Minnesota manufacturing has always punched above its weight. From medical devices to building products and precision manufacturing that fuel global supply chains, this state’s makers have been at the forefront of innovation and adaptation for more than a century. That legacy matters now more than ever. As tariffs reshape trade dynamics, workforce shifts strain capacity, and rapid technology innovation accelerates competition, Minnesota manufacturers’ legacy uniquely positions them to set the standard for what comes next.
That’s why the 2025 Minnesota Manufacturers’ Summit on October 7th is a can’t-miss moment. It’s where the industry gathers to tackle disruption head-on. This year’s agenda is designed to surface real solutions for an industry in flux: from workforce strategy to legacy brand reinvention to innovation under pressure.
As always, the high-energy reveal of the Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota is a centering moment that offers inspiration. If you haven’t yet voted, there is still time – tell the chamber what you think should earn this year’s title as Minnesota’s coolest thing! The bracket is a who’s who of Minnesota brands from long-time legends like Toro and Hormel, to industry innovators like EDCO Products, Cirrus Aircraft, and ME Elecmetal. Inprela will be there as a proud supporter of the momentum manufacturers are building every day. If you’re attending, here’s what to look for, and why this year’s Summit matters more than ever.
A Lot Can Change in a Year
It almost feels like an understatement. The 2024 Summit was a snapshot of an industry in motion. Manufacturers shared stories of resilience, discussed tax policy and reshoring, and looked for ways to fill critical workforce gaps.
But 2025 is an entirely different landscape.
With a new administration has come a wave of policy updates that run the spectrum from stabilizing to disruptive. Compliance and regulatory requirements have been upended. Business incentives are shifting. And questions around tariffs, labor strategy, and automation aren’t slowing down.
This year, the conversation feels more urgent, but also more hopeful. Because even with all the headwinds, manufacturers are doing what they’ve always done best: building solutions, adapting fast, and creating things that matter.
This Year’s Agenda Feels Like a Blueprint
From the opening session with Hormel’s President, John Ghingo, to workforce insights from leaders at Cummins and Faribault Mill, this year’s program reflects what Minnesota’s manufacturers are really thinking about:
- Keeping legacy brands competitive.
- Building workforce strategies that last.
- Finding new value in supply chains, incentives, and automation.
What makes all this truly powerful isn’t just the content—it’s the community. Manufacturers-only roundtables bring candor you won’t hear on stage, ensuring the takeaways are as practical as they are inspiring. The Summit isn’t about hype; it’s about walking away with a playbook.
Why Inprela is Showing Up (And Why You Should Stop By)
This industry doesn’t always get the spotlight it deserves. So, we’re bringing one.
Stop by Inprela’s booth and you’ll find a photo experience where you can step into the frame, literally, and walk away with a printed magazine cover featuring your company in the headline. Because we believe more manufacturers deserve to be front and center in the conversations shaping their industries.
But more than that, we’re here to listen, learn, and contribute. Our work lives at the intersection of manufacturing and strategic communications. We help brands refine how they show up online, in media, at events, in hiring conversations, and more, to build the kind of clarity that drives awareness, action, and long-term growth.
If you’re considering how to shape perception of your brand or elevate visibility in a crowded market, we’d love to talk.
This Isn’t About Buzz. It’s About Belief.
You don’t have to look far to find reasons to feel optimistic about manufacturing in Minnesota. The ideas are bold. The talent is deep. And the products being made here are solving real problems in real time. The Summit is a chance to both tap into that energy and contribute to it. You’ll leave more focused, connected, and inspired than when you walked in.
Whether you come for the speakers, the networking, the award ceremony—or just the hallway conversations that stick with you long after, it’s a day worth investing in.
Let’s Talk—On or Off the Record
We’ll be there with sleeves rolled up and eyes wide open and we’re excited to see where Minnesota Manufacturers will steer the industry next. When smart ideas meet smart execution in the face of change and disruption, exciting things are always in store.
So stop by. Say hello. Snap a photo. Or just grab a quiet moment to talk shop with someone who understands what you’re up against…and what you’re building toward. We’re ready when you are.
