Ohio governor presses compromise on sick days, by Stephen Majors, AP via Dayton Daily News, August 1, 2008
Columbus—Gov. Ted Strickland on Friday continued to push for a compromise to keep the proposed Healthy Families Act off the November ballot, but time is running out.

A. Schulman to expand in Akron, by Frank Esposito, Crain's Cleveland Business, July 31, 2008
Akron—A. Schulman Inc. will spend $10.5 million to expand and renovate an operation in Akron to make additive compounds for the film and packaging markets. CEO Joseph Gingo said said the packaging push also will allow A. Schulman to de-emphasize the auto market, which at one point made up 40% of its North American business.

Dana lays off 100 at Maumee tech site as part of trim of 500 salaried jobs, Toledo Blade, August 1, 2008
Toledo—Dana Holding Corp. confirmed yesterday that it will lay off 500 salaried employees across North America, including about 100 at its facilities in the Maumee area.

Goodyear tire unit announces exec changes, Crain's Cleveland Business, August 1, 2008
Akron—Stephen McClellan, formerly vice president of its Commercial Tire Systems unit, has been named president of its North American Tire Consumer business, replacing Lawrence Mason who announced he will leave the company. Joe Copeland, previously vice president of Goodyear's Off-Highway businesses, will succeed McClellan.

• The Andersons Inc.: The Andersons profit sets record for quarter at $45.6M, Toledo Blade, August 7, 2008

• Brush Engineered Materials: Brush Engineered posts lower profit, trims outlook, Crain's Cleveland Business, August 1, 2008

• Cooper Tire: Cooper Tire posts $22.2 million loss for quarter, Bloomberg News via Akron Beacon Journal, August 5, 2008

• Ferro Corp.: Profits at Ferro more than double, Crain's Cleveland Business, August 6, 2008 (Subscription)

• First Solar: First Solar sales, profits soar, Toledo Blade, July 31, 2008

• General Motors: GM loses $15.5 billion, Bloomberg News via Akron Beacon Journal, August 2, 2008

• Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.: Goodyear reports record revenue, Akron Beacon Journal, August 1
  —Strong sales abroad boost Goodyear's profit, Cleveland Plain Dealer, July 31, 2008

• Lubrizol: Lubrizol profit down slightly on restructuring charges, Cleveland Plain Dealer, July 30, 2008

• Newell Rubbermaid: Prices for fuel, plastic cut profit at Newell, Bloomberg News via Akron Beacon Journal, August 1, 2008

• Owens Corning: Fiberglass reinforces Owens Corning earnings in quarter, Toledo Blade, July 31, 2008

• Parker Hannifin: Parker's $12 billion in full-year sales is a record, Cleveland Plain Dealer, July 31, 2008

• RTI International Metals: RTI cuts costs after earnings fall, Youngstown Vindicator, July 30, 2008
  

• Steris Corp.: Steris Corp. of Mentor reports revenue is up 11 percent, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Thursday, July 31, 2008

• Timken: Timken has a record quarter for sales, earnings, Canton Repository, July 31, 2008

• TransDigm Group: TransDigm Group reports big profit gain, Crain's Cleveland Business, August 5, 2008

GM to cut 5,100 salaried workers; Analysts predict loss in earnings, by Dee-Ann Durbin, AP via Akron Beacon Journal, July 31, 2008
Detroit—General Motors Corp. plans to cut 15 percent of its U.S. and Canadian salaried work force—or about 5,100 jobs—by Nov. 1 as part of a plan to slash billions of dollars in costs and help the automaker ride out a slump in U.S. sales.

WTO Geneva meeting shows divides still too broad, National Association of Manufacturers, July 29, 2008
Washington—National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) President John Engler said in a statement that China and India insist they cannot lower their own trade barriers, but we must lower ours. But talk of the end of the WTO is nonsense, Engler said.

Bridgestone Firestone reveals tentative plans; Technical center staying in Akron, by Jim Mackinnon, Akron Beacon Journal, July 30, 2008
Akron—Bridgestone Firestone officials announce they have signed letters of understanding with the state of Ohio, Summit County, the Summit County Port Authority, and the city of Akron setting out the framework to build the new technical center in Akron. The proposal needs to clear a few hurdles before it becomes final.

Editorial: Preventative care; Another (expected) group against mandatory sick days measure, The Lima News, July 30, 2008
No one should be shocked that the Ohio Roundtable opposes organized labor's attempt to mandate a minimum number of sick days employers have to provide. What is telling is that Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland, a first-term Democrat, is trying to keep the measure off the November ballot.

Rep urges legislation on trade with China, Youngstown Vindicator, July 30, 2008
Wheatland, Pa.—U.S. Rep. Phil English, a Republican from Erie, Pa., urged Congress to curb Chinese dumping practices, especially in the wake of the favorable verdict obtained by steel pipe manufacturer Wheatland Tube earlier this year. English said that because of lax enforcement of trade laws and loopholes, China is able to dump goods on the U.S. market at a 40 percent price advantage.

British firm to close Bowling Green plant putting 135 out of work, Toledo Blade, July 30, 2008
Bowling Green, Ohio— A plastics plant here that was sold last year by Perrysburg-based Owens-Illinois Inc. to Rexam PLC, a London-based global manufacturer of consumer packaging,, will be closed later this year. The plant’s production work will be divided among Rexam’s 53 other plastics plants worldwide.

Ford to add 200 jobs to Lima plant, Toledo Blade, July 30, 2008
Lima, Ohio—Ford Motor Corp. will add more than 200 new jobs to its 50-year-old engine plant in Lima as it ramps up production of sedans and crossovers like the Edge and Flex.

Update: Lima engine plant wins 2 new models; to add jobs, by Larry P. Vellequette, Toledo Blade, July 31, 2008

Related story: Ford's Lima plant expansion bodes poorly for idled Brook Park plant, by Robert Schoenberger, Cleveland Plain Dealer, July 30, 2008

$7.5 million will provide startup help; Six groups get Third Frontier grants, by Paula Schleis, Akron Beacon Journal, July 30, 2008
Columbus—Six Ohio organizations that are working to help early-stage high-tech companies grow will share $7.5 million from the Ohio Third Frontier Commission.

PolyOne Corp. to close Macedonia engineered-materials plant, by Peter Krouse, Cleveland Plain Dealer, July 30, 2008
Avon Lake, Ohio—PolyOne Corp. said Tuesday that it will close its Macedonia engineered-materials plant, which employs about 45. The closing is part of a manufacturing realignment announced Monday.

Packard plans to shut Cortland plant, by Don Shilling, Youngstown Vindicator, July 31, 2008
Cortland, Ohio—About 15 salaried workers will lose their jobs when Delphi Packard Electric closes its Cortland plant. Packard told workers Tuesday that the plastic-molding operations of the Cortland plant will be consolidated into the Vienna plant, which does the same work.

CPSC legislation updates:

Congress OKs ban on toxins in child items, by Lyndsey Layton, Washington Post, July 30, 2008
Washington—Congressional negotiators agreed to a ban on a family of toxins found in children's products. Earlier this year Wal-Mart, Toys R Us and Babies R Us told their suppliers that they will no longer carry products containing the chemicals, known as phthalates, as of Jan. 1, 2009. The ban is part of popular legislation to reform the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

House bans lead from all kids' toys, by Jim Abrams, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, July 31, 2008
Washington—The House voted overwhelming Wednesday to ban lead and other dangerous chemicals from items such as jewelry and rubber ducks that could end up in kids' mouths. The bill would impose the toughest lead standards in the world.

Investors network making impact, by Paula Schleis, Akron Beacon Journal, July 30, 2008
Akron—The Akron Regional Change Angels (ARCHAngels)—a network of some 300 investors who meet quarterly to hear about new business opportunities—says it has helped young companies in Northeast Ohio find $32 million since 2005.

Opponents of sick leave plan boast deep pockets, by Jay Miller, Dan Shingler, Crain's Cleveland Business, July 28, 2008
Cleveland—Opponents of an anticipated statutory initiative that would require Ohio employers to give workers paid sick leave are building a war chest of at least $6 million to defeat the issue. When spending by the statute’s supporters is added, it’s likely that the two sides will spend $9 million or more to sway the outcome.

Related editorial: Editorial: Sick leave act, Findlay Courier, July 29, 2008
It's been more than a month since Gov. Ted Strickland started speaking out against the Healthy Families Act, the ballot issue that would make Ohio the first state in the nation with a sick leave mandate on most employers. ... It's in the interest of the GOP-controlled Legislature to come up with an acceptable compromise bill and pass it, quickly. Surely, with the governor's support, something can be done to mitigate the damage this ballot issue would cause.

Lawmakers clinch deal to overhaul product safety, by Melanie Trottman, Wall Street Journal, July 29, 2008 (Subscription)
Washington—Following months of wrangling, House and Senate negotiators reconciled two differing product-safety bills. If the compromise bill makes it to signature by President Bush, it will impose stricter regulation of everything from toys to all-terrain vehicles—along with harsher penalties for companies that violate the regulations.

Related story: Lawmakers agree on consumer product safety act, by Jim Abrams, AP via GoogleNews, July 28, 2008

GM gets $82 million tax package for Lordstown expansion, by Robert Schoenberger, Cleveland Plain Dealer, July 29, 2008
Columbus—The Ohio Tax Credit Authority approved a 75 percent reduction in GM's income taxes for up to 15 years to help fund a $317 million expansion of the GM's Lordstown, Ohio plant, the largest tax credit award this year and possibly a record for the state.

Saint-Gobain shows off new crystal manufacturing facility, by Frank Bentayou, Cleveland Plain Dealer, July 29, 2008
Troy Township, Ohio—Saint-Gobain Crystals, an international research and production company, recently moved into a new $15-million, 110,000-square-foot research and manufacturing facility and headquarters in Geauga County. The company employs 250 individuals growing crystals for a wide range of medical, geological and oil- and gas-exploration industries.

PolyOne Corp. closing six plants in U.S., including an operation in Avon Lake, by Peter Krouse, Cleveland Plain Dealer, July 29, 2008
Avon Lake, Ohio—PolyOne Corp. will be closing six plants in the United States, including an operation in Avon Lake, and one each in Canada and England as it realigns its manufacturing operations in the face of rising costs.

GrafTech raises outlook on strong sales, Cleveland Plain Dealer, July 29, 2008
Parma, Ohio—GrafTech, a manufacturer of fuel cells and graphite and carbon-based products, reported net sales increased 25% in its second quarter. The company raised its full-year sales growth projection 20 to 22%.

PwC: Uncertainty about U.S., world economies reaches five-year high among U.S. Manufacturers, by Adrienne Selko, Industry Week, July 29, 2008
New York—Pessimism and uncertainty about the domestic and world economies reached a five-year high among U.S.-based industrial manufacturers in the second quarter of 2008, according to the PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Manufacturing Barometer. More than two-thirds of industrial manufacturers believe the domestic economy is declining, but 68% predict positive revenue growth for their own companies.

GM adds 117,000 to tally of production cuts, Toledo Blade, July 29, 2008
Detroit—GM spokesman Tony Sapienza said the automaker will eliminate one shift each at its Moraine, Ohio, and Shreveport, La., plants in order to bring its total cuts to just under the planned 300,000 units.

Fab plant starts new third shift, by Christopher Kromer, Warren Tribune Chronicle, July 29, 2008
Lordstown, Ohio—Some of the nearly 250 workers who make up the new third shift a GM's Lordstown West Complex came off their first shift Monday morning with a shared sense of optimism about the plant's prospects. Next door at the Assembly Plant, workers are waiting to begin their third shift Aug. 4.

Thomas Steel Strip Corp. brings in replacements, by Christopher Kromer, Warren Tribune Chronicle, July 29, 2008
Warren Township, Ohio—A representative of United Steelworkers Local 3523 said Monday that trucks from local companies have crossed union picket lines to make deliveries to Thomas Steel Strip Corp. and accused the company of bringing in a handful of replacement workers. Several calls to the company Monday morning and afternoon were unreturned.

Norwalk Furniture deal still could happen, by Frank Bentayou, Cleveland Plain Dealer, July 29, 2008
Cleveland—Ohio Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher attended a private meeting Monday in a restricted area of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport aimed at helping Norwalk Furniture sell itself to an investor group. However, no deal among the private equity firms and Comerica Bank of Dallas was announced yet. Fisher tells the PD a deal is still possible.

Editorial: Working, yet uninsured, Akron Beacon Journal, July 28, 2008
Columbus— The State Coverage Initiative team presented its final report to Gov. Ted Strickland after nearly a year of study. One recommendation is that the state require Ohio employers who do not offer health benefits to establish Section 125 premium-only plans. For workers who cannot afford the premium costs, the report recommends state-sponsored assistance. The reality is that no number of reasonable recommendations can make a difference if nothing is done to restrain the cost of premiums and health-care services from outpacing the incomes of working families.

Step2 expanding exports to foreign markets; Products have become less expensive overseas, by Dan Shingler, Crain's Cleveland Business, July 28, 2008 (Subscription)
Streetsboro, Ohio—Step2 is finding new export opportunities for its line of molded plastic toys, which the company says it increasingly is selling into foreign markets such as China and the Middle East. “Right now, you have the weaker U.S. dollar, so our product is less expensive in overseas markets,”said Brian McDonald, Step2 vice president of sales.

GarageInventorLive could open doors for inventors, by Jay Miller, Crain's Cleveland Business, July 28, 2008 (Subscription)
Cleveland—A new initiative to assist inventors in bringing their ideas to manufacturers called GarageInventorLive.org kicks off Aug. 12 with a conference for called “Reinventing Made in USA” at NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. Sponsors include Inside Business magazine, WIRE-Net, the National Association of Home Builders Research Center and the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers.

Rent for industrial real estate on rise, by Stan Bullard, Crain's Cleveland Business, July 28, 2008 (Subscription)
Cleveland—The Marcus & Millichap realty brokerage estimates rents will climb 2% to $4.58 a square foot this year from last year.

Striking local releases statement, Warren Tribune Chronicle, July 27, 2008
Warren, Ohio—A spokesman for the union representing striking employees at Thomas Steel said Saturday that labor costs are not the reason for financial problems at the company. It blamed management salaries and benefits for increasing fees and costs.

Manufacturing losses exact rising toll in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan, by Tom Troy and Larry P. Vellequette, Toledo Blade, July 27, 2008
Toledo—Northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan have lost nearly 5,300 manufacturing jobs in less than two years, according to state and federal unemployment filings. And another 2,100 high-paying manufacturing jobs in the region are scheduled to disappear from the Toledo-area’s economic map in the next several months

Sick-day compromise running into problems, by Mark Naymik, Cleveland Plain Dealer, July 26, 2008
Cleveland—A Northeast Ohio group of small businesses has little confidence that Gov. Ted Strickland will find a compromise on a controversial ballot proposal requiring companies to offer paid sick days. COSE, the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and other business groups who oppose the ballot issue have formed the Ohioans to Protect Jobs and Fair Benefits coalition.

Integra LifeSciences of New Jersey plans to buy Akron-based Theken; Employees, HQ would stay in area, by Mary Vanac, Cleveland Plain Dealer, July 26, 2008
Akron—Plainsboro, N.J.-based Integra LifeSciences Holding Corp. agreed to acquire Theken Spine LLC and keep the companies' headquarters and manufacturing facilities in Akron. Theken Spine, founded in 1998, designs, makes and sells products used in spinal surgery.

Related story: Integra integrates Theken companies, by Paula Schleiss, Akron Beacon Journal, July 26, 2008

Fate of Cortland Delphi plant uncertain, by Christopher Kromer, Warren Tribune Chronicle, July 25, 2008
Warren, Ohio—After meeting this week to discuss how Delphi will address the fact that the company's manufacturing ability is outpacing its customer demand, union and plant officials are remaining mum on the future of Delphi's Cortland facility.

Ohio ranked 4th in overall biotechnology strength, Medical News Today, July 23, 2008
In Business Facilities magazine's recently released 2008 Biotechnology Strength Report, Ohio is ranked fourth among all states. The report's authors concluded that "every state that placed in the top 10 of this year's ranking should be considered a biotechnology leader."

Norwalk Furniture gets help from Ohio Lieutenant Governor Fisher, Comerica, by Frank Bentayou, Cleveland Plain Dealer, July 26, 2008
Norwalk, Ohio—Dallas-based Comerica agreed Friday to discuss supporting an investor group's purchase of the manufacturer, according to Norwalk's acting chief executive officer.