COMPETITION DEADLINE: MAGNET is accepting applications for its annual Mspire Pitch Competition, Northeast Ohio’s pitch event exclusively focused on manufacturing innovation. Entrepreneurs and startups in hard tech, advanced materials or physical product development are invited to compete for more than $85,000 in services and prizes.

Now in its 10th year, Mspire offers targeted support to manufacturing-focused innovators — whether you’re launching a physical product, solving a production challenge or pioneering a new technology.

Applications are open through Aug. 18. Finalists will pitch live at MAGNET’s headquarters Oct. 16.

Among this year’s awards is the $10,000 Huntington Innovation Award, which supports ideas that bring new energy and inclusivity to the manufacturing sector.

Finalists will gain exposure to industry experts, technical partners, and potential investors — including members of the Advanced Manufacturing Fund, a Northeast Ohio-based venture group backing promising physical-product startups.

Learn more at www.manufacturing

success.org/mspire2025.

AUGUST OPENING: Sierra, an off-price retailer offering active and outdoor products at discounted prices, will open its newest store at Howland Commons, 2356 Niles Cortland Road, Niles, at 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 9.

The 18,500-square-foot store will mark Sierra’s sixth location in the state. Its regular hours will be 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Mondays through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.

Sierra will open its doors to the community with a grand opening celebration that includes music, Sierra-branded giveaways and the chance to win a Sierra gift card.

“At Sierra, our goal is to bring communities extraordinary prices on the active apparel, footwear and gear they need to make the most of the activities they love doing every day,” said Amanda Johnson, assistant vice president, Marketing Director Sierra.

To support the community, Sierra made a $10,000 donation to Trumbull Mobile Meals.

Sierra is hiring new full- and part-time store associates. Visit jobs.tjx.com to learn more.

ATTORNEY NAMED: Attorney John Petrony of Poland has been ranked individually in the 2025 edition of the Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business guide. He is ranked in the area of corporate / M&A work in Ohio.

Petrony Law also was ranked this year for corporate / commercial work in the Chambers USA: Spotlight Guide 2025, which highlights outstanding boutique and mid-size firms across markets in California, Florida, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, Ohio and Texas. The Spotlight Guide highlighted the firm’s M&A expertise in addition to corporate formation work.

Published by independent professional legal research company Chambers and Partners, Chambers USA is an industry-leading directory that highlights the top lawyers and law firms across the United States. Only 2% of lawyers in the United States receive rankings by Chambers USA.

BACK HOME: Business students from the Williamson College of Business Administration at Youngstown State University recently returned from an 11-day global learning experience to Japan, where they engaged with global business leaders, innovative startups and cultural institutions across Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Nara.

The study tour offered students an opportunity to explore Japan’s distinctive economic landscape, business environment and cultural traditions. Designed to bridge classroom learning with global experience, the itinerary included visits to organizations such as Hosoo, a Kyoto-based textile innovator; Aristol, a cutting-edge technology firm; the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry; the Nissan Yokohama Plant; Kyoto Public Relations; and the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

“The GLE program to Japan offered our students invaluable global exposure, helping them broaden their perspectives and better understand the interconnected nature of today’s business world,” said Doori Song, associate professor of marketing. “Experiencing Japan’s business and cultural landscape firsthand equips students with a deeper cross-cultural competence, preparing them to adapt and thrive in diverse professional settings.”

Previous tours have taken students to China, Italy, Turkey and India.

TETER TO TRAIN: Professional master trainer Amy Teter will be coming to Youngstown fitness studio Mega Barre to certify its instructors and new trainees. “Having Amy Teter travel to our small town is a huge deal for us,” co-owner Erica Fleming said. “Having her train our team ensures we maintain the gold standard in instruction and allows us to keep evolving with the best in the industry.”

Mega Barre offers a fusion of low-impact strength training methods, including the Lagree Fitness on the Megaformer.

HYNES HONORED: For the third year in a row and eighth time overall, Hynes Industries has been recognized with the Platinum Supplier Award from Wabash, a manufacturer of commercial truck-trailers and related products.

The award honors top suppliers for excellence in innovation, quality, delivery, cost and service.

Hynes Industries, a custom-roll form metal solutions manufacturer with operations in Youngstown, Painesville and Kokomo, Ind., earned this distinction among 38 companies selected nationwide.

The award highlights Hynes’ continued role in supplying components used in over-the-road trailers and truck bodies for Wabash and produced at the Youngstown and Kokomo locations. This recognition reflects the close, long-term relationship between the two companies and Hynes’ commitment to delivering performance-ready, engineered solutions on-time with superior quality and service.

“In our industry, being consistent isn’t enough — you have to evolve, solve problems before they surface and make your customers’ challenges your own,” said Rick Organ, CEO of Hynes Industries. “That’s the kind of partnership we’ve built with Wabash. This award isn’t just about past performance. We accept it as a challenge to keep raising the bar.”

This milestone award comes as Hynes continues celebrating its 100th year in business.

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