News and Analysis
BDO Publishes 2017 Manufacturing RiskFactor Report
August 4, 2017OMA Connections Partner, BDO, has just published its 2017 Manufacturing RiskFactor Report which examines the risk factors in the most recent 10-K filings of the largest 100 publicly traded U.S. manufacturers in the food manufacturing, transportation, fabricated metals, machinery, plastics and rubber segments.
The top three risks cited in the report are: 1) Supplier, vendor or distributor disruption, 2) Federal, state and local regulations, and 3) Labor costs, retention and outsourcing.
Read this interesting report from BDO here. 7/31/2017
LIFT Offers Webinar Series on Lightweight Metals Manufacturing
August 4, 2017Lightweight Innovations of Tomorrow (LIFT) is offering a new webinar series featuring small and medium-sized companies highlighting the newest innovations in lightweight metals manufacturing.
There are manufacturing innovations being developed at small companies all around the country – particularly around lightweighting.
Beginning on August 17 and held at noon ET on the third Thursday of each month, LIFT will provide a forum for a small or medium-sized company to highlight the newest design, material, manufacturing process or material it is working on.
See more about LIFT’s lightweighting technology and the list of upcoming speakers.
Register or see more information about the first session. 7/29/2017
New Data! Manufacturing (Still) Drives Ohio’s Economy
July 28, 2017
OMA annually updates data about the significant impact Ohio manufacturing makes on the state’s economy. Fresh data has just been published in 2017 Ohio Manufacturing Counts.
- Manufacturing is the largest of the 20 sectors of Ohio’s economy, contributing 18% of Ohio’s GDP.
- Ohio’s manufacturing sector GDP of $108 billion ranks it third in the nation after only California and Texas.
- There are 106 manufacturing NAICS categories in which Ohio is first, second or third in the nation.
- Manufacturing provides 700,000 jobs for Ohio workers. More than one in 10 Ohioans works in manufacturing.
- Manufacturing has an annual payroll of $39 billion, the highest total annual wages of any Ohio industry sector.
- The average annual earnings of Ohio workers on manufacturing payrolls? More than $58,000.
Check it all out here. Our gratitude to our sponsors. 7/25/2017
Walmart Ups Game in Domestic Sourcing – Sets Policy Agenda
July 28, 2017This week Walmart convened a broad group of individuals and organizations representing government, business, and non-governmental organizations from across the country to present a Policy Roadmap to Renew U.S. Manufacturing.
The meeting included a bipartisan conversation about the current challenges and opportunities in the U.S. manufacturing sector as well as case studies of successful collaboration among key stakeholders.
According to Walmart’s press release: “Walmart’s Policy Roadmap to Renew U.S. Manufacturing offers a comprehensive approach to tackling the major barriers that keep companies from manufacturing more consumer goods in the United States. The roadmap identifies the highest impact policy barriers as (1) workforce, (2) coordination and financing, (3) regulation, and (4) tax and trade and proposes specific policies that have the potential to effectively accelerate and grow U.S. manufacturing.”
OMA’s Ryan Augsburger approved of Walmart’s direction, saying, “It’s the simplest recipe to generate economic growth and job creation in Ohio, when it’s made here, someone is paid here.”
A spokesperson for Walmart said that the retail giant last year spent $5.6 billion with Ohio suppliers. 7/27/2017
Why We MFG DAY! (Infographic)
July 28, 2017
Manufacturing Day is an annual celebration of modern manufacturing during which manufacturers invite their communities — including students, educators, business people, media, and politicians — to their facilities in a collective effort to educate visitors about manufacturing career opportunities and improve public perceptions of manufacturing.
Started in 2012, MFG DAY has seen participation grow dramatically over the years. Here are the official numbers when it comes to the number of events, the number of attendees, and the how MFG DAY is affecting the public perception of manufacturing. 7/27/2017
Export and Thrive
July 28, 2017Why shouldn’t your business have a piece of the pie?
OMA Connections Partner, Gilmore Jaison Mahler LTD, posted this blog by D. Paul Zito, Vice President of International Development at Toledo’s Regional Growth Partnership, in which he answers questions about exporting readiness, risks and benefits for manufacturers.
For manufacturers that are or are considering exporting, the U.S. Department of Commerce will offer an event in Cleveland in September called Discover Global Markets. 7/27/2017
Impact Ohio Plans Regional Policy Conferences
July 28, 2017Our friends at Impact Ohio, well-known for its Post-Election Conference, have planned regional conferences this fall in Akron, Cincinnati, Dayton, and Toledo.
Key government officials, business leaders, and community members will gather to learn more about policy issues important to these regions.
The 2017 Impact Ohio Regional Conferences are sponsored by the Ohio Democratic and Republican parties and by a variety of business and community leaders. 7/27/2017
What Does the Latest Gun Bill Do?
July 21, 2017The latest in a long line of gun bills was voted out of the House of Representatives the first week of July.
HB 233 allows a concealed handgun license holder or qualified military member to avoid charges for entering a gun-free zone with a firearm. Under current law, entering a gun-free zone with a firearm is a fifth-degree felony subject to up to 12 months in prison and a $2,500 fine. However, this bill substantially relaxes penalties. Individuals discovered carrying a weapon in such a location may only be charged with a crime if he or she refuses to leave or knowingly returns within 30 days with a deadly weapon.
OMA counsel Bricker & Eckler has drafted this memo to describe how the bill negatively impacts property owners’ rights. The bill would need to pass the Ohio Senate to become law. 7/20/2017
General Assembly Plans Session Schedule for Fall
July 21, 2017Leaders of the Ohio House and Senate, recently set the session schedule for the remainder of the year.
Legislative committees can meet at the call of the chair, regardless of session schedule. 7/17/2017
Group Refutes Touted Savings of Ohio Drug Price Relief Act
July 21, 2017This week, Ohioans Against the Deceptive Rx Ballot Issue issued a news release refuting the cost-savings claims contained in the so-called Ohio Drug Price Relief Act.
The November statewide ballot initiative, if passed, would add a new requirement to Ohio law that a range of state government related entities, including the Ohio Medicaid program, pay no more for prescription drugs than is paid by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
A cost analysis performed by former state budget director Greg Browning disproves claims made by proponents that the issue would reduce costs. In his analysis, Browning refers to those claims as “false and without merit.”
The OMA opposes the measure and supports the Ohioans Against the Deceptive Rx Ballot Issue campaign. 7/19/2017