Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance

11/03/2025

Tulsa Tech is giving students a direct path into Oklahoma’s thriving aerospace and advanced manufacturing sectors. As reported by Sam Carrico on KOTV - News On 6 the school’s 60-hour Autonomous Mobility course teaches students to build and program drones. It offers hands-on training that directly translates to real-world aerospace repair and manufacturing jobs. Graduates like Broken Arrow’s Justin Adair are already finding success, joining leading employers like NORDAM one of Tulsa’s largest aerospace companies.

The program is more than classroom exercises. It's helping solve a national shortage of aviation technicians projected to last through 2035. Tulsa Tech’s drone program already has produced more than 500 certifications, building a vital talent pipeline that connects technical education to high-demand, high-tech careers.

See Carrico's full report here: https://lnkd.in/gCD8TYGG

With plans to expand next year, Tulsa Tech continues to demonstrate how Oklahoma’s investment in advanced manufacturing and aerospace innovation is preparing a new generation for the future of flight.

10/31/2025

Oklahoma’s manufacturing strength was on full display this week as GF Central Plasticscelebrated the grand opening of its new 150,000-square-foot metals manufacturing facility in Shawnee.

The $30 million expansion separates metals and plastics production to boost efficiency and support ongoing growth in the natural gas utility sector. The new plant will produce meter sets, risers, and transition fittings—creating up to 300 new jobs and expanding the company’s total Shawnee workforce to around 1,000.

The LEED Gold-certified facility makes GF Central Plastics one of only two manufacturers in Oklahoma to achieve this distinction, underscoring a long-standing commitment to sustainability and innovation. The expansion also frees capacity at the company’s original 500,000-square-foot site for new plastics production, ensuring continued growth across both operations.

As part of the global GF Piping Systems network, the Shawnee team continues to strengthen Oklahoma’s reputation as a hub for advanced manufacturing, world-class engineering, and responsible industrial investment.

h/t CCentral Oklahoma Workforce Innovation Board - COWIB

10/30/2025

It was a great day in Okmulgee as local manufacturers, educators, and community leaders gathered for the inaugural Made in Okmulgee Manufacturing Appreciation Luncheon. The event showcased the region’s thriving industrial base and highlighted the critical role manufacturing plays in sustaining local economies and creating high-quality jobs across Oklahoma.

Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance COO Roger Kelly joined the program to share insights on the state’s manufacturing landscape and OMA’s work supporting innovation, growth, and workforce development.

Events like this—organized by the Okmulgee Area Development Corp and sponsored by East Central Oklahoma Electric Cooperative —underscore the strength of our state's manufacturing community and the collaboration that drives our state’s continued economic success.

Visit OADC's YouTube channel to watch its "Manufacturing Matters" series and see the stories behind the products manufactured in Okmulgee: https://lnkd.in/ghP5NndQ

10/29/2025

New episode of "Innovate That" from Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST) featuring Duncan Machine Products,.

Hosted by Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell, this episode spotlights co-founders Chris and Teri Billings as they share their story of innovation, growth, and impact in Oklahoma’s manufacturing industry.

As Oklahoma continues to celebrate Manufacturing Month in October, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone inspired by entrepreneurship and resilience in our state.

Listen here: https://lnkd.in/dewW5Gu

10/28/2025

Oklahoma is stepping confidently into its role as a powerhouse in aerospace and advanced manufacturing. According to Jack Rogers in Advanced Manufacturing Magazine, our state’s focused investment in aerospace and defense is beginning to pay off, driving growth, innovation, and opportunity for manufacturers across the region. From emerging space technologies to supply-chain expansion, Oklahoma’s manufacturing ecosystem is gaining national attention.

Companies and defense contractors are building on a strong manufacturing foundation. They’re scaling component production, adding high-tech jobs, and embracing advanced tools to meet the evolving demands of aerospace and defense customers. That momentum continues to create opportunities for manufacturers at every level.

Read Rogers' full story here: https://lnkd.in/gyvKfN9A

For the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance, this moment underscores the importance of our work in advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity readiness, automation integration, and supply-chain strengthening. As Oklahoma becomes a hub for aerospace and defense manufacturing, OMA remains committed to helping manufacturers connect with new opportunities and keep our state’s industrial economy moving forward.

h/t Oklahoma Department of Commerce

10/20/2025

Oklahoma Manufacturers take note ...

Here you’ll find Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs), webinar recordings, upcoming virtual office hour sessions, and other essential resources to help you prepare competitive applications and stay informed throughout the funding process.

10/13/2025

McAlester is charging ahead with plans for a major new battery recycling facility that will bring hundreds of good-paying jobs and fresh energy to southeast Oklahoma’s manufacturing landscape.

The city has reached an agreement with American Li-ion, a U.S.-based company investing millions to build a high-tech recycling plant that will recover valuable materials from used batteries. The project is expected to create 250 to 300 jobs over the next five years, with salaries ranging up to $125,000.

Company leaders point to McAlester’s strong workforce, transportation access, and pro-business environment as key reasons for choosing Oklahoma. The facility will feature a closed-loop process that reuses materials and minimizes waste—a win for both the economy and the environment.

It’s another sign that Oklahoma manufacturing continues to lead in innovation and sustainability, shaping the future of energy production and advanced industry.

10/13/2025

Way to go!

09/26/2025

Oklahoma Careertech STEM educators stepped inside the world of advanced manufacturing this week—touring facilities, meeting industry leaders, and exploring the skills that power today’s high-tech careers.

Hosted by Ditch Witch in Perry and coordinated by the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance, this special event—led by Dr. Sharon Harrison, OMA’s Director of Workforce Development—brought together STEM teachers from across the state. Attendees gained a firsthand look at how automation, robotics, and precision fabrication are shaping the next generation of manufacturing workers.

Big thanks to OMA's Technical Services team, including Dr. Rajesh Krishnamurthy, Ben Alexander, and Austin Pickering,

Through partnerships with industry leaders and state manufacturers, OMA continues to bridge the gap between education and industry, while helping students discover pathways to rewarding, high-demand careers.

💡 When Oklahoma’s educators see manufacturing innovation up close, they take that spark back to their classrooms—and that’s how future talent begins.

h/t Travis Dollar, David L Younge, Terry Golay, Progressive Stamping & Fabrication, and Baskin Machines.

09/24/2025

The Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance hosted U.S. Representative Stephanie Bice for an executive forum at Jetta Corporation in Edmond. Manufacturing leaders from across central Oklahoma gathered to exchange perspectives on issues shaping their companies and the broader state economy.

Discussion topics ranged from workforce pipelines and federal training programs to supply chain reliability, technology adoption, and the role of small and mid-sized manufacturers in aerospace and defense. Rep. Bice engaged directly with participants, hearing how federal policies impact competitiveness and long-term growth.

OMA is proud to create opportunities like this for manufacturers to engage directly with policymakers. By bringing together industry leaders and decision-makers, we help ensure the priorities of Oklahoma’s manufacturing community are clearly understood and represented at the national level.

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09/23/2025

That's right. Oklahoma products help make the magic happen.

H.E. Anderson Company has been engineering world-class nutrient injection systems since 1955. From their factory on Anderson Drive in Muskogee, the company designs, builds, and test all their injectors, chemical pumps, controllers, and monitors, then sending them across the U.S. and around the world.

One of their systems helps keep the lush greenery thriving inside EPCOT’s Land Pavilion at Disney World. That’s Oklahoma-made know-how working behind the scenes of one of the most visited vacation destinations in the world.

h/t Port Muskogee

We're proud to see Muskogee manufacturing products that reach globally, sustain agriculture, enable innovation—in Disney parks and beyond.

09/22/2025

The U.S. Small Business Administration is hosting a special session at 11 a.m., Oct. 8 featuring Sully Staires, Economic Growth Strategist with the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance, alongside Bettina Schreiner, Outreach and Marketing Specialist for the SBA District Office.

Sully has spent the past two and a half years at OMA shaping strategies that strengthen Oklahoma’s manufacturing industry. His focus bridges manufacturers with two vital communities: the Native Nations and the state’s startup ecosystem. With his commitment to innovation and economic development, Sully is helping ensure manufacturing remains a powerful driver of growth across Oklahoma.

The session will highlight the support provided by the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance, a statewide network of trusted experts dedicated to helping manufacturers succeed. From workforce initiatives to advanced technical services and supply chain solutions, OMA provides the support that keeps manufacturing strong and communities thriving.

👉 Register here: https://lnkd.in/etHA7xG7