UAW contract talks cause anxiety for auto workers, by Katie Merx, Detroit Free Press via Akron Beacon Journal, September 6, 2007
As the September 14 deadline contract expiration deadline approaches, auto workers are worried that the United Auto Workers will agree to the proposed special retiree health-care trust known as a ''Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association'' that would take on responsibility for the companies' hourly retiree health liability.

Related story: Auto Union Talks May Go Beyond Sept 14 Deadline, AP via Akron Beacon Journal, September 7, 2007

Delegation of Ohioans to visit Japan, by Paula Schleis, Akron Beacon Journal, September 7, 2007
Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher is heading a delegation of nearly 50 business and economic development leaders to Japan to meet 18 Japanese companies and attend the Midwest U.S.-Japan Association Annual Conference in Tokyo.

Related link: Ohio Department of Development press release about the trip.

Opinion: Power surge: The time to repair the state's regulation of electricity is now, Akron Beacon Journal, September 7, 2007
"Ohio must repair its regulatory scheme for electricity. For his part, the governor has provided the outline of a plan that, whatever its shortcomings, offers a framework for lawmakers to act responsibly, effectively and soon."

Ohio may get $1 billion plant, by Paul Wilson, Randy Ludlow and Mark Niquette, Columbus Dispatch, September 7, 2007
A Russian steel company, Magnitogorsk Iron & Steel Works, is in negotiations to build a $1 billion plant in Scioto County in Southern Ohio. Documents from the Ohio Department of Development indicate the plant, if it is built, would create 1,000 jobs.

Eco-friendly businesses to link, by Duane Ramsey, Toledo Free Press, September 7, 2007
Spartan Chemical Company, a Toledo-based manufacturer of solvents, detergents and cleaning products, recently hosted an introductory event for the Northwest Ohio Green Products Center which will be located at the Center for Innovative Food Technology. The NOGPC will link companies to resources for the "green product" marketplace. It will also help businesses create products that satisfy the requirements of the federal government's bio-based programs initiative. Spartan, for example, created both a Green Solutions product line and Bio Renewables product line to fill this new niche.

Upcoming Events:

Employment Connection Open House and Reception, September 13, Employment Connection, 1020 Bolivar Road, Cleveland, Sponsored by Cleveland Cuyahoga Workforce Investment Board.

Second Annual Energy Management Conference, September 19, John S. Knight Convention Center, Akron, Sponsored by MAGNET.

Third Frontier Public Briefing on 2008 RFPs, September 21, Hilton Akron/Fairlawn Hotel, 3180 West Market Street, Akron, Sponsored by the Third Frontier Commission and the Ohio Department of Development.

2007 COSE Small Business Conference, October 18-19, IX Center, Sponsored by the Council of Smaller Enterprises, Greater Cleveland Partnership.

RTI: 7th fastest-growing company, by Don Shilling, Youngstown Vindicator, September 6, 2007
Fortune Magazine named Weathersfield-based RTI International Metals seventh on its 2007 list of the 100 fastest-growing companies. The parent company of RMI Titanium Co. delivered a 68% average total return for investors. Check out the RTI listing on Fortune's site. One other Ohio company made the top 100: Mining company Cleveland Cliffs ranked number 59th.

Poll: Most Ohioans favor restrictions on foreign imports, AP via Toledo Blade, September 5, 2007
A Connecticut university surveyed around 1,430 Ohio voters in August and found that nearly 58% of them favor import restrictions, even if that means consumer products will cost more.

Federal Reserve releases regional economic survey, September 5, 2007
The Fed's September Beige Book report includes a summary on economic growth in the Fourth District (Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati). In general, the region's economy grew at a modest pace. In its focus on manufacturing, 20% of respondents reported hiring in the past six weeks and most expect the soft economy to hold down hiring and wage pressure.

CSU innovation center presents projects, Shaheen Samavati, Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 6, 2007
The Wright Center for Sensor Systems Engineering at CSU, one of 13 centers created with grants from the Ohio Third Frontier program, presented progress on seven projects that are creating new ways to use signals gathered by sensors.

Norwalk firm looks to move into Ford plant, by Alex M. Parker, Lorain Morning Journal, September 2, 2007
Jiffy Products, a company which makes small pots for plants, is looking at the former Lorain Ford Plant to relocate its facilities from Norwalk. If the company concludes a deal with city officials, it will be the third company to move into the Ford plant, which was purchased by the California-based redevelopment firm IRG last year.

Upcoming regional events:

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.

Lean 2007, October 1-3, Hilton Garden Inn Cleveland Downtown, sponsored by Reliable Plant and Noria Corp.

Machine Shop Workshop, November 8-9, Marriott Cleveland Downtown at Key Center, sponsored by American Machinist.

NA 2008: The 2008 Material Handling & Logistics Show and Conference, April 21-24, IX-Center, sponsored by Material Handling Industry of America.

Akron firm gets prototype funds, by Paula Schleis, Akron Beacon Journal, September 5, 2007
Akron-based reXorce Thermionics Inc. closed a $1.8 million deal to build and demonstrate a device that converts common heat sources into electricity. JumpStart Inc., Northeast Ohio's venture development organization, will invest $400,000 with the balance of the funding from mTerra Ventures LLC and Bally Energy.

Related story: JumpStart Inc. to invest $400,000 in Akron firm developing heat-based power, by Mary Vanac, Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 5, 2007

Help Wanted: Finding workers can be hard work for area companies, by Larry Ringerler, Youngstown Tribune Chronicle, September 5, 2007
At a Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber employment event last year, 92 employers tried to fill 2,000 jobs. Local experts say there are two problems: potential employees who can't pass drug tests and wages and benefits that are too low to attract and retain quality employees.

Worthington Industries: The pursuit and power of zero, by Paul V. Arnold, ReliablePlant.com, September 2007
Worthington Industries near Toledo finished its recent corporate fiscal year with zero OSHA recordable injuries or illnesses and zero DART cases. Find out how this plant has maintained a spotless safety record since May 7, 2006.

Manufacturing slows in August, CNNMoney.com, September 4, 2007
The Institute for Supply Management's manufacturing index slipped slightly in August, but came in close to Wall Street expectations. Ten industries reported growth in August and survey respondents indicated inflationary pressures were weakening. View the original report.

Related story: Manufacturing sector remains on steady course, by Sudeep Reddy, Wall Street Journal, September 5, 2007 (Subscription required)
"'While there's a lot of bad news on the financial side, it doesn't seem to be creeping into manufacturing as much as one might think,' said Norbert Ore, chair of the ISM's manufacturing survey committee. 'The next couple of months look to be fairly strong.'"

Some companies finding it tough to replace retiring Baby Boomers, by Lee Morrison, Times-Reporter, September 3, 2007
Three Ohio manufacturers share their concerns about the imminent retirement of a large part of their workforce. The article notes MAGNET research estimating that 800,000 manufacturing jobs in the Midwest will be vacated by retirements in the next six years.

Opinion: Focus on the future--Ensuring Toledo's role in the global economy, by Dan Johnson, Toledo Free Press, August 31, 2007
The President Emeritus of the University of Toledo, who is also a member of Toledo's China Task Force, says the city could use this model to establish similar task forces for other strategic countries.

Akron Machining Institute has too few students to remain open, AP via Zanesville Times-Recorder, September 4, 2007
The Akron Machining Institute closed on July 31, forcing 29 students to look elsewhere for training. A spokesman said it had trouble attracting new students. This leaves only two proprietary machining schools in Ohio.

U.S. workers top productivity table, BBC, September 3, 2007
The International Labour Organization reported that U.S. workers are 14% more productive than the next closest country, Ireland. However, that is, in part, because U.S. workers work more hours than other developed countries. Measured as value added per hour worked, Norway has the highest labor productivity level (US$ 37.99), followed by the United States (US$ 35.63) and France (US$ 35.08). View the ILO press release or the original report: "Key Indicators of the Labour Market."

Develop wearable power system and win $1 Million, by Jill Jusko, IndustryWeek, September 1, 2007
The Department of Defense launched a "wearable power" competition to spur development of an energy storage system that will reduce the 20 to 30 pounds an American soldier currently wears in the form of various battery devices. The objective is a wearable, prototype system that produces 20 watts average power for 96 hours and weighs 4 kilograms (about 8.8 pounds) or less. Companies must register by November 30. Details at: www.dod.mil/ddre/prize.