Meridian Auto Systems won't buy headlight plant in Sandusky, by Robert Schoenberger, Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 20, 2008
Meridian Auto Systems has backed out of a deal to buy a headlight plant in Sandusky, putting the jobs of 1,000 workers there in question.

Electric rate hike discussed in private; Utilities see regulators before filing, by John Funk, Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 20, 2008
Columbus—In just six weeks, Ohio's electric utilities will file requests to increase rates. But they are already talking with regulators about what they will want - behind closed doors.

GM losing 2,582 hourly workers in Ohio, by James Hannah, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 20, 2008
Detroit—About 13 percent of the 20,000 hourly workers employed at General Motors plants in Ohio have elected to take buyouts or retire early as part of the company's plan to cut costs, the automaker said Thursday.

GM halts pickup, SUV overhaul, by Jeff Karoub, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 20, 2008
Detroit—General Motors Corp. is indefinitely halting a major overhaul of its full-size pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles as it deals with a drastic drop in sales of those products. U.S. pickup sales in May fell more than 38 percent, and the company has said the market declined more rapidly than expected last month.

China, U.S. to negotiate investment treaty, by Martin Crutsinger, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 19, 2008
Washington—The United States and China have agreed to launch negotiations on an investment treaty that holds out the promise of greatly expanded opportunities for U.S. companies in China's vast market.

Manufacturing organization names new CEO, Akron Beacon Journal, June 19, 2008
Cleveland—David M. Fouts will join MAGNET on July 1 as its new president and chief executive officer. ''Our challenge is to partner with industry and economic development organizations across the region to build the infrastructure that will enable manufacturers to be globally competitive,'' Fouts said.

Related coverage:

MAGNET names David Fouts as new president, CEO, by Frank Bentayou, Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 19, 2008

GM adding third shift at Lordstown Aug. 4; Date moved up to boost small-car production, by Robert Schoenberger, June 18, 2008
Detroit—General Motors will add a third shift to its Lordstown small car plant Aug. 4, about a month ahead of schedule, in an attempt to boost production of the fuel-efficient Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 cars.

Timken gets $3.8M order from China iron producer, by Scott Suttell, Crains Cleveland Business, June 18, 2008 (Subscription)
Canton—The Timken Co. announced it won a $3.8 million contract to manufacture bearings for Masteel, one of that country's largest iron and steel producers.

Lubrizol to close acrylic emulsion unit of Avon Lake plant, by Scott Suttell, Crains Cleveland Business, June 17, 2008 (Subscription)
Wickliffe, Ohio—Lubrizol Corp. plans to close the acrylic emulsion unit of its Avon Lake plant and move production to other sites to combat higher energy and raw material costs.

Honda presents zero-emission car, by Tomoko A. Hosaka, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 17, 2008
Takanezawa, Japan—Honda's new zero-emission, hydrogen fuel cell car rolled off a Japanese production line Monday and is headed to Southern California, where Hollywood is already abuzz over the latest splash in green motoring.

Third Frontier program July 1, Akron Beacon Journal, June 17, 2008
Cleveland—Norm Chagnon, executive director of the Third Frontier CommissionThe event will be 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Doubletree Hotel, 6200 Quarry Lane, Independence., will discuss funding programs from research and commercialization to advanced energy and fuel cells. Ohio Department of Development will come to Northeast Ohio on July 1 to discuss the Third Frontier Program Plan and funding opportunities. Visit the Nortech site for more to register for this free event.

Cleveland-Cliffs names chairman of renewable energy provider, by Katherine Faye, Crains Cleveland Business, June 16, 2008 (Subscription)
Cleveland—Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. announced today that William Brake, Cliffs’ executive vice president and Cliffs Metallic chief technical officer, has been named chairman of Renewafuel LLC, effective immediately.

Railroads face crisis from freight congestion, by Michael Tarm, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 15, 2008
Chicago—Railroad executives met here this week to consider predictions that by 2035, rail traffic jams could be so severe trains would grind to a halt for days with nowhere to go.