Leadership

Report: U.S. Manufacturing Activity Near 18-Month High

U.S. manufacturing expanded in July at the fastest pace since March 2019. The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) reported this week that its manufacturing gauge increased to 54.2 last month from 52.6. (Readings above 50 indicating expansion.) The ISM said “sentiment was generally optimistic” among manufacturers.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Commerce Department said new orders for U.S.-made goods moved higher for the second consecutive month in June, increasing 6.2%. 8/4/2020

Ohio Shines in Latest Rankings by Business Facilities

Business Facilities magazine last week published its 16th annual rankings report — and the Buckeye State fared well. Ohio captured nine top-10 spots, including:

• No. 2 in Automotive Manufacturing Strength
• No. 3 in Manufacturing Employment
• No. 3 in Foreign Direct Investment Capital Expenditures
• No. 6 in Opportunity Zones
• No. 7 in Gross Domestic Product
• No. 7 in Solar Power Jobs
• No. 9 in Aerospace
• No. 9 in Manufacturing Output Percentage
• No. 10 in Tech Jobs

Ohio metros also earned top-10 rankings:

• Toledo – No. 2 in Manufacturing (mid-sized MSAs)
• Dayton – No. 3 in Manufacturing
• Akron – No. 7 in Manufacturing
• Cincinnati – No. 7 in Corporate Headquarters

See the full report here. 8/3/2020

RSM: Now Is the Time to Advance Manufacturing’s Digital Revolution

Even in the face of a pandemic, manufacturers can’t afford to put digital projects on hold. That’s the conclusion of OMA Connections Partner RSM in the firm’s new Manufacturing Digital Transformation Survey.

In the publication, RSM makes recommendations to manufacturers, including:

• Companies need to evaluate their infrastructure to determine whether they have the capacity to take advantage of newer technologies, and make upgrades as needed;
• For companies that have begun to integrate newer technologies, it may be time to start moving from pilot projects to more broad-based implementation; and
• Understand that digital transformation is an ongoing journey that continues to evolve.

RSM’s survey found 74% of respondents have a digital strategy, and 26% are developing one. 8/5/2020

Webinar: Doing Business in Japan

The Ohio Development Services Agency will host a free webinar at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 20, to provide information about Japanese markets and the online, business-to-business matchmaking platform J-GoodTech, operated by SME SUPPORT JAPAN. If your company is interested in collaborating with Japanese companies, this webinar will explain how J-GoodTech can assist. 8/5/2020

USTR Seeks Comments on China Tariff Exclusions

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is seeking public comment on whether extensions (for up to 12 months) should be granted for particular products receiving exclusions from the 25% tariff on imports from China. These product exclusions are set to expire Oct. 2, 2020. For more details, read this update from OMA Connections Partner Thompson Hine. 8/3/2020

NAM Unveils Ad Campaign to Oppose President Trump’s Proposed Drug Price Controls

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) has launched a new, seven-figure television and digital ad campaign aimed at potential rules to address drug pricing through International Price Indexing.

“As the nation continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, we should not be enacting policies that could potentially stifle pharmaceutical innovation,” said NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons. 8/4/2020

An Early Look at Ohio’s Role in the 2020 Presidential Election

With less than 90 days until the Nov. 3 election, NPR this week aired an analysis of early electoral math. The findings suggest Ohio may be a toss-up state, rather than Trump-leaning. Early polls show President Trump trailing Joe Biden in the Buckeye State.

The OMA Government Affairs Committee will examine voting trends at its Aug. 26 meeting. 8/6/2020

Free One-Year Subscription to Manufacturers Marketplace if You Act Before Aug. 31

Manufacturers Marketplace — a collaboration of the National Association of Manufacturers and state manufacturing associations — connects U.S. manufacturers to help them expand sales and strengthen supply chains. By joining the Marketplace by Aug. 31, you can access a free one-year subscription that allows you to:

• Search more than 140,000 U.S. manufacturing companies.
• Filter searches by state, city, product, process, capability, certification, NAICS, and SIC codes.
• Post RFP/RFQ/RFI in the Connection Center.

Simply go to Manufacturers Marketplace and click “Create An Account.” Complete the requested information and use the promo code: COVID80.

For questions, contact Marketplace Account Manager David Smart at 800-560-2857 or via email. Informational videos can be found here. 8/6/2020

Bob Cupp Replaces Larry Householder as Speaker

On Thursday, July 30, in an historic vote, members of the Ohio House voted 90-0 to remove Speaker Larry Householder (R-Glenford) from the chamber’s top leadership position. It is the first time a speaker of the Ohio House has been removed.

The action comes after last week’s announcement of a $60 million federal bribery case involving Householder and his dark-money enterprise called Generation Now.

Later in the day, House members elected Rep. Bob Cupp (R-Lima) their new speaker. Cupp is a former justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio and was previously a member of the Ohio Senate. 7/30/2020

Bribery Scandal Spurs New Legislation

Ohio legislators on both sides of the aisle are scurrying to repeal House Bill 6, the bill central to the scandal that brought down Larry Householder in what is alleged to be the largest corruption scandal in Ohio history. Senate Bill 346 has been introduced by Sens. Sean O’Brien (D-Bazetta) and Stephanie Kunze (R-Hilliard). Similar to House Bill 738, introduced by Reps. Mike Skindell (D-Lakewood) and Michael O’Brien (D-Warren), the legislation would end HB 6.

Meanwhile, Rep. Gayle Manning (R-North Ridgeville) and Rep. Jessica Miranda (D-Forest Park) have introduced House Bill 737 to curb independent expenditures from certain types of political action committees. Reps. Bride Rose Sweeney (D-Cleveland) and Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) dropped House Bill 739 to modify Ohio campaign finance law to restrict certain activity from specified political committees.

Finally, Reps. Skindell and Sedrick Denson (D-Cincinnati) have offered House Bill 740 to restrict the maximum amount of profit an electric utility is allowed under PUCO law. 7/30/2020