MIDLAND, MI — About 270 more will join the ranks of unemployed Americans as Dow Chemical lays off another 270 at plants in Plaquemine and Hahnville, Louisiana, according to an Associated Press story hosted by Forbes.com.
About 160 of Dow's 1,600 employees in Plaquemine will lose their jobs, along with about 110 of the 1,100 workers at the Hahnville complex, the story stated.
Dow's repeated layoffs are part of a recession-driven worldwide work force reduction, the story noted.
By slashing 5,000 full-time jobs, closing 20 plants and selling off businesses to rein in costs amid sharp declines in demand for its products, Dow expects annual companywide savings of about $700 million by 2010, the story added.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Janitor donates side business profits to school
HEMET, CA — A Whittier Elementary School janitor pledged to contribute 50 percent of the profits from his weekend automobile detailing business to the school he cleans, according to The Valley Chronicle.
Scott Genton has been janitor at Whittier for only a month, but he already has close, friendly relationships with students and staff, the story stated.
"I see how they struggle. They don't have the money for awards and stuff. Obviously it's tough to go and ask the parents because they are strapped to the metal too," said Genton.
Genton charges $20 for cars, $25 for trucks and $30 for lifted trucks, and can make upwards of $400 a day both Saturday and Sunday; he would like to donate around $400 a week to the school, the story noted.
Genton said: "I would like to start a high school yearbook fund. Some students just can't afford them. I'd like to be able to create a fund that would help the kids that can't afford a yearbook to get one. School only comes around once, and once it's done, it's done."
There is no deadline to Genton's donations; he plans to donate for as long as he owns his business, the story added.
For detailed information, or to schedule an appointment with Genton, call (951) 893-7658.
Scott Genton has been janitor at Whittier for only a month, but he already has close, friendly relationships with students and staff, the story stated.
"I see how they struggle. They don't have the money for awards and stuff. Obviously it's tough to go and ask the parents because they are strapped to the metal too," said Genton.
Genton charges $20 for cars, $25 for trucks and $30 for lifted trucks, and can make upwards of $400 a day both Saturday and Sunday; he would like to donate around $400 a week to the school, the story noted.
Genton said: "I would like to start a high school yearbook fund. Some students just can't afford them. I'd like to be able to create a fund that would help the kids that can't afford a yearbook to get one. School only comes around once, and once it's done, it's done."
There is no deadline to Genton's donations; he plans to donate for as long as he owns his business, the story added.
For detailed information, or to schedule an appointment with Genton, call (951) 893-7658.
Unisource Worldwide hires Stephen Mohr
NORCROSS, GA — JanSan distributor Unisource Worldwide Inc. has announced the appointment of Stephen Mohr to director of packaging – marketing, according to a press release.
Mohr has more than 25 years of experience in professional marketing, the release stated.
Ed Farley, Unisource senior vice president of marketing and communications, said: "We are excited that Stephen Mohr has joined the Unisource team. He has a wealth of industry experience, and we look forward to his leadership, knowledge of packaging products, and marketing strategy as we continue to grow our packaging business."
Mohr’s creative abilities have led to the introduction of many new products in the marketplace, the release noted.
Mohr earned his bachelor’s of science degree in marketing, advertising and sales management from Indiana University, the release added.
Mohr has more than 25 years of experience in professional marketing, the release stated.
Ed Farley, Unisource senior vice president of marketing and communications, said: "We are excited that Stephen Mohr has joined the Unisource team. He has a wealth of industry experience, and we look forward to his leadership, knowledge of packaging products, and marketing strategy as we continue to grow our packaging business."
Mohr’s creative abilities have led to the introduction of many new products in the marketplace, the release noted.
Mohr earned his bachelor’s of science degree in marketing, advertising and sales management from Indiana University, the release added.
Regal-Beloit closes plant, 120 lose jobs
NEILLSVILLE, WI — The Leeson Electric Plant, which manufactures electric motors for paper mills, will stop production at the end of March, leaving more than 120 workers without jobs, according to WQOW-TV.
According to a representative of the Regal-Beloit Corporation, the company that owns the plant, operations are being outsourced to Mexico in an effort to save money, the story stated.
Neillsville Mayor Diane Murphy said: "It's a big impact for us, for sure. You've got to persuade these companies. It's not like it was years ago. People aren't out there looking for a community to locate in."
Regal-Beloit also owns plants in Black River Falls and Wausau, Wisconsin, but there are no current plans to close those plants, the story noted.
According to a representative of the Regal-Beloit Corporation, the company that owns the plant, operations are being outsourced to Mexico in an effort to save money, the story stated.
Neillsville Mayor Diane Murphy said: "It's a big impact for us, for sure. You've got to persuade these companies. It's not like it was years ago. People aren't out there looking for a community to locate in."
Regal-Beloit also owns plants in Black River Falls and Wausau, Wisconsin, but there are no current plans to close those plants, the story noted.
3M sees 37 percent sales decrease
MAPLEWOOD, MN — JanSan manufacturer 3M saw a 37 percent sales decrease in the fiscal fourth quarter, according to an Associated Press story hosted by Forbes.com.
Net income for the quarter fell to $536 million or 77 cents per share compared to $851 million or $1.17 per share in the year ago quarter, the story stated.
The global economic slowdown is blamed for the poor fourth-quarter growth, the story noted.
Total earnings for 2008 were $3.5 billion or $4.89 per share, the story added.
Net income for the quarter fell to $536 million or 77 cents per share compared to $851 million or $1.17 per share in the year ago quarter, the story stated.
The global economic slowdown is blamed for the poor fourth-quarter growth, the story noted.
Total earnings for 2008 were $3.5 billion or $4.89 per share, the story added.
United Airlines sets standard for aircraft cleaning
Friday, January 30, 2009
CHICAGO — In an effort to add more value to services and make flying a more pleasurable experience, United Airlines has recently ramped up its cleaning operation for passenger airplanes, according to the Chicago Tribune.
United Airlines has seen passenger complaints about dirty planes fall by 40 percent since it stepped up its cleaning last year, the story stated.
United used to let each of its airports determine how planes would be cleaned. Now, much like the way commercial cleaning services are implementing best practices for cleaning, United headquarters sets the tone and the standards, using a process that is broken into simple steps with clear goals that crews can follow, no matter where they are based, the story noted.
Paul Sanders, general manager for cabin appearance, said: "We want to make sure we use each cleaning agent in the right place, use the right wipes in the right place. The last thing we want is for someone to wipe the [lavatories], then use the same wipe on tray tables."
Aircraft used to go as long as 18 months between heavy cleanings. Now, intensive cleanings are done every 30 days for smaller planes that fly within the U.S. and every 15 days for the wide-body aircraft that cross the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the story added.
CHICAGO — In an effort to add more value to services and make flying a more pleasurable experience, United Airlines has recently ramped up its cleaning operation for passenger airplanes, according to the Chicago Tribune.
United Airlines has seen passenger complaints about dirty planes fall by 40 percent since it stepped up its cleaning last year, the story stated.
United used to let each of its airports determine how planes would be cleaned. Now, much like the way commercial cleaning services are implementing best practices for cleaning, United headquarters sets the tone and the standards, using a process that is broken into simple steps with clear goals that crews can follow, no matter where they are based, the story noted.
Paul Sanders, general manager for cabin appearance, said: "We want to make sure we use each cleaning agent in the right place, use the right wipes in the right place. The last thing we want is for someone to wipe the [lavatories], then use the same wipe on tray tables."
Aircraft used to go as long as 18 months between heavy cleanings. Now, intensive cleanings are done every 30 days for smaller planes that fly within the U.S. and every 15 days for the wide-body aircraft that cross the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the story added.
Norovirus strikes another cruise ship
Friday, January 30, 2009
HONOLULU — An outbreak of norovirus, a highly contagious gastrointestinal infection whose eradication requires extensive cleaning of surfaces, sickened more than 60 passengers aboard the Norwegian Cruise Lines ship Pride of America, according to KHON-TV.
At least 67 of the 1,837 passengers aboard the ship between the 17th and 24th of January were infected by the virus, the story stated.
Dr. Alan Tice, an infectious disease consultant, said: "Norovirus is something that is always a problem in a confined environment where there are multiple different people coming together. Sometimes the diarrhea can be so bad that it is serious and occasionally people have to be hospitalized for it and it can be very miserable."
In addition to the 67 sickened passengers, at least 14 employees also contracted the virus, the story noted.
Norovirus can survive on high-touch surfaces such as door knobs for several days, the story added.
HONOLULU — An outbreak of norovirus, a highly contagious gastrointestinal infection whose eradication requires extensive cleaning of surfaces, sickened more than 60 passengers aboard the Norwegian Cruise Lines ship Pride of America, according to KHON-TV.
At least 67 of the 1,837 passengers aboard the ship between the 17th and 24th of January were infected by the virus, the story stated.
Dr. Alan Tice, an infectious disease consultant, said: "Norovirus is something that is always a problem in a confined environment where there are multiple different people coming together. Sometimes the diarrhea can be so bad that it is serious and occasionally people have to be hospitalized for it and it can be very miserable."
In addition to the 67 sickened passengers, at least 14 employees also contracted the virus, the story noted.
Norovirus can survive on high-touch surfaces such as door knobs for several days, the story added.
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