Local manufacturer gets $1.2M government contract, by Margie Trax Page, Ashtabula Star Beacon, June 4, 2010
Geneva, Ohio—TEGAM Inc. has secured a three-year $1.2 million U.S. Air Force contract for power meters and will be the supplier of calibration instruments to Air Force bases in seven countries.

Little Tikes boss declares he's staying for the people, by Betty Lin-Fisher, Akron Beacon Journal, June 4, 2010
Hudson, Ohio—At the company's 40th anniversary celebration, Little Tikes Chief Executive Officer Isaac Larian said the company's employees were the reason he decided to keep the company in Hudson.

G.M. plans to form a technology venture firm, by Nick Bunkley, New York Times, June 4, 2010
Detroit—General Motors said Friday that it was committing $100 million to form its own venture capital firm as it seeks new technologies that can provide an advantage over competitors.

Manufacturing gets a lift from demand for aircraft, AP via Toledo Blade, June 4, 2010
Washington—The Commerce Department report was one of several economic reports released yesterday, collectively pointing to a broadening economic recovery that's generating more jobs.

GM profit is good sign during year of change and rebuilding, Youngstown Vindicator, June 4, 2010
Youngstown, Ohio—The first quarter profits are encouraging, but not likely to be replicated in succeeding quarters. Still, CEO Ed Whitacre has predicted a full-year profit, which could set the stage for a public stock offering late in the year or in 2011.

• Local GM transfers settling in, by Larry Ringler, Warren Tribune-Chronicle, June 4, 2010
  

Auto industry may see labor shortage, by Sharon Silke Carty, USA Today, June 4, 2010
Detroit—It seems counterintuitive, but the auto industry could face a labor shortage within the next few years, says the head of the Center for Automotive Research.

Earnings and sales reports:

• Auto sales hit the gas, rise by 19% over 2009, AP via Toledo Blade, June 3, 2010
• May auto sales climb, AP via Akron Beacon Journal, June 3, 2010
• Cobalt sales continue climb, Youngstown Vindicator, June 3, 2010
• Most automakers post double-digit May sales jumps, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 2, 2010
• Jeep Wrangler, minivans lift Chrysler sales 33%, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 2, 2010
  
• Toyota says May sales in the U.S. rose 7%, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 2, 2010

Ohio awarding 'hub' status to Cleveland's Health-Tech Corridor, by Tom Breckenridge, Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 3, 2010
Cleveland—Gov. Ted Strickland will announce today that the newly formed Cleveland Health-Tech Corridor, stretching from University Circle to Cleveland State University, will be designated a "Hub of Opportunity and Innovation" by the state.

Graco's Macedonia plant near end, by Jim Mackinnon, Akron Beacon Journal, June 3, 2010
Macedonia, Ohio—The company said it intends to close the plant pending negotiations with United Steelworkers Local 48U. The Steelworkers could not be reached for comment.

• Newell Rubbermaid intends to close Graco facility in Macedonia, affecting 155 jobs, by Michelle Jarboe, Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 2, 2010

GM taking some unusual risks in bringing its Chevrolet Cruze small car to market, by Robert Schoenberger, Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 3, 2010
Cleveland—Any production problems with the Cruze could mean an even longer period when dealers would have no car to sell in the highly competitive compact market.

• Cruze prices to start below $17,000, by Grace Wyler, Youngstown Vindicator, June 4, 2010
• GM prices Chevy Cruze at about $2,000 more than the Cobalt, by Robert Schoenberger, Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 3, 2010
  

Significant fuel savings possible for cars, SUVs, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 3, 2010
Washington—The National Research Council has concluded that technology already widely available could significantly cut fuel consumption by cars and light trucks without sacrificing safety or performance.

CWRU, UH get $5 million Third Frontier grant for new imaging center, by Angela Townsend, Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 3, 2010
Cleveland—Medical-imaging maker Philips Healthcare will open a $38.4 million global research and development center next year at University Hospitals Case Medical Center, a boost to the region's growing cluster of medical-imaging businesses.

Factory orders post 1.2% April increase, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 3, 2010
Washington—The Commerce Department said Thursday that orders to U.S. factories posted a moderate increase in April as a big surge in demand for commercial aircraft offset weakness in a number of other areas

FirstEnergy Corp. to receive $57 million in federal grants for smart grid technologies, Crain's Cleveland Business, June 3, 2010
Akron—FirstEnergy Corp. said it will put $57.4 million in grants from the Department of Energy toward so-called “smart grid” technologies to improve the reliability and interactivity of its electric distribution network in targeted areas of the company's Pennsylvania, Ohio and New Jersey service territories.

Ford's Mercury production to end this year, Akron Beacon Journal, June 3, 2010
Detroit—Ford Motor Co. will wind down its 71-year-old Mercury brand and the line's four remaining models, according to two people briefed on the company's plan.

Exports fuel factories despite crisis, by Justin Lahart and Kris Maher, Wall Street Journal, June 2, 2010
Washington—U.S. manufacturing grew at a brisk pace last month, drawing strength from export orders that continue to expand rapidly despite Europe's financial woes. (Subscription)

Two RPM subsidiaries file for reorganization, by Jim Mackinnon, Akron Beacon Journal, June 2, 2010
Medina, Ohio—RPM said Bondex International Inc. and its holding company, Cleveland-based Specialty Products Holding Corp., filed for Chapter 11 on Monday in Delaware. The filing allows companies to continue operating as they undergo a court-approved reorganization.

3 former Diebold executives accused of accounting fraud, by Janet Cho, Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 2, 2010
Green, Ohio—The Securities and Exchange Commission on Wednesday filed a lawsuit formally accusing three former Diebold Inc. executives of using fraudulent accounting practices to misstate the company's earnings by at least $127 million.

• Diebold Inc. to pay $25 million civil penalty in settlement with SEC, Crain's Cleveland Business, June 2, 2010

YSU college to host energy symposium, by Grace Wyler, Youngstown Vindicator, June 2, 2010
Youngstown, Ohio—The second annual Sustainable Energy Forum, which will take place at the university Monday and Tuesday, will aim to help companies and other local groups form new relationships around sustainable-energy initiatives.

This week's earnings reports:

• GM says its new car and truck sales rose 17%, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 2, 2010
  
• Ford says May car and truck sales rise 22%, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 2, 2010
  

GrafTech International awarded federal grant for role in solar power project, by Robert Schoenberger, Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 1, 2010
Cleveland—Parma specialized materials company GrafTech International Ltd. has received a $1.15 million Department of Energy grant for its part in an experimental solar power plant. SENER, a Spanish engineering company, plans to build a series of solar towers in California using an energy storage system developed by GrafTech.

Whirpool to cut 216 jobs, close Michigan plant, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 1, 2010
Benton Harbor, Mich.—The appliance maker said it is discontinuing the production of components made at the Michigan plant and making its latest laundry products at a location in Clyde, Ohio.

Alcoa, union reach tentative contract agreement, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 1, 2010
Denver—Details of the four-year agreement between Alcoa and the Steelworkers Union were not immediately available. It still must be ratified by union members in 10 states.

US EPA awards $17 million to nearly 30 Ohio projects to clean up Lake Erie watershed, by Michael Scott, Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 1, 2010
Cleveland—The grant awards -- $160 million spread over 270 different projects -- are part of the $475 million promised by Obama as the largest ever cash infusion toward Great Lakes water quality programs.

Aleris International emerges from Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, Crain's Cleveland Business, June 1, 2010
Beachwood, Ohio—The aluminum recycler and producer of aluminum rolled products was in bankruptcy reorganization for 15 months.

Cliffs Natural Resources makes hostile offer for Spider Resources, by Dan Shingler, Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 1, 2010
Cleveland—In its relentless pursuit of Canada's “Big Daddy” chromite deposit, Cleveland-based Cliffs Natural Resources has made good on its threat to attempt a hostile takeover of Ontario-based Spider Resources, which owns a stake in the deposit that would give Cliffs control over Big Daddy.

ISM: Manufacturing sector expands in May, AP via Akron Beacon Journal, June 1, 2010
Washington—The Institute for Supply Management, a trade group of purchasing executives, said Tuesday its manufacturing index dipped to 59.7 in May from 60.4 in April. A level above 50 indicates expansion.

Feds investigate trapped gas pedals in Ford models, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 1, 2010
Washington—The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened a preliminary investigation Friday after receiving three complaints involving unsecured all-weather floor mats. There are no reports of crashes or injuries.

Economy strengthens behind building, manufacturing, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, June 1, 2010
Washington—"The European fiscal crisis doesn't appear to have harmed the prospects of U.S. manufacturers, at least not yet," wrote Paul Ashworth, senior U.S. economist with Capital Economics.

Honda offers strikes in China 24% pay boost, by Norihiko Shirouzu, Wall Street Journal, June 1, 2010
Beijing—Honda Motor Co. said it has offered striking workers who have paralyzed its car-production lines in China a 24% increase in pay and benefits, a significant concession that highlights the new challenge from organized labor facing foreign investors on the world's factory floors. (Subscription)

Alcoa's Bill Christopher raises his profile as new leader of Greater Cleveland Partnership, by Tom Breckenridge, Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 30, 2010
Cleveland—Bill Christopher, Executive vice president, Alcoa and Group president, engineered products and solutions, has stepped into the spotlight as chairman of the Greater Cleveland Partnership, the region's largest chamber of commerce and economic development nonprofit.

Plastic injection molder manufacturer learned diversification wasn't enough, by Marcia Pledger, Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 30, 2010
Avon Lake, Ohio—Matt Hlavin, president of Thogus, a family-owned plastic injection molding company shares his experience in the PD's regular "My Biggest Mistake" feature. Hlavin says the company invested in new robotic machines for the injection molding business, while also investing in new technologies necessary to become an engineering firm focusing on product development.

Executive's strategy is to hire very competent people, by Alison Grant, Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 30, 2010
Independence, Ohio—Bob Fritz, chief executive of Avtron, has overseen the growth of a small Cleveland company into a 400-employee firm with five manufacturing plants in Independence and Valley View. He describes his company's push into wind energy in the PD's regular feature "Talk with the Boss."

Newell Rubbermaid expects growth in 2010 product sales, Akron Beacon Journal, May 29, 2010
Atlanta—The Atlanta-based company reaffirmed its outlook for the current fiscal year at its 2010 Analyst Day, with executives saying they have completed a years-long transformation of Newell Rubbermaid.

Howland Delphi gains two transferred lines, by Larry Ringler, Warren Tribune-Chronicle, May 29, 2010
Warren, Ohio—Union efforts to save members' jobs at Delphi Packard Electric are paying off with the transfer of plastic compound work from Rootstown to the North River Road Complex in Howland, a union official said Friday.