Ohio’s Export Growth Focus of Global Summit

Today Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland recognized the contributions of 27 Ohio export leaders at the Ohio Global Summit, an event sharing successful strategies for global trade by Ohio-based international business experts, for their contributions to the state’s performance as a leading U.S. export economy.

Ohio's export industry grew by nearly 7 percent in 2008, to $45.5 billion. Global trade supports nearly 300,000 jobs in the state – and more than 11,000 Ohio companies distribute goods to well over 200 countries around the world. Ohio is the seventh-largest exporting state in the country, and the only state in the nation to see export growth for 10 years in a row.

Two companies were recognized as Exporter of the Year: Mansfield pump manufacturer Gorman-Rupp Pumps in the Large Business category and Fremont industrial matting and foam manufacturer Ludlow Composites Corporation of Fremont.

Ohio’s global export prominence speaks to the state’s manufacturing strengths, logistics capabilities, skilled workforce, and competitive business environment. The state has redesigned business climate and world-class transportation infrastructure allows businesses in any industry – including international trade - to be globally successful.

Thoughts from an Ohio Executive

I recently spoke with John R. Nottingham, the co-founder and co-president of Nottingham-Spirk Design Associates, Inc., one of the leading new product and package innovation groups in the US with over 500 commercialized patents to date. Nottingham-Spirk product innovations have helped to create jobs and growth for Ohio companies and throughout the US for over 35 years. Notable design support projects include Crest SpinBrush®, Swiffer SweeperVac®, and Sherwin-Williams Twist & Pour® paint container.

John shared with me how his company benefits from the state's talented labor pool in the fields of product design, engineering and marketing. In addition, Nottingham-Spirk Design Associates offers an internship program for college students and new graduates.

The state of Ohio is committed to building, maintaining and retaining a talented labor pool that meets demands for Ohio businesses. From K-12 schools that challenge and inspire students to be both imaginative and analytical in their thinking, to postsecondary institutions that promote the development of moral character and produce highly skilled graduates, every level of Ohio's education and workforce development system is designed to create an educated, innovative and reliable workforce.

Click here to read more about my interview with John.

Ohio’s Leadership in Logistics Increases the Bottom Line

As competition becomes more global, Ohio's central location and strength in transportation and logistics affords companies the ability to maximize flexibility while reducing supply-chain costs and increasing the bottom line. This environment makes the state ripe for company growth and capital investment in the logistics industry.

Ohio companies are able to ship and receive finished goods, semi-finished products or resources without high transportation costs or expensive delays, through a logistics management network that encompasses the entire spectrum of the logistics industry from fleet management to inbound/outbound transportation management to warehousing.

Located in the middle of the North American population, Ohio offers superior distribution opportunities throughout the United States and Canada. This strategic location is strengthened by an established logistics infrastructure including international airports, an extensive highway network and expansive railroad service. In addition, ten Foreign Trade Zones (FTZ) reduce costs and level the playing field for global companies. Ohio also has many prominent supply-chain and logistics programs generating next-generation workers for this important industry.

Elaine Roberts, president and CEO of Columbus Regional Airport Authority (CRAA), has over twenty-five years of experience in airport management. CRAA is an independent, governmental entity responsible for operating three Central Ohio airports: Port Columbus International Airport (CMH, focus on commercial air service), Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK, emphasis on cargo and passenger charter flights) and Bolton Field (TZR, a corporate and general aviation airport). CRAA is pivotal in furthering Ohio’s role in the logistics industry.

Elaine is a strong believer in the Ohio Promise. She believes work:life balance makes Ohio a truly unique state and choice location.

Click here for the complete interview with Elaine.

Ohio recognized as leader in international trade

Ohio’s global export prominence speaks to the state’s manufacturing strengths, logistics capabilities, skilled workforce, and competitive business environment. An article in today’s Columbus Dispatch shared facts from the U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration about Ohio’s role as a global exporter:

• Ohio is the only state in the country whose exports have increased every year since 1998, and it's seventh in the country for exports overall.
• Ohio's exports grew by nearly 7 percent in 2008 over the previous year, to $45.5 billion.
• The state's biggest manufactured exports are automotive and airplane parts, machinery, chemicals, electronics and computers.
• About 11,400 Ohio companies sell their products internationally, and nearly 300,000 jobs in this state depend upon exports. Only California and Texas have more jobs linked to manufacturing exports.

Ohio has not relied on geographic market access alone to drive its success as a trade leader and global exporter, but has invested in world-class systems creating synergy between transportation, data and domestic and international export.

Ohio’s roads, rails, waterways and international airports provide many reliable options for moving products to market. 10 Foreign Trade Zones facilitate import and export and many sub-zones offer duty-free, quota-free secured sites where goods can be stored, repackaged, assembled and manufactured.

The state has 14 international offices to promote the export of Ohio goods. They are in Canada and Mexico, the top two export markets for the state, plus Belgium, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Israel, South Africa, Japan, India, Australia and three in China: Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing. The state is also located within 500 miles, or one day’s trucking distance, of 60 percent of both the U.S. and Canadian populations.

In addition, the Global Markets Division of the Ohio Department of Development helps Ohio companies explore global trade opportunities and expand into new international trade markets.

Another key factor is Ohio’s new tax reform, part of the state’s purposeful redesign of its business climate to be the ideal location choice for companies that want to create a successful global business.

The revamped tax code helps slash operating costs through:

• No Tax on inventory held in Ohio
• No Personal property tax on manufacturing equipment
• No Tax on sales of goods and services to customers outside of Ohio

All encourage Ohio based companies to invest in operational efficiencies that can add to bottom line profit margin improvement.

This is more proof why successful companies around the world are choosing Ohio as the best location for their U.S. operations.

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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Excellent education. From preschool to higher education, Ohio is graduating students that will lead the world in business development and innovation.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Talented workforce. Ohio offers a diverse and talented labor pool of workers in a variety of key industries.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. Strong supply chain. A strong supply chain across numerous key industries helps improve company efficiencies and profits.
10. 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."