Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance

09/01/2026

O-I Glass is making a multimillion-dollar reinvestment in its longtime Muskogee operation, modernizing a facility that employs about 200 people and has been part of the community since 1988.

Owens-Brockway Glass Container, part of O-I Glass, is undertaking a multiphase capital project focused on aging infrastructure. The work will include upgrades to glass-melting furnaces, production equipment, control systems and safety technology.

The improvements are designed to increase operating efficiency, support environmental and regulatory compliance, and position the Muskogee plant for continued growth. The facility ranks among the area’s five largest industrial employers, with skilled positions paying more than 175% of the average wage in Muskogee County.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀: This is exactly the kind of existing-industry reinvestment that can get overshadowed by new-plant announcements. It preserves a significant manufacturing employer, modernizes production capacity and represents another use of the state’s BEIP program to support established Oklahoma operations.

𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐤𝐥𝐚𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐚.

Read more here: https://lnkd.in/e-HbraRV and here: https://lnkd.in/g3NeziBs



h/t Port Muskogee, Oklahoma Department of Commerce

08/31/2026

A new solar-cell operation is taking shape in central Oklahoma.

Nextnova Solar, a U.S.-based producer of high-efficiency solar cells, has announced plans for a 458,000-square-foot facility in Yukon with an initial annual capacity of 2 gigawatts and the ability to expand to 5 gigawatts. The company expects to create about 300 skilled jobs, with mass production scheduled to begin in March 2027.

The plant will incorporate automated inspection, advanced process controls and a fully integrated "Manufacturing Ex*****on System" that provides digital traceability from raw-material sourcing through finished cells. Nextnova says the technology will support quality assurance, regulatory compliance and greater transparency throughout the supply chain.

The project also puts Oklahoma into a growing segment of the U.S. solar industry. Domestic module assembly has expanded rapidly, while solar-cell output remains comparatively limited. As pv magazine USA reports, additional cell capacity is becoming an increasingly important part of building a more resilient American energy sector.

𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐤𝐥𝐚𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐚.

08/27/2026

Congratulations to the latest graduating cohort of Oklahoma City’s MSA - Manufacturing Skills Academy and to the employers, instructors and partners helping prepare these young people for industry careers.

Programs like the Manufacturing Skills Academy address one of the toughest challenges by connecting young Oklahomans with hands-on, employer-led training and clear career pathways. OMA supports practical models like MSA that build a stronger talent pipeline while opening doors to long-term opportunity.

08/26/2026

The Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance has named Larry Huling director of operations. He will oversee OMA’s statewide field team and help coordinate the organization’s direct assistance to manufacturers.

For the past three years, Huling has served as a manufacturing extension agent for central Oklahoma, working with companies to identify challenges, connect with OMA expertise and programs, and move projects from need to solution.

As director of operations, Huling will guide OMA’s extension agents, who serve as the primary point of contact for manufacturers in their regions. They assist firms with workforce development, process improvement, technology adoption, supply chain needs, cybersecurity, strategic planning and other issues affecting competitiveness. As part of OMA’s executive team, Huling will help guide organizational strategy, identify emerging areas of need and develop new ways for OMA to support manufacturers.

Before joining OMA, Huling held sales, management and business development positions in industrial and technical markets, with experience spanning electronics, medical devices, military and aerospace.

𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐤𝐥𝐚𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐚.

08/20/2026

🎓 You’re Invited! Come Celebrate Our MSA Graduates! 🎓

Manufacturing Skills Academy - MSA is proud to celebrate an incredible group of graduates as they take the next step toward their careers in manufacturing! 👏

We invite family, friends, community members, employers, and supporters to join us as we recognize their hard work, growth, and accomplishments.

These young adults have worked hard to build technical skills, gain industry credentials, develop employment readiness skills, and prepare for their future.

Come celebrate their success and cheer them on as they launch their careers! 🚀

📅 Graduation: Thursday , August 27th
⏰ Time: 9:30 AM
📍 Location: Manufacturing Skills Academy

REGISTER HERE https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/twyyytg/lp/c08825a9-c056-48dd-9510-c6a8b6ca8080

Your support means so much to our graduates. We hope to see you there!

08/19/2026

Oklahoma’s aerospace sector is adding a new dimension: Space.

Across Tulsa, Lawton, Oklahoma City and even Burns Flat, new projects are building an industrial base that includes propulsion testing, satellite components, hypersonics, spacecraft production and advanced rocket systems.

The Oklahoma Advanced Space Innovation Sector, or OASIS, is designed to connect those assets and position the state for a larger role in a global space economy projected to reach $1.8 trillion by 2035.

Sam Royka of The Journal Record recently examined that developing landscape and several of the investments behind it. Agile Space Industries has broken ground on a $20 million test center in Tulsa. Quantum Space plans a spacecraft manufacturing facility near Tulsa International Airport. Firehawk Aerospace is developing rocket propellant and motor production in Lawton, while Dawn Aerospace is preparing to base its Mk-II Aurora spaceplane at Infinity One Oklahoma Spaceport in Burns Flat.

Other Oklahoma manufacturers are already finding their place in that market. Tulsa-based Infinite Composites recently secured a $2.9 million subcontract to produce cryogenic propellant tanks for a lunar lander, bringing its NASA-related lunar program work to more than $5.5 million. Aerospace manufacturers elsewhere in the state, including Orizon Aerostructures in Grove, further illustrate the specialized production capabilities already taking shape across Oklahoma.

The opportunity extends well beyond the companies leading major space projects. This emerging sector will require precision machining, advanced materials, electronics, automation, cybersecurity, specialized components and a deep network of qualified suppliers.

Royka also points to workforce as one of the biggest factors in Oklahoma’s ambitions. Career and technology education programs, colleges and universities will play an important role in preparing the engineers, technicians and skilled production employees needed by an industry facing a nationwide shortage of technical talent.

Read more from Royka here: https://lnkd.in/gjeMWa-4 and here: https://lnkd.in/gpS27Eqn

The Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance works with companies in these same areas, from technology adoption and workforce development to strategic sourcing and supply-chain readiness. As aerospace and space-related investment grows, strengthening Oklahoma’s broader industrial network will be essential to capturing more of that opportunity here at home.

𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐤𝐥𝐚𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐚.

08/17/2026

Hapco Pole Products broke ground on a new 270,000-square-foot manufacturing facility last week, adding another significant industrial investment to the Oklahoma City area. The project is expected to create more than 80 jobs and strengthen the company’s ability to serve customers across the central and western United States. Earlier project plans placed the investment at about $50 million.

Founded in 1951 and based in Virginia, Hapco produces aluminum and steel light poles, solar systems, smart pole solutions and related products for transportation, utility, municipal, commercial and industrial markets. The Oklahoma City operation will focus on aluminum poles and complement the company’s longtime Virginia campus as Hapco marks its 75th year in business.

Company leaders cited Oklahoma City’s workforce, central location, transportation network and access to important supply-chain partners as factors in the site selection. Hapco President and CEO Tom Hardy said the city “quickly emerged as the right choice because of its people, transportation infrastructure, and strategic location.” The facility is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.

The Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance was among the economic development partners recognized during the groundbreaking, along with the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, Greater Oklahoma City Chamber and The Alliance for Economic Development of Oklahoma City. The project demonstrates how coordinated economic development efforts, workforce resources and industrial infrastructure can help Oklahoma compete for major business investment.

Hapco’s expansion also strengthens Oklahoma’s broader manufacturing base through new jobs, capital investment and additional demand across the supply chain. OMA works statewide with manufacturers on workforce development, technology, engineering, sourcing and other practical services that help companies improve operations and prepare for long-term growth.

𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐤𝐥𝐚𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐚.

08/14/2026

This week, the Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance brought together U.S. Representative Stephanie Bice and manufacturers from across central Oklahoma for a congressional roundtable hosted by Morrison Cup Solutions.

The discussion focused on how decisions in Washington affect day-to-day operations and long-term growth at companies across the state. Participants covered tariffs and trade, workforce needs, capital investment, technology adoption, federal contracting, cybersecurity and continued support for the MEP National Network.

Following the conversation, the group toured Morrison's plant for a firsthand look at its cup production, in-house printing and distribution capabilities. Morrison is a fourth-generation Oklahoma family business with roots dating to 1912 and today serves customers across the country.

These ongoing roundtables help bring factory-floor experience into the federal policy conversation and give Oklahoma manufacturers a direct voice with the people representing them in Washington.



𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐤𝐥𝐚𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐚.

08/13/2026

The Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance has named Chris Benge president, bringing many years of public policy and state leadership experience to the organization’s executive team.

Benge will focus on business growth and external engagement, working with state leaders, Native Nations, education institutions, economic development organizations and other partners to broaden opportunities for Oklahoma manufacturers. He also will help communicate industry priorities, cultivate new alliances and connect companies with programs that support innovation, talent needs and long-term competitiveness.

“Chris understands how public policy, workforce preparation and economic development come together to influence the success of Oklahoma companies,” said Roger Kelly, OMA chief executive officer. “His statewide relationships and ability to bring people together will help OMA reach more manufacturers, develop productive collaborations and identify new ways to serve industry.”

A Tulsa native and citizen of the Cherokee Nation, Benge began his career in a family-owned painting and construction business. He later served 12 years in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, including three years as chairman of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee and two years as speaker of the House.

His public service also includes roles as an adviser to Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett, Oklahoma secretary of state, secretary of Native American affairs and chief of staff to Gov. Mary Fallin. Benge previously was senior vice president of government affairs at the Tulsa Regional Chamber, where he worked to support the economic development efforts of the organization.

He spent the past seven-and-a-half years with Oklahoma State University serving in senior leadership roles at the OSU Center for Health Sciences and OSU-Tulsa. Most recently, Benge served as vice president of operations and director of workforce partnerships at Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology in Okmulgee. In that capacity, he helped advance technical education and career pathways designed to address employer needs and prepare Oklahomans for well-paying jobs.”

“Manufacturing is essential to Oklahoma’s future, and continued progress will require close coordination among employers, policymakers, tribal governments, educators and local communities,” Benge said. “I believe Oklahoma is well positioned to play a significant role in the U.S. effort to expand the manufacturing capabilities of our nation and compete in a 21st century economy. At OMA, I look forward to bringing those groups together and creating opportunities that benefit manufacturers, their employees and communities across the state.”

Benge has represented Oklahoma on diplomatic missions to South Korea and Taiwan and has worked throughout his career to strengthen the state’s visibility and economic relationships.

𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐤𝐥𝐚𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐚.

08/12/2026