News and Analysis
Biden Announces Plan to Boost Critical Supply Chains
June 11, 2021After a 100-day review, the Biden administration this week announced a series of steps it will take to strengthen the nation’s critical supply chains, build domestic manufacturing capabilities, and address existing vulnerabilities. The administration’s 250-page report recommends more focus on four products critical to the U.S. economy: large capacity lithium batteries, rare earth minerals, semi-conductors, and active pharmaceutical ingredients.
National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons thanked the administration for its work to enhance manufacturing supply chains. 6/9/2021
At a Glance: Half a Century of Global Steel Production
June 11, 2021Global steel production has more than tripled over the past 50 years, despite nations like the U.S. and Russia relying more on imports. China and India have consistently grown their production to become the top two steel producing nations. This infographic, published by Visual Capitalist, shows the top crude steel producers as of 2020. 6/7/2021
OMA Editorial: Three Steps to a More Prosperous Manufacturing Sector (and Ohio)
June 4, 2021In a guest editorial that appeared this week in The Plain Dealer and at Cleveland.com, OMA President Ryan Augsburger writes that Ohio — the third-largest manufacturing state — can expand its manufacturing base by focusing on three key opportunities and challenges in the post-pandemic period. Specifically, he points to growing Ohio’s manufacturing workforce, seizing reshoring opportunities, and ensuring an even more competitive business climate. 6/2/2021
Senate Amends State Budget; OMA Reacts
June 4, 2021The Ohio Senate this week made its first-round revisions to the voluminous state budget bill (House Bill 110). The budget can alter hundreds of policies, affecting many facets of regulation and state spending. This Leadership Briefing includes separate stories on the Senate budget provisions of greatest interest to manufacturers, but other provisions worth noting include:
- Removal of the House’s increase in K-12 school funding;
- Expansion of the Buy Ohio program that would encourage public sector entities to purchase locally produced PPE and related products; and
- Retention of a workforce apprenticeship program to be administered by MAGNET, Northeast Ohio’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP).
OMA Managing Director of Public Policy Services Rob Brundrett testified this week in support of the budget language to exempt temporary employment services from sales tax, while highlighting the need to continue funding the expansion of industry sector partnerships for workforce development. Another round of budget changes will occur next week before the Senate is expected to complete action on HB 110 and send the measure to a joint House-Senate conference committee. 6/3/2021
Stivers Endorses LaRe for 15th Congressional District Race
June 4, 2021Former U.S. Rep. Steve Stivers (R) — who represented Ohio’s 15th Congressional District for the past decade before resigning last month to lead the Ohio Chamber — has endorsed state Rep. Jeff LaRe (R-Violet Township) for Stivers’ old seat. A special election primary will be held Aug. 3; the general election will be held Nov. 2.
LaRe is a former Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office deputy. According to The Columbus Dispatch (subscription), Stivers’ endorsement could give LaRe an edge in a crowded GOP primary against 11 other Republicans. 6/3/2021
Report: Hiring Boom Expected in Ohio
June 4, 2021JobsOhio reports that a record 22,176 new businesses were created statewide in April 2021. The statewide economic development corporation says Ohio is expected to see a hiring boom after several global companies pledged to invest more than $600 million and create more than 3,000 jobs. 6/1/2021
Resources to Boost Your Business’ Cybersecurity
June 4, 2021This week, IndustryWeek reported that the cyberattack on JBS Foods reveals hackers are becoming more successful in their attempts to infiltrate America’s crucial supply chains. Cybersecurity experts have little reason to believe the attacks will ebb any time soon. One expert told the publication: “The foundation of our global food supply chains, transportation systems, and more are under attack because cybercriminals realize how disruptive and lucrative attacks targeting these systems can be.”
Fortunately, cybersecurity services are offered by several OMA Connections Partners, including the following:
Members with cybersecurity questions or concerns are encouraged to contact these OMA-member firms. 6/3/2021
Survey: 83% of North American Manufacturers Likely to Reshore Supply Chains in 2021
June 4, 2021More than 80% of manufacturers are planning to add North American suppliers to their supply chains within a year, according to the latest Thomas State of North American Manufacturing Report. That’s a significant increase from 54% in March 2020. According to Thomas, $443 billion could be added to the nation’s economy if 83% of the manufacturers in the U.S. bring on just one new supplier at an average of $921,247 per contract. 6/3/2021
Southwest Leads in Recent U.S. Manufacturing Job Growth
June 4, 2021According to federal data analyzed by the Wall Street Journal (subscription), some of the nation’s manufacturing — from steel and semiconductor chips to electric cars — has moved to new factories in Southwest states due to local tax breaks and an influx of skilled workers, as well as affordable land. As reported, Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Nevada added more than 100,000 manufacturing jobs from 2017 to 2020, accounting for 30% of all job growth in the sector. 6/2/2021
Survey Examines Auto Manufacturer-OEM Relationships
June 4, 2021Supplier relationships directly impact the automotive industry. That’s why OMA Connections Partner Plante Moran produced its 2021 Working Relations Index® (WRI) study, which measures changes in the quality of vehicle manufacturer and tier-one supplier relationships, as well as what they mean for OEM and supplier competitiveness. Read the study results. 6/2/2021