Leadership

Education Leaders Address OMA Board

On Sept. 19, the OMA Board of Directors held its Q3 meeting in Columbus. Directors were briefed on OMA operations, including the association’s advocacy services and workforce services.

Guest presenters were Jessica Voltolini, chief of staff at the Ohio Department of Education, and Brian Bontempo, superintendent of the Auburn Career Center, which serves school districts in Lake and Geauga counties.

Both presenters discussed opportunities to grow Ohio’s skilled workforce, especially once the revamped Department of Education and Workforce — authorized by the new state budget — begins to place more emphasis on the state’s 91 career technical planning districts. 9/19/2023

Block, Phillips Elected to OMA Board

During this week’s OMA Board of Directors meeting, two new board directors were elected to represent and serve OMA members. They are:

• Jacob Block, CEO of American Nitrile, Grove City; and
• Angela Phillips, CEO of Phillips Tube Group, Shelby and Middletown.

The OMA board is currently comprised of 29 manufacturing leaders from companies of all sizes and sub-sectors of the industry, representing all areas of the Buckeye State. 9/19/2023

A Tribute to Dan French

Dan French, retired chairman and CEO of Piqua-based French Oil Mill Machinery Co., is the first recipient of the OMA’s newly established Dan French Legacy Award. On Sept. 19, the OMA board voted to create the award to recognize individuals who have demonstrated exemplary service and leadership on behalf of Ohio’s manufacturing community.

Dan recently announced he was relinquishing his OMA responsibilities after 19 years of serving on the board. For the past dozen years, he chaired the OMA Nominating and Governance Committee.

Under Dan’s leadership, the OMA board implemented initiatives to increase diversity and enhance professional standards. His passion for recruiting the highest caliber volunteer leaders to the board allowed him to execute this role with wit and wisdom.

Dan has also prioritized growing the OMA membership. He even hosted an event in Miami County to surface new membership prospects.

On behalf of Ohio’s manufacturing community, job well done, Dan — and thank you! Members who wish to thank Dan for his longtime service to Ohio manufacturing may do so via this email address. 9/19/2023

OMA to UAW: Prioritize Competitiveness of Auto Sector

Following the announcement of the United Auto Workers’ strike at multiple facilities of the Big Three automakers — including a plant in Toledo — the OMA called on union leaders to prioritize the competitiveness of America’s auto sector.

Over the last four years, the price of new a car has risen 30% to around $48,000. This as China is set to become the world’s biggest car exporter, according to reports.

Read the OMA’s press release. Multiple outlets quoted OMA President Ryan Augsburger, including Fox 8 News (Cleveland), Crain’s Cleveland Business, The Center Square, and The Business Journal (Youngstown).

Meanwhile, the strike’s “ripple effect” has begun as layoffs have been announced in recent days. 9/21/2023

Forced Union Hiring Bill Gets First Senate Hearing

House Bill 205 — legislation that would force certain manufacturers to hire unionized labor — received its first hearing in the Ohio Senate this week. Members of the Senate Energy and Public Utilities were critical in their questioning of the bill’s sponsors, highlighting concerns that HB 205 could impact the broader manufacturing community.

The Ohio House passed the bill last June with votes from the chamber’s Democrats and certain GOP members. The OMA is one of the leading opponents of HB 205, which would worsen labor shortages and authorize a $10,000-a-day penalty on employers for non-compliance. 9/20/2023

Publication: Ohio a Top State for Doing Business

Ohio is a top-five state for doing business, according to Area Development magazine. The publication’s “Top States for Doing Business” study is based on feedback from an expert panel of location consultants.

The comparison shows that Ohio is a leader in water availability, business costs, incentives, regulatory environment, infrastructure, available real estate, responsive state and local government, workforce training, site-readiness programs, and speed of project permitting. 9/14/2023

Manufacturer Optimism Declines to 2020 Levels

U.S. manufacturers are the least optimistic they’ve been about the economy and their businesses since 2020, according to a new survey conducted by the National Association of Manufacturers.

Only about 65% of manufacturers said they feel positive about their company’s future. NAM points to the growing regulatory burden as a key factor for the uncertainty. See the full survey results. 9/14/2023

At a Glance: AI’s Potential to Boost Productivity

In its latest issue of “The Real Economy,” OMA Connections Partner RSM looks at the three pillars of AI and its impact on productivity.

Meanwhile, this infographic by Visual Capitalist compares humans to AI in the performance of key skills. AI has already matched or surpassed human performance in some categories. 9/11/2023

Ohio’s Legislative Maps to Be Redrawn (Again)

On Sept. 13, the Ohio Redistricting Commission is expected to re-convene to redraw the state’s legislative maps. As reported by Hannah News Service, members of the panel must get their work done before the Dec. 20 filing deadline for all candidates — state, federal and local — so candidates’ names can appear on the March 2024 primary ballot.

New Ohio House and Senate district maps must be redrawn since the Supreme Court of Ohio last year struck down the commission’s new maps. The maps currently being used are among those that were struck down, but a federal court ordered their use for the 2022 election only.

The commission’s new maps might have better odds at surviving a legal challenge since the current Supreme Court of Ohio is thought to be more friendly to the Republican majority following the departure of former Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor. Meanwhile, the court has begun to consider the challenge to the 2022 congressional map. 8/29/2023

Ohio Counties Recognized for Economic Development

In its look at economic development outside of major metropolitan areas, Site Selection magazine has spotlighted the Buckeye State. Two Ohio counties — Hancock (No. 1) and Shelby (No. 8) — are in the top 10 counties for projects per capita. Hancock County recruited 32 projects between January 2022 and March 2023; Shelby County landed 11. The manufacturing sector accounts for multiple projects in both counties. 8/29/2023