News and Analysis
Survey: Manufacturers are Boosting Wages, Hiring and Investment
May 18, 2018A new survey from the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) shows that manufacturers are keeping their promise after passage of the historic tax reform legislation by boosting wages, hiring and investment.
The survey shows 72% of manufacturers are increasing employee wages or benefits, 77% are hiring more workers and 86% are investing in new equipment and facilities.
Last month, the NAM’s Manufacturers’ Outlook Survey found optimism among manufacturers registered the second-highest level ever recorded (93.5%) in the 20-year history of the survey.
David Farr, Emerson CEO and NAM board chairman, reviewed the survey results this week during his testimony at a House Ways and Means Committee hearing focused on the impact of tax reform on the U.S. economy, job creators and workers. 5/16/2018
Still No Speaker
May 18, 2018The 65-member Ohio House Republican caucus met this week to elect a new Speaker. It failed to do so.
Rep. Ryan Smith (R-Bidwell), the current Finance Committee chairman, came up a few votes short of the necessary 50 votes. Two other members, both term limited, had their hats in the ring.
The backdrop of the matter is an ugly contest for the office for next session between Smith and Rep. Larry Householder (R-Glenford).
Speaker Pro Temp Kirk Schuring (R-Canton) expects the 50-vote threshold to be passed next week after some further negotiations among some members.
The Republicans are trying to replace former Speaker Cliff Rosenberger, who resigned amid reports of an FBI inquiry into his affairs. 5/17/2018
Senate Approves Cybersecurity Bill
May 18, 2018This week the Ohio Senate passed Senate Bill 220 known as the CyberOhio Safe Harbor bill. Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine created CyberOhio to help Ohio businesses and consumers fight back against data security threats. One of CyberOhio’s primary objectives is to draft legislation that improves the legal cybersecurity environment in Ohio.
The OMA worked with manufacturing leaders to help make sure that Ohio’s number one industry and its data are protected in the legislation. The bill now moves to the Ohio House. 5/17/2018
Aerospace Business Matchmaker in July
May 18, 2018The Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC) of Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and West Virginia are organizing an Aerospace Business Matchmaker conference.
Held in Athens, Ohio at Ohio University from July 17 -18, 2018 the conference is an opportunity for businesses, contractors and universities to be part of aerospace industry services and contracting.
More than 1,000 attendees are expected.
Learn more here. 5/16/2018
Primary Smoke Clears, Sets Up Fall Showdowns
May 11, 2018This week Ohioans went to the polls to determine which candidates would earn their party’s nomination for a number of elected positions throughout Ohio.
At the top of the ticket were the Republican and Democrat primary battles for Ohio governor. After hard campaigning, and unprecedented negative campaigning, convincing victories went to DeWine-Husted and Cordray-Sutton who will engage in a November duel.
Ohioans also voted for Congressman Jim Renacci to take on Senator Sherrod Brown in the U.S. Senate race this fall.
Two Republican U.S. House districts were contested. State Senator Troy Balderson emerged from the primary election to replace Pat Tiberi in the 12th District. And political rookie and former Ohio State and Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez won the right to try to replace Jim Renacci in the 16th District.
Numerous Statehouse seats were in play as a proxy war between House Finance Chairman Ryan Smith and former House Speaker Larry Householder was waged across the state. Householder appears to have bested the Smith-backed candidates in the majority of those fights.
Here is the rundown as the OMA Public Policy Services team saw it on the morning after. 5/10/2018
NAFTA and Ohio Manufacturing
May 11, 2018What’s at stake for Ohio manufacturing in the NAFTA negotiations? A lot, to say the least.
Nearly a quarter of Ohio’s manufacturing production ($24 billion out of total production of $106 billion) is exported to Canada and Mexico.
Nearly 4,000 Ohio manufacturing firms export to the two countries, and more than 100,000 jobs are supported by those exports.
Without NAFTA, Ohio’s manufactured goods exports to Mexico alone could face a minimum of $262 million to $2.1 billion in extra taxes (compared to zero tariffs today).
Yet, NAFTA can be made better for Ohio and American manufacturing. Read how in this document produced by the National Association of Manufacturers. 5/10/2018
Manufacturing Day 2018 is October 5
May 11, 2018
Manufacturing Day℠ is a celebration of modern manufacturing meant to inspire the next generation of manufacturers. Manufacturing Day occurs on the first Friday in October — this year Manufacturing Day is Oct. 5, 2018.
Carolyn Holmes Lee, the Executive Director of The Manufacturing Institute, which organizes MFG DAY nationally, said, “As you know, a shortage of skilled workers is one of the biggest problems manufacturers face. MFG Day is our largest annual event to inspire the next generation to pursue rewarding careers in manufacturing.
“October might seem like far away, but teachers and schools are already rapidly planning their schedules for next fall. Quite simply, the sooner we’re able to schedule events, the more students—and future manufacturers—will be able to attend each event.”
While Manufacturing Day is officially Oct. 5, companies should plan their events on any date that works best for them. No matter the date, events should be registered on the site and can be marked as public or invitation-only events.
Registered event hosts have access to free event planning and execution resources and toolkits to make planning a Manufacturing Day event easy! 5/8/2018
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Takes Effect May 25
May 11, 2018OMA Connections Partner, Clark Schaefer Hackett (CSH), offers responses to common questions about the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) which takes effect on May 25th and provides protection to European Union (EU) citizens no matter where their data travels.
Accord to CSH, this means that any company that stores personal data on an EU citizen is bound by its rules. And organizations of all sizes are affected. 5/8/2018
National Infrastructure Week is Next Week
May 11, 2018In its sixth year, Infrastructure Week is May 14-21 this year, a national week of events, media coverage, as well as education and issue advocacy to elevate infrastructure as a critical issue impacting America’s economy, society, security and future.
To learn more about Infrastructure Week or to participate in one of the 75 events going on across the country, visit the Infrastructure Week website. 5/9/2018
Ohio’s Primary Election is Tuesday, May 8
May 4, 2018The Ohio Manufacturers’ Association Political Action Committee (OMA-PAC) has endorsed candidates in eight primary House contests.
The OMA-PAC board selected these candidates based on their potential, or performance, as elected officials to protect and grow Ohio manufacturing.
We’ll have our analysis of primary results next week. 5/3/2018