A legend in the manufacturing world, Ronald Stephen Karaisz II passed away on Jan. 8, 2026. Easily recognizable in his signature Tommy Bahama shirts, Ron carried himself with an easy, genuine confidence that reflected how grounded he was in both his work and personal life. Having owned and operated several manufacturing businesses throughout his storied career, Ron was a forward-thinking and engaging leader who anticipated shifts in the industry, recognized opportunity in change, and helped his customers, many of whom were also friends, succeed through those transitions.

Ron founded his first machine tool company, KAR Enterprises Inc., just seven years after graduating from Eastern Michigan University. He went on to establish Hydromat of Michigan and then became the majority owner of Novi Precision Products. For nearly a decade, Ron was a member of the board of directors of AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, where he served as board chairman for the 2017-2018 term.

Direct, Thoughtful, and Respectful

During his time on the AMT board, Ron asked thoughtful questions to broaden perspectives and encouraged different ways of thinking. When he disagreed, he did so respectfully and with a genuine willingness to listen.

“Ron was such a pleasure to have on the AMT board. He was always engaged and brought a fact-based, non-confrontational approach that encouraged thoughtful discussion and led to better group decisions,” recalls AMT President Doug Woods. “He was incredibly approachable, and everyone felt comfortable around him. His unique mix of business acumen, industry knowledge, and casual demeanor made Ron a truly remarkable entrepreneur, leader, and most importantly, a great guy.”

Future-Focused

Ron’s depth of experience in the manufacturing industry often gave him a clear sense of what was coming next. Pat McGibbon, AMT’s former chief knowledge officer, recalls Ron giving a presentation at an AMT board meeting, urging leaders not just to focus on the future but to expect change and recognize its early signals.

“In 2018, he was already pointing out the seismic shifts that were coming to the automotive industry with the advent of electric vehicles,” McGibbon notes. “He explained that in 1999, a car had thousands of machined parts, but that 18 years later, an electric vehicle had a few hundred machined parts. He used this as a powerful example of why we all had to be open to change and willing to pursue new opportunities in different sectors and different processes with current customers.”

Ron’s high level of industry knowledge was matched by his positive demeanor. Friends throughout the manufacturing industry recall him as an accomplished businessman and an even better person.

“Ron's industry knowledge was immense, and when he spoke, those around him were always anxious to pay close attention. I will always remember his unique ability to address difficult or challenging situations with a calmness and professionalism that always drove positive outcomes,” says Willie Eichele, president of the HEH Group and Hydromat-RE, as well as an AMT board member. “Ron was a great family man, friend to many, and an industry icon whom we can all learn from.”

A Manufacturing Champion

Another one of Ron’s speeches left an indelible impression on Steve Stokey, executive vice president and principal at Allied Machine and Engineering Corp. Following Ron’s opening remarks at an AMT board meeting, Steve asked for Ron’s notes. That surprised him, but Steve insisted that every meeting should begin with his unifying words.

During that meeting, Ron said, in part, “We all are on the same team with the same challenges, opportunities, and objectives, trying to make AMT as good as possible. Let's get our points across – however, stay respectful and positive. Today, let's strive to be part of the solution, not the problem. May the words from Matthew 25:21, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant!’ – be ringing in your ears!”

Those powerful words of unity are still displayed on Steve’s desk today. This is also an important reminder of Ron’s commitment to the manufacturing industry as a whole. He wanted his peers and competitors alike to succeed, and he knew that to thrive, the industry had to embrace change.

Ron did not just preach about adaptability; he practiced it. He advocated exploring the use of advanced materials in automotive and aerospace manufacturing, such as carbon fiber and graphene. He also helped customers refurbish and retool existing equipment to maximize their investments while new product lines were developed. In all of his business dealings, Ron was a realist who accepted the inevitability of change and committed to finding opportunities in industry shifts.

A Generous Peer

Beyond his moving speeches, Ron will be remembered for his generosity. Many of us at AMT and across the industry recall him as someone who made everyone feel welcome and heard. He was very approachable and generous. He was known to show up to meetings with T-shirts or hats for everyone. When he became AMT chairman, he gave us all Detroit Tigers hats, making everyone feel appreciated.

“Ron was so authentic. He was genuine, kind, and giving. He never tried to impress anyone. He was just being himself, and he was so comfortable being himself,” says AMT Chief Revenue Officer Travis Egan. “Ron was an exceptional businessman and a true visionary of the future of manufacturing, but he was, above all else, a sincerely wonderful person.”