State trade fact sheets - Ohio

Ambulance Manufacturers Merge

Braun Industries in Van Wert, Ohio, which has 200 employees at its 105,000 square feet production facility, recently joined Beloeil, Quebec's Demers Ambulances, to create a combined company with over 100 years of experience. In late 2018 the company brought Saskatchewan's specialty vehicle maker Crestline into the family fold. The match up combines these former competitors and capitalizes on the strengths of each to create the second largest ambulance manufacturer in North America. Braun remains one of Van Wert's largest employers.

Moving at the Speed of Change

Calgary start-up Robots & Pencils began with the philosophy of “Follow the Talent.” This successful digital innovation firm moved into downtown Cleveland to do exactly that. Over 40 members of the firm's global team, according to the company's terminology, are robots (technologists), pencils (artists and user experience) or ampersands (business analysts, consulting, sales and administration) and call Cleveland home. The group designs software applications such as mobile portals, AI-powered conversations, gamified learning applications, and more to enable their clients to future-proof their businesses and keep pace with technological change.

Canadian Plastics Company Expands in Ohio

There were many reasons why Canada's fast-growing MSW Plastics Inc. chose Ohio for its U.S. expansion, including proximity, infrastructure, and an existing facility. This plastic extrusion company's 61,000 square foot plant is located just one mile from I-75 and near the interstate crossroads of I-75 and I-70. The Dayton-area location means shorter delivery times for U.S. customers. It supports the company's ability to deliver products manufactured in the United States. The investment involved the purchase and renovation of a vacant facility and is expected to create up to 35 jobs once operations reach full production levels.