U.S. Faces Decline in Engineers As Student Programs Grow Overseas
The United States faces a shortage of engineers in coming years, and that could diminish the nation’s status as a leader in technology development and innovation, executives and educators say. The looming shortage comes as nations, including China and India, are seeing a boom in the number of students in engineering programs. Assuming the trend continues, it could result in the U.S. continuing to lose technology jobs to overseas competition.
“DST Asks” Parts Distributors: Which Features of a Computerized Business Management System are Most Useful to Your Business?
Our youngest readers may not be able to remember that there was a time before remote control technology when changing the channel on your television actually required getting up off the couch and making the long walk over to it. “Channel surfing” only existed when you could get one of your kids to sit next to the TV and turn the dial for you. Life was brutal then.
Wix Filters Gives NASCAR Drivers Added Incentive
WIX Filters is giving NASCAR series drivers yet another reason to get ahead of the pack on race day — the WIX Filters Lap Leader Award. Starting with the 2004 racing season, the award program extends through December 31, 2010. The WIX Filters Lap Leader Award includes cash payouts and an award trophy/plaque that will be presented during pre-race ceremonies at each event, as well as a year-end payout and a trophy for the driver who leads the most races with the most laps for each series.
Executive Interview with Jim Taylor, CEO of Thomas Group
Our latest edition of “Executive Interview” features Jim Taylor, CEO of the Thomas Group. Taylor joined the Thomas Group in 2001 as vice president and CFO. From 1997 to 2001, Taylor served as president of the Chancellor Group, a Dallas, Texas, management consulting firm, where he assisted companies in restructuring, raising funds and completing initial public offerings. Join us as Taylor tells us more about the Thomas Group culture and how it works for its clients.
Timken to Become NASCAR Contingency Sponsor
Timken has signed on as a contingency sponsor of the NASCAR Busch Series for three years, beginning with the 2004 season. The Hershey’s Kisses 300 at Daytona International Speedway, which took place last weekend, was the first time the Timken logo appeared on multiple NASCAR stock cars.
Delphi Continues Relationship with Hendrick Motorsports for 2004
Delphi is continuing its relationship with Hendrick Motorsports by becoming a major associate sponsor of the No. 5 Chevrolet in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, beginning this weekend with the Daytona 500 in Daytona Beach, Fla. The sponsorship is in association with Kellogg’s for the No. 5 NASCAR driven by two-time Winston Cup champion Terry Labonte.
Bandag Acquires Majority Interest in Speedco
Bandag Inc. has acquired an 87.5 percent majority interest in Speedco Inc. from its founders and Shell Oil Products US. Headquartered in Cuyuga, Ind., Speedco provides quick-service truck lubrication nationwide through 26 company-owned and six licensed on-highway locations. Bandag will operate Speedco as an independent business unit.
High Schoolers Earn Certifications from Industry
A diploma isn’t the only important document that some students have in hand when they graduate from high school these days. A growing number of students, educators say, are graduating with specific, industry-defined skills certifications that can have immediate value in the job market. Industries in which such certification is available include computer maintenance, automotive repair, nursing, graphic arts and food service.
Auto Suppliers Under Pressure to Shift Production Abroad
A new study soon to be released by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) is showing that the pressure to move automotive manufacturing jobs abroad will continue, despite federal and local government efforts to maintain or increase industry employment levels in the U.S. The SAE will release the report at the 2004 SAE World Congress in Detroit next month. The study, which is still under development, will outline “best practices” for global automotive suppliers. The Odyssey study seeks to help suppliers understand how their global manufacturing operations will need to change and how best to make those changes to survive and thrive.
Dana Restructuring Helps Rebound
Auto parts maker Dana Corp. credited its restructuring plan and an increase in heavy-truck production for its fourth-quarter rebound. Toledo-based Dana had a fourth-quarter profit of $68 million, or 45 cents per share. Excluding onetime items, the company earned 41 cents per share, or 1 cent higher than the expectations of analysts surveyed by Thomson First Call.