Clint Chapman makes a point to onlookers about Yaskawa’s “welding system for small parts,” as he describes it. The repetitive motions used to produce a specific item are identified, then converted into instructions for the robot to weld. This particular piece of robotic welder equipment is the only one of its kind in Southeast Ohio, organizers said. (Photo by Nancy Taylor)

The Appalachian Ohio Manufacturers’ Coalition officially opened a new center to support manufacturing and business last week in Building 23 of the Broughton Industrial Park on Ohio 821 near Marietta.

More than 200 people attended the opening ceremonies, which included a ribbon-cutting ceremony, speakers and a tour of the building and equipment.

The center will provide customized training programs and help companies innovate and provide technology that companies can use. It also will provide additional resources to aid in the growth of manufacturing in the region.

Those attending included representatives from of Gov. Mike DeWine, U.S. Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, and U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Ohio. Recognition certificates from each of their offices were presented during the ceremony.

AOMC is a manufacturer-led coalition in collaboration with education, social services and community leaders focused on aligning the learning system with the needs of the manufacturing community. In turn, this will support economic growth and a high quality of life in the Southeast Ohio region, according to information provided by the group.

Fort Frye High School students Dusty Dye, foreground, and Peyton Offenberger, behind him, explore the world of modern manufacturing at the area’s new Aappalachian Ohio Manufacturers’ Coalition center at the Broughton Industrial Park. Dye said he hadn’t decided on a career path yet. “I want to be aware of what all the options are before I decide,” he said. (Photo by Nancy Taylor)

AOMC President Linn Yost told last week’s gathering that the program structure was started in 2018.

“We were looking for and dealing with manufacturer-led solutions,” he said of the plan for a resource for advanced technology. “Manufacturers, individually, are a small voice, but in a coalition they become a chorus.”

The interesting mix of the coalition is the close partnership with education that at the same time takes its cues from the reality of what is happening in the field of manufacturing technology.

“All of the board members are manufacturers,” he said. “But the membership body includes lots of government, educators and manufacturers.

“What we want to do is support and ‘upscale’ the educators,” he said. “Schools don’t know what the jobs are out there right now,” he said. “We want to show them what they need to teach.”

Appalachian Ohio Manufacturers’ Coalition officials opening the new Washington County Manufacturing Support Center are, from left, are Director James Ruble, Board Member Ralph Workman, Board President Linn Yost and Program Director George Bilokonsky. (Photo Provided)

AOMC also wants to help small schools in grant writing. As far as funding goes, Yost said, “I’ve tried out a lot.” For example, he cites Tech Credit, a state-supported program, as one of the biggest influences in rural Ohio that he has seen in the past 50 years.

AOMC has three interns from Ohio University who were mingling and explaining and demonstrating pieces of equipment for the Washington County visitors at the opening last week. Yost said an intern will learn the operating process of something and then work with manufacturers that may want it.

The AOMC community officially covers Athens, Meigs, Morgan, Monroe, Noble and Washington counties, but the group has other connections and relationships. The long-term goal is for the work of AOMC to extend beyond the Southeast Ohio region.

“We want to serve as a conduit for industry and education,” Yost said. “Our name is a misnomer. We want to build out our community beyond the six counties we currently serve.”

For example, Yost spoke highly of the Robert C. Byrd Institute in West Virginia.

“They put the curriculum together and train instructors for the equipment.” “You can’t buy the instructor with the equipment,” he said with a smile.

Yost also has a saying that goes right along with “you can’t buy the instructor.” He urges industries that need to upgrade to realize they no longer have the choice of saying, “Don’t give me equipment with that new stuff in it!” Why? “Because the new stuff is already in everything,” he said with another smile.

The AOMC ribbon cutting event had several pieces of advanced manufacturing being displayed and demonstrated by Yaskawa of Middletown, Festo, headquartered in Mason, plus Advanced Technologies Consultants and the Haas F1 Team. Among the fascinating displays was a large robotic welder that Yost said is the only one of its kind in Southeast Ohio.

That’s the one Yost gestured at as he said, “If kids see some of this technology, they may be excited to get into it.”

Washington County Commissioner Charlie Schilling spoke briefly to the group.

“This is an amazing opportunity, a partnership of education and workforce. It not only builds products, but builds a vision,” Schilling said. “When Linn (Yost) approached me and asked if the commissioners would support this, I said, ‘That’s a very easy yes.'”