Hynes Industries Pivots to Power AI Infrastructure Boom

As Hynes Industries closes out its 101st year in business, the Youngstown-based roll-form metals manufacturer is doubling down on strategic investments that position the company for significant expansion in two of its fastest-growing sectors: data centers and automated material handling.

Hynes operates facilities in Youngstown, Painesville, Ohio, and Kokomo, Ind., and has strategically diversified its market portfolio while maintaining its longstanding presence in truck trailer, solar and general industrial manufacturing. That calculated pivot proved prophetic in 2025, as data center components emerged as the company's largest revenue sector, a dramatic shift driven by explosive demand for AI infrastructure nationwide.

"We're helping shape where the market is going," said Rick Organ, President and CEO. "Whether it's designing bus bars for hyperscale data centers or engineering next-generation warehouse automation components, we're forming a higher standard in how we collaborate with customers from concept to production."

That commitment to engineering excellence took tangible form in 2025 through the continued expansion of Hynes' Advanced Engineering Group, led by Chief Engineering and Innovation Officer George Vujnovic. The specialized team focuses exclusively on rapid prototyping and design-for-manufacturability partnerships, enabling customers to compress development timelines while avoiding costly tooling delays.

The company reinforced its operational capabilities with targeted investments in automation and additional mill capacity, particularly to serve data center demand. These infrastructure enhancements helped Hynes maintain a 99% product quality rate and 99% on-time delivery throughout 2025. Metrics like this helped earn the company its eighth supplier excellence award from truck trailer customer Wabash and recognition on Smart Business Network's Evolution of Manufacturing list.

Looking further into 2026

Hynes plans continued capital investment in automation and capacity expansion, including artificial intelligence-powered quality assurance systems and advanced laser tube processing technology.

The laser tube, which will initially support a next-generation program with a major customer in the automated material handling sector, enables machine-level precision cutting of complex features directly into roll-formed profiles. This capability positions Hynes to deliver custom roll formed metal components and assemblies with significantly higher tolerances than through roll forming alone.

"At 100-plus years, we've got the staying power of a legacy manufacturer and the agility of a growth company," Organ said. "That combination is exactly what these emerging industries need.