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Wrekin Construction will run 2,000 training courses a year for its own employees alone after opening its new centre in Shifnal. And its bosses say the move is a "bite-sized" way of tackling the problem of a shortage of skilled workers in the industry. Former chairman Tom Frain, who founded the company more than 45 years ago, was justifiably proud of the new two-storey centre with four dedicated training rooms, complete with equipment, as well as toilet, kitchen and changing room facilities. He was keen to stress that Wrekin had never had problems recruiting qualified staff but admitted a skills shortage did exist in his industry generally. And his son, Wrekin Group chairman Dr Simon Frain, echoed his father's comments. "There is more of a skills shortage the further south you go.
24 Hour Fitness Worldwide Inc. announced it has named Carl Liebert III as chief executive officer, replacing company founder Mark Mastrov. Mastrov will remain chairman of the board of the San Ramon-based fitness center company, which has revenue of more than $1.25 billion. "We continue to see tremendous growth potential, both domestically and in Asia," Mastrov said. "It is the right time to bring in an experienced leader who will help us continue to execute our long-term business plan." 24 Hour Fitness is owned by investment firm Forstmann Little & Co. Prior to taking the reins at 24 Hour Fitness, Liebert was executive vice president at Home Depot Inc. He was responsible for sales, execution and operations for Home Depot's 2,000-plus stores in the United States and Mexico.
Just out today: the 2006 J.D. Power New-Home Builder Customer Satisfaction Study. If you're thinking of buying a new home, you owe it to yourself to check out this rich trove of information. (Full disclosure: J.D. Power is a sister unit of BusinessWeek in the McGraw-Hill Companies). You can find a press release about the study here. Pulte Homes and Centex Homes come out smelling like roses in sawdust. Pulte, including its Del Webb and DiVosta brands, ranks highest in 14 of 34 markets included in the study. Centex Homes ranks highest in 13 markets. Buying a new home can be frustrating. See if this blurb from J.D. Power comports with your own experience: More than 90 percent of new-home buyers report experiencing at least one construction problem with their new home.
Representatives from the Nebraska Department of Roads plan to conduct a question-and-answer session with the public Tuesday about its plan to widen a portion of Highway 36. The plan calls for increasing the number of lanes on the highway between I-680 and Highway 31. It could include construction of an interchange at Blair High Road. Department of Roads officials say homes and other structures might need to be acquired as part of the project. The meeting will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Bennington High School at 16610 Bennington Road. .
Picture this: David Corliss is guest speaker at a Lawrence Chamber of Commerce event last week. When the noon start time arrives, no one has stepped up to introduce Lawrence's newly named city manager. No problem. Corliss steps to the front of the room on his own. “Thank you for the warm introduction," he deadpans. “I'm Dave Corliss, and there has been a clerical error. I'm the new city manager." There he is, Lawrence: Dave Corliss. Two weeks ago, city commissioners made Corliss the sixth city manager in Lawrence history. A 16-year veteran of City Hall, Corliss started as a management analyst in 1990, then became director of legal services in 1996 and an assistant city manager in 2000. Now he's in the big chair and is putting on a big show for anybody who wants to hear about a new direction for the city.
Kara Homes Inc., the East Brunswick-based home builder, might be close to seeking protection from creditors under Chapter 11 of the bankruptcy law.
Earlier this week, at least some Kara Homes employees received a letter from the company notifying them that they were being laid off and stating that Kara "anticipates filing Chapter 11." Under that provision of the bankruptcy code, creditors claims are frozen by the court while the company can continue to operate as it attempts to reorganize. It was unknown how many employees were laid off, and the company official who signed the letter, Roberta W. Schultz, vice president of human resources and organizational development, could not be reached for comment. Patrick W. Turner, the general counsel for Kara, told the Home News Tribune that filing for Chapter 11 "is one of the alternatives we're considering." He said he would not comment on the letter.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, on Sunday, laid the foundation stone of Kankarbagh Drainage Scheme near the tempo stand saying the work on it would begin within a matter of weeks and would be completed within two years to rid the area from any drainage problem in the future.
"We had been waiting for this moment for over 12 years and today we have taken the first step in implementing this project. Once completed, the dwellers of Kankarbagh would not have to worry about rain water accumulating on the streets like they experienced this past monsoon season," Kumar said.
"Patna is a city but none of the facilities available here are even remotely suitable for a city of the size of Patna. We have initiated a number of projects and they will take time to complete but there are too many obstacles in our way that we are trying to overcome," he further said.
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