, LLC
Kiley Smith, CF Bank

People Committee

CHAIR
Goren Dillard, Urban League of Greater Cleveland
Elise Bastian, Executive Bridge Consulting
Kalyn Berton, Jergens, Inc.
Ryan Bixler, BakerHostetler
Gary Bullard, DuPont
Lindsay DesJardins

Resource Development Committee

CHAIR
Roger Zona, R & R Executives
Betsy Minnick, Keystone Threaded Products
Robert Shenton, Ohio Chamber of Commerce

Workforce Development Committee

CHAIR
Marilyn Kysela, Huntington Private Bank
Gwen Blagg, Buyers Products Company
China Brown, Jergens, Inc.
Angela Carpenter, Re:Build CDi
Brian Carroll, Lubrizol
Goren Dillard, Urban League of Greater Cleveland
Jason Drake, Dan T. Moore Company
Laura Knaak, Inova Staffing
Rachel Lopez, WLS Stamping Company
Gary Miller
Maureen Pansky, Oatey Company - IP
Connor Regan, Horizons HR Services
Tim Regan, Horizons HR Services
Erin Hlavin Schneider, Thogus Products Co.
Tom Schumann, Kitzel Inc.

Conclusion

As we look to 2025, Manufacturing Works remains committed to advancing our mission and strengthening the manufacturing sector in Northeast Ohio. Our focus will be on aligning our organizational resources and funding efforts to new program priorities, ensuring that we continue to provide valuable services to our members and the broader community.

Key goals for 2025 include:

Aligning organizational resources and funding to support new program priorities, ensuring sustainable growth and impact.
Revamping our membership model and dues structure to better serve our members and enhance the value they receive from our organization.
Building internal development and fundraising capacity, enabling us to continue expanding our programs and supporting manufacturing businesses in the region.
Administering an employee satisfaction survey to gather valuable feedback, improve our internal processes, and strengthen our organizational culture.
Ongoing evaluation of programs to ensure that we are meeting the needs of our members and continuously improving our offerings.
Ongoing outreach and engagement with members, funders, and strategic partners to foster collaboration, share insights, and grow the impact of our work.
Conducting an office space needs assessment/feasibility study to ensure we are equipped for future growth and success.

We invite all our stakeholders—whether you're a member, a partner, a funder, or a community advocate—to continue engaging with us as we work toward these ambitious goals. Your support and involvement are crucial to our success as we build a stronger, more sustainable future for manufacturing in Northeast Ohio. Let's work together to continue to drive innovation, economic growth, and meaningful opportunities for all.