CINCINNATI — JanSan product manufacturer Procter & Gamble reported a 53 percent profit increase for the second quarter of the fiscal year, according to The New York Times.
Earnings were $5 billion, compared to $3.27 billion in the year-ago quarter; the sale of their Folgers coffee brand aided significantly in the earnings and profits increases, the story stated.
Sales fell slightly from $21.04 billion to $20.37 billion, the story noted.
Sales declined in the quarter as a result of lower volume and a stronger dollar, the story added.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Norovirus Strikes Catholic University of America
WASHINGTON — At least 36 students at Catholic University of America have contracted norovirus, a highly contagious gastrointestinal virus whose eradication requires extensive cleaning of surfaces, according to the Washington Post.
In an effort to curb the virus' spread, the university sanitized several buildings and stressed proper hygiene to students, the story stated.
The first case was reported on January 21; symptoms included vomiting, diarrhea and general discomfort, the story noted.
Dozens of students fell ill when norovirus previously stuck the university in 2006, the story added.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is no antiviral medication that works against norovirus and there is no vaccine to prevent infection.
In an effort to curb the virus' spread, the university sanitized several buildings and stressed proper hygiene to students, the story stated.
The first case was reported on January 21; symptoms included vomiting, diarrhea and general discomfort, the story noted.
Dozens of students fell ill when norovirus previously stuck the university in 2006, the story added.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is no antiviral medication that works against norovirus and there is no vaccine to prevent infection.
BSC sues competitors over illegal labor
BOULDER, CO — A cleaning company is suing two of its competitors, claiming they were able to bid contracts at lower prices because they employ illegal immigrants, according to the Colorado Daily.
Last week, Dustbusters filed a lawsuit against Finishing Touch Janitorial Services and Porter Industries for allegedly using illegals to secure contracts for city and private buildings, the story stated.
According to the suit, "Finishing Touch was able to submit a lower bid than their competitors ... because they knowingly employ or contract with illegal aliens to perform the work and as such, are able to pay those workers less than legal workers."
The city of Boulder requires legal documentation for all workers before a contract is formed; there is no evidence that either company filed falsified paperwork, the story noted.
If either of the companies in question did hire illegals to work for them, it would be a contract violation; however, the companies could keep their city contracts by firing any ineligible workers and replacing them with verifiably legal workers, the story added.
According to the Pew Hispanic Center, 17 percent of all JanSan employees (an estimated 680,000 workers) are illegal immigrants.
Last week, Dustbusters filed a lawsuit against Finishing Touch Janitorial Services and Porter Industries for allegedly using illegals to secure contracts for city and private buildings, the story stated.
According to the suit, "Finishing Touch was able to submit a lower bid than their competitors ... because they knowingly employ or contract with illegal aliens to perform the work and as such, are able to pay those workers less than legal workers."
The city of Boulder requires legal documentation for all workers before a contract is formed; there is no evidence that either company filed falsified paperwork, the story noted.
If either of the companies in question did hire illegals to work for them, it would be a contract violation; however, the companies could keep their city contracts by firing any ineligible workers and replacing them with verifiably legal workers, the story added.
According to the Pew Hispanic Center, 17 percent of all JanSan employees (an estimated 680,000 workers) are illegal immigrants.
Kimberly-Clark sees eight percent drop in profit
IRVING, TX — Towel and tissue manufacturer Kimberly-Clark announced that its fourth-quarter profits dropped by eight percent, according to an Associated Press story hosted by Google.com.
Earnings were $419 million, as compared to $456 million in the year-ago quarter, the story stated.
Total sales slipped three percent from $4.76 billion to $4.6 billion, the story noted.
Deutsche Bank analyst Bill Schmitz Jr. said: "Management is doing right to guide expectations well below the Street as currency, pension and negative manufacturing variances weigh on earnings in 2009."
Kimberly-Clark may cut prices on certain items due to poor sales in North American in Europe, the story added.
Earnings were $419 million, as compared to $456 million in the year-ago quarter, the story stated.
Total sales slipped three percent from $4.76 billion to $4.6 billion, the story noted.
Deutsche Bank analyst Bill Schmitz Jr. said: "Management is doing right to guide expectations well below the Street as currency, pension and negative manufacturing variances weigh on earnings in 2009."
Kimberly-Clark may cut prices on certain items due to poor sales in North American in Europe, the story added.
Guilty plea in mold remediation fraud case
NEW HAVEN, CT — The owner of a mold remediation company pleaded guilty to defrauding school systems in Easton, Bristol and Manchester after a long-delayed trial, according to The Connecticut Post.
Ronald Schongar, owner and operator of Microb Phase, the company contracted by several schools to perform remediation work, was first indicted in 2006 on three counts of mail fraud and two counts of wire fraud for his involvement in mold fraud, the story stated.
He claimed he applied a product called Microb Shield, which is registered with the Environmental Protection Agency and that he had permission from the agency to use it. However, Schongar had no authorization to use or advertise the product as it is owned by Midland, Michigan-based AEGIS Environmental, the story noted.
Some documents seized by police in 2003 supposedly verifying Schongar's qualifications are believed to be counterfeit, the story added.
According to federal sentencing guidelines, Schongar should receive anywhere from four to 24 months in prison.
Ronald Schongar, owner and operator of Microb Phase, the company contracted by several schools to perform remediation work, was first indicted in 2006 on three counts of mail fraud and two counts of wire fraud for his involvement in mold fraud, the story stated.
He claimed he applied a product called Microb Shield, which is registered with the Environmental Protection Agency and that he had permission from the agency to use it. However, Schongar had no authorization to use or advertise the product as it is owned by Midland, Michigan-based AEGIS Environmental, the story noted.
Some documents seized by police in 2003 supposedly verifying Schongar's qualifications are believed to be counterfeit, the story added.
According to federal sentencing guidelines, Schongar should receive anywhere from four to 24 months in prison.
Kaivac hires new U.S. sales director
HAMILTON, OH — Kaivac Inc. has promoted Tim Wolf as the company’s new sales director in the U.S., according to a press release.
Wolf, a 2004 graduate of Purdue University and formerly with Select Sales and Marketing based in Cincinnati, Ohio, has been with Kaivac for nearly three years, the release stated.
Wolf's first duties with Kaivac were to oversee manufacturer’s representatives as well as distributor sales and marketing in three key Midwestern states, the release noted.
Wolf said: "I am really thrilled about this new opportunity. We have a very talented team of [manufacturer’s] representatives and distributors throughout the country. They are all working hard to ensure Kaivac’s growth and success in the years to come."
Wolf, a 2004 graduate of Purdue University and formerly with Select Sales and Marketing based in Cincinnati, Ohio, has been with Kaivac for nearly three years, the release stated.
Wolf's first duties with Kaivac were to oversee manufacturer’s representatives as well as distributor sales and marketing in three key Midwestern states, the release noted.
Wolf said: "I am really thrilled about this new opportunity. We have a very talented team of [manufacturer’s] representatives and distributors throughout the country. They are all working hard to ensure Kaivac’s growth and success in the years to come."
Conditions at Connecticut Paper Mill Reap $323,000 in Proposed Fines
VERSAILLES, CT — Cascades Boxboard Group faces $323,000 in Occupational Safety and Heath Association (OSHA) fines for 52 alleged serious and repeat violations of safety standards, according to Occupational Health & Safety magazine.
The inspection found numerous instances of extensive rust, corrosion and physical damage throughout the building that compromise its structural stability, the story stated.
Specific conditions identified during the July inspection include:
· Unguarded machinery and floor openings
· Damaged ladders and lack of fall protection
· Uninspected or inadequately maintained fire extinguishers
· Corroded wire lifting slings
· Lack of personal protective equipment and deficiencies involving respirators, fork trucks, propane tanks, electrical safety, hazardous energy control and hazard communication
· Work in confined spaces.
C. William Freeman III, OSHA's area director in Hartford, Connecticut, said: "There is no excuse for employees to work in such conditions. The hazardous conditions must be addressed promptly, effectively, and completely to protect the safety and health of these workers. Failure to pay proper and timely attention to safety and health requirements, including building maintenance, can result in considerable human and financial costs down the line."
Four repeat citations have been issued for conditions similar to those cited in a 2007 OSHA inspection that were never corrected, the story noted.
The company has 15 business days to meet with OSHA or to contest them to the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, the story added.
The inspection found numerous instances of extensive rust, corrosion and physical damage throughout the building that compromise its structural stability, the story stated.
Specific conditions identified during the July inspection include:
· Unguarded machinery and floor openings
· Damaged ladders and lack of fall protection
· Uninspected or inadequately maintained fire extinguishers
· Corroded wire lifting slings
· Lack of personal protective equipment and deficiencies involving respirators, fork trucks, propane tanks, electrical safety, hazardous energy control and hazard communication
· Work in confined spaces.
C. William Freeman III, OSHA's area director in Hartford, Connecticut, said: "There is no excuse for employees to work in such conditions. The hazardous conditions must be addressed promptly, effectively, and completely to protect the safety and health of these workers. Failure to pay proper and timely attention to safety and health requirements, including building maintenance, can result in considerable human and financial costs down the line."
Four repeat citations have been issued for conditions similar to those cited in a 2007 OSHA inspection that were never corrected, the story noted.
The company has 15 business days to meet with OSHA or to contest them to the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, the story added.
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