Magnet removes 'interim' tag from title of CEO Dan Berry, by Dan Shingler, Crain's Cleveland Business, April 16, 2010
Cleveland—MAGNET board chairman Arthur Anton announced today that Mr. Berry had accepted the board's offer to become president and CEO of MAGNET full time.

Solar power firms add 481 megawatts in 2009, Toledo Blade, April 16, 2010
Toledo—The Solar Energy Industry Association reports that U.S. solar power developers including Toledo-born First Solar Inc. and SunPower Corp. added 481 megawatts of the renewable energy last year.

Brown wants climate bill to regulate imports, by Jack Torry, Columbus Dispatch, April 16, 2010
Washington—Sen. Sherrod Brown warned yesterday that a global-warming measure would collapse unless it shielded U.S. manufacturers from imports from countries that do not curb their emissions of greenhouse gases.

NASA Glenn Research Center should benefit from Obama space plan,by Chuck Soder, Crain's Cleveland Business, April 16, 2010
Cleveland—Interim NASA Glenn director Ray Lugo said that, though Orion would be different, he expects NASA Glenn to have a role in its development.

• NASA Glenn Research Center getting expanded role, by Chuck Soder, Crain's Cleveland Business, April 9, 2010

Chart Industries unit wins $12 million contract for work in India, by Scott Suttell, Crain's Cleveland Business, April 16, 2010
Garfield Heights, Ohio—Chart Energy & Chemicals Inc. won a contract from Krishak Bharati Cooperative Ltd. for the mechanical design, fabrication and supply of two KBR Purifier systems to be installed at Krishak's ammonia plants in Gujarat, India.

Goodyear to roll out new tire at racing event, Akron Beacon Journal, April 16, 2010
Akron—Goodyear will debut a new tire at this weekend's National Hot Rod Association Top Fuel and Funny Car events, called the SummitRacing.com Nationals at the Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

U.S. rethinks electric-car fuel ratings, by Sharon Terlep, Wall Street Journal, April 16, 2010 (Subscription)
Washington—The federal government is rethinking the way to calculate fuel-efficiency ratings for electric vehicles, a move that will likely result in a significant reduction in the miles-per-gallon claims some auto makers have touted for the battery-powered cars they plan to launch later this year.

This week's earnings reports:

• GE profit tops estimates as energy unit earnings gain, by Rachel Layne, Business Week, April 16, 2010
• Alcoa sees 'slight' upturn ahead, by Doug Cameron, Wall Street Journal, April 13, 2010 (Subscription)
• Ford Americas chief says 1Q revenues, sales up, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 13, 2010
• Alcoa narrows first-quarter loss; sees improving demand, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 12, 2010

This week's Toyota headlines:

• Toyota conducts safety tests on all SUV models, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 15, 2010
• Inside Toyota, executives trade blame over debacle, by Norihiko Shirouzu, Wall Street Journal, April 13, 2010 (Subscription)
• Government considers 2nd civil penalty against Toyota, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 9, 2010
• Los Angeles federal court chosen by U.S. panel for Toyota lawsuits, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 9, 2010

Program could boost Ohio manufacturing, by Grace Wyler, Youngstown Vindicator, April 15, 2010
Washington—The Cash for Caulkers program would boost Ohio manufacturing and save middle-class families hundreds of dollars in energy costs, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown said Wednesday, announcing his support for the Home Star Energy Retrofits bill.

• Energy bill called boon in rebates for area, Toledo Blade, April 15, 2010

Eaton Corp. wins contract to help upgrade Hartwell Dam hydroelectric plant, Crain's Cleveland Business, April 15, 2010
Cleveland—Eaton Corp. said it will supply more than $2.5 million in electrical products and services to upgrade the Hartwell Dam hydroelectric power plant in Georgia.

Delphi helps develop vehicle charging system, Warren Tribune Chronicle, April 15, 2010
Warren, Ohio—Delphi Corp. announced it has agreed to work with ClipperCreek to make and sell portable charging systems for all-electric and plug-in vehicles.

Austen BioInnovation Institute names three vice presidents, by Cheryl Powell, Akron Beacon Journal, April 15, 2010
Akron—The Austen BioInnovation Institute named Dr. Brian L. Davis, vice president of the Medical Device Development Center; Dr. Michael Holder, vice president of the Center for Simulation and Integrated Healthcare Education; and Dr. Janice E. Janosky, vice president of the Center for Community Health Improvement.

DLH Industries teams with sales company, Canton Repository, April 15, 2010
Canton, Ohio—DLH Industries, global supplier of engineered plastic assemblies, has teamed up with The Walton Co., a manufacturer’s representative firm specializing in the sale and design support of engineered components to bring its engineered plastics solutions to the Southeast.

American Electric Power to cut more than 2,000 jobs, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 15, 2010
Columbus—American Electric Power Co. Inc., one of the nation's largest power generators, will trim its work force by as much as 10 percent and take other cost-saving steps to cope with sluggish demand.

Manufacturing output up in March as utilities lag, by Daniel Wagner, AP via Akron Beacon Journal, April 15, 2010
Washington—Manufacturing rose 0.9 percent and mining 2.3 percent, the Federal Reserve reported Thursday.

• Fed survey: Recovery is spreading; jobs still weak, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 14, 2010
• Industrial production rises less than expected, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 15, 2010
  
• Better days here? Economic rebound gains strength, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 14, 2010

Laid off workers who lost job to overseas competition eligible for federal funds, by Olivera Perkins, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 14, 2010
Cleveland—More than 1,200 workers in Northeast Ohio who have lost jobs or had hours reduced because of overseas competition will be eligible for federal aid, such as individual payments to help them with job searches, Sherrod Brown, Democrat of Ohio, said Wednesday.

Eaton Corp. wins big power systems contract from U.S. Air Force, Crain's Cleveland Business, April 14, 2010
Cleveland—Eaton Corp. said it won a five-year contract to provide the Air Force's Air Logistics Center in Utah with power reliability products and services, including engineering, project management, system integration, installation, training and onsite maintenance services.

Ethanol industry steps up lobbying as clout wanes, AP via Toledo Blade, April 14, 2010
Washington—Ethano was touted as a solution to high petroleum prices. The industry exploded over the last decade, thanks to government subsidies and incentives which are expiring. But questions about ethanol are on the increase, prompted by fluctuating food prices and efforts by anti-ethanol groups.

RPM International to replace current chief financial officer, Crain's Cleveland Business, April 14, 2010
Medina, Ohio—RPM International Inc. announced its current CFO, P. Kelly Tompkins, will resign April 30 to accept the position of executive vice president of legal, government affairs and sustainability for Cleveland-based Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. Robert L. Matejka, who joined the company in 2001 as vice president and controller and served as its chief financial officer from 2001 through 2007, will succeed him.

Government tightens requirements for Energy Star program, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 14, 2010
Washington—The Environmental Protection Agency says that to qualify their products for the energy-efficient label, new applicants will be required to submit complete lab reports and results for review. The agency is also ditching an automated approval process.

Ford debuts new traction control in 2011 Explorer, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 14, 2010
Detroit—Ford Motor Co. says its 2011 Ford Explorer will have a control system that lets drivers select how much traction they want based on road conditions.

Wheatland Tube exec takes post at parent, Youngstown Vindicator, April 14, 2010
Warren, Ohio—Bill Kerins, the division president of Wheatland Tube Co., has taken on a new position as senior vice president of human resources and government relations at John Maneely Co., Wheatland Tube’s parent company.

Lexus GX 460 rated 'do not buy,' Toyota halts sale, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 14, 2010
Washington—Toyota Motor Corp. has suspended sales of the 2010 Lexus GX 460 after Consumer Reports warned car shoppers not to buy the sport utility vehicle because handling problems could cause them to roll over on sharp turns.

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.'s new CEO expresses confidence in tiremaker's future, Crain's Cleveland Business, April 13, 2010
Akron—Richard J. Kramer used the occasion of his first speech to shareholders as Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.'s CEO to express confidence in the tiremaker's ability to grow as global economies recover.

• Goodyear installs CEO, Richard J. Kramer, by Jim Mackinnon, Akron Beacon Journal, April 14, 2010
• A new tire era, by Jim Mackinnon, Akron Beacon Journal, April 11, 2010

Green-energy industry touted as the future, by Grace Wyler, Youngstown Vindicator, April 13, 2010
Boardman, Ohio—U.S. Rep.s Charlie Wilson and Tim Ryan were on hand for a Local 396 Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 396 event celebrating new joint ventures to promote promote green-job creation and training. Ohio AFL-CIO President Joe Rugola said. “[The reindustrialized America of the future] will be cleaner and greener, it will be more focused on advanced technology.”

Owens-Illinois plans surge in research; Perrysburg lab to receive most of $18M investment, by Gary T. Pakulski, Toledo Blade, April 13, 2010
Toledo—Nearly three dozen scientists and engineers will arrive at the Perrysburg headquarters of Owens-Illinois Inc. in coming months as part a new research thrust by the longtime Toledo area glassmaker.

GM: China sales on fast track, Youngstown Vindicator, April 13, 2010
Shanghai—General Motors Co. said Monday that demand in China is so strong that the company’s annual sales may top 2 million vehicles this year — four years ahead of schedule — and could exceed 3 million by 2015.

Honeywell Autolite plant to recall up to 70 for temp work, Toledo Blade, April 13, 2010
Fostoria, Ohio—A Honeywell spokesman said the company had informed the United Auto Workers that it intended to recall up to 70 temporary workers at its Fostoria spark plug plant. It was not clear how long the temporary jobs would last.

Analysis: GM forges path to return to profitability, by Daniel Howes, Detroit News via Akron Beacon Journal, April 13, 2010
Detroit—For the first time, a coherent plan to return the automaker to sustained profitability appears to be emerging — and just in time — in the chatter accompanying the ''new GM's'' first financial results since exiting bankruptcy last July.

Aerospace workshop slated, Canton Repository, April 13, 2010
Canton, Ohio—Manufacturers can learn how to become part of the aerospace supply chain at Aero101, an all-day workshop April 27 at the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce.

General Mills to cut sodium in some products, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 13, 2010
Portland, Ore.—General Mills Inc. says it will cut the amount of sodium by 20 percent in a number of its cereals, soups, snacks and other products by 2015.

Lenders more amenable to altering manufacturer loans, by Dan Shingler, Crain's Cleveland Business, April 12, 2010 (Subscription)
Cleveland—There's never a good time to default on your bank loan, but for many manufacturers now might be a better time than most when it comes to convincing a lender to renegotiate terms on loans teetering on default.

FirstEnergy names new head of nuclear subsidiary, Crain's Cleveland Business, April 12, 2010
Akron—FirstEnergy Corp. said James H. Lash, senior vice president of operations at FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Co., has been named the unit's president and chief nuclear officer. Lash succeeds Joseph J. Hagan, who will retire on May 1.

GM: Electric Chevrolet Volt meeting range goals, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 12, 2010
Detroit—General Motors says test show the Chevrolet Volt is able to travel 40 miles on battery power, as promised. The automaker is now testing six Volts that recently were made at a Detroit factory. GM plans to start selling the cars in December.

Blueprint for fostering innovation, by Nick Clayton, Wall Street Journal, April 12, 2010 (Subscription)
New York—There was a time when expenditure on research and development was the principal measure of innovation. Now it's just a part of the way the importance of groundbreaking progress is gauged.

Swagelok Co. acquires Holland's RHPS B.V., Crain's Cleveland Business, April 12, 2010
Solon, Ohio—Swagelok Co. has acquired RHPS B.V. of Holland as part of its strategy to broaden the company's offering of products and services for fluid system technology customers around the world.

Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority shelves bolder plans while setting more conservative goals, by Jay Miller, Crain's Cleveland Business, April 12, 2010 (Subscription)
Cleveland—In a report to the community to be released later this week, the Port Authority will recount its efforts at setting short-term goals and reducing expenses, which include cutting staff.

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers warns authorities over harbor dredging, by James F. McCarty, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 10, 2010

State tech initiatives all effective, though reasons vary, by Chuck Soder, Crain's Cleveland Business, April 12, 2010 (Subscription)
Cleveland—Though the Third Frontier — which will end in 2012 unless voters approve a $700 million, five-year extension on the May ballot — isn't the only game in town, it's a program the state can brag about, said Dan Berglund, president of the State Science & Technology Institute.

Akron entrepreneurs' group forms, by Amy Ann Stoessel, Crain's Cleveland Business, April 12, 2010 (Subscription)
Akron—The Entrepreneur's Idea Exchange is for any person with a business idea, at any level of development. Meetings are two hours, and discussions are informal, facilitated by seasoned entrepreneurs and professionals in a small-group setting.

As May 4 election nears, debate over Ohio's Third Frontier program heats up, by Tom Breckenridge, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 11, 2010
Cleveland— More than a half-billion dollars has been spent. Some 55,000 jobs have been supported and 637 businesses and projects helped. Come May 4, Ohio voters will decide whether to pump $700 million more into Third Frontier to extend it four years beyond its scheduled expiration in 2012.

Region's exports suffer in recession; Auto industry accounts for much of decline, by Mike Boyer, Cincinnati Enquirer, April 11, 2010
Columbus—The Great Recession last year ended Ohio's string of 10 consecutive years of higher exports. But the state still managed to maintain its position as seventh-largest exporter among the 50 states, according to a new Ohio Department of Development analysis of federal trade data.

RTI names operations VP, Warren Tribune Chronicle, April 10, 2010
Pittsburgh—RTI International Metals Inc. Friday announced the selection of James L. McCarley as executive vice president of operations, effective May 17.

Regulators to probe brake failure in older Chevy, GMC trucks, by Jerry Hirsch, Los Angeles Times, McClatchy-Tribune News Service via Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 9, 2010
Washington—The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched a preliminary investigation into brake failure in 6 million older model Chevrolet and GMC full-size pickup trucks.

Auto-parts suppliers forum set, Akron Beacon Journal, April 10, 2010
Akron—A Northeast Ohio workshop — including information on financial assistance — will be April 19 at the Wolstein Center, 2000 Prospect Ave. in Cleveland. Workshops also are set for April 21 in Kettering, outside Cincinnati, and April 27 in Toledo.

• Auto-supplier workshop scheduled in Toledo for April 27, Toledo Blade, April 9, 2010

Ford expected to use plant near Ypsilanti for hybrid vehicle battery packs, AP via Toledo Blade, April 10, 2010
Dearborn, Mich.—According to a letter to UA lOCAL 898, Ford Motor Co. is planning to use a parts plant near Ypsilanti to supply hybrid vehicle battery packs. A company spokesperson said Ford would make an announcement later.

Plant's mercury discharges subject of dispute, by Shelley Terry, Ashtabula Star Beacon, April 10, 2010
Ashtabula Township—ASHTA Chemicals reports “losing” 415 pounds of toxic mercury in 2009, according to company records obtained from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by Oceana, an international ocean conservation group based in Washington, D.C.