Manufacturing network to see rise in ranks

BYLINE: Brandon C. Baker, The News-Herald, Willoughby, Ohio

May 2--Members of the Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network now can expect to see their organization rise into the ranks of the nation's largest manufacturing membership groups.

Officials on Monday announced that the Cleveland-based organization formed a joint membership program with manufacturing companies that are members of the Greater Cleveland Partnership and its small business division, the Council of Smaller Enterprises; the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce; the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce; the Stark Development Board; and the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber.

The announcement made the memberships of the groups' manufacturers immediately effective. About 2,500 area manufacturers will have access to MAGNET services.

"MAGNET provides a valuable variety of proven, high-quality services that have helped small and large manufacturers dramatically increase their efficiency, develop profitable new products and compete more effectively in today's global marketplace," MAGNET President Steve Gage said.

"We look forward to extending our services through these chambers of commerce and economic development organizations, and feel confident that this regional approach to membership will allow MAGNET to speak forcefully with one voice for the manufacturers of Northeast Ohio."

According to MAGNET, the organization has helped more than 2,000 manufacturers with business consulting product development since 1984.

MAGNET initiatives have generated over $1 billion for Northeast Ohio sales and jobs retained and created.

"Anything that helps return manufacturers to Northeast Ohio makes a lot of sense," said Richard Adamany, president of Mayfield Village-based Swiss+Tech Products. "We're very happy with MAGNET.

"The manufacturing jobs that Cleveland was once famous for aren't going to return, so obviously they've got to focus on new industries and those entail new jobs."

Swiss+Tech, a maker of key ring tools, consulted MAGNET in 2003 for product design and engineering purposes, Adamany said.

Gage said the joint membership decision has roots tracing back to 2005, when the chambers of commerce and area leaders held discussions regarding the creation of a regional manufacturing organization.

"The regional chambers didn't want to create another competitor if they could avoid it," Gage said. "The manufacturers wanted to get as many members as possible under one umbrella."

With such an amalgamated effort, Gage said he thinks the organization can help the joint membership account for $200 million to $250 million in annual economic impact.

"Contrary to popular belief, manufacturing is still the largest industry sector in Northeast Ohio, and this region is producing more products and goods than ever before," Gage said.

"The more manufacturers MAGNET represents, the stronger and louder our voice becomes as the champion for manufacturing in Northeast Ohio."

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News-Herald of Willoughby, Ohio
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