Manufacturers’ Association Names Harley-Davidson COO Bryan Niketh as Keynote Speaker for MX2026

Culture of Care and Its Impact on Manufacturing Excellence to Take Center Stage at Central PA’s Premier Manufacturing Event

(York, PA) – MX2026, Central PA’s Manufacturing Expo, presented by the Manufacturers’ Association, is proud to announce Bryan Niketh, Chief Operations Officer of Harley-Davidson Motor Company, as the featured keynote speaker for this year’s event. Niketh will address attendees on November 5, 2026, at the York Expo Center, Memorial Hall, 334 Carlisle Avenue, York, PA 17404. The expo runs from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

Culture as a Competitive Advantage

In an industry that rightly celebrates technology, automation, and efficiency, the most enduring driver of manufacturing excellence is something less visible but far more powerful: the culture a company builds, and the care it demonstrates for its people. When employees feel trusted, valued, and genuinely invested in their work, the results show up everywhere. In product consistency, in safety records, in retention rates, and in a facility’s capacity to adapt and grow over time.

Bryan Niketh has spent more than two decades proving that point inside one of the most recognized manufacturing brands in the world. His keynote at MX2026, “Culture of Care and Its Impact on Manufacturing Excellence,” will bring that lived experience directly to the manufacturers, plant leaders, operations professionals, and supply chain teams who fill the floor of Central Pennsylvania’s only dedicated manufacturing expo each year.

A Leader Built for This Conversation

Bryan Niketh rejoined Harley-Davidson as Chief Operations Officer effective January 1, 2026, bringing with him 20 years of prior experience at the company. In his current role, he oversees Product Management, Product Development, and Product Operations – the full operational core of Harley-Davidson. Before returning to Harley-Davidson, Niketh served as President of White River Marine Group, adding cross-industry perspective to an already deep operational foundation.

His earlier Harley-Davidson career included serving as Senior Vice President of Product and Operations and Vice President of Supply Chain. Across every one of those roles, the thread connecting his approach has been consistent: operational results do not happen in spite of culture – they happen because of it.

For the manufacturers and operations leaders attending MX2026, Niketh’s message will not be theoretical. It will be grounded in the realities of running complex production at scale, managing large teams, navigating supply chain pressure, and maintaining quality while growing capability.

Right Here in York

There is no more fitting setting for this conversation than York, Pennsylvania. Harley-Davidson has been part of this community since 1973, when assembly operations moved to York from Milwaukee. The York facility at 1425 Eden Road spans 650,000 square feet and assembles the Touring, Trike, Softail, & CVO motorcycle families, RevMax, Sportster, & Sprint upcoming, along with produce core components including frames, fuel tanks, and fenders.

When Bryan Niketh speaks about Culture of Care at MX2026, he will be doing so steps away from the production floor where that philosophy is put into practice every day. For attendees who work in and around Central PA manufacturing, that connection carries real meaning.

What Attendees Will Take Away

MX2026 brings together hundreds of manufacturers, suppliers, and industry partners for a full day of business-to-business opportunities, networking, discovery, and learning. Niketh’s keynote will open the day with purpose, giving attendees a practical foundation they can carry back to their own organizations. Attendees will leave with practical, real-world insight into how a Culture of Care drives measurable manufacturing excellence, drawn directly from Niketh’s 20-plus years of leadership at one of America’s most iconic brands. The session is designed for executives and plant managers but delivers takeaways that apply at every level of a manufacturing organization.

Event Details

Business exhibitor booths and sponsorships are available, and Individual tickets are $25 for  Association members and $40 for non-members. Registration deadline for a printed name badge is October 23, 2026. Register and learn more at macentralpa.org/event/manufacturing-expo-2026/.

About MX2026

The Central PA Manufacturing Expo (MX2026) is presented by the Manufacturers’ Association and serves as the region’s only dedicated manufacturing and supply chain expo. The one-day event brings manufacturers and supply chain partners together to network, discover new business opportunities, and engage with the trends and topics shaping the industry. Learn more and register at macentralpa.org/event/manufacturing-expo-2026/.

About the Manufacturers’ Association

The Manufacturers’ Association is a member-driven organization serving manufacturers across Central Pennsylvania. With a longstanding commitment to workforce development, the Association operates a comprehensive training center offering technical, safety, and professional development programs designed to strengthen the regional manufacturing community and support the growth of the industrial workforce.

For More Information

For details on attending MX2026, visit our website page or contact the Manufacturers’ Association at 717-843-3891 or office@macentralpa.org.