Enterprise Minnesota

06/04/2026

"Our goal has always been to help manufacturers grow profitably," said Mark O'Leary in an interview with the Minnesota Star Tribune, "and right now that means meeting them where they are — and where they are is navigating real uncertainty. We’re seeing strong demand for strategic planning, leadership development and continuous improvement, all aimed at growing profits and building resilience against headwinds outside their control."

Read the full article online: https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-factories-inflation-tariffs-iran-war-enterprise-minnesota-ceo-mark-oleary/601642124

In road trips across Minnesota, O'Leary has so far met with over 50 manufacturers to gain a deeper understanding of what companies are doing and how organizations like Enterprise Minnesota can help them navigate uncertainty, keep growing, and continue being employers of choice in their communities. One of those companies, Seacole, has been at the forefront of growth and innovation in custom chemical formulation and is a strong client of Enterprise Minnesota's business consulting services. We appreciate CEO Gregg Elliott opening his company's doors to give Mark a tour for this article.

If your company could use expert advice for navigating economic headwinds, Enterprise Minnesota is here to help – Give us a call.

06/01/2026

Continuous Improvement is a cornerstone of modern manufacturing - applying daily improvements to people and processes that add up over time and help a manufacturing company grow profitably.
Learn more and register: https://www.enterpriseminnesota.org/event/continuous-improvement-june-4-2026/

If your CI efforts need a boost or your team could use a refresh, join expert Ryan Steinert on June 4th in Detroit Lakes. He'll show you how to apply continuous improvement initiatives that deliver measurable results - lowering costs, increasing value, and improving productivity. Many of these actions can be taken without financial investment, you just need to know where to look.

This workshop is provided at no cost and is exclusive to manufacturers. Special thanks to Guide Technologies and PRO Resources for their support of this event and others like it.

05/28/2026

The Summer 2026 issue of Enterprise Minnesota® magazine is out now — and it's a good one!
Read it here: https://www.enterpriseminnesota.org/magazine/summer-2026/

From a jaw-dropping automated cabinet factory in St. Joseph, to a Minneapolis startup making magnets that could change the world, to a frank conversation with Minnesota lawmakers about the future of manufacturing in our state — this issue is full of stories that inspire, inform, and maybe even surprise you.

Whether you're a manufacturer, a workforce advocate, or just someone who believes in what Minnesota makes, there's something in here for you.

05/05/2026

When Innovation Meets Reality. Read it: https://www.enterpriseminnesota.org/articles/spring-2026/when-innovation-meets-reality/
Infinity Mattz developed a standout product to change the industrial market. Now they have to sell it. The Warroad-based brand has developed a product so innovative it could be a game changer for several industries, including construction and mining. But first it needs to implement a go-to-market strategy that gives it significant traction. They’ve built it, but how do they get customers to come knocking?

Infinity’s experience offers a case study in four distinct challenges — and solutions — for companies that develop market-changing products. Here’s a look at what Infinity’s leaders are facing, what they’ve done, and the lessons they’re learning about getting started that may feel familiar to any innovation-based manufacturing firm.

Read all about how Infinity Mattz is offering an alternative to an industry standard.

04/28/2026

Four decades after its founding, the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation helps its communities thrive.
Read more: https://www.enterpriseminnesota.org/celebrating-40-years-of-partnership-in-southern-minnesota/

Walking into a room of more than 300 people and feeling like you’ve stumbled into a family reunion— even when you don’t know a lot of the faces—tells you something important about an organization. That was Lynn Shelton's experience last week at the 40th anniversary celebration of the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) in Faribault, where the full-capacity crowd exuded a sense of gratitude and excitement.

What makes SMIF remarkable isn’t just what it funds—entrepreneurship, early childhood education, and small-town vitality—it’s the philosophy behind the funding. “When we invest in entrepreneurship, we’re investing in the builders of our region,” Benya Kraus, SMIF’s executive director noted. “When we invest in early childhood, it’s the belief that future generations of this place matter.” That long view, sustained for 40 years, is rare. And in rural communities that don’t always have access to the resources available to larger cities, it has been nothing short of essential.

04/21/2026

Manufacturers — are your lean efforts sticking? On May 7, our Empowering Continuous Improvement workshop at Anoka Technical College will show you how to engage your team as daily problem solvers, turning incremental improvements into lasting results for your customers, your bottom line, and your people. Exclusive to manufacturers.

Register today at: https://www.enterpriseminnesota.org/event/continuous-improvement-may-7-2026/

Thanks to Boyum Barenscheer, Marsh McLennan Agency, and Widseth for their support of this workshop.

May 7, 2026 Manufacturing workshop. Learn critical skills to find and eliminate the 8 deadly wastes and continue your lean journey.

04/10/2026

Fantastic tours at Rapat Corporation in Hawley and InLine Motion in Detroit Lakes. Thank you for hosting our new president and CEO Mark O'Leary and the Enterprise Minnesota team. Industry-leading conveyance systems made right here in Minnesota.

04/07/2026

Running a manufacturing business can feel isolating — but it doesn't have to. Enterprise Minnesota's peer councils connect owners and leaders across the state to share ideas, tackle real challenges, and grow together. If you're looking for a room full of people who actually get it, this is worth a read.

Enterprise Minnesota’s peer councils give manufacturing leaders an outlet for sharing ideas, solving problems, and growingtheir network.

03/13/2026

Learn strategies to overcome common barriers to adopting continuous improvement by identifying value-add versus non-value-add activities in your processes.

Learn more and register: https://www.enterpriseminnesota.org/event/continuous-improvement-mar-25-2026/

Enterprise Minnesota's Ryan Steinert will show you practical techniques for streamlining processes, reducing waste, and building a resilient culture capable of winning the day, every day. Exclusive to manufacturers.

Special thanks to Guide Technologies for their support of this workshop.

03/02/2026

Enterprise Minnesota is pleased to announce our new president and CEO, Mark O'Leary.

Mark comes to Enterprise Minnesota with broad leadership experience in building businesses and delivering profitable growth in manufacturing, financial services, supply chain, health care, and technology. He most recently served as chief marketing officer of SPS Commerce, a global supply chain network where he led product, marketing, M&A development, and SPS Europe.

Prior to SPS Commerce, Mark served as president of Taylor Communications, a $1.2 billion, 4,000-employee holding company. He joined Taylor as president of Taylor Healthcare, a $250 million company acquired out of Chapter 11, where he led a successful turnaround before being promoted to lead the broader enterprise.

“I’ve always been fascinated by the people who start their own companies and operate their own businesses,” Mark says. “That’s the heart of what Enterprise Minnesota is — helping those companies grow profitably. Bob Kill and the Enterprise Minnesota team have done a brilliant job. This is a very well-run organization that has been making a positive impact for decades.”

Mark takes over from Bob Kill, who is retiring at the end of March after 18 years leading the organization. https://www.enterpriseminnesota.org/articles/spring-2026/new-president/