Leadership

Editorial Salutes Ohio Manufacturers for Their Efforts to Beat COVID-19

The Columbus Dispatch, in its April 17 editorial, pays tribute to Ohio manufacturers that have helped combat the coronavirus. The editorial cites examples of several Ohio companies that have shifted their operations to produce personal protective equipment (PPE) as part of the Ohio Manufacturing Alliance to Fight COVID-19.

“For all the closures, layoffs and isolation that have marked the past month in our coronavirus-erupted world, it is nice to also witness examples of American innovation and patriotism stepping up to lend a hand,” the editorial states. Read it here. 4/17/2020

OMA Members Represented on White House Recovery Task Force

The White House this week announced the names of more than 200 CEOs and other business leaders who will advise the administration on reopening U.S. economy. The list included National Association of Manufacturers President and CEO Jay Timmons, as well as leaders from the following OMA-member companies:

• Cargill — David MacLennan;
• The Procter & Gamble Company — David S. Taylor;
• Abbott Laboratories — Robert Ford;
• Pfizer Inc. — Dr. Albert Bourla;
• Eli Lilly and Company — Dave Ricks;
• Emerson — David Farr;
• Fiat Chrysler — Mike Manley;
• General Motors Company — Mary Barra; and
• United Parcel Service — David Abney.

See the full list of task force names. 4/15/2020

AG Yost Takes Action Against PPE Price Gouging

This week, Attorney General Dave Yost filed a lawsuit against a Chagrin Falls man for price gouging as he allegedly sold N95 masks on eBay for as much as 18 times the retail price. Yost said in a statement: “We will continue to take action against anyone else in this state price gouging during this pandemic.” 4/14/2020

Survey Finds Caution is the New Normal

An updated survey by Gallup shows Americans remain hesitant about whether they will resume their normal daily activities once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted and businesses start to reopen. The vast majority (71%) say they will wait to see what happens with the spread of the virus before engaging in normal routines. Republicans (31%), residents of small towns/rural areas (23%) and men (22%) say they are more likely to forecast that they’ll resume normal activities immediately. 4/15/2020

How Prepared is Your IT Security?

OMA Connections Partner Clark Schaefer Hackett is now offering a Cybersecurity HealthCheck to provide an efficient, economical way to evaluate the readiness of your IT security programs. The tool applies industry-leading guidance to your unique financial and operational environments. 4/15/2020

Editorial: Crisis Demonstrates ‘Might and Agility of Ohio Manufacturing’

OMA President Eric Burkland and MAGNET President and CEO Ethan Karp recently teamed up on this editorial in Crain’s Cleveland Business to discuss efforts by Ohio manufacturers to produce desperately needed protective equipment for front-line medical workers and first responders.

The pair wrote: “Coming out of this crisis will be the right time to bring more supply chains back home, starting with the medical sector and expanding from there. … It will allow us to make more things locally. And the more local products we create, the more jobs we create.” 4/13/2020

Cleveland Fed Examines Region’s Manufacturing Sector

The Cleveland Fed has just published a three-part series on manufacturing in the industrial heartland. “Manufacturing under Pressure” weaves together the observations and family stories, and includes data visualizations, photography and videography that offer an overview of how manufacturing in our region has evolved over the past 140 years.

Despite the challenges, “the future is bright for U.S. manufacturing and the people and places invested in it,” the Cleveland Fed writes. 4/15/2020

Study: U.S. Manufacturers Leaving China

Forbes reports on a recent study that finds more U.S. manufacturers are either leaving China or contemplating an exit. The U.S.-China trade war and supply chain disruption due to COVID-19 are driving factors.

According to global manufacturing consulting firm Kearney and its seventh annual Reshoring Index, there has been a “dramatic reversal” in the index’s five-year trend “as domestic U.S. manufacturing in 2019 commanded a significantly greater share versus 14 Asian exporters tracked in the study,” 4/13/2020

Infographic: China’s Manufacturing vs. the Rest of the World

Just how large is China’s manufacturing output compared to that of the rest of the world? HowMuch.net has produced this infographic to help visualize China’s manufacturing economy. The infographic also shows that manufacturing remains an essential component of U.S. GDP at $2.33 trillion in 2018. 4/13/2020

Ohio Manufacturers to Make Up to 1 Million Face Shields

On Thursday, April 9, Gov. Mike DeWine announced that the Ohio Manufacturing Alliance to Fight COVID-19 has assembled a team of Ohio manufacturers to make between 750,000 and one million high-quality, reusable face shields over the next five weeks to help combat the spread of the virus.

Soon, hundreds of thousands of high-quality, reusable face shields will be shipped across the state from Hudson, Ohio-based Little Tikes™ — a manufacturer that normally produces toys. The project involves a supply chain of 19 manufacturers, three hospitals and multiple additional partners. Together, they have done in a matter of days what would normally take several months.

“These face shields will make a difference as we fight this invisible enemy,” said Gov. DeWine. “This reinforces what we know about Ohio companies — they are generous and will answer the call when needed. Together, we are going to protect our protectors and strengthen our manufacturing sector.”

Read more about this success story.

To date, the Alliance has received more than 1,500 communications from manufacturers and individuals who want to help in this effort. Manufacturers with the potential to produce PPE are urged to visit RepurposingProject.com, review the list of in-demand products, and fill out the online response form if they can help. 4/9/2020