Manufacturing Spotlight: RoMan Manufacturing

RoMan Manufacturing Grows Beyond West Michigan

Founded in 1980 by Dietrich Roth and Robert Hofman, RoMan Manufacturing has grown from a specialized water-cooled transformer manufacturer into a global leader in industrial power conversion solutions. Over the past 46 years, the company has continually evolved to meet the demands of an expanding marketplace.

Since welcoming Nelson Sanchez in 2013 as their CFO, then COO, and most recently RoMan’s first non-family CEO, they’ve experienced significant growth, expanding its capabilities beyond transformers into advanced power systems serving semiconductor, data centers, glass, and furnace applications. Today, RoMan is seen as a trusted partner across industries, driven by innovation, expertise, and a clear vision for the future of manufacturing.

How RoMan Became a Leader in Industrial Power Conversion

There are not many water-cooled transformer manufacturers in the United States, which has led to RoMan dominating the North American marketplace through acquisition and consolidation. The process of running water through electricity differs from typical manufacturing operations, making RoMan’s work both innovative and exciting. By leveraging the specialized knowledge used in their operations, RoMan has been able to apply these capabilities to additional processes, allowing them to expand their offerings.

Today, RoMan ships products around the world, transforming a West Michigan manufacturer into a global one. Their vision is to be the global brand of choice for industrial power conversion solutions, and their passion and purpose is to build a better world by transforming power and people.

Investing in Employees Through Training, Leadership, and Wellness

Workforce Development Training

At RoMan Manufacturing, growth extends beyond products and markets to people at every level of the organization. The creation of RoMan University reflects the company’s commitment to being a learning organization that supports not only shop-floor training and apprenticeship programs, but also intentional leadership development.

Through initiatives like the LEAD 24/7 program, RoMan has invested in preparing senior leaders and managers to strengthen culture, accountability, and organizational effectiveness. As part of RoMan University, these programs reinforce the company’s commitment to building a better world by transforming both power and people, with a clear focus on developing talent alongside advancing technology.

Healthcare and Wellness Facility

In 2025, RoMan opened a healthcare and wellness facility on its campus that is available to current employees and their family members. The facility includes an on-site nurse and a range of treatment and support spaces, including an exam room, a nursing mothers’ room, and a meditation room. This level of healthcare accessibility is not always available across the manufacturing industry and has already made a positive impact on RoMan’s workforce.

RoMan’s Partnership with The Right Place and MMTC-West

“We’ve been members of The Right Place for a long time, and we’ve been affiliated with MMTC for more years than I can count,” said Nelson Sanchez, CEO of RoMan Manufacturing.

In the early 2000s, RoMan’s operations leaders brought in lean consultants who worked with MMTC-West to launch new lean manufacturing processes. Over the years, MMTC has also assisted RoMan in securing Going PRO grants, which allowed the company to continue upskilling its workforce and eventually develop a dedicated apprenticeship program. RoMan’s workforce is unique, specializing in artisan-type work that is difficult to find in today’s marketplace. Because of this, RoMan invests heavily in training and employee development, with MMTC serving as a key partner in that effort.

The Future of Industrial Power Systems Manufacturing at RoMan

RoMan’s decision in 2016 to move into power systems manufacturing, beyond water-cooled transformers, marked a pivotal moment in the company’s history. Since then, RoMan has experienced significant growth in the glass, data center, and semiconductor markets.

“The future is bright,” said Sanchez. With the past 15 years demonstrating sustained success, RoMan is well positioned to continue expanding as demand for data centers along with the move to electrification and decarbonization of industrial process continues to grow.

From scaling capabilities to upskilling employees and implementing lean manufacturing, the MMTC-West team can help you grow. Get in contact by emailing TheCenter@rightplace.org or calling (616) 301-6247.

Check out our video highlighting RoMan Manufacturing here.