Leadership

An Overview of Ohio’s New LLC Law

Last year, Ohio modernized its laws governing limited liability companies under Senate Bill 276. The new Ohio LLC Act rewrote statutory law regarding LLCs, and it now applies to all LLCs statewide, regardless of when organized. In this podcast, OMA Connections Partner Frantz Ward highlights the new law’s impacts on Ohio LLCs. 4/18/2022

Ohio’s Unemployment Rate Decreased in March

The latest employment report from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services indicates Ohio’s unemployment rate was 4.1% in March 2022, down from 4.2% in February 2022. The number of unemployed has decreased by 90,000 in the past 12 months and the March unemployment rate for Ohio decreased from 5.7% in March 2021.

The U.S. unemployment rate for March 2022 was 3.6%, down from 3.8% in February 2022, and down from 6.0% in March 2021.

March also saw a pickup of 2,900 over February in Ohio manufacturing employment. 4/18/2022

What’s in the Biden-Harris Plan to Strengthen Supply Chains?

OMA Connections Partner HBK, a financial services company with Ohio locations, summarizes the intent of the Biden-⁠Harris Plan to Revitalize American Manufacturing and Secure Critical Supply Chains in 2022, which was rolled out earlier this year.

HBK also suggests actions manufacturers could consider to strengthen their own individual supply chains. Read more here. 4/18/2022

Calling Processed Food Manufacturers Looking to Export

Processed food companies can position their products to prequalified, experienced international buyers who seek the latest food trends and products from the U.S. at a buyers’ mission coming to Columbus July 27, 2022.

The event is hosted by the Ohio Department of Development and Food Export-Midwest. Companies are encouraged to register early as meeting slots are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. 4/18/2022

Becoming an Intel Supplier

OMA members should be aware of new opportunities to become a supplier to Intel’s forthcoming Ohio operations. According to the company, supplier categories include factory materials (e.g., chemicals, fabrications, gas, etc.); facilities materials; logistics and transportation; and more. If your business is interested, click here.

Meanwhile, OMA members can urge federal lawmakers to pass legislation that would help ease supply shortages by encouraging faster expansion of the domestic semiconductor industry. 4/11/2022

Gov. DeWine, Lt. Gov. Husted Spotlight Ohio Manufacturing

On April 11, Lt. Gov. Jon Husted and Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik toured the Findlay operations of OMA member Whirlpool Corp. OMA Chair Dale Laws, Whirlpool’s vice president of manufacturing operations, and Findlay Operations Plant Lead Kristin Day led the tour, which was part of the administration’s effort to showcase manufacturing’s value to Ohio’s economy. (Later in the week, Whirlpool held a groundbreaking ceremony for the $65 million expansion of its Ottawa factory.)

Meanwhile, Gov. Mike DeWine visited specialty chemicals manufacturer Lubrizol in northeast Ohio. Lubrizol is one of several manufacturers that will supply Intel’s plant in Licking County. In his remarks, Gov. DeWine touted manufacturing’s multiplier effect, as well as supplier opportunities that come with large manufacturing projects, as recently highlighted by the OMA. 4/11/2022

OMA Chair Dale Laws (right), Whirlpool Corp.’s vice president of manufacturing operations, briefs Lt. Gov. Jon Husted and Development Director Lydia Mihalik at the company’s Findlay facility.

Ohio Supreme Court Rejects Fourth Redistricting Attempt

The Supreme Court of Ohio has rejected the latest set of state legislative redistricting maps offered by the Ohio Redistricting Commission. The court wants the commission to reconvene and adopt a fifth set of maps. However, three federal judges could end up settling the redistricting dispute and establishing a separate primary election date (for Ohio House and Senate races) if the issue can’t be resolved by Wednesday, April 20.

Meanwhile, a federal judicial panel has decided it won’t block certification of Ohio’s May 3 primary election for U.S. House races, despite a request from a group alleging Voting Rights Act violations stemming from the redistricting process.

This week, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose announced that more than 71,000 absentee ballots had already been requested for the May 3 election and nearly 12,000 early votes had already been cast. 4/14/2022

April 27 Webinar to Examine Sales Trends, Strategies

Looking to boost your company’s sales? On April 27, the OMA will host a webinar to discuss the current state of sales and sales trends. Presented by OMA Connections Partner Sales Xceleration, this event will provide insight into how companies — including manufacturers — are adapting their sales strategies to reflect current market trends. Learn more and register. 4/14/2022

Here’s How Manufacturers Can Improve Cybersecurity

As more manufacturers experience cyberattacks, including ransomware, OMA Connections Partner Gilmore Jasion Mahler recently hosted a panel of cyber experts at its Manufacturing Financial Executive Roundtable. The firm has published this list of considerations for manufacturers seeking to boost their cybersecurity operations. 4/12/2022

Another Record for Ohio Manufacturing

Despite the headwinds of inflation and labor shortages, Ohio manufacturing’s economic output continues to surge, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. The Buckeye State’s seasonally adjusted annual manufacturing GDP yielded more than $124.5 billion as of Q4 2021 — up from $112.4 billion before the start of the pandemic. 4/4/2022