Logistics business: NRF calls for low holiday retail sales projections

WASHINGTON—The domestic economy is still in a prolonged rut. That said, it does not come as a huge surprise that the National Retail Federation said today that for the 2008 holiday season sales are expected to rise only 2.2 percent to $470.4 billion.
The NRF said this estimate would be significantly below the ten-year average of 4.4 percent holiday sales growth and would be the slowest growth for this period since 2002, when holiday sales inched up 1.3 percent. NRF Chief Economist Rosalind Wells said in a statement that current financial pressures and a lack of confidence in the economy will force consumers to be very conservative with holiday spending, adding that they are likely to be less frugal this holiday season and less willing to splurge on discretionary items.
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Railroad antritrust legislation passed by House Judiciary Committee

WASHINGTON—The topic of railroad re-regulation was back on the table this week, as the House Judiciary Committee passed legislation that has the potential to dramatically alter the freight railroad landscape in the United States.
The legislation, entitled, H.R. 1650: The Railroad Enforcement Act of 2007, would create a dual regulatory system for our nation’s railroad industry and retroactively undo agreements, decisions and rulings currently in effect, according to the American Association of Railroads.

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Fortkamp Now Sales Agent for IPB

Sidney, OH – Kevin Fortkamp, who has been an employee of Industrial Property Brokers (IPB) since January, has earned his real estate license from the Ohio Department of Commerce and is now a realtor with the company specializing in commercial real estate.
A native of Sidney, Fortkamp has an extensive knowledge of the area.  He attended the University of Cincinnati and Ohio University where he pursued a marketing and business course of study.

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An employers obligation under the American’s Disability Act

By Anita M. Schoonover

Here’s a quick overview of your obligations under the American’s Disability Act (ADA). It prohibits employers with 15 or more employees from discriminating against qualified disabled individuals. The law defines a “qualified individual with a disability” as a person who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of the job. It also requires employers to make “reasonable” efforts to accommodate a disabled individual’s limitations so that the person can perform the job. If a person is not disabled, however, no accommodation is legally required.
So, what constitutes a disability?
The ADA statute defines a disability as:
1. A physical or mental impairment which substantially limits a major life activity
2. A record of having an impairment; or
3. Being regarded as having impairment.
Physical impairments are defined as any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting the body systems. Also, mental impairments are defined as any mental or psychological disorder, emotional or mental illness, and specific learning disabilities.

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Food processing company invests $21M+ in Lima

A new company has selected northwest Ohio for the location of a 100,000 square foot manufacturing facility. Kettle Creations – a food processing company that plans to manufacture refrigerated mashed potatoes and sell them to private label distributors, restaurants, and grocery stores – has committed to locating in Lima.
Ohio was in competition with Indiana for the $21 to $25 million Allen County project. According to Marcel Wagner, president, Allen Economic Development Group (AEDG), the overall investment will depend on the equipment chosen for the facility as well as other criteria. For example, the company will decide whether to pre-treat the sewers for the site in Lima or send it somewhere else.

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Winner announced for the Extreme Technology Make Over 2008

The winner and runners up of SMS proTECH’s Extreme Technology MakeOver were announced today during a luncheon at the Sidney facility.  Presentations of the awards were made by Jeff Boate, Vice President and General Manager of SMS proTECH and Jeff Raible, President of the Sidney Chamber of Commerce serving as Chairperson for the Extreme Judging Panel.

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Midwest Electric members donate $13,300 to area charities

Members of Midwest Electric, Inc., recently donated $13,300 to eight west-central Ohio charities and community projects through the cooperative’s Community Connection Fund.
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Growth and expansion is one of the key benchmarks of business success

In the case of this local company what has been achieved is extraordinary.
Started four years ago in 2004, Fiedler Electical Services LLC has grown from operating in a 6,000 square foot building in Cloverdate to a 38,000 square foot building in Delphos,Ohio.
The company moved from Cloverdale to Delphos August 11 and is located at 127 S.Jefferson St.
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Celebrate Braun Industries 5,000TH ambulance unit at Fire-Rescue International Conference

VAN WERT, Ohio - Braun Industries, Inc., manufacturer of high-quality, hand-crafted ambulances, will unveil its 5,000th production unit during the Fire-Rescue International Conference, Aug. 11-16, at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colo.
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Simple Steps to Effective Employee Discipline

By Anita Schnoover

Most managers dread disciplining employees and worry about making mistakes that will trigger legal action.  You can relieve some of this stress by establishing clear expectations for employee behavior and by training supervisors to take fair and consistent corrective action.
Inconsistent discipline can lead to lower productivity, poor morale, and the potential for lawsuits.  Employees who feel they have been treated unfairly or inconsistently often file claims ranging from discrimination and retaliation to contract violation.
At the same time, taking no action or sweeping it under the carpet can be equally dangerous if employee behavior problems are consistently ignored. When your managers do not actively address poor performance and misconduct, morale and productivity will suffer.
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