Local plant poised to get $20M grant, by David Patch, Toledo Blade, December 4, 2009
Toledo—U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack jointly announced the $20 million grant toward development of a $25 million biorefinery near the University of Toledo's Health Science Campus in South Toledo. The plant—an expansion of an existing facility—will make diesel fuel out of agricultural and forest-product waste.

• Energy Department to spend $564 million to help build renewable energy plants including one in Toledo, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, December 4, 2009

NorTech sets up nonprofit to promote wind power on Lake Erie, by Dan Shingler, Crain's Cleveland Business, December 4, 2009
Cleveland—NorTech's Advanced Energy steering committee has determined its first order of business will be to work with the Great Lakes Wind Task Force to set up the Lake Erie Energy Development Corp., or LEEDCo.

State legislator encouraged by Severstal’s plan, by Don Shilling, Youngstown Vindicator, December 4, 2009
Warren, Ohio—Rep. Tom Letson of Warren, D-64th, said he is encouraged that Severstal executives have an action plan ready if they decide to restart their steel mill here.

GM, SAIC form emerging-markets venture, by Norihiko Shirouzou and Patricia Jiayi Ho, Wall Street Journal, December 4, 2009 (Subscription)
Beijing—General Motors Co. said it will combine resources and work closely with its main Chinese partner, SAIC Motor Corp., to accelerate its push into India and other emerging markets.

• Suzuki to sell stake in Canada joint venture to General Motors, by Yoshio Takahashi, Wall Street Journal, December 4, 2009 (Subscription)

GM chairman names new head of North America, by Tom Krisher and Dee-Ann Durbin, AP via Akron Beacon Journal, December 4, 2009
Detroit— General Motors Co. Chairman Ed Whitacre Jr. said today he is putting engineering chief Mark Reuss in charge of GM's North American operations in a management shakeup.

• GM reassigns Lutz, others in management shakeup, Wall Street Journal, December 4, 2009 (Subscription)

Opel workers say they will help cut costs for GM, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, December 4, 2009
Frankfurt, Germany—Opel workers are ready to help cut costs as GM moves to restructure its troubled European operations, Opel's chief employee representative said Friday.

Consumer Reports: Cruze most significant car of L.A. car show, by Don Shilling, Youngstown Vindicator, December 3, 2009
Los Angeles—Jake Fisher, senior auto engineer for Consumer Reports, said the Chevrolet Cruze gives GM a good chance to compete in small cars. “No longer is GM putting bargain basement materials in its smaller cars to try to put people into a bigger car,” he said.

Chrysler plans to lengthen holiday idling of five plants, by Jeff Bennett, Wall Street Journal, December 3, 2009 (Subscription)
New York—Chrysler Group LLC will lengthen the holiday shutdown of five of its manufacturing sites as it struggles with dropping demand for its vehicles. The Toldeo, Ohio plant, home to the Jeep Wrangler, will be idled from Dec. 21 through Jan. 11.

PDI Group plans to move from Cuyahoga Heights to Solon, by Michelle Jarboe, Cleveland Plain Dealer, December 3, 2009
Cleveland—The PDI Group. a manufacturer of military equipment, purchased a 150,000-sq.-ft. Solon industrial building and will move there next year from Cuyahoga Heights.

A. Schulman agrees to buy ICO Inc. for $191.4 million, by Robert Schoenberger, Cleveland Plain Dealer, December 3, 2009
Fairlawn, Ohio—Plastics and resins supply company A. Schulman Inc. has agreed to buy a Texas competitor for $191.4 million, a deal that could boost Schulman's annual revenues by more than 20 percent.

TransDigm Group to acquire two aerospace companies, Crains' Cleveland Business, December 3, 2009
Cleveland—Aerospace supplier TransDigm Group Inc. has agreed to acquire Northridge, Calif.-based Dukes Inc. and its GST Industries unit located in Mesa, Ariz. Both businesses are suppliers of proprietary, engineered components to the business jet, regional jet and military aerospace markets.

• TransDigm buys California maker of aircraft parts, by Alison Grant, Cleveland Plain Dealer, December 3, 2009

Animal feed producer to open next year, Findlay Courier, December 3, 2009
North Baltimore, Ohio—Bakery Feeds, which recycles grain-based scrap into cattle and chicken feed, is constructing a 27,500-square-foot building about a mile and a half east of North Baltimore and just east of Interstate 75.

CEO search at GM could take up to year, by Jeff Green, Katie Merx and David Welch, Bloomberg News via Akron Beacon Journal, December 3, 2009
Detroit—General Motors Co. Chairman Ed Whitacre, who took over the chief executive officer job from Fritz Henderson on Tuesday, told employees that the search for a new CEO might take as long as a year.

• GM's Whitacre seeks market share, by John D. Stoll and Sharon Terlep, Wall Street Journal, December 3, 2009 (Subscription)
• GM board looks to the outside for replacement CEO, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, December 2, 2009

Former Ford executives revise Volvo bid, by Rick Carew and Matthew Dolan, Wall Street Journal, December 3, 2009 (Subscription)
Hong Kong and New York—A consortium led by two former Ford Motor Co. executives submitted a revised bid this week for Ford's Volvo unit in hopes of beating out a rival offer by China's Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co.

Eliminating waste saves company thousands of dollars, by Dan Bobkoff, WCPN, December 2, 2009
Bedford, Ohio—The Taylor Companies of Bedford cleaned up a polluted brownfield and then built a new factory on the site. Now, that plant is a model of sustainability. By reducing waste and installing energy efficient machinery, Baldassari says going green saves Taylor about $100 grand a year.

• Poorly worded tax rule nearly bankrupts local furniture manufacturer, by Dan Bobkoff, WCPN, December 1, 2009

New plant coming to Warren, Warren Tribune Chronicle, December 2, 2009
Warren, Ohio—Warren native Mark Marvin will break ground Thursday on a $20 million plant to make custom welded wire reinforcements for concrete products under the name Reinforcement Systems of Ohio LLC.

Nordson Corp. names new president of its Nordson EFD unit, Crains' Cleveland Business, December 2, 2009
Amherst, Ohio—Nordson Corp. has promoted Jeff Pembroke to president of Nordson EFD, succeeding Peter Lambert who was recently named senior vice president with global responsibility for Nordson's Adhesive Dispensing Systems segment.

Incentives fail to push vehicle sales out of neutral, AP via Toledo Blade, December 2, 2009
Detroit—U.S. auto sales were mostly stable in November, but even higher incentives couldn't push the needle much beyond November 2008's dismal lows.

• November auto sales steady, but Chrysler falls, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, December 1, 2009

Los Angeles Auto show focuses on affordable small cars, AP via Youngstown Vindicator, December 3, 2009

• Hyundai unveils new Sonata, hopes for sales gains, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, December 2, 2009
• Chevy Volt to go on sale in California late next year, by Kathryn Kroll, Cleveland Plain Dealer, December 2, 2009
• Volt electric car to go on sale in California in late 2010, Bloomberg News via Akron Beacon Journal, December 1, 2009
• Ford shifts into small cars with Fiesta subcompact, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, December 2, 2009

Federal Reserve survey finds recovery gaining momentum, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, December 2, 2009
Washington—The economic recovery gained traction in late fall as Americans spent a bit more and factories bumped up production.

Productivity rises at 8.1 percent rate in third quarter, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, December 2, 2009
Washington—The Commerce Department said today that productivity surged in the third quarter by the largest amount in six years while labor costs fell.

Area steel companies push for tariffs, by Don Shilling, Youngstown Vindicator, December 2, 2009
Youngstown, Ohio—The U.S. International Trade Commission had a hearing Tuesday on enacting tariffs on Chinese pipe in a case filed by domestic producers, including V&M Star Steel, which has a mill in Youngstown, and Wheatland Tube, which has several plants in the Mahoning and Shenango valleys. The commission will make a recommendation to the U.S. Department of Commerce, which is expected to rule this coming spring.

• Ryan, Williams argue for tougher stance on cheap Chinese imports, by Ron Selak Jr., Larry Ringler and Bill Rodgers, Warren Tribune Chronicle, December 2, 2009

EPA cuts Sauder fine in air-pollution case, Toledo Blade, December 2, 2009
Archbold, Ohio—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has agreed to a dramatically reduced fine for Sauder Woodworking Co. for multiple violations of the federal Clean Air Act at Sauder’s cogeneration power plant, which is fueled by sawdust. The company has said the problems have been corrected.

Daimler moving some C-Class production to Alabama, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, December 2, 2009
Frankfurt, Germany—German carmaker Daimler AG said Wednesday it will move some of its Mercedes Benz C-Class car production to its Alabama plant to take advantage of a growing market, lower production costs and to avoid currency fluctuations.

• Daimler to shift some Mercedes C-Class production to U.S., by Christoph Rauwald and Sarah Sloat, Wall Street Journal, December 2, 2009 (Subscription)

OSHA fines Upper Sandusky feed plant $473,000 for hazards, Toledo Blade, December 2, 2009
Upper Sandusky, Ohio—A Wyandot County plant that recycles waste food products into animal feed ingredients has been hit with almost $473,000 in fines for allegedly exposing its workers to numerous safety and health violations.

Pilkington plans solar project in Northwood, by Larry P. Vellequette, Toledo Blade, December 2, 2009
Toledo—Toledo-based glass maker Pilkington North America Inc. will install a $1.4 million solar array at its plant in Northwood, thanks in part to a state and federal grant that will offset nearly half the cost.

Mustang and Camaro flexing their muscles, AP via Youngstown Vindicator, December 2, 2009
Detroit—Ford is cranking up the horsepower on the 2011 Mustang as it tries to win back muscle-car sales from its archrival, the Chevrolet Camaro.

Trade group says manufacturing grows in November, by Tali Arbel, AP via Akron Beacon Journal, December 1, 2009
New York—The Institute for Supply Management said its manufacturing index grew for the fourth straight month in November, but at a slower pace than in the previous month, signaling a bumpy rebound.

• Manufacturing grows, but more slowly, by Kelly Evans, Wall Street Journal, December 2, 2009 (Subscription)
• Manufacturing grows in November for the fourth straight month, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, December 1, 2009

Lake Erie wind turbine project spreads beyond Cuyahoga County, by John Funk, Cleveland Plain Dealer, December 1, 2009
Elyria, Ohio—A 2-year-old effort to build wind turbines in Lake Erie is spreading beyond Cuyahoga County. Lorain County Commissioners on Tuesday became the first to commit to supporting the new non-profit, Lake Erie Energy Development Corp., or LEEDCo.

• Criticism of wind farms overblown, study finds, AP via Toledo Blade, December 3, 2009
  Denver—Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory said a three-year study of 7,500 home sales showed wind farms have no measurable effect on nearby property values.

American Greetings, Target Corp. introduce digital slideshow greeting card, Crains' Cleveland Business, December 1, 2009
Cleveland—The digital slideshow card holds up to 50 digital images and includes an original holiday soundtrack. American Greetings said the card also allows the sender to record his or her own vocal message.

Lordstown may get Buick small car, by Larry Ringler, Warren Tribune Chronicle, December 1, 2009
Lordstown, Ohio—Unconfirmed reports on the Chinese debut of the Buick Excelle XT suggested GM's Lordstown complex may get the Buick version of the Chevrolet Cruze in a few years.

Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority board hires interim CEO, by James F. McCarty, Cleveland Plain Dealer, December 1, 2009
Cleveland—The Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority recruited Peter Raskind, who left National City early this year after the bank was sold to rival PNC Financial Services Group, for his strong leadership ability and crisis-management skills to be interim president and CEO.

• Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority names Peter Raskind interim CEO, by Jay Miller, Crains' Cleveland Business, November 30, 2009
• Interim port CEO looking before leaping, by Rick Jackson, WCPN, December 2, 2009. (Audio report)

Government proposes tougher side air bag requirements, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, December 1, 2009
Washington—The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration proposed new side air bag rules to prevent motorists from being tossed out of vehicles during rollover crashes. The plan requires the auto industry to phase-in the new air bags beginning with the 2014 model year.

• U.S. proposes tougher side air bag requirements, AP via Wall Street Journal, December 1, 2009 (Subscription)

Steelmakers downsize once again, by Robert Guy Matthews, Wall Street Journal, December 1, 2009 (Subscription)
Hennepin, Ill.—The U.S. steel industry is quietly shrinking. Leading the move is ArcelorMittal, which bought out a multiplant U.S. producer a few years ago and figures it can do more with less by running fewer plants at higher capacity.

Companies more prone to go 'vertical,' by Ben Worthen, Cari Tuna and Justin Scheck, Wall Street Journal, December 1, 2009 (Subscription)
New York—The WSJ report says industry executives are reviving "vertical integration," a 100-year-old strategy in which a company controls materials, manufacturing and distribution. Companies moving recently in this direction include ArcelorMittal, PepsiCo Inc., General Motors Co. and Boeing Co.

With an eye on competition, firms keep spending on R&D, by Dana Mattioli, Wall Street Journal, December 1, 2009 (Subscription)
New York—Executives are under pressure to cut costs, but need innovative products to fuel post-recession growth. So many are protecting research spending, but scrutinizing projects more carefully and reordering priorities to favor high-potential markets like Asia and health care.

• Inspired design is essential—and all too rare, by Gary Hamel, Management 2.0 Blog, Wall Street Journal, November 30, 2009 (Subscription)
  

GM board, CEO Henderson split over pace of change, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, December 1, 2009
Detroit—GM's board and CEO Fritz Henderson parted ways Tuesday, the board upset that the automaker was changing too slowly and Henderson frustrated with second-guessing, two people close to Henderson said.

• GM postpones Saab decision to month's end, AP via Toledo Blade, December 2, 2009
• Without a deal, GM would phase out Saab, AP via Youngstown Vindicator, December 2, 2009
• GM's chairman seizes the wheel, by John D. Stoll and Kate Linebaugh, Wall Street Journal, December 1, 2009 (Subscription)

More engine tests needed on ethanol blends, EPA says, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, December 1, 2009
Washington—The Environmental Protection Agency said Tuesday it wants more tests to determine if car engines can handle higher concentrations of ethanol in gasoline before it decides whether to increase the maximum blend from 10 to 15 percent.

Parker Hannifin to move, expand gas turbine fuel systems division in Mentor, by Robert Schoenberger, Cleveland Plain Dealer, November 30, 2009
Cleveland—Parker Hannifin plans to move the Mentor headquarters of its gas turbine fuel systems division to an unused building it owns in another part of that city.

Ohio awards $13 million for for wind and solar projects, by John Funk, Cleveland Plain Dealer, November 30, 2009
Cleveland—Ohio is plowing more than $13 million in federal stimulus money into 25 wind and solar power projects across the state, including 10 in Northeast Ohio.

Ford to build 2011 Mustang engine in Brook Park, by Robert Schoenberger, Cleveland Plain Dealer, November 30, 2009
Cleveland—Ford Motor Co. will make a new 3.7-liter V-6 engine for the popular Mustang sports car at Cleveland Engine Plant No. 1 in Brook Park next year, replacing an engine built in Germany.

Cleveland's NASA Glenn Research Center aids in the comeback of supersonic flight, by John Mangels, Cleveland Plain Dealer, November 30, 2009
Cleveland—In the labs and wind tunnels of Cleveland's Glenn Research Center and three other NASA facilities, the prospect of commercial supersonic flight is quietly coming out of mothballs.

Solar panel costs 'set to fall', by Roger Harrabin, BBC News, November 30, 2009
London, U.K.—According to the independent EU Energy Institute, tests show that 90% of existing solar panels last for 30 years instead of the predicted 20 years. The Institute predicts this means the cost of installing and owning solar panels will fall even faster than expected.

Manufacturers in uncharted waters, by Dan Shingler, Crains' Cleveland Business, November 30, 2009 (Subscription)
Cleveland—Local manufacturers say charting a course amid today's business and political climates is like steering a ship through choppy seas with no map or weather forecast. In this issue's cover story, Crains' interviews executives from Micro Laboratories Inc., Slabe Machine Products, Tendon Manufacturing, and Fredon Corp.

Polymer outfit branches out with $3.4M Akron expansion, by Chuck Soder, Crains' Cleveland Business, November 30, 2009 (Subscription)
Akron—Akron Polymer Systems is embarking on a $3.4 million expansion in an effort to develop and make more of its own polymers for products such as liquid crystal displays and solar cells after spending its first seven years developing materials alongside larger companies.

Crains' 40 under 40, Crains' Cleveland Business, November 30, 2009 (Subscription)
Cleveland—In this year's edition of its "40 under 40" feature, Crains' Cleveland Business spotlights executives at three manufacturing firms: Jonathan Leebow of Majestic Steel; Marguerite Walz of AkzoNobel, Larry Fulton of Lefco Worthington, and Chris DiSantis of Hawk Corp. They also singled out Eben Alsberg, an assistant professor of biomedical engineering at CWRU.

Cliffs Natural Resources faces bidding war for Freewest Resources assets, Crains' Cleveland Business, November 30, 2009
Cleveland—Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. and Noront Resources Ltd. of Toronto appear to be headed for a bidding war for Freewest Resources Canada Inc. Freewest's chromite properties would represent a diversification move for Cliffs.

Ohio House proposes $1 billion extension of state's Third Frontier program, by Jay Miller, Crains' Cleveland Business, November 30, 2009
Columbus—Legislation was introduced today in the Ohio House of Representatives for a $1 billion extension of the Third Frontier technology development program.

State of Ohio announces $13 million in fed money for advanced energy projects, by Jay Miller, Crains' Cleveland Business, November 30, 2009
Cleveland —Gov. Ted Strickland came to Cleveland today to announce $13 million of advanced energy projects statewide financed with federal stimulus money. Nine of the 25 projects are in Northeast Ohio.

Nestle USA: Manufacturing that sustains, by Bob Sperber, Food Processing, November 30, 2009
Solon, Ohio—Food Processing magazine has named Nestle USA its 2009 Processor of the Year and features the Solon plant's "convergence of competition and sustainability."

GM to close Mansfield plant Jan. 29, by Teri Berg, Youngstown Vindicator, November 28, 2009
Mansfield, Ohio—Some 420 hourly and salaried staff members and about 130 temporary workers at the Mansfield/Ontario Metal Center stamping plant on West Fourth Street were informed Wednesday of the exact date for the previously announced shutdown.