NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ohio Tops Nation in Manufacturing Competitiveness
NORTHEAST OHIO – November 6, 2006 - Ohio ranks first among 14 U.S. states determined to be best positioned to compete in manufacturing, according to findings issued by eMvoy, an industry research group. The findings identify pervasive statewide trends in the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturing.
The results were issued today as part of the group's conclusions after a one year evaluation of 100,000 U.S. manufacturers. The findings included rankings of all fifty states. The following states were found to be significantly above-average for industrial competitiveness: Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Texas, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Indiana, New York, California, North Carolina, Connecticut, New Jersey and Massachusetts. For the complete rankings report, please click here.
Chicago-based eMvoy rated companies by assessing company stability, market penetration, technology, and web presence. The research group performs large-scale evaluations of U.S. manufacturers as part of the services it provides to industrial purchasing agents. Additional ranking factors are included on the eMvoy web site. Please click here.
"There is so much confusion about the state of American manufacturing. The public perception is that, overall, U.S. manufacturing is weak. After looking at 100,000 manufacturers, we found that the state of U.S. manufacturing is not bad -- as long as you are in the right state." says Craig Landy, CEO of eMvoy.
"We can all point to great success stories in manufacturing but they are only told about specific industry sectors, cities or companies." Landy continues, "Our data pointed to a complex, yet very optimistic picture of U.S. manufacturing. Fourteen states scored exceptionally high for competitiveness. Other states were predictably flat or below the average. We didn't expect to see such huge gaps between the best and worst states."
“We are delighted to learn that our assumptions about Ohio, and specifically, Northeast Ohio are right on point,” stated Stephen J. Gage, Ph.D. President of MAGNET, the Manufacturing Advocacy & Growth Network. “To have an independent industry research effort validate our region’s readiness to aggressively compete in a global economy, only fuels our enthusiasm in support of the 12,000 manufacturers in Northeast Ohio.”
eMvoy is an independent technology and industry research company that provides market intelligence through in-depth analysis of U.S. manufacturers. Utilizing comprehensive analysis backed by proprietary data, eMvoy delivers business information to a range of industry sectors. eMvoy is also the only service that integrates a full-text search engine with a rating system of U.S. manufacturers. Chicago-based eMvoy was developed by the founders of SearchEngines.com, an industry watch group.
MAGNET (Manufacturing Advocacy Growth Network) works to transform Northeast Ohio’s manufacturing economy into a powerful, global competitor by:
- Motivating and assisting manufacturers with product innovation, strategic market positioning, technology planning, business performance, and global competitiveness with measurable results – almost $2 billion in economic impact since 2000
- Advocating on behalf of manufacturers to influence public policy
- Engaging the region’s educational institutions to ensure a prepared workforce for the future
- Elevating the image and visibility of manufacturing and manufacturing careers
- Providing a services clearinghouse for manufacturers
U.S. Department of Labor Selects MAGNET to Design Training Program for Small Manufacturers
MAGNET, the Manufacturing Advocacy Growth Network, announced today it has received a $496,000 federal grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to develop lean manufacturing tools and process training modules to support the needs of small manufacturers.
The grant appoints MAGNET’s client services division, CAMP Services, to design and test virtual course-work to make the principles of lean manufacturing accessible to very small companies. This type of training is usually out of reach for small manufacturers, who would otherwise have to shutdown operations to train and engage lean teams.
MAGNET’s President, Stephen J. Gage, Ph.D., stated, “Lean manufacturing principles have helped many manufacturers in our nation become much more efficient and profitable. Making these tools available to smaller manufacturers, who represent the most significant segment of our manufacturing economy and employer ranks, is an exciting opportunity for Northeast Ohio. We owe U.S. Congressman Ralph Regula our appreciation for his foresight and continued support of manufacturers in our region.”
Gage indicated that Congressman Regula, who serves 16th Congressional District of Ohio, was instrumental in assisting MAGNET in obtaining the grant funding for this landmark program.
“I am pleased to support efforts to revitalize manufacturing in the region by helping small companies compete. Organizations like MAGNET are helping to define the region’s manufacturing future by making manufacturing more competitive and profitable through accessible training initiatives like this pilot program. I look forward to seeing results from this partnership,” said Regula.
MAGNET has provided lean manufacturing assistance to companies in more that 30 counties of Northeast Ohio since 1984. Lean manufacturing is a management philosophy focusing on reduction of the seven wastes (over-production, waiting time, transportation, processing, inventory, motion and scrap) in manufactured products or any type of business to improve quality and reduce costs. Lean is basically all about getting the right things, to the right place, at the right time, in the right quantity while minimizing waste and being flexible and open to change.
New courses will be developed or, in some instances, existing material will be enhanced and pilot-tested with two or three companies initially. In the second phase of the project, ten companies will be selected for final testing, evaluation of the effectiveness of the courses, and virtual mode of delivery. The project will take place of a period of approximately fifteen months. The participants will select employees to take online courses and evaluate their effectiveness by applying the skills acquired in training on an actual project implementation for their employers.
The project will target small manufacturers in Trumbull, Mahoning, Portage, Summit, Medina, Stark, Tuscarawas and Wayne counties. MAGNET will invite its regional partners, including the Greater Akron Chamber, the Canton Regional Chamber, and the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, to assist in the identification of candidate manufacturing companies and employees to participate in the pilot phase of the program’s development. The virtual tools will be accessible to a broader manufacturing audience once the pilot has been deemed effective.
