Northwest Ohio Company Provides Technical Solutions for Food Processing

Ohio's agriculture and food processing industry is a diverse sector that includes farming, seed supply, agrichemicals, farm machinery, wholesale and distribution, processing, marketing and retail sales. The state's strategic location between the grain belt and Eastern markets brings together all of the elements that comprise food production and underlies Ohio's strength in food processing. Over 76,500 farms cover more than 14 million acres - nearly 55 percent of the total land area. Although responsible for only 2 percent of the nation's crop and livestock production, Ohio ranks 18th in value of total agricultural products sold. The state is also a leader in the specialized nutraceutical food production industry.

Here's a snapshot of how one northwest Ohio company is leading the way in the agriculture and food processing industry:

The Center for Innovative Food Technology (CIFT) at EISC, Inc. in Toledo, Ohio provides technical solutions to companies involved in some of Ohio's largest and most economically significant industries: food production, processing and packaging. CIFT's mission is to help members of the agribusiness sector improve their competitive position through the development and adaptation of emerging technologies, industry best practices, and novel business approaches.

hiVelocity spoke with CIFT's Executive Vice President David Beck about new agriculture and food processing technologies taking place right here in Ohio. Click here to read more.

Agribusiness Companies Choose Ohio As Unbeatable Location

By: Matt McQuade, Ohio Business Development Coalition

Ohio is at the center of the U.S. agribusiness industry - literally. Located at the crossroads of the nation’s Grain Belt region and eastern markets, Ohio offers agribusiness companies everything necessary for a successful operation. The state’s convergence of key assets equates to 1,106 processing and production plants, food industry exports of over $25 billion annually, and headquarters for renowned companies such as Kroger, Chiquita, J.M. Smucker and Bob Evans.

In Ohio, agribusiness companies are able to bring in bulk raw materials and ship out finished goods at low cost.  Ohio is located within a one day trucking distance of 60 percent of both the U.S. and Canadian populations with multi-modal transportation options to receive and ship goods.  Access to the Great Lakes, rivers and vast aquifers further separates Ohio from other states, providing agribusiness companies with some of the nation’s largest and most productive sources of potable water.

Ohio’s competitiveness in agribusiness is strengthened by the lowest taxes in the Midwest and public-private research support to accelerate business growth. The state’s tax structure reduces operating costs by not assessing a tax on corporate income, tangible personal property or in-state sales, allowing companies to boost return on investment and maximize profits. In addition, Ohio’s state-supported research assets allow companies to research, develop and commercialize breakthrough innovations. The Edison Center for Innovative Food Technology helps companies improve their competitive position in the agribusiness industry through the development and adaption of emerging technologies.

Click here to learn more about why Ohio is an unbeatable location for agribusiness companies.

Ohio Business Leaders Discuss State’s Best-Kept Secrets

Over the past year-and-a-half, I’ve spoken with Ohio business leaders and executives from across the state. Each shared with me their “best-kept” Ohio secrets. From these conversations, I’ve compiled my list of Top 10 Ohio’s Best-Kept Secrets.

• Home. Small-town feel with all the benefits and resources of a major city. In addition, short commutes to and from work make time for you to pursue personal passions.
• Low cost of living. You can have more house while providing your family with a balance of culture and some of the best public and private schools around.
• Excellent education. From preschool to higher education, Ohio is graduating students that will lead the world in business development and innovation.
• Central location. It’s easy to conduct business around the state with six international airports and 600 miles within 60 percent of the U.S. population and 50 percent of the Canadian population.
• Industry leader. Ohio is a leader in innovation and home to many great industries – agribusiness, automotive, bioscience, logistics, manufacturing, polymers, energy and aviation, and professional/financial services.
• Talented workforce. Ohio offers a diverse and talented labor pool of workers in a variety of key industries.
• Profitable business environment. Ohio’s business environment is designed to promote business development and entrepreneurship. The state has many strong workforce training programs and innovative job-creation and worker-retention programs such as the Ohio Third Frontier Project and the EnterpriseOhio Network.
• Lowest cost in the Midwest. Ohio is executing tax reform to substantially lower the cost of doing business in the state – with the lowest taxes in the Midwest by 2010.
• Strong supply chain. A strong supply chain across numerous key industries helps improve company efficiencies and profits.
• You can make a difference. In Ohio, you can make a meaningful difference in your community because you are not simply a "small fish in a big pond."

To sum it up: business leaders agree that when it comes to opportunities for business development, education, low cost of living, community impact, supply chain management and tax reform, Ohio truly is "The State of Perfect Balance."

What’s for Dinner?

The process of bringing food to the table comprises many areas of agribusiness - farming, seed supply, agrichemicals, farm machinery, wholesale and distribution, processing, marketing and retail sales. Ohio’s agribusiness industry represents each of these elements of the food production chain.

Gary Cooper, vice president and chief operating officer of Cooper Farms, told me about how Ohio’s strengths in agribusiness help his family’s company continue to succeed.

Q: How do your employees exemplify Ohio's Midwest values? Please share your thoughts.