Hyland Software buys most of Nordson's Westlake campus, by Michelle Jarboe, Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 9, 2009
Westlake, Ohio—In a $7.5 million deal that closed Dec. 30, Hyland Software Inc. bought Nordson Corp.'s headquarters building and nearly 17 acres of its 25-acre campus. Nordson will keep 5 acres and will use the second floor of the building until the company makes plans for new headquarters. A spokesman said Nordson remains committed to Westlake and expects to make a decision on its headquarters by mid-2010.

Minnesota edges out Ohio in biomedical start-up investment, by Laura Johnston, Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 9, 2009
Cleveland—A recent BioEnterprise survey showed that Minnesota surpassed Ohio in biomedical investments in 2008. Investments fell throughout the Midwest last year. Investment in Ohio health-care start-ups dropped 36 percent last year to $189 million.

Findlay Industries reports 'severe' cuts, Findlay Courier, January 9, 2009
Findlay, Ohio—With about 60% of its business coming from the heavy truck industry, Findlay Industries announced it has made "severe" cuts, including layoffs in the past four weeks.

US auto makers' silver bullet: Technology for everybody, by Ben Charny and Jeff Bennett, Dow Jones Newswires via Wall Street Journal, January 9, 2009 (Subscription)
Las Vegas—The automotive technology craving was evident this week at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. AT&T Inc. introduced a system that automobile manufacturers can use to manage all the digital gadgetry passengers bring with them and Ford will begin selling its voice-activated Sync information and entertainment system globally next year.

'Basically, they're done,' analyst says of Chrysler, by Tom Krisher and Ken Thomas, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 9, 2009
Detroit—Even by the standards of battered automakers, Chrysler is in dire shape. December sales were down a stunning 53 percent, far worse than Ford or General Motors. Aaron Bragman, an auto analyst with the consulting company IHS Global Insight in Troy, Mich., predicted there was no way to turn the situation around.

Toyota pushes for reduced wages in Japan, AP via Toledo Blade, January 9, 2009
Tokyo—Toyota Motor Corp. said yesterday it was negotiating with its workers in Japan to slash salaries as it stops production to adjust to slumping global demand.

Earnings Report:

• RPM's quarterly earnings drop, by Jim Mackinnon, Akron Beacon Journal, January 9, 2009

GM Lordstown ends roller-coaster year, by Larry Ringler, Warren Tribune Chronicle, January 8, 2009
Lordstown, Ohio—The General Motors Corp. Lordstown Complex compiled an impressive list of accomplishments in 2008 despite ending a dizzying roller-coaster year with news of a temporary shutdown and layoffs as auto sales collapsed industry-wide.

Bailout pact of GM, U.S. would block a UAW strike, by John D. Stoll and Sharon Terlep, Wall Street Journal, January 8, 2009 (Subscription)
The bailout agreement between General Motors Corp. and the federal government includes terms aimed at blocking the United Auto Workers from going on strike while the union negotiates wage and benefit cuts with the auto maker over the next few weeks.

Related stories:

• GM's $13.4 billion federal loan deal bars strikes, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 9, 2009
• Autoworkers union begins talks, by Kimberly S. Johnson, AP via Canton Repository, January 9, 2009

Alcoa intends to shut down several noncore business divisions, by Frank Bentayou, Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 7, 2009
Pittsburgh—A sudden cost-reduction program will sweep across Alcoa installations around the world, ending 13,500 jobs and resulting in the closing of numerous operations. However, the company's Forged Cast and Products facility in Cleveland, which employs 1,250, will only lose 100 employees.

Related story:

• Alcoa to cut 13 pct of global work force, by Paul Sakuma, AP via Canton Repository, January 7, 2009

Ohio transportation panel urges new fuel tax, by Karen Farkas and Reginald Fields, Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 7, 2009
Columbus—The Ohio Department of Transportation's 62-member transportation task force issued a wide-ranging report on the state's transportation infrastructure Tuesday. Among its recommendations, increasing the state fuel tax and winning voter approval to use that money for more than road repair and construction. Download the full-text report at Ohio's 21st Century Transportation Priorities Task Force Web page.

Gettelfinger: UAW will seek worker approval for contract changes, by David Barkholz, Automotive News, January 6, 2009 (Free registration required)
Detroit—UAW President Ron Gettelfinger said today that the union would seek rank-and-file approval for any changes it makes to labor agreements to help the Detroit 3 comply with provisions of the federal bailout.

Related story:

• UAW: GM, Chrysler may not need additional federal funds, by Jamie LaReau and David Barkholz, Automotive News, January 6, 2009 (Free registration

Ohio will give homeowners grants for wind, solar power, by Tom Breckenridge, Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 7, 2009
Columbus—Renewable-energy advocates are glad Ohio has rolled out a modest, $3.5 million program to encourage the use of wind power and solar-heated hot water at homes and apartments.

Related story:

• Developers Diversified forms solar energy program with SunEdison, by Stan Bullard, Crain's Cleveland Business, January 7, 2008 (Subscription)

American Greetings Corp. purchase of Recycled Paper Greetings Inc. challenged, by Frank Bentayou, Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 7, 2009
Cleveland—Efforts by Brooklyn greeting card maker American Greetings Corp. to take over financially troubled competitor Recycled Paper Greetings Inc. have turned into a tangle of legal actions and conflicting claims.

GM cancels plans to build Pontiac G8 sport truck, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 7, 2009
Detroit—Trade publication Automotive News reported General Motors Corp. decided to scrap the two-door Pontiac G8 sport truck that was scheduled to go on sale this year.

Cleveland Clinic spinoff receives $550,000 grant, by Chuck Soder, Crain's Cleveland Business, January 6, 2009
Cleveland—Prognostix Inc., a Cleveland Clinic spinoff that develops and sells tools for diagnosing heart conditions, has received a $550,000 grant from the Clinic-led Global Cardiovascular Innovation Center.

Factory orders down again; Monthly decline is 4th in a row, worse than forecast, AP via Toledo Blade, January 7, 2009
Washington—Orders to factories fell for a record fourth straight month in November, and analysts predict manufacturing will continue to suffer in coming months as the country slogs through a recession entering its second year.

Auto companies try to be optimistic as sales sink, by Robert Schoenberger, Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 6, 2009
Cleveland—Automakers limping away from 2008 looked for signs of hope in their dismal year-end sales figures. But things are going to have to get a lot better if companies are going to survive.

Related stories:

• '08 car sales plunge to 16-year low, by Larry P. Vellequette, Toledo Blade, January 6, 2009
• Auto makers close books on awful year, face more ills, by Sharon Terlep and Matthew Dolan, Wall Street Journal, January 6, 2009 (Subscription)
• Cars outsell trucks in rough year, by Sharon Silke Carty, USA Today, January 5, 2009
• Ford's December sales drop 32 percent; Toyota down 37 percent, by Tom Krisher, AP via Akron Beacon Journal, January 5, 2009

Indiana steel company plans to expand operations to Cleveland, by Frank Bentayou, Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 6, 2009
Cleveland—An Indiana steel company said Monday it hopes to begin building a multimillion-dollar industrial parts processing and manufacturing plant in Cleveland that eventually would employ as many as 100.

Lubrizol buys Dow segment, by Brandon C. Baker, News-Herald (Willoughby), January 6, 2009
Wickliffe, Ohio—Lubrizol Corp. announced the purchase of a thermoplastic polyurethane business segment from The Dow Chemical Co. in Midland, Mich. The purchase gives Lubrizol all commercial production and research and development assets of Dow's TPU segment.

Airgas buys Great Lakes Oxygen, Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 6, 2009
Painesville, Ohio—Airgas Inc. of Radnor, Pa., said today it has completed its acquisition of Great Lakes Oxygen of Painesville. Airgas said it retained all 50 Great Lakes Oxygen employees, including Marty Hathy, president and co-owner.

Lincoln Electric Welding School announces 2009 schedule, The Lincoln Electric Co. press release, January 6, 2009
Cleveland—The Lincoln Electric Welding School's 2009 schedule is now available. Classes range from a six-week basic course to an advanced 15-week comprehensive course, as well as one-week classes on specific welding processes, certification and customized programs.

Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. exec says firm won't be rushed to decide on location, by Joe Guillen, January 6, 2009
Cleveland—A Chicago executive involved in Cleveland's medical mart-convention center project still won't commit to a definitive timetable for picking a location for the complex, despite recent pressure from Mayor Frank Jackson.

Economic Forecast 2009: Manufacturers preparing for continued trouble, by Dan Shingler, Crain's Cleveland Business, January 5, 2009 (Subscription)
Cleveland—Crain's collects opinions from regional manufacturers about the gloomy outlook ahead, including an Moore, president of Dan T. Moore Co., Lincoln Electric chairman and CEO John Stropki, A. Schulman chairman and CEO Joseph Gingo, and RPM International CEO Frank Sullivan.

Port Authority’s transformation begins long before move, by Jay Miller, Crain's Cleveland Business, January 5, 2009 (Subscription)
Cleveland—Though its officials have said it will be nearly a decade before the Port of Cleveland begins to leave downtown for docks further east and as much as 20 years before the move is complete, the Port Authority is transforming itself now.

A. Schulman to distribute Cereplast sustainable plastics, Crain's Cleveland Business, January 5, 2009 (Subscription)
Akron—Cereplast Inc. of Hawthorne, Calif., a maker of bio-based, sustainable plastics, has signed a distribution agreement with Akron-based plastic resin supplier A. Schulman Inc.

Eaton sells collision-avoidance system to Bendix, Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 5, 2009
Cleveland—Eaton Corp. said today it has sold its Vehicle On-Board Radar system to Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC for an undisclosed price.

Europeans raise pressure on Detroit, by Kate Linebaugh, Wall Street Journal, January 5, 2009 (Subscription)
New York— Sensing opportunity in Detroit's weakness, Volkswagen AG and BMW AG of Germany are gearing up to expand market share in the U.S. in the next few years. "The U.S. will be the growth engine of the future," Jim O'Donnell, BMW's U.S. chief, said in a recent interview. "This is where we will continue to focus our efforts."

Economic Forecast 2009: PD business reporters see rays of hope, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Dec. 24 - Jan. 4, 2008
Cleveland—The Plain Dealer's business reporters published a week-long series focusing on the hopeful signs in 2009 for the industries they cover.

• Forecast 2009 is gloomy with chance of sun, PD Business Staff, Cleveland Plain Dealer, December 24, 2008
• Auto industry not looking better for next year, by Robert Schoenberger, Cleveland Plain Dealer, December 27, 2008
• Ohio needs to be ready for economic rebound, by Tom Breckenridge, Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 1, 2009
• Gas prices won't tell story of energy for 2009, by John Funk, Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 2, 2009
• Local manufacturing woes likely to spread to other sectors, by Frank Bentayou, Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 3, 2009

Lingering cloud likely for Toledo-area economy in '09, by Gary T. Pakulski, Toledo Blade, January 4, 2009
Toledo—If long-term trends persist, the regional economy is not likely to begin to improve until six months after the national economy starts to revive. The president of Toledo's Regional Growth Partnership said his agency is talking with about 70 firms about locating or expanding in this region, compared to about 60 last year.

Region's biomedical companies could have tougher time finding investors, by Mary Vanac, Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 4, 2009
Cleveland—An economy in recession could make it tougher for Northeast Ohio companies to get the investments they need to develop their medical devices, drugs and therapies for market. But private-equity investors say there's still a lot of money waiting in investment funds to be plowed into promising biomedical companies.

Editorial: Entrepreneur networking group hopes to seed Cleveland's future, Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 4, 2009
Cleveland—Earlier this month, more than 350 people gathered at the House of Blues in downtown Cleveland for the official launch of TiE Ohio, a new organization that aims to nurture and accelerate entrepreneurial activity in Northeast Ohio. A boost in the entrepreneurial spirit is something Northeast Ohio badly needs: Statistics show that new enterprises here fail no more often than start-ups elsewhere, but that proportionately, this region generates fewer of them.

Economy's gloomy but believe it or not, bright spots exist on technology front, by Paula Schleis, Akron Beacon Journal, January 3, 2009
Akron—Several nonprofit business development groups devoted to transforming Northeast Ohio have issued year-end newsletters replete with silver linings.

Manufacturing hits 28-year low; decline greater than expected, by Ellen Simon, AP via Akron Beacon Journal, January 3, 2009
New York—The Institute of Supply Management's manufacturing index fell to its lowest point in 28 years, with every sector of the index showing weakness. In addition, the Bureau of Economic Analysis announced the GDP decreased at an annual rate of 0.5 percent in the third quarter of 2008.

• Manufacturing tumbles globally, by Kelly Evans and Robert Guy Matthews, Wall Street Journal, January 3, 2009 (Subscription)
• Economists react: Manufacturing weakness seen in every sector, Wall Street Journal, January 2, 2009 (Subscription)

Archway owes about $1 million locally, by Linda Martz, Ashland News Journal, January 3, 2009
Ashland, Ohio—Local businesses owed nearly $1 million by Archway Cookies are waiting to see whether they'll be paid. Lance Inc. purchased Archway's Ashland plant in mid-December and reopened the bakery. The bankruptcy action filed by the previous owners is in federal court in Delaware.

Ford exec sees 2008 industry sales at 13.5M, by Jeff Bennett, Dow Jones Newswires via Wall Street Journal, January 3, 2009 (Subscription)
Detroit—Ford Motor Co. forecast Friday a 2008 industry wide U.S. sales drop of 19% in light-vehicle sales and warned the buying slowdown won't change much in the first quarter. Ford's chief sales analyst, George Pipas, said a bright spot may come in the second half of 2009 as efforts to stimulate the economy finally take hold.