Auto makers to get $17.4 billion, by John D. McKinnon, Wall Street Journal, December 19, 2008 (Subscription)

Related stories:

• AutoShow Blog: Statements by GM, Chrysler, Ford on White House plan, Wall Street Journal, December 19, 2008 (Subscription)
• AutoShow Blog: U.S. auto sales expected to decline by 38% in December, Wall Street Journal, December 19, 2008 (Subscription)
• GM, Chrysler thank administration for bailout loans, by Robert Schoenberger, Cleveland Plain Dealer, December 19, 2008

General Motors lays off 100 workers at Parma parts plant, by Shaheen Samavati, Cleveland Plain Dealer, December 19, 2008
Parma, Ohio—About 100 workers at a General Motors Corp. parts plant in Parma have been indefinitely lai

d off, and hundreds more will be temporarily laid off in January.

Schulman cutting costs, by Jim Mackinnon, Akron Beacon Journal, December 19, 2008
Fairlawn, Ohio—Given the uncertain state of the reeling U.S. and global economies, the head of polymer company A. Schulman Inc. isn't expecting revenue to grow in 2009. However Joe Gingo, president and CEO, had a mostly upbeat assessment of the company's prospects at the annual shareholders' meeting.

Rolls-Royce Fuel Systems, Lockheed receive funding, Akron Beacon Journal, December 19, 2008
Akron—The Ohio Third Frontier initiative granted Rolls-Royce Fuel Systems in North Canton $600,000 and Lockheed Martin in Akron $989,393 in grants for advanced energy projects.

Alcoa wheel unit wins work for Chevy Volt, Crain's Cleveland Business, December 19, 2008 (Subscription)
Cleveland—Alcoa Automotive Wheels, a division of Cleveland-based Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products, has been awarded the wheel program for the Chevy Volt extended-range electric vehicle.

Permanent layoffs set at Warren plant, by Larry Ringler, Warren Tribune Chronicle, December 19, 2008
Warren, Ohio—Delphi Packard Electric announced 99 hourly workers will be permanently laid off Monday and local operations' 1,500 salaried workers also will be temporarily idled a week at a time starting Jan. 5, the company said, blaming a plunge in orders from key customer General Motors Corp. and other automakers for the cuts.

Wanted for Cleveland: Seasoned entrepreneurs, by Tom Breckenridge, Cleveland Plain Dealer, December 18, 2008
Cleveland —Entrepreneurship was a dominant theme at the City Club's forum on "Transforming the Region's Economy" on Wednesday. Arthur Anton, CEO of Swagelok Co. and MAGNET's board chairman, explained how MAGNET helps companies create new business with innovation in products and processes.

Cruze stays on track despite delay at engine plant, Staff and Wire Reports, Youngstown Vindicator, December 18, 2008
Lordstown, Ohio—Plans to produce the Chevrolet Cruze from Lordstown are continuing on schedule even though General Motors has stopped construction of a factory that is to produce the car’s engine.

Findlay's victory expensive, by Lou Wilin, Findlay Courier, December 18, 2008
Findlay—Mayor Pete Sehnert called the sparing of the Cooper Tire plant in Findlay an early Christmas present. True enough, but the present came in a gift exchange where you spend a lot to keep the valued prize you already have. Findlay administrators offered Cooper free water and sewer service for three years, an estimated $960,000 total value, and $1.9 million in payroll tax credits to keep the 1,100 jobs in town.

Related stories:

• Three states celebrating, but 1 mourns, by Lou Wilin, Findlay Courier, December 18, 2008
• Findlay's Cooper Tire plant will remain open, by Larry P. Vellequette, Toledo Blade, December 18, 2008

Wind farm developers meet with Erie County landowners, by Tom Jackson, Sandusky Register, December 18, 2008
Groton Township, Ohio—On Wednesday, the project manager for JW Great Lakes Wind, spoke to a meeting at the Groton Township Hall about the possibility of building a wind farm in the area.

Thousands of Northeast Ohioans to be affected by Ford, Chrysler extension of holiday production shutdowns, by Shaheen Samavati, Cleveland Plain Dealer, December 18, 2008
Cleveland—Thousands of Northeast Ohioans who work for Chrysler LLC and Ford Motor Co. will get some mandatory extra time off this holiday season.

Related stories:

• Chrysler to shutter all plants Friday, Akron Beacon Journal, December 18, 2008
• GM says report on renewed Chrysler merger talks is untrue, AP via Akron Beacon Journal, December 18, 2008
• Powertrain workers idle an added two weeks, Toledo Blade, December 18, 2008

Newell cuts profit prediction; Rubbermaid company to lay off about 1,000, AP via Akron Beacon Journal, December 18, 2008
Atlanta—To cut costs, the company said, it will reduce its salaried work force by 8 percent to 10 percent and will freeze wages. The layoffs, announced this summer, already have begun throughout the company.

Leading indicators fall in November, by Ellen Simon, AP via Akron Beacon Journal, December 18, 2008
New York—The Conference Board said today its index of leading economic indicators fell for the second straight month, dropping 0.4 percent in November. The private research group said the six-month rate of decline hit the worst level since 1991.

Survey says access to IT and training is big incentive to switch manufacturing jobs, Manufacturing Business Technology, December 17, 2008
Fairfax County, Va.—More than 50 percent of manufacturing workers told a national survey that they would change jobs and even move across country to work for a company they could get excited about, with state-of-the-art technology and training.

Calphalon plant facing wage freeze, Blade Staff and news services, Toledo Blade, December 18, 2008
Perrysburg Township, Ohio—Workers who produce Calphalon Cookware in Perrysburg Township won't get raises next year, but their plant is not on a list of factories scheduled to be temporarily idled next year.

Nation's thirst for oil expected to moderate, by John Funk, Cleveland Plain Dealer, December 18, 2008
Washington—The U.S. Department of Energy said Wednesday that it expects virtually no growth in American oil consumption through 2030—but strong growth in alternative energy and technology development.

U.S. firms join forces to build car batteries, by Rebecca Smith, Wall Street Journal, December 18, 2008 (Subscription)
Chicago—In a bid to catch up with Asian rivals, the National Alliance for Advanced Transportation Battery Cell Manufacture, a consortium of fourteen U.S. technology companies, is seeking $1 billion in federal aid to build the country's first large-scale lithium-ion battery plant. A spokesman said U.S. truck and auto makers will be asked to join the alliance's advisory board.

Related stories:

• U.S. government lab, 14 firms team up on lithium battery, by Andrew Stern, Reuters.com, December 18, 2008
• Honda sets up hybrid battery venture despite slump, Agence France-Presse via Industry Week, December 18, 2008

Earnings:

• Eaton slashes earnings projection, Crain's Cleveland Business, December 15, 2008 (Subscription)
• Nordson Corp. reports profit, by Frank Benatyou, Cleveland Plain Dealer, December 17, 2008
• Newell Rubbermaid slashes fourth-quarter, 2008 profit guidance, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, December 17, 2008
• Nordson sees profits rise in fourth quarter, but warns of sharp drop to come, Crain's Cleveland Business, December 17, 2008 (Subscription)
• Sifco Industries reports $700,000 profit in fourth quarter, Cleveland Plain Dealer, December 17, 2008
• Sifco Industries sees profits fall in fourth quarter, Crain's Cleveland Business, December 15, 2008 (Subscription)

Cooper Tire to close Albany, Ga., plant; Findlay plant spared, by Chuck Bartels, AP via Findlay Courier, December 17, 2008
Texarkana, Ark. and Findlay, Ohio—Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. said Wednesday it will close its plant in Albany, Ga., amid a shrinking demand for tires, a move that saves factory jobs in Ohio and two other states.

Related story: Cooper to keep open its Findlay plant, increase production there, Staff Report, Toledo Blade, December 17, 2008

Looking for loans, by Dan Shingler, Crain's Cleveland Business, December 16, 2008 (Subscription)
Cleveland—At a MAGNET-sponsored event this morning, a panel of local bankers told manufacturers to expect more scrutiny than before when applying for a loan, regardless whether it’s a new loan for a startup or expansion or a renewal of an existing line of credit.

State loan, grant OK'd for solar start-up, Staff Report, Toledo Blade, December 17, 2008
Perrysburg, Ohio—The Ohio Controlling Board approved a $5 million loan and a $500,000 grant for Willard & Kelsey Solar Group LLC's project in the former Delafoil Inc. plant on Progress Dr. The project will create 400 jobs and retain about 10 jobs, with average wages of $21 or more an hour.

Myers Industries to close three plants as part of realignment, Crain's Cleveland Business, December 17, 2008 (Subscription)
Akron—As part of its efforts to realign its Lawn and Garden Segment, Myers Industries Inc. has announced plans to close three plants located in Sparks, Nev., Surrey, British Columbia, and Brantford, Ontario.

Coal-to-liquid fuel plan receives $500,000 grant, by D.A. Wilkinson, Youngstown Vindicator, December 17, 2008
Wellsville, Ohio—The Ohio Department of Development awarded a $500,000 grant to the Columbiana County Port Authority to support a project by Baard Energy to build a plant that will turn coal into liquid fuel. When completed, the project would employ about 225 full-time workers.

Orders slow as businesses tap inventory, by Bob Sechler, Wall Street Journal, December 17, 2008 (Subscription)
New York—Corporate efforts to slash inventories—or "destock"—amid sliding demand have added significantly to the economic uncertainty facing the industrial sector heading into 2009.

TransDigm Group to buy General Electric business unit, Crain's Cleveland Business, December 17, 2008 (Subscription)
Cleveland—TransDigm Group Inc. has acquired Holtsville, N.Y.-based Aircraft Parts Corp. from Unison Industries LLC, a subsidiary of General Electric Co.’s GE Aviation business unit, for about $68 million in cash.

Goodyear wins '08 award for tire, Akron Beacon Journal, December 17, 2008
Akron—Goodyear said it has received a 2008 Award for Industrial Innovation from the Luxembourg Business Federation for its OptiGrip tire that has what is called Smart-Wear technology.

Timken Co. to reduce work force during holidays, Staff Report, Canton Repository, December 16, 2008
Canton—Across-the-board cuts will see Steelworkers off for two weeks, while the company also is reducing the size of its salaried and office hourly staff here. An estimated 200 to 300 factory workers will be laid off from Monday through Jan. 5.

Thomas Steel strikers prepare to make counteroffer, by Don Shilling, Youngstown Vindicator, December 17, 2008
Warren, Ohio— Striking workers at Thomas Steel Strip plan to make a counteroffer today after rejecting a proposed labor contract from the company. About 260 union members have been striking the steel processor since July, but the plant has continued to operate with replacement workers.

Opinion: Spinning out of control: Auto industry bailout may be too little, too late, by Sydney Hill, Jr., Executive Editor, Manufacturing Business Technology, December 15, 2008
Oakbrook, Ill.—In asking Congress for the bridge loans, the U.S. auto executives admitted the continuing focus on large vehicles was a mistake. According to one expert, that admission comes too late.

Related stories:

• Opinion: Bankruptcy is the perfect remedy for Detroit, by Todd J. Zywicki, George Mason University School of Law, Wall Street Journal, December 17, 2008 (Subscription)
• GM delays Michigan plant that will build Volt and Cruze engines, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, December 17, 2008
  
• Ford says December sales faring well, AP via Toledo Blade, December 16, 2008
  

GM opens China plant with Chinese JV partner, by Norihiko Shirouzu and Patricia Jiayi Ho, Wall Street Journal, December 17, 2008 (Subscription)
Beijing—The new Chinese plant, which formally opened Wednesday with a ceremony in the northeastern city of Shenyang, has already begun producing the Chevrolet Cruze, the first compact sedan for the Chevy franchise in China.

Pickens, Owens Corning push energy teamwork, by Gary T. Pakulski, Toledo Blade, December 16, 2008
Toledo—In exchange for OC's promise to work with him to promote alternative energy sources such as wind and natural gas, 80-year-old energy independence advocate T. Boone Pickens has agreed to aid OC's campaign to promote home energy efficiency. Pickens spoke yesterday to OC employees in Toledo and, via a broadcast link, across North America, Europe, and Asia.

UAW disputes pay claims; Union workers say wages are already in line with rates at Japanese plants, by Steve Eder, Toledo Blade, December 16, 2008
Toledo—The question of how much a union assembly-line worker makes for building Chrysler Jeeps in Toledo versus the pay for a nonunion technician building Honda Accords in Marysville is perplexing the policymakers in Washington. To dispel rumors the UAW released a fact sheet about prevailing wages at Chrysler, Ford and General Motors.

State approves 3 projects to create or retain jobs, by Tom Breckenridge, Cleveland Plain Dealer, December 16, 2008
Columbus—The State Controlling Board on Monday approved three grants that will bring jobs to Cuyahoga and Summit counties, including a $25,000 grant to the Akron Development Corp. for its Akron Global Business Accelerator.

Smucker expands to Akron location, by Betty Lin-Fisher, Akron Beacon Journal, December 16, 2008
Akron—Smucker has leased the first and second floors of a four-story office building on the Sterling Jewelers campus on Ghent Road for two years. About 150 employees in the customer logistics and corporate purchasing departments will move in Jan. 5.

State funds approved for Toledo Port project, Toledo Blade, December 16, 2008
Columbus—The Ohio Controlling Board yesterday approved $5 million in assistance for a project near Midwest Terminals, at the Port of Toledo.

Dana settles dispute with key supplier, Toledo Blade, December 16, 2008
Toledo—Dana Holding Corp. dismissed a lawsuit against Citation Corp., Novi, Mich. in U.S. District Court in Toledo last week, saying issues had been “amicably resolved.” Details of the settlement were not revealed.

Report: Jeep seats work to remain in area, by Larry P. Vellequette, Toledo Blade, December 16, 2008
Toledo—Chrysler LLC officials confirmed yesterday that the automaker has nixed plans to have Krishna Maruti build the rear seats for the Wrangler. Instead, the firm will put the contract out for bid again, perhaps awarding it back to the Johnson Controls Inc. factory in the Toledo suburb of Northwood, which is making them now.

Some firms cut costs without resorting to layoffs, by Cari Tuna, Wall Street Journal, December 15, 2008 (Subscription)
New York—The WSJ reviews several companies who have chosen alternative strategies to cut costs without eliminating jobs. Lincoln Electric's long-standing policy guaranteeing employment to employees with three years experience is reviewed.

Toledo turns to solar panels to revive city, AP via Youngstown Vindicator, December 15, 2008
Toledo—Within the last year, the number of employees at Xunlight Corp. has grown from 16 to 64. And there’s plenty of room for more.

Six companies in Northeast Ohio win Third Frontier money, by Chuck Soder, Crain's Cleveland Business, December 15, 2008 (Subscription)
Columbus—The Ohio Third Frontier Commission announced six grants of nearly $4 million for Northeast Ohio technology projects. Companies receiving grants include Parker Hannifin Corp. (Mayfield Heights), Tremco Inc. (Beachwood), Lockheed Martin (Akron), Industrial Railway Switching & Services Inc. (Lorain), Contained Energy Inc. (Cleveland) and Proxy Biomedical Ltd. (Galway, Ireland) to help it establish its first U.S. business unit in Cleveland.

RPM head paints dark picture for sales streak, by Dan Shingler, Crain's Cleveland Business, December 15, 2008 (Subscription)
Medina, Ohio—Asked in an interview last week about the state of business these days for RPM, Frank Sullivan pulled no punches and said it’s the worst he has seen in 20 years at the company his grand-father founded.

Keithley Instruments to cut workforce by 7%, by Frank Bentaoy, Cleveland Plain Dealer, December 15, 2008
Cleveland—Keithley Instruments Inc. said Monday it will respond to a sharp business decline by cutting its workforce 7 percent, lowering U.S. salaries by 10 percent and trimming benefits and bonuses.

Opinion: Legislative resistance to Big 3 a joke, by Brian Tucker, Crain's Cleveland Business, December 15, 2008 (Subscription)
Cleveland—Are federal lawmakers trying to bust the United Autoworkers union? Are the Southerners trying to hand-deliver a chunk of the domestic car-buying market to the foreign transplants they've lured to their states with hundreds of millions in incentives? Who knows?

Sherwin-Williams buys Portuguese company, by Scott Suttell, Crain's Cleveland Business, December 15, 2008 (Subscription)
Cleveland—Sherwin-Williams Co. closed a definitive agreement to buy a Portuguese maker of marine and protective coatings applied to ships, offshore platforms, storage tanks, steel, concrete and flooring for an undisclosed sum.

Irish biomed firm bound for Cleveland, by Jay Miller, Crain's Cleveland Business, December 15, 2008 (Subscription)
Cleveland—A six-year tax credit awarded last Monday, Dec. 8, by the Ohio Tax Credit Authority is expected to bring Ireland-based Proxy Biomedical Ltd. to Cleveland where it will invest $1.5 million and create 26 jobs.

Union to vote on Thomas Steel offer, Warren Tribune Chronicle, December 15, 2008
Warren, Ohio—Union leaders are recommending that its members reject the latest proposal from Thomas Steel because it calls for a 25 percent reduction in force. Members of USWA Local 3523 are expected to vote today.

Ken-Tool of Akron makes changes to its building and way it does business to stay competitive, local, by Jim Mackinnon, Akron Beacon Journal, December 15, 2008
Akron—Despite the economic recession, Alec Pendleton, owner of Ken-Tool, a small tool maker that specializes in truck tire repair equipment, has embarked on a $2-million expansion and renovation project to keep his company competitive.

Toyota puts new U.S. plant on hold, by Kate Linebaugh, Wall Street Journal, December 15, 2008 (Subscription)
Detroit—Toyota Motor Corp. said Monday it is suspending preparations of its newest U.S. plant in Mississippi, citing the steep decline in the auto market.

BYD to introduce China's first electric car, by Norihiko Shirouzu, Wall Street Journal, December 15, 2008 (Subscription)
Shenzhen, China—On Monday, BYD Co. plans to show reporters in Shenzhen the new F3DM, which runs off batteries that can be charged from a regular electrical outlet.

Global car industry fearful for Detroit, Nelson D. Schwartz, Wall Street Journal, December 15, 2008 (Subscription)
Munich—There are growing concerns that the automakers’ problems in the United States will weigh down their more successful units in Europe, Asia and Latin America.

Akron incubator tenant works on process to turn scrap into liquid gold: oil, by Paula Schleis, Akron Beacon Journal, December 14, 2008
Akron—Vadose Research & Development, a new Akron Global Business Accelerator tenant, is commercializing a system to help companies turn scrap tires, plastic parts and dirty solvents into petroleum.

White House: No immediate deal on auto loans, AP via Toledo Blade, December 14, 2008
Washington—The White House said Sunday it does not expect to make an announcement by Monday on a possible plan to prevent the collapse of the troubled auto industry.

Related stories:

• Treasury still studying auto rescue, Wall Street Journal, December 15, 2008 (Subscription)
• Uncertainty over bailout casts a pall over Detroit, 'People are scared to death', AP via Toledo Blade, December 13, 2008
• Ohio's leaders ask White House to speed bailout, by Tom Troy, Toledo Blade, December 13, 2008

Xunlight, SuGanit obtain alternative energy grants, Toledo Blade, December 14, 2008
Toledo— Two Toledo companies were among 10 organizations in the state awarded grants to accelerate the development of advanced energy in Ohio.

NorTech and Crain’s Cleveland Business announce Innovation Award finalists, NorTech press release, December 12, 2008
Cleveland—Manufacturers on the finalist list include: Pathogen Systems Inc., InSeT Systems LLC, NASA Glenn Research Center & ZIN Technologies Inc., Quality Electrodynamics LLC, Sensor Development Corporation, Plasticolors Inc., Powdermet Inc., Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes, The Sherwin-Williams Company, Arisdyne Systems Inc., GreenField Solar Corp. and Venture Lighting International. Innovation Award winners will be recognized at a dinner reception and ceremony on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at Windows on the River.

UAW workers' pay on par with Japanese competitors in U.S., by Steve Eder, Toledo Blade, December 13, 2008
Toledo—The question of how much a union assembly-line worker makes for building Chrysler Jeeps in Toledo versus how much a nonunion technician earns for building Honda Accords in Marysville, Ohio, is perplexing the policymakers in Washington.

GM will idle 20 North American factories, by Dan Strumpf, AP via Akron Beacon Journal, December 13, 2008
New York—General Motors Corp. said Friday it will temporarily close 20 factories across North America and make sweeping cuts to its vehicle production as it tries to adjust to dramatically weaker automobile demand.