The Ohio Investment in Training Program (OITP) has awarded a work force training grant valued at $125,000 to Lyondell Chemical Co.'s Millennium Inorganic Chemicals unit. The funds will assist Lyondell in training 450 employees and implementing a training plan to extend the viability of the plant in Ashtabula and advance the knowledge of its employees.

Houston-based Lyondell Chemical Company, headquartered in Houston, Texas, is an independent chemical company. Its Ashtabula operation is the company's largest titanium dioxide (TiO2) production facility, accounting for 30 percent of the company's overall production. TiO2 is a powder made from titanium ore that has the ability to pigment virtually any material and gives plastics and rubber opacity and whiteness. The product is used in such diverse products as printing inks, paper, cosmetics, ceramics, soaps, sunscreens, glass, leather, synthetic fibers and colors formulated for art paints.

“The TiO2 market is very competitive and maintaining a well-trained work force is critical to our success globally,” said Scott Strayer, plant manager for Lyondell's Plant 1 in Ashtabula. "This grant from the state will allow us to hire and retain a skilled work force, ensuring that we are able to continue to be an important economic engine.

Lyondell will invest about $13 million in the Ashtabula plant in machinery and equipment to replace current infrastructure, reduce costs and increase efficiency to remain one of the largest and highest paying industrial employers in Ashtabula County.

Techtronic Industries Co. (TTI) will locate its TTI Floor Care business at its Dirt Devil operation, in Glenwillow, in the Cleveland metro. The company made the announcement as part of its acquisition of Ohio-based Hoover Co.

TTI's plan to expand its Glenwillow facility is a major part of the company's effort to increase its research and development capabilities in North America. By establishing its global research and development operation in Ohio, the company expects to add 110 jobs during the next three years.

TTI will invest at least $2 million to expand the Glenwillow facility. The company is a supplier of home improvement and construction tools with a portfolio of power equipment products, floor care appliances and laser and electronic products. The company is based in Hong Kong and maintains manufacturing and research facilities in Asia, Europe and North America, as well as a customer service network in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia.

As a result of the project, TTI subsidiary Royal Appliance Manufacturing Inc. will receive a Job Creation Tax Credit from the Ohio Tax Credit Authority. The authority approved a 65 percent Job Creation Tax Credit for a term of 10 years, valued at an estimated $1.5 million. As a part of the tax credit agreement, the authority requires the company to maintain operations in Glenwillow for at least 20 years.

The Ohio Department of Development (ODOD) approved a 40 percent Job Creation Tax Credit for a seven-year term to New Millennium Building Systems (NMBS), which will expand its manufacturing facility and warehouse in Continental. The project represents a more than $14 million investment and is expected to retain nearly 100 jobs and create 25 jobs.

NMBS, a supplier of joists and girders, plans to construct a 66,000 square foot warehouse and manufacturing facility and a 12,000 square foot administration building. The company will make a $14.1 million fixed asset investment, including $7.9 million in new construction, renovation and leasehold improvements; $4.7 million in machinery and equipment; and $1.4 million in on-site infrastructure.

In Toledo, Fenner Dunlop North America Inc. will build a new manufacturing facility and and acquire machinery and equipment for the production of steel cord belting. The $38 million project is expected to create 75 jobs.

Fenner Dunlop manufactures a range of conveyor belts for several industries and applications, such as aggregates, baggage handling, forest products, grain, mining, power generation and the tunneling industries. The company also manufactures customized products to meet specific needs of its customers.

This is cache, read story here