Diebold marks 150th anniversary, Canton Repository, February 13, 2009
Canton—Diebold President and CEO Thomas Swidarski spoke at a program Thursday at the Canton Memorial Civic Center celebrating the company's 150th anniversary. The Green, Ohio-based company employs more than 17,000 people in nearly 90 countries worldwide.

How the stimulus bill helps Ohio, by Jonathan Riskind, Mark Niquette and Jack Torry, Columbus Dispatch, February 13, 2009
Columbus—Ohio stands to gain about $900 million to build or repair roads and bridges. However, state officials had identified $2.7 billion in "shovel-ready" projects. Other funds coming to the state from the stimulus: $203 million for mass transit and $283 million for water/sewer projects.

• Stimulus could help save or create 133,000 Ohio jobs, by Stephen Koff, Sabrina Eaton and Mark Naymik, Cleveland Plain Dealer, February 13, 2009

Great Lakes Energy Development Task Force gets infusion of cash, by Tom Breckenridge, Cleveland Plain Dealer, February 13, 2009
Cleveland—Officials with the Great Lakes Energy Development Task Force announced Thursday they have received $672,000 dollars from the Cleveland Foundation.

RPM subsidiary buys stake in Chinese company, Cleveland Plain Dealer, February 13, 2009
Medina, Ohio—RPM International Inc.'s Carboline Co. subsidiary bought a 49 percent interest in its Chinese licensee, Carboline Dalian Paint Production Co. Ltd. Terms were not disclosed.

Manufacturers consider migrating back to U.S., Industry Week, February 13, 2009
Stamford, Conn.—A new study suggests that companies are contemplating the re-establishment of manufacturing domestically, amid strategic challenges within the off-shoring model. The study found that almost 90% of the companies surveyed are considering changing their manufacturing and supply strategy.

• Manufacturers contemplate migration back to U.S., Archstone Consulting press release, February 9, 2009
• Does offshoring still make sense? by John Ferreira and Len Prokopets, Supply Chain Management Review, January 2009

The allure of industrial machinery, by Christopher Zinsli, Wall Street Journal, Venture Capital Blog, February 12, 2009 (subscription)
New York—Though they still only pulled in a tiny fraction of the total venture dollars last year, companies operating in the machinery and industrial goods space more than doubled their take. The jump wasn’t an anomaly, since investment in the sector has risen every year since 2005.

Chrysler predicts four-year sales lag, AP via Akron Beacon Journal, February 13, 2009
Chicago—Chrysler LLC President Jim Press said his company is assuming U.S. auto sales might stay at about 10 million annually for four years. U.S. industrywide annual sales at that rate would be down from an average of more than 16 million cars and light trucks during this decade.

Toyota cutting U.S. executives' pay, offering buyouts, by Tali Arbel, AP via Akron Beacon Journal, February 13, 2009
New York—Toyota Motor Corp. is reacting to the slump in U.S. auto sales by further cutting North American production, slashing executives' compensation up to 30 percent and offering buyouts to about 18,000 workers.

Railroad snag holds up action on V&M expansion, by David Skolnick, Youngstown Vindicator, February 13, 2009
Youngstown, Ohio—The city’s board of control postponed voting on legislation related to a potential expansion of V&M Star Steel because the company company is still negotiating the relocation of a Norfolk Southern railroad line that runs through the site of the planned expansion.

Recycler settles complaint over air pollution, Youngstown Vindicator, February 13, 2009
Warren, Ohio—Re-Gen Inc., Pittsburgh-based company that recycles hydrochloric acid used in the steelmaking process at the former WCI Steel mill in Warren Township, has settled a complaint with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency by agreeing to pay permit fees of $8,000 and a civil penalty of $70,000.

Regional Layoff Announcements:

• Northwood’s Norplas to lay off 190 employees, Toledo Blade, February 13, 2009
• 86 Newman Tech workers lose jobs, by Lisa Miller, Mansfield News Journal, February 13, 2009
• Ridge Tool lays off 40 employees, by Jeff Green, Lorain Morning Journal, February 12, 2009
  

Earnings Reports:

• Profit up 52 percent at Sifco Industries, by Frank Bentayou, Cleveland Plain Dealer, February 13, 2009
• Olympic Steel Q4 profit falls; full-year results reach record high, Cleveland Plain Dealer, February 12, 2009
• Diebold raises quarterly dividend 4%, Crain's Cleveland Business, February 11, 2009
• Toledo's Libbey Inc. has $69 million quarterly loss, Toledo Blade, February 11, 2009

Ohio talking with Alcoa about aiding in repair of Cleveland Works press, by Frank Bentayou, Cleveland Plain Dealer, February 12, 2009
Cleveland—State officials are in talks with Alcoa Inc. over how to help the company's Cleveland Works fix a critical piece of manufacturing equipment and keep 1,250 jobs here.

Park-Ohio Holdings CEO cuts $600,000 from his bonus, by Frank Bentayou, Cleveland Plain Dealer, February 12, 2009
Cleveland—A routine regulatory filing has revealed that Edward Crawford, chairman and chief executive of Park-Ohio Holdings Corp., voluntarily waived $600,000 of his 2008 bonus. Crawford tells the PD that the company is not in financial difficulty, but he did it "for the good of the company," noting the global business downturn and recent layoffs at the manufacturing and supply chain logistics company.

$150,000 dispensed to 3 local technology firms, Toledo Blade, February 12, 2009
Toledo—Maumee-based Red Lion Bio-Energy LLC, Toledo-based InSitu Foods Inc. and Toledo-based ShadePlex LLC each received $50,000 grants from the Regional Growth Partnership.

Study sees 33 percent jump in biofuels use by 2030, Toledo Blade, February 11, 2009
Sioux Falls, S.D.—The United States could produce enough ethanol to displace nearly a third of all gasoline use by 2030, but gas would have to cost more than it does today for the plan to work, according to a study released yesterday by Sandia National Laboratories and General Motors Corp.

Investors in ethanol plant won’t get money back, by Kyle Robertson, AP via Canton Repository, February 12, 2009
Lima, Ohio—Investors in a failed Ohio ethanol plant are unlikely to get their money back. The sale price—$5.7 million—is far less than what creditors had hoped the $150 million plant would bring. A bankruptcy court judge could approve the deal as early as next week.

• Ethanol, just recently a savior, is struggling, by Mark Hirsch, New York Times, February 12, 2009

Libbey cuts pay, freezes dividend; actions aim to add cash flow, by Larry P. Vellequette, Toledo Blade, February 12, 2009
Toledo—Libbey Inc., one of Toledo's oldest and most widely known companies, yesterday reported a massive loss for the fourth quarter and for all of 2008, prompting employee pay cuts and the end of its stock dividend. "We expect a challenge of historic proportion in 2009 given the economic climate, and we plan to meet it head-on," said John Meier, Libbey's chairman and chief executive officer.

Dundee (Mich.) engine plant may receive Fiat work, Toledo Blade, February 12, 2009
Chicago—At a press conference before the Chicago Auto Show a Chrysler LLC spokesman said the company may produce 4-cylinder engines for Fiat SpA at a plant in Dundee, Mich. between Detroit and Toledo. The Dundee plant is owned by Chrysler and operated by Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance LLC.

Chief: GM will meet new fuel rules, AP via Youngstown Vindicator, February 11, 2009
Washington—General Motors CEO Rick Wagoner said Tuesday the automaker is committed to meeting tighter fuel-efficiency requirements as he met with House and Senate leaders who could play a role in developing global warming legislation.

MEP association launches next generation manufacturing study, Industry Week, February 12, 2009
Washington—The American Small Manufacturers Coalition launched a study to assess America's progress in adopting manufacturing strategies necessary to win in the global economy. The study will be coordinated by the nation's Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) centers. MAGNET is the MEP center for 29 Northern Ohio counties, and will be sending out information about the study in the coming weeks.

Ford says industry sales stabilizing, AP via Canton Repository, February 11, 2009
Chicago—Jim Farley, Ford’s global marketing chief, said Wednesday the nation’s automobile industry is beginning to stabilize, after months of freefalling sales. Meanwhile, the country’s used car market has come “roaring back” since January.

Related story:

• Auto execs: Sales are stabilizing, AP via Youngstown Vindicator, February 12, 2009
  Chicago—Auto industry analyst Erich Merkle said he thinks the industry may have reached finally reached a tentative plateau. "I think it gets a little bit better each month for the rest of the year," said Ed Peper, GM's North American VP for Chevrolet.

GM to get tax break as part of stimulus bill, AP via Toledo Blade, February 12, 2009
Washington—General Motors Corp. would receive a tax break as part of the stimulus bill announced yesterday. The automaker argued its government-led restructuring would unintentionally lead to at least $7 billion in tax liabilities.

Chevrolet Volt to feature newest Goodyear tire, Akron Beacon Journal, February 11, 2009
Akron—The new Assurance Fuel Max tire announced by Goodyear earlier this month will be the original equipment tire on the 2011 Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid car.

Parma, Lordstown may not see big GM cuts, by Robert Schoenberger, Cleveland Plain Dealer, February 11, 2009
Cleveland—A GM spokesman said the company's corporate restructuring will be very targeted. In light of the company's recent important Ohio investments, the PD reporter speculates that may not mean big cuts for GM plants in Parma and Lordstown.

Investors likely losers in GO Ethanol sale, by Bart Mills, Lima News, February 11, 2009
Lima, Ohio—Paladin Capital Group, the Washington, D.C.-based equity company and leading bidder on the bankrupt GO Ethanol plant, is the same company that put together $145 million in debt and equity financing to launch construction of the plant just two years ago.

How Ohio fares in stimulus bill, Cleveland Plain Dealer, February 11, 2009
Cleveland—Ohio could get $7.9 billion in the version of the economic stimulus bill passed by the Senate on Tuesday, according to estimates by Sen. Sherrod Brown.

• State creates Ohio-focused information web site for stimulus plan, Youngstown Vindicator, February 11, 2009

Medina printing plant to stay open into 2010, by Jim Mackinnon, Akron Beacon Journal, February 11, 2009
Medina, Ohio—Baltimore-based Vertis Communications, owner of American Color Graphics, said the Medina-based printing plant will remain open through the middle of 2010. The plant prints newspaper advertising inserts and other materials; the Akron Beacon Journal is among its customers.

GM to drop 10,000 salaried workers, cut wages for others by 10%, by Robert Schoenberger, Cleveland Plain Dealer, February 10, 2009
Cleveland—General Motors Corp. said it would cut 10,000 salaried positions this year, including 3,400 job cuts in the United States. In addition, the company will cut executive salaries by 10 percent starting May 1.

• GM to cut salaried staff by 14%, by Kerry E. Grace, Wall Street Journal, February 10, 2009 (Subscription)
• GM to cut 10,000 salaried jobs, AP via Warren Tribune Chronicle, February 10, 2009

Lordstown upgrade could mean more cars, Wire Services via Akron Beacon Journal, February 10, 2009
Lordstown, Ohio—The Chevrolet Cruze could just be the start of new vehicles coming to Lordstown. Manager John Donahoe said Cruze production will begin in October.

Groundbreaking Lutz to retire from GM, AP via Akron Beacon Journal, February 10, 2009
Detroit—GM's Product Development Chief Bob Lutz, a giant personality in the auto industry, is set to retire from his post at General Motors Corp. at the end of the year, the company said Monday. Lutz will be replaced by Thomas Stephens, who now is executive vice president of global powertrain and quality.

Nissan slashing 20,000 jobs, AP via Akron Beacon Journal, February 10, 2009
Tokyo—Nissan announced 20,000 job cuts Monday, the deepest reduction among Japan's automakers as it forecast its first annual financial loss in nine years.

• Nissan says more job cuts not planned in the U.S., AP via Youngstown Vindicator, February 10, 2009

Owens-Illinois looks to shut down more glass furnaces, Toledo Blade, February 10, 2009
Miami—Owens-Illinois Inc. top executives told investors Monday that the Perrysburg bottle manufacturer is about halfway through its two-year effort to streamline and modernize its production, and may shut down an additional 10 to 15 furnaces this year.

GO Ethanol to sell for $5.75M pending court approval, by Tyrel Linkhorn, Lima News, February 10, 2009
Lima, Ohio—Greater Ohio Ethanol has reached an agreement to sell the now-bankrupt Perry Township plant for a fraction of the $150 million it cost to build the facility to to Paladin Ethanol Acquisition. The sale still must be approved by the bankruptcy court.

$970M expansion for V&M advances, by David Skolnick, Youngstown Vindicator, February 10, 2009
Youngstown, Ohio—V&M Star Steel and the Youngstown Board of Control are nearing agreement on negotiations that would allow the manufacturer of seamless steel tubes used in the oil and gas industry to move ahead with a major expansion.

Dike for new port home could cost $300 million, by Tom Breckenridge, Cleveland Plain Dealer, February 10, 2009
Cleveland—The Army Corps of Engineers estimates it will cost $250 million to $300 million to dike 157 acres of the lake north of East 55th Street, to serve as the port's new home. Leaders of the Cleveland port authority think the estimate is too high.

Smucker expanding Kentucky plant, by Janet H. Cho, Cleveland Plain Dealer, February 10, 2009
Orrville, Ohio—The J.M. Smucker Co. is expanding capacity at its Scottsville, Ky., plant to make more Hungry Jack Snack'n Waffles, a grab-and-go, pre-sweetened snack.

GM trying to reclaim Delphi plants, AP via Warren Tribune Chronicle, February 9, 2009
Detroit—An unnamed source told the Associated Press that General Motors is discussing taking back some factories from its former parts division, Delphi Corp.

• Report: GM may buy back part of Delphi, by Thomas Gnau, Dayton Daily News, February 9, 2009

Conneaut industry ready to handle new business, by Mark Todd, Conneaut Star Beacon, February 9, 2009
Conneaut, Ohio—Continental Structural Plastics' Conneaut plant (CSP Ohio) is bucking the economic trend of the past few months, recalling employees and gearing up to handle new business, officials said. The plant, which makes fiberglass and reinforced plastic parts, employs 157 people.

Pent-up demand could quickly pull economy out of its hole, by Justin Lahart, Wall Street Journal, February 8, 2009 (Subscription)
New York—But just as economists were caught flat-footed by the sharpness of the downturn, history says they could be surprised by the speed and strength of the recovery—once the economy shows signs of turning around.

Ford Taurus redesign takes bull by the horns, by G. Chambers Williams III, San Antonio Express-News via Akron Beacon Journal, February 8, 2009
Detroit—During the recent Detroit auto show, Ford rolled out the next generation of its once best-selling sedan, the Taurus. For 2010, Taurus will get an all-new design, on a new chassis.

Elyria's Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems technology helps trucks avoid accidents, by Robert Schoenberger, Cleveland Plain Dealer, February 7, 2009
Elyria, Ohio—Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC, headquartered here, has developed adaptive cruise control for trucks, a system that warns the truck driver when the truck is getting too close to the cars in front.

SolidWorks co-founder predicts four key trends in CAD, by Karen Field, Design News, February 2009
Co-founder and Group Executive John Hirschtick mesmerized the 4,300+ attendees at the Tuesday General Session of SolidWorks World 2009 with four predictions ranging from user interface technology to prototyping.

Goldfire 5.0 takes aim at every day innovation, by Beth Stackpole, Design News, January 29, 2009
This story about the new features in Invention Machine's Goldfire application mentions MAGNET's Senior Design Engineer, Dave Pierson, who used the software to solve a Van de Graaff generator-type problem while consulting on development of a machine used to automate fittings.

Opinion: Setting alternative energy in motion, Joseph Ogando, Design News, January 2009
Among the technologies that will play a role in America's growing desire for energy independence, motion control and automation systems don't get much attention. But they should.