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About Manufuture NEO

About Us

our vision

Helping Manufacturers Thrive in the Digital Age

We envision American manufacturers leading global innovation in a digital-first future. By harnessing the power of community to crowdsource knowledge and solve problems, we empower businesses to empower themselves, enhancing their technological capabilities and maintaining a competitive edge in an evolving industry landscape.

Our mission is to strengthen manufacturing, drive economic prosperity, and build thriving communities through collaborative peer-to-peer learning and connection.

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Manufacturers in our network
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Meet our team

Manufacturing works

Mike Yost

Team Leader

Mike Yost brings over 35 years of industrial, nonprofit, and leadership experience to his role at Manufacturing Works. A seasoned industry professional, Mike’s spent well over a decade leading industrial nonprofits, engaging and educating manufacturers on the role and value of modern “smart” technologies to transform their operations. 

Mike has specialized in the Smart Manufacturing, Manufacturing Execution (MES), Manufacturing Intelligence (EMI) and Operations Management software arenas since 1999.  He has strong nonprofit, consortium, and public/private partnership experience and has held various leadership roles in automation and industrial software businesses, including GE’s Proficy Software business, Activplant Corporation and Rockwell Automation.  He holds a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University and lives in Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A. with his wife and five children.

Mari-Elen Sammon

Coordinator of Manufacturing Training Services

Mari-Elen is responsible for planning Manufacturing Works events and producing attention-grabbing communications. She joined the organization in May 2003 as Coordinator of Manufacturing Training Services.

Prior to joining what was then called WIRE-Net, Mari-Elen worked as an administrator with LTV Steel’s Career Development Program. Working in different locations throughout the company, she was able to provide basic and technical skills development for steelworkers.

Mari-Elen earned her degree in English from Cleveland State University.

Matt Duplin

Project Manager at Cleveland State University

Matt was born and raised in North Canton, Ohio. He has a Bachelor’s in Industrial Engineering from The Ohio State University, and an MBA from Cleveland State University. Prior to his role at CSU, Matt was a Technical Sales Engineer for Lincoln Electric in Chicago for 5 years. He enjoys boating, gardening, biking, golfing and basketball, and traveling with his wife, Ashley.

Tiffany Rashada

Director of Strategic Marketing at Manufacturing Works

Tiffany is the Director of Strategic Marketing at Manufacturing Works, where she leverages over 12 years of expertise in digital marketing strategy and project management. Her leadership style is characterized by a strategic, creative, and research-backed approach, dedicated to empowering individuals and organizations through continuous learning. She is a voracious learner, holding more than 10 marketing certifications, and has over a decade of experience as a business and career coach. Her hobbies include cooking, watching comedy, gardening, and chatting with her husband and son.

chronological 

ManuFutureNeo

Manufacturing Works
Founded in 1986 as the Westside Industrial Retention and Expansion Network (WIRE-Net), the non-profit organization grew to include over 300 manufacturing members and a network of nearly 1400 organizations. WIRE-Net spearheaded the Cleveland Industrial Retention Initiative and later developed the 2020 Vision with input from 100+ regional manufacturers.
2019
Cleveland State University EMDiS
The FY 2020 Venture Challenge Build to Scale grant to Cleveland State University established the Entrepreneurial Manufacturer Digitization Support (EMDiS) Center. Over three years, EMDiS has enhanced Northeast Ohio's economic and workforce development through collaboration with CSU's Engineering and Business Colleges. Focused on small-to-medium manufacturers, EMDiS drives Industry 4.0 adoption across diverse sectors, fostering regional manufacturing innovation.
2023
ManuFuture NEO
2024 Manufacturing Works and Cleveland State University host their inaugural workshop and the official launch of the ManuFutureToday NEO network.
1986
Rebranding
Celebrating 30 years, WIRE-Net rebranded as Manufacturing Works in 2019 and is now led by Adam Artman, President and Executive Director.
2020
Collaboration
In 2023, Manufacturing Works and Cleveland State University partnered under the EDA Grant to enhance EMDiS' impact. Recognizing industry's existing roadmap initiatives, EMDiS focused on supporting Manufacturing Works and CESMII's tools to advance Industry 4.0 adoption across their networks.
2024

Academic Partners