Ohio Associated Enterprises adding to operation

Ohio Associated Enterprises, or OAE, will relocate a part of its business from Chico, California, to Painesville.

According to a news release, the company, which is a leader in signal integrity and manufacturer of high-performance electrical and electronic interconnected embedded systems and connecters, will add 88 new jobs and retain 177 positions.

Chief Financial Officer Bill Frazier said in the release that the location change will be beneficial for the company.

“This expansion will allow Ohio Associated Enterprises to profitably grow its footprint in the Automated Testing Equipment market,” he said. “Our experience is a case study for other manufacturers who are considering offshoring or re-shoring supply chain.”

Painesville’s Economic Development Director Cathy Bieterman said the relocation provides continued support for the community.

“For more than 50 years, Ohio Associated Enterprises has been an integral member of the Painesville community,” she said. “Their expansion here is a testament to their commitment to this area and to the success they’ve achieved here. We look forward to supporting their continued growth.”

The release stated Painesville’s economic development team, Lake County Ohio Port & Economic Development Authority, JobsOhio and Team NEO “collaborated with the company’s leadership team to make this relocation possible.”

The press release states the markets served include “military/aerospace, automated testing equipment, medical, industrial and datacom.

The Company boasts an extensive portfolio of registered U.S. patents for electronic interconnect products and related production processes.”

OAE operates out of two facilities located in Painesville (Meritec) and Chico (Joy), where it employs 181 and 105 employees, respectively, according to the press release.