Invacare CEO A. Malachi Mixon suffers stroke, takes medical leave, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 30, 2010
Elyria, Ohio—Gerald Blouch, president and chief operating officer, will be interim CEO, Invacare said. James Boland, Invacare's lead director and a member of the board since 1998, will be interim chairman.

Babcock & Wilcox unit wins $90 million contract from Detroit Edison Co., Crain's Cleveland Business, April 30, 2010
Barberton, Ohio—The Babcock & Wilcox Power Generation Group subsidiary of McDermott International Inc. signed a contract to design and construct scrubbers for two, 825-megawatt units at Detroit Edison Co.'s Monroe Power Plant in Monroe, Mich.

First Solar planning new factory for panels, by Jon Chavez, Toledo Blade, April 30, 2010
Toledo—First Solar Inc., a Toledo-born company that operates a solar panel plant in Perrysburg Township which employs about 1,000 workers, is looking to build a similar plant to be operating about 18 months from now. But the Tempe, Ariz., firm won't say where the factory will be built.

U.S. economy expands 3.2% , by Jeff Bater, Tom Barkley, Wall Street Journal, April 30, 2010
Washington—The U.S. economy grew briskly in the first quarter, driven by businesses stocking up on goods for a strengthening consumer demand stoked by the lowest core inflation number in 51 years.

Higher iron ore and coal prices may bash steelmakers, by Devon Maylie, AFP via Wall Street Journal, April 30, 2010
New York—The pressure from higher iron ore and coal prices is real–that was the message the world’s largest steelmaker sent this week and one that investors are going to be hearing a lot more of as other European producers present their first quarter earnings next month.

After crash, auto towns get back to work, by Jeff Bennett, Mike Ramsey, Wall Street Journal, April 30, 2010
Flora, Ill.—A year after the U.S. government swooped in to rescue two crippled auto giants, the car business is showing signs of life again—and so are local economies across the heartland that depend on it.

Panel wants black boxes placed in trucks, cars, Columbus Dispatch, April 30, 2010
Washington—The House Energy and Commerce Committee yesterday released a draft that could form the basis of legislation to strengthen vehicle safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

• Congress sets hearing on expanded oversight of auto safety, by Micheline Maynard, New York Times, April 30, 2010.
• House panel releases auto safety proposals, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 29, 2010
  

This week's earnings reports:

• Libbey, Dana report stronger earnings for first quarter, Toledo Blade, April 30, 2010
  
• ArcelorMittal returns to profit, Warren Tribune-Chronicle, April 30, 2010
  
• Chart Industries sees first-quarter profit plunge 93 percent, by Janet Cho, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 29, 2010
  
• Brush Engineered Materials posts $6.7 million profit on record sales, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 29, 2010
  
• GrafTech has a better-than-expected quarter, announces two acquisitions, by John Funk, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 29, 2010
  
• Olympic Steel has a better first quarter, making $1.7 million, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 29, 2010
  
• Timken reports $28.6 million profit in first quarter, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 29, 2010
  
• Keithley Instruments reports robust second quarter as orders jumped 42 percent, by Janet Cho, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 29, 2010
  
• Timken nearly doubles earnings forecast for year, Akron Beacon Journal, April 29, 2010
• Lubrizol Corp. profit more than doubles in first quarter, by Teresa Dixon Murray, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 29, 2010
• Cliffs Natural Resources shows $93.5 million profit in first quarter, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 29, 2010
  
• Honda bucks loss trend with $774 million profit, AP via Akron Beacon Journal, April 29, 2010
  
• Lubrizol Corp. sees first-quarter earnings more than double, raises 2010 guidance, Crain's Cleveland Business, April 29, 2010
  
• Timken Co. reports big jump in first-quarter earnings, increases 2010 outlook, Crain's Cleveland Business, April 29, 2010
  
• First Solar profit rises on stronger demand, Toledo Blade, April 29, 2010
  
• Ferro Corp. posts improved results for first quarter, Crain's Cleveland Business, April 28, 2010
• Rockwell Automation triples profits, increases outlook, Wall Street Journal, April 28, 2010
• Diebold sees earnings rise 139 percent, by Betty Lin-Fisher, Akron Beacon Journal, April 28, 2010
• ATM maker Diebold Inc. reports solid first quarter earnings, by Janet Cho, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 27, 2010
  
• Ford posts $2.1 billion profit, by Keith Naughton, Bloomberg News via Akron Beacon Journal, April 28, 2010
• Ford reports profit of $2.1 billion in quarter, Nick Bunkley, New York Times, April 27, 2010
  
• Ford first-quarter earnings hit $2.1 billion, raising hopes for strong recovery, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 27, 2010
  
• Goodyear sales jump, loss shrinks in first quarter, by Robert Schoenberger, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 28, 2010
  
• US Steel narrows first-quarter loss on improved sales, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 27, 2010
• U.S. Steel reports smallest loss in five quarters, Bloomberg News via Business Week, April 27, 2010
  
• Lincoln Electric reports $23.7 million first-quarter profit, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 27, 2010
  
• Whirlpool first-quarter profit more than doubles, sales rise, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 26, 2010
• Whirlpool's profit soars on increased sales, cost cuts, Wall Street Journal, April 26, 2010

A year after Chrysler and GM bankruptcies, a look at how Northeast Ohio has fared, by Robert Schoenberger, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 29, 2010
Cleveland—When Chrysler filed for bankruptcy protection a year ago Friday, and GM did the same a month later, Northeast Ohio officials fretted about the ripple effect of the bankruptcies on the local economy. Here's a review, one year later, of how Northeast Ohio has fared.

Steris moving 240 jobs to Mentor campus from Erie, by Angela Townsend, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 29, 2010
Mentor, Ohio—Most of the jobs coming to Mentor are in departments such as research and development, customer service, training and finance. The transfer, to begin in about six months, is scheduled to be completed by December 2011.

Regulators put brakes on FirstEnergy rate change, by John Funk, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 29, 2010
Cleveland—"We want to take a look at what the effect will be on the bottom line for each and every customer, including residential, commercial and industrial, at realistic consumption levels," said PUCO Chairman Alan Schriber.

Now is time to raise gas tax, Voinovich says, Columbus Dispatch, April 29, 2010
Washington—Sen. George V. Voinovich of Ohio has called for an increase in the federal gasoline tax, saying the money raised would inject a spark into the economy by paying for road and bridge construction.

Gov. Strickland pushes Third Frontier funding vote at Mayfield company, by Tom Breckenridge, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 29, 2010
Mayfield, Ohio—Hiroyuki "Hiro" Fujita, president and chief executive of Quality Electrodynamics, soaked up waves of praise from Strickland and others, part of the governor's 11th-hour blitz to promote Tuesday's vote on high-tech development in Ohio.

Editorial: Many area jobs ride on steel imports, Warren Tribune-Chronicle, April 29, 2010
Warren, Ohio—As the steel industry prepares for a United States International Trade Commission ruling on Chinese steel dumping, our local leaders, especially U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Niles, should keep up their campaign to help manufacturers compete.

Workers lose wages, benefits in employers' shell game, officials say, by Stephen Koff, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 29, 2010
Washington—Nearly 460,000 Ohio workers and many more nationwide might be cheated out of overtime wages, Social Security payments, unemployment benefits and workers' compensation because their employers improperly classify them as independent contractors, say state and federal government leaders who want to clamp down on the practice.

New CEO says Dana is on its way back, by Larry P. Vellequette, Toledo Blade, April 29, 2010
Romulus, Mich.—Dana Holding Corp. officials yesterday introduced their new chief executive officer, Jim Sweetnam, during the company's annual shareholder meeting. Executive Chairman John Devine told the shareholders he believes the worst is behind them.

Lear, Automodular scheduled to close this summer, Warren Tribune-Chronicle, April 29, 2010
Lordstown, Ohio—Union leaders representing auto workers at two supplier plants in Lordstown are trying to find work for about 40 employees at the Lear Corp. plant and about 40 more at Automodular. Both plants are expected to close around June 23.

• Lear Corp. to close its Lordstown car parts plant in June, by Robert Schoenberger, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 28, 2010

GE Lighting protests Cleveland deal to make Chinese firm exclusive LED supplier, by Mark Gillispie, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 28, 2010
Cleveland—Officials from GE Lighting in East Cleveland are questioning the fairness of the City of Cleveland's plan to make a Chinese company the city's sole supplier of LED lights for the next ten years.

Theken Spine receives $1.85 million tax break, Akron Beacon Journal, April 28, 2010
Akron—Theken Spine — the Akron maker of products used in spinal surgery — has received a $1.85 million tax break from the state in exchange for maintaining operations in the city for at least 10 years and creating jobs.

Defiance GM plant gets $115M upgrade, by Larry P. Vellequette, Toledo Blade, April 28, 2010
Defiance, Ohio—General Motors Co. announced that it will spend $115 million over the next three years to upgrade the Defiance Foundry to cast the new V8 engine block for its 2013 models. It is the company's second such announcement--in February it announced a $59 million investment in its Defiance factory.

Federal help is stirring Toledo economy, Obama auto community expert says, by Jon Chavez, Toledo Blade, April 28, 2010
Toledo—At a workshop for auto industry suppliers sponsored by the Ohio Dept. of Development, Ed Montgomery, the federal director of recovery for auto communities and workers, said that although the situation has improved compared to last year, cities still need resources to recover from the U.S. auto industry's woes.

GE Says Economy Has Stabilized, AP via Industry Week, April 28, 2010
New York—General Electric Co. said on April 28 that the broader economy and its own industrial and lending businesses are improving, signs the "clouds are breaking" after one of the worst years ever for the company. "The forecast ahead of us is promising," said GE chief executive Jeffrey Immelt.

U.S. industrial manufacturers still cautiously optimistic, Industry Week, April 28, 2010
New York—The latest edition of the PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Manufacturing Barometer reports that over half of industrial products manufacturers (53%) are optimistic about the U.S. economy’s prospects over the next 12 months. Only 10% are pessimistic.

Toyota to recall about 50,000 Sequoia SUVs, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 28, 2010
Washington—Toyota said Wednesday that the recall would address the vehicle's electronic stability control system, which helps maintain traction during turning.

GM plant upgrades to preserve 1,600 jobs, Justin Hyde, Jewel Gopwani, Detroit Free Press, April 27, 2010
Detroit—General Motors is to unveil a plan today to spend $890 million to upgrade five North American factories for the next generation of V8 engines. The plan includes $115 million for the GM plant in Defiance, southwest of Toledo.

• GM to invest $890M in engines, keeping 1,600 jobs, AP via Akron Beacon Journal, April 27, 2010
• GM New York plant lands new V8 engine, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 26, 2010

Appliance maker to expand Ottawa plant; Area to gain jobs from project, Larry P. Vellequette, Toledo Blade, April 27, 2010
Ottawa, Ohio—With state financial assistance approved Monday, Whirlpool Corp. said it will proceed with a $4.4 million project to expand a formerly closed and bankrupt freezer manufacturing plant in this Putnam County village, potentially creating nearly 200 more jobs.

GM temps begin orientation sessions, Grace Wyler, Youngstown Vindicator, April 27, 2010
Lordstown, Ohio—As the summer launch of the Chevrolet Cruze approaches, about 600 temporary workers will begin working at the General Motors complex here to help with the transition.

Hukill Chemical of Bedford fined by EPA, Michael Sangiacomo, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 27, 2010
Bedford, Ohio—In an inspection last year, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency found Hukill Chemical in violation of EPA regulations by storing drums of hazardous waste for longer than a year, in violation of its permit.

Recycling business Advanced Plastics Reclaiming in Elyria closes suddenly, Lorain Morning Journal, April 27, 2010
Elyria, Ohio—A sign on the front door stating the APR plant closed on Friday, April 23 is the only official notice so far. The principals could not be reached. Most recently, the company had been grinding up plastic soft drink and water bottles for customers nationally and internationally.

Leader laments Honda's lack of progress, Dan Gearino, Columbus Dispatch, April 27, 2010
Columbus—In comments to trade magazine Automotive News, Honda's top executive thinks his company has grown complacent, coasting on the success of the Accord, Civic and CR-V and not doing enough to exploit demand for gas-electric hybrids.

Manufacturers see rebound, Robert Guy Matthews, Wall Street Journal, April 27, 2010 (Subscription)
New York—Showing the breadth of the recovery in manufacturing, Caterpillar Inc. and Whirlpool Corp. posted strong results Monday, underscoring how demand is spreading across consumer and industrial suppliers.

Diebold to provide and service network of ATMs for Citibank's Russian subsidiary, Janet Cho, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 26, 2010
Green, Ohio—Diebold Inc. announced a multiyear agreement to provide and service a network of ATMs for Citibank's Russian subsidiary, ZAO Citibank.

Ohio taxes obstruct wind tech movement, Dan Shingler, Crain's Cleveland Business, April 26, 2010 (Subscription)
Cleveland—When it comes to putting up turbines to turn moving air into electricity, Ohio is sucking wind. However, wind industry proponents hope legislation pending in the Statehouse will whip Ohio into shape this year.

Chardon Rubber Co. gets new lease on life, Mike McNulty, Rubber & Plastics News, April 26, 2010
Chardon, Ohio—A group of private investors has stepped in to purchase the company's custom mixing plant along with its compounding operation and launch a new custom mixing business, called Chardon Custom Polymers L.L.C., at the 200,000-sq.-ft. facility in Chardon.

• Chardon Rubber, bought out of bankruptcy, ready to restart production under new name, Robert Schoenberger, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 26, 2010
• Chardon Rubber Co. property has buyer, demolition is next step, Diane Ryder, Willoughby News-Herald, April 22, 2010

Goodyear official lays out leadership values, Katie Byard, Akron Beacon Journal, April 26, 2010
Akron—Monday's keynote address at a community leadership breakfast was Keegan's first big public appearance since Richard J. Kramer succeeded him as chief executive officer. Keegan became executive chairman at Goodyear at the company's 2010 shareholders meeting April 13.

Kelley Blue Book: top 10 green cars of 2010, Husna Haq, CSMonitor.com, April 27, 2010
Irvine, Calif.—Kelley Blue Book recently announced its picks for the top 10 green cars of 2010. It considered fuel economy, carbon-dioxide emissions, safety, comfort, and the "fun" factor, in making its decisions. Its number one choice? The Toyota Prius.

Forecasters optimistic about economy, job creation, AP via National Public Radio, April 26, 2010
Washington—Seventy percent of those recently surveyed by The National Association for Business Economics believe real GDP will grow by more than 2 percent this year.

Timken invests in steel's future, Jim Mackinnon, Akron Beacon Journal, April 25, 2010
Perry Township, Ohio—Timken put its Faircrest steel plant in Perry Township on display in conjunction with trade publication IndustryWeek's ''Best Plants'' conference in Cleveland. IndustryWeek in 1994 named Faircrest one of the nation's top plants — the first steel mill so honored.

After a decade of growth, Ohio exports take a dive, by Tom Breckenridge, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 25, 2010
Cleveland—Ohio's manufacturing attributes left it vulnerable to a world economy whose unrelenting appetite for cars, steel and machinery sagged. But so far this year, business is up.

Manufacturers, labor want U.S. to take more steps to curb Chinese imports, Robert Schoenberger, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 25, 2010
Cleveland—Sen. Sherrod Brown held a hearing on Chinese currency issues last week as part of an effort to get the U.S. Department of Commerce to label China as a country that manipulates its currency.

Planned introduction of bipartisan energy, climate bill put on hold, Jim Tankersley, McClatchy-Tribune News Service via Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 25, 2010
Washington—Two of President Obama's top remaining domestic policy initiatives -- energy and immigration -- appeared on the brink of collapse on Saturday, after a Republican senator at the center of both efforts threatened to jump ship in a dispute with Democrats over timing.

Swagelok President Art Anton wins top award from public relations group, Cleveland Plain Dealer, April 25, 2010
Berea, Ohio—Art Anton, president and chief executive of Swagelok Co. in Solon, and MAGNET's Board Chairman, won the John W. Hill Memorial Award from the Greater Cleveland Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.

GM's 'Big Ed' works to change GM, Daniel Howes, Detroit News via Akron Beacon Journal, April 25, 2010
Detroit—The Detroit News publishes a profile of General Motor Corp.'s new CEO, Ed Whitacre and his changes to GM's management style.

Earth-friendly claims spur lawsuits and FTC actions, Vanessa O'Connell, Wall Street Journal, April 24, 2010 (Subscription)
New York—There is a rising tide of legal and regulatory actions aimed at products pitched as "environmentally friendly," as consumers and the Federal Trade Commission have begun challenging whether such claims live up to their billing.

Manufacturing continues to gain, Darrell A. Hughes, Wall Street Journal, April 24, 2010 (Subscription)
Washington—The Commerce Department reported that, excluding transportation, new orders for manufactured durable goods climbed 2.8%.

Goodyear wins honor in Forbes magazine, Akron Beacon Journal, April 24, 2010
Akron—Forbes magazine ranked Akron's Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. 40th on the magazine's fifth annual listing of companies with the best reputations in the United States.

Chevy rolls out 2011 Cruze Eco, G. Chambers Williams III, San Antonio Express-News via Akron Beacon Journal, April 24, 2010
New York—For fuel-economy conscious consumers — which means most of us these days — Chevrolet rolled out the Cruze Eco model at the recent New York auto show.

Hostess Brands plans to shut down Akron's Wonder Bread bakery, Katie Byard, Akron Beacon Journal, April 24, 2010
Akron—The maker of Wonder Bread plans to shut down its Akron bakery by June 25, laying off 100 employees at a plant that has been in operation near downtown since 1923. The company said the age of the plant would have made it difficult and costly to modernize production equipment. The brick building was constructed in the mid-1890s.

Metro Toledo firms shift on Fortune's "500" list, Larry P. Vellequette, Toledo Blade, April 24, 2010
Toledo—Perrysburg-based Owens-Illinois Inc. rose four positions to No. 322 with revenues of $7.1 billion to become the region's largest corporation. Auto parts manufacturer Dana Holding Corp. fell to No. 398; Owens Corning slipped to No. 432.

Chinese wind turbine company visits area, Larry Ringler, Warren Tribune-Chronicle, April 24, 2010
Youngstown, Ohio—A Chinese company that makes wind turbines visited the Mahoning Valley on Thursday and Friday for a ''very exploratory look'' at the area, a Regional Chamber official said Friday. A representative of the company, which wasn't identified, looked at potential greenfield manufacturing sites throughout the valley.