business retention & expansion report · with recruiting for positions or skills. like last...

Business Retention& Expansion REPORT

2Business Retention Report 2014

HCDC’s Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) Program strengthens community-business relationships to better understand the issues facing businesses in order to improve business conditions in Hamilton County. Focusing on companies that are expanding, looking to relocate, or in a target industry; the BR&E program serves as a focal point for identifying business needs and coordinating a response with all potential partners including local governments, utilities, and other economic development entities. This county-wide program also links businesses to resources to help them grow.

HOW DOES THE PROGRAM WORK?HCDC coordinates with community officials to arrange an on-site visit to targeted companies. Visits are tailored to the businesses’ need to provide better assistance, gather information and answer any questions that arise during the meeting. More importantly, after the visits, the businesses know who to contact when assistance is needed in the future.

HCDC also hosts the Hamilton County Business Retention Council which consists of local communities and other economic development entities. The council holds quarterly meetings, coordinates on-site visits, collects surveys, and develops program guidelines with the goal of increasing contact with local companies.

WHAT COMPANIES ARE TARGETED?• Industry Sectors (Advanced Manufacturing, Aerospace & Aviation, Automotive, BioHealth, Consumer

Products, Energy, Finance & Insurance, Food Sciences & Agriculture, IT, Polymers & Chemicals)• Stage 2 Companies (10 - 99 employees with sales more than $1 MM and less than $50 MM)• Top Employers (Fastest Growing Companies, Largest Companies, etc.)• Mergers and Acquisitions• Companies involved in major layoffs (Warn Notices)• Companies located in aging facilities or multiple facilities

Overview of Program


In 2014, 277 businesses representing at least 36,972 employees were visited by Council representatives. Of these businesses, 250 aligned with our core strategy for the program. This report, therefore will highlight results from those companies.

Fifty-four percent (54%) of the companies that responded employ between 1 - 100 people. One good sign from 2014 was that ninety-nine percent (99%) of companies indicated they were hiring or were stable in terms of employment. From the data collected, ninety-five percent (95%) of companies reported that sales were either growing or stable.

Conversely, some challenges to local businesses were also identified. Thirty-seven percent (37%) of companies said they were having problems with recruiting for positions or skills. Like last year, businesses in Advanced Manufacturing and Information Services / Software sectors reported the most troubles. This year also found a large number (46%) reporting their facility is not sufficient for the future. A few companies reported on local issues, Permitting was the highest listed response. Some additional needs included: bus service, running out of space, MSD rate structure, power outages, workforce assistance, poor roads and incentives.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2014

Executive Summary

Report SummarizedIn 4 Key Areas:


HIRING, STABLE OR REDUCING STAFF

37%of the companies reported that they had issues with recruiting employees for positions.

RECRUITING PROBLEMS WITH POSITIONS OR SKILLS

From the data collected, the majority of companies reported that they were hiring staff (53%). Companies that reported employment was stable, 46%. One company responded that they were reducing staff (1%).

Workforce


LOCAL COMMUNITY ISSUES

Below is a summary of the immediate needs companies were experiencing this past year. Each company is provided follow-up assistance to address the need stated.

• Bus service issues• Cash-flow• Crime/blight around property• Landlocked/running out of space• MSD rate structure • Permit process (signage, MSD, etc.)• Poor road maintenance• Power outages

• Recruiting issues (hiring talent, etc.)• Tax incentives and financing• Workforce assistance (training,

credits, co-ops, etc.)• Making connections (business to

business)

IMMEDIATE NEEDS REPORTED

Permittingwas the most frequently reported community issue.

Only 10 companies reported local issues. Staff provides follow-up on all reported local issues and forwards the information to the correct partner.

Local issues:

Local Issues & Immediate Needs

4

2

2

2

1


FACILITY ADEQUATE FOR FUTURE OPERATIONS

LOCAL EXPANSION PLANS IN THE NEAR FUTURE

115Companies or 46% reported that their facility is not adequate for future operations. Companies responding “no” were assisted with efforts to retain the business. This information highlights how Hamilton County’s commercial property market continues to age, falling behind other markets.

Reported issues with facility:

Business Outlook


ARE SALES GROWING, STABLE OR DECLINING

COMPANIES BY INDUSTRY SECTORS

Based on our targeted industries every major business segment within the County continues to be touched by economic development partners.

STATUS OF FACILITY, OWNED OR LEASED

A sign of independence and commitment to the area is the degree to which companies own versus rent their business space. A majority of

companies are showing planted local roots through ownership.

33%of companies lease

67%own their business space

Surveys show a majority of company sales were growing (59%). We did have 5% of companies saying they were experiencing decreased sales. This data is a good indicator for 2014 growth.

Business Demographics


COMPANIESA. Maris DesignAccentureAccess AudioAdvancePierre Foods - Blue AshAerpio TherapeuticsAGARAhalolgyAireconAllpro Technologies*Alrich PromotionsAM Shipping Supplies Co.AmeritasA-One Cleaners*Apollo Heating & CoolingArnold Printing Co.Assist Financial GroupATS LogisticsBASF CorporationBernens Convalescent Pharmacy*Beuke Printing & MailingBioRxBlue Ash Tool & Die Co.Boi Na Braza Brazilian Steak House*Boot Camp DigitalBorden Dairy Company of Cincin-natiBoxcar Public RelationsBuilding Value*Busken BakeryCamargo PharmaceuticalCamp Washington Sunoco*Cardno ATCCargo Towing SolutionsCAST-FAB TechnologiesCBG EnterprisesCBT CompanyCentral FabricatorsCHEM-PACKChromaFloCincinnati Bell Technology Solu-tionsCincinnati Control DynamicsCincinnati Eye InstituteCincinnati Federal Savings & Loan AssociationCincinnati Fire & Safety ServiceCincinnati MachinesCincinnati Pattern Co.

Cincinnati Test SystemsCincinnati Testing LaboratoriesCincy VR & RepairCinfabCleanlites RecyclingCoating SystemsCog Graphics Production Solu-tionsCole Realty AssociatesCompass GroupConvergys Corporation HQCooperative Business ServicesCorbusCorps SecurityCrown Plastics Co.CTI Clinical Trial and Consulting ServicesCyrusOneDane Heithaus Photography*David Hirschberg Steel CompanyDeanHoustonDiversified OphthalmicsDocustarDOV GraphicsDubois Chemicalsdunnhumby USADynamic IndustriesEl Coyote/Bullseye*Elan TechnologiesEmerald Taxi*Emery OleochemicalsEpsilonEthicon Endo-SurgeryEurostampa North AmericaEvolution Creative SolutionsEz PackFechheimer Brothers CompanyFeintool CincinnatiFerguson EnterprisesFirst Financial BancorpFirstGroup AmericaFlint Pigment GroupFord Motor CompanyForest PharmaceuticalsFormica CorporationFoster TransformerFrischs RestaurantsFrost Brown ToddFry Fastening Systems

GBBN ArchitectsGE AviationGeneral Chain & Manufacturing CorporationGeneral Tool CompanyGeograph IndustriesGet Noticed Get FoundGiminetti Baking CompanyGKN Aerospace CincinnatiGlass Family Pizza*Global Cloud Ltd.Gold Medal Products Co.Gorilla Glue CompanyGraeter’sGraphic Information SystemsGraphic VillageGreen Bay PackagingGreenbean DeliveryGus Holthaus SignsGyroHSRHadronicsHartman & Ehrmantraut CPAsHG LogisticsHi-Bred Vintage*Hill’s Floral GroupHobsonsHolthaus Lackner SignsHonda North AmericaHumana Insurance CompanyHuntington National BankHydro Systems CompanyIdeas and PixelsInfoTrustIntegra LifeSciences CorporationIpsos MarketingITA Audio VisualJ.W. ExpressJedson EngineeringJohn R. Jurgensen Co.John StehlinKao Brands CompanyKempf Surgical AppliancesKOI Auto PartsKPB Commercial Printing & Evo-lution Creative ServicesKroger - Blue Ash - Cornell ParkKW OTR Venutures*Landmark AviationLaRosa’s Corporate

Participation


Participation

COMPANIESLendkey TechnologiesLeonhardt Plating Co.Lewis & Michael Moving & Stor-ageLibby, Perszyk, KathmanLondon Computer SystemsM & M Metals InternationalMADTREE Brewing CompanyMagX AmericaMartin & WhartonMasters PharmaceuticalMayers ElectricMedaCheckMedisyncMedpaceMeese Distributor’sMercy Health PartnersMeridian BioscienceMesa IndustriesMesser Construction Co.Metcut ResearchMeyer ToolMichelmanMicrosoft - CincinnatiMillenium EnergyMolecular Research CenterMonster Social MediaMr. Label CompanyMTKMVD ConnectNephews*Newman BrothersNitto Denko AveciaNorth Cliff ConsultantsNorton Outdoor AdvertisingOhio National Financial ServicesOhio Pulp MillsOliver Chemical Co.OmnicareOMS Photography*ONETOUCHPOINT EAST CORPOohologyOrchem CorporationOrganized LightningORSANCO (Ohio River Sanitation Commission)Outlier TechnologiesPak/Teem

Paper Products CompanyPath Forward ITPCMS DatafitPenn StationPennington Rubber CompanyPepsicoPerrotta Jeweler*Peter Cremer North America, LpPetro EnvironmentalPho Lang ThangPinnacle Protection AgencyPontus EnergyPrestige Audio VisualPride Cast MetalsPrinter’s BinderyProcter and Gamble - Amberley Business CenterProgress SupplyProscan ImagingQ LaboratoriesQueen City Albums (QCA)Queen City ElectricQueen City ForgingQueen City SausageQueen City Steel Treating Co.Quest Diagnostics IncorporatedRevolution Rotisserie*RhinegeistRhodiaRichards IndustriesRiver City GlassRJ Investments Int’l.*RLA InvestmentsRoadTex TransportationRumpkeSalon Rae Jayz*Saturday Knight Ltd.Schaaf Co.Schulman Associates InstitutionalServatii Pastry Shop & DeliSogeti USASpringDotSrw Environmental ServicesStacker MediaStagnaro DistributingStevenson Color LabStopTech LtdSugar Creek Packing Co.

Sumitomo Electric CarbideSung Korean Bistro*Superior Honda*Sweaty BandsSweeney Automotive*TechSolveTerraconThe Brand ExperienceThe Brass Tap*The Fifth Third BankThe Launch WerksThe National Flag CompanyThe Nielsen CompanyThe Peck-Hannaford & Briggs CompanyThe Verdin Co.The Wegman CompanyThe Western Sports Mall*The William Powell CompanyTisch EnvironmentalTopiczTotal ProSourceTouch of Elegance*Trane CoTri-City Staffing ServicesTriStar IndustrialTri-State Beef Co.Truck Cab Manufacturers Incor-poratedTw MetalsTwice As Nice*Ultimate Air ShuttleUnited Dairy FarmersUnited Window Cleaning Com-panyUS LubricantsValley Asphalt CorporationVarland Metal ServiceVoltage*Warsaw FederalWild Joe’sWimberg LandscapingWine Cellar InnovationsWooley Electric Supply Co.Wurst Bar*Zenith Logistics

*Company not included in survey results because of being retail based or falls outside of target strategy.


Participation

MEETINGS WERE CONDUCTED IN THESE COMMUNITIESAmberleyArlington HeightsBlue AshCincinnatiColerain TownshipColumbia TownshipDelhi TownshipElmwood Place

EvendaleForest ParkHarrisonLocklandLovelandMontgomeryMount HealthyNewtown

North BendNorwoodReadingSharonvilleSpringdaleSycamore TownshipWhitewater TownshipWoodlawn

Thanks to all our communities for your participation and to REDI Cincinnati for contributing business retention information! A special thank you to Duke Energy and Hamilton County for helping to support the program.

business retention & expansion report · with recruiting for positions or skills. like last...

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