Akron biomed, Cleveland firm announce deal, by Cheryl Powell, Akron Beacon Journal, January 29, 2010
Akron—The Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron this month reached a partnership deal with Orthopaedic Research Laboratories to co-brand its educational programs with the BioInnovation Institute and assist Akron-area researchers with developing and evaluating potential new products

Beverage company eyes old Ford plant, plans $5M expansion, 45 new jobs, by Cindy Leise, Elyria/Lorain Chronicle-Telegram, January 29, 2010
Lorain, Ohio—Heidelberg Distributing Co., a major beverage distributor that bought Goodman Beverage Co. in 2008, now has a $5 million plan to expand into Ford Motor Co.’s old Lorain Assembly Plant.

O-I CEO: Pact talks with customers a success, by Gary T. Pakulski, Toledo Blade, January 29, 2010
Toledo—Echoing an earlier statement by a top subordinate, Owens Illinois Inc. Chief Executive Al Stroucken yesterday declared recent contract negotiations with customers a success.

Trade magazine editor asks: Where is rage over loss of U.S. manufacturing? by Don Shilling, Youngstown Vindicator, January 29, 2010
Youngstown, Ohio—Richard McCormack, editor and publisher of Manufacturing & Technology News, spoke Thursday at a Williamson Symposium hosted by Youngstown State University’s business school.

• Experts: U.S. needs manufacturing policy, by Larry Ringler, Warren Tribune Chronicle, January 29, 2010

Youngstown company offers solar product, Youngstown Vindicator, January 29, 2010
Youngstown, Ohio—Northern States Metals said it is offering a new product, the Solar FlexRack mounting rack, that allows solar panels to be assembled more quickly.

Obama plan for NASA places launches in private sector hands, by Kenneth Chang, New York Times, January 28, 2010
Washington—President Obama will end NASA’s return mission to the moon and turn to private companies to launch astronauts into space when he unveils his budget request to Congress next week, an administration official said Thursday.

This week's earnings reports:

• Ford celebrates rare profits, by Dee-Ann Durbin and Tom Krisher, AP via Akron Beacon Journal, January 29, 2010
• Ford turns corner to recovery, AP via Youngstown Vindicator, January 29, 2010
• Decreased beer bottle orders pare O-I income, by Gary T. Pakulski, Toledo Blade, January 28, 2010
• Sherwin-Williams posts higher fourth-quarter earnings, sees better 2010 profits, Crain's Cleveland Business, January 25, 2010
• Eaton profit rises 29%, expects 2010 earnings above views, Joan E. Solsman, Wall Street Journal, January 25, 2010 (Subscription)
• Eaton Corp. sees profit rise in fourth quarter, raises outlook for 2010, by Robert Schoenberger, Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 25, 2010

Northeast Ohio trade mission to United Kingdom set for June, Crain's Cleveland Business, January 28, 2010
Kent, Ohio—he Northeast Ohio Trade & Economic Consortium in Kent and its International Trade Assistance Center division are leading a trade mission to the United Kingdom in June to help area manufacturers develop business relationships and expand into the European market.

Manufacturers are cautiously optimistic about 2010, Industry Week, January 28, 2010
Cleveland—Nearly half (47%) of survey respondents to the PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Manufacturing Barometer are are optimistic about the U.S. economy's prospects, whereas only 5% were optimistic a year ago.

Governor pays visit to M-7 Technologies, by Ron Selak Jr., Warren Tribune Chronicle, January 28, 2010
Youngstown, Ohio—Gov. Ted Strickland says M-7 Technologies represents what could be done in the arena of job expansion in Ohio: The company on Youngstown's North Side has taken advantage of job training dollars to get people back to work.

Editorial: Frontier crossroad, Akron Beacon Journal, January 28, 2010
Akron—Now is the moment for the state to keep its word, securing an essential foundation for research and innovation into high-technology processes and products.

Orders for durable goods edge up 0.3 percent in December, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 28, 2010
Washington—Orders to U.S. factories for big-ticket manufactured goods posted a modest increase in December, but the gain was not enough to prevent orders from plunging by a record amount for the entire year.

NASA Glenn to get new assignments, money in wake of Constellation cancellation, by John Mangels, Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 28, 2010
Cleveland—Senator Sherrod Brown said a senior NASA official he would not name assured him that the president's budget, which will be released Monday, will contain good news for the Cleveland center and its more than 3,400 employees and contractors.

Ohio's planned 3C rail corridor awarded $400 million in federal money, by Mark Dodosh, Crain's Cleveland Business, January 28, 2010
Cleveland—The Obama administration has awarded $400 million in federal money for Ohio's proposed 3C passenger rail corridor that would link Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati by train.

Supplier perplexed by Toyota's action, by Matthew Dolan, Wall Street Journal, January 28, 2010 (Subscription)
Elkhart, Ind.—CTS Corp. said Wednesday it will ship a replacement part to Toyota factories after reports of sudden acceleration led the Japanese auto maker to halt U.S. sales of some of its best-selling models.

• Toyota's president worried about company reputation on quality, by Norihiko Shirouzu, Wall Street Journal, January 27, 2010 (Subscription)
• Fixes being cranked out in massive Toyota recall, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 28, 2010
• Toyota supplier cranking out redesigned pedals amid recall, AP via Akron Beacon Journal, January 29, 2010
• Toyota extends recall to Europe, China after U.S., AP via Akron Beacon Journal, January 28, 2010
• Toyota car recall hits US, Europe and China, BBC News, January 28, 2010
• Gas-pedal flaw rare, Toyota tells worried drivers, AP via Toledo Blade, January 28, 2010
• GM trade-in campaign targets Toyota owners, Bloomberg News via Toledo Blade, January 28, 2010
• Only certain Toyotas have defect, by Larry Ringler, Warren Tribune Chronicle, January 28, 2010
• Toyota heir faces crisis at the wheel, by Kate Linebaugh and Norihiko Shirouzou, Wall Street Journal, January 27, 2010 (Subscription)
• Toyota's inability to sell its most popular vehicles could be very expensive, by Robert Schoenberger, Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 27, 2010
• Toyota recalls another million vehicles because of mats, acceleration, wire services via Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 27, 2010
• Toyota U.S. sales halt deals blow to image, earnings, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 27, 2010
• Rapid growth has its perils, Toyota learns, New York Times, January 27, 2010

Governor says Akron company symbolizes his hopes for Ohio's future, by Paula Schleis, Akron Beacon Journal, January 27, 2010
Akron—Gov. Ted Strickland stopped in Akron Wednesday to visit a rising star in the world of alternative energy: Echogen Power Systems, formerly called reXorce Thermionics Inc..

HDT International Holdings acquires parachute maker Airborne Systems Group, Crain's Cleveland Business, January 27, 2010
Solon, Ohio—HDT, formerly known as Hunter Defense Technologies, has acquired Airborne Systems Group Ltd., a maker of parachute products for an undisclosed sum

'Bullwhip' hits firms as growth snaps back, by Timothy Aeppel, Wall Street Journal, January 27, 2010 (Subscription)
Peoria, Ill.—The "bullwhip effect" occurs when companies significantly cut or add inventories. Economists call it a bullwhip because even small increases in demand can cause a big snap in the need for parts and materials further down the supply chain.

Honda eyes home fuel cell fill-up with test, by Matt Burns, Business First of Columbus, January 27, 2010
Torrance, Calif.—The automaker’s Torrance, Calif.-based Honda R&D Americas Inc. on Wednesday unveiled a hydrogen refueling station prototype that is smaller, less expensive to build and 25 percent more efficient than the refueling stations it installed in California over the last decade.

Jobless rate in Cuyahoga and contiguous counties remains below state average, by Scott Suttell, Crain's Cleveland Business, January 26, 2010
Cleveland—Data released today by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services show the December unemployment figures in all seven counties of Northeast Ohio remain below the statewide average of 10.9%.

GM agrees to sell Saab to Spyker, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 26, 2010
Detroit—General Motors Co. ended weeks of uncertainty about its Saab division on Tuesday, announcing a deal to sell the Swedish auto company to tiny Dutch sports-car maker Spyker Cars NV.

• GM reaches deal to sell Saab, by Michael Corkery and Sharon Terlep, Wall Street Journal, January 26, 2010 (Subscription)

Gov. Ted Strickland banking on green energy jobs to save Ohio's economy, by Reginald Fields, Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 26, 2010
Columbus, Ohio—In his "State of the State" address, Gov. Ted Strickland vowed to "move heaven and earth" to right Ohio's economy from the blow dealt by the Wall Street meltdown that has crippled the state's finances and stomped out job development.

• Strickland uses State of the State to push programs for stimulating jobs, investment, by Jay Miller, Crain's Cleveland Business, January 26, 2010
• Strickland adjusts priorities in year full of challenges, Youngstown Vindicator, January 27, 2010

Leader of Austen BioInnovation initiative to address community leaders, by Cheryl Powell, Akron Beacon Journal, January 26, 2010
Akron—Akron's ambitious initiative to build medical research and development is taking shape under the guidance of Dr. Frank L. Douglas, who has been pushing the founding partners to define their initial projects and work more closely together. Douglas will talk to community leaders on Thursday to share updates on the institute.

Valley tile company says it did not get a chance to bid an Army contract, by D.A. Wilkinson, Youngstown Vindicator, January 26, 2010
Summitville, Ohio—Summitville Tile recently laid off 22 more workers after a German company was given a contract to install tile at an elementary school at Fort Bragg Air Force Base.

Severstal to fire up Warren steel mill, Youngstown Vindicator, January 26, 2010
Warren, Ohio—Severstal is restarting part of its Warren steel mill in mid-March but isn’t saying how many of its 1,150 laid-off workers will be recalled. Only the blast furnace and hot-rolling mill operations are being restarted at this time.

• Severstal planning to recall Warren plant workers, by Raymond L. Smith, Warren Tribune Chronicle, January 26, 2010

Dow wins major tax credit for Findlay plant, Findlay Courier, January 26, 2010
Findlay, Ohio—Dow Chemical Co. on Monday was granted a $106,163 state tax credit for an an $8 million machinery and equipment expansion that will add 20 jobs at its North Main Street plant. The plant produces films used in construction, automotive, packaging, and medical uses and products.

Venture capital flow to 21-county Ohio region became a trickle in 2009, by Tom Breckenridge, Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 26, 2010
Cleveland—A report from the Venture Capital Advisory Task Force shows that the flow of venture capital in the region decreased by 62 percent in 2009. Overall, 183 companies in the region drew $1.1 billion in venture investments the last five years, the task force reported.

State approves tax breaks for company expansions in Northeast Ohio, by Tom Breckenridge, Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 26, 2010
Cleveland—The Ohio Tax Credit Authority approved tax breaks for five Northeast Ohio companies looking to expand in the state: Parker Hannifin Corp. (Mentor facility); HDT Defense Technologies (Solon); NCRx Optical Solutions Inc. (Medina); GoBasalt LLC (Lorain or Elyria); James B. Oswald Co. (Cleveland).

Dundee, Mich. plant called key in Chrysler-Fiat integration, AP via Toledo Blade, January 26, 2010
Milan, Italy—Sergio Marchionne, Fiat SpA's chief executive officer, said yesterday that a new Chrysler plant in Dundee, Mich., that will build Fiat engines represents "a huge step forward" for the integration of Chrysler Group LLC into Fiat.

GM to sell Saab to Dutch carmaker Spyker, AP via Yahoo News, January 26, 2010
Amsterdam—General Motors Co. said Tuesday it has reached an agreement to sell its struggling Saab Automobile arm to the small Dutch luxury carmaker Spyker Cars NV.

Two public policy groups see opportunity in Ohio for 'green-collar' jobs, by Mark Dodosh, Crain's Cleveland Business, January 25, 2010
Cleveland—The two public policy groups—Apollo Alliance of San Francisco and Policy Matters Ohio—have released a joint report that recommends changes in Ohio's job training efforts in order to better prepare people for what they call “green-collar jobs” in the clean energy sector of the economy.

NASA site reuse plan lifts off, by Jay Miller, Crain's Cleveland Business, January 25, 2010 (Subscription)
Cleveland—NASA Glenn Research Center is putting up for redevelopment 18.9 acres it owns north of its main campus in the first step of a long-term plan to create an aviation and aerospace business cluster around Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

Small and midsize companies tap selling potential in China, India, by Chuck Soder, Crain's Cleveland Business, January 25, 2010 (Subscription)
Cleveland—Executives of local companies who talked with Crain's Cleveland Business said they started their Chinese and Indian sales efforts by working through partner companies in those nations or local experts with foreign ties. Crain's interviews: Peter Broer, Lumitex; Scott Janda, EnPac LLC; John McMillan, Oatey Co.; Dr. Paul Lehmann, Cellular Technology Ltd.; and Gary Baney, Boundless Flight Inc.

GM: No deal yet to sell Saab, but still talking, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 25, 2010
Detroit— Dutch luxury car maker Spyker Cars NV is still in talks with General Motors Co. to buy its ailing Saab brand, but no deal has been reached, spokesmen for both sides said Monday.

Interim GM CEO Whitacre named as permanent CEO, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 25, 2010
Detroit—General Motors Chairman and interim CEO Ed Whitacre announced this morning the company is dropping the interim from his title as the automaker's CEO. The 68-year-old Whitacre had been GM's interim CEO since last month, when the company's board ousted former CEO Fritz Henderson.

Ford unveils Web-connected dashboard, Akron Beacon Journal, January 25, 2010
Wire Services—At the recent Consumer Electronics Show, the automaker unveiled plans for Web-connected dashboard technology that includes OpenBeak, a mobile Twitter application formerly known as TwitterBerry.

Where process-improvement projects go wrong, by Satya S. Chakravorty, Wall Street Journal, January 25, 2010 (Subscription)
New York—What do weight-loss plans and process-improvement programs such as Six Sigma and "lean manufacturing" have in common? They typically start off well, generating excitement and great progress, but all too often fail to have a lasting impact. Here are some lessons for executives seeking to avoid Six Sigma failures.

Ford to add 1,200 jobs in Chicago, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 25, 2010
Detroit—On Tuesday, Feb. 26, Ford Motor Co. will announce it plans to add 1,200 jobs at its Chicago assembly plant later this year to build the new Explorer sport utility vehicle.

• Ford to begin hiring at new lower wages, by Matthew Dolan, Wall Street Journal, January 26, 2010 (Subscription)

Lordstown scheduled for three idle weeks, by Larry Ringler, Warren Tribune Chronicle, January 23, 2010
Lordstown, Ohio—The General Motors Lordstown Complex is scheduled to be idled for two weeks in March and one in April, union officials said Friday.

UAW protests Ford restoring white-collar benefits, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, January 23, 2010
Detroit—Factory-level United Auto Workers officials at Ford Motor Co. have voted to file grievances with the company to protest its decision to restore merit pay and other white-collar benefits.