Conexus Indiana

Indiana’s advanced manufacturing sector employed more than 525,000 Hoosiers in 2024, with an average annual wage of $98,232. As automation and advanced technologies reshape production, manufacturing remains a cornerstone of Indiana’s economy and workforce. What’s Next: Indiana’s first comprehensive view of workforce trends across advanced industries. Later this year, a CICP-wide report will provide more insights about the future of work.

Welcome to the Conexus Indiana Advanced Industries Council, Ports of Indiana! Headquartered in Indianapolis, the Indiana Port Authority operates three ports throughout the state at Burns Harbor, Jeffersonville, and Mount Vernon. It boasts a world-class port system that provides the world with access to the Midwest through unmatched multimodal connections and fully maintained infrastructure. Meet Ports of Indiana and our other partners: https://ow.ly/eQXi50ZORWy

“The new facility will expand our production capabilities and allow us to better serve customers nationwide while continuing to grow right here in Lebanon.” - Steve Protogere, Business Development Specialist, D-A Lubricant D-A Lubricant Company has put forward plans to spend $17 million to expand its operations in Lebanon with the construction of a 115,000-square-foot grease manufacturing facility. The investment includes equipment to increase production and QA, while also adding likely ten new jobs. Learn more: https://ow.ly/sga350ZOHzV

It's not surprising that a four-year college football player would bring discipline and teamwork to a supply chain role. What's notable is how quickly Chase Sager became a change agent at Lippert. In three years, he revamped operations in the company's largest division to deliver a 14% increase in forecast accuracy, a 37% reduction in potential excess material and a 7-point boost in overall inventory health, numbers that earned him MVP recognition from leadership. Meet Chase and the rest of the 2026 Rising 30 class: https://ow.ly/paz850ZOpW8

“We’ve invested in the capability and the capacity to do what the Department of War needs today — and tomorrow." - Warren White, Defense Manufacturing Operations Director, Rolls-Royce Our partners at Rolls-Royce are completing its decade-long $1 billion investment into its Indiana operations at various locations throughout the state. Rolls-Royce also says that it currently has more than 100 roles in advanced manufacturing that it is currently looking to fill in Indianapolis. Learn more: https://ow.ly/jO2550ZOhJF

“This project is about speed and reducing variables in a supply chain. Quicker makes it more predictable. There’s less that can go wrong.” - Bryce Carpenter, EVP and Chief Operating and Strategy Officer, Conexus Indiana The Ports of Indiana is working to add a container terminal at its Burns Harbor port in Portage, a service that might be available as early as next year and would significantly reduce the time and complexity of transporting cargo between Europe and the Midwest. Learn more about the project and its forecasted benefits: https://ow.ly/cbxv50ZNZCX

"Automation doesn’t have to mean job loss; it means retraining people into higher-value roles. It also helps not to wait for perfect confidence in your ROI before making a first move." Our own Bryce Carpenter was featured, along with other various industry leaders, in a blog by Adam Mendler Leadership providing anecdotes and pieces of advice for employers on how to build an AI-ready workforce. https://ow.ly/Yjz250ZNRfI

Isabella Rubin is a great fit at Zimmer Biomet for her team-first mindset, which has earned her respect across departments. This approach helped her enable process improvements that reduce costs and increase efficiency and helped her become a leader in both the workplace and the Warsaw community. Meet Bella and the rest of the 2026 Rising 30 class: https://ow.ly/1zA850ZNugO

“We have a great opportunity, and therefore, a responsibility to help attract and grow the Indiana economy. - Mitch Daniels, Interim President, Purdue University SK hynix officially broke ground on its more than $4 billion semiconductor facility in West Lafayette, a project expected to produce advanced memory chips used to power artificial intelligence and is expected to employ more than 1,000 people once operational. https://ow.ly/qRoz50ZNe5z

“Our product was just recently introduced to the market, and we’re already working with over a dozen manufacturing customers across discrete, batch and process industries...We are just getting started and look forward to continuing our journey with Paul in the CEO role.” - Susan Murray, Co-Founder and COO, Murray Mentor Murray Mentor, Inc. recently announced the appointment of Paul Boris as Chief Executive Officer as the organization introduces a new category of industrial software: Autonomous Collaboration. Boris’ mix of deep manufacturing domain expertise combined with a successful track record of delivering results for both startup and large enterprise software companies makes him uniquely qualified to lead Murray Mentor. https://ow.ly/wtxB50ZMyhP