The Generation NEXT Award recognizes Oatey’s continued investment in young professionals and the Greater Cleveland workforce.
CLEVELAND, OHIO, SEPTEMBER 8, 2026 — Oatey Co., a leading manufacturer in the plumbing industry since 1916, has been named the 2026 Generation NEXT Company of the Year in the Large Company category by Engage! Cleveland.
The honor marks Oatey’s second Generation NEXT Company of the Year recognition after winning the Large Company category in 2023. Oatey’s Emerging Professionals Group was also previously recognized as a Generation NEXT Program of the Year.
Engage! Cleveland is a community-engagement organization for young professionals, business leaders and community leaders who are passionate about making Cleveland a lasting home for the next generation. Now in its fifth year, the organization’s Generation NEXT Awards recognize individuals and companies advancing efforts to attract, engage and retain emerging talent in Greater Cleveland.
This year, 21 honorees were recognized across six award categories, including Company of the Year, Young Professional of the Year, Mentor of the Year and Program of the Year. Generation NEXT Award winners are nominated by their peers and selected by a committee for their dedication to attracting and retaining talent in Greater Cleveland while building cultures of belonging, engagement and personal fulfillment.
“Engage! Cleveland is hardly alone in the work we do surrounding talent attraction and retention, and we are so impressed with this year’s honorees that are helping to engage local talent in their industries,” said Ashley Basile Oeken, President of Engage! Cleveland. “These award winners are inspirational community members, mentors and companies that make Cleveland a better place to work and live.”
Oatey’s efforts to attract and develop emerging talent include programs that support associates early in their careers and provide opportunities for professional growth, one-on-one mentoring and community involvement. The company’s Emerging Professionals Group brings together young professionals from across the business to build connections and advance their professional development. Oatey also offers an award-winning 12-week Intern Experience program that helps college students transition from academic education to a meaningful professional career through hands-on work, networking, community engagement and learning opportunities.
“We’re proud to call Cleveland home, and part of that pride comes from helping make this a place where young professionals can thrive personally and professionally,” said Katherine Lehtinen, Oatey’s Senior Vice President of Marketing and Executive Sponsor of Oatey’s Emerging Professionals Group. “Oatey is committed to providing emerging talent with meaningful experiences, strong connections and opportunities to succeed. Seeing people build their careers here and knowing we can play a small part in that journey is incredibly rewarding. We’re honored to be recognized alongside so many other exceptional organizations that share our commitment to Cleveland and its next generation.”
To learn more about Oatey, visit www.oatey.com.
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ABOUT OATEY CO.
Since 1916, Oatey has provided reliable, high-quality products for the residential and commercial plumbing industries, with a commitment to delivering quality, building trust and improving lives. Today, Oatey operates a comprehensive manufacturing and distribution network to supply thousands of products for professional builders, contractors, engineers and do-it-yourself consumers around the world.
Oatey is based in Cleveland, Ohio, and has locations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, China and Europe. For more information, visit www.oatey.com, call (800) 321-9532 or follow Oatey on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram.
CONTACT:
Madelyn Young
John O’Reilly
Greenhouse Digital + PR
madelyn@greenhousedigitalpr.com
john@greenhousedigitalpr.com
708.428.6385