Leadership

100 Things to Do in Ohio This Fall

Fall is a special time of year in Ohio — and TourismOhio has published this list of 100 things to do in the Buckeye State. From visiting one of 75 state parks, to trying out local food and beverage shops, to finding the perfect pumpkin patch, this is an impressive list of attractions that you’ll want to share with co-workers and employees. 9/9/2020

Justice Pat DeWine Won’t Seek Chief Justice Position

Ohio Supreme Court Justice Pat DeWine announced this week he will seek re-election for his current seat rather than run for chief justice, an option he explored over the past year. DeWine told supporters he believes running for re-election is “the best way to ensure a conservative majority.” The GOP currently holds a 4-3 majority on the court.

DeWine’s announcement narrows the race for chief justice to Justice Sharon Kennedy, a Republican, and Justice Jennifer Brunner, a Democrat. 8/31/2021

OMA Government Affairs Committee Examines Manufacturer Vaccination Initiatives

This week, the OMA Government Affairs Committee conducted a hybrid in-person meeting, addressing multiple policy-related issues impacting manufacturers.

In addition to updates on Statehouse activities and Ohio’s redistricting process, the meeting included a panel discussion on COVID-19 vaccination policies implemented by select Ohio manufacturers. The panel discussion revealed:

• Cleveland-Cliffs’ aggressive incentive program has achieved a total COVID-19 vaccination rate of 75% among its approximately 25,000 employees.
• Manufacturers that have hosted on-site vaccination clinics, such as Whirlpool Corporation, have often experienced higher vaccination rates.
• Employers with mandatory vaccination policies have seen some resistance from certain workers.
• Some manufacturers are already considering hosting on-site clinics for booster shots.

The committee’s next meeting is set for Nov. 18. 8/25/2021

Index: U.S. Manufacturing Remains Strong in August

After expanding at a record pace last month, U.S. manufacturing activity slowed in August while maintaining robust growth, according to the IHS Markit Flash U.S. Manufacturing PMI. The index declined from July’s 63.4 to 61.2 this month.

According to Chad Moutray, chief economist for the National Association of Manufacturers, it was the fifth straight month the index exceeded 60 — a threshold that demonstrates solid expansion.

For a longer term perspective, check out this on-demand webinar (along with these handouts) presented this week by OMA Connections Partner RSM to examine how current trends could affect manufacturers. 8/25/2021

The Next Industrial Revolution Comes to Ohio

Ohio Business magazine has examined Industry 4.0 and how the Buckeye State can lead this next chapter in manufacturing. The article takes an honest look at some of the challenges facing manufacturers that want to make the leap to 4.0.

Several industry insiders are quoted, including OMA board member Elizabeth (Lissa) Barry, CEO of Streetsboro-based Delta Systems. Barry says smaller and mid-sized manufacturers face being left behind if they don’t adapt 4.0 technologies, while early engagement may help those same businesses “make products better, faster and cheaper than anywhere else in the world.” 8/23/2021

Analysis: EV Revolution Will Hit Speed Bumps

The Biden administration wants half of new car sales to be electric vehicles by 2030 — but recent EV recalls are a reminder there are hurdles on the path to achieving this goal. In its analysis, Axios reports that while many gas-powered cars are recalled, EV recalls are unwelcome at a time when automakers and policymakers want to hasten the transition to cars with a plug. 8/23/2021

Analysis: The Coming Rebirth of U.S. Semiconductor Manufacturing

OMA Connections Partner RSM has published new insight on the shortage of semiconductors, noting that billions of dollars are expected to be invested in U.S. chip production over the next few years — primarily in Arizona.

RSM notes that “the trickle-down effects of re-emerging domestic chip production are still, in large part, many years away from having significant impact on the global chip market and the middle market.” 8/25/2021

Chip Shortage Worsens for Automakers

The global chip shortage has worsened for key automakers. Toyota this week announced it will drastically reduce global production. Ford will temporarily shut its Kansas City plant that builds the F-150.

Visual Capitalist recently published this infographic to illustrate the impact of the chip shortage on U.S.-based automakers. When the graphic was published, more than 1.1 million vehicles were estimated to face production delays — with Ford, Stellantis, and GM combining for 855,000.

Japanese automakers Honda, Nissan, and Toyota (prior to this week’s news) were estimated to take a collective hit of approximately 108,500 delayed models, while companies like Hyundai and Volvo had fewer than 3,000 vehicles impacted. Where each automaker sources and installs its chips is a key reason for the discrepancy. 8/19/2021

Dates, Locations Announced for Ohio Redistricting Hearings

The seven-member Ohio Redistricting Commission — charged with redrawing political boundaries based on 2020 census data — is planning 10 public hearings in 10 communities from Aug. 23-27. Here’s the schedule.

Members of the commission include Gov. Mike DeWine, Secretary of State Frank LaRose, state Auditor Keith Faber, and lawmakers from both sides of the aisle. 8/17/2021

Calls in D.C. for Government Lending to Boost U.S. Manufacturing

This week, an article in The Atlantic magazine made a case for more federal financial support of American manufacturing. According to author Robinson Meyer, while the U.S. “lavishly supports” new technologies in the research stage and decades away from reaching a market, the financial system has in recent decades failed to support those same technologies when they are on the verge of commercialization and ready for mass production.

Meyer says there’s growing support on Capitol Hill for an Industrial Finance Corporation that would help fund high-tech manufacturing nationwide. 8/18/2021