Leadership

Bridge Collapse Puts Strain on U.S. Supply Chain

The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore earlier this week is already rendering global supply chain issues as trucking and shipping companies scramble to reroute and divert routes.

The National Association of Manufacturers reports that the Baltimore port, the 16th largest business port based on volume, is the closest major port for Midwestern manufacturing hubs, including Ohio.

The diversion of not just shipping lanes, but trucking routes, is already raising concerns on increased congestion and traffic by the trucking industry.

The OMA will continue to monitor and update members on the logistical challenges in the wake of the collapse. 3/27/2024

Manufacturers Among Thousands of Ohio Employers Gaining Best Practices in Safety at 2024 Ohio Safety Congress

This week, OMA staff attended the 2024 Ohio Safety Congress & Expo in Columbus, highlighting the value of OMA membership and our workers’ compensation program.

Special thank you to Lincoln Electric for providing a virtual reality welding trainer for OMA’s booth.

Ohio Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments on Public Nuisance Cases Regarding Opioids

On Tuesday, the Ohio Supreme Court heard oral arguments on a certified question from the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, which asked the Ohio Supreme Court to clarify whether Ohio’s product liability law permits a common law claim of absolute public nuisance claim resulting from a sale of a product in commerce such as prescribed opioids. This question could have significant impacts on the manufacturing industry by allowing for public nuisance cases to be brought based on products in the market.

The underlying case involves three large pharmacy chains and whether they created a public nuisance under Ohio law for selling legal products that would go on to play a role in the opioid addiction epidemic. Two Ohio counties had previously won a $650 million judgment against CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart to abate a public nuisance of widespread drug addiction. 3/27/2024

RecoveryOhio to Host Ohio Business Leaders Addiction Response Training

RecoveryOhio is sponsoring the Ohio Business Leaders Responding to Addiction training on Thursday, April 4, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Ohio Department of Transportation. The training is open at no cost to all business leaders and HR staff.

Like CPR, the training program, developed by the Addiction Policy Forum, is designed to build the skills to support and respond to someone who needs help. Participants will learn the science of addiction, signs and symptoms of addiction, evidence-based treatment options, and how to respond to someone in crisis. Click here to register. 3/25/2024

Ohio Tops Charts of Leading Micropolitan Cities

Site Selection Magazine has again ranked Findlay, Ohio as the top micropolitan city for the tenth straight year, but Findlay does not stand alone in representing the Buckeye State.

Ohio micropolitan cities dominated the rankings, holding five of the top ten spots. Sydney, Greenville, Defiance, and Wooster rounded out Ohio’s presence in the top ten.

Ohio also tied with Georgia for first in their statewide assessment, with both having 15 of the top 100 micropolitan cities. 3/20/2024

OMA Applauds CHIPS Grant for Intel

Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced that Intel will receive up to $8.5 billion in funding through the CHIPS Act for semiconductor projects in Arizona, New Mexico, Ohio, and Oregon.

The OMA applauded the investment, citing that Ohio continues to be where world-class manufacturers go to reshore American manufacturing. 3/20/2024

Election Analysis

On Tuesday, Ohioans cast their ballots for the March 19th primary election, setting the stage for November. There is much on the line, as parties will vie for control of the White House and Congress, and a contentious Speaker battle will be decided here in Ohio.

The OMA has produced a post-election report, providing key summary and analysis of Ohio’s March Primary.

Later this year, the OMA will also release its Ohio Election Guide, the most comprehensive publication of its kind. Sponsorships are available for the election guide, please contact Nate Mays for more information. 3/20/2024

OMA Staff Visit Tosoh SMD

Last week, OMA staff visited Tosoh SMD, Inc. for a tour of their Grove City campus.

Tosoh SMD is a leader in chemical and advanced materials manufacturing, including a preferred supplier for Intel Corporation in producing semiconductors.

Thank you for hosting our staff!. 3/18/2024

OMA Hosts First Board Meeting of 2024

Earlier this week, the OMA held its first board meeting of 2024 to report on the activity and health of the organization.

The board was joined by special guests Jay Timmons, President and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers and Steve Dackin, Director of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce who discussed national efforts to promote manufacturing and how Ohio is connecting with and preparing students for in-demand manufacturing jobs. 3/12/2024

OMA Board Elects Three New Directors

The OMA Board of Directors also elected three new members to the board this week. Those elected were:

• Kristin Day, Vice President of U.S Manufacturing Operations for Whirlpool Corporation
• Jon Stroup, Senior Specialist for Cenovus
• Jay Goyal, President of Goyal Industries Inc.

Congratulations! 3/12/2024