Leadership

Trump Supports Ex-Im Bank

In case you missed this: President Trump, in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, indicated a change of opinion on the Export-Import Bank. In a welcome development for U.S. manufacturing exporting, the president said he now supports the bank.

The president said: “I was very much opposed to Ex-Im Bank, because I said what do we need that for IBM and for General Electric and all these — it turns out that, first of all lots of small companies will really be helped, the vendor companies, but also maybe more importantly, other countries give it. And when other countries give it, we lose a tremendous amount of business.

“So instinctively you would say it’s a ridiculous thing but actually it’s a very good thing and it actually makes money. You know, it actually could make a lot of money.”  4/13/2017

OMA Member Leaders Meet with the President

Staub Manufacturing Solutions President Steve Staub and Ariel Corporation Chairman, President and CEO Karen Buchwald Wright were among a dozen small and medium-sized manufacturers invited to meet with President Trump to discuss the impact of regulations on their companies.

“We are grateful for the chance to meet with the president and share with him some of the positive solutions we’ve developed in Ohio for manufacturers,” said Buchwald Wright. “We are optimistic about the future; however, we know there is much work to be done, not only on regulatory reform but also on infrastructure investment, workforce development and comprehensive tax reform.”

Staub said: “Tax cuts for factories will create millions of great, well-paying manufacturing jobs because we will be able to compete with global competitors.”

Steve is on the OMA board of directors as is Karen’s son, Hunter. Thank you for your leadership on behalf of Ohio and American manufacturing!  4/4/2017

Manufacturers’ Optimism Hits Record High

The National Association of Manufacturers published the results its 2017 first quarter Manufacturers’ Outlook survey, reporting: “… manufacturers’ optimism rose to a new all-time high in the survey’s nearly 20-year history. This corresponds with a pickup in manufacturing activity and is a welcome turn of events given the challenges the sector has endured over the past two years. The rising confidence stems from the belief that the new administration in Washington, D.C. will bring much needed regulatory relief—as well as reforms to the tax code and a significant infrastructure package.

“In this latest NAM Manufacturers’ Outlook Survey, 93.3 percent of manufacturers are either somewhat or very positive about their own company’s outlook, up from 56.6 percent one year ago and 77.8 percent in December. As a result, the NAM Manufacturers’ Outlook Index also soared to a new high, up from 53.3 in December to 63.7 in this report. It was the second straight quarter where the outlook exceeded its historic average—which would equate to 50 in the index—and there were strong gains in confidence for all firm sizes.”

See all the survey results here.  4/3/2017

Governor Kasich Delivers Penultimate State of the State Address

Governor Kasich delivered his next to last State of the State speech in the beautiful Sandusky Theater. The governor reviewed the accomplishments of his first six years, such as 460,000 new jobs. He also challenged the state, its leaders and its citizens to not fear the changes that will transform the economy in coming years.

He said: “The state of our state remains strong. The state of our state remains stable, but holding on to the progress we’ve made takes continued vigilance. Challenges await and only by holding the line on conservative budgeting, fostering job creation and re-committing ourselves to helping each other along our journey will we succeed in the coming years. Ohioans, yeah, us, we make Ohio great. Government’s job is to help support the environment in which they can do that and get out of their way.”

Read the full text of the speech here.  4/6/2017

Industry Week Manufacturing & Technology Conference Coming to Cleveland

Don’t miss the only event in North America totally focused on the latest trends in advanced manufacturing technology and strategies. At the three-day Manufacturing & Technology Conference & Expo, May 8-10 in Cleveland, industry leaders will share proven methods for achieving operational excellence, recruiting top talent, seamlessly integrating new technologies, and identifying new revenue streams.

As an OMA member, you can receive an exclusive 50% off OMA-member discount to attend! Simply click here to register and enter code OMA. And be sure to stop by the OMA booth to say hi!  4/3/2017

NAM Event Will Honor Senator Rob Portman

On Thursday, April 20, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) will honor Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) and present the NAM Award for Manufacturing Legislative Excellence.

The event will take place at The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, 200 Innovation Way, Akron, OH 44316-0001. The program will begin at 9:15 a.m. and conclude at 10:30 a.m.

The NAM Award for Manufacturing Legislative Excellence recognizes Senator Portman’s outstanding voting record in the 114th Congress and his solid support for a strong manufacturing economy and a forward-thinking manufacturing agenda.

Please register here to attend the event.  4/6/2017

NAM Plans Event to Recognize Rep. Bill Johnson

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) has a busy day in Ohio coming up!

Also, on Thursday, April 20, Thermo Fisher Scientific and the NAM will honor Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH-06), a recipient of the NAM Award for Manufacturing Legislative Excellence. The event will take place at the Thermo Fisher Scientific facility located at 401 Mill Creek Rd., Marietta, OH 45750. The program will begin at 9:30 a.m. and conclude at 10:45 a.m.

The NAM Award for Manufacturing Legislative Excellence recognizes Representative Johnson’s exemplary voting record in the 114th Congress.

Register here to attend.  4/6/2017

JobsOhio Launches New Site Selection Tool

From JobsOhio: “JobsOhio is excited to launch our new program, SiteOhio, to help you find the perfect site. SiteOhio identifies and authenticates eligible project sites that are ready for immediate development by prospective businesses. Through the SiteOhio authentication process, each site undergoes a usability audit designed to vet sites with companies in mind.

“All due diligence studies look to ensure strict criteria are met, as well as utilities and other site assets are on site, with excess capacity and accessible for doing business. When a site is verified with the SiteOhio seal, it is guaranteed to be ready for development on day one, saving businesses time and money. …

“The first four SiteOhio sites are available to view today with more planned for Spring 2017. Check out our four sites. Look for the SiteOhio flag to identify the authenticated sites.”  4/6/2017

Regulatory Reform Supported

The OMA joined a large group of associations in urging Congress to pass S. 584 (and H.R. 33), the Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act.

The bills “would improve and modernize the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), a 1980 law that requires federal agencies to transparently account for the impact of regulation on small businesses. However, each agency interprets important terms in the existing statute in widely divergent ways and is able to avoid the RFA’s requirements as Congress intended. This bill would streamline and make uniform those determinations of when the RFA would apply to a rule.”  4/4/2017

NAM Promotes Provisions of ACA “Repeal & Replace”

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) sent this letter to the U.S. House of Representatives outlining support for key provisions of H. Res. 154, The Budget Reconciliation Legislative Recommendations to Repeal and Replace Obamacare.

The NAM wrote: “Manufacturers strongly support reducing the burden of the employer mandate and repeal of the medical device tax, the 3.8 percent net investment tax, the health insurance tax and the innovation tax. Although the Cadillac tax is delayed until 2025, manufacturers are hopeful that this onerous tax can be fully repealed as the legislative process proceeds. In addition, we are pleased that the package did not modify the tax treatment for employer-sponsored health care.”

Additionally, there are ACA-related regulations that need to be modified to lessen the burden on employers. To address this, David Farr, Chairman of the NAM board of directors and Jay Timmons, President and CEO of the NAM, sent this letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price outlining specific regulatory changes that would ease the administrative burden and costs on employers.  3/30/2017