Niron Magnetics Appoints Mike Brommer as COO to Scale Rare‑Earth‑Free Magnet Manufacturing

Niron Magnetics has appointed veteran manufacturing executive Mike Brommer as Chief Operations Officer, strengthening the company’s leadership team as it prepares to commission its first full‑scale Iron Nitride magnet production facility. The move reflects Niron’s transition from technology development to commercial manufacturing as demand grows for rare‑earth‑free permanent magnets across energy, transportation, and aerospace applications.

Advancing Operational Readiness for First‑of‑Its‑Kind Magnet Production

Brommer will oversee operational strategy as Niron ramps up its new Sartell, Minnesota manufacturing plant, which broke ground in 2025 and is designed to produce 1,500 tons of Iron Nitride magnets annually. The facility represents a major step toward domestic, scalable magnet production without reliance on rare‑earth materials, a capability of increasing interest to aerospace and defense manufacturers seeking resilient, U.S.‑based supply chains.

Brommer brings extensive experience in advanced manufacturing, energy, and climate technology. He most recently served as COO of SEPAC, where he led operations for high‑reliability motion control solutions used in aerospace, defense, space, and robotics. His earlier roles at Corning, Croda International, SunCoke Energy, and Sunoco included leadership across global manufacturing, engineering, and supply chain operations.

Strengthening Leadership for Commercial Scale‑Up

As part of the leadership transition, current COO John Larson will move into the role of Vice President of Plant Readiness and Start‑up. Larson will focus exclusively on commissioning and ramping the 190,000‑square‑foot Sartell facility, a critical milestone as Niron prepares for full commercial production. Larson has played a central role in the company’s growth from a two‑person concept to a 150‑employee organization.

Niron leadership emphasized that Brommer’s experience building and scaling complex operations across multiple industries is essential as the company moves into its next phase. The combination of Brommer’s operational oversight and Larson’s focus on plant readiness is intended to accelerate the company’s ability to bring its magnet technology to market at industrial scale.

Implications for Aerospace and Advanced Manufacturing

Niron’s Iron Nitride magnets offer a rare‑earth‑free alternative for high‑performance applications, aligning with broader aerospace and defense priorities around supply chain security, domestic production, and material innovation. As electrification expands across aircraft systems, propulsion architectures, and space hardware, demand for reliable, high‑performance magnet materials continues to grow.

The company’s decision to launch site selection for a second U.S. plant underscores long‑term expectations for increased production capacity and broader adoption of its magnet technology across mission‑critical industries.

Building the Foundation for Commercial Growth

The leadership appointments reflect Niron’s commitment to establishing the operational infrastructure required to scale its breakthrough magnet technology. With its first full‑scale plant nearing completion and additional expansion on the horizon, the company is positioning itself as a key contributor to the next generation of magnet‑enabled systems across aerospace, energy, and advanced manufacturing.