News editor: Hunter Reigler, 691-7310 • Business editor: Mary Kissel, 691-7341 MESSENGER-INQUIRER

SUNDAY Inside: Columnist JULY 4, 2010 Rachel Beck writes that GM has more work to do to show why investors should D BUSINESS buy its stock again/D3 & still flexible Top: Rick Thompson, 5500 executive vice president at Ken-Tron Manu- facturing Inc., displays a power outlet used in automo- biles on Wednesday that is manufactured at Ken-Tron. Left: Nelda Bickwermert, an employee of Ken-Tron Manu- facturing Inc., checks the take-up machine that was reeling lines of nickel-plated steel used for guitar strings on Wednesday at the Industrial Drive business. The nickel-plat- ed steel had gone through an annealing fur- nace, which makes it softer, said Thompson. Ken-Tron has two divisions — parts and wire — and about 70 employees, Thompson said.

Photos by Jenny Sevcik, Messenger-Inquirer From receiving tubes to the color TV explosion to the Internet, Ken-Tron Manufacturing and its president are still adapting By Joy Campbell Kentucky Electronics struggled in its Messenger-Inquirer “I had a primary, infancy. second and third In 1962, the company received a cash n June of 1960, Bob Hudson was looking mortgage and had infusion for expansion when Texas Gas for a summer job to help him fi nish his Transmission Corp. bought controlling Ilast year at Western Kentucky University. everything on the interest. His new wife, Patsy Miller Hudson, had line. But I knew And in 1966 “everybody geared up as a job. The couple had met at the Bowling color television sales exploded,” Hudson said. Green business college that is now part of that if it was run Kentucky Electronics was making grid Western. properly, we could wires for GE’s receiving tubes. During Hudson landed a job at a small company make a go of it.” this time, the company reached peak then-called Kentucky Electronics. employment at 600 and had six plants The 23-year-old never left. — Bob Hudson, Ken-Tron president, operating in Owensboro. And in 2001, he became sole owner of the on becoming co-owner in 1983 “We thought it would last forever, but it Owensboro company now known as Ken- leveled off,” he said. Tron Manufacturing Inc. long list of industries that includes medical, Transistors replaced receiving tubes. In June, the plant’s 67 employees aerospace, music and electronics. In 1967, facing overcapacity and foreign celebrated the 50th anniversary of a competition, the company laid off about 200 company that has stayed the course through Owner recalls ups and downs people overnight, Hudson said. recessions and morphed several times Fifty years ago, the start-up wire During the high-growth period, KE as technology and product markets have company employed 13 people with General started construction on a 144,000-square- changed. Electric as a primary customer. A year after foot building. Reels turn as they are loaded with wire Wednesday at the Ken-Tron Today it supplies metal stampings and opening, a metal stamping operation was plant on Industrial Drive. wire forms to a diverse set of customers in a added. See 50/Page D3 Owensboro area riding wave of job, construction momentum he Owensboro their jobs. for Turner Construction, the Madisonville. Organization Technical but neither have inked their region has the Owensboro Medical fi rm overseeing the project. McClearn didn’t give fi rm Advisory Committee meeting deals. T big M going for Health System also Local fi rms will have more dates for the bidding on the Tuesday. Maybe last week’s us. reported that local opportunities to compete for stretch between Kentucky 54 The bypass extension announcements will help Momentum is companies have contracts as the hospital project and Reid Road, but Payne said is another segment of the solidify some plans. building. gained $25 million in progresses. It’s expected to the news was a good signal that connector between Interstate 64 • America imported $209 Last week ended contracts so far in the open in 2013. the project is moving faster than and Interstate 65. million worth of fi reworks from on a positive note design development Another important expected. All of this, combined China in 2009, which was the for the region with stage of building a 447- announcement — a bit under The District 2 engineer also with continued work on the bulk of all fi reworks imported Gov. Steve Beshear bed hospital at 1041 the radar — got the attention of gave an update on phase one downtown development project, into the U.S. announcing that U.S. Pleasant Valley Road. Mayor Ron Payne this week. that will connect U.S. 60 East should present a positive Exports of U.S. fi reworks Bank Home Mortgage Joy More than two- The state will soon advertise with Kentucky 144. That project picture to other prospects. only amounted to $42.9 million will add 500 new jobs Campbell thirds of the total $385 for bids for the second phase of is going well with blacktopping • And speaking of that. last year, according to Foreign in Owensboro, and Messenger- million price tag, or the U.S. 60 bypass extension, likely by the end of the contract Two Owensboro developers Trade Statistics in the U.S. Swedish Match will Inquirer $270 million, will be according to Kevin McClearn, season. contacted this week were Census. invest $3.7 million in spent on construction, the chief district engineer for The information was shared optimistic about future its Owensboro plant according to Merrill the Kentucky Transportation at the Owensboro-Daviess announcements for new Joy Campbell, 691-7299, to keep almost 300 workers in Bowers, senior project manager Cabinet’s District 2 in County Metropolitan Planning businesses at various locations, [email protected] D2 MESSENGER-INQUIRER, Sunday, July 4, 2010 Market Roundup PEOPLE IN BUSINESS Thomas B. Phelps has of directors for the Kentucky meeting July 15 in Frankfort EchoStar Corp 19.04 19.79 -.75 Peabody Energy 38.99 43.55 -4.56 been promoted to senior vice Society of Certifi ed Public as the Kentucky Chamber of This Last president at BB&T. Accountants Commerce’s designee. Ericsson Tel 10.80 10.97 -.17 Penney JC Co Inc 21.16 23.21 -2.05 Week Week Chg. Phelps, who joined the bank He was recognized at that He will represent the AK Steel Hold 11.71 13.83 -2.12 Exxon Mobil Corp 56.57 59.10 -2.53 PepsiCo 61.53 60.77 +.76 in 2006, is the senior credit group’s annual meeting June engineering interests of AT&T Inc 24.29 24.79 -.50 Fannie Mae .33 0.39 -.05 Pfizer Inc 14.14 14.64 -.50 Advance Auto Parts 51.01 50.90 +.11 FedEx Corp 71.41 75.96 -4.55 offi cer in BB&T’s Western 15 and began his offi cial duties chamber members. Pier 1 Imports 6.11 6.51 -.40 Kentucky Regional Credit July 1. The formation of the Aegon NV 5.43 5.84 -.41 Fifth Third Bcp 11.82 13.37 -1.55 Procter & Gamble 59.38 59.79 -.41 Aetna Inc 26.25 28.47 -2.22 Ford Motor 10.28 10.75 -.47 Department. He is based at 230 KyCPA board membership Commonwealth’s Strategic Prudential Fncl 53.89 57.55 -3.66 Frederica St. is voluntary, and members Plan for Geospatial Data and Alcatel-Lucent 2.53 2.76 -.23 Fortune Brands 38.71 42.29 -3.58 Qwest Commun 5.24 5.27 -.03 Alcoa Inc 10.00 11.23 -1.23 Freddie Mac .38 0.45 -.08 The Lexington, N.C., native are elected by the general Services will be built on the RadioShack Corp 20.52 21.28 -.76 earned his bachelor’s degree membership. council’s information and Allstate Corp 28.28 30.83 -2.55 Gen Dynamics 58.70 62.80 -4.10 Regions Fncl 6.24 6.99 -.75 Altria Group 20.31 19.70 +.61 Gen Electric 13.88 14.91 -1.03 in Spanish from Wake Forest More information on KyCPA direction. Rent-A-Center Inc 20.31 21.97 -1.66 Amazon.com Inc 109.14 121.00 -11.86 Goldman Sachs 131.08 139.66 -8.58 University. is available at www.kycpa.org. Riney, managing member Republic Bancorp 22.03 23.45 -1.42 Am Ele Pwr 32.39 32.99 -.60 Goodyear 10.01 11.40 -1.39 BB&T Corporation (NYSE: of HRG, PLLC Surveying & Research in Motion 48.14 52.23 -4.09 Am Express 39.42 42.49 -3.07 Google Inc 436.55 472.68 -36.13 BBT) is the 10th-largest fi nancial James Engineering, recently served Reynolds American 52.44 51.37 +1.07 Am Intl Grp 33.10 36.95 -3.85 vjGrace W.R. & Co 20.30 22.82 -2.52 services holding company in R. Riney, on the Kentucky Board of Rite Aid Corp .92 1.01 -.09 Apple Inc 246.94 266.70 -19.76 HNI Corp 26.03 29.73 -3.70 the U.S. with more than $163 professional Licensure for Engineers and Ruby Tuesday 8.27 9.13 -.86 Ashland Inc 44.37 51.49 -7.12 Halliburton 25.74 26.34 -.60 billion in assets and market engineer and Surveyors. Sara Lee Corp 13.99 14.58 -.59 ATMOS Energy 26.82 27.90 -1.08 HealthSouth Corp 17.71 19.37 -1.66 capitalization of $22.4 billion, as professional He continues to serve the Sears Holdings Cp 62.64 72.52 -9.88 Avon Products 26.46 27.49 -1.03 Hewlett Packard 42.81 45.92 -3.11 of March 31. surveyor, will National Council for Engineering BB&T Corp 26.02 28.76 -2.74 Home Depot 27.76 30.20 -2.44 Sherwin Wms 69.43 71.48 -2.05 More information about participate in and Surveying in licensure BCE Inc 29.17 30.21 -1.04 Honda Motors 28.59 29.85 -1.26 Shoe Carnival 19.22 20.66 -1.44 BB&T is available at www.BBT. the Kentucky examination development BP PLC 29.35 27.02 +2.33 Honeywell Intl 38.53 41.60 -3.07 Sirius XM Radio Inc .96 1.09 -.14 com. Geographic for national examinations Baidu Inc 67.55 76.10 -8.55 Humana 44.34 48.10 -3.76 Sonic Corp 7.76 8.20 -.44 Information administered in more than 50 Bank of America 13.84 15.42 -1.58 Intel Corp 19.20 20.03 -.83 Southern Co 33.38 33.28 +.10 Kevin W. Schwartz, CPA Advisory states and territories as well Best Buy Co 33.86 35.02 -1.16 IBM 121.86 127.12 -5.26 Sprint Nextel Corp 4.16 4.20 -.04 with Schwartz CPA Group LLC, Council’s James R. as in use internationally for Big Lots 32.77 32.40 +.37 JPMorgan Chase 35.83 39.39 -3.56 Staples Inc 19.19 20.09 -.90 is a new member of the board initial Riney candidate qualifi cation. Biglari Holding 280.00 320.61 -40.61 Johnson & Johnson 59.08 58.70 +.38 Starbucks Cp 24.35 26.81 -2.46 Boardwalk Pipeline 30.48 30.00 +.48 Juniper Networks 24.08 23.72 +.36 Target Corp 49.53 50.50 -.97 Boeing Co 61.94 68.77 -6.83 Kimball Intl 5.65 5.97 -.32 Texas Roadhouse 12.50 13.34 -.84 REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS Brist Myr Sqb 24.69 25.25 -.56 Kimberly Clark 60.49 61.47 -.98 3M Company 77.67 78.90 -1.23 Brown-Forman A 58.83 59.18 -.35 Kinder Morg Engy 64.68 65.97 -1.29 Time Warner 28.20 30.76 -2.56 The following Daviess County to Charles E. Mountjoy, 5030 Kentucky 1514, John H. Burger King Hldgs 16.66 17.66 -1.00 Kohls Corp 48.28 49.52 -1.24 Toyota Mot 68.26 70.00 -1.74 real estate transfers were $125,000. Helmers, master commissioner, CSX Corp 47.70 52.25 -4.55 Kroger Co 19.86 20.23 -.37 Travelers Cos 48.54 51.12 -2.58 recorded May 2-5: 6471 Lilac Lane, Wells Fargo to U.S. Bank National Capital One Fncl 39.43 43.44 -4.01 LSI Corp 4.50 4.91 -.41 Tyco Intl Ltd 34.43 37.11 -2.68 Century Aluminum 8.60 10.50 -1.90 6306 Waterfi eld Drive, Financial Kentucky Inc. to Association, $50,850. Level 3 Commun .97 1.19 -.22 Tyson Foods 16.43 17.30 -.87 Chevron Corp 67.31 70.06 -2.75 Bevonna Scott to Elizabeth K. Christina Hocker, $52,000. 3511 Legacy Run, Damita Lilly Eli 33.67 33.94 -.27 UniFirst Corp 43.33 41.84 +1.49 Cisco Syst 21.13 22.18 -1.05 Payne, $112,000. 3127 Dade Cove, Rita H. Latise Porter to Carus Financial Loews Corp 33.57 33.88 -.31 Unilever NV 27.42 28.17 -.75 Citigroup 3.79 3.94 -.15 Lowes Cos 20.27 21.33 -1.06 3727 Legacy Run, UPS class B 56.76 60.35 -3.59 John H. Rouse to Daniel Wayne Wilson, Corporation, $113,000. CocaCola 50.05 50.26 -.21 Macy’s Inc 17.85 19.02 -1.17 US Bancorp 21.88 23.31 -1.43 Helmers, master commissioner, $142,500. 3511 Legacy Run, Cartus ConocoPhillips 48.82 51.92 -3.10 MainSource Finl Grp 6.57 7.83 -1.26 US Steel Corp 37.66 43.24 -5.58 to Kentucky Housing 6555 Springwood Drive, Financial Corporation to Jennifer Constellation Brds A 15.39 16.01 -.62 Marathon Oil 30.83 32.75 -1.92 Ventas Inc 46.41 48.56 -2.15 Corporation, $75,000. Robert and Kristine Kruchten to Amy Posadas, $113,000. Cracker Barrel 46.31 47.40 -1.09 MasterCard Inc 202.77 218.24 -15.47 Verizon Comm 26.81 26.70 +.11 8930 Crisp Road, Bradley E. Chad and Samantha Burcham, 1935 San Anita Circle, John Dana Holding 9.49 11.25 -1.76 McDonalds Corp 66.14 67.42 -1.28 Viacom Inc A 35.46 37.96 -2.50 Kinney to Jesse L. Mayfi eld, $216,000. H. Helmers, master Deere Co 54.50 59.44 -4.94 Merck & Co 34.22 35.93 -1.71 Visa Inc 73.18 76.66 -3.48 Dell Inc 12.03 12.93 -.90 MetLife Inc 37.20 41.01 -3.81 $68,000. 1810 Fieldcrest Drive, Pat commissioner, to Jerry and Jamie WalMart Strs 48.00 48.80 -.80 Dillards Inc 20.97 23.81 -2.84 Microsoft Corp 23.27 24.53 -1.26 226 Tremont Drive, Ronald L. Powell Clark to Richard K. and Kessinger, $1,650. DineEquity Inc 26.45 29.58 -3.13 Morgan Stanley 22.83 25.01 -2.18 Walgreen Co 26.36 26.93 -.57 Presser, master commissioner, to Stacy Anderson, $210,000. 10747 Kentucky 1389, DirecTV A 33.64 35.83 -2.19 Motorola Inc 6.48 7.07 -.59 Waste Mgmt Inc 31.81 32.15 -.34 Federal National Mortgage 2508 Winning Colors Way, Lewisport, Ryan Derek Ison to Disney 31.38 33.48 -2.10 NYSE Euronext 27.34 28.78 -1.44 WellPoint Inc 47.43 51.75 -4.32 Association, $51,000. Thompson Homes Inc. to Arthur Brandon J. and Tabitha W. Lucas, Domtar Corp 48.26 52.47 -4.21 WendysArbys Gp 4.00 4.17 -.17 Nike Inc B 67.86 70.12 -2.26 1214 St. Ann St., Judy White P. and Carolyn J. Abel, $179,856. $170,000. Dow Chemical 22.97 25.18 -2.21 OCharleys 5.10 5.90 -.80 Weyerhauser 34.49 37.30 -2.81 DuPont 34.06 36.66 -2.60 Office Depot 4.09 4.58 -.49 Whirlpool 84.10 96.65 -12.55 Duff & Phelps Corp 12.10 12.13 -.03 Old NBcp IN 9.80 10.86 -1.06 Williams Cos 17.67 19.82 -2.15 eBay Inc 19.26 20.95 -1.69 Oracle Corp 21.83 22.66 -.83 Xerox Corp 7.99 8.69 -.70 BANKRUPTCIES EMC Corp 18.04 19.24 -1.20 PNC Financial 55.67 61.03 -5.36 Yahoo Inc 14.07 14.81 -.74 The following Owensboro- East Kodak 4.30 4.90 -.60 Panera Bread Co 76.09 78.98 -2.89 Yum! Brands Inc 38.53 40.96 -2.43 Robert M. and Jeni L. Smiley, Owensboro. area bankruptcies were fi led from Hawesville. Brian D. Greer, 2235 Eastland June 24-30: (Chapter 7 — Court- Timothy Gerard Cureton, Drive, Owensboro. appointed trustee sells assets, 1036 Standish Place North, Tracey Lynn Butler, 4530 and debtor is discharged of Owensboro. Hunters Trace, Owensboro. Brother of debts; Chapter 13 — Debtor Sue Catherine Stanley, 3409 Floyd L. Smith, Greenville. Business Briefs arranges to pay debt.) Comanche Place, Owensboro. From staff reports Lionel Jason Carbon, 613 dead wrestler Chapter 13 Chapter 7 Jackson St., Owensboro. Nathan Scott Jones, Central Action Pest Control merges Walter E. Phillips, 117 E. 18th Joey S. and Kristin M. City. critical of St., Owensboro. Action Pest Control Inc. has merged with Blessinger’s Carpenter, Beaver Dam. Houston Ray and Thelma Exterm-It-All of Jasper, Ind. Action is headquartered in Kimberly K. Kemp, Danny Joe and Susie Mae Dee Bowman, Sacramento. Evansville with branch offi ces in Owensboro, as well as Hawesville. WWE lawsuit Caskey, Central City. Joseph Kenneth and Amanda Washington and Indianapolis. John Richard Burgard, By Susan Haigh Kathy LaVonne Towery, Ashley Oliver-O’Toole, 2308 The company will continue through operations at the Jasper Calhoun. branch. Associated Press 3843 Rudy Martin Drive, Bittel Road, Owensboro. Action has been ranked in the Top 100 industry companies HARTFORD, Conn. — Pro by Pest Control Technology magazine for the last seven years. wrestler Bret “The Hitman” Hart Blessinger’s Exterm-It-All was founded in 1989 by Terry and said he supports World Wres- Pam Blessinger and provides services to customers in Jasper tling Entertainment’s release of and all of Dubois, Spencer and Pike counties. a new video featuring his late The new Action Exterm-It-All offi ce is at 1117 S. State Road brother, Owen, despite his sis- 162 in Jasper. ter-in-law’s lawsuit against the company and its leaders, includ- ing Connecticut U.S. Senate can- JA honors companies, individuals didate Linda McMahon. Junior Achievement gave awards to seven local companies, In a recent telephone inter- one high school class and two volunteers for their service view with The Associated Press, during the 2009-10 school year. Hart said the video that prompt- The President’s Volunteer Service Awards were presented ed Martha Hart’s lawsuit is a to the following: Best Buy, both Walmart stores, Old National tribute to his family and its long Bank, PNC Bank, Sam’s Club, U.S. Bank and the Daviess history in professional wrestling. County High School Introduction to Education class. “It was done with really good Each award winner gave a minimum of 200 volunteer hours taste,” he said from his home during the 2009-10 school year. in Calgary, Canada. “As a fam- The criteria for these awards for individuals, groups and ily, we’re really proud of it and families is to have met or exceeded requirements for volunteer Martha’s lawsuit sort of makes service and have demonstrated exemplary citizenship through it seem like there’s something volunteering. They are issued by the President’s Council on bad or wrong about it. It’s just a bunch of brothers and sisters Ea$y Pay Service and Civic Participation. The Bill Elmer Volunteer of Excellence Award was celebrating the memory of the Join presented to Chip Pride with Old National Bank, and Lauren whole family.” Mayhew of Daviess County Teachers Federal Credit Union. Last month, Martha Hart Pride volunteered 60 hours, and Mayhew amassed 88 hours announced she had filed the teaching JA programs in six to seven classes in various schools. lawsuit claiming that Stamford- and get a $10 gift card to Elmer, a past president of Texas Gas, founded JA of based WWE, McMahon and her Owensboro in 1959. The award was established during the husband Vince used images of 2008-09 school year to recognize individuals who show his Owen Hart in at least 37 videos, passion for JA. including “Hart & Soul: the Hart Family Anthology,” without her knowledge or permission. She said she had made it And Save clear she did not want her late Mortgage Rates husband’s likeness associated with WWE. Up to Bank 30-year Origination Points Phone Rate Fee Owen Hart died May 23, 1999, after falling from an appa- $ 00 First Security 4.375% 0.75% 0% 688-4672 ratus about 80 feet high before a First Liberty Financial 4.75% 685-2085 crowd of 16,500 people at Kem- 36 Bank 3/1 ARM Annual Lifetime Phone per Arena in Kansas City, Mo. Rate Cap Cap A WWE attorney has called First Liberty Financial 3.875% 685-2085 Martha Hart’s lawsuit “a political stunt” coming as Linda McMa- Limited time only while quantities last. Bank Home Equity Rate Phone hon campaigns as the Republi- First Security 1.99% 688-4672 can Party’s endorsed candidate ❏ to replace U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd. Yes, I want to join “M-I Easy Pay” Rates are as of 4 p.m. Wednesday. Rates are adjusted daily. A 3/1 In a posting on his website ARM is an adjustable rate mortgage. The interest rate is fi xed for three this week, Bret Hart said his and send me a $10 Gift Card to Kroger. years and then is adjustable annually thereafter. Lending institutions brother “would turn in his grave wishing to be included in this list should contact Robert Bruck, city watching Martha erase every Monthly Bank or Credit Card Draft Enrollment Form Deduction will be made on the 5th or 20th (circle one) of every month by editor, at 691-7306. single thing he ever did, all for Paxton Media Group spite.” Subscriber Name: ______Choose subscription type: BUILDING PERMITS Address: ______❑ Daily/Sunday $18.95Only $15.95 ❑ Daily Only $12.85 ❑ Weekends $11.00 City:______State______Zip______Complete one of the following: 8850 Kentucky 815, Image residential storage building with 1100 Walnut St., Crossroads Phone:______❑ Checking/Acct # ______Builders. Construct a single- porch, $14,000. Contracting. Remodel an offi ce, Name of Financial Institution: ______❑ family home, 1,760 square feet. 2808 Summer Valley Lane, Suite 205, $25,000. Savings/Acct. # ______311 W. 10th St., RLK Farms. Martin Custom Building. 2805 Wimsatt Court, Barry’s ❑ CC# ______Enclose this form. (And a voided check if drafting from a bank account) The bank or credit Reconstruct a portion of a Construct a single-family home, Construction. Construct a front Expires ______account you selected will be debited monthly for the above selected amount. Your signature demolished storage warehouse 3,818 square feet. porch, $7,800. Circle Type: Visa MC Disc Amer. Ex. well, $40,000. 661 Carter Road, Chad 2002 Scherm Road, Stan indicates that you have read the terms state. Return to: Circulation Dept., 1401 Frederica 4443 Harbor Hills Trace, Clayton. Construct a front porch Lightner. Construct an attached Street, PO Box 1480, Owensboro, KY 42302. I understand that I will be provided with a notice at least 10 days prior to the payment Image Builders. Construct a addition, $3,500. garage addition, $7,000. date if the amount is different. In addition, I have the right to stop payment of a charge single-family home, 3,786 square 2912 Bittel Road, 6423 Old State Road, by notification of the Messenger-Inquirer up to three business days prior to the charging Signature______Date ______feet. Thompson Homes Inc. Anthony Newman. Cover an of my account. This authority will remain in effect until revoked by me, the M-I, or my 3120 Kentucky 54, C&C Construct a single-family home, existing patio, $2,250. Signed form is required for Easy Pay registration bank. I will notify the M-I of any address, financial institution or account changes. Construction. Remodel a tenant 2,395 square feet. 6465 McPherson Road, space, $25,000. 3140 Trails Way, Jagoe Payne Construction & For more information call 684-5261 or 800-633-2008 SFG 1934 Hughes Ave., Oda Homes Inc. Construct a single- Remodeling. Construct a single- Shouse Jr. Construct a detached, family home, 2,143 square feet. family home, 1,623 square feet. MESSENGER-INQUIRER, Sunday, July 4, 2010 D3 ALL BUSINESS GM must prove its stock is worth buying again NEW YORK brands than it did a year ago with we need to know that the new hink back to what seemed eight. It has stricter controls over managers are committed to both to be a lifetime ago — like production, and its inventories run products and consumers,” says Ta whole three years — and about 400,000 units, half of what Erich Merkle, who runs auto you’d be hard-pressed to fi nd they were a year ago. Consumers industry analysis and consulting someone who didn’t have GM are paying on average $3,000 more fi rm autoconomy.com in Grand stock in some part of their for GM vehicles this year than Rapids, Mich. portfolio. last. It leads in China, the world’s GM also faces an uncertain It was one of the fastest growing market. global economy. most widely held stocks GM is moving in GM’s sales have been rising, in the world and one of the right direction, and but not necessarily because the world’s best-known it’s not a bad idea for of brisk buying by American brands. the automaker to go consumers. Strong sales from And then it crashed public. But one strong fl eet customers such as car rental and burned. quarter, or even two, agencies and the government isn’t enough to ensure a boosted GM’s results in May. Jenny Sevcik, Messenger-Inquirer/[email protected], 926-0123 We’re on the other side of that story now. successful offering. Those sales pulled back in June, Boxes of small metal parts that are used to make Thompson, executive vice president at Ken-Tron, The turnaround of GM GM shouldn’t rush slowing the pace of GM’s overall lithium batteries have passed fi nal inspection at said the lithium batteries that receive the parts are has begun, or so its an IPO. There’s too growth. For June, GM’s total sales Ken-Tron Manufacturing Inc. on Friday. Rick used in military communication equipment. leadership is telling us. Rachel much at stake. The rose about 11 percent, compared GM earned $865 million automaker needs to with 17 percent gain in May. in the fi rst quarter, its Beck cash out its current U.S. consumers in June fi rst profi t since 2007, Associated owners — starting with dramatically cut their expectations 50: Quality, ‘competitive price’ sought and has slashed more Press the U.S. government, to buy a car within the next than $10 billion in costs which owns 61 percent six months, according to new From Page D1 Hudson said while that has day, the air-conditioned plant by closing plants, cutting of the company — and research by The Conference improved effi ciency, he misses is comfortable even with six jobs and reducing health care convince new investors that the Board, a private research group. “By the time we were the rapport that was developed furnaces putting out heat. expenses and debt. stock is a good buy. Working against GM, and all through, we had half the with customers in the United In one room, automatic lights Numbers like that would In order to do that, GM still automakers, is the fact that nearly employees we had planned for,” States who moved business off- come on when entering, one normally give a stock a boost. has plenty to prove, such as one in 10 Americans remain Hudson said. shore. of the effi ciencies the plant has But there’s a catch: GM fi led for turning out new products that unemployed. “Car sales are a The United Steelworkers of Both executives tout Ken- implemented. bankruptcy court protection last become winners. A crucial test is function of job security,” says Van America began representing the Tron’s employees. As electricity goes up, Ken- summer and one of the bluest coming up in September when it Conway of the consulting fi rm plant’s 300 or so employees in “A lot of people have worked Tron continues to look for ways of blue-chip stocks hasn’t traded will roll out its latest small car, the Conway MacKenzie, Inc. 1968. here 35 years or more and have to stay competitive, Thompson since then. Chevrolet Cruze. Any slowdown abroad could Other changes came to the raised a family and sent their said. Now, a year after emerging GM has never been able to also hurt GM, especially since plant in 1973. Texas Gas decided kids to school, but they’re still “We need both quality and a from bankruptcy, GM is preparing produce a decent compact car, but the automaker’s executives say KE was no longer a fi t and working,” Thompson said. “That competitive price,” he said. for an IPO that could hit the its executives say this time will be international sales are a key driver hired consultant Ken Best Sr. to says a lot.” The recession took a bite out market by the fourth quarter. different. It better be, since more of growth. A third of GM’s sales in recommend a plan for divesting. of Ken-Tron with sales down Analysts estimate GM could be drivers are expected to look for 2009 came from foreign markets. Best bought the plant in 1973, Plant having ‘controlled 35 percent last year. This year, worth at least $70 billion, topping smaller cars in the coming years Of particular concern is GM’s European business, which Hudson said. growth’ Hudson expects sales to go back the peak value of around $60 instead of gas-guzzling SUVs. continues to lose money and isn’t KE got out of the big, new Ken-Tron is experiencing up to where they were before billion it reached in 2000. The Cruze has to be as expected to be profi table until building and operated at its controlled growth. that hit. It’s a bold assessment for a reliable as the Toyota Corolla or next year. Economic conditions current plant and another facility On a plant tour, Thompson Ken-Tron has a fi ve-member company that a year ago was Honda Civic, the top-selling U.S. in Europe have deteriorated in points out the two distinct board of directors that meets nearly dead. But GM executives compacts. It will sell for $17,000, on Wing Avenue. recent months, and the euro has operations conducted in the quarterly. say that today’s GM is making slightly more than its competitors “We got into doing assembly tumbled this year against the U.S. facility — manufacturing parts on Hudson expects his company money and operating more but with more standard features. work for IBM in Lexington and dollar. That makes U.S. exports started doing much better,” one side and wire on the other. will continue to do well, but he effi ciently. They took that sales The company’s executive pitch to Wall Street Tuesday at a team is also mostly new, and more expensive abroad. Hudson said. That lasted 10 The wire department runs three does have some concerns for GM still has a few months years, and the company opened shifts, and parts operates one U.S. manufacturing in general. gathering of 200 fi nancial analysts some of its top leaders have never at a GM facility near Detroit. worked in the auto business. to persuade investors why they two plants in Portland, Tenn. shift. “There is a whole bunch of should buy their stock again. If Hudson and Bill Cundiff Thompson gives examples stuff coming out of Washington “We are not re-introducing GM Chief Financial Offi cer Chris today,” said Ed Whitacre, GM’s Liddell came from Microsoft last its executives want the “new” GM bought KE in 1983, creating Ken- of the factor’s work. Ken-Tron that is not good for business,” he shares to hold the same value and Tron. makes fi laments that go in said. chairman and chief executive. December, and Stephen J. Girsky, “We are introducing a new GM, who was named vice chairman of prestige as the “old” GM stock “At that time, I had a primary, stadium lighting and component He cites the uncertainty of once did, they still have some because we are a new and a much corporate strategy and business second and third mortgage and parts that go into lithium the impact of health insurance work to do. had everything on the line,” batteries that U.S. troops have reform and continued different company than we were development in February, was a Hudson said. “But I knew that in their backpacks for radio discussions about cap and trade. 12 months ago.” long-time Wall Street auto analyst. Rachel Beck is the national if it was run properly, we could communications. “I started working for $80 Whitacre and his team make “There has been a lot of make a go of it.” It also makes a part used for a week, and I probably would a convincing case. GM is selling shuffl ing in the management business columnist for The It took from three to fi ve a circular, surgical knife and the have taken $60,” Hudson said. “It more vehicles today with four ranks over the last year, and Associated Press. years, but it slowly built up. wire used for hip replacements was a struggling company, and I Hudson bought Cundiff out and for staples. spent a lot of time here in those in 2001. The company also makes days.” Rick D. Thompson, the wrap wire for guitar strings. These days, though, the 74- executive vice president, joined “It’s neat to see some star year-old has cut his hours back NEW FOR YOU TODAY Ken-Tron in 1987. on stage playing the guitar and to two to three hours a day. He “I would say we are a knowing that in all likelihood the plays tennis twice a week. 0216 Education/ 0240 Skilled Trade 0244 Trucking conservative company, but it’s a wrap wire came from Ken-Tron,” When he fi rst retired, he Teaching good conservative,” he said. “We Thompson said. found a lot of projects to do Drivers: Great benefits, Take Truck Home. don’t take a lot of risk, but if we In August or September, around the house. Good Hometime! OTR All 48 States. do, it’s calculated.” Ken-Tron expects to launch its “His wife and I have a deal CDL-A, 2 yrs.. 888-880-5921 x123, x117 Another big change for Ken- core wire line. That new product that we have to accept him here centraloregontruck.com Tron has been in the role the line was a suggestion from for a few hours a day,” Thompson OAKLEY TRANSPORT OTR positions Manufacturing Engineer Internet plays in operations. customers, Thompson said. joked. now available in your area!!! THE HINES GROUP Ken-Tron does business with The company also maintains Instructional Specialist l: New Equipment! Premium Pay Package Provides quality, professional academic Great Benefits! Need Hazmat and its own equipment. Joy Campbell, 691-7299, JOB DESCRIPTION companies in Brazil, Mexico and support, conducts presentations, TWIC Card Call 877-882-6537 India. On a 90-degree-plus June [email protected] maintains records, and updates the for your opportunity today! Teaching & Learning Center website. THE HINES GROUP has an immediate www.oakleytransport.com For detailed job description and opening for a Manufacturing Engineer. application process, visit: 0509 DAVE SAYS http://www.mycareernetwork.com/ MANUFACTURING ENGINEER Devel- Household Goods clientResumeMgr/?cid=274. ops timelines for new stamping dies, OCTC/KCTCS is an EEO/ADA coordinates projects with internal and 26 cu. ft. Black Frigidaire, side by side institution. Women and minorities external resources, prepares capital Refrigerator with ice and water. 3 yrs. are encouraged to apply. equipment justifications, intiates cost reduction projects using Six Sigma and old. Just like new! $450 926-4456 Travel sports are a luxury Lean Mfg principles, and works in a col- 0563 This & That 0232 General Help laborative cross-functional team envi- ronment. Dear Dave: My husband Dear Dave: My wife and I they have an argument against (3) Cemetery Plots in Rosehill (Top Of Desired Qualifications: Engineering lost his job a few months are following your plan, and something, then they have no The Hill) $1,795 each 270-535-3643. ago. He’s found another one we’re in the middle of paying argument in the fi rst place! City of Bowling Green Degree, apprenticeship certification or POLICE OFFICERS equivalent experience, 5-10 years of 0804 Boats for Sale since then, but we’re still off our debts using the debt A lot of talking heads think it’s Minimum requirements: Age 21-50, stamping and tooling experience, trying to rebuild our fi nances. snowball. When we told my smart to not pay off your home. High School graduate or equivalent, knowledgeable in progressive, deep valid driver's license, and ability to pass At the same time, mother-in-law that They’ll tell you things like it’s draw and/or multi-slide applications, Pontoon Boat Lowe Classic '90 24 ft., a written exam and meet specific proficiency in 6-Sigma/Lean improve- 100hp Johnson motor, new custom fitted our daughter plays by doing this we’d better to borrow money against physical fitness requirements. Complete ments, excellent project tracking skills, cover, $5,500 270-688-0125, 316-5134 softball on a travel be able to pay off your house and invest it in the application packets are available on our and expertise in machining, welding, as- team. It’s a great our house within 10 stock market. What they won’t website at: www.bgky.org or by sembly, automation, plating, finishing, 0820 Campers/Trailers character-building years, she told us that tell you is that there’s virtually contacting Human Resources at or metallurgy. experience, but the would be a stupid nothing there by the time you (877) 260-3987. Application Deadline: July 16. the City of Bowling Green is THE HINES GROUP specializes in Terry Fleetwood '97 30 Ft. Bunk beds, costs involved can be move. She couldn’t adjust for risk and taxes. an Equal Opportunity Employer precision metal stamping and machining slide out, includes Reese Hitch $7,400 pretty high. Do you give us a reason Another line they’ll throw and Drug Free Workplace. serving the consumer electronics, 270-688-0125 , 316-5134 think we should cut why she thought it out is that you don’t want to lose medical, industrial, firearms, and down on the travel was stupid, but we your tax deduction. If you have a automotive markets. team activities for a couldn’t convince her $200,000 loan at 5 percent interest, THE HINES GROUP offers a competi- while? — Natasha otherwise. How can you’ll pay about $10,000 a year in tive salary and comprehensive benefits Dear Natasha: You’re Dave we explain things to interest. Now, let’s also say you package, and relocation assistance. right. Playing sports Ramsey her? — Jason make $70,000 a year, and you’re in THE HINES GROUP provides a world can be a great part of Syndicated Dear Jason: Okay, the 25 percent tax bracket. That class operation with an air-conditioned the character-building columnist she’s telling you it’s a $10,000 tax deduction is saving factory, an on-site cafeteria, and a com- process. But she can bad idea, but she has you $2,500 in taxes. In essence, plimentary fitness center available for learn character lessons no idea why it’s a bad you’re sending $10,000 to the employees and their families. playing in a softball league at your idea? It sounds to me like she’s mortgage company to keep from Please directly email us a Word copy local park. She doesn’t have to the dumb one if she thinks you sending the government $2,500. of your resume to: travel all over the place to learn should behave a certain way, You’d be better off to be debt-free [email protected] or visit: those kinds of things. but can’t even tell you why. If and give $10,000 to some charity www.thehinesgroup.com If you have kids, there’s a someone can’t tell you why or your church. to submit an employment application. pretty good chance you’re going to spend some money to help encourage their hobbies and Find the job Check Out interests. That comes with the territory, and it should be a fun that can provide and rewarding experience for all your business that's right these and everyone. You just have to take a look at your fi nancial situation — for you! and the kid’s desires and abilities consulting needs? other great — and make sure it’s a reasonable amount of money. READ CLASSIFIEDS In your situation, playing on a travel team right now is a luxury. CONSIDER IT You don’t need to be footing the Trust us to be a bill for hotel rooms and gas and stuff while you’re trying to get YOUR SOLD back on solid ground fi nancially. in the Chances are, this child is not CLASSIFIEDS going to make a living playing softball. Even if she is that good, www.rineyhancock.com 926-6161 she can still sharpen her skills in (270) 926-4540 Riney Hancock CPAs 800-633-2008 a hometown league until you guys PSC are back on your feet. D4 MESSENGER-INQUIRER, Sunday, July 4, 2010 Agriculture

Homemade foods have new safety rules Beef Production Field Day set; more voles seen Regional Beef Production For more information, contact fi elds early to prevent abundant Field Day will be the Daviess County Extension weed growth will provide a less A Tuesday at Kentuckiana Offi ce at 685-8480. favorable habitat and expose Livestock Market and at the them to predators. farm of Tim Taylor. Vole Problems in Area Fields Scout fi elds and borders for This event is sponsored Voles, often referred to as voles at least 30 days prior to by the Green River Area meadow or fi eld mice, have the time crops are to be planted. Cooperative Extension increased in number Areas with good drainage and Service offi ces and and damaged some soil aeration are most attractive area agribusinesses. area crops this year. to these rodents and should be Registration will begin According to Dr. checked fi rst. at 5:30 p.m. at the Tom Barnes, Extension stockyard and a meal Wildlife Specialist, FSA Crop Reporting Deadline will be served at 6 p.m. voles run on a four- Farmers have until July 15 The program will start year cycle. This is to report their acreage of corn, soon after. undoubtedly the peak soybeans, grain sorghum, Topics of discussion year and it has been tobacco, fruits, vegetables, will include an update made worse because hay, pasture and other spring on the CPH45 calf Clint Hardy of the abundant rainfall seeded crops to the Farm marketing program and Daviess County early that provided Service Agency. how tobacco settlement Extension extra food and habitat Complete crop reports with money has been used for their runs. all cropland accounted for are at the stockyard to Service Voles feed actively required for farms participating improve facilities both day and night in the Direct Counter Cyclical Associated Press utilized by the Green throughout the year. Payment Program; Conservation A customer buys a bottle of pickled vege- that allows small vendors to sell high-acid River CPH45 sales. The group High-protein grasses and Reserve Program and farms tables June 26 at a farmer’s market near canned foods, such as pickled fruits, salsas will then move across the road legumes are their favorite foods, requesting Loan Defi ciency downtown Milwaukee. Wisconsin lawmakers and sauerkraut, without a license. to Taylor’s farm. but they readily feed on grains Payments. Producers will also enacted the so-called Pickle Bill in February Taylor implements top when available. These animals be requested to provide planting management strategies in the create above-ground runways dates for the crops they report. business of purchasing calves from 1 to 2 inches wide through The FSA offi ce will be and backgrounding them to existing vegetation that have closed July 5 in observance of enter in the CPH45 sales. holes leading to an underground Independence Day, so producers We will discuss a feed test tunnel system. are encouraged to plan offi ce currently being conducted by This system could contain a visits around this date. Please Safe to Eat? the University of Kentucky family (a pair of adults and their call the FSA offi ce to schedule an at Tim’s farm, as well as young) or a colony of voles. appointment to report your crops. By Dinesh Ramde ventilation systems, which lawmaker from trying to ease enterprise analysis information The feeding radius of a vole Failure to report crops can Associated Press can cost tens of thousands of regulations. related to cow/calf and beef colony may be 10 to 15 feet, result in a loss of program dollars, as well as meet strict Wyoming doesn’t require MILWAUKEE backgrounding farms. but the average feeding area is benefi ts; a late fi le fee will be cleanliness standards and licenses for people making An application by the Green approximately one-fourth acre. charged to reports received t Wisconsin farmers consent to regular inspections. “non-hazardous” foods such River Area Beef Improvement As for control, the only thing after July 15. markets, vendors no If they don’t own appropriate as jams, jellies and baked Group to administer the 2010 available is zinc phosphide Crops that are planted after Alonger need licenses to facilities, they can sometimes goods, but Rep. Sue Wallis, Daviess County Agricultural that Kentucky has a 24C label July 15 have 15 days after the sell pickles, jams and other rent commercial kitchens. R-Recluse, wants to eliminate Investment Program has been for in no-till corn and you planting date to report the crop. canned foods, while small But even that can cost too all restrictions when cooks approved. need a special addition to the For more information, call the farmers in Maine can sell much for people who just want sell products directly to This fi eld day will serve as an planter to place the pellet in Daviess County FSA Offi ce at slaughtered chickens without to make a few extra dollars, informed consumers. educational requirement event to the furrow. This is a restricted- 684-9286 ext. 2. worrying about inspections. said Joan Arnold, a retiree in Her legislation, which participate in the CAIP this year. use pesticide. Tillage will Federal and state laws Rudolph, Wis. She made a wouldn’t apply to foods If you have not attended any also reduce the population by Reminders require that most food sold to few hundred dollars last year sold in stores or served to other agricultural educational destroying the habitat, exposing The Extension Offi ce will the public be made in licensed selling jams from berries she schoolchildren, was tabled event or conference this year them to predators. be closed Monday for the facilities open to government grows in her garden before during the last legislative and would like to participate The best way to control Independence Day holiday. inspectors. But as more she learned of the regulations. session but she plans to in cost share opportunities, voles without zinc phosphide The last day to consign people become interested in “I don’t make that much. reintroduce it. the fi eld day would meet those pellets is to take preventative calves for the August CPH45 buying local food, a few states I’m just doing this as a hobby, “How (opponents) can criteria. measures. For no-till, spraying sale is July 7. have created exemptions to make a little bit of money,” possibly claim what I decide for amateur chefs who sell Arnold said. “I don’t want to what I put in my mouth is homemade goods at farmers just throw the berries in the something the government markets and on small farms. compost heap.” should be regulating is The exemptions have She’s now exempt from ridiculous,” she said. “Then touched off a debate about the rules under the Pickle you’re imposing on my rights how to balance the need for Bill, which applies to people as a consumer to eat the food food safety with a dose of who earn less than $5,000 a I choose.” regulatory common sense. year from food sales. Their Lawmakers in Maine     Supporters say they products, however, must be approved legislation last year   recognize food safety labeled as made in a facility not exempting small chicken    regulations designed for big subject to state inspection. farmers from stringent     commercial food handlers Many food safety offi cials, processing rules that apply can be a burden for small- however, say that label to larger poultry producers. time cooks who just want doesn’t do enough to protect Those with fewer than 1,000 to make a few extra bucks the public. They worry that birds don’t need to use selling canned goods or other without inspections, food made the same kind of elaborate specialty products. in unsanitary conditions could — and costly — slaughtering Opponents say that without make people sick or expose facilities, but their products regulation, the public is at risk them to unlabeled allergens. also must be labeled for food-borne illnesses. “The two major failures accordingly. Wisconsin lawmakers in food production are Rep. Jeff McCabe, enacted the so-called Pickle temperature control and D-Skowhegan, said he Bill in February. Among personal hygiene,” said introduced the bill because of other things, it allows small Robert Harrington, director interest in locally produced vendors to sell high-acid of the Casper-Natrona County foods. By freeing small farms canned foods, such as pickled Health Department in Casper, from onerous rules, he said, fruits, salsas and sauerkraut, Wyo. “If someone says they more customers can buy without a license. shouldn’t have to follow food from down the street It does not apply to low-acid regulations because they’re instead of from a giant poultry canned goods, such as pickled making food in their home, I’d processor thousands of miles eggs, which typically carry a say, ‘Why is your home so safe away. higher risk of contamination. that it doesn’t need that level “Now farmers have a little To get a license, food of oversight and control?’ ” more freedom to develop processors must have Those concerns haven’t that relationship with their approved refrigeration and stopped one Western customers,” he said.

Pediatric & Adult Nebulizers

       Yes, we do that too!                                                                      !  !       Y   

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