Team NEO says instruments, controls, and electronics - or "ICE" for short - has seen 10-percent growth since 2000 to make it a $2-billion manufacturing sector for the region. CEO Tom Waltermire says it's a reflection of consumer demand for high-tech gadgets and services. He says that explains why some new and existing companies - such as - Diebold and Timken - are growing their manufacturing operations in Ohio...while other, more traditional products are being phased out or taken elsewhere.
"We've all read stories about the incandescent light bulb being phased out by government regulation," says Waltermire. "Well, we've had plants in this area that have made those things. So those are going away. Hoover vacuum cleaners are not made here anymore. The business is actually still run here, but the manufacturing is not. But what is growing are more modern, more sophisticated, instrumentation of many kinds."
Team NEO's report also highlights recent investments and expansions in the ICE sector…such as Newell Rubbermaid's plugging in $50-million to boost manufacturing at its Mogadore plant…and Synapse Medical adding 60 jobs at its Oberlin site.