Leadership

Dan French Celebrates 50 Years at French Oil

Longtime OMA board member Daniel P. French, the chairman and CEO of Piqua-based French Oil Mill Machinery Company, is celebrating 50 years of service with the family-owned business. Read the company’s announcement regarding Dan’s milestone.

Last week, U.S. Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio) surprised Dan with an on-site visit to present him with a framed copy of the remarks printed in the Congressional Record honoring Dan’s career and service. 2/16/2021

Addressing Ohio’s Truck Parking Shortage

This week, the OMA participated in the second meeting of the Ohio Freight Advisory Committee, convened by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). The meeting highlighted the statewide shortage of commercial truck parking. (View the meeting materials.)

Next month, the Federal Highway Administration and ODOT will host a truck parking workshop (online) over the course of three days on March 15, 17 and 19. Space is limited. If you have transportation and logistics directors who would be interested in attending the workshops as part of the OMA delegation, please contact staff soon. 2/18/2021

U.S. Manufacturing Shows Resilience During COVID-19

U.S. manufacturing output plummeted more than 20% between February and April 2020, but it has definitely recovered since then. National Association of Manufacturers Chief Economist Chad Moutray reported this week that production output in January was down only 1% from its pre-pandemic pace. January’s 1% gain in output marked the eighth increase over the past nine months.

Five manufacturing sub-sectors have experienced increased production since January 2020: aerospace and miscellaneous transportation equipment (3.5% growth); food, beverage and tobacco products (3.5%); motor vehicles and parts (1.7%); chemicals (1.4%); and computer and electronics products (0.6%).

It was also announced this week that U.S. producer prices in January increased 1.3% — the most since 2009 — suggesting rising inflation. 2/17/2021

Manufacturing Industry Trends to Watch

OMA Connections Partner RSM has assembled its list of the top seven trends impacting the manufacturing industry.

The firm says that going forward, manufacturers need to be pro-active about adapting their operations by embracing changes associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, or Industry 4.0. 2/16/2021

New $1 Billion-plus Columbus Innovation District Will Boost Ohio’s STEM Talent Pool

Gov. Mike DeWine announced this week that Ohio State University, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and JobsOhio are collaborating on a $1.1 billion Columbus Innovation District. The project, which will focus on developing new gene and cell therapies to treat genetic disorders, is expected to create 20,000 jobs over the next decade — most of which will be in the STEM field. (Just last month, Ohio officials announced the new Cleveland Innovation District; the Cincinnati Innovation District was announced in March 2020.)

OMA President Ryan Augsburger said the OMA is optimistic the project will enhance opportunities for Ohio’s health care manufacturers and technology supply chain, while improving the state’s already high quality of life. 2/17/2021

OMA Grows Its Social Media Followers

Approximately 7,500 individuals follow the OMA on one of three social media platforms — LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook. If you’re not already doing so, consider following us to monitor announcements regarding Ohio manufacturing job creation and investment, as well as helpful insight from OMA Connections Partners.

Also, the “Making Ohio” initiative — established by the OMA and its partners to spotlight career opportunities in modern manufacturing — has its own Facebook page. With more than 1,100 “likes” and followers, this page seeks to engage young people, educators, and community leaders as part of the OMA’s broader workforce strategy. 2/15/2021

Rachael Carl Joins OMA’s Public Policy Team

This week, the OMA announced that Rachael Carl has been named director of public policy services. Rachael will help oversee the OMA’s advocacy services and lobbying efforts at the Ohio Statehouse and within the executive branch and state agencies.

A native of Grove City and graduate of The Ohio State University, Rachael most recently served as a legislative liaison for the office of Gov. Mike DeWine. Prior to her role in the governor’s office, she was legislative director for the Ohio Department of Commerce and a legislative aide in the Ohio House of Representatives.

You can email Rachael here. 2/8/2021

Broadband Funding Bill Approved by Ohio Senate

The Senate this week unanimously approved Senate Bill 8, legislation to appropriate $20 million to distribute via a competitive grant pool to broadband providers that otherwise would not pursue expansion in an underserved area. The OMA supports SB 8 and the creation of the Ohio Residential Broadband Expansion Grant Program. 2/11/2021

A Look at New Members of the Ohio General Assembly

There are several first-time lawmakers in Ohio’s 134th General Assembly. The Senate has six freshmen — all Republicans — while the House has 24 new representatives — 19 Republicans and four Democrats.

Impact Ohio has compiled lists of the General Assembly’s new representatives and new senators, complete with a short bio for each member. 2/10/2021

Report: Can the Heartland Lead America’s Reshoring?

Heartland Forward — an Arkansas-based think tank — has released a new research paper titled, “Reshoring America: Can the Heartland Lead the Way?” The study examines the advantages of the U.S. Heartland and the role these interior states can play in revitalizing American manufacturing. JobsOhio helped commission the report.

The study references a 2020 survey that found 70% of manufacturing firms said they would likely reshore in the coming years. Ohio is spotlighted in the study several times, including for its business friendliness. The study also quotes Karen Wright, president of OMA member Ariel Corporation, who points out Ohio’s energy cost advantages. 2/9/2021