Detroit's crash doesn't stop the race, by Liam Denning, Wall Street Journal, May 29, 2009 (Subscription)
New York—When the U.S. auto industry emerges from its current gridlock, the real challenge will be staying ahead in a more competitive race. One analyst says the auto industry suppliers that survive will benefit from a leaner, meaner industry.

GM in last lap to Chapter 11, by Neil King Jr., John D. Stoll and Kevin Helliker, Wall Street Journal, May 29, 2009 (Subscription)
Detroit—The possibility of a speedy bankruptcy process gained ground Thursday after the government altered the terms of the restructuring.

• UAW workers in Lordstown overwhelmingly pass GM contract concessions, by Robert Schoenberger, Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 29, 2009
  
• GM confirms plans to build compact cars in U.S.—not China, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 29, 2009
• GM expected to file bankruptcy Monday; Big bondholders offered stake in new firm, Toledo Blade, May 29, 2009
  

Two companies express interest in Twinsburg Stamping plant, by Stephen Koff, Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 29, 2009
Washington—Magna Saxum Advisors and Park Corporation have expressed tentative interest in taking over parts Chrysler's Twinsburg Stamping Plant—but any deal is far from certain.

Chrysler's CEO sees sale to Fiat closing Friday, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 29, 2009
New York—Although Chrysler Chief Executive Robert Nardelli testified he expects quick approval for the company's proposed bankruptcy and sale of assets, attorneys representing three Indiana state pension and construction funds, which hold Chrysler debt and are aggressively opposing the sale, will appeal the decision.

New Dana chief packs sales skill with punch, by Larry P. Vellequette, Toledo Blade, May 29, 2009
Toledo—James E. Sweetnam, 56, the incoming chief executive of Toledo's largest company, is a West Point and Harvard-educated African-American judo instructor who's managed to expand sales in his profitable division in the face of a global economic hurricane.

Economy falls but analysts optimistic, AP via Warren Tribune Chronicle, May 29, 2009
Washington—The economy sank at a 5.7 percent pace in first quarter of 2009. Economists are hopeful that the economy isn't shrinking nearly as much in the April-to-June quarter as the recession eases its grip.

Fuel cell conference under way at Kent State Stark campus in North Canton, by John Funk, Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 28, 2009
North Canton, Ohio—Fuel cells, for years just over the technology horizon, are closer now than ever. So says Patrick Valente, the new director of the Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition and a past employee of the Ohio Department of Development who helped with funding of high-tech projects as a strategy to create jobs.

• Fuel cell industry powering up, by Paula Schleis, Akron Beacon Journal, May 28, 2009

Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic to get Third Frontier grants, by Reginald Fields, Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 28, 2009
Columbus—Case Western Reserve University and the Cleveland Clinic Foundation on Wednesday are slated to each receive a $3 million state research grant. Companies working with CWRU will be Parker Hannifin, Lubrizol Corp., Rockwell Automation, Swiger Coil Systems, Cleveland Electric Laboratories, Phillips Group, and Wm. Sopko & Sons Co.

Maumee Authority Stamping evicted from former Ford factory, by Jon Chavez, Toledo Blade, May 28, 2009
Toledo—Maumee Authority Stamping Inc.—the start-up effort to revive Ford Motor Corp.’s former Maumee Stamping Plant—was evicted yesterday from the 800,000-square-foot facility because the company allegedly couldn’t pay its bills.

Dana names fourth CEO in 16 months; Eaton Corp. exec to take post, by Larry P. Vellequette, Toledo Blade, May 28, 2009
Toledo—Dana Holding Corp., Toledo’s largest company, announced yesterday that it has chosen 56-year-old James E. Sweetnam as its next chief executive officer. Sweetnam most recently was president of Eaton’s $2.3 billion global truck group.

Sharper drop is forecast for factory production, by Timothy Aeppel, Wall Street Journal, May 28, 2009
Arlington, Va.—The Manufacturers Alliance/MAPI, a public-policy group, predicts that U.S. manufacturing output is expected to decline 12% this year, a much sharper pullback than the 8% predicted just three months ago. Some analysts see this sharp downturn setting the stage for a strong upswing.

U.S. manufacturing orders rose sharply in April, by Martin Curtsinger, AP via New York Times, May 28, 2009
Washington—The Commerce Department said demand for big-ticket manufactured goods soared by the largest amount in 16 months in April, the second increase in the last three months. But March estimates were revised downard to show a drop of 2.1 percent, a much bigger fall than the 0.8 percent decline previously reported.

Schulman adds to product line, Akron Beacon Journal, May 28, 2009
Fairlawn, Ohio—A. Schulman Inc. announced Wednesday that it has expanded two series of its Sunprene Elastomers products. Markets include hose and tubing, seals and gaskets, conveyor belts and heavy truck seals.

Union at Omnova Solutions' Mogadore plant ratifies contract, Crain's Cleveland Business, May 27, 2009
Mogadore, Ohio—Omnova Solutions (NYSE: OMN) said union employees at its plant in Mogadore—described by the company as the largest specialty latex plant in North America—have ratified a new, three-year contract.

Cleveland State revamps sensor center plan, by Shannon Mortland, Crain's Cleveland Business, May 22, 2009
Cleveland—After nearly having a $23.8 million grant revoked by the state, Cleveland State University has revamped its plan for the Wright Center for Sensor Systems Engineering. The new plan has eliminated the research aspect of the Wright Center and instead focuses on helping Ohio companies develop and commercialize sensor technology.

Bondholder group reaches deal for up to 25% GM stake, by Michael J. de la Merced, New York Times, May 28, 2009
New York—General Motors said Thursday that a group representing many of its largest bondholders had accepted a proposal offering up to a 25 percent stake in exchange for not opposing G.M.’s reorganization plan.

• GM bondholders reportedly OK debt offer; stocks rise sharply, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 28, 2009
• GM to say on Monday which 14 plants it will close, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 28, 2009
• The new GM -- Government Motors? AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 27, 2009

Chrysler cures a bankruptcy, but tests loom, by Bill Vlasic, New York Times, May 28, 2009
New York—With its court hearings moving quickly—even two months would be considered lightning-quick—a newly reorganized Chrysler could come out of bankruptcy as early as next week.

• Chrysler defends plan to prevent liquidation, AP via Toledo Blade, May 28, 2009
  New York—In a marathon court session yesterday, Chrysler LLC tried to fend off hundreds of objections to its plan to sell most of its assets to the Italian automaker Fiat Group SpA.

UAW discloses terms of GM deal, by John D. Stoll, Wall Street Journal, May 27, 2009 (Subscription)
Washington—The United Auto Workers union told its officials Tuesday that it will own 17.5% of General Motors Corp. once the car maker restructures as part of GM's obligation to fund retiree health care.

• UAW trust to get 17.5 percent of GM shares, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 27, 2009
• GM Lordstown workers to get details of offer, staff and wire reports, Youngstown Vindicator, May 27, 2009
  Detroit—Workers at GM’s Lordstown complex will hear details on the plans at meetings Thursday at the MetroPlex in Liberty.
• UAW leaders endorse GM contract changes, by Tim Higgins, Detroit Free Press via Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 26, 2009

Dana Corp. hires Eaton executive as new CEO, by Robert Schoenberger, Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 27, 2009
Cleveland—Toledo auto parts supplier Dana Corp. has hired James E. Sweetnam, 56, to be the company's new president and chief executive officer. John Devine will step down from those roles and become Dana's executive chairman.

Fertilizer unit feeds profits for Andersons, by Jon Chavez, Toledo Blade, May 27, 2009
Maumee, Ohio—The Andersons Inc.'s turf products group has been regaining strength and posted a $3.1 million profit for its last quarter. The unit—which makes fertilizers for lawns and golf courses—is benefiting from patented products - specifically a dispersible granule that has been embraced by golf courses. Last year, The Andersons received a $5 million matching grant from Ohio's Third Frontier project to develop more products using granule technology.

PolyOne Corp.'s plastic food- wrap business doing well in China, by Frank Bentayou, Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 27, 2009
Avon Lake, Ohio—PolyOne Corp., the Avon Lake chemical company has installations in four China cities: Shanghai, Dongguan, Shenzhen and Suzhou. Industry experts expect food wrap sales in China to grow more than 25 percent this year.

State OKs tax breaks for Barbasol to operate new plant in Ashland, Youngstown Vindicator, May 27, 2009
Columbus—The Ohio Tax Credit Authority approved the 55 percent, eight-year tax credit for Barbasol LLC, (valued at about $98,000 over the term) to help the company's potential expansion. The company, in turn, would commit to creating 30 jobs at a new 80,000-square-foot, $6.3 million facility in the Ashland Business Park.

Survey: Most economists see recession end in '09, by Jeannine Aversa, AP via Yahoo News, May 27, 2009
Washington—More than 90 percent of economists predict the recession will end this year, although the recovery is likely to be bumpy. That assessment came from leading forecasters in a survey by the National Association for Business Economics to be released Wednesday.

Experts: GM battle would be tough, by Don Shilling, Youngstown Vindicator, May 27, 2009
Youngstown—GM faces big fights in the courtroom and marketplace if it files for bankruptcy. General Motors appears ready to resort to bankruptcy to save the company, but industry analysts say it won’t be easy.

Chrysler on pace for swift finish to restructuring, by Tomoeh Murakami Tse and Peter Whoriskey, Washington Post, May 27, 2009
New York—Today, federal bankruptcy Judge Arthur Gonzalez is scheduled to consider a motion to sell most of Chrysler's assets to a new entity led by Italy's Fiat. The judge's approval would set up the automaker for one of the biggest and fastest bankruptcy proceedings of its kind.

• Chrysler sale hearing to go forward, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 26, 2009

Gates Foundation awards $1.5 million to NAM's Manufacturing Institute, National Association of Manufacturers, May 27, 2009
Washington—The Manufacturing Institute has been awarded a $1.5-million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to comprehensively plan and implement postsecondary education programs that include the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)-endorsed Manufacturing Skills Certification System.

Earnings Reports:

• Shiloh Industries sales fall by half as auto industry flounders, by Robert Schoenberger, Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 26, 2009
• Nordson Corp. reports second-quarter profit of $13.8 million, Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 22, 2009

Ed Montgomery, auto recovery czar, asked to help auto suppliers, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 26, 2009
Detroit—Michigan officials are asking the White House to help auto suppliers survive a "critical" 60-to-90-day period following a possible Chapter 11 filing by General Motors Corp.

Momentive Performance Materials outlines layoffs in Willoughby, by Dan Shingler, Crain's Cleveland Business, May 26, 2009
Albany, N.Y.—Momentive Performance Materials of Albany, N.Y., has let go 23 employees from its quartz-products plant in Willoughby and will lay off another 56, including 47 union employees, this fall.

Ohio Manufacturers' Association launches new EFCA web site, OMA, May 26, 2009
Columbus—The OMA launched a new web site, www.wearemanufacturers.com, which currently features the latest information on the Employee Free Choice Act.

Businesses vow to help set a price on carbon, by John Heilprin, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 26, 2009
Copenhagen—Business leaders vowed Monday to help world governments set a price on carbon, establishing a market that governments can use to cut greenhouse gases.

GM faces June 1 deadline, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 26, 2009
Milwaukee—The clock is ticking on a June 1 deadline for GM to restructure. The federal government has said that without changes, the automaker will have to file for bankruptcy protection by next Monday.

• GM says bondholder offer fails; bankruptcy closer, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 27, 2009
• U.S. Expected to Own 70% of Restructured GM, by Micheline Maynard and David E. Sanger, New York Times, May 27, 2009
• Bondholders push GM to brink of bankruptcy, by Sharon Terlep, Wall Street Journal, May 26, 2009 (Subscription)

Volkswagen, BYD may team up on plug-in cars, by Christoph Rauwald and Norihikou Shirouzu, Wall Street Journal, May 26, 2009 (Subscription)
Frankfurt, Germany—Volkswagen AG said it and Chinese battery and auto maker BYD Co. will explore options for teaming up on hybrid and electric vehicles powered by lithium batteries, a move that highlights global auto makers' efforts to secure supplies of batteries for alternative vehicles.

Obama administration sparks battery gold rush, by William M. Bulkeley, Wall Street Journal, May 26, 2009 (Subscription)
New York—The Energy Department has been soliciting applications for $2.4 billion in funding aimed at turning the U.S. into a battery-manufacturing powerhouse. At the deadline last week, the department said it had received 165 applications.

State gives $8 million to Summit and Stark to clear up old sites, allow development, spur economic growth, by Paula Schleis, Akron Beacon Journal, May 25, 2009
Akron—About $8 million of the $20 million handed out by the Ohio Department of Development under the Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund is destined for Summit and Stark counties. Target industries include precision metals machining and fabrication, energy and chemical research and development, polymer product manufacturing, and warehousing/distributing.

Robert Kidder named chairman of new post-Chapter 11 Chrysler, by Alisa Priddle and David Shepardson, Detroit News via Akron Beacon Journal, May 24, 2009
Detroit—C. Robert Kidder is to become chairman of a restructured Chrysler LLC after the automaker emerges from bankruptcy as a new company allied with Italy's Fiat SpA.

Business beats labor in contest over 'card check' bill, by Tom Hamburger, Los Angeles Times via Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 24, 2009
Washington—The nation's labor unions, which organized so effectively in 2008 to help elect President Barack Obama, have been out-maneuvered on their top priority by their opponents in the business community.

Chrysler workers in Twinsburg rally to keep the plant, by Robert Schoenberger, Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 23, 2009
Twinsburg, Ohio—As President Barack Obama's automotive recovery chief talked to public officials and toured Chrysler's closed stamping plant Friday, hundreds of autoworkers and their family members rallied outside, encouraging the automaker to keep the plant open.

• Feds tour Chrysler plant to evaluate its future, by Jim Mackinnon, Akron Beacon Journal, May 23, 2009
• White House officials discuss options for Twinsburg plant, workers, by Jim Mackinnon, Akron Beacon Journal, May 22, 2009
• Chrysler's Twinsburg Stamping Plant drawing interest from some businesses, by Stephen Koff, Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 21, 2009
• Obama aide pledges to aid Ohio towns hurt by auto industry upheaval, by Jay Miller, Crain's Cleveland Business, May 20. 2009

Steelworkers cheer Trade Commission probe, Warren Tribune Chronicle, May 23, 2009
Washington—The United Steelworkers hailed a vote Friday by the U.S. International Trade Commission to proceed with the trade case investigation against China imports of oil country tubular goods. Beachwood-based Wheatland tube, with operations in the Warren area, has been adversely affected by the alleged dumping.

Perrysburg approves incentives to Bowling Green firm, Toledo Blade, May 23, 2009
Perrysburg, Ohio—Perrysburg officials have approved economic incentives for a Bowling Green food processor considering a move of its corporate headquarters to Levis Commons.

Wind-energy group seeks state tax change, by John Funk, Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 23, 2009
Cleveland—In a letter to Gov. Ted Strickland, the American Wind Energy Association argues that Ohio's tangible personal property tax on electric utilities could drive wind developers to neighboring states.

GM bankruptcy not feared as much as it once had been, by Tom Krisher, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 23, 2009
Detroit—With General Motors' long-anticipated day of reckoning a little more than a week away, nearly all signs are pointing to the wounded auto giant limping its way into bankruptcy court, but experts say that might not be as bad as once expected.