MAGNET

Mission and Focus

• Support manufacturing growth in revenue and profit.
• Help manufacturers increase sales, create jobs, and achieve cost savings.
• Strengthen the manufacturing ecosystem in Northeast Ohio through technology, talent, and transformation.
• Increase awareness of manufacturing careers and prepare students and adults for manufacturing jobs.

Who MAGNET Serves

• Small- and mid-sized manufacturing companies in Northeast Ohio.
• Existing manufacturers looking to grow, improve operations, or enter new markets.
• Manufacturing-focused startups that need support with product development, business models, funding, and manufacturing scale-up.
• Students, jobseekers, and workers interested in entering or advancing in manufacturing careers.

Nonprofit and MEP Background

• MAGNET operates as a nonprofit organization.
• In the early 1990s, MAGNET served as the pilot site for the federal Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) program and supported manufacturers in that capacity for more than two decades.

Impact Approach

MAGNET measures success by:

• Manufacturing growth in revenue and profit.
• Jobs created and retained in the manufacturing sector.
• Talent pipelines built through training and workforce programs.
• Community impact in Northeast Ohio through stronger manufacturers and expanded access to manufacturing careers.

MAGNET works with manufacturers on challenges across the business, from the shop floor to the boardroom. Key consulting focus areas include:

Operational Excellence

Helping manufacturers improve how work flows through the business, from front office and engineering to the shop floor and shipping.

Typical project areas include:

• Capacity and productivity improvements.
• Employee engagement and performance.
• Quality systems and defect reduction.
• Supply chain, ERP, and materials flow.
• Lean manufacturing workshops and implementation.
• Value stream mapping.
• Digitally designed plant layout optimization.
• Warehousing and distribution improvements.

Strategy, Marketing, and Sales

Supporting manufacturers in growing revenue and entering new markets.

Typical project areas include:

• Business growth strategy.
• Marketing strategy and execution.
• Sales enablement and effectiveness.
• New product identification and commercialization.
• Manufacturing revenue growth strategies and prioritized growth recommendations.
• Leadership and executive education.
• Sales training programs.

Technology and Engineering

Helping manufacturers adopt Industry 4.0 technologies and develop new products.

Typical project areas include:

• Industry 4.0 and advanced technology roadmapping.
• Automation and proprietary machinery.
• Machine monitoring systems.
• Quality vision systems.
• New product concepting, design, and prototyping.
• New product launch and manufacturing scale-up.

Employee Productivity and Engagement

Strengthening how manufacturers hire, develop, and retain employees.

Typical project areas include:

• Attracting and recruiting manufacturing talent.
• Onboarding and initial training programs.
• Career development and advancement pathways.
• Succession planning and knowledge transfer.
• Workforce productivity mapping.
• Onboarding and retention program design.
• Employee development and performance systems.

AI and Data Automation

Helping manufacturers use data and automation to improve operations and decision-making.

Example project areas include:

• Smart quoting.
• Knowledge capture.
• Automated reporting and dashboards.
• Customer research, segmentation, and sales forecasting.
• AI and data automation selection and implementation.

New Ventures and Startups

Supporting manufacturing-focused startups and innovators.

Typical support includes:

• Business and product concept viability assessments.
• Building working prototypes.
• Developing manufacturing processes.
• Designing go-to-market plans and channel strategies.
• Constructing data-driven financial models.
• Accessing funders through MAGNET programs such as the Advanced Manufacturing Fund and Mspire.

Leadership and Executive Education

Providing education and peer learning for manufacturing leaders.

Examples include:

• Executive roundtables and forums.
• Innovation management programs.
• Leadership development cohorts.

How MAGNET Works with Manufacturers

• MAGNET focuses exclusively on manufacturers and brings hands-on, shop-floor and executive-level experience.
• Consultants work alongside client teams, functioning as an extension of the business rather than only delivering reports.
• Projects are focused on measurable results such as revenue growth, productivity gains, cost savings, and improved competitiveness.

Service Area

• MAGNET serves manufacturers in Northeast Ohio.

Pricing

• The public website does not list standard pricing for consulting services. Prospective clients should contact MAGNET directly to discuss project scope and pricing.

Headquarters

• Location: 1800 E. 63rd Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44103
• Phone: 216-543-1222

Additional Location

• Downtown Akron Office

9 N. Main Street Akron, Ohio 44308 Visits by appointment only.

Service Area

• MAGNET primarily serves manufacturers and talent partners in Northeast Ohio.

How to Get in Touch

• Prospective clients and partners can contact MAGNET by phone or email, or by using the contact options on the website.
• Individuals and employers interested in talent development programs should reach out to MAGNET's team through the contact page or general contact information for current program details.

Hours of Operation

• The public website does not specify standard business hours. Contact MAGNET directly for current hours or to schedule an appointment or tour.

Names Borgou as a service area. Areas beyond these are not published.

• MAGNET helps increase the number of people entering manufacturing careers.
• The organization partners with schools, community organizations, and employers to create manufacturing career paths for students and adults.
• Programs such as Early College Early Career, ACCESS, CoachU, and the MAGNET Experience Center for Students introduce people to modern manufacturing and connect them with training and employment opportunities.

Regional Partnerships

MAGNET collaborates with economic development organizations and chambers of commerce throughout Northeast Ohio to support manufacturing growth. Examples of affiliates and partners include regional chambers, economic development corporations, and business incubators across multiple counties.

Insights, Reports, and Events

MAGNET shares manufacturing insights and best practices through:

• Research reports on the state of manufacturing in Ohio.
• Articles on topics such as AI in manufacturing operations and workforce challenges.
• In-person events, plant tours, networking events, and webinars for manufacturers.

Geographic Focus

• MAGNET focuses on manufacturers and community partners in Northeast Ohio.

Accessing Resources

• Many detailed resources, reports, event listings, and blog content are available on the public website.
• For specific questions about upcoming events, reports, or partnership opportunities, manufacturers and community partners should contact MAGNET directly.

• Bridge the gap between manufacturers that need qualified employees and people who are ready to build careers.
• Increase awareness of manufacturing as a source of well-paying, stable careers.
• Provide youth, adults, and incumbent workers with pathways into and upward within manufacturing.

Key Audiences Served

• Youth interested in exploring manufacturing careers.
• Adults seeking to start a career in manufacturing.
• Workers looking to upskill for advanced roles.
• Manufacturers seeking to build and sustain a talent pipeline.

Youth Programs

Examples of youth-focused initiatives include:

• Early College, Early Career (ECEC).
• ACCESS to Manufacturing Careers for high school seniors.
• Immersive educational field experiences and tours at manufacturing facilities and MAGNET locations.

Adult Programs

Examples of adult-focused pathways into manufacturing include:

• ACCESS to Manufacturing Careers.
• Lincoln Electric earn-and-learn style training partnerships.

Upskilling and Advancement

Programs and partnerships focused on upskilling may include:

• Technical training delivered through educational institutions.
• Programs offered in collaboration with regional workforce and education partners.

Workforce Partnerships

To strengthen the broader manufacturing talent ecosystem, MAGNET is involved in:

• Workforce Connect Manufacturing Sector Partnership.
• CoachU and other coaching and support programs.
• Partnerships with manufacturers, schools, and community organizations.

Outcomes and Goals

MAGNET's talent programs aim to:

• Connect participants to well-paying, stable manufacturing jobs.
• Help manufacturers fill open roles and reduce vacancies.
• Support long-term career growth for people in the manufacturing sector.

Enrollment, Eligibility, and Costs

• Specific eligibility criteria, schedules, and costs for programs are not detailed on the public website.
• Prospective participants and employers should contact MAGNET directly for the latest information about program availability, requirements, and any associated costs.

Ask anyway — the agent will say plainly that it is not published rather than guess.