SAIL ramps up production in Jharkhand, India. USG brings paper production back to Orange, Texas. Pratt & Whitney will meet aerospace customer demand in Asheville.
A post by Sarah Mayle last week at the website of Findlay Hancock County Economic Development in northwest Ohio offered a history of the 40-year relationship between the area and Japanese industry. It’s a theme Site Selection’s Gary Daughters explored in March 2020 when Findlay earned one of its many designations over the years as the nation’s top micropolitan area for corporate facility investment projects.
Hancock County today is home to eight Japan-based manufacturing companies, part of an overall northwest Ohio contingent of 16. Mayle, who is the volunteer coordinator for the United Way of Hancock County, is the spouse of Tim Mayle, the veteran area economic development leader who today serves as executive director of the Center to Advance Manufacturing in Findlay.
Official European Union flag image courtesy of EU Directorate-General for Communication
Before tariffs stole all the attention, the European business community was abuzz over the leak and then release of the European Commission’s “European Competitiveness Compass,” a five-year economic plan that is the first major initiative of the new Commission. Among its planks:
“Reduce administrative burden and reduce reporting obligations by at least 25% and at least 35% for SMEs.”
“Promote vocational education and training (VET) with a European Strategy for VET.”
“Ensure cross-country skill recognition by putting forward a Skills Portability Initiative and continue to work towards a European Degree.”
PHOTO OF THE DAY
Photo by Gruppe C Photography courtesy of Nürburgring
Hyundai Motor Group announced January 24 it’s expanding its R&D facilities in Europe by more than 25,000 square meters (269,000 sq. ft.) with the completion of a test center extension at Germany’s famous Nürburgring race course in northwest Germany’s Rhineland-Palatinate and the upcoming opening of the Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center’s new Square Campus in Rüsselsheim am Main in the Rhine-Main region in March 2025.
What car company focused on performance would NOT want to be near the majestic Nürburgring (pictured)? “Our expanded facilities at the Nürburgring will allow us to integrate our N-performance with our EV strategy even more seamlessly,” said Tyrone Johnson, managing director of Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center. “Moreover, we will continue to refine conventional engine technologies. The enhanced facilities at the Nürburgring affirm our commitment to electric high-performance vehicles.”
