Targeted industries

Ohio's Agriculture and Food Processing industry represents all elements of food processing and production.

The Agriculture and Food Processing Industry in Ohio is a diverse sector that includes farming, seed supply, agrichemicals, farm machinery, wholesale and distribution, processing, marketing and retail sales. Ohio'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. Ohio's 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, the state ranks 18th in value of total agricultural products sold. The state is also a leader in the specialized nutraceutical food production industry.

Ohio is also a leading manufacturer of key food and agricultural products such as fruits, vegetables, specialty foods, Swiss cheese and eggs. Ohio is home to food industry leaders such as Kroger, J.M. Smucker, Honeybaked Foods, Inc., Chiquita Brands International and Bob Evans Farms. Other key Ohio food processing firms include Worthington Foods/Kellogg's in Greater Columbus, General Mills, with the world's largest pizza plant in Wellston, and Nestle, which produces Stouffer products near Cleveland. Ohio's food and beverage manufacturing industry exports equal $25 billion annually. Ohio currently ranks in the top five states in one-half of the food processing groups, first in the production of Swiss cheese and second in the production of tomatoes. The industry employs more than 60,000 workers at 1,106 plants. Ohio is also home to companies that manufacture food processing machinery, such as Hobart Corp., building synergy in this important industry.

Ohio's commercial and public food research institutions include commercial nutraceutical industry leaders such as Abbott Nutrition and institutions such as The Ohio State University's Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center and Toledo's Center for Innovative Food Technology.

Utilize Ohio's central location and world-class logistics capability to reduce supply chain costs.

The Ohio Distribution and Logistics Industry is defined by the action of transporting commodities and finished goods. Distribution includes all freight carriers (air, water, trucking, and inter-modal) and warehousing. Wholesalers are included as goods movement is their major function.

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. 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 industry:

• Fleet management
• Inventory management
• Inbound and outbound transportation management
• Logistics network design
• Materials handling
• Supply/demand planning
• Third-party logistics service providers
• Warehousing

Ohio also has many companies dedicated to supply-chain management, sourcing and procurement, production planning and scheduling, packaging and assembly, customer service and international trade assistance. Ohio's logistics infrastructure provides:

A central location reducing transportation costs — Ohio is equidistant from many other major industrial and commercial areas. The state provides timely access to the many cities and ports throughout the United States.

Multi-modal and inter-modal networks allowing efficient import and export of products — 180 public airports, eight interstate highways, 36 freight railroads and 25 waterfront ports.

Ten Foreign Trade Zones (FTZ) reducing costs and leveling the playing field for global companies — Foreign goods may be admitted to an Ohio FTZ without being subject to customs duties or other import-related taxes.

High-quality education and workforce availability — Ohio has many prominent supply-chain and logistics programs generating next-generation workers for this important industry.

Ohio's manufacturing knowledge will help your business adapt to changing manufacturing demands.

Ohio's economy is built upon a historic legacy of manufacturing. From the processing of raw materials to the creation of finely tuned products, Ohioans have served as the world's experts in the manufacturing sector. While the global marketplace has changed the playing field, distributing manufacturing into second- and third-world economies, Ohio remains at the top of the nation in manufacturing competitiveness, ranked by eMvoy an independent industry research group:

• Ohio is home to 21,250 manufacturing companies
• Ohio leads the nation in production of general-purpose machinery and is second in metalworking machinery production.

Iron, rubber, cars and consumer electronics are giving way to advanced machinery manufacturing, so that Ohio's machinery workers are now literally making the machines that make everything else as product manufacture goes overseas. Legacy industries within Ohio's manufacturing sector are adjusting so that, for example, the state's historic rubber companies are engaging in advanced plastics applications, and chemicals firms are on the cutting edge of fuel cell and other alternative energy creation solutions. As manufacturing evolves to meet the new economic realities, Ohio's legacy as a strong manufacturing state will drive growth in the redefined global marketplace.

Build your automotive business alongside Ohio's diverse group of manufacturers and vast automotive supply chain.

The Motor Vehicle and Parts Manufacturing Industry encompasses companies that offer products and services that supply capital equipment, parts and materials. The scope of the industry includes manufacturing, parts production including metal stamping, air conditioning and brake systems.

Ohio is at the center of the motor vehicle industry. Nearly 80 percent of North American light vehicle production is in Ohio or within 500 miles (800 kilometers) of the state's borders. Ohio is the top automotive supplier in the U.S. and second in the nation for motor vehicle production, employing more than 120,000 people in the state.

Ohio's network of auto suppliers represents all facets of motor vehicle production, including plastics, metals, instrument control and lighting. Beyond the leading motor vehicle manufacturers located in the state—General Motors, Honda, Ford, Delphi and DaimlerChrysler—Ohio boasts an impressive network of supportive companies that in conjunction produce 15 percent of the state's total economic output. The 397 Tier 1 automotive industry suppliers located in Ohio represent 10 percent of such establishments in North America, ranking third behind only Michigan and Ontario. Ohio Tier 1 suppliers include Dana Corporation, Eaton, Lear Corporation, Behr and Johnson Controls, providing support from drive trains to air-conditioning systems.

Second only to Michigan in motor vehicle production, Ohio's eight high-volume light vehicle plants in 2005 produced almost 1.8 million vehicles representing 15 different models—including 200,000 units-plus of best-sellers such as Accord, Cobalt, Econoline, Liberty and Trailblazer.

Distributed through 78 of Ohio's 88 counties, the motor vehicle industry is truly a statewide enterprise, with heavy concentrations along the Lake Erie coast and the metro areas of Dayton and Columbus.

Minimize risk in developing new technology by leveraging Ohio's unique knowledge in polymers.

The Polymers and Advanced Materials Industry in Ohio encompasses companies that offer products and services in the fields of polymer, plastic, rubber, paint, sealant, adhesive, ink and advanced materials industry. The scope of the industry includes research and development, manufacturing across a variety of industries lubrications, resins and bottles.

A world leader in the field of polymers, Ohio's polymer industry is the state's most expansive—and important—economic sector. From its early roots in tire production and support for the auto industry, Ohio has always been the heart of America's polymer industry. Today, polymers are the state's largest industry: Ohio leads the nation in the production of polymer products, machinery for the polymer industry, motor vehicle components, and more than 100 other industrial products.

The polymer industry in Ohio includes more than 2,800 facilities and 140,000 workers. It generates $49 billion in annual sales revenue and pays its workers $5.6 billion in wages.

Ohio's top-ranked polymer industry can help businesses:

Become more productive and profitable faster – Ohio's large concentration of polymer companies has resulted in a number of essential assets already in place for companies joining Ohio's polymer community, including a highly skilled, quality workforce and rapid development of new technologies, as well as valuable industry relationships that promote collaboration in business development. Seven of Ohio's universities have polymer research programs, placing best-of-class research at your fingertips. Ohio also has a variety of prime, existing buildings and building-ready sites available for immediate use.

Optimize production efficiency – More than 200 Ohio companies produce equipment for the polymer industry, including many world leaders, ranging from the global plastics equipment supplier, Milacron, to the specialty inspection equipment manufacturer, Pressco Technology. Another 200 materials suppliers also include many world leaders. Their proximity saves you time and money in your manufacturing process.

Low cost access to high profit markets – Ohio is within 600 miles of over 63% of all U.S. and Canadian manufacturing facilities and is the central location for U.S. and Canadian auto assembly plants. The state's world-class transportation infrastructure gets your products to market quickly and efficiently, reducing shipping costs and simplifying just-in-time delivery. Ohio itself is the Midwest's leading state for new capital investment, an outstanding home market for the state's polymer industry.

Minimize risk in developing new technologies – Ohio and Ohio polymer companies are investing more than $100 million to commercialize new technology. The state's Third Frontier has awarded more than $40 million in grants to the Ohio polymer industry. Sixty collaborating partners have pledged an additional $70 million to Ohio polymer projects. Costs are shared. Risks are minimized.