Recovery will be vigorous in 2010, economist says, by Don Shilling, Youngstown Vindicator, November 20, 2009
Canfield, Ohio—Ken Mayland, president of ClearView Economics in suburban Cleveland, told a group of local business leaders an economic recovery is under way and will continue building steam next year.

• Economist says recovery is sustainable, by Larry Ringler, Warren Tribune Chronicle, November 20, 2009

Keithley Instruments to sell RF product line to Agilent Technologies, Crain's Cleveland Business, November 20, 2009
Cleveland—The transaction will close around Nov. 30. Following the sale, it's expected that the majority of Keithley's RF team will become employees of Santa Clara, Calif.-based Agilent.

Waste gas could power Middletown Works, by Jessica Heffner, Middletown Journal, November 20, 2009
Middletown, Ohio—Air Products and Chemicals Inc., based in Allentown, Pa., has developed a combined cycle power generation concept to capture and process AK’s blast furnace gas normally flared — burned off — to make energy to power the steel mill.

A. Schulman CEO recounts working to turn company around before recession hit, by Jim Mackinnon, Akron Beacon Journal, November 20, 2009
Fairlawn, Ohio—An interview with Joseph Gingo, chairman, president and chief executive officer of the Fairlawn-based resin maker and compounder.

Poor machine maintenance blamed for fire at Russell Products, Akron Beacon Journal, November 20, 2009
Akron—A fire Thursday that caused about $20,000 damage to the contents of a local business was due to poor maintenance of the machine where the fire originated, authorities said.

This week's earnings reports:

• Severstal posts small profit, no word on fate of Warren mill, by Larry Ringler, Warren Tribune Chronicle, November 21, 2009
• Smucker's profit more than doubles in second quarter, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, November 20, 2009
• J.M. Smucker Co. reports record second-quarter results, Crain's Cleveland Business, November 20, 2009
• TransDigm posts higher fourth-quarter earnings, sees lower fiscal 2010 profit, Crain's Cleveland Business, November 19, 2009
• TransDigm Group reports profits for fourth quarter, year, Cleveland Plain Dealer, November 19, 2009
• Keithley Instruments reports slightly smaller loss in fourth quarter, Crain's Cleveland Business, November 17, 2009
• La-Z-Boy posts profit for third quarter in row, Toledo Blade, November 18, 2009
• Energy Focus of Solon says it lost $2.6 million in third quarter, by Shaheen Samavati, Cleveland Plain Dealer, November 16, 2009
• GM shows signs of recovery despite loss, by Bill Vlasic, New York Times, November 16, 2009
• GM generates $3.3 billion in cash, will start repaying loans, by Katie Merx and Jeff Green, Bloomberg News, November 16, 2009
• GM reports $1.2B loss, says it shows progress, by Tom Krisher and Dee-Ann Durbin, AP via Yahoo News, November 16, 2009
• Old GM reports $100 million in losses since July, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, November 12, 2009

Valley piques interest of Asian companies, by Don Shilling, Youngstown Vindicator, November 19, 2009
Youngstown—Four Asian companies are considering the Mahoning Valley for office or plant locations after an overseas trip by Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber officials.

• Chamber identifies possible Chinese business interest, by Larry Ringler, Warren Tribune Chronicle, November 19, 2009

Company consolidates in Vienna, by Joe Gorman, Warren Tribune Chronicle, November 19, 2009
Vienna, Ohio—Millwood Inc. moved into an empty cargo building at the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport about two months ago to house its technology and development center.

Editorial: Both Democrats and Republicans should be lining up to renew and expand Ohio's Third Frontier program, Cleveland Plain Dealer, November 19, 2009
Cleveland—Without a doubt, Ohio's most effective economic development initiative is the Third Frontier program of investment in commercially promising, cutting-edge technologies. State government leaders should get behind a proposed new bond levy to refund the program.

GM revising entire focus, exec tells area group, by Larry P. Vellequette, Toledo Blade, November 19, 2009
Toledo—Speaking to the board of the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce yesterday morning, Marc Hernandez, regional sales and marketing manager for Buick and GMC, said the automaker has changed dramatically in the last year and that eliminating thousands of dealerships was necessary.

U.S. teaches carmakers capitalism, by Floyd Norris, New York Times, November 19, 2009
New York—When the American auto industry was owned by investors, it acted like a government enterprise. Now that the government controls it, will it act like a capitalist business? The idea is heretical, but it may be happening.

Small businesses turn to Goldman, by Mike Spector, Wall Street Journal, November 19, 2009
New York—After announcing on Tuesday that it would seed $500 million in a "10,000 Small Businesses" plan, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. finds itself as a Dear Abby of small-business woe. The company's phones and email boxes are being flooded with hundreds of inquiries.

Leading economic indicators signal slow growth, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, November 19, 2009
New York—The Conference Board said today that its forecast of economic activity over the next six months edged up less than expected in October, signaling slow, bumpy growth next year.

Shiloh Industries negotiates new credit terms with banks, by Robert Schoenberger, Cleveland Plain Dealer, November 19, 2009
Valley City, Ohio—Medina County auto parts maker Shiloh Industries has negotiated new terms for an $80 million credit line with its bankers, avoiding the immediate loss of its operating credit.

Power-guzzling TVs to be banned in California, BBC News, November 19, 2009
Sacramento, Calif.—Energy-hungry television sets will soon be banned across California in a landmark move by state legislators to reduce energy consumption.

Networking for social responsibility, by Alina Dizik, Wall Street Journal, November 19, 2009 (Subscription)
New York—A growing number of companies are turning to business schools these days for help in redefining what it means to be socially responsible. School administrators say firms in industries across the board are looking to incorporate initiatives in this area into their business plans and everyday leadership decision.

Cruze’s U.S. debut set for L.A.; Volt to share spotlight at December show, by Larry Ringler, Warren Tribune Chronicle, November 18, 2009
Lordstown, Ohio—The Lordstown-built Chevrolet Cruze upscale small car is scheduled to make its U.S. public debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show on Dec. 2, Chevrolet announced Tuesday.

Chrysler boosts Dundee plant; engine line to gain jobs, add output, by Larry P. Vellequette, Toledo Blade, November 18, 2009
Dundee, Mich.—Chrysler Group LLC plans to invest $179 million and create 155 jobs at its Global Engine Manufacturing Alliance plant in Dundee over the next five years. Michigan officials approved $4.6 million worth of incentives.

Property dispute disrupts Boardman Steel’s business, Youngstown Vindicator, November 18, 2009
Boardman, Ohio—A complicated property dispute has disrupted the operation of Boardman Steel on Southern Boulevard. The dispute involves a legal fight over easements that run beneath Southern Boulevard and railroad tracks.

• Boardman Steel loses water, sewer service, by Dan O'Brien, Youngstown Business Journal, November 17, 2009

Factory production falls last month, AP via Akron Beacon Journal, November 18, 2009
Washington—A decline in factory production in October signals that consumers and businesses remain cautious in their spending, with the economic recovery likely to be sluggish.

• Manufacturing slows, clouding recovery, by Kelly Evans, Wall Street Journal, November 18, 2009 (Subscription)
• Industrial production rises, wholesale prices stay stable, AP via Toledo Blade, November 18, 2009
• Businesses cut inventories for 13th straight month, by Martin Crutsinger, AP via Akron Beacon Journal, November 16, 2009
• U.S. manufacturing activity weakens, by Kelly Evans, Wall Street Journal, November 17, 2009 (Subscription)

Report: Ohio should help companies pay for energy conservation, Dayton Daily News, November 18, 2009
Columbus—Policy Matters Ohio released a report suggesting the state should provide financial assistance to help manufacturers pay for energy-conservation devices that could cut their costs and reduce emissions.

Ford, Subaru, Volkswagen deemed safest new vehicles by insurance industry, by Ken Thomas, Akron Beacon Journal, November 18, 2009
Washington— Ford, Subaru and Volkswagen lead the insurance industry's annual list of the safest new vehicles, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Trek Diagnostic Systems expands presence in United Kingdom, by Scott Suttell, Crain's Cleveland Business, November 18, 2009
Cleveland—Trek Diagnostic Systems, a provider of diagnostic systems for microbiology labs, said it has expanded its United Kingdom manufacturing and research and development center to meet increasing global demand for its Sensititre product line.

Fewer 2010 model vehicles pass tougher safety tests, by Jonathan Welsh, AP via Wall Street Journal, November 18, 2009
New York—The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reported that a new roof-strength requirement aimed at protecting passengers in rollover crashes cut the number of top-rated vehicles to 27 for the 2010 model year, compared with 94 in 2009.

Solar panel makers seek local ties, by Jerry A. Dicolo, Wall Street Journal, November 18, 2009 (Subscription)
New York—Solar panel makers, taking cues from industrial products like Trane air-conditioners and Andersen windows, are racing to roll-out networks of installers across the U.S. and internationally as they try to establish their brands in the residential market.

National business leaders back Cleveland's sustainability efforts, by John Funk, Cleveland Plain Dealer, November 17, 2009
Cleveland—A senior adviser for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Business Civic Leadership Center attended a "showcase" meeting of the leaders who emerged from the City of Cleveland's Sustainable Cleveland 2019 summit last August. The center earlier this month announced that it would take nominations for its third annual competition identifying some of the nation's most sustainable cities.

A. Schulman product receives recognition, Akron Beacon Journal, November 17, 2009
Fairlawn, Ohio—A. Schulman Inc. said that its AgriPlas product, used in Ford's Flex crossover vehicle, was a finalist for an Environmental Innovation Award from the Society of Plastics Engineers' Automotive Division.

GM wants to dump liability for damaged engines in Dex-Cool cases, by Robert Schoenberger, Cleveland Plain Dealer, November 17, 2009
Cleveland—General Motors wants to dump its obligations to pay potentially millions of customers for engine damage caused by the radiator fluid GM used in vehicles from 1995 until 2004.

Ford Fusion is Motor Trend magazine's car of the year, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, November 17, 2009
Detroit—The 2010 Ford Fusion was named Motor Trend magazine's car of the year Tuesday, beating out the Toyota Prius, BMW 7-Series, Chevrolet Camaro and others in the closely watched competition.

Brush Engineered Materials buys New Mexico company for $23M, Crain's Cleveland Business, November 17, 2009
Mayfield Heights, Ohio—Brush Engineered Materials Inc. said it has acquired Academy Corp. of Albuquerque, N.M., a provider of precious and non-precious metals and refining services.

American Greetings partners with Taylor Swift, Crain's Cleveland Business, November 17, 2009
Brooklyn, Ohio—American Greetings said it has partnered with country music star Taylor Swift to create a line of greeting cards, gift packaging, stationery, online photo personalization products and online greetings.

Goldman Sachs launches small business initiative, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, November 17, 2009
New York—Goldman Sachs Group Inc. said Tuesday it is teaming with billionaire investor Warren Buffett to invest $500 million to provide thousands of small business owners across America with college scholarships and boost their access to capital.

Solar-panel maker plans Phoenix-area plant, AP via Youngstown Vindicator, November 17, 2009
Phoenix—Chinese solar panel maker Suntech Power Holdings Co. will build its US headquarters and a manufacturing plant in the Phoenix area. It expects to start building photovoltaic panels there by the third quarter of 2010.

Group: Invest in electric vehicles, AP via Youngstown Vindicator, November 17, 2009
Washington—The new Electrification Coalition urged the federal government to make a major investment in electric transportation. The coalition includes more than a dozen companies, including Nissan and Johnson Controls-Saft.

Molasses to flow from barges at Wellsville, by Jeremy Lydic, Youngstown Business Journal, November 17, 2009
East Liverpool, Ohio—Quality Liquid Feeds plans to build a barge-mooring and bulk-liquid offloading site near its processing plant at the Columbiana County Port Authority’s Intermodal Facility in Wellsville.

Chrysler to vie for bigger chunk of mid-size market, by Alisa Priddle, Detroit News via Akron Beacon Journal, November 17, 2009
Detroit—Chrysler is counting on significantly higher sales of its mid-size sedans to meet ambitious growth targets outlined last week in its five-year business plan.

GE figures China is the future, China Realtime Blog, Wall Street Journal, November 17, 2009
New York—General Electric Co signed an agreement in Beijing Sunday to form a 50-50 joint venture with China’s state-owned Aviation Industry Corp. to produce avionics for a global market.

• General Electric pursues pot of government stimulus gold, by Elizabeth Williamson and Paul Glader, Wall Street Journal, November 17, 2009

OSHA isn't verifying work-injury data, by Holly Rosenkrantz, Bloomberg News via Akron Beacon Journal, November 17, 2009
Washington—The U.S. workplace safety agency fails to routinely interview workers to verify injury and illness data supplied by companies, raising questions about the accuracy of the information, federal investigators found. OSHA relies on workplace injury numbers to help regulators and businesses identify hazards and focus their safety efforts.

Job cuts keep Eaton on track, by Timothy Aeppel, Wall Street Journal, November 16, 2009 (Subscription)
Cleveland—Alexander Cutler, CEO of Eaton, made a 15% cut in full-time workers, ordered top managers to take one week off without pay each quarter and personally forfeited eight weeks' pay. However the company made no cuts in R&D. The result: the company is ready to expand in fast-growing foreign markets like China and Brazil. The article also includes a video component where Cutler advises job seekers to stay motivated.

Local candy manufacturer creates chocolate hippo for Foodbank fund raiser, by Sarah Crump, Cleveland Plain Dealer, November 16, 2009
Cleveland—Kathryn Galgoczy, owner of Baker Candies Inc., an 88-year-old family business in Cleveland's Collinwood neighborhood, helped realize the Cleveland Foodbank's new fundraiser inspired by the song "I Want A Hippopotamus for Christmas."

Ohio senators divided on climate change legislation, WCPN, November 16, 2009
Washington—Republican George Voinovich sees little merit in claims the Senate Climate Change bill will create jobs. Democrat Sherrod Brown believes it could, provided changes are made.

Administration to seek seatbelts in motorcoaches, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, November 16, 2009
Washington—The Obama administration said Monday it will propose long-sought safety requirements for long-distance buses, including seatbelts and stronger roof standards.

Honda's dog-friendly Element is aimed at pets—and their owners, by Robert Schoenberger, Cleveland Plain Dealer, November 16, 2009
Cleveland—Customers want products tailored to their needs and desires. Marketing experts say automakers have been trying to figure out how to appeal to small groups of buyers with products that they will see as exceptional rather than with offerings that the masses consider adequate.

Auto industry has room to shrink further, by Matthew Dolan, Wall Street Journal, November 16, 2009 (Subscription)
Gothenburg, Sweden—According to CSM Worldwide, the auto industry has enough capacity to make 85.9 million cars and light trucks a year -- about 30 million more than it is on track to sell this year.

Chrysler might scrap Alfa Romeo plans, by Mike Ramsey, Bloomberg News via Akron Beacon Journal, November 15, 2009
New York—Chrysler Group LLC is cooling to the idea of U.S. assembly and sales of Alfa Romeo sports cars, the premium brand of new parent Fiat SpA, under a five-year business plan that focuses on domestic models.

Little Tikes, Step2 cook up new toys, by Betty Lin-Fisher, Akron Beacon Journal, November 15, 2009
Hudson and Streetsboro, Ohio—While the recession is affecting consumers' buying power, executives with Hudson's Little Tikes and Streetsboro's Step2 said they are cautiously optimistic about a good holiday buying season — with sales remaining flat compared with last year.

Toledo's OC begins to recover from chilled sales of fiber glass, by Gary T. Pakulski, Toledo Blade, November 15, 2009
Toledo—In a conference call for analysts, Owens Cornings officials said OC's sales of fiber glass are beginning to revive, especially in China, India, and Brazil, but recovery has been slower in western Europe, the United States, and Canada.

GM turnaround strategy gets lift in China, by John D. Stoll, Wall Street Journal, November 15, 2009 (Subscription)
New York—GM's sales are expected to have doubled in China during the third quarter compared with a year earlier, and are now running neck and neck with the Detroit auto maker's sales in the U.S.

U.S. Rep. Ryan urges action on Severstal mill, by Larry Ringler, Warren Tribune Chronicle, November 14, 2009
Warren, Ohio—- Severstal North America Inc. Friday stuck to its decision to keep its Severstal Warren steel mill idled until orders improve despite a letter from the local congressman urging the mill's reopening.

Tesla Roadster uses 'cool' Dana technology, by Larry P. Vellequette, Toledo Blade, November 14, 2009
Maumee, Ohio—A Canadian engineering team working for Dana Holding Corp. has designed a way to use the electric Tesla Roadster Sport's air conditioning system to keep its massive bank of batteries operating at peak efficiency.