Akron (Once Again!) Hosts ITEC Show 

L to R: Liu Ming, Rob Marcus, Gregg Cramer and Dr. K. Mohamed Hassan.  Dr. Hassan is executive director of the new MESNAC research and technical center in Akron.

The International Tire Exhibition & Conference (ITEC) Show returned to its roots in its biannual trade show held at the John S. Knight Center. ITEC, dedicated exclusively to tire related companies, and hosted by Akron-based Rubber & Plastics News, had more than 100 exhibitors and 1,600+ attendees.  

With 300 plastics-, polymer- and rubber-related companies in the Greater Akron Chamber footprint, this is an important and historic industry cluster. The twice-sold-out show had to be expanded to satisfy attendance growth. 

Chamber representatives met with 21 regional exhibitors, plus international (China, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, South Korea) companies interested in strengthening Akron area relationships. These activities were captured on the Chamber's Facebook page and through its Twitter account (@GrtAkronChamber), tagged with #ITECManufacturing.

NEOMED Dedicates REDIzone

Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) has dedicated the Timken Foundation of Canton Innovation Corridor, housing the Research, Entrepreneurship, Discovery and Innovation Zone (REDIzone). The REDIzone is a medical technology incubator bringing university resources to early-stage entrepreneurs in biotechnology products and services. The REDIzone has a state-of-the-art laboratory, conference and office space, along with a program linking NEOMED resources with external economic development and entrepreneurial partners.

The Chamber works with NEOMED to promote the REDIzone, domestically and internationally, via the "Akron, USA" initiative. Three companies--Crystal Diagnostics, EP Technologies, and Summa Health System--occupy the REDizone, which can hold up to 10 companies.

Dr. Jay Gershen, NEOMED President, and Dr. Walter E. Horton Jr., VP for Research and Dean of College of Graduate Studies, praised the REDizone in fostering innovation and technology commercialization through public and private partnerships.

Empire Die Casting, Textbook Turnaround

Empire Die Castings filed for Chapter 11 protection in December 2013; and after reorganization, the company is now in an expansion mode and employing 200+ people.  SRS Industries of Detroit purchased Empire Die Castings; and in addition to a multi-million dollar investment, it has strengthened the company's relationship with the domestic automakers.  The company that only a year ago seemed on its way to being another manufacturing casualty of the Great Recession, is now predicting solid margins, profits and sales going forward.

"We are proud of what our team has accomplished in Macedonia this year," said Robert Spiegle, Controller for Empire. "We see the Chamber as a well-connected strategic partner for us."

Monitored by the Greater Akron Partnership business visitation program, Empire's turnaround started with a"rapid response team" of JobsOhio, Summit County, FirstEnergy and the Development Finance Authority of Summit County, organized by the Chamber at the City of Macedonia's request. 

"Akron, USA" at FIME Medical Show

The Chamber and City of Akron returned to the FIME Medical Show in Miami, one of the largest medical conventions in North America. Nearly 53,000 attendees participated, more than 50% of them international visitors, nearly one-third from Central and South America.   

After meeting with more than 40 medical device companies, "Akron, USA" is following up on 10-12 pre-qualified investment leads. Several companies have expressed an interest in visiting the region soon. The FIME Medical Show features four industry sectors: medical technology, medical products and supplies, medical services and medical equipment. 

The Chamber attended three major medical shows in 2014: Medical Design & Manufacturing in New York, FIME in Miami, and Medica in Germany. According to Rick Rebadow, executive vice president for the Chamber, "World-class resources such as ABIA, Akron Children's Hospital, Akron General, NEOMED's REDIzone, and Summa make this a superb location for medical companies."

Business Ethics Breakfast Commands Respect

In a first-ever event for the Akron community, 60 business leaders and Chamber Investors gathered for a breakfast conversation about business and personal ethics. The event on Oct. 28 was co-hosted by the Greater Akron Chamber and the Akron-area Better Business Bureau, at Firestone Country Club. It was based on work by the Omaha Business Ethics Alliance, seen during last year's Intercity Visit to Omaha.

Beverly Kracher, CEO and Executive Director of the Business Ethics Alliance, led the discussion. She was joined by Michael Rickman, vice president of compliance and ethics for Goodyear, with a question-and-answer session moderated by Marty Hauser, former SummaCare CEO.

Issues included the origin of organizational ethics in personal ethos, corporate messages that may be driven by cultural assumptions, incentive structures and the behavior they reward, middle management, organizational structure, communication, and the transformative power of ethical programs. The group found the event highly worthwhile and plans to explore the feasibility of a similar alliance in Akron.

Akron Educational Improvement Wins Northeast Ohio $1 Million Prize

The Greater Akron Region/Northeast Ohio Council Higher Education (NOCHE) was recognized as the National Winner in the "CEO for Cities" competition to increase the talent dividend. The $1 million prize was accepted by community leaders in Washington D.C. NOCHE's Talent Dividend works to increase the number of associate, bachelor and graduate degrees. The award signifies the Chamber's strategic commitment toward talent development, attraction and retention and collaboration with local NOCHE members: The University of Akron, Kent State University, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Hiram College and Stark State College.   

The prize recognizes the commitment of NOCHE institutions serving our area, for the biggest improvement in attainment in two- and four-year colleges and universities in the nation. It will be used regionally to support more post-secondary attainment work. The Akron Metropolitan Statistical Area produced 2,139 more post-secondary degrees than four years ago, a remarkable 20% increase. 

"Increasing post-secondary access and attainment is critically important for our economy," said Robert Reffner, vice president at FirstEnergy and NOCHE's chairman. "We have seen projections that 64% of Ohio's jobs will require some post-secondary education by 2020. This is a huge step in the right direction and fantastic recognition for our region."