U.S. railways face 'calamity,' by Michael Tarm, AP via Canton Repository, May 30, 2008
Chicago—According to an AP investigation, the nation's 140,000-mile rail freight network is already showing strain from congestion that will probably get worse over the next two decades. A lone train stopped in Chicago due to traffic congestion can force other trains to stop or slow as far away as Los Angeles or Baltimore. "It's not rocket science to see we have a calamity coming down the road," said Paul Bingham, a transportation analyst at research firm Global Insight.

19,000 autoworkers take buyouts at GM, by Alex Ortolani and Jeff Green, Bloomberg News via Akron Beacon Journal, May 30, 2008
Detroit—About 26% of GM's United Auto Workers members signed up for the buyout packages, and most will leave by July 1, GM said Thursday. The departures will allow GM to install new employees who will be paid about half the wage of the current unionized work force.

Voss Industries wins presidential export award, by Emily Schwaller, Crains Cleveland Business, May 30, 2008 (Subscription)
Cleveland—Voss Industries, a maker of band clamps, ducting components and other fabricated products for the aerospace and defense industries, said it has received the 2008 Presidential Export “E” Award — the highest honor the U.S. government gives to companies involved in exporting manufactured goods.

NDI medical sells device to Medtronic for $42 million, by Brie Zeltner, Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 30, 2008
Highland Heights, Ohio—A small Cleveland company developing neurostimulation technologies has sold one of its devices to medical technology giant Medtronic Inc. for $42 million. The MEDSTIM bladder pacing system uses an implanted device to deliver electrical stimulation to the nerves that control bladder function.

Ohio Senate OKs $1.57B jobs measure, by Jim Provance, Toledo Blade, May 29, 2008
Columbus—The Ohio Senate yesterday overwhelmingly approved a $1.57 billion package to use concrete and research to jump-start the state's sluggish economy. Among its provisions, the measure will invest in biomedical and bioproduct research and development; push solar, wind, and other advanced energy technologies.

Factory orders down, but better than expected during April, by Martin Crutsinger, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 29, 2008
Washington—Washington- Orders to U.S. factories for big-ticket items besides autos and airplanes showed surprising strength in April, raising hopes that manufacturing can help the economy shake off the slumping housing market and credit crisis.

HydroGen Corp. cuts staff, considers sale, by Shaheen Samavati, Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 29, 2008
Cleveland—Development-stage fuel cell company HydroGen Corp. has let go most of its staff and is considering a sale. The announcement came two weeks after the company said in an earnings statement that it had only enough cash on hand to operate through May 30.

Cooper to open facility in China, Akron Beacon Journal, May 29, 2008
Findlay, Ohio—Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. announced it will open a technical center in China's Min Hang district with more than 50 engineers, chemists and technicians, a test-wheel center, tire forensics lab and a vehicle lift.

Steel users work to deal with metal’s soaring cost, by Dan Shingler, Crain's Cleveland Business, May 27, 2008 (Subscription)
Cleveland—In 2004, steel prices rose 70% in a 12-month period. Over the last 12 months, the price of hot-rolled steel rose 73%. Manufacturers are using techniques they learned in 2004 to cope with today's soaring steel prices.

Ontario wind farm generates positive spin; officials see potential for Great Lakes region, by Tom Henry, Toledo Blade, May 27, 2008
Port Burwell, Ontario—With 66 turbines now and plans for another 18, Ontario's $200 million Erie Shores Wind Farm could be a sign of things to come for the Great Lakes region.

Chinese plants export jobs; Manufacturers shun low-wage inland for cheaper labor in Vietnam and India, by Kevin Hamlin, Bloomberg News via Akron Beacon Journal, May 27, 2008
Nanjing, China—One analyst believes that the end of an era has already begun for the Chinese export business. With Vietnam, India and other Asian nations mounting aggressive campaigns for foreign investment, a third of the manufacturers in Guangdong province — which produces 30 percent of China's exports — will be closed in three years. Chinese manufacturers are moving domestic manufacturing to those countries due to a combination of rising labor wages and transportation costs.

LG Looking at GE appliance unit, by Evan Ramstad, Wall Street Journal-Asia, May 27, 2008 (Subscription)
Seoul, South Korea—LG Electronics' chief executive told a news conference the company is looking closely at General Electric's appliance unit which went up for sale recently.

One-fifth of U.S. employers violate family leave act, by Katherine Reynolds Lewis, Newhouse News Service via Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 27, 2008
Washington— One in five U.S. employers violates federal law by offering workers less than the required unpaid leave to care for a sick family member, new child or their own serious illness, according to a new report by the Families and Work Institute.

Ex-Chrysler supplier Plastech to sell off assets, Toledo Blade, May 26, 2008
Detroit—Auto parts supplier Plastech Engineered Products Inc. has received permission from a federal bankruptcy judge in Detroit to start an auction process June 16 to sell its assets.

Cleveland's Global Market: Northeast Ohio companies cashing in as exports rise, by Frank Bentayou, Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 25, 2008
Cleveland—For global manufacturers in Northeast Ohio, the decline of the dollar in relationship to other currencies creates a competitive edge for products they're selling abroad. PD reporter Frank Bentayou reviews how Eaton, Lincoln Electric and six other Northeast Ohio manufacturers are benefiting from exports.

American Axle to resume work under new contract, Toledo Blade, May 24, 2008
Hamtramck, Mich.—American Axle and Manufacturing Holdings Inc. said yesterday it expects production to resume next week after workers overwhelmingly approved a new contract with the auto parts supplier that contains steep pay cuts and other concessions.