YBI names advanced manufacturing center for Humtown’s Lamoncha family
Humtown Products CEO Mark Lamoncha started working with YBI in 2012 to bring 3D printing to sand casting. The former Vindicator building in downtown Youngstown now carries his family's name, five months after the SBA named him the nation's top small business owner.
YBI has dedicated its Tech Block Building Five in downtown Youngstown as the Lamoncha Family Center for Advanced Manufacturing, honoring Humtown Products President and CEO Mark Lamoncha and his family.
The organization, formerly known as the Youngstown Business Incubator, held the dedication Sept. 29 at the building, 252 W. Boardman St. YBI cited the Lamoncha family's leadership in the industry, Mark Lamoncha's commitment to innovation and technology, and the continued advancement of manufacturing in the Mahoning Valley.
Members of the Lamoncha family, YBI leadership and partners from Humtown and the regional manufacturing community attended the program. State Reps. Monica Robb Blasdel and Nick Santucci, along with Youngstown State University (YSU) President Bill Johnson, were also in attendance.
By the numbers
- 2012: the year Lamoncha first approached YBI about 3D printing
- 67,000 square feet in the former Vindicator building
- $5 million renovation, funded by $3 million from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, $1.5 million from the state of Ohio and $500,000 from the city of Youngstown
- 14 machines owned by Humtown, plus others it operates in Germany and California
- 1959: the year Humtown was founded as a pattern shop
From pattern shop to 3D sand printing
Humtown, with locations in Columbiana and Boardman, makes conventional and 3D-printed sand cores and molds for the foundry industry. Lamoncha's father founded the company as Humtown Pattern in 1959. Lamoncha took over in 1995 and became sole owner in 2017.
YBI CEO Barb Ewing recounted that Lamoncha began talking with YBI staff in 2012 about acquiring a 3D printer. From that conversation, YBI, YSU and America Makes developed a commercialization model to bring 3D printing into the casting industry. Humtown's customers now include Caterpillar, Cummins and Magellan Aerospace.
A national honor
In May, Lamoncha accepted the U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) 2026 National Small Business Person of the Year award. He was selected from 53 state and territory winners after earning Ohio's title in April, and he was recognized at a White House small business summit May 4.
According to Ewing, Lamoncha contacted YBI after learning of the award to ask how he could help. That call led to a funding proposal, which YBI is still pursuing, to finish renovations at the Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace & Defense.
The building serves as YBI's advanced manufacturing headquarters. It houses 3D printers and industrial equipment that startups, YSU and regional partners share. Lamoncha described the center as a place where entrepreneurs, students, engineers and manufacturers can work together to develop ideas and test new technology.
