MAGNET was established in Cleveland, Ohio in 1984. Originally called the Cleveland Advanced Manufacturing Proram (CAMP), the organization was created by the region's leading manufacturers to assist smaller Northern Ohio manufacturers in becoming more competitive.

After successfully serving manufacturers for more than 25 years, in 2006, our board renamed the organization the Manufacturing Advocacy & Growth Network, MAGNET, to reflect its broader commitment and new initiatives focused on education, advocacy, and competitiveness.

MAGNET serves manufacturers by providing consulting services aimed at helping them achieve bottom line efficiencies and increased productivity through process improvement programs. In addition, MAGNET helps companies develop top line growth strategies through assistance with new product development, market diversification, and increasing access to global markets. MAGNET also provides broader programs related to improving the overall climate for manufacturing in the region and state, including education and workforce development and advocacy on behalf of the importance of manufacturing through marketing and communications.

MAGNET is designated by the state of Ohio as an Edison Technology Center. In this capacity, MAGNET is responsible for helping companies develop and apply technology with a special focus on helping the automotive supply chain survive, compete and grow on a statewide basis. MAGNET also serves as a subcontractor for the Ohio Department of Development in administering the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program for the 29 counties of northern Ohio. Through this program, funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology, MAGNET serves small-to-mid-sized manufacturers in any sector—particularly those manufacturers with less than 50 employees.

In Northeast Ohio, MAGNET is an element of the evolving, integrated and collaborative system aimed at creating a more vibrant regional economy. Team NEO, BioEnterprise, JumpStart, and NorTech are among the partners in this group, with MAGNET specifically assisting manufacturers with retention and expansion of their existing business base. This work has been supported by the regional chambers, corporations, and philanthropies such as the Greater Cleveland Partnership, the Fund for Our Economic Future and The Cleveland Foundation.

Updated December 14, 2011