Leadership

DeWine: Voters Want Competence, Good Managers

Following his Nov. 8 re-election — in which he won all but three of Ohio’s 88 counties — Gov. Mike DeWine was recently interviewed by Salena Zito of the Washington Examiner. The governor told Zito voters are looking for candidates who have demonstrated they can fix problems, attract economic development, and are good managers. 12/6/2022

OMA Spotlights EV Transition in Plain Dealer Editorial

In a Dec. 4 guest editorial published by The Plain Dealer, OMA President Ryan Augsburger highlights the opportunities and obstacles ushered by the transition to electric vehicles. He invokes the spirit of innovation demonstrated in the early 1900s by Ohio’s Charles Kettering, who played a key role in overcoming challenges faced by automakers in his era.

“Not since the implementation of the assembly line has America’s auto industry faced so much change so quickly,” Augsburger writes. 12/5/2022

Study: Ohio Surpasses China for Low-Cost Plastics

It’s now cheaper to manufacture plastic products in Ohio than in China, according to a new study by Shale Crescent USA.

In its comments on the study’s findings, JobsOhio said the shale gas revolution could turn the $53 billion U.S. plastics importing industry on its head, adding: “China has lost its competitive edge.” 12/5/2022

Congress Steps in to Avert Rail Strike

On Dec. 1, in an 80 to 15 vote, the U.S. Senate passed legislation to force a tentative rail labor agreement and prevent a national strike. The measure was approved by the U.S. House earlier in the week.

CNBC reports on the details of the legislation, which now goes to President Joe Biden for his signature. On Nov. 16, the OMA and a coalition of Midwest manufacturers’ groups urged Congress to intervene, if necessary. 12/1/2022

Study: Ohio No. 1 for Plastics Manufacturing Jobs

The Plastics Industry Association has ranked Ohio as the top state for plastics employment. According to the association’s report, Ohio boasts 75,100 of the nearly 1 million plastics industry workers across the U.S.

In its summary, JobsOhio noted the Buckeye State is ranked No. 1 for plastics products, plastic machinery, and molds for plastics; No. 3 for wholesale trade for plastics materials, forms, and shapes, as well as plastic materials and resins; and No. 4 for captive plastics products operations. 11/30/2022

Analysis: U.S. Investment in China Drops Significantly

Over the past two decades, $118 billion in direct U.S. investment flowed into China — much of that in manufacturing. But since 2016, security interests, increased risk, and other factors have slowed year-over-year investment to single-digit growth, according to this analysis by OMA Connections Partner RSM.

In further analysis, RSM writes: The hyper-globalization that has dominated the global economy over the past 30 years is giving way to an era of regionalization. 11/29/2022

Global Steel Output Continues to Fall

Reports say steelmakers worldwide are reducing output in an effort to avoid surplus inventories once demand recovers. Data supplied by the World Steel Association shows this year’s January-October raw-steel tonnage for 64 nations was nearly 4% below that for the same period in 2021. 11/29/2022

At a Glance: Voter Turnout in Ohio

While Ohio just concluded its latest general election, the Legislative Service Commission has published this infographic examining voter turnout in Ohio’s 2020 general election. According to the LSC’s analysis, nearly 60% of Ohioans who voted in the 2020 election voted early or absentee, largely due to the pandemic. Voter turnout was typically smaller in urban counties than suburban or rural counties. 12/1/2022

Rail Strike Moves Closer to Reality

After members of the nation’s largest rail union rejected a tentative labor deal on Nov. 21, the U.S. faces a growing risk of a crippling freight rail strike that could begin as soon as Monday, Dec. 5, according to the AP.

Here are some of the expected supply and economic impacts of a rail strike.

While four of the nation’s 12 rail unions have now voted to oppose the deal, the Association of American Railroads — the industry trade group — told CNN it still hopes to avoid a strike.

Last week, the OMA and a coalition of Midwest manufacturers’ groups urged Congressional leaders to intervene if necessary. 11/22/2022

Right-to-Repair Bill Introduced in Ohio

Right-to-repair legislation (Senate Bill 366) has been introduced in Ohio. The bill would require certain manufacturers to give owners and independent repair businesses access to service information and affordable replacement parts on “fair and reasonable terms.”

The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Louis W. Blessing, III (R-Cincinnati), says SB 366 would “make it easier for Ohioans to repair electronics, which today covers just about everything from your television to your washer and dryer.”

According to The Columbus Dispatch, manufacturers have opposed right-to-repair legislation offered in other states for multiple reasons, including user safety, trade secrets, and incentives to innovate. 11/21/2022