Ohio Manufacturers Association

Ohio Manufacturers Association
Name	Ohio Manufacturers Association
Type	Trade association
Founded	1893
Headquarters	Columbus, Ohio
Region served	Ohio, United States
Key people	Harold C. Faber (President & CEO)
Membership	Manufacturers and related suppliers

Ohio Manufacturers Association The Ohio Manufacturers Association is a trade association representing manufacturers and supplier companies in Ohio, based in Columbus, Ohio. It engages in policy advocacy, workforce development, and member services, interacting with state institutions such as the Ohio General Assembly, regulatory bodies including the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, and regional economic organizations like the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission. The organization collaborates with national entities such as the National Association of Manufacturers and regional groups including the Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation.

History

Founded in 1893 during an era of industrial expansion in Cleveland, Ohio and Toledo, Ohio, the association emerged as a response to issues faced by manufacturers in the post-Reconstruction United States and the Gilded Age industrial landscape. Early leaders included industrialists from firms in Akron, Ohio, Canton, Ohio, and Youngstown, Ohio who sought collective representation before state-level bodies like the Ohio General Assembly and local judicial institutions. Throughout the 20th century the association engaged with major events and trends such as the growth of the Automobile industry in the United States, wartime mobilization during World War I and World War II, deindustrialization debates tied to the Rust Belt, and regulatory developments following landmark statutes like the Clean Air Act and the Occupational Safety and Health Act. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries the association expanded collaborations with education institutions including The Ohio State University and workforce programs tied to initiatives from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Mission and Activities

The association’s mission emphasizes support for manufacturing competitiveness in Ohio through advocacy before the Ohio General Assembly, regulatory engagement with agencies such as the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and the Ohio Department of Commerce, and partnership with workforce-development entities like the Ohio Department of Education. Core activities involve policy analysis referencing federal frameworks such as standards under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, participation in regional economic development efforts with organizations like the Ohio Development Services Agency, and coordination with labor-market stakeholders including the National Skills Coalition and community colleges across cities like Dayton, Ohio and Cincinnati, Ohio.

Membership and Governance

Membership comprises manufacturers, supply-chain firms, and service providers from metropolitan areas including Columbus, Ohio, Cleveland, Ohio, Cincinnati, Ohio, and industrial hubs like Lima, Ohio and Marietta, Ohio. Governance follows a board structure with executive leadership managing committees on issues that intersect with entities such as the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and national groups including the National Association of Manufacturers. The association convenes member councils and task forces to interface with institutions like The Ohio State University College of Engineering and state apprenticeship programs overseen by the Ohio Department of Higher Education.

Policy and Advocacy

Active in state policy, the association lobbies on legislative matters before the Ohio General Assembly and files comments with agencies such as the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. Policy priorities have included tax and regulatory reform, energy policy intertwined with stakeholders like FirstEnergy and the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, and workforce legislation tied to initiatives from the U.S. Department of Education and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act programs. The association has engaged in coalitions with groups such as the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and national partners including the National Association of Manufacturers to influence debates over infrastructure funding, manufacturing incentives, and trade-related issues impacting Ohio exporters to markets represented by trade agreements like the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Programs and Services

Programs span workforce-development, safety and compliance, and business-technical assistance. Workforce programs coordinate with vocational institutions such as Cuyahoga Community College and regional tech schools in Lorain County, while safety initiatives reference standards from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and collaborate with insurers and risk-management firms headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. Business services include benchmarking studies, supply-chain networking events in industrial corridors like the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority area, and training curricula developed with engineering faculties at institutions such as Case Western Reserve University and Kent State University.

Economic Impact and Research

The association produces economic analyses and workforce reports that inform policymakers and members, drawing on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. Census Bureau, and state agencies like the Ohio Department of Development. Research topics have included manufacturing’s contribution to state gross domestic product, regional employment patterns in metropolitan statistical areas such as the Cleveland-Elyria Metropolitan Statistical Area, and supply-chain resilience tied to ports like the Port of Cleveland and rail networks used by carriers such as Norfolk Southern Railway. Reports are used by legislators in the Ohio General Assembly, economic development agencies like the JobsOhio initiative, and academic partners at The Ohio State University for policy planning and regional analysis.

Category:Trade associations based in the United States Category:Organizations based in Columbus, Ohio