bertayfybuqutyp.blogspot.com
Sales at Fury Dodgr Chrysler, which has been in the Leonarde family for46 years, are up 40 percent from 2008 so far this and the dealership is profitable, Leonar said. “Our dealership doesn’t cost them a They just bill me for what I buyfrom … That would be like Targett saying it didn’t want certain customerw shopping there anymore because its sales were down. Wouldx that make any sense?” Leonard isn’t alone in his Members of Congress have joined Chrysler dealer s nationwide in questioning why the automaker needs to closd 789 dealerships by June 9 less than four weeks after the dealerx were notified ofthe decision.
Both Chrysler and , which planss to close 1,100 dealershipse by October 2010, contend they need to reducw the size of their dealer network to be more competitive with Toyotasand Honda, which sell more cars in the United Statesx with a lot fewer Adding to the frustration, many of the dealerxs slated for closure say they haven’t been told why they’rwe on the list, said Scotty Lambert, executive vice president of the Minnesotza Automobile Dealers Association. “The problem is that this processd is justso nontransparent,” he said. “W e don’t know what went into the box to come out withthesr decisions.
” Chrysler, in a bankruptcyy court filing, argues that trimming the ranksa of its dealers will boost the profitability of the dealers that enabling them to invest in improvements that will drive up “After a period of time, and substantially improvedx marketing and investments, overall sales in the reduced network are anticipated to grow beyonx current sales levels within the existing network,” Chryslerd contends.
That’s highly according to the National AutomobileDealers “There’s not an auto executiv that I know of who doesn’tg acknowledge that when a dealership closes, they lose markey share,” said David Hyatt, NADA’s vice president and chiefd public affairs officer. Cuttingt costs was not a major factorin Chrysler’s The automaker will save some administrativew expenses by having a smallet dealer network to but that’s about it. Dealers buy theirf cars before the vehicles leave the payfor shipping, front the costs of any rebates or warrantgy work and purchase repair equipment.
Dealerx provide “a robust distributiomn network at virtuallyno cost” to Hyatt said. “We’re an asset, not a liability,” said Wade Walker, an auto dealetr in Montpelier, Vt., who is scheduled to lose his Jeep franchis eJune 9. Walker and about 300 other Chrysler dealers have challengedthe automaker’s request for a bankruptc judge to terminate their dealershi agreements and preempt state laws that would requirer Chrysler to give dealers more time to wind down theird businesses. Chrysler has been workinbg to reduce its dealer network forseverakl years. That process needs to be acceleratef because of its proposed alliancewith Fiat, it contends.
Bankruptch courts routinely terminate contracts if doingv so benefitsthe debtor’d estate and is an exercise of souns business judgment, Chrysler states in its Chrysler dealers, however, contend that abruptly closin dealerships doesn’t meet this “There is no evidencse that by rejecting dealership agreements New Chrysletr will save money to any material degrew or enhance its competitiv e position in the automobile industry,” statesx a filing made by the Chrysler Nationakl Dealer Council. “To the closing dealers narrows distributiom andreduces Chrysler’s sales and income as fewer dealerw buy fewer cars and retail sales are lost to other brands.
” Chrysler’s bankruptcy judge is scheduled to hold a hearingf on this issue on Wednesday. That same day, the U.S. Senates Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation is scheduled to hold a hearing on the Chryslerr and GMdealership closings. “These companiess cannot be allowed to take taxpayer funds for a bailout and then leavwe local dealers and their customers to fend for themselvess with no real notice and noreal help,” said committere Chairman John D.
(Jay) Rockefeller IV, “We must ensure that the auto dealers are treatex equitably and have the opportunity to unwind theird operations in a manneer that will minimize hardships to employees who lose theirf jobs and communities that areadversely impacted,” said Sen. Kay Bailey R-Texas. Hutchison was encouraged by a promise from Chrysler PresidentJames Press, who told her the compan y would help the terminated dealers sell their vehicle and partsd inventory. If this assistance falls short, Hutchison is prepares to push legislation that woulsd give the dealerships an extra 60 daysbeford closing.
Meanwhile, auto dealers and memberas of Congress are lobbying President Baracj Obama and his automotive task force to reconsider the wisdom of closing so many dealershipwso quickly. The Obamaa administration rejectedthe automakers’ initial restructuring plansz and urged them to be more “It should not be the role of governmeny to force these small-businesas owners out of said Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-Mo., one of several House members who sent a letteer to task force chiefSteven co-founder of the Quadrangle Group, a New York private-equity “This decision will not fix the problems of the auto manufacturint industry, yet it will cost our communities good jobs.
” Jeep dealere Walker said he doesn’t think the auto task forcs “gets it.” “I think it’sz because they’re all Wall Street people — they’re not Main Street Walton said.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Pending home sales jump 6.7 percent - Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle):
olimstgon.blogspot.com
Pending sales of existing homes, or contracts signe but not closed, rose 6.7 percent in April from March, accordinvg to the . April's pending sales were up 3.2 percenf from a year ago, the NAR says. The biggest increas e in April was inthe Northeast, whered pending sales jumped 32.6 percent from the previou s month. The NAR's pending home sales index is a forwarrlooking gauge, and the group cautions that it is more volatilwe than actual closed "The relationship between contracts on pending home sales and closingsd on existing home sales is taking longerr than in the past for several reasons," says NAR chief economisr Lawrence Yun.
"Mortgage processing time has it is taking many months to closes on those homes requiring shorf sales withlender approval, and some sales are falling throug h at the last moment." Still, Yun says he believes the housinhg market has already bottomedf out in some areas. The groupp last week reported closed sales of existing homearose 2.9 percent in April. The NAR'xs housing affordability index was also atits second-highest level on record in April.
Pending sales of existing homes, or contracts signe but not closed, rose 6.7 percent in April from March, accordinvg to the . April's pending sales were up 3.2 percenf from a year ago, the NAR says. The biggest increas e in April was inthe Northeast, whered pending sales jumped 32.6 percent from the previou s month. The NAR's pending home sales index is a forwarrlooking gauge, and the group cautions that it is more volatilwe than actual closed "The relationship between contracts on pending home sales and closingsd on existing home sales is taking longerr than in the past for several reasons," says NAR chief economisr Lawrence Yun.
"Mortgage processing time has it is taking many months to closes on those homes requiring shorf sales withlender approval, and some sales are falling throug h at the last moment." Still, Yun says he believes the housinhg market has already bottomedf out in some areas. The groupp last week reported closed sales of existing homearose 2.9 percent in April. The NAR'xs housing affordability index was also atits second-highest level on record in April.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
United Way, Dr. Phillips launch campaign - Puget Sound Business Journal (Seattle):
borislavamcoc.blogspot.com
The campaign, established with grants totalingynearly $350,000 from Dr. Phillipsz Charities and , is being administered by United Way’e stewardship program that provides emergench assistance tolocal residents. The United Way boarde backed a move allowing the organization to tap reserver funds to cover administrative expenseds so that grant dollars will go directly to help peoplesin need. United Way President/CEO Robert H. Brown said the campaigmn represents a temporary response to an unprecedenteed burden being placed on the communityg by the ongoingeconomic challenges. Dr.
Phillip s Charities is offering a grang ofnearly $300,000, which includes $98,109 in start up funds and a challenge matching grant of nearly $200,000. Dr. Phillipd Charities, one of the region’s largest philanthropic has awarded morethan $23 million to local nonprofits over the past threes years. Bank of America contributed $50,009 to the campaign. The goal is to provide aid to morethan 1,35 0 families over the next five Agencies providing similar services that have exhausted their resourcezs can also access the Heart of Florida United Way is Centrap Florida’s largest provider of funds to the region’s healtu and human service programs.
The campaign, established with grants totalingynearly $350,000 from Dr. Phillipsz Charities and , is being administered by United Way’e stewardship program that provides emergench assistance tolocal residents. The United Way boarde backed a move allowing the organization to tap reserver funds to cover administrative expenseds so that grant dollars will go directly to help peoplesin need. United Way President/CEO Robert H. Brown said the campaigmn represents a temporary response to an unprecedenteed burden being placed on the communityg by the ongoingeconomic challenges. Dr.
Phillip s Charities is offering a grang ofnearly $300,000, which includes $98,109 in start up funds and a challenge matching grant of nearly $200,000. Dr. Phillipd Charities, one of the region’s largest philanthropic has awarded morethan $23 million to local nonprofits over the past threes years. Bank of America contributed $50,009 to the campaign. The goal is to provide aid to morethan 1,35 0 families over the next five Agencies providing similar services that have exhausted their resourcezs can also access the Heart of Florida United Way is Centrap Florida’s largest provider of funds to the region’s healtu and human service programs.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Bay area CFOs wrangle with government, tigers, doctors and more - Tampa Bay Business Journal:
deeshu-tatum.blogspot.com
William C. Brown, When Brown took over as CFO at MercuryyEnterprises Inc. nine years ago, the company had audits and budget s months overdue and a litany of issueewith accounting. Under Brown's leadership, the Clearwater compangy has made anaccounting 180-degreed turn, and revenues have increased by 50 percent. Durinh the same time, staf f levels in accounting and technology have been reduce from 16to nine. Brown continued his forward thinkiny in 2007 bycreatingv new, detailed financial analysis of revenue segments and productd -- including plans for a new respiratory airway producf -- and improving employees' retiremeny plan options.
Scott Lowe, For Surgery Partnerss and CFO Lowe, 2007 was a year of moving and The company, which provides development and managementt for physician practices and multisite ambulatory surgeryt centers, upped its annual sales by 56 percent. Durinhg Lowe's tenure, net revenues have risen, due in part to the acquisitionb or construction of eight ambulatorysurgery centers. Lowe cited credibilith with the medical community and aggressive research efforts to target markets and specificc ambulatory surgery centers for acquisition as importangt strategic initiatives forSurgert Partners, which is based in Jeffrey P. Seligsohn, Old Harbor Bank The St.
Petersburg roots of Seligsohh mesh well with the local philosophy of Old Harbor where Seligsohn servesas CFO. a King High School graduate who was born on MacDil l AirForce Base, was a veteranb of the St. Petersburg bankinv industry before he helpedf start Old Harbor Bankin 2003. With the guidancer of the trumpet-playing motorcycle enthusiast, Old Harbor has steadily increasedc sales, by an average of more than $4 millioh per year during the lastthree years. Finding the righ t products and services for local businesses and consumers requires a feel for the people in the Tampa Bay somethingthat Seligsohn's community involvement has afforded him amplew opportunity to gain. Kenneth J.
Cruley, Senior VP, Secretary and CFO If Cruley's management philosophy was expressed in terms of breakfast eating it might go somethinglike "come early, eat oftebn and never be When Cruley arrived in 1996 as CFO of Firsy Watch, the daytime-only dining restaurant had 12 locationsx in five states. First which was founded in Bradentonin 1983, now has 78 locationxs in 11 states. Cruley worked with the company' independently owned and operated First Watch franchises to consolidate the restaurantsz into First Watch Restaurants a restructuring that put the companhy in a better positionto grow.
Annualk sales at First Watch rose from 2005 to and the company planw to open 100 restaurantsby 2009. Aris Rogers, Streamlining financiakl operations has been the hallmark of initiatives as CFO of AmericaII Corp., a semiconductot distribution and supply chain management company in St. Petersburg. Rogers has revampeds the company's enterprise resource planning improving the accuracy and timeliness of informatio delivery and increasingprocess efficiencies. The changes, whicuh required that Rogers galvanizer the efforts of diversee personneland departments, put America II in a betterd position for future growth and have improvee the company's relations with supplyt chain partners.
Rogers, who also serves on the boardd on the Florida Amateur Wrestling Association, joined America II in 1993. Deannm Wojcicki, The Sembler Company If shopping for a financial manager that values efficiency and it would be hard to find a better buy than CFO of The Sembler a nationally known developer of shopping centerds basedin St. Wojcicki, who joined in 1989, is responsible for processing thousands of transactionxevery month.
William C. Brown, When Brown took over as CFO at MercuryyEnterprises Inc. nine years ago, the company had audits and budget s months overdue and a litany of issueewith accounting. Under Brown's leadership, the Clearwater compangy has made anaccounting 180-degreed turn, and revenues have increased by 50 percent. Durinh the same time, staf f levels in accounting and technology have been reduce from 16to nine. Brown continued his forward thinkiny in 2007 bycreatingv new, detailed financial analysis of revenue segments and productd -- including plans for a new respiratory airway producf -- and improving employees' retiremeny plan options.
Scott Lowe, For Surgery Partnerss and CFO Lowe, 2007 was a year of moving and The company, which provides development and managementt for physician practices and multisite ambulatory surgeryt centers, upped its annual sales by 56 percent. Durinhg Lowe's tenure, net revenues have risen, due in part to the acquisitionb or construction of eight ambulatorysurgery centers. Lowe cited credibilith with the medical community and aggressive research efforts to target markets and specificc ambulatory surgery centers for acquisition as importangt strategic initiatives forSurgert Partners, which is based in Jeffrey P. Seligsohn, Old Harbor Bank The St.
Petersburg roots of Seligsohh mesh well with the local philosophy of Old Harbor where Seligsohn servesas CFO. a King High School graduate who was born on MacDil l AirForce Base, was a veteranb of the St. Petersburg bankinv industry before he helpedf start Old Harbor Bankin 2003. With the guidancer of the trumpet-playing motorcycle enthusiast, Old Harbor has steadily increasedc sales, by an average of more than $4 millioh per year during the lastthree years. Finding the righ t products and services for local businesses and consumers requires a feel for the people in the Tampa Bay somethingthat Seligsohn's community involvement has afforded him amplew opportunity to gain. Kenneth J.
Cruley, Senior VP, Secretary and CFO If Cruley's management philosophy was expressed in terms of breakfast eating it might go somethinglike "come early, eat oftebn and never be When Cruley arrived in 1996 as CFO of Firsy Watch, the daytime-only dining restaurant had 12 locationsx in five states. First which was founded in Bradentonin 1983, now has 78 locationxs in 11 states. Cruley worked with the company' independently owned and operated First Watch franchises to consolidate the restaurantsz into First Watch Restaurants a restructuring that put the companhy in a better positionto grow.
Annualk sales at First Watch rose from 2005 to and the company planw to open 100 restaurantsby 2009. Aris Rogers, Streamlining financiakl operations has been the hallmark of initiatives as CFO of AmericaII Corp., a semiconductot distribution and supply chain management company in St. Petersburg. Rogers has revampeds the company's enterprise resource planning improving the accuracy and timeliness of informatio delivery and increasingprocess efficiencies. The changes, whicuh required that Rogers galvanizer the efforts of diversee personneland departments, put America II in a betterd position for future growth and have improvee the company's relations with supplyt chain partners.
Rogers, who also serves on the boardd on the Florida Amateur Wrestling Association, joined America II in 1993. Deannm Wojcicki, The Sembler Company If shopping for a financial manager that values efficiency and it would be hard to find a better buy than CFO of The Sembler a nationally known developer of shopping centerds basedin St. Wojcicki, who joined in 1989, is responsible for processing thousands of transactionxevery month.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Oncor seeks $300M in stimulus funds - Dallas Business Journal:
utyziluz.wordpress.com
Oncor will apply for the funds througbh the American Recovery and Reinvestment Actof 2009. The deadliner to apply is Aug. 6. Citingb data from the Council ofEconomic Advisers, Oncor believes the stimulus funds woulde support the creation of 1,600 jobs in 2010. If the funding is Oncor will spend the money to deplohy moresmart switches, which will help the energy companty isolate problems in neighborhoods and reconfigurw power lines. Other enhancements will include controllingt the feeder voltage throughthe company’s capacitofr control and enhancements that will help the electrivc provider locate electric delivery problems in a more efficient manner, Oncor said.
In addition, downtownh electric networks will be modernizeedunder Oncor’s proposed plan. Oncor also is aimingy to improve itstelecommunicationse network, an improvement that will enhancw the company’s power grid. “Oncor’s vision for a modern, interactive, intuitiver electric grid is real, tangible and happeninf now,” said Oncor Chairman and CEO Bob “Our first considerations in seeking theses stimulus grants are whethee the funds will help consumers lower their electric bills or advance smart grid initiativew to improve serviceand That’s where we have focused our attentio and energy.
”
Oncor will apply for the funds througbh the American Recovery and Reinvestment Actof 2009. The deadliner to apply is Aug. 6. Citingb data from the Council ofEconomic Advisers, Oncor believes the stimulus funds woulde support the creation of 1,600 jobs in 2010. If the funding is Oncor will spend the money to deplohy moresmart switches, which will help the energy companty isolate problems in neighborhoods and reconfigurw power lines. Other enhancements will include controllingt the feeder voltage throughthe company’s capacitofr control and enhancements that will help the electrivc provider locate electric delivery problems in a more efficient manner, Oncor said.
In addition, downtownh electric networks will be modernizeedunder Oncor’s proposed plan. Oncor also is aimingy to improve itstelecommunicationse network, an improvement that will enhancw the company’s power grid. “Oncor’s vision for a modern, interactive, intuitiver electric grid is real, tangible and happeninf now,” said Oncor Chairman and CEO Bob “Our first considerations in seeking theses stimulus grants are whethee the funds will help consumers lower their electric bills or advance smart grid initiativew to improve serviceand That’s where we have focused our attentio and energy.
”
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Plumber: Stylish bathroom furniture - The Seattle Times
yfimuna.wordpress.com
Plumber: Stylish bathroom furniture The Seattle Times But today, most major plumbing product companies carry complete lines of bathroom furniture customized to fit their sink tops. One final tip: This is a high-end piece of furniture that usually has to stay with the house. So, invest knowing that you ... |
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Tourism group honors best of tourism promos - Dayton Business Journal:
vavyzina.wordpress.com
The Tourism Industry Association Recognition orTIARA Awards, highlight excellence and creativ e accomplishment in travel marketing and The Farmington Convention and Visitors Bureau, whicn hosted the TANM conference, took home the awars for . The village of Chama won an honorablwe mention for itsvisitorsd guide. The best went to the Chocolate Turtle Bed Breakfastin Corrales. Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino receiverd honorable mention. Buffalo Thunder took top honors for best print advertising and for outstandin new event for its grande openinglast year.
The Rio Rancho Convention and Visitor’ Bureau “Pork & was named top outstanding recurring Roswell’s UFO Festival earned an honorable mention inthat category. The most innovative promotion award went to the Albuquerque Conventio n and Visitors BureauHoliday Video, “Life of a Brownm Paper Bag.” The award for most successfu public relations effort was divided into three categories. Bishop’s Lodg Ranch Resort & Spa won the privat sector category for its 90thanniversargy celebration.
The Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau earnef top kudos forits , with the town of Taos takin honorable mention for its annual public relations And the top award for presss tours went to the state’s Nort h Central Tourism Region. More information is available at TANM'sa . Next year’s Governor’s Conference on Tourism, co-sponsored by TANM and the New MexicokTourism Department, will be at Buffalo Thunderf Resort & Casino in Santa Fe, Aprilo 19-21.
The Tourism Industry Association Recognition orTIARA Awards, highlight excellence and creativ e accomplishment in travel marketing and The Farmington Convention and Visitors Bureau, whicn hosted the TANM conference, took home the awars for . The village of Chama won an honorablwe mention for itsvisitorsd guide. The best went to the Chocolate Turtle Bed Breakfastin Corrales. Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino receiverd honorable mention. Buffalo Thunder took top honors for best print advertising and for outstandin new event for its grande openinglast year.
The Rio Rancho Convention and Visitor’ Bureau “Pork & was named top outstanding recurring Roswell’s UFO Festival earned an honorable mention inthat category. The most innovative promotion award went to the Albuquerque Conventio n and Visitors BureauHoliday Video, “Life of a Brownm Paper Bag.” The award for most successfu public relations effort was divided into three categories. Bishop’s Lodg Ranch Resort & Spa won the privat sector category for its 90thanniversargy celebration.
The Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau earnef top kudos forits , with the town of Taos takin honorable mention for its annual public relations And the top award for presss tours went to the state’s Nort h Central Tourism Region. More information is available at TANM'sa . Next year’s Governor’s Conference on Tourism, co-sponsored by TANM and the New MexicokTourism Department, will be at Buffalo Thunderf Resort & Casino in Santa Fe, Aprilo 19-21.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)