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Auto suppliers still standing face tough test Some emerged from downturn strong, but others unable to keep up face extinction By DAN SHINGLER dshingler@crain.com
A LITTLE HELP, PLEASE? Area companies warm to ‘open innovation’ — using outside technologies in their products
By CHUCK SODER csoder@crain.com
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o many of Northeast Ohio’s biggest businesses, open innovation is no longer just a curiosity. Several large companies in the region have gone so far as to appoint someone to be in charge of their efforts related to open innovation — a practice in which companies make a concerted effort to incorporate ideas and technologies created elsewhere into their own products. Though not every big corporation has gone so far as Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. — which three years ago created an external science and technology program — many are on their way, said Chris Varley, director of the program for the Akron-based tiremaker. “Pretty much every big company — they have someone who is in charge of figuring this out,” Mr. Varley said.
It’s a story with death, destruction and even some zombies, but with an ending that offers hope that at least some of the survivors will live happily ever after. It’s not end-ofthe-world science fiction — rather, it’s the real-life tale of the U.S. auto supply sector, an important part of Northeast Ohio’s economy. If it bleeds, it leads, as they say in the TV business, so let’s start with the deaths — about 9% of auto suppliers here and across the country
INSIDE: A closer look at the Canton area’s dealer purge and how those still in business are faring. Page 3 didn’t survive the recession, said Susan Helper, a professor of economics at Case Western Reserve University who is researching the topic. “That sounds about right to me, too,” said Neil De Koker, president of the Original Equipment Suppliers Association, a Troy, Mich.-based trade group with about 400 North American members that do a large portion of their business in the auto See SUPPLIERS Page 20
INSIDE Northeast Ohio now an easier sell Business attraction group Team NEO reports its job has gotten easier lately, as the region’s profile rises in the eyes of site selectors and others. Read reporter Jay Miller’s story on Page 3.
See HELP Page 6
CSU to introduce more on-campus housing Newest plans call for $50M mixed-use complex, featuring 275-plus apartments By TIMOTHY MAGAW tmagaw@crain.com
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The second phase of Cleveland State University’s Euclid Commons student housing project is under way.
After nearly two years at the helm of Cleveland State University, president Ronald Berkman jokes that he no longer needs his GPS to find his way home. And if he gets his way, thousands of students won’t need one, either, as they could make it to class on foot. Cleveland State is in the midst of muscling up its on-campus housing offerings, and trustees are expected to sign off within a
month on a deal that would inject more housing options for students and others on the university’s bustling urban campus near PlayhouseSquare. Student housing options steadily have improved since Dr. Berkman joined Cleveland State in 2009. Last August, the 300-room, first phase of the university’s $61 million student housing project — Euclid Commons — opened at Euclid Avenue and East 24th Street. Now under construction, the second phase is scheduled to open in the fall with 300 additional
dorm rooms. “A lot of good things happen when students live on campus,” Dr. Berkman said. “They have solidarity with the university, they do better academically and there’s more campus life.” As for the latest plans, Dr. Berkman said the university will lease 6.8 acres of land to Polaris Real Estate Equities, a developer in Gates Mills, to build a mixeduse housing complex for students and non-students. University officials would See HOUSING Page 4
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DIFFERENCE MAKERS Crain’s identifies and profiles 10 Northeast Ohioans who are transforming the region ■ Page 13 ■
Entire contents © 2011 by Crain Communications Inc. Vol. 32, No. 20