Conexus Indiana

09/04/2026

Philip Rangitsch often finds himself as one of the youngest people in the room, advocating for modernization in an industry that doesn't always move fast. At Martin Marietta, he was brought in to stabilize and deliver a new crushing and material handling facility that had fallen behind schedule. By aligning everyone from site leadership to local stakeholders, he got the project across the finish line, improving throughput and uptime along the way.

Meet Philip and the rest of the 2026 Rising 30 class: https://ow.ly/nhhJ50ZHVUO

09/03/2026

“America is going through a manufacturing renaissance, and we need to tap into our best and brightest minds to scale their impact." - John Burer, CEO, ACMI

The American Center for Manufacturing and Innovation has launched a $3 million competition aimed at helping manufacturing and hardware startups scale their technologies. The competition is part of ACMI’s broader effort to help companies scale prototypes into production and strengthen the domestic defense manufacturing supply chain.

The American Center for Manufacturing and Innovation has launched the Horizon Manufacturing Cup, a $3 million competition for manufacturing and hardware startups. The competition will take place Indiana University in Bloomington.

09/03/2026

Last week, we hosted our most recent Industry Exchange workshop session: Building Your AML Workforce. This session provided Indiana manufacturers in the Southern region with an opportunity to hear from subject matter experts and collaborate with one another to discuss hiring challenges and strategies in the industry.

We would like to thank Evansville Regional Economic Partnership for cohosting the event, Amcor for serving as our workshop hosts, and the Indiana Economic Development Corporation for serving as our presenting sponsor!

09/02/2026

Amar Avinash Patil built a reputation on individual drive, earning a master's degree from the Milwaukee School of Engineering and mastering technical skills to launch a career in the metal supply chain. But it's his development as a collaborative leader at Oscar Winski Co Inc that sets him apart. He led his team in implementing a virtual gauging system that reduced measurement errors by 20%, inspection costs by 30% and inspection time by 40%.

Meet Amar and his fellow Rising 30 2026 honorees: https://ow.ly/sySW50ZHUS2

09/02/2026

“This investment, combined with the retention of 1,995 employees, will help secure the facility’s long-term future, sustain a significant source of local payroll and tax revenue, and strengthen the community’s position as a premier manufacturing hub."

Our partners at Caterpillar have recently announced plans to invest in its large engine center in Lafayette. The company plans on investing $890 million to modernize operations and add new equipment at the facility.

Learn more via Inside INdiana Business:

The company, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, plans to invest $890 million to modernize operations and add new machinery and equipment at the plant, which employs just under 2,000 people.

09/01/2026

“It’s meant to be seed money to take a region that has these concentrations of expertise, and be a catalyst to drive all kinds of different activities that might not otherwise happen." - Jim Lancaster, Interim CEO, National Science Foundation (NSF) IMPACT Engine Indiana

An Indiana University-led coalition recently won one of just 12 National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engines awarded this year, positioning the state to receive up to $160 million over the next decade to accelerate research, launch startups, train workers and strengthen Indiana’s already formidable musculoskeletal health sector.

The goal is to help move scientific discoveries into the marketplace by bringing together universities, manufacturers, hospitals, entrepreneurs and workforce organizations to develop everything from training programs to novel collaborations.

09/01/2026

💼 NEW JOB BOARD: We are excited to announce the launch of the Conexus Indiana Job Board. Powered by fellow CICP initiative, Ascend Indiana, the job board connects job seekers directly with employers across the state, launching with more than 9,000 open positions from 3,500 employers in advanced manufacturing and logistics roles.

“Indiana’s advanced manufacturing and logistics companies are the backbone of our economy, and they need a direct line to the people who want to build careers in this industry." - Jay Wirts, President and CEO, Conexus Indiana

Learn more about the new job board: https://ow.ly/IR9s50ZHFWj

08/31/2026

Sean O'Dell helped bring Indiana's first-ever flight to Ireland via Indianapolis. As an Air Service Development Analyst at the Indianapolis Airport Authority, he has also secured additional service for NBA All Star Weekend, the Total Solar Eclipse, the Taylor Swift Eras Tour, Men's Final Four and more. For a Purdue grad who grew up in Indianapolis, it's exactly the kind of work he was made for.

Meet Sean and the rest of the 2026 Rising 30 class: https://ow.ly/tr5h50ZHrwn

08/31/2026

🎥 WATCH: Our own president and CEO, Jay Wirts, joined Gerry Dick on Inside INdiana Business over the weekend to talk about growth of the Indiana advanced manufacturing and logistics ecosystem, epitomized by recent expansions by three companies; SK하이닉스 (SK hynix), Rolls-Royce and Caterpillar, to their Indiana AML operations.

Watch the full segment here: https://ow.ly/cepl50ZHiib

08/27/2026

“This new facility reinforces our long-term commitment to our team members, producers, customers, Carroll County, Delphi, and the northcentral Indiana community." - Eric Sheiss, President and Chief Operating Officer, Indiana Packers

Delphi-based Indiana Packers has officially opened the doors on its new distribution center which will double its capacity at the location and create 30 new jobs at the location.

Learn more:

The new facility will bring 30 new jobs to the company's Carroll County operation, which already employs more than 2,000 people.