CLEVELAND, Ohio – Hynes Industries has been named a 2025 Smart Culture Award honoree by Smart Business magazine in recognition of the company’s efforts to build a workplace environment that supports employee development and long-term retention.
With operations in Youngstown and Painesville, Ohio, and Kokomo, Ind., Hynes serves a broad range of industries, from solar and automated material handling to truck/trailer manufacturing. The company’s workforce spans multiple generations, and its cultural focus is shaped by an understanding that engaged employees are the foundation of long-term customer and community partnerships, a news release states.
“Culture is built into how we hire, how we lead and how we support our people’s development,” said George Droder, chief commercial officer at Hynes Industries. “We’re deliberate in how we connect people to purpose, and that drives both performance and loyalty.”
Hynes’ culture initiatives include formal apprenticeship and training programs, community involvement in both plant cities and a communications strategy that emphasizes its One Hynes philosophy. The company continues to invest in advanced manufacturing capabilities, but leadership maintains that people are the long-term differentiator.
“In northeast Ohio, where we compete for talent and opportunity every day, culture has proven to be more than a benefit – it’s a business imperative,” said Rick Organ, president and chief executive officer of Hynes Industries.
The 2025 Smart Culture Awards, presented by TalentLaunch, honor organizations across northeastern Ohio that leverage culture as a tool to enhance productivity and retention while strengthening their competitive advantage.
Pictured at top: From left are Jennie Hall of Hynes Industries, Greg Schneider of National Office Services and Michelle Sisler of Hynes Industries.