Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance

09/03/2025

Oklahoma State University is stepping up to meet one of America’s biggest workforce challenges: a projected 2.1 million unfilled manufacturing jobs by 2030. Backed by a National Science Foundation award, OSU is launching a new "Research Experiences for Undergraduates" program focused on the intersection of advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity.

Over the next three summers, the program will bring together students from across the country for a 10-week immersion in hands-on projects, from aerospace and bioengineering to construction and energy storage. Just as importantly, these students will learn to secure the digital backbone of modern factories, where interconnected systems and smart manufacturing technologies demand new layers of cyber protection. By pairing research experience with professional mentorship, OSU is building the next generation of innovators who can both design and defend advanced manufacturing systems.

Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gv479yFK

The program doesn’t just prepare students for graduate research, it creates a pipeline of skilled talent ready to contribute immediately to industry. Participants will work in state-of-the-art labs, connect with industry leaders at places like Tinker Air Force Base, and even present at global additive manufacturing conferences. With its research depth and unique facilities, OSU is positioning Oklahoma as a hub where advanced manufacturing and cybersecurity converge—training the skilled workforce that will keep America’s factories competitive and secure.

08/13/2025

Oklahoma City is about to get a little brighter. Hapco Pole Products, a manufacturer of aluminum light poles, is building a $50 million production facility to the OKC 577 industrial park. A performance-based deal with the city includes up to $175,000 in incentives for creating 81 high-wage jobs over the next five years, with payroll projected to grow from $1 million in year one to more than $4 million by year five.

Founded in 1951 and based in Virginia, Hapco is well-established on the East Coast and is now planting roots in Oklahoma to expand its reach into the western U.S. Leaders said the company chose Oklahoma City for its skilled workforce, prime shipping access, and proximity to raw materials produced at its sister facility in Tennessee.

The new OKC facility will add to the state’s growing roster of advanced manufacturing operations. With products ranging from decorative streetscape fixtures to smart pole systems for telecom and security, Hapco’s expansion highlights the strength and diversity of Oklahoma’s industrial base. Another bright spot in our state’s manufacturing future is just around the corner.

08/07/2025

Recently, OMA had the opportunity to visit RL Hudson, a long-standing leader in custom sealing solutions and engineered rubber and plastic components. Headquartered in Broken Arrow, the company has built a national reputation for innovation, precision, and customer service.

Manufacturing Extension Agent Brad Chambers and Joe Edmondson, director of OMA Strategic Sourcing, met with their leadership team for a tour and to discuss ways of deepening our partnership. It was a chance to explore new opportunities for capability growth and support a company that continues to invest in people, process, and product. With a legacy of quality and a forward-looking approach, RL Hudson exemplifies the collaborative spirit and technical excellence seen throughout Oklahoma’s industrial community.

At the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance, we’re proud to stand alongside companies like RL Hudson to strengthen supply chains, expand workforce expertise, and integrate cutting-edge technologies. Together, we’re not just manufacturing products, we’re developing real-world solutions that make a lasting impact.

08/06/2025

Sentry Equipment didn’t just survive a century in manufacturing—it reinvented itself along the way and learned to thrive. Manufacturing.net’s Nolan Beilstein explores how Sentry, founded in 1925, transformed into a thriving ESOP enterprise now boasting 200 employees across three facilities and servicing industries like food & beverage, specialty chemicals, and oil & gas.

In 1986, with the second generation stepping down, Sentry took a bold leap—transitioning to employee ownership via an ESOP. Over nearly four decades, that decision has shaped a culture where workers aren’t just operators—they’re invested stakeholders. Sentry’s vesting schedule ensures commitment: employees gradually earn full ownership over six years, aligning motivation with manufacturing excellence.

Read Beilstein's full piece here: https://lnkd.in/dbnmQhb3

Today, as Sentry marks its centennial, CEO Brian Baker reflects on how employee ownership energizes performance and innovation on the factory floor. The company has evolved from making milk evaporators for power plants into a diversified manufacturing portfolio with in‑house service techs and a nearly 20 % share of revenue from service offerings. It’s a testament to how ESOP‑driven culture can fuel operational stability, product diversification, and workforce engagement in manufacturing.

08/05/2025

Oklahoma manufacturers take note ...

Home Run Innovation. Big Ideas. Bold Plays.

Registration is now open for the OCAST Innovation Conference & Expo: Tulsa Edition. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind networking night!

📍 ONEOK Field, Tulsa
📅 Tuesday, September 9, 2025
⏰ Doors open at 6 PM | Drillers game at 7 PM

Whether you’re showing your support for Oklahoma innovation, making new connections, or enjoying the game, this is where bold ideas meet the ballpark.

🎟️ Grab your spot now: https://loom.ly/3szxsQ0

08/05/2025

07/25/2025

Manufacturing Extension Agent Brad Chambers and OMA Board Chair Max Harris join to talk about powering industrial progress. Give it a listen …

In this episode, we talk with Brad Chambers and Max Harris Manufacturing Extension Agent and Max Harris, VP at HE&M Saw and board member of the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance about how the OMA helps local manufacturers innovate, grow, and stay competitive. We cover key challenges like workforce...

07/14/2025

Metal Panels Inc., an Oklahoma-based manufacturer, is putting American steel to work—right here in the Sooner State. As reported by the Tulsa World, the company recently opened a massive new 181,000-square-foot facility in Catoosa that fabricates steel panels for roofing, decking, and commercial construction. With nearly all its 20 million pounds of annual steel purchases sourced from U.S. mills, Metal Panels is a model of domestic manufacturing strength and consistency.

The new plant, built on a 34-acre site, includes drive-through bays for semis, a walk-in retail desk, and the capacity to produce dozens of panel types for both contractors and DIY customers. The company’s products are visible across the Tulsa metro—on buildings at the Fairgrounds and commercial sites. Owner Mitchell Hentkowski, a veteran and longtime advocate for American-made materials, says the new factory was built with room to grow as demand continues to rise.

Read the whole story here: https://lnkd.in/g9SAnjtY

Founded in 2001, Metal Panels now employs about 80 people in the Tulsa area and maintains a smaller second location in Kansas City. In a shifting global trade environment, the company’s focus on quality, consistency, and local production demonstrates how Oklahoma manufacturers are leading the way in building resilient, future-ready supply chains.

07/07/2025

Oklahoma-based Cherokee Strategic Solutions—a subsidiary of Cherokee Federal—just secured a $69.4 million FAA contract to manufacture, design, and install next-generation Automated Weather Observing Systems (AWOS) at 500-plus airports nationwide. These high-tech sensors deliver real-time weather data to pilots and controllers, boosting flight safety and efficiency—especially in remote, weather-sensitive regions like Alaska.

Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eTejsCYF

All hardware is manufactured locally in Oklahoma, with 15 new jobs already coming online at a manufacturing facility in Pryor. This marks Cherokee Federal’s third consecutive FAA weather systems contract, building on nearly a decade of sector leadership.

07/07/2025

Emirates Global Aluminium's investment in Oklahoma is equipped to outlast the Trump administration regardless of future US trade policy

07/01/2025

The U.S. Department of Commerce recently granted the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance a new five-year agreement through the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program. This renewed federal contract strengthens the organization’s efforts to help manufacturers across Oklahoma grow, innovate, and compete—while reinforcing OMA’s broader role in driving statewide economic development.

Backed by state investment and a strong network of public and private partners, OMA continues to deliver full-scale services to manufacturers. These include workforce development, strategic sourcing, cybersecurity, automation integration, and supply chain support—each tailored to meet the evolving needs of companies in every corner of the state.

Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gR87TWbK

Federal support enhances OMA’s work, but the organization’s foundation remains firmly rooted in Oklahoma. With more than 30 years of experience and a clear focus on local impact, OMA continues to be a trusted resource for building industrial strength, creating high-quality jobs, and advancing long-term economic success across the state.

06/25/2025

Cortrol Process Systems is expanding its Oklahoma manufacturing footprint with a new fiberglass pipe fabrication facility in Tulsa. The 50,000-square-foot factory significantly increases the company’s production capacity, leaders announced this week, allowing Cortrol to meet growing demand for custom and standard fiberglass piping systems used across chemical processing, water treatment, and other industrial applications.

The new plant, which complements Cortrol’s existing Tulsa operation, is outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment and designed to streamline fabrication processes while maintaining strict quality standards. The expansion reflects Cortrol’s long-term commitment to U.S.-based manufacturing and reinforces Tulsa’s growing role as a center for advanced industrial production.

Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gNpqjDKz

Cortrol is part of Harrington Process Solutions, a national distributor of piping systems and fluid handling products. With this investment, the company strengthens its ability to serve customers across North America while contributing to the economic vitality of Oklahoma’s manufacturing sector.