Steel inventories lowest in nearly a decade, Cleveland Plain Dealer, November 20, 2007
Chicago—American manufacturers that use steel in their production have let inventories of flat-rolled, bar and plate steel decline this fall to the lowest level since spring 1998, according to Steel Market Intelligence, published by Michelle Applebaum, a Chicago research consultant for the steel industry. Applebaum predicts that weaker prices in the United States compared with steel from abroad and the meager inventory levels here suggest "a sharp pickup" in steel shipments during the first quarter of 2008.

Park-Ohio's ILS changes name to Supply Technologies, PR Newswire via CNN Money, November 19, 2007
Cleveland—Integrated Logistics Solutions LLC, formerly a unit of Park-Ohio Holdings Corp., changed its name to Supply Technologies LLC. The company's Columbia Nut and Bolt, NABS and Direct Fasteners Ltd. units will also operate under the Supply Technologies name.

Local manufacturers grapple with Wal-Mart's sustainable packaging initiatives, by Jason Miller, Crains' Cleveland Business, November 19, 2007
Cleveland—Wal-Mart will begin to require "sustainable packaging" from its suppliers in February 2008. Local companies participating in the effort include Handl-it Inc. of Bedford Heights, Nottingham Spirk of Cleveland Heights, Wadsworth-based Rohrer Corp., Solon-based Card Pak Inc., and Cleveland-based Heat Seal Inc.

German solar vendor to build headquarters in Cleveland, by John Funk, Cleveland Plain Dealer, November 20, 2007
Cleveland—IBC Solar AG, Germany's oldest solar vendor, informed the Cleveland Foundation that it build its U.S. headquarters in Cleveland. The foundation played a key role in convincing the German company to locate here instead of California. A company vice president cited the region's strong manufacturing culture, central location, excellent transportation facilities and access to university research labs as key to its decision.

NorTech announces 2007 Innovation Award winners, NorTech, November 14, 2007
Cleveland—During the recent NorTech Summit, the economic development organization recognized the following companies for "breakthrough innovation": AnalizaDx, EyePlusPlus, MemPro Ceramics, Nanomimetics Inc., SpineMatrix®, Inc., TeamCASE and Technology Management, Inc.

Upcoming Events

Interns for Entrepreneurs: Recruiting interns for small- and high-growth businesses, November 28, 7:30-10:00 am, Tri-C Corporate College East, Warrensville Heights, sponsored by the Northeast Council on Higher Education, The Key Entrepreneur Development Center at Tri-C's Corporate College, and (i)Cleveland.
Learn how to recruit interns from Northeast Ohio's academic programs in entrepreneurship and gain tools to manage interns in an entrepreneurial environment. Download the one-page event flyer including the program (PDF, 95k).

Breakfast for the Brain: How the Media Manipulates the News, November 30, 8:30 to 10:30 am, Employers Resource Council Workplace Center, 6700 Beta Drive, Mayfield Village.
Bruce Hennes, a crisis communications consultant, will lead this free interactive workshop on what to do when an “investigative journalist” bursts into your office with cameras blazing and a microphone in your face.

Into Solar: Area a world leader in promising method of panel production, by Gary T. Pakulski, Toledo Blade, November 18, 2007
Toledo—A new industry is taking hold, driven by the city’s experience in mass-producing glass plus a worldwide rush toward new sources of energy. A city long dismissed as another link in the Midwest rust belt has quietly established itself as one of the world’s leading centers of expertise in a promising method of inexpensively manufacturing solar panels.

A. Schulman discusses sale, by Jim Mackinnon, Akron Beacon Journal, November 17, 2007
Fairlawn—As part of an agreement with dissident shareholders, A. Schulman Inc., a manufacturer of plastic compounds and resins, announced its long-time CEO, Terry Haines, will retire effective March 1. The company said it is in negotiations with Haines' successor and will create a special board committee to consider ways to boost Schulman's stock price, including a possible sale of the company.

Related story: A. Schulman Inc. chief executive resigns, by Peter Krouse, Cleveland Plain Dealer, November 17. 2007

Steel firms oppose BHP-Rio deal, BBC World Service, November 19, 2007
Tokyo—The Japanese trade group, Japan Iron and Steel Federation, said the proposed merger of BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto could impede a healthy market price mechanism for iron ore. The federation estimates the new company would control 60% of Japan's iron ore imports.

Wind turbine makers look to Ohio for parts, by John Funk, Cleveland Plain Dealer, November 16, 2007
Akron—While politicians debated whether Ohio should embrace wind-generated power, the nation's No. 2 wind turbine manufacturer spent most of this week in the state looking for parts makers.

Midwest states OK energy pacts, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, November 17, 2007
Milwaukee—Midwestern governors and a Canadian premier agreed to two pacts Thursday to reduce greenhouse gases, increase alternative fuel production and raise renewable energy standards. Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland agreed to one of the pacts dealing with biofuels but to the other on greenhouse gases remains only as an observer.

Smucker quarterly earnings hit record, AP via Akron Beacon Journal, November 17, 2007
Orrville—J.M. Smucker Co. said earnings rose 10 percent in its second quarter, helped by an increase in sales stemming from its acquisition of Eagle Family Food Holdings Inc. that more than made up for higher interest and more expensive raw materials.