Chrysler bankruptcy filing freezes debts, by Carl Ryan, Bloomberg News via Toledo Blade, May 1, 2009
New York—The judge in the bankruptcy case of Chrysler LLC will determine whether the parties owed money by the automaker will receive any payment, and if so, how much, and will decide if a liquidation is needed, experts said.

• Chrysler bankruptcy holds survival hopes; plants idle until firm emerges, AP via Toledo Blade, May 1, 2009
• Northeast Ohio Chrysler workers, suppliers, dealers react to bankruptcy filing, by Robert Schoenberger, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 30, 2009
• Fiat's Marchionne willing to shake up tradition, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 30, 2009
• Chrysler to idle plants until Fiat deal done, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 30, 2009
• Chrysler pushed into Fiat's arms, by Neil King Jr. and Jeffrey McCracken, Wall Street Journal, May 1, 2009 (Subscription)
• Chrysler's Chapter 11 filing to bring clarity to creditors, by Dan Shingler, Crains' Cleveland Business, April 30, 2009 (Subscription)
• What does Chrysler's filing mean for GM, suppliers? USA Today, April 30, 2009

Manufacturing declines at slower rate in April, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 1, 2009
Washington—The Institute of Supply Management reported that U.S. manufacturing activity contracted at a slower-than expected pace in April, raising hopes that the steep plunge that began last fall may be moderating. The performance was driven by a rise in new orders.

• Factory sector improved in April, by Kathleen Madigan and Jeff Bater, Wall Street Journal, May 1, 2009 (Subscription)

Economic firm predicts recession is nearing end, Reuters via Toledo Blade, May 1, 2009
New York—The longest U.S. recession in more than a half-century will probably end before the summer is out, according to the Economic Cycle Research Institute.

Myers board survives proxy contest, by Jim Mackinnon, Akron Beacon Journal, May 1, 2009
Akron—Myers Industries board of directors won a proxy contest against one of the company's largest shareholders, Gamco Asset Management Inc. All nine of the directors supported by Myers won one-year terms handily.

Wind turbines on Lake Erie could cost up to $91 million, by Tom Breckenridge, Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 1, 2009
Cleveland—Erecting a small array of turbines three miles off Cleveland's downtown could cost from $78 million to $91 million, Cuyahoga County's energy task force reported Friday.

• Researchers releasing Lake Erie wind turbine study, AP via Akron Beacon Journal, May 1, 2009

Alternative energy's fortunes shift with the winds, by Jeffrey Ball, Wall Street Journal, May 1, 2009 (Subscription)
Cedar Rapids, Iowa—James Dehlsen Dehlsen, chairman of Clipper Windpower, one of a few U.S. wind-turbine makers, says the wind industry has been impacted heavily by the economic downturn. Today's recession is whipsawing renewable-energy companies regardless of their nationality.

• Ford April sales off 32%, gains market share, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 1, 2009
• Cliffs Natural Resources reports first-quarter loss of $7.4 million, by Frank Bentayou, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 30, 2009
• OC, Libbey sales down, losses rise in 1st quarter, Toledo Blade, May 1, 2009
• GrafTech says first-quarter 2009 profits fell 76.9%, by Frank Bentayou, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 30, 2009
• Keithley Instruments Inc. reports $10.3 million second-quarter loss, by Frank Bentayou, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 30, 2009
• Olympic Steel Inc. reports $25.5 million first quarter loss, by Frank Bentayou, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 30, 2009
• Newell profit falls 41 percent in quarter, by Ashley M. Heher, AP via Akron Beacon Journal, May 1, 2009
• Goodyear posts 1Q loss, sales drop, by M.R. Kropko, AP via Canton Repository, April 30, 2009
• Owens-Illinois reports fall in first-quarter profits, Toledo Blade, April 30, 2009
• First Solar profits triple; CEO Ahearn to exit post, Toledo Blade, April 30, 2009

Shearer's acquires Pa. pretzel facility; wins regional award, Canton Repository, April 30, 2009
Brewster, Ohio—Shearer’s Foods has introduced three new pretzel products being produced at the Canonsburg, Pa., manufacturing operation it recently acquired. The company also was honored at the 93rd annual Massillon Area Chamber of Commerce Dinner with the Business of the Year Award.

Solar plant CEO denies Florida deal, by Jon Chavez, Toledo Blade, April 30, 2009
Perrysburg, Ohio—Willard & Kelsey Solar Group LLC, which a month ago said it would build solar panels in Perrysburg beginning this year, yesterday denied a published report that it signed a deal to put its headquarters and a major manufacturing complex in the Orlando, Fla., area.

ABB Inc. to cut 50 jobs in Wickliffe, by Frank Bentayou, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 30, 2009
Wickliffe, Ohio—Zurich, Switzerland-based ABB Inc. will close the R&D functions at its Lake County facility, laying off about 50 engineering and R&D employees.

With financing tight, Perrysburg tool firm must close up shop, by Gary T. Pakulski, Toledo Blade, April 30, 2009
Perrysburg, Ohio—When Clarke Power Products Inc. filed for Chapter 11 in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Toledo in January, officials hoped to restructure. But they were unable to secure bank financing and were forced to liquidate.

Editorial: Congress must join the president in support for Great Lakes trust fund, Akron Beacon Journal, April 30, 2009
Akron—During the presidential campaign, President Barack Obama called for establishing a $5 billion trust fund, a down payment on the $26 billion restoration plan called the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration. The President's recently released federal budget plan includes only $475 million for that purpose. But lawmakers on the budget and appropriation committees must ensure the money finds a secure place in the federal spending plan.

• Obama's Great Lakes plan likely to be spelled out next week, by Stephen Koff, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 30, 2009
  

Global Cardiovascular Innovation Center ready for next round of grant-seekers, by Mary Vanac, MedCity News, April 30, 2009
Cleveland—The Global Cardiovascular Innovation Center in Cleveland is looking for young companies that need financial and developmental help to take their heart-related products to market.

GM problems won’t impact area too much, by Mark Todd, Ashtabula Star Beacon, April 30, 2009
Ashtabula—Very few local parts manufacturers do business with General Motors, easing the local economic impact of the automotive giant's upcoming restructuring program, officials said.

• GM revises shutdown schedule at Toledo plant, Toledo Blade, April 30, 2009
• Opinion: GM's new reality, Toledo Blade, April 30, 2009

Severstal Warren may cut salary jobs, by Larry Ringler, Warren Tribune Chronicle, April 30, 2009
Warren, Ohio—Salaried workers at the Severstal Warren Inc. steel mill could face layoffs as orders decline for the mill's products, a spokeswoman said Wednesday.

China's stimulus spurs U.S. business, by James T. Areddy and Timothy Aeppel, Wall Street Journal, April 30, 2009 (Subscription)
New York—China's efforts to quickly pump up its economy are providing a much-needed boost for U.S. businesses as well. A growing number of companies, from tire and excavator makers to fast-food chains, are benefiting from China's $585 billion stimulus program.

Cleveland's downtown waterfront gets a makeover on paper, by Tom Breckenridge, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 30, 2009
Cleveland—During afternoon and evening sessions, four experts in urban redevelopment captivated crowds totaling more than 200 at the Great Lakes Science Center and Cleveland State University with views on how the 100 acres west of Cleveland Browns Stadium can become a regional signature.

Northeast Ohio dominates latest round of Third Frontier grants, by Chuck Soder, Crains' Cleveland Business, April 30, 2009 (Subscription)
Cleveland—Nine Northeast Ohio companies and institutions have been awarded a total of more than $29 million in state grants aimed at helping them commercialize new technologies.

Manufacturing for biomedical industry topic of May 7 forum, by Sarah Latson, MedCity News, April 29, 2009
Cleveland—Next week, manufacturers looking to branch out into the biomedical industry will be able to get some tips from people whose businesses already participate in that market.

Government, major Chrysler debt holders reach deal, by Stephen Manning, AP via Akron Beacon Journal, April 29, 2009
Washington—A person familiar with the talks says the Treasury Department has reached a tentative agreement with four of Chrysler's major debt holders as the automaker races to stave off bankruptcy.

• Chrysler agreements make liquidation less likely, AP via Canton Repository, April 28, 2009
• Banks, lenders near Chrysler debt deal, by John D. Stoll, Neil King Jr. and Stacy Meichtry, Wall Street Journal, April 28, 2009 (Subscription)

Chrysler workers at Twinsburg Stamping Plant face hard decision, by Robert Schoenberger, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 29, 2009
Twinsburg, Ohio—Chrysler's Twinsburg Stamping Plant is plant is operating at about 30 percent capacity. Today, workers in Twinsburg and several other Chrysler plants will vote on contract changes critical to the company's survival.

• Jeep workers favor new Chrysler/UAW pact, by Jon Chavez, Toledo Blade, April 29, 2009

Opinion: The truth about cars and trucks, by Holman W. Jenkins Jr., Wall Street Journal, April 28, 2009 (Subscription)
New York—What you're seeing is not a new beginning for the homegrown auto sector. It's the culmination of a decades-old, dishonestly peddled auto policy.

Auto task force rejects Delphi steering sale to GM, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 29, 2009
Detroit—The government's auto task force has rejected a deal that would allow parts supplier Delphi Corp. to sell its steering business to General Motors Corp., but an agreement still is possible.

Nine Northeast Ohio technology organizations get grants from Third Frontier Comission, by Shaheen Samavati, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 29, 2009
Columbus—A state commission awarded $40.1 million in Third Frontier grants Tuesday to 15 organizations, including nine in Northeast Ohio, that are developing new and innovative technologies.

ArcelorMittal most likely to seek new loan terms, by Mark Herlihy, Bloomberg News via Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 29, 2009
Pittsburgh—ArcelorMittal, the world's biggest steel maker, will probably seek to renegotiate terms on $36 billion of loans after cutting production by almost half amid collapsing demand.

Nardelli says Chrysler making progress, AP via Akron Beacon Journal, April 29, 2009
New York—With one day left to go before its deadline, Chrysler LLC's chief executive said today that the automaker is making progress toward meeting the government's restructuring requirements.

Meggitt's defense jobs to stay in Akron, senator reports, Beacon Journal Wire Reports, Akron Beacon Journal, April 29, 2009
Washington—Meggitt Aircraft Braking Systems will keep U.S. defense-related jobs at its Akron facility while continuing to move commercial manufacturing jobs to Mexico, Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown announced Tuesday.

Toledo Powertrain to begin 8-week shutdown on May 11, Toledo Blade, April 29, 2009
Detroit—General Motors Corp. announced Tuesday that its Toledo Powertrain plant will begin what is expected to be an eight-week shutdown on May 11 because of slow sales.

Toledo area firms operating in Mexico take steps to fight flu, by Gary T. Pakulski, Toledo Blade, April 29, 2009
Toledo—Across northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan, officials of companies with operations in the nation where the bug was first identified are closely monitoring events and taking steps to curb the spread of the flu that has begun showing up worldwide.

Economy's free-fall eased in first quarter, AP via Warren Tribune Chronicle, April 29, 2009
Washington—The government will release a report today that is expected to show that the worst of the recession may be past.

Severstal Warren sale debated, by Larry Ringler, Warren Tribune Chronicle, April 29, 2009
Warren, Ohio—A report Tuesday from Steel Business Briefing cited unnamed sources saying that AK Steel executives may have discussed making an offer to buy the Warren steel mill from Severstal North America Inc.

Earnings Reports:

• ArcelorMittal sales almost halve, BBC News, April 29, 2009
• Goodyear loses $333 million in first quarter, tire sales fall 20%, by Frank Bentayou, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 29, 2009
• Lincoln Electric reports first-quarter loss of $3.6 million, by Frank Bentayou, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 29, 2009
• RTI posts loss; weighs more cuts, by Larry Ringler, Warren Tribune Chronicle, April 29, 2009
• RTI International lost $1.5M on sales in first quarter of this year, Youngstown Vindicator, April 28, 2008
• Timken sees first-quarter earnings plunge, cuts dividend and outlook, Crains' Cleveland Business, April 27, 2009 (Subscription)
• Timken cuts dividend as first-quarter income declines, Canton Repository, April 27, 2009
• Invacare reports modest increase in first-quarter earnings, Crains' Cleveland Business, April 23, 2009 (Subscription)
• Preformed Line Products posts modest dip in first-quarter profits, Crains' Cleveland Business, April 23, 2009 (Subscription)

Leaders of UAW OK givebacks to Chrysler, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 28, 2009
Sterling Heights, Mich.—Factory-level leaders of the United Auto Workers voted unanimously Monday night to recommend approval of concessions that could give a union-run trust 55 percent ownership of a restructured Chrysler LLC.

• UAW leaders recommend approval of Chrysler deal, by David N. Goodman and Tom Krisher, AP via Canton Repository, April 27, 2009

Timken plans to eliminate 3,000 more jobs this year, by Frank Bentayou, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 28, 2009
Canton—Timken Co. said Monday that low global demand for some products will result in at least 3,000 job cuts through the rest of 2009.

Morgan Engineering gets tax credit, by G. Patrick Kelley, Canton Repository, April 28, 2009
Alliance, Ohio—Morgan Engineering has been awarded a 40 percent, five-year job-creation tax credit to expand here. The credit is part of a planned $3.5 million project that will enable Morgan to buy machinery and equipment from a company in Buffalo, N.Y.

GM plans to sell Saturn this year, 2 years early, AP via Canton Repository, April 28, 2009
Detroit—The top executive of General Motors Corp.’s Saturn brand says the company will sell or phase out the brand by the end of this year, nearly two years faster than previously announced.

Timken donates apartment goods to charities, Canton Repository, April 28, 2009
Canton—Timken Co. decided to end leasees on 17 of the 47 apartments it maintains for relocating employees and foreign visitors. The company is donating the unneeded furnishings to to Habitat for Humanity and the YWCA’s transitional housing program.

Honda may soon make plug-in cars, Bloomberg News via Akron Beacon Journal, April 28, 2009
New York—Honda Motor Co., the only company selling hydrogen-powered cars to U.S. drivers, might also develop plug-in models as U.S. policy shifts to favor battery-powered autos.

Daimler reaches deal on final split from Chrysler, by Bree Fowler, AP via Akron Beacon Journal, April 28, 2009
New York—Germany's Daimler AG said today it has reached a deal to get rid of its remaining 19.9 percent stake in Chrysler LLC, severing the last tie between the two automakers that was formed more than a decade ago.

Optimism and Japan's auto makers, by James Simms, Wall Street Journal, April 28, 2009 (Subscription)
New York—Confounding expectations, Honda Motor and Mitsubishi Motors had some good news this week: They forecast a profitable year ahead.

GM to scrap Pontiac, cut 21,000 jobs, by Robert Schoenberger, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 27, 2009
Detroit—General Motors says it will cut 21,000 U.S. factory jobs by next year and phase out its storied Pontiac brand as part of a major restructuring effort needed to get more government aid.

More auto industry headlines:

• General Motors could end up leaner, owned by government, AP via Youngstown Vindicator, April 28, 2009
• GM's new plan: Fewer jobs, more Chevy Volt, by Keith Johnson, Wall Street Journal, Environmental Capital Blog, April 28, 2009 (Subscription)
• Government, UAW to own 89% of GM if restructuring deal works, by Robert Schoenberger, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 27, 2009
• G.M.'s latest plan envisions a much smaller automaker, by Bill Vlasic and Nick Bunkley, New York Times, April 27, 2009
• U.S. would hold majority stake in new GM plan, by Sharon Terlep, Wall Street Journal, April 27, 2009 (Subscription)
• Chrysler, UAW amend labor pact to cut costs, by John D. Stoll and Jeff Bennett, Wall Street Journal, April 27, 2009 (Subscription)
• GM scrambles to survive, by Kerry E. Grace, Wall Street Journal, April 27, 2009 (Subscription)
• UAW, Chrysler and Fiat reach concession deal, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 26, 2009
• Ford posts loss of $1.4 billion in first quarter, by Kimberly S. Johnson and Tom Krisher, AP via Akron Beacon Journal, April 25, 2009
• Fiat is a winner in Chrysler debt talks, by Jeffrey McCracken, Kate Linebaugh and Stacy Meichtry, Wall Street Journal, April 25, 2009 (Subscription)
• Ford targets rivals as loss eases, by Matthew Dolan, Wall Street Journal, April 25, 2009 (Subscription)
• Ford shows it may be able to avoid federal bailout, AP via via Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 24, 2009

Magnet’s ecoSMART green initiative aims to help firms nurture sustainability—and profit, by Dan Shingler, Crains' Cleveland Business, April 27, 2009 (Subscription; or Download PDF)
Cleveland—Go green: it’s the color of money. That’s the message of Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network, which is unveiling a new program to help manufacturers adopt more sustainable practices.

Cuyahoga bolsters loan fund stimulus, by Dan Shingler, Crains' Cleveland Business, April 27, 2009
Cleveland—Cuyahoga County is channeling more money into a loan fund, administered by the Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network (MAGNET) so that those dollars can be lent directly to people and small companies looking to bring new ideas to market.

Opinion: We need an immigration stimulus, by L. Gordon Crovitz, Wall Street Journal, April 27, 2009 (Subscription)
Washington—The debate on immigration reform begins again this week with congressional hearings. An economic downturn is the right time to move on immigration, one of the few policy tools that could clearly boost growth.

Biomedical industry in Cleveland area growing, by Sarah Jane Tribble, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 26, 2009
Cleveland—Northeast Ohio's biomedical industry bucks the trend of bad economic news: It's growing. And it's growing faster here than elsewhere in the United States according to a new report out from Team Northeast Ohio.

• Area biomedical industry thriving at healthy pace, by Paula Schleis, Akron Beacon Journal, April 27, 2009

Made in Stark: Custom castings made at Omni Die Castings, Canton Repository, April 26, 2009
Massillon, Ohio—In the Repository's on-going series about manufacturing in Stark County, the publication features Omni Die Castings, a custom manufacturer of aluminum and zinc die castings, ranging from 1 ounce to 25 pounds.

Fortune 500 manufacturer thrives in Elyria after move, by Jeff Green, Lorain Morning Journal, April 26, 2009
Elyria, Ohio—Moving to Elyria from Oakwood Village earlier this year made dollars and sense for a commercial vehicle operation of Leggett & Platt a Fortune 500 diversified manufacturer. The company contracts with Ford to customizes Econoline vans for commercial purposes.

Durable goods, new homes better than expected, AP via Youngstown Vindicator, April 25, 2009
Washington—The Commerce Department announced demand for big-ticket manufactured goods and new-home sales both were better than expected in March, raising hopes that the long slides in manufacturing and housing are slowly coming to an end.