U.S. automakers may split ranks in contract talks, by Jeff Bennett and Jeff Green, Bloomberg News Service via Akron Beacon Journal, August 26, 2007
Bloomberg News analyzes the potential for a split among GM, Ford and Chrysler in upcoming negotiations with the United Auto Workers. Ford and GM are seeking health care cost cuts while Chrysler's strategy emphasizes quick savings.

Auto workers in Northeast Ohio support strikes (but walkouts are unlikely), by Robert Schoenberger, Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 31, 2007
Over the past two weeks, six of the seven United Auto Workers locals between Avon Lake and Lordstown have voted overwhelmingly to approve strikes. Polls for the final election at Lordstown's UAW Local 1112 close today.

Census Bureau releases American Community Survey data, U.S. Census Bureau, August 28, 2007
The Census Bureau released income, earnings and poverty data from its American Community Survey this week. The region's newspapers published a spate of articles analyzing the results for each community. Check out this GoogleNews Search to see a comprehensive list of the latest headlines.

Related story: Ohio, urban centers lag in good paying jobs, by Joe Milicia, Associated Press via Akron Beacon Journal, August 30, 2007

City, county task force coordinates dealings with China, by Duane Ramsey, Toledo Free Press, August 31, 2007
The City of Toledo and Lucas County have created a joint China Investment and Development Task Force to coordinate activities and economic development with China. The task force will create an inventory of Northwest Ohio businesses already involved in China, identify a process for handling inquiries from China and hosting delegations from China, and handle inquiries from the Toledo area about doing business in China.

Gov. Ted Strickland offers utility proposal, by John Funk, Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 30, 2007
"Gov. Ted Strickland on Wednesday unveiled the broad outline of administration proposals designed to block utilities from tying retail rates to volatile wholesale markets when the current rate caps expire at the end of 2008. ... 'This is not a plan for utilities, not a plan for manufacturers,' Strickland said in a speech to about 100 in the atrium of Ohio's historic Statehouse. 'It's a plan for Ohio, a plan to protect existing jobs and attract new jobs.'"

Related stories:

Governor Strickland proposes energy, jobs and progress plan, governor.Ohio.gov, August 29, 2007

Businesses praise Governor’s leadership on electricity, Ohio Manufacturers Association, August 30, 2007 (PDF)
“Gov. Strickland has proposed a comprehensive, thoughtful and deliberative plan that will
benefit all consumers and help our state’s economy. We applaud his leadership and his
commitment to promptly finding a solution to Ohio’s looming energy crisis."

Strickland pushes Ohio energy shift, by Jim Provance, AP via Toledo Blade, August 30, 2007

Strickland pushes renewable power in energy plan, by John McCarthy, AP via Akron Beacon Journal, August 30, 2007

Strickland reveals energy plan, by Marc Kovac, Youngstown Vindicator, August 30, 2007

Ohio considers renewable portfolio standard, RenewableEnergyAccess.com, August 30, 2007
"Ohio's plan brings the number of U.S. states that either have—or have proposed— some form of renewable portfolio standard to 26, more than half the nation. That number does not include Illinois, Missouri, Virginia, and Vermont, which have set voluntary goals for adopting renewable energy instead of portfolio standards with binding targets."

China market could be next for N.E. Ohio, by Paula Schleiss, Akron Beacon Journal, August 30, 2007
MAGNET's special consultant, David Yen, spoke to more than 60 members of the Greater Akron Chamber on Wednesday. Yen, recently returned from a three-week trip to China, urged the business leaders to join the other Northeast Ohio companies already selling more than $182 million of products to China.

Cleveland-Cuyahoga port authority looks to spur economy, by Tom Breckenridge, Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 30, 2007
Around 80 people attended a public meeting yesterday to comment on the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority's proposed 25-year strategic plan. By 2033, the port authority estimates it can use its varied powers - including land acquisition and bond financing - to spur $2 billion in private investment and 50,000 new jobs.

Ohio manufacturers make INC. 5000, INC., August 2007
INC. magazine recently released its list of Top 500 fastest-growing, privately held companies and introduced a new list, the Top 5000. Metal Resource Solutions of West Chester, OH, made it into the Top 500 at #495, and ranked 11th on the magazine's list of Top Companies in Manufacturing. Willoughby-based Integra Enclosures ranked #763 over all and 16th in manufacturing. Another West Chester-based company, Republic Wire, ranked #1,125 over all and 39th in manufacturing. Wickliffe-based K-Tec ranked #1,209 over all and 45th in manufacturing. The magazine also published an online slide show of Hot Products from the Top 500.

Rhodes, American Trim launch Third Frontier program, by Bart Mills, Lima News, August 30, 2007
Rhodes State College and American Trim took delivery of a four-ton physical vapor desposition coating chamber, the central component of the new Advanced Materials Commercialization Center created with the help of a $1.38 million Third Frontier grant from the state.

NAM annual Labor Day Report sees workers making solid gains, National Association of Manufacturers, August 28, 2007
In its tenth annual Labor Day report, NAM reports average yearly compensation in manufacturing rose to $68,860 for a full-time worker last year, nearly 30% higher than the rest of the private workforce. Eight manufacturing industries saw job increases, led by machinery, aerospace and food product manufacturing. Click the headline link to view the press release, the eight-page report and a 90-second video.

Ohio governor seeks energy plan to replace deregulation, AP via Ohio News Network
Governor Ted Strickland is expected to release details of a new energy plan today. It is expected to be based on his vision for handling investor-owned utilities, along with a strategy for using renewable energy sources such as wind, solar and bio-fuel.

Columbia Paint & Coatings Co. to merge with Sherwin-Williams, Sherwin-Williams via BusinessWire, August 28, 2007
Sherwin-Williams announced a merger agreement that, when consummated, will make Spokane, WA-based Columbia Paint & Coatings Co. a subsidiary. This makes the sixth acquisition for Cleveland-based Sherwin-Williams this year.

Related story: Columbia Paint to be sold, by Parker Howell, Spokesman Review (Spokane, WA), August 28, 2007

Aiding Innovation: University of Akron tech transfer office establishes campus to coax public-private collaboration, by Chuck Soder, Crain's Cleveland Business, August 27, 2007
The University of Akron Research Foundation recently purchased space to establish an Akron Innovation Campus to serve as a hub for collaborations between the university and area businesses. Spin off companies created from university technologies can rent offices in the 5,000 square feet reserved for collaboration space, which would give them quick access to the university and its resources. The space also is open to private companies collaborating on research projects with the university and other groups working to support innovation in the community.

Firm picked to sell off Hoover equipment, by G. Patrick Kelley, Canton Repository, August 29, 2007
TTI Floor Care North America chose Solon-based Stopol to sell the remaining equipment in the Hoover plant.

Related story: Solon, Ohio-Based Stopol to Sell Equipment from Former Hoover Plant in North Canton, Ohio, Stopol via Business Wire, August 28, 2007

Policy Matters Ohio urges action on renewal of federal Trade Adjustment Assistance program, Policy Matters Ohio, August 27, 2007
The nonpartisan, nonprofit research group Policy Matters Ohio announced that in the first seven months of the year, 5,319 Ohio workers lost their jobs due to international trade. The institute's analysis showed that 2,323 workers were in Northern Ohio counties. The analysis is based on data from the federal Trade Adjustment Assistance program which provides training and benefits for displaced workers. The program is up for renewal this year and PMO is urging support for a proposed bill that renews and expands the program.

Related story: Report: 5,319 Ohioans lose jobs because of international trade, by John Nolan, Dayton Daily News, August 27, 2007

Economic development loans create jobs in Ohio, Ohio Department of Development, August 27, 2007
ODOD announced that the Development Financing Advisory Council awarded loans valued at $17 million for 10 economic development projects that will retain 1,236 positions and create 1,422 jobs. Four Northern Ohio companies received loans: Parker Hannifin, Intelect Medical, Pierre Foods and Reduction Engineering.

The world's eyes are on Ohio for advanced education, Ohio Business Development Coalition, August 28, 2007
A report from the Institute of International Education reveals that Ohio ranks ninth in the nation for attracting international students to colleges and universities. The Ohio Business Development Coalition says more than 18,000 international students came to study in Ohio because of the state's reputation in advanced materials, advanced design and advanced manufacturing.

Opinion: When it comes to manufacturing, it's still a "Jungle" out there, by Johann N. Neem, Seattle Times, August 28, 2007
Johann Neem, an assistant professor of history at Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA, draws parallels between the U.S. in 1906 when Upton Sinclair wrote "The Jungle" about dangerous working conditions and substandard meat produced by the U.S. food industry, and today's shock about substandard, dangerous products coming from China. "Americans are right to demand that China improve its products' safety," Neem writes. "But, this time, let's not forget that Chinese laborers also work long hours, sometimes under egregious conditions, and are denied their right to organize in a country that benefits from global capitalism while refusing its workers the freedom that should be part of all free markets."

Timken names leaders of its new divisions, Canton Repository, August 28, 2007
The company's former automotive and industrial groups have been combined into the new Bearings and Power Transmission Group. Five individuals were named to top management positions in the new divisions.

Commercial Metal Forming workers have new contract, Youngstown Vindicator, August 28, 2007
United Steelworkers of America Local 2332-1 approved a five-year contract for 130 workers at Commercial Metal Forming that includes pay raises but also higher premiums for medical insurance.

Editorial: Presidential candidates must remember that manufacturing matters, Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 26, 2007
The Plain Dealer urges presidential candidates to keep the key issues that affect manufacturing front and center in the 2008 election campaign.

Northern Ohio flooding endangers manufacturing plants, ReliablePlant.com, August 27, 2007
ReliablePlant.com reports that more than 100 heavy manufacturing plants fall within the nine-county area which the Governor declared to be in a state of emergency due to record rains and flooding. The report includes a chart showing how many jobs are at risk in each county. Click on the image to view the full-size chart.

Strickland plan could 'green' Ohio, by Jim Provance, Toledo Blade, August 26, 2007
The Toledo Blade reports Governor Strickland could put his energy proposal before lawmakers as soon as this week. "I want my plan to be a comprehensive approach," Strickland said. "It will deal with rates. It will deal with an advanced energy portfolio. It will deal with efficiency. There's no question in my mind that an emphasis on advanced energy will result in jobs being created and new industries being developed.

"Related Event: If energy rates are of vital interest to your company, plan to attend the Second Annual Northern Ohio Energy Management Conference, September 19 at the John S. Knight Convention Center in Akron. Sponsored and hosted by MAGNET in conjunction with the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, Industrial Energy Users-Ohio, FirstEnergy Solutions, Ohio Cast Metals Association, the Ohio Department of Development and the Manufacturers' Education Council.

Ohio treasurer promotes low-interest loans for small businesses, By Shaheen Samavati, Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 25, 2007
Ohio Treasurer Richard Cordray visited Cleveland on Friday as part of a statewide tour promoting a $500 million subsidized-loan program for small businesses. Cordray said the state will subsidize interest rates on loans up to $250,000 for any for-profit business with less than 150 employees.

L.A., Beachwood group sweep up Hoover site, by Stan Bullard, Crain's Cleveland Business, August 27, 2007
Crain's reports that a partnership led by Stuart Lichter of Los Angeles and Chris Semarjian of Beachwood have a contract and hope to close a deal for the 1.5 million square foot property in October.

Hewitt survey: 2008 salaries increase minimally, but performance pay will be high, compiled by Adrienne Selko, IndustryWeek, August 27, 2007
A survey of 1,007 large organizations indicates that base salary increases for salaried exempt employees will grow 3.8% in 2008, but performance bonuses will rise to record levels, possibly as high as 12%.

Ergonomics at work: Humantech helping Goodyear reduce injuries, by Jim Mackinnon, Akron Beacon Journal, August 27, 2007
Mike Porter, Goodyear's director of global health, safety and chemical material management tells the ABJ that since implementing a new ergonomic program in 2005, strains and sprains have dropped by 35% and ergonomic injuries have dropped by 47%.

Worthington Industries safety program reduce injuries, saves $1.2 million, Business Wire, August 27, 2007
The first-year results of the company's Safe Works program produced a 44% reduction in serious injuries and a 22% reduction in total injuries. Reducing workers' compensation claims by nearly a third resulted in substantial savings.