While many manufacturers face barriers to adopting new technology, from limited capital to uncertainty about ROI, six Indiana companies show what’s possible when those barriers are addressed.
The Manufacturing Readiness Grants (MRG) program, launched in 2020, has spurred $1.1 billion in investments with $80 million in funding to help incentivize, de-risk and accelerate the adoption of innovative manufacturing technology for small- and medium-sized. Just as important as the equipment purchased is the impact it creates: faster production, stronger teams and entry into new markets and new products.
The six stories below from MRG recipients across Indiana highlight what’s possible when manufacturers take that leap. These companies went beyond investments in new equipment by using technology as a catalyst for deeper transformation. Whether scaling rapidly, entering new markets, solving persistent production issues or creating new career paths for their teams, each story shows how smart manufacturing can unlock growth, resilience and long-term competitiveness.
- Tech adoption led to a quick scale-up for Brinkley RV.
When five RV industry veterans launched Brinkley RV in 2022, they set out to raise the bar on quality and customer satisfaction. Within a year, they grew from 15 to nearly 500 employees, and smart manufacturing made that scale possible.
With a $200,000 MRG, Brinkley added smart tools like a “shaker table” to simulate road conditions and internal-external cameras to improve service and quality assurance. Employees quickly embraced the user-friendly technology, thanks to strong IT support and clear performance gains.
- Tech adoption allowed WF Meyers to make new products and meet customer demands.
Fifth-generation manufacturer WF Meyers used the pandemic as a strategic reset, upgrading aging machinery with state-of-the-art diamond tooling production equipment with technology features they would not otherwise consider. A $200,000 MRG helped the company not only improve product quality and energy efficiency but also develop entirely new product lines tailored to evolving customer needs.
President Alex Barnes credits the MRG process with prompting deeper strategic planning—aligning the team around growth goals and enabling the company to better compete in new and existing markets.
- Tech adoption helped Crossroads Solar upskill with purpose.
Crossroads Solar employs formerly incarcerated individuals and trains them for careers in solar panel manufacturing. A $175,000 MRG supported the addition of an automated assembly line, reducing manual labor and boosting productivity. Employees were trained to operate, maintain and teach others to use the new technology, building valuable skills for long-term careers in advanced manufacturing.
Rather than fearing automation, the team embraced it—showing how peer support and hands-on training can turn tech adoption into a workforce development win.
- Tech adoption solved a production issue for Batesville Tool & Die.
Batesville Tool & Die couldn’t find a vendor to deliver the turnkey robotic bin-picking system they needed — so they built their own solution with MRG support. The result was increased throughput and new workforce development opportunities.
By creating a homegrown system and investing in in-house training, the company addressed two of Purdue’s biggest adoption barriers head-on: “effort expectancy” and “facilitating conditions.”
- Tech adoption made reshoring possible for Lafayette Steel & Aluminum, a division of the Oscar Winski Company.
When post-pandemic OEMs began shifting away from offshore suppliers, Lafayette Steel & Aluminum (LSA) saw an opportunity to step in but needed to modernize to meet new demands. With the help of a $183,000 MRG, LSA invested in its first robotic welding system, transforming its manual welding operations into a process capable of handling more complex assemblies. The move enabled LSA to replace offshore vendors and win business that customers had previously been doing in-house.
The upgrade didn’t just improve productivity, it sparked growth. The company launched its own proprietary product line, expanded hiring and offered training to help workers advance alongside the new technology.
- Tech adoption helped Starlight Distillery meet the demands of national and international markets.
Starlight Distillery, a seventh-generation family business in southern Indiana, aimed to expand its reach beyond regional markets. To achieve this, they utilized a $200,000 MRG to invest in advanced distillation equipment, including a continuous column still with an integrated human-machine interface (HMI). This upgrade enabled them to increase production from 3–4 barrels per day to 18–20 barrels in a single shift, significantly enhancing their capacity to meet the demands of national and international markets.
The new technology not only improved efficiency but also ensured product consistency, a critical factor for entering competitive global markets.
While the MRG program helped spark these success stories, the work doesn’t stop there. Conexus remains committed to helping Indiana’s manufacturers take the next step in their digital transformation journey, whether by sharing real-world case studies, fostering peer learning or building the networks that fuel momentum across the state.