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IDE

BusinessJournal
THE

B
INS
OF WEST CENTRAL OHIO
February 2011

Cooper Occidente Earns 9001:2008 Quality Certification


Findlay, Ohio - Cooper Tire & Rubber Company foundation from which to improve.” Tall Timbers Mold Operations facility in Findlay, previ-
(NYSE:CTB) today announced that its Corporación de ISO 9000 is an internationally recognized group of ously earned ISO 9001 quality standard certification. In
Occidente joint venture manufacturing facility in Guada- quality standards set forth by the International Organi- addition, the corporate Materials Lab and corporate Tire
lajara, Mexico, has earned 9001:2008 quality certifica- zation for Standardization, a body that sets standards in Testing have earned ISO 17025 testing and calibration
tion, joining six other Cooper facilities that previously many businesses and technologies. Certification requires certification.
attained the sought-after designation of manufacturing that companies set in place procedures for monitoring Cooper facilities certified to ISO 14001 environmen-
quality. and continually improving key business processes and tal management system standards are the Findlay tire
“I am extremely pleased to receive this certifica- products. A standardized business management system manufacturing facility and Tall Timbers Mold Opera-
tion,” said Corporación de Occidente General Manager provides such benefits as streamlined business processes; tions facility in Findlay, Ohio; and the tire manufacturing
Jeff Schumaker. “All of the people at Corporación de reduced costs through systematic reduction of variation; facilities in Texarkana, Ark., Tupelo, Miss., and Cooper
Occidente, with great support from Cooper’s Corporate reduced scrap and rework; increased business opportu- Chengshan Tire joint venture in Rongchen City, PRC.
Quality group, worked together very closely to make this nities; improved customer perception and satisfaction; “This latest certification demonstrates Cooper’s strict
happen. For Corporación de Occidente, this is another processes for improving processes; and improved com- adherence to the highest quality standards, throughout
step in our transformation from a startup plant to a com- munication. the organization, whether we’re operating in the U.S., in
petitive, capable manufacturing facility. For Cooper, this Manufacturing facilities in Findlay, Ohio, Melksham, Mexico, in Europe or in China,” said Cooper Chairman
completes a project we started several years ago in which England, Texarkana, Ark., Tupelo, Miss., and the Coo- and CEO Roy V. Armes. “Certification serves as a third-
all tire manufacturing facilities have achieved ISO 9001 per Kenda Tire joint venture manufacturing facility in party confirmation of our ongoing commitment to qual-
quality certification. Our entire company has a solid Kunshan, People’s Republic of China, along with the ity and continuous improvement.”

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2B TheBusinessJournal February 2011
Citizens National Bank expands service area
to include Defiance, Ohio
-Two VP/Business Development Officers and Commercial/Agricultural Loan Assistant Join CNB Team
Citizens National Bank is excited to an- Defiance office. Joining them as a Commer-
nounce the opening of a new loan produc- cial/Agricultural Loan Assistant is Sharon
tion office in Defiance, OH. Located on the Bassett. Both Jason and Adam will be re-
second floor at 607 W. Third Street, the of- sponsible for establishing new commercial
fice began servicing customers in Decem- relationships for CNB, as well as analyzing
ber. It will provide commercial business current customer portfolios on a regular ba-
development services to the area, including sis. Sharon will provide lending support and
real estate loans, commercial lines of credit, customer service for Defiance clients.
agricultural lending and access to depos- With a degree in Finance from Defiance
its through the bank’s Online for Business College, Jason has worked in the financial
and Merchant Capture services. “The needs industry since 2003. He is currently a De-
of the Defiance community play to the fiance College Alumni Executive Board
strengths of our bank – a strong commer- Member and Finance Committee member
cial base and a focus on agriculture. We’ve for the Putnam County YMCA. He and his
developed a keen understanding of the im- wife, Melissa, and daughter, Addyson, at-
portance of building personal relationships tend Apostolic Christian Church in Latty, BASSETT
LeBOUNTY FRITZ
with these clients and developing unique OH and reside in Paulding.
funding solutions for each of them,” com- Adam, also a graduate of Defiance Col-
ments President/CEO, J. Michael Romey. lege, has seven years of banking experience, and has more than 25 years of banking ex- With offices in Bluffton, Celina, Elida,
A key component of fostering those re- specializing in Agricultural Lending. He is perience. She is involved with the United Findlay, Lima, Springfield, Van Wert and
lationships is providing professional bank- a member of the Christ our Savior Lutheran Way committee of Defiance County and is a Defiance, Citizens National Bank has assets
ing officers who are familiar with this area Church and the Defiance Lions Club. He member of St. Johns Lutheran Church. Sha- totaling more than $565 million and has been
of Ohio. Citizens National Bank is proud to and his wife, Kara, reside in Defiance. ron has two daughters, Lindsey Bassett of serving the communities of West Central
name Jason LaBounty and Adam Fritz as Sharon attended classes at Northwest Marysville, OH and Kaci Bassett of Oxford, Ohio since 1920.
VP/Business Development Officers in the State Community College in Archbold, OH OH and resides in Ney.

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February 2011 TheBusinessJournal 3B
Meeting Facilities
15 steps to selecting a site
for your off-site meeting
A meeting for five to 100 people takes just as much time and
effort as planning for thousands. But the little touches that might
go unnoticed by a large group are readily appreciated by a smaller
group. Since a minor mistake can become a major problem, it is
important to be precise in all your planning.
Often the success of a meeting will relate directly to where it is
held. Of course, all of us have our own style and preferences, and we
all want to satisfy the specific needs of our individual groups. Yet
some things are basic to every meeting.
When choosing a date for the meeting, check school holidays
locally and in your proposed meeting location. For example, spring
break is a bad time to consider a beach resort. Also, find out when
religious holidays fall. After you have chosen your ideal dates, con-
sider the geographic location that works best for your attendees.
For a two- to three-day event, look for facilities close to the air-
port or office, ideally no more than two hours away. No attendee ap-
preciates spending much of the first day traveling, possibly arriving
tired or hassled, and then anticipating the same return trip on the last with those references all the things that you would see if you could
day of the meeting. be there in person. Be sure to ask about the little things.
For an all-day meeting, don’t choose a resort. It is very frustrat- First impressions count. During your pre-event visit, keep your
ing to see a wonderful golf course, beach, or spa and know that you eyes open. Does it look the way that it did in the brochure? Are the
will never get to enjoy them. grounds neat? Were the directions correct? Do the front-desk per-
On the other hand, if you want your attendees to spend time to- sonnel, wait staff, housekeepers, etc., smile and greet you? Are the
gether at play, a downtown hotel might not be the wisest choice. public rest rooms clean? Are the sales and marketing people orga-
Decide how the time will be spent, then determine the type of facil- nized and ready to visit with you?
ity to match your needs. These things can tell you how well the staff is trained to serve
Check out the names of conference centers, resorts, and hotels in you. Look at the sleeping and meeting rooms that you will be using.
the area. Each facility will have its own characteristics, but all will Make sure they show you the ones you will really be using, not just
be able to provide for your basic needs. Some can provide recre- an example of similar rooms!
ational activities and fellowship settings on-site, or the staff might Work with only one person as your contact, if possible. If you
be able to help find other facilities available to your group. will be working with more than one person, ask that they all meet
Is the site easily accessible by car or plane? Is the location af- with you at the same time. Make detailed notes of everything you
fected by the weather at the time you have chosen? have discussed, and send a copy to every person you will be work-
Call each place and make a list of the amenities, availability of ing with. Try to do it as soon as you return to the office and before
dates, room rates, and general information. Just by looking at the list they have filled out any contracts.
and matching it to your needs, you can easily choose the right site. When you receive the contract, make sure that all arrangements
Negotiate for some additions to your event, if possible. Ask if match what you have planned. Find out about check-in and check-
the facility will give you a complimentary guest or hospitality room out times. Are they flexible? Do they match your travel plans? Can
based on the total number of rooms you book. Some facilities will they make rooms available for early arrivals? What rate will they
negotiate their listed prices if you book during a particular time or quote for those coming a day early or staying later?
on special days of the week. You may want to change your dates to Ask about any dress codes or requirements. I remember a meet-
get those favorable rates. If a facility cannot change its room rates, ing when the men were required to wear a jacket for breakfast! Re-
it might be able to arrange for other things at a reduced rate or even quest brochures with pictures to send to all your attendees so they
free — such as airport transportation, an upgraded menu, better will know the ambience of the facility. It can also heighten the an-
rooms, gifts for each attendee, or even receptions (usually the food, ticipation for the event.
not beverages). Establish final dates for guarantees of rooms and meal func-
Have an accurate list of all extra charges as part of your negotia- tions.
tions, such as your meeting room, audiovisual, bellhops, housekeep- Finally, ask about billing procedures. Can you pay by check or
ers, service charges, taxes, parking. credit card? Will they bill you later? How much later? What goes on
Plan a site inspection to give you a feeling for the facility and its the master account? Can they give you copies of the daily charges
staff. It is always a good idea to look the place over yourself. If that for each event? Be sure to provide the facility with a written list of
is difficult, ask for the names of some recent clients and check out those who are authorized to charge on the master account.

4B TheBusinessJournal February 2011


Choosing the right meeting space
However large or small the meeting, location an urban location? Chances are that every event those belonging to the Preferred Group, whose Resorts
is key. Your environment, formal or informal, you plan will possibly meet different criteria, and luxury hotels and resorts offer a unique character, You’ll probably only consider a resort proper-
helps set the necessary mood and ambiance for thus have different space requirements. one-of-a kind ambience, and provide the highest ty if relaxation and leisure activities rank high on
the meeting to take place. Think about choosing 2. Out-of-town off-site meeting space standards of quality and extraordinary service. your priority list. This environment works well
a comfortable, yet stimulating environment that This option is usually used for extra special Boutique lodgings service business travel- for both formal and informal meetings. Compa-
encourages attendees to concentrate, but beware meetings, such as sales meetings, as costs will ers in search of a home away from home. They nies like Resorts Online allow you to choose the
of making it too cozy and relaxing that they’re inevitably be much higher. These kinds of meet- are small luxury hotels & resorts with individual activity you’re most interested in to find an ap-
likely to fall asleep. ings may well last for several days so you want personalities - eclectic, quaint hotels housed in propriate selection of choices.
When thinking about the right location, con- to make sure that all necessary details are well historic urban buildings or romantic resorts with Retreat centers
sider the meeting objectives, the length of the taken care of. If you want to make it high on your flowering gardens and beachside villas. Howev- These generally work best for smaller more
meeting and, of course, your budget. Decide how colleagues’ popularity poll, consider using a re- er, nice these sound, you definitely need to check focused groups who are looking for a quiet, se-
appropriate/necessary/important it is to hold the sort facility, as they usually offer various enjoy- what meeting space facilities, if any, they offer. rene meeting environment. They encourage “an
meeting on or off-site. For example, sometimes able relaxation options, golf, swimming, fitness Conference centers away from it all” type mentality where people
a neutral, off-site location is necessary for confi- center, etc. A site visit is essential so as to avoid Conference centers encompass a broad can engage in personal exploration, strategic
dential, top secret discussions. any unexpected surprises. gamit of venues which are often purpose-built decision-making, communicaton, and self im-
Different types of locations to consider: With this in mind, let’s look at the various specifically for meetings and events and offer provement.
1. Local off-site meeting space venue options available to you: state-of-the-art facilities, many including vid- Cruise ships
2. Out-of-town off-site meeting space Hotels eoconferencing. They comprise corporate train- These make an interesting and very different
1. Local off-site meeting space Conference centers ing centers, universities, resorts, airport, urban venue option. There are a few companies who
When it comes to selecting an off-site loca- Convention centers and downtown facilities. Your best bet to find a specialize in cruise meetings offering facilities
tion, be it a local hotel conference room, a res- Resorts suitable facility is to start your research with the worldwide for a wide variety of groups. Many
taurant or other meeting space, your budget will Retreat centers International Association of Conference Centers. of them will work within your budget constraints
rule and determine the outcome. To play it safe, Cruise ships You can do a worldwide search based on your to offer complete packages that include airfare,
always inspect the space first-hand before final- Unique environments specific meeting criteria. transfers, meals and entertainment.
izing any decisions. Make sure the space is the Hotels Convention centers Unique environments
right size for the meeting. You want to avoid These fall into three main categories: When you’re looking for a combination of Unique environment don’t always make the
“maxi-sizing,” that is having a space big enough Well-known and established chains, such as an urban location, plenty of meeting space, and best meeting spaces, but it’s worth doing your
to seat 200 for a 20-person meeting. You only Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Sheraton, Holiday Inn, substantial exhibition space, then a convention homework to find out. Some options to consid-
want to consider venues that are larger enough to that offer a certain level of service that you can center is a practical solution. They’re geared up er include museums, stately homes, (including
handle the event you’re planning. Much will de- expect worldwide. They offer a wide range of large numbers and generally situated close to air- castles in Europe), sporting venues, and theaters.
pend on the number of participants and the com- amenities especially if you need room for large ports or in a convenient downtown location. The Many of these venues work well for special func-
plexity and/or variety of the program. Will it be banquets, trade show or exhibit areas. one drawback is that you would need to use a tions, but don’t necessarily have adequate meet-
formal, informal or both? Do you want a rural or Independently owned properties, such as nearby hotel for accommodation. ing space facilities and equipment.

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February 2011 TheBusinessJournal 5B
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS MEETINGS,
CORPORATE RETREATS, CONFERENCES
AND TRAINING EVENTS

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6B TheBusinessJournal February 2011


Office Automation - Technology
Office automation: people, tools, and the workplace
When considering office automation three main areas Standards are increasing but still not yet completely inte- complex to acquire and costly to administrate for large or-
need further discussion: people, and how automation affects grated into all aspects of office automation. Office automa- ganizations. The availability of vital office information in
them; the constantly changing tools used in automation; and tion tools may stand alone (without access to information such an easily obtained digital format requires considerable
the ways in which automation has changed the workplace. at other computers) or be networked (with such access). thought and preparation for data security.
People involved with office automation basically include Configuring complex office systems to share information By integrating raw information with exchange mecha-
all users of the automation and all providers of the automa- is difficult and involves a considerable staff commitment. nisms and management structuring and guidance, office
tion systems and tools. A wide range of people—including Popular local area network software includes Novell Net- automation creates advantages as well as disadvantages.
software and hardware engineers, management information Ware and Lantastic. Benefits in using electronic management systems include
scientists, and secretaries—use office automation. All are Practical workplace issues of office automation often in- savings in production and service costs as information is
also involved with providing information. This dual role volve the budget and physical considerations involved with quickly routed for optimal office performance. Office auto-
of both provider and user gives rise to two critical issues. creating, exchanging, and managing information. Equip- mation can also be cost effective, as powerful microcomput-
First, training of personnel to effectively use an office au- ment, rewiring, training, security, and data entry all cost ers continue to drop in price. While office automation often
tomation system is essential; the office automation system money and require space. Newly recognized medical prob- mirrors actual paper transaction and activity, an office auto-
is only as good as the people who make and use it. Second, lems such as repetitive motion syndrome are a significant mation system may also complement the paper system and
overcoming workplace resistance is a must if the full ben- issue for some people using office automation systems. Re- provide output only available in digital format. Thus, office
efits of automation are to be realized. Change is difficult petitive motion syndrome is a medical disorder associated automation extends the information activities of the office
for some workers, yet must occur for a business to remain with lengthy keyboard inputting and seating arrangements. to surpass physical or geographic limitation.
competitive. Likewise, environmental safety concerns might also include By far the fastest growing segment of the office auto-
Practical tools for office automation include computer vision and overall health considerations related to electro- mation industry is for multifunction peripherals. These
hardware and software currently available in a number of magnetic computer emissions. machines incorporate a combination of functions into one.
models, applications, and configurations. Two basic mi- Telecommuting advances enable an increasing percent- The first such machines included a plain paper fax and
crocomputer platforms are DOS (Disk Operating System)- age of the workforce to maintain an office at home and, at a color printer in one unit. These products grew quickly
compatible computers and Apple Macintosh systems. Ap- the same time, provoke considerable debate on the future of to incorporate scanners and related functions. By the late
plications such as word processing, database management, the central office. Businesses must comply with software 1990s, these items registered over 100 percent growth
and spreadsheets are common and constantly changing. licenses or face lawsuits. Office automation systems can be rates.

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February 2011 TheBusinessJournal 7B
Safety Matters
Office
Can you tell when all your power is completely off and safe?
automation
Do you know how to properly “de-energize” a circuit breaker? Office automation refers to the varied
computer machinery and software used
to digitally create, collect, store, manipu-
Is your business safe from hidden electrical hazards? late, and relay office information needed
for accomplishing basic tasks and goals.
Raw data storage, electronic transfer, and
the management of electronic business in-
formation comprise the basic activities of
an office automation system. In its basic
form, information exists as letters, mem-
os, graphs, records, messages, and so on.
When that information is electronically
transferred, raw data is exchanged between
two or more office employees, either at the
same or different locations.
The history of modem office automa-
tion began with the typewriter and the
copy machine, which mechanized previ-
To answer questions like these... turn to our professional staff. ously manual tasks. However, increas-
Our staff has the safety knowledge and experience to protect your ingly office automation refers not just to
the mechanization of tasks but to the con-
business and workers in times of unexpected trouble— we’ve been doing version of information to electronic form
as well. The advent of the personal com-
so since 1953. puter in the early 1980s revolutionized
office automation. Popular operating sys-
Give us a call at 800.589.2357 for a safety consultation. tems like DOS (Disk Operating System)
and user interfaces like Microsoft Corp.’s
Windows dominate office computer sys-
tems. Today, most offices use at least one
commercial computer business application
in the course of daily activity. Some large
companies like AT&T maintain extensive
and complex office automation systems,
while smaller companies may employ only
a word processor.
In order to process information, office
automation systems must allow input of
new information and the retrieval of stored
information. Input of new information re-
fers to the physical transfer of text, video,
graphics, and sound into a computer. Input
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local, such as the hard drive on the office
PC, or as seemingly infinite and global as
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8B TheBusinessJournal February 2011
Five consideration for business process automation
Business process automation solutions provider Interactive Intelligence recently released
a useful white paper titled “Top 5 Considerations for Automating Key Business Processes.”
Here’s a re-cap of the white paper’s main points:
Align With Business Objectives: It is not uncommon for organizations go through an
extensive technology selection process before finalizing the goals they would like (or need)
to achieve with business process automation, the paper notes, adding that ideally, however,
“any BPA initiative should be driven by well-defined business objectives.”
High-level objectives may focus exclusively on cost reduction or cost containment ob-
jectives, or, under the right circumstances, on increasing revenue generating potential: “It’s
worth noting that cost and revenue objectives may not necessarily be mutually exclusive.”
Get the Right People Involved: A successful path to BPA requires involving multiple
internal stakeholders, particularly where a process traverses multiple departments. In many
organizations, process improvement efforts work best when they are “a business-driven
initiative with IT support,” according to Clay Richardson, a senior analyst at Cambridge,
Massachusetts-based Forrester Research (News - Alert).
Ideally, a business process automation initiative will have an executive sponsor to pro-
vide direction in situations where IT and the process business owner may have different impact on process efficiencies, organizations may opt to initiate BPA implementations that
perspectives. focus on a mission-critical business process in its entirety.
Identify the Right Process for Automation: Business processes are the means by which The trade-off is that the more complex the process, the more complex, costly and time-
companies (and people) get work done. The term “automation” often conjures up images of consuming the implementation. It becomes a question of whether to realize ROI in one or
manufacturing operations, or back-office transaction processing, where process automation two quarters... or potentially two to three years.
has been applied with great success over the years and has transformed the way companies Select The Right Technology: Despite the high interest and tangible benefits from auto-
do business. mating core business processes, barriers remain that prevent many companies from imple-
“One study of idle versus processing time for work-in-process revealed that, for the aver- menting business process automation.
age process, actual working time comprises only .05 percent to 5 percent of total elapsed A business process automation solution should support all the other key considerations
time,” say the white paper’s authors, citing a recent study. discussed thus far, providing demonstrable ways to meet business objectives, offering ease-
Start Small And Grow: Demonstrable results matter. Look for BPA opportunities that of-use for business and IT collaborators and end users participating in the process, and
allow you to start small, expand and continuously improve. (Or as is commonly heard in providing an environment that supports the automation of people-centric processes with
such projects: “start small, think big, scale fast.”) Because BPA can have such a significant near-term ROI.

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February 2011 TheBusinessJournal 9B
Magnet appoints Mark Scharboneau senior business consultant for Northwest Ohio
The Toledo Chamber of Commerce Ohio manufacturers grow and thrive in the where my company was selling develop-
will provide office and meeting facilities competitive global business environment.” ment services as well as an end product.”
to help Scharboneau extend MAGNET’s A graduate of the General Motors Insti- For the last two years, Scharboneau op-
outreach to manufacturers in Northwest tute (now Kettering University) with a B.S. erated his own consulting business, provid-
Ohio in Mechanical Engineering, Scharboneau ing services to suppliers of Ford, TBA and
spent six years as an applications engineer other OEMs. During this period, he helped
MAGNET, the Manufacturing Advocacy with Toledo-based Sheller-Globe Corp. launch a resin masterbatch startup, assisting
& Growth Network, welcomes a new Senior (now a part of United Technologies Corp.). the entrepreneur with establishing territory
Business Consultant, Mark Scharboneau, He then transitioned to account management plans and strategic growth plans, product
who will service manufacturers in North- and new business development for mid-size development, and establishing contract
west Ohio. Scharboneau has more than 20 manufacturers in both Michigan and Ohio. manufacturing.
years experience in project management, Over the past 17 years Scharboneau has “My goal is to help manufacturers in
product engineering, global sales and busi- handled all aspects of key customer rela- Northwest Ohio tap into MAGNET’s exper-
ness development. tionships with original equipment and Tier tise and networks,” says Scharboneau. “Af-
“We are delighted to welcome Mark 1 manufacturers such as Ford, Nissan, Toy- ter more than 25 years, MAGNET’s reputa-
Scharboneau to MAGNET,” says Daniel E. ota, Trim Masters, NHK, Bloomington and tion for quality and results is legendary in
Berry, President and CEO. “His engineering Dymos. Northeast Ohio. I want to help Northwest
background and deep experience with Mid- “I’ve done a little bit of everything over Ohio manufacturers discover how MAG-
west manufacturing will help MAGNET the years,” says Scharboneau. “But I’ve al- NET can help them help themselves become
succeed in its primary mission: helping ways been focused on engineered products, world-class players.” MARK SCHARBONEAU
The Business Journal
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GM to invest $12.2 million in Defiance plant
General Motors will invest $12.2 mil- The announcement brings the total of Bay City will increase connecting rod
ALLEN, AUGLAIZE, DEFIANCE, lion in its Defiance plant, according to the new U.S. investment to more than $3.3 and camshaft production and Defiance
HANCOCK, HARDIN, HENRY. LOGAN, Detroit News. billion, and GM has created or retained will boost output of engine block and
MERCER, PAULDING, PUTNAM, SHELBY, The auto company says 41 jobs will be more than 8,000 jobs in 21 U.S. plants crankshaft castings.
VAN WERT, WOOD saved. since emerging from bankruptcy in July In less than two years, GM has invested
It’s part of a plan to upgrade several 2009. nearly $700 million and protected more
plants. In addition to the Defiance facil- than 600 jobs at the three facilities.
:H·UHPRUHWKDQ ity, Bay City, MI and Flint, MI will also The investments include: “The UAW has and will continue to
MXVW receive upgrades. play a key role in GM’s revival,” said Ter-
At the Flint factory, around 200 work- · Flint Engine Operations: $138.3 ry Everman, UAW Local 599 chairman.
%XLOGLQJVDQG ers will be rehired to make engines for the million and 135 jobs “Our members have demonstrated that
7UXFNV Chevrolet Volt electric car and Chevrolet they are more than capable of building the
Cruze compact car. The jobs are in addi- · Bay City components: $12.7 million latest and greatest in technology that will
tion to the 160 people already hired at the and eight jobs power some of the most fuel-efficient ve-
Flint South Plant, which will begin mak- hicles in the market.”
AIP offers a full range of ing the engines early next year. · Defiance castings: $12.2 million and The Ecotec 1.4L turbocharged engine
services 41 jobs for the Chevrolet Cruze is like two engines
Warehousing • Distribution • “This investment is essential in ensur- in one with the fuel economy of a small
ing we can meet the expected high demand The investments will be used to sup- displacement engine and the performance
Transportation • Pick and Pack for the Chevrolet Volt, Chevrolet Cruze port increased production of the Ecotec of a larger engine. The 1.4L engine helps
• Freight Management • and a small car that will be produced at 1.4-liter engine that is used in the Chev- the Cruze Eco achieve a segment-leading
Transloading our Orion Township facility,” said Kath- rolet Cruze and a 1.4L variant used in the EPA-estimated 42 highway mpg.
leen Dilworth, Flint Engine Operations Chevrolet Volt. Flint Engine is expected to The 1.4L naturally aspirated engine
plant manager. “These three facilities start production of 400 engines a day in enables range extension for the Chevrolet
will continue to play a key role in GM’s early 2011 and ramp up to 800 engines a Volt. After the battery is depleted the on-
300 Industrial Dr
Wapakoneta, OH 45895 resurgence and efforts to bring to market day in late 2011. The newest investment board engine-generator creates additional
419.738.9211 vehicles with segment-leading fuel econ- increases its capacity to 1,200 a day in late electricity to power the car for hundreds
www.aiplogistics.com omy.” 2012. of additional miles of extended range.

Miller Precision • Sales


• Service According to research,

Industries, Inc.
131 Progressive Dr. P.O. Box 489
• Leasing those businesses seeking
the advantages of being
Ottoville, Ohio 45876 perceived as having greater
CNC Precision Machining resources, being a leader
•Small & Large Production Runs I-75 & SR 65, Lima
•Fixtures •Special Machinery & Tooling and being more experienced
www.ssvolvo.com
•Secondary Machine Operations should utilize the strategy of
Phone 419-453-3251 FAX 419-453-3030
www.millerprecision.com 800-354-7946 larger, more colorful, more
frequent advertising.
10B TheBusinessJournal February 2011
Central Names Wasson
General Counsel
Van Wert, OHIO – The Board of Directors of
the Central Insurance Companies has appointed
Christopher E. Wasson, JD, MHA, CPCU, as
General Counsel for both Central Mutual and
All America Companies.
Wasson will be responsible for all legal mat-
ters presented to the corporation. His guidance
in both operational and strategic initiatives will
be a valuable contribution to Central’s manage-
ment team and Board. This appointment rep-
Flexible Lease Options
resents the fourth time Central’s Board of Di-
rectors has appointed a General Counsel in the • 10,000-310,000 square feet
company’s 134-year history.
Prior to joining Central, Wasson was Assis- • Divisible Flex Space
tant General Counsel for Nationwide Insurance. • Industrial / Food Grade
Wasson began his legal career WASSON
as an Assistant Attorney Gen- • Short term / Long term Options
eral in the Ohio Attorney Gen- Since 1979, BENSAR Developments
eral’s Office and later served as • NNN / Gross Lease
Co. has been Leasing quality indus-
Assistant Legal Counsel to the
Speaker of the Ohio House of trial buildings for the facility needs
Representatives. Wasson left of companies both large and
AND REPAIR CO. • COMMERCIAL small.Located in Sidney Ohio, our
public service in 2001 when he
was named Legal Counsel for Full Service • INSTITUTIONAL
• INDUSTRIAL
modern facilities offer a wide range
CareWorks, a privately-held
workers’ compensation case
Painting Contractor • RESIDENTIAL of amenities that are unmatched in
the region. Our facilities support
management company. Wasson
received his law degree from
The Ohio State University.
419-224-6980 warehousing, manufacturing,
research & development, distribu-
visit us at www.tjpaintingandrepair.com tion centers and office
Wasson is active in coaching
youth sports. He and his wife applications.
Christine have two children.
Central Insurance Compa-
nies was founded in Van Wert,
The Trophy Center With over 2.5 million square feet of floor space ranging in size from 10,000SF to
308,000SF under management, BENSAR Developments Co. can provide for your
Ohio in 1876, and provides Engraving, A Specialty Since 1950 specific facility needs .
insurance for automobiles,
homes, and businesses to more
than 390,000 policyholders in
419.222.08411175 W. North St.
When you entrust BENSAR Developments Co. to manage your facility needs, you
18 states. The Central group Lima, OH 45805 can focus on your core
of companies has combined www.trophycenter.net business, lower expendi-
assets of over $1 billion. Cen-
tures, and utilize the lat-
tral’s A.M. Best rating is A+ We also have est building technology.
(Superior).
wedding party gifts!
We take a team approach
with each of our cus-
tomers, providing seam-
less support with a “can
do” attitude.

2952 CR 107 Telephone: (419) 622-3040 BENSAR Developments Co.


HAVILAND, OH 45851 FAX: (419) 622-3012 1250 N. Vandemark Rd. P.O. Box 4517
Sidney, OH 45365-4517
Ph. (937) 498-1164
CAI SERVICES WAREHOUSING TRANSLOADING Fax: (937) 498-4746
DISTRIBUTION TRAILER STORAGE
DROP & HOOK www.BENSAR.com
CAI SERVICES February 2011 TheBusinessJournal 11B
In 2009, the Ohio Department of Development designated MAGNET as the “go to” MAGNET–An Edison Technology Center
Edison Technology Center serving the motor vehicle and parts manufacturing
industry statewide. MAGNET looks forward to providing its proven consulting MAGNET, designated by the Ohio Department of Development
expertise to that industry segment throughout Ohio while continuing to serve the as one of the state’s seven Edison Technology Centers, is also
entire manufacturing community in Northern Ohio with programs and activities the Third Frontier Center of Excellence in Product Innovation.
designed to increase your growth and improve your profitability. MAGNET focuses its Edison Technology Center activities
on a variety of product and process innovation and commercialization services to both
established and early-stage technology based businesses.
Making Manufacturing Innovative and Productive MAGNET has partnered with the Ohio State University Center for Automotive
Consistently successful manufacturers know that top line growth and greater Research (CAR) to generate increased growth and profitability for that industry
profitability are possible by increasing productivity and making enterprise-wide throughout Ohio. Both organizations are active participants in the Ohio Automotive
innovation a high priority in their companies. Industry Council established in 2009.
MAGNET’s experienced industry professionals have proven expertise capable
of assisting manufacturers of all sizes and segments in their efforts to achieve
greater growth and profitability.
MAGNET—An MEP Service Provider
We specialize and are noted for being able to customize programs which meet MAGNET is a provider of Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)
the unique needs of each client who comes to MAGNET for help. services through the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), an agency
How do we measure success and what can you expect from working with of the United States Department of Commerce.
MAGNET consultants? MEP is a national network of specialists who understand the needs of manufacturers.
Through MEP, manufacturers can access public and private resources that enhance
growth, improve productivity and expand capacity.
A 56-to-1 Return on Investment
Our clients report that for every dollar they spend with MAGNET, they receive back
an average of $56 through sales growth and/or cost savings! MAGNET offers
manufacturing help in these areas: MARK SCHARBONEAU JOINS MAGNET
AS SENIOR BUSINESS CONSULTANT
Business Growth
FOR NORTHWEST OHIO
� Growth Planning � Product Design, Engineering,
� Market Diversification Development and Launch MAGNET has named Mark Scharboneau as its Senior
� IDEA Engineering � Sustainable Manufacturing Business Consultant serving manufacturers in
Northwest Ohio.
Profitability Improvement Scharboneau has more than 20 years
experience in project management,
� Lean/Six Sigma Transformation � Supply Chain Optimization
product engineering, global sales
� Quality Systems & � Facility Layout & Design
and business development
Problem Resolution � Inventory Productivity Analysis
working with companies such
� Lean Product Development
as Sheller-Globe, Ford, Toyota,
� Workforce and Organizational
and Nissan. WWW.MAGNETWORK.ORG
Development

For more information about MAGNET, contact Mark Scharboneau at 419.595.0002 or mark.scharboneau@magnetwork.org

12B TheBusinessJournal February 2011

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