Leadership

Secretary of State Visits OMA Government Affairs Committee

More than 80 members participated in this week’s OMA Government Affairs Committee meeting, held virtually. Chaired by Scott Corbitt, region vice president for Anheuser-Busch, the meeting included a visit from Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, who discussed legislation (House Bill 294) to further reform Ohio’s election laws. LaRose told members that the bill is not a response to Ohio’s 2020 elections — which he called the most successful in state history — but would make several changes to address long-held, bipartisan concerns of local election officials.

Members were also briefed on the upcoming special elections in Ohio’s 11th and 15th congressional districts by political consultant and former Ohio GOP Chair Kevin DeWine. OMA staff updated members on major Statehouse activities, including the association’s lobbying work on behalf of manufacturing interests in the proposed state budget.

The committee is scheduled to meet again Aug. 25. (We’re planning an in-person option for that event.) 6/15/2021

Guarding Against Supply Chain Disruptions

While globalization and the drive to reduce costs have resulted in highly efficient supply chains, those supply chains aren’t always resilient, as exposed by COVID-19. OMA Connections Partner RSM says that manufacturers — especially auto suppliers — can protect themselves with a so-called “plan for every part” to help ensure their supply chains are stable. Read RSM’s insights. 6/16/2021

State Offices Closed for Juneteenth Federal Holiday

Gov. Mike DeWine has announced that after President Joe Biden signed federal legislation to make Juneteenth — June 19 — a federal holiday, the State of Ohio will also observe holiday. Because June 19 falls on Saturday this year, state offices are closed today, June 18.

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the U.S. The holiday commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers brought the news of freedom to enslaved people in Galveston, Texas — about two-and-a-half years after the Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves in the Southern states. 6/17/2021

Whirlpool’s Dale Laws Is Elected OMA Chair

On Tuesday, June 8, the OMA held its annual meeting and Q2 board meeting. Key actions taken by the board included the election of officers and new directors.

Dale Laws, Whirlpool Corporation’s vice president of manufacturing operations, was elected chairman by the OMA board of directors. He has served on the OMA board since March 2016. (Read the OMA’s news release.)

Laws succeeds Jane Neal, senior vice president of Cambridge-based AMG Vanadium LLC, following her two-year term as the organization’s top elected officer. Neal remains on the OMA board as immediate past chair. Jeff Oravitz, CEO of Seal For Life Industries and Arsenal Capital Partners, was elected first vice-chairman. 6/8/2021

Cundiff, Lake Elected to OMA Board

As part of the OMA annual meeting and quarterly board meeting held earlier this week, the following directors were elected to the OMA board:

• Tom Lake, senior vice president, strategic planning, Honda Development and Manufacturing of America; and
• Rodney Cundiff, business development manager, Cenovus Energy.

The OMA board is currently comprised of 30 Ohio manufacturing leaders, representing manufacturers of all sizes and sectors within the industry and from all regions of the Buckeye State. 6/8/2021

Ohio’s Leading Indicators Predict Steady Jobs Growth

Ohio’s total employment is predicted to increase at an annual rate of 2.82% for the next six months, according to latest the leading indicators report from the Department of Job and Family Services. Ohio’s average weekly manufacturing hours were 42.1 in April, unchanged from March.

The following metropolitan statistical areas are expected to see job growth: Cincinnati (1.78%), Canton-Massillon (2.37%); Akron (2.41%); Youngstown-Warren-Boardman (3.22%); Toledo (3.32%); Columbus (4.56%); and Dayton (8.38%). Cleveland-Elyria is predicted to decline (-2.32%). 6/7/2021

MAGNET Unveils Blueprint to Boost Manufacturing in Northeast Ohio

MAGNET — an OMA Connections Partner and Northeast Ohio’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) — this week unveiled its long-term vision to advance the region’s manufacturing sector.

The “Make It Better: A Blueprint for Manufacturing in Northeast Ohio” campaign aims to bring together manufacturing CEOs, community leaders, business leaders, workers, students, and others to focus on the talent, technology, innovation, and leadership that manufacturers need to be globally competitive.

The OMA is a partner in the initiative. OMA board member Lissa Barry, president of Delta Systems, spoke at the blueprint launch, highlighting the workforce challenges that manufacturers face. For more on MAGNET’s effort, download the blueprint report. 6/9/2021

RSM Insights: Improving Cybersecurity, Forecasting Demand

OMA Connections Partner RSM has published its latest manufacturing newsletter, Manufacturing Insights. The issue includes analysis on how to improve your company’s ability to forecast demand, the importance of guarding against cyberattacks, and the possibility of a global minimum tax. 6/9/2021

Political Round-Up: Trump’s Endorsement; Brunner’s Run for Chief Justice; Renacci’s Challenge

This week, former President Donald Trump endorsed Mike Carey in Ohio’s crowded 15th Congressional District race to succeed former U.S. Rep. Steve Stivers, who retired last month to head the Ohio Chamber. Carey is vice president of government affairs at coal mining company American Consolidated Natural Resources. Trump’s endorsement comes just a week after Stivers endorsed state Rep. Jeff LaRe (R-Violet Township).

Meanwhile, Ohio Supreme Court Justice Jennifer Brunner (D) announced she is running for chief justice of the high court. If elected, Brunner would be the first Democrat to hold the office in 35 years.

And finally, former U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci (R) — a vocal critic of Ohio’s COVID-19 response — announced he will challenge incumbent Gov. Mike DeWine in next year’s GOP gubernatorial primary election. Just when you thought Ohio politics were getting boring. 6/9/2021

Bill Aims to Curb Online Sales of Counterfeit, Stolen Goods

This week, the OMA provided testimony to the House Commerce and Labor Committee in support of House Bill 272. In an attempt to curb counterfeit and stolen goods from being sold online, HB 272 would require online marketplaces to collect basic information from third-party sellers selling goods on these platforms. As e-commerce has grown in popularity, especially during the pandemic, it is important that online platforms have a minimum standard of seller verification to protect both consumers and legitimate businesses. 6/10/2021