Go-slow approach for Cruze complements GM’s resurgence, Youngstown Vindicator, August 13, 2010
Youngstown, Ohio—“We are taking it slow and methodically. We want to make sure that every car that comes off the line is perfect,” said Jim Graham, longtime president of UAW Local 1112, which represents assembly workers at the Lordstown complex.

Solar plan in China's Inner Mongolia highlights pitfalls for U.S. firms, by Keith B. Richburg, Washington Post, August 13, 2010
Washington—What happened to the Mongolian solar farm project reads like a cautionary tale on the pitfalls facing U.S. firms trying to enter the Chinese market, particularly in a sector such as alternative energy, which has many indigenous competitors.

Opinion: How to jump-start American manufacturing, by Robert M. Kimmitt and Matthew J. Slaughter, Washington Post, August 13, 2010
Washington—Fundamental to the revival of American manufacturing is international investment, both outward and inward. Such investment has long fostered the sector's dynamism and growth. The U.S. operations of multinational companies based here and abroad strengthen our manufacturing industry in several ways.

This week's earnings reports:

• GM posts another profit, moves toward stock sale, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 12, 2010
• General Motors earns $1.3 billion in its second quarter, by Robert Schoenberger, Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 12, 2010
  
• GM posts $1.33 billion profit, a sign of strength, by Tom Krisher and Dee-Ann Durbin, AP via Akron Beacon Journal, August 12, 2010
• Babcock & Wilcox earnings drop 1.6% in second quarter, Akron Beacon Journal, August 11, 2010
  
• Applied Industrial Technologies shows profit for fourth quarter, full year, Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 10, 2010
  
• B&W releases its first report as stand-alone, Akron Beacon Journal, August 10, 2010
  
• TransDigm Group Inc. reports higher third-quarter earnings, raises guidance again, Crain's Cleveland Business, August 10, 2010
• Chrysler posts $172 million loss amid sluggish sales, by Jeff Bennett, Wall Street Journal, August 9, 2010
  
• Growing sales help Chrysler narrow its loss in second quarter, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 9, 2010
  
• Sifco Industries Inc. reports sharp drop in third-quarter profits, Crain's Cleveland Business, August 6, 2010
  

Eaton Corp. promotes executive as senior VP of sales and marketing, Crain's Cleveland Business, August 13, 2010
Cleveland—Mr. Boccadoro succeeds Jeffery M. Krakowiak, who has been named vice president and general manager – Canada for the company's Electrical Sector Americas Region.

Mistral Equity Partners becomes majority owner of Akron's Country Pure Foods, Crain's Cleveland Business, August 13, 2010
Akron—The private equity firm that is the majority owner of snack food maker Shearer's Foods Inc. in Brewster is now the primary owner of Akron-based Country Pure Foods, a producer of fruit juices.

Shearer's celebrates its new 'green' plant in Massillon, by Matthew Rink, Canton Repository, August 13, 2010
Massilon, Ohio—But the 47,000-square-foot facility Jack Shearer sat in Friday is the crown jewel of all six Shearer's plants, a state-of-the art building recognized as the first platinum-certified Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design manufacturing facility in the world. Shearer’s Foods is now embarking on the second phase of the facility, a 65,000-square-foot addition.

FirstEnergy Corp. impeding connection of consumers' wind turbines, Ohio Consumers Counsel alleges, by John Funk, Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 12, 2010
Cleveland—In a complaint filed with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, Consumers' Counsel Janine Migden-Ostrander said the Akron company has broken state law in its treatment of customers with wind turbines.

Timken to invest $50 million in new projects and hire 200 more workers, by Shaheen Samavati, Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 12, 2010
Canton—The Canton-based specialty steel and bearings maker says it has seen a significant increase in demand for steel products and expects its sales to increase by at least 70 percent this year compared to last.

• Timken to upgrade two steel mills, by Jim Mackinnon, Akron Beacon Journal, August 12, 2010
  

North Baltimore plant loss is Indiana's gain, by Lou Wilin, Findlay Courier, August 12, 2010
Findlay, Ohio—The company last week told the United Auto Workers it will close the North Baltimore plant in October. Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland said he was disappointed by the decision.

• Michigan company to open Indiana plant, close Ohio plant, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 11, 2010

Report offers liability options for CO2 storage, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 12, 2010
Washington—An administration task force is proposing several options aimed at overcoming liability obstacles that could hinder the development of "clean coal" technology. The experimental technique involves storing carbon dioxide emissions from coal plants and other sources underground, in an attempt to reduce pollution blamed for contributing to global warming.

Ed Whitacre to step down as General Motors CEO next month; Dan Akerson to replace him, by Robert Schoenberger, Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 12, 2010
Cleveland—Akerson joined GM's board last year. Along with Whitacre, he was one of several executives recruited by the White House to make huge structural changes to the automaker as it headed into bankruptcy.

• New CEO for revived GM, by Sharon Terlep, Wall Street Journal, August 12, 2010
• Union: CEO change doesn’t affect mission, by Larry Ringler, Warren Tribune-Chronicle, August 13, 2010
  

FirstEnergy Corp. to take writeoff of up to $287 milliion for cutting back capacity, by Jay Miller, Crain's Cleveland Business, August 12, 2010
Akron—The Akron-based electric company said the reductions will take place at three Northeast Ohio plants and one in Northwest Ohio due to lower demand for electricity in the sluggish economy.

CCC Collaborates With First Energy On Jobs, by Rick Jackson, WCPN IdeaStream, August 12, 2010
Cleveland—To prepare for growing demand, and to replace an aging workforce, First Energy is updating and re-instituting a program with Cuyahoga Community College, training new workers for its non-nuclear power plants.

When a truck absolutely, positively doesn't use fuel, by Rebecca Smith, Wall Street Journal, August 12, 2010
New York—FedEx is exploring supplementing its diesel trucks with electrics because its trucks typically drive fairly short routes that battery power, with its limited range, could handle. Trucks also end the work day at maintenance yards where they could be recharged with lower-priced off-peak electricity. (Subscription)

Obama signs manufacturing bill, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 11, 2010
Washington—President Barack Obama has signed a bill meant to reduce costs for U.S. manufacturers and help them regain their footing in the shaky economy. The law would reduce and suspend tariffs on certain materials U.S. companies must import to make their products. It passed both houses of Congress with bipartisan support.

• Manufacturers praise President’s signing of U.S. Manufacturing Enhancement Act of 2010 (H.R. 4380), National Association of Manufacturers, August 11, 2010
  

Racing companies to use Ford EcoBoost engines from Brook Park, by Robert Schoenberger, Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 11, 2010
Cleveland—he same powerful Brook Park-built EcoBoost V-6 engine that Ford is putting in the Taurus SHO and the upcoming F-150 pickup truck will also soon show up in race cars.

Ford to use two Brook Park engines in 2011 F-150 pickup, by Robert Schoenberger, Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 11, 2010
Cleveland—Ford plans to use two different Brook Park-built engines in its 2011 F-150 pickup, the country's most popular vehicle. The new pickup will feature both the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 and a 3.7-liter non-turbocharged V-6.

Tire Society plans meeting, Akron Beacon Journal, August 11, 2010
Akron—The nonprofit Tire Society will hold its 29th conference and meeting on science and technology Sept. 20-21 at the DoubleTree Hotel Akron/Fairlawn at 3150 W. Market St., Fairlawn.

1962 glass gets big role in future at Corning, AP via Toledo Blade, August 11, 2010
Corning, N.Y.—An ultra-strong glass that has been looking for a purpose since its invention in 1962 is poised to become a multibillion-dollar bonanza for Corning Inc., which is ramping up production of what it calls Gorilla glass, expecting it to be the hot new face of touch-screen tablets and high-end TVs.

Renewable energy backers wince as Congress raids DOE coffers, by Stephen Power, Wall Street Journal, August 11, 2010
Washington—To help pay for the $26 billion aid bill for teachers and other public-sector employees, lawmakers cut $1.5 billion from the Department of Energy’s renewable energy loan guarantee program. It’s the second time in roughly a year that Congress has raided the program to fund other priorities. (Subscription)

Equipment purchases make up for recession cutbacks, not to raise production, by Justin LaHart, Wall Street Journal, August 11, 2010
New York—Companies in the U.S. are stepping up purchases of equipment and software at the fastest pace since the late 1990s. But much of the spending is aimed at replacing older equipment after recession-related postponements or to improve efficiency—not to raise production or boost hiring.

Worker productivity falls 0.9 percent in second quarter, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 10, 2010
Washington—Economists contend that the big productivity gains of recent quarters are actually harming the economy's prospects for a sustainable rebound.

• Productivity fell in second quarter, by Luca Di Leo and Darrell A. Hughes, Wall Street Journal, August 10, 2010 (Subscription)

U.S. machine tool sales up 56.1% in first half, American Machinist, August 10, 2010
Washington—Domestic sales of machine tools totaled $241.47 million during June, according to the monthly U.S. Manufacturing Technology Consumption survey conducted by AMT - The Association For Manufacturing Technology and AMTDA, the American Machine Tool Distributors’ Association. The figures represent an increase of 35.8% from May to June, and 71.1% from June 2009.

No new safety defects in runaway Toyotas, Transportation Department says, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 10, 2010
Washington— A government investigation into runaway Toyotas has found no new safety defects beyond problems with accelerator pedals that explain reports of sudden acceleration in the vehicles, according to preliminary findings released Tuesday.

• U.S. study points to driver error in many Toyota crashes, by Mike Ramsey and Josh Mitchell, Wall Street Journal, August 11, 2010 (Subscription)

FirstEnergy seeks OK to burn biomass at Burger plant in southern Ohio, by John Funk, Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 10, 2010
Cleveland—FirstEnergy Corp is expected to win state approval Wednesday to burn wood pellets instead of coal at one of its smaller power plants.

No one injured in Elyria factory fire, by Tonya Sams, Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 10, 2010
Elyria, Ohio—A fire broke out at United Initiators Tuesday afternoon, causing the factory and nearby homes and buildings to be evacuated.

Northeast Ohio's slow recovery took a break in June, report says, by Tom Breckenridge, Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 9, 2010
Cleveland—Northeast Ohio's manufacturing-heavy economy began climbing out of the cellar in the second half of last year, a Team NEO analysis of federal statistics indicates.

Would-be area inventors of medical devices get big incentive to help patients, by Cheryl Powell, Akron Beacon Journal, August 9, 2010
Akron—The Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron's Medical Device Development Center is offering grants for as much as $25,000 each to help would-be inventors turn their ideas into reality.

Team NEO reports economic progress, by Jay Miller, Crain's Cleveland Business, August 9, 2010
Cleveland—In its latest quarterly economic review, Team Northeast Ohio, the regional business attraction nonprofit, reports that 1,000 more people were working at the end of the second quarter June 30 than were employed a year ago in the 16-county region. Regional employment is about 1.9 million, Team NEO reports. (Subscription)

Steel prices rise as raw materials costs go up, by Dan Shingler, Crain's Cleveland Business, August 9, 2010
Cleveland—With lead times already long for new orders, prices for all types of steel are increasing as the cost of raw materials go up and production capacity is held back.

Manufacturers, other large users in the dark about new rider on electricity bills, by Dan Shingler, Crain's Cleveland Business, August 9, 2010
Cleveland—Too few businesses are aware of a new charge they'll soon be seeing on their electric bills — and those that are aware of it often are still confused over just how to avoid the so-called DSE-II rider that soon will boost the cost of energy for FirstEnergy Corp. customers. (Subscription)

How Great Lakes metros can build on exports and boost competitiveness, by Jennifer Bradley, Metropolitan Policy Program, Brookings Institution, August 9, 2010
Washington—Raising exports holds out the promise of creating thousands of new jobs in Great Lakes metros that desperately need them. For that reason, metropolitan leaders and their federal, state, and private sector partners must be aggressive and creative in determining what new or re-imagined goods and services the world demands from them, and equally dedicated to expanding their global reach.

Commentary: Big cause of factory job losses? Efficiency, says expert, by Jack Torry, Dayton Daily News, August 9, 2010
Washington—William A. Strauss, senior economist for the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, told a Senate Subcommittee on Economic Policy that between 1950 and 2007, manufacturing output in the U.S. increased by 600 percent. Yet the nation today has only 14 million manufacturing jobs, roughly the same number as 1950. Instead of promoting new federal programs to save manufacturing, Strauss offered a simpler message: Help students stay in school.

Lott Industries retools from loss of auto work, explores art niche, by Larry P. Vellequette, Toledo Blade, August 9, 2010
Toledo—What Lott has done since 2008 is transform itself from a top-level automotive supplier that did a few odd jobs on the side into a do-anything-for-anybody job shop that now also manufactures and markets its own diversified line of products and services.

Honda recalling nearly 400,000 Accords, Civics and Elements for ignition switches, AP via Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 9, 2010
Washington—Honda Motor Co. is recalling the popular Accord and Civic passenger cars to address problems with an ignition switch that could allow the key to be removed without the transmission being shifted into park, its third recall over the problem since 2003.

• Honda recall could point to an industry-wide problem, by Jonathan Welsh, Wall Street Journal, August 9, 2010 (Subscription)

Some firms struggle to hire despite high unemployment, by Mark Whitehouse, Wall Street Journal, August 9, 2010
New York—Longer-term trends are at play. For one, the U.S. education system hasn't been producing enough people with the highly specialized skills that many companies, particularly in manufacturing, require to keep driving productivity gains. (Subscription)

Hugo Boss: A look behind the scenes as determined workers fight to keep their plant open, by Olivera Perkins, Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 8, 2010
Cleveland—The Plain Dealer publishes the first in a two-part feature about the struggle between management and labor over the proposed closing of Hugo Boss' plant in Cleveland.

Park-Ohio chairman looks for team players, Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 8, 2010
—In the PD's regular "Talk With the Boss" column, Edward Crawford, chairman of Park-Ohio Holdings Corp., about successful entrepreneurship.

Adding new use for product led to regulatory problems, by Marcia Pledger, Cleveland Plain Dealer, August 8, 2010
Avon Lake, Ohio—In its regular "My Biggest Mistake" column, the PD interviews Nick Martello, founder of ZymeAway LLC, who discovered he needed to get EPA approval when he began to market a new use for his product.

Governments help Ford cut debt, by Matthew Dolan, Wall Street Journal, August 8, 2010
New York—Ford Motor Co. is getting help from the U.S. and other governments around the world as it races to slash its debt and boost its credit rating—an ironic position for the only U.S. car maker that didn't receive a government bailout last year. (Subscription)

Ohio EPA takes comments on rule changes that accommodate federal greenhouse gas rules, Ohio EPA Press Release, August 7, 2010
Columbus—New sources of air pollution would be required to control greenhouse gas emissions under draft rule changes being introduced by Ohio EPA. The draft rules mirror federal requirements to control greenhouse gas emissions under U.S. EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Tailoring Rule. Ohio EPA is accepting comments on the draft through August 13, 2010.

Two Ohio manufacturers appointed to U.S. Manufacturing Council, Ohio Manufacturers Association Leadership Briefing Newsletter, August 7, 2010
Columbus—Jim McGregor, President, McGregor Metalworking Companies, and Ward J. "Tim" Timken, Jr., Chairman, The Timken Company, have been appointed to the U.S. Manufacturing Council within the U.S. Department of Commerce.