Leadership

Manufacturers to White House: Don’t Let Regulations Kill Our Momentum

As recently reported, the National Association of Manufacturers’ Q2 survey found that U.S. manufacturers’ concerns about federal regulations have reached a six-year high. NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons told news media that the current level of regulatory activity has never been seen before.

The OMA has joined NAM to request that a senior-level adviser coordinate efforts at the White House to ensure federal regulators are implementing policies aligned with the president’s pledge to promote U.S. manufacturing growth. Read the letter. 6/27/2023

Jeff Oravitz Elected OMA Chair

On Tuesday, June 20, the OMA board held its Q2 meeting and the association’s annual meeting. Among the actions taken was the election of officers and new directors.

Jeff Oravitz, CEO of Seal for Life Industries and Arsenal Capital Partners, was elected chair of the OMA board. Read the OMA press release.

Oravitz succeeds Dale Laws, Whirlpool Corporation’s vice president of manufacturing operations. Laws has led the OMA for the past two years and remains on the board as immediate past chair.

Rod Cundiff, senior business development specialist for Cenovus Energy, was elected first vice-chair. Several other board members were reappointed, while Keith Strickland, East Liberty Auto Plant Lead for Honda Development & Manufacturing of America, was elected to the board. Ian Kalinosky, president of KDC/One, announced his resignation from the board due to his retirement. 6/20/2023

OMA Board Tours Glove Maker American Nitrile

Following their meeting in Columbus this week, OMA board members toured Grove City facilities of OMA member American Nitrile, a major manufacturer of gloves for medical, lab, and industrial use. Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, director of the Ohio Department of Health, also participated in the tour.

American Nitrile has been spotlighted nationally as a reshoring success story in the effort to boost American-made PPE following the supply shortages brought by the pandemic. 6/20/2023

House OKs OMA-Opposed Union Hiring Mandate

On June 21, in a 64-30 vote, the Ohio House approved House Bill 205, OMA-opposed legislation that would force defined manufacturers to hire union workers, establishing a precedent that could impact other industries. (Here are the House members who stood with manufacturers and voted against the bill.)

Earlier on the same day, Matt Austin, a Columbus-based attorney specializing in labor relations, testified against HB 205 on behalf of the OMA. He told the House Homeland Security Committee the bill is “overly broad, unduly burdensome” and gives unions “a virtual monopoly.” He added that the bill would worsen labor shortages and authorize a $10,000-a-day penalty on employers for non-compliance. Read and watch the OMA’s testimony.

The bill now moves to the Senate, where it is expected to face tougher opposition. 6/21/2023

Budget Plan Heads to Conference

Ohio’s two-year main operating budget (House Bill 33) has gone to conference committee, where legislative leaders are negotiating nearly 900 points of differences between the House and Senate spending plans. Disagreements include tax changes, education policy, and various earmarks.

The budget-writing process is supposed to be completed by June 30. However, Speaker Jason Stephens (R-Kitts Hill) this week said lawmakers might not meet the deadline. That would force lawmakers to pass a temporary measure to keep state government operating. 6/22/2023

Supreme Court: August Election Can Proceed

On a 4-3 vote, the Supreme Court of Ohio has ruled that the state’s special election can go forward on Aug. 8. That’s when voters will decide the fate of State Issue 1, which would implement a 60% voter-approval standard to make it more difficult to amend the state constitution. Early in-person and absentee voting by mail begin July 11. 6/22/2023

Study Examines Auto Supplier, OEM Relationships

OMA Connections Partner Plante Moran has released the results of its 2023 Working Relations Index® — a comprehensive survey providing a quantitative measure of working relations between auto suppliers and OEMs. The study includes a look at supplier-relation trends for the six major vehicle manufacturers. 6/21/2023

Top 100 Things to Do in Ohio This Summer

TourismOhio has published this list of the top 100 things to do in the Buckeye State this summer. From Kings Island and Cedar Point to the world’s largest cuckoo clock in Amish Country, the list has something for everyone. Share this list with your employees. 6/21/2023

Senate OKs State Budget Plan

On a 24-7 vote, the Ohio Senate has approved its version of the state’s two-year main operating budget (House Bill 33). The measure is expected to go a conference committee so House and Senate leaders can negotiate differences before sending a final version to Gov. DeWine, who can use his line-item veto authority to nix specific items.

The budget deadline is June 30.

As previously reported, the Senate’s spending plan is a mixed bag for manufacturers. This 15-page summary by the Senate GOP provides an overview of budget changes, while this document compares the budget plans of the Senate, House, and governor.

See related stories in this Leadership Briefing for more budget details. 6/15/2023

Ohio Recognized for Manufacturing Investments

Due to its manufacturing activity, the Buckeye State has been recognized by Area Development magazine in its annual economic development competition. Ohio received the publication’s Gold Shovel Award for high-value investment projects. The magazine specifically cited Intel, Honda and LG Energy Solution, SEMCORP Advanced Materials Group, and Ford as key contributors. 6/14/2023