Workshop offered on new markets, Akron Beacon Journal, June 5, 2009
Cleveland—Area manufacturers can learn about new market opportunities in the Market Diversification Program, created by Northeast Ohio's Manufacturing Advocacy & Growth Network (MAGNET.)

Akron tire maker names new chief operating officer, by Jim Mackinnon, Akron Beacon Journal, June 5, 2009
Akron—Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. named 45-year-old Cleveland native Richard Kramer its new chief operating officer. He retains his current title of president of the company's North American Tire division until the company finds a successor.

Teamsters to vote on Smucker contract, by Betty Lin-Fisher, Akron Beacon Journal, June 5, 2009
Orrville, Ohio—Four hundred forty members of Teamsters Local 510 are working day to day at the the J.M. Smucker Co. plant in Orrville after a contract expired May 5. They will vote on the company's final offer June 14. Last month the union filed three unfair labor practice charges against the company with the NLRB.

Toledo Jeep to resume work June 29, Toledo Blade, June 5, 2009
Toledo—The Toledo Jeep Assembly complex's 2,000 laid-off employees have been called back to work beginning 2009, according to union officials. However, a Chrysler spokesman said yesterday that the call-back date is premature because legal proceedings in the automaker’s bankruptcy are ongoing and "anything can happen."

Union official optimistic about Delphi ownership, by Don Shilling, Youngstown Vindicator, June 5, 2009
Youngstown—Tom Krolopp, shop chairman of Local 717 of the International Union of Electrical Workers, said he is optimistic that local Delphi Corp. plants would succeed under the ownership of a California investment firm. Since filing for bankruptcy in 2005, Delphi has been struggling to find enough financing so it can operate as an independent company.

Northeast Ohio chamber groups plan China tour for 2010, by Jay Miller, Crain's Cleveland Business, June 4, 2009
Cleveland—The Greater Cleveland Partnership's Council of Smaller Enterprises announced a coalition of local chambers of commerce is sponsoring a nine-day business/pleasure tour of China in April 2010. MAGNET is a cosponsor of the event.

Chrysler enters legal homestretch, by Tomoeh Murakami Tse, Washington Post, June 5, 2009
New York—n what is expected to be the last hurdle in Chrysler's effort to emerge from a rapid bankruptcy reorganization, a three-member federal appeals court panel is scheduled Friday to hear arguments on whether the automaker can sell itself to a new company run by Italian manufacturer Fiat

.Military versions of Hummer excluded from GM sale, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 4, 2009
Detroit—The U.S. Army is assuring people that General Motors' deal to sell its Hummer brand to a Chinese company has nothing to do with the military version of the rugged vehicle. GM bought the rights to sell Hummers to civilians from AM General in 1999.

GM to sell Saturn brand to Penske dealership chain, by Dan Strumpf and Tom Krisher, AP via Yahoo News, June 5, 2009
New York—General Motors Corp. has a tentative deal to sell its Saturn brand to former race car driver and dealership group owner Roger Penske, both companies said Friday.

• Saturn deal could close third quarter, AP via Warren Tribune Chronicle, June 5, 2009

Ford to provide $125 million to Visteon in Chapter 11, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 4, 2009
Van Buren Township, Mich.—Ford Motor Co. will provide $125 million or more in debtor-in-possesion financing to Visteon Corp. as the automotive parts supplier reorganizes under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Obama names president of Chicago-based environmentalist group to head Great Lakes clean up initiative, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 4, 2009
Traverse City, Mich.—President Barack Obama has named Cameron Davis, president of a Chicago-based environmentalist group, to oversee the administration's initiative to clean up the Great Lakes.

BASF Corp. wants to build Elyria plant for hybrid-car battery components, by Shaheen Samavati, Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 3, 2009
Elyria, Ohio—ASF Corp., the world's largest chemical company, says it wants to put a cutting-edge facility in Elyria that would make cathodes for advanced lithium-ion behicle batteries. The Energy Department is expected to make a decision by July or August on a federal stimulus grant needed for the project.

Green jobs coming, but not soon enough to ease auto worker woes, officials acknowledge, by Stephen Koff, Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 3, 2009
Washington—PD Washington Bureau Chief, Stephen Koff, asked Labor Secretary Hilda Solis how many "green" jobs will be available for laid-off Ohio auto-industry workers and when. "I am not going to look into a crystal ball and tell you I have that figure because I don't," Solis answered.

Hickok Inc. wins N.J. contract for gas cap testers, Crain's Cleveland Business, June 3, 2009
Cleveland—Hickok Inc. won a $1-million contract from New Jersey to supply equipment to the state's decentralized emissions program.

Two Akron development projects, one in Stark recognized, Akron Beacon Journal, June 3, 2009
Cleveland—Akron's BioInnovation Institute and a partnership that worked to keep Bridgestone in Akron were among economic development projects recognized at the annual Team NEO Economic Impact Awards dinner Tuesday night.

U.S. productivity increases more than expected in first quarter, P via Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 4, 2009
Washington—U.S. workers were more productive in the first quarter than previously estimated, the government said today, as rapid layoffs meant companies were forced to make do with fewer employees.

Steelworkers press the U.S. for trade relief, by Kris Maher, Wall Street Journal, June 3, 2009 (Subscription)
Washington—The United Steelworkers alleges that China unfairly flooded the U.S. market with car and truck tires from 2004 to 2008, leading to closures at U.S. tire plants and the loss of at least 5,000 jobs. In a hearing Tuesday at the U.S. International Trade Commission, 10 members of Congress from both parties testified on behalf of the union. The commission is expected to send its report to Mr. Obama in July.

• Democrats support reducing China tire imports, Bloomberg News via Akron Beacon Journal, June 3, 2003

China launches trade probe of US, Russia steel, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 3, 2009
Beijing—China is investigating imports of U.S. and Russian steel under anti-dumping rules amid a rise in Chinese imports of the metal.

• China probes imports of U.S. steel, by Kris Maher, Wall Street Journal, June 2, 2009 (Subscription)
  Washington—Some analysts said they believe the move by the Chinese government is an effort to sway the U.S. Trade Commission in deciding an antidumping suit brought in April by seven U.S. steelmakers and the United Steelworkers union.

May sales for GM, Chrysler fall less than predicted, AP via Toledo Blade, June 3, 2009
Toledo—U.S. consumers are answering one of the biggest questions that shadowed General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC as they slid into Chapter 11: Yes, people will buy cars from a bankrupt automaker.

GM considering temporarily closing more factories this summer, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 3, 2009
Detroit—General Motors Corp. is evaluating the temporary closure of more factories in the third quarter as it tries to control inventory to prepare for its exit from bankruptcy protection.

Appeals court to hear appeal of Chrysler sale, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 3, 2009
New York—A federal appeals court has halted Chrysler's sale of the bulk of its assets to Italy's Fiat pending an appeal by a trio of Indiana state pension and construction funds.

Hummer's Chinese buyer a newcomer to auto industry, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 3, 2009
Beijing—Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co., which said Tuesday it was buying the General Motors Corp. unit, is four years old and has just 4,300 employees. It makes vehicles such as cement mixers and tow trucks.

• A rough drive with the Hummer, "Heard on the Street" column by Andrew Peaple, Wall Street Journal, June 3, 2009 (Subscription)
  New York—The idea of an obscure Chinese heavy equipment maker buying up Hummer is entertainingly left field for most onlookers.
• China comes to the rescue for corporate America, "China Journal" blog by Sky Canaves, Wall Street Journal, June 3, 2009 (Subscription)
• GM to sell Hummer to Chinese company, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 2, 2009

Ohio, other auto industry states make case for federal recovery money, by Kathy Barks Hoffman, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 3, 2009
Lansing, Mich.—Officials in four Midwestern states badly hurt by the auto industry's woes are lining up to ask the Cabinet secretaries crisscrossing the region for a better deal when it comes to getting funds from the federal recovery act.

FirstEnergy cuts pay for salaried workers, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 3, 2009
Akron—Utility FirstEnergy is cutting the pay of salaried workers by at least 5 percent because of reduced demand for electricity, particularly among industrial customers.

Chrysler plants to resume production by late June, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 3, 2009
New York— Chrysler LLC is planning on resuming production at the majority of its plants by the last week of June, said Steven Landry, an executive vice president at the automaker. Spokeswoman Kathy Graham said the timeline for restarting production is an expectation and no final decision has been made.

Food industry to make case to lawmakers over fees, by Jane Zhang, Wall Street Journal, June 3, 2009 (Subscription)
Washington—The food industry said it is willing to pay some fees to fund the government's food-safety functions, but officials are expected to tell lawmakers today that the money shouldn't be used for safety inspections.

New chips can boost solar power, by Jerry A. Dicolo, Wall Street Journal, June 3, 2009 (Subscription)
New York—National Semiconductor Corp., Microsemi Corp. and others are offering chips that, when added to new or previously installed solar panels, improve the panels' efficiency at producing electrical power from the sun.

Solar land grab? First solar in spotlight for OptiSolar deal, by Keith Johnson, Wall Street Journal, June 2, 2009 (Subscription)
Washington—Following up on a citizen’s complaint, the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Land Management is investigating First Solar’s acquisition this spring of smaller rival OptiSolar, including OptiSolar's applications to use about 130,000 acres of federal land to build new solar-power facilities. Tempe, Ariz.-based [First Solar's only U.S.-based manufacturing facility is located in Perrysburg, Ohio.]

Two Ohio cities, Parma and Ontario, react to news from General Motors, by Shaheen Samavati, Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 2, 2009
Cleveland—"Our Greater Cleveland community needed a break and we got one today," said Rep. Dennis Kucinich, a Cleveland Democrat. He and Parma Mayor Dean DePiero held a press conference applauding GM's decision to keep the local plant open.

• GM's Toledo Powertrain Plant to gain work, by Larry P. Vellequette, Toledo Blade, June 1, 2009
• GM writes off Ontario plant, Mansfield News Journal, June 2, 2009
• Lordstown ‘Cruzing’ into future, by Larry Ringler, Warren Tribune Chronicle, June 2, 2009
  Warren, Ohio—GM's bankruptcy filing Monday generated mixed feelings of relief among Lordstown plant workers.
• Auto parts suppliers waiting, watching, by Lou Wilin, Findlay Courier, June 2, 2009
  Findlay, Ohio—Unlike Chrysler, GM will continue to make cars and trucks and to pay essential suppliers while it is in bankruptcy. That is good news for parts makers and the entire economy of northwestern Ohio, said a senior economist for the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.

Kent company shows off LCDs, Akron Beacon Journal, June 2, 2009
Kent, Ohio—Liquid crystal company Kent Displays says it is exhibiting its Reflex No Power LCDs as a sponsor of SID Display Week under way in San Antonio.

Henkel sells Duck Tape brand and its Avon plant to Shurtape Technologies, by Frank Bentayou, Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 2, 2009
Avon, Ohio—German industrial company Henkel Corp. said today it sold its Northeast Ohio-based consumer brands, including Duck Tape, and its Avon facility to Shurtape Technologies LLC of Hickory, N.C. Henkel will continue to manufacture adhesives and other products in Northeast Ohio.

Lawmakers seek to influence plant locations, by Neil King Jr. and Kate Linebaugh, Wall Street Journal, June 2, 2009 (Subscription)
Washington—The Obama administration's bid to rescue GM has stirred wide debate over what role the government should play as the majority owner of the country's largest car maker. Skeptics say that despite the government's pledge to stay out of the way, the process is going to get messy.

Pain spreads through an ecosystem of companies, by Suzanne Vranica, Wall Street Journal, June 2, 2009 (Subscription)
New York—General Motor Corp.'s bankruptcy will affect companies in many industries, including information technology, big-ticket media events and advertising/marketing.

Obama Cabinet secretaries to visit Ohio, other states hit hard by auto industry woes, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 2, 2009
Lansing, Mich.—Members of President Barack Obama's Cabinet are fanning out across Ohio and other Midwestern states hit hard by the troubles in the auto industry.

New era in autos as GM files for bankruptcy, by Kevin Helliker, Neil King Jr. and John D. Stoll, Wall Street Journal, June 1, 2009 (Subscription)
Detroit—General Motors Corp. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy early Monday, marking the humbling of an American icon that once dominated the global car industry and setting up a high-stakes gamble for U.S. taxpayers. Long-term success for the company depends on a critical question: When will consumer demand for new cars rebound, and with what force?

• GM files for bankruptcy, by Robert Schoenberger, Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 1, 2009
• GM files for bankruptcy protection, by Dan Strumpf and Kimberly S. Johnson, AP via Akron Beacon Journal, June 1, 2009
• GM reportedly will close or idle 12 more plants, 2 in Ohio, by Tom Krisher and Kimberly S. Johnson, AP via Akron Beacon Journal, June 1, 2009
• GM to reorganize in huge government-led bankruptcy, by Ken Thomas, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 1, 2009
• Remnants of 'Old GM' to linger, by Jeffrey McCracken and Mike Spector, Wall Street Journal, June 1, 2009 (Subscription)
• GM closes Lordstown plant doors until July 13, by Bill Rodgers and Larry Ringler, Warren Tribune Chronicle, May 30, 2009
• Detroit's woes wound an army of suppliers, by Louis Uchitelle, New York Times, June 2, 2009
  New York—While covering the problems of auto industry suppliers, this NYT reporter also interviews Michael Regal, factory manager for Pioneer Forge, near Toledo.
• Many Ohio manufacturers preparing for the worst, by Betty Lin-Fisher, Akron Beacon Journal, June 1, 2009

Ford seeks to gain amid rivals' pain, by Matthew Dolan, Wall Street Journal, June 1, 2009 (Subscription)
Detroit—Ford, the only one of Detroit's Big Three that didn't need a bailout from the federal government, plans to increase production of cars and trucks in the third quarter by about 10% from the level of a year ago.

Chrysler could exit bankruptcy reorganization as soon as Monday, by Alex P. Kellogg, Wall Street Journal, June 1, 2009 (Subscription)
Detroit—Judge Arthur Gonzalez of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Manhattan rejected arguments from some Chrysler creditors and dealers seeking to block the deal.

• Judge OKs sale of most Chrysler assets to Fiat, by Bree Fowler, AP via Akron Beacon Journal, June 1, 2009

Biomass power generates traction, by Russell Gold, Wall Street Journal, June 1, 2009 (Subscription)
New York—Electric utilities may soon face new rules requiring them to generate 20% of their power from renewable sources by 2020. Electric utilities in the Southeast and parts of the Midwest are building industrial-scale plants that burn plant material—or "biomass." U.S. energy forecasters predict that by 2030, biomass will generate 4.5% of the kilowatts consumed in the U.S., versus 2.5% for wind, with solar coming in behind both.

Manufacturers assured that medical market supply chain entry a manageable process, by Dan Shingler, Crain's Cleveland Business, June 1, 2009
Cleveland—Last month, at an event titled “Manufacturing for the Medical Market: Requirements for Supply Chain Entry,” about 250 area manufacturers came to hear representatives of Steris Corp., Philips Healthcare and Sparton Medical Systems talk about their need for suppliers. Event co-sponsors were: BioEnterprise Corp.,MAGNET, Wire-Net and Ciuni and Panichi.

Offshore wind power projects that dwarf plans in NE Ohio race to establish industry beachheads, by Chuck Soder, Crain's Cleveland Business, June 1, 2009
Cleveland—Even if Northeast Ohio wins the race to erect the first offshore wind farm in North America, it may not be long before far bigger competitors start crossing the finish line, each intending to bring home the big prize — a shiny new wind industry.

Mayor discusses Toledo's prospects in CNN interview, Toledo Blade, May 31, 2009
Toledo—Mayor Carty Finkbeiner told a CNN interviewer that Toledoans are very confident there would be new vehicles built in Toledo late this year or in 2010.

Cost-saving production is choice for First Solar, Xunlight, by Gary T. Pakulski, Toledo Blade, May 31, 2009
Toledo—First Solar Inc's fast, low-cost production methods continue to encounter intense competition from more established methods and alternative low-cost technologies. Three other Toledo-linked firms are seeking to commercialize the lower-cost manufacturing methods.

• First Solar is in the midst of a $100 million expansion that will add a fourth production line, by Gary T. Pakulski, Toledo Blade, May 31, 2009

Wauseon plant to open Monday for 110-mpg car engines, by Larry P. Vellequette, Toledo Blade, May 30, 2009
Wauseon, Ohio—Doug Pelmear, owner of Horse Power Sales.net Inc. and Hp2G LLC, will hold an open house Monday morning in the idle 100,000-square-foot factory he has leased in Wauseon to begin manufacturing his revolutionary engine.

Potential buyer, auto task force visit Packard, by Larry Ringler, Warren Tribune Chronicle, May 30, 2009
Warren, Ohio—Union officials for Delphi Packard workers said a potential buyer is analyzing a possible purchase of the Ohio Operations' vacant property and the North River Road complex.

Business incubator attracts two firms to Akron, by Paula Schleis, Akron Beacon Journal, May 30, 2009
Akron—Two Israeli-based companies—Innovative Communications Solutions (ICS), a developer of remote-monitoring systems, and Teraphysics Corp., a developer of security scanning technology—are the newest tenants of the Akron Global Business Accelerator.