Company expands scholarship program to 35 communities across the country

CHICAGO (September 4, 2008) – With baby boomers preparing to retire from the ranks of the skilled workforce, a growing number of labor experts are raising concerns there is a shortage of workers with the critical skills required to replace retirees.  Recognizing the growing need, facility maintenance supplier Grainger today announced an almost fourfold increase in its technical education scholarship program from the original nine community colleges to 35 across the country.

“The economic health of America depends on the availability of qualified, skilled workers,” said Grainger President and Chief Executive Officer James T. Ryan.  “Grainger is proud to help students complete their technical education through our Tools for Tomorrow scholarship program.”

The expansion comes at the beginning of the third year of the Grainger Tools for TomorrowSM scholarship program.  The program provides funding for students at select community colleges throughout the nation to finish their second year of a technical career program such as Automotive Technology, HVAC, Welding, Electrical, Plumbing or Construction Management.  Upon graduation, the program recognizes their achievement with a Westward® tool package to successfully launch their careers.

“Students enrolled in technical career programs will help to meet a serious and growing skills gap in our country,” said American Association of Community Colleges President George R. Boggs.  “By stepping up to support their efforts, Grainger is not only helping deserving students, but the company is also investing in our nation’s economic success.”

Grainger recently awarded two scholarship to students enrolled in the Automotive Technology Programs at The Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) in Pittsburgh and St. Louis Community College.

Domenic DiMucci, a Pittsburgh resident, was nominated by the school’s faculty to receive the award. His instructors describe him as ‘an excellent student leader who is a team player, self-motivated and dedicated to the trade.’

“I’m really happy to be attending college, and this scholarship is helping with my expenses so that I can focus on my studies and apprenticeship,” reports DiMucci. “In the future, I would like to teach automotive technology at a college like CCAC to influence others like my faculty members here have done for me.”

Before coming to CCAC, Domenic was accepted into the automotive technician program at Crawford County Vocational Technical School and was named the automotive student of the year upon graduation.  While there he had the opportunity to join SkillsUSA, during which time he advanced to the state competitions and placed 3rd for automotive technology. In addition to being a full-time student at CCAC, Domenic works at Lake View Ford where he is a member of the Ford ASSET program, which helps pay for his education. Even with his busy life of work and school, Domenic has maintained a 4.0 grade point average and has been selected to the Dean’s List in his first two semesters.

“It is through ongoing partnerships with industry leaders like Grainger that CCAC is able to ensure a well-trained next generation of workers in western Pennsylvania,” said Rose Ann DiCola, executive director of the CCAC Educational Foundation. “Domenic’s hard work and focus proves that Grainger made the right choice in this scholarship selection.”

St. Louis Community College Student and resident Melinda Johnson also received an award.

“I am grateful for Grainger’s generous contribution that has helped to further my career in automotive technology,” said Johnson. “I’ve never really been one to sit at a desk. I prefer to be up and moving, working in a ‘hands-on’ environment. My personality and skills are a perfect match for a career in auto mechanics.”

“The industrial trades are in critical need of trained, skilled workers with an understanding of today’s modernized tools, technologies and processes,” said Ashok Agrawal, Dean of Mathematics, Science, Engineering and Technology at STLCC-Florissant Valley. “We thank Grainger for its support of technical education and for providing financial assistance to our students.”

2008 participating schools include:
o        Athens Technical College: Athens, GA
o        Central Virginia Community College: Lynchburg, VA
o        Cincinnati State and Technical College: Cincinnati, OH
o        College of Lake County: Grayslake, IL
o        Community College of Allegheny County: Pittsburgh, PA
o        Community College of Baltimore County: Baltimore, MD
o        Community College of Southern Nevada: Las Vegas, NV
o        Elgin Community College: Elgin, IL
o        Fletcher Technical Community College: Houma, LA
o        Florida Community College: Jacksonville, FL
o        GateWay Community College: Phoenix, AZ
o        Gateway Community College: New Haven, CT
o        Henry Ford Community College: Detroit, MI
o        Honolulu Community College: Honolulu, HI
o        Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana: Indianapolis, IN
o        Joliet Junior College: Joliet, IL
o        Kirkwood Community College: Cedar Rapids, IA
o        LA Trade Tech: Los Angeles, CA
o        Metropolitan Community College: Kansas City, MO
o        Miami Dade College: Miami, FL
o        Milwaukee Area Technical College: Milwaukee, WI
o        Minneapolis Community and Technical College: Minneapolis, MN
o        North Lake College: Irving, TX
o        Portland Community College: Portland, OR
o        Queensborough Community College: Bayside, NY
o        Red Rocks Community College: Lakewood, CO
o        Saddleback College: Mission Viejo, CA
o        Salt Lake Community College: Salt Lake City, UT
o        San Jose City College: San Jose, CA
o        South Seattle Community College: Seattle, WA
o        Springfield Technical Community College: Springfield, MA
o        St. Louis Community College: St. Louis, MO
o        St. Paul College: Twin Cities, MN
o        U of Alaska Fairbanks-Tanana: Fairbanks, AK
o        South Texas College: McAllen, TX

Students attending one of the above mentioned schools interested in applying for a scholarship should contact the dean of the trade program.

About Grainger

W.W. Grainger, Inc. (NYSE: GWW), with 2007 sales of $6.4 billion, is the leading broad line supplier of facilities maintenance products serving businesses and institutions in Canada, China, Mexico and the United States. Through a highly integrated network including more than 600 branches, 18 distribution centers and multiple Web sites, Grainger’s employees help customers get the job done.

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by Damon Lavrinc

With both Audi and Apple’s minimalist design ethos, it was simply a matter of time before they joined forces and offered a way to integrate the new iPhone across the four-ringed lineup. Any Audi model equipped with Bluetooth will allow the iPhone to be paired with the vehicle, giving users the ability to make and receive hands-free phone calls, as well as providing a signal strength indicator, assigning specific names to numbers (Work, Home, etc.) and allowing access to call lists.

On the music front, the addition of the Audi Music Interface will give the vehicles MMI system direct control of all the iPod capabilities of the iPhone, allowing users to navigate everything from playlists to albums. The AMI is available as an optional extra on the A5, A6, A8 and Q7, although we’d expect the full line of Audi vehicles to allow integration sooner rather than later.

[Source: Audi]

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FORD EDGE MUSIC FANS RESPONDING TO INNOVATIVE VIDEO PODCAST
Ford Edge and Rock River Music continue their series of downloadable full-length major label music video podcasts. More than 10,000 downloads have occurred.
March’s artists include Snow Patrol, Nelly Furtado, Peter Bjorn & John and La Rocca.

DEARBORN , Mich. March 16, 2007 – In February, Ford Edge launched the industry’s first free music video podcasts with its partner, Rock River Music. Music fans responded and downloaded more than 10,000 videos at http://www.fordvehicles.com/edgevideocast. The Edge podcast has consistently ranked in the Top 100 on the iTunes most played list throughout February.

This month’s artists include Snow Patrol, Nelly Furtado, Peter Bjorn & John and La Rocca.

“The first month’s response is further proof that we have found a unique way to connect Edge with consumer’s appreciation for music, style and technology,” says Dave Sanabria, cross vehicle marketing manager for Ford. “The video podcasts are a great way for us to showcase the Ford Edge and be relevant to that audience.”

The series of free music videos from Ford is also available at the Ford Edge Web site at www.fordvehicles.com/edgevideocast, iTunes and other music sites. Once somebody clicks on the series it will be delivered through RSS (really simple syndication) feed. Each month they will receive an automatic update of the series. All monthly episodes will be available for the full year.

About March’s Edge Vodcast Artists and Songs

Snow Patrol – You’re All I Have

UK natives Snow Patrol began as a modest indie rock band in the mid-90s, but in recent years their soaring, anthemic songwriting has propelled the band to headlining music festivals and multi-platinum record sales. The new single “You’re All I Have” is the latest from the album Eyes Open.

Nelly Furtado – Say It Right

For her latest album Loose, Nelly Furtado teamed with producer/genius Timbaland (Missy Elliott, Justin Timberlake, Jay-Z) with typically stunning results. The song “Say It Right” features a spooky synth-driven melody recalling sophisticated ‘80s pop groups like the Eurythmics. It is the second single from the album to hit #1 in the U.S.

Peter Bjorn & John – Young Folks

This Swedish trio has been building quite a buzz lately. Their debut single “Young Folks” (featuring guest vocalist Victoria Bergsman of the Concretes) was one of the major indie hits in Europe last year. The band is set to tour the U.S. in April & May, kicking off at the prestigious Coachella Festival.

La Rocca – This Life

Irish band La Rocca, formed in Dublin in 2002, borrow thedeir name from a seedy bar in Bristol, England where they played early shows. Their auspicious debut album, The Truth, appeared in 2006 and is stuffed with instantly familiar melodies. One of the best is the bittersweet “This Life,” a song that recalls lost love with a glimmer of hope for the future.

About the Edge

Bold American design distinguishes the 2007 Ford Edge in the red-hot crossover utility vehicle market – along with a dynamic driving character and innovative features. Equipped with an all-new 265-horsepower V-6 engine and 6-speed automatic transmission, Edge will deliver performance, quietness and fuel efficiency. Ford Edge has impressive EPA estimated fuel economy of 25 mpg on the highway.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures and distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With about 300,000 employees and more than 100 plants worldwide, the company’s core and affiliated automotive brands include Aston Martin, Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury and Volvo. Its automotive-related services include Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.fordvehicles.com.

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By Chris Woodyard, USA TODAY

For sleepless car owners who decide they need to check their tire pressure in the middle of the night, General Motors has a solution.
GM (GM) plans to introduce a remote-control key fob next April that will allow drivers to not only determine the pressure in each tire, but also check the odometer reading, see if there’s enough fuel in the tank to make it to work in the morning, change the radio station settings and see if they remembered to lock the car doors, to name a few.

The device will be a $150 option on Cadillac Escalade luxury SUVs and other full-size GM SUVs, pickups and crossover-utility vehicles.

“One of the overarching themes people told us they wanted was security and safety,” GM spokesman Tom Henderson says. Being able to reassure themselves about their vehicles without leaving the house is one way to satisfy that.

The feature builds on GM’s expertise as the first automaker to introduce remote start, which made its debut in the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu and now is available from other automakers and as an add-on accessory.

GM says it will be first to offer remote two-way communication with the vehicle using a liquid-crystal display on the fob. The fob will operate at four to six times the range of competitors’ keyless entry systems, GM says.

Automakers have been giving the remote-control key fob more and more tasks beyond the ability to lock or unlock the doors from a distance. Some will operate the power windows. Others are keyed to a car’s memory settings and reset seats, mirrors, stereo and other functions to the driver’s preference after a different driver has been using the vehicle.

BMW and Mercedes-Benz offer systems that adjust a vehicle’s seats and mirrors to a drivers’ personal preferences not from the fob, but as soon as the driver touches the outside door handle.

Volvo is planning a keyless entry system that can detect a heartbeat and alert the driver if someone is lurking inside the car. That’ll be introduced on a new version of the S80 sedan in the USA in February. The same technology, with some changes, should eventually be able to remind drivers if they forget and leave children in the car.

GM says its two-way fob will cost less than $100 to replace if it’s lost or broken. And it should be hard to break, Henderson says. For testing, it’s been dropped, dunked underwater and sprayed with saltwater.

GM says the feature probably will be considered a bargain. Consumer test panels showed that interest in the feature rose, rather than fell, when panel members were told what GM planned to charge.

[Sorce USA Today

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Buy a Jaguar, get a RAZR. And an iPod. Perfect stocking stuffers that when opened and the laser engraved Jaguar logo noticed, could lead your loved one to rush outside to see the real present in the driveway. What a cute image. If it shows up in a commercial, we want royalties.

Besides the customized looks on the phone and pod, the iPod even comes pre-loaded with

Jaguar content including XKR: 90 Brand Film, XK “Attractive” TV commercial and a Jaguar history film. The phone and video/MP3 player are part of the new XJ Holiday Technology Package, which will be standard on all XJ sedans sold between November 13, 2006 and January 2, 2007.

Making the gift even better is the fact that the XJ features Jaguar’s Audio Connectivity Module, which integrates the iPod seamlessly into the car’s stereo. The now standard Bluetooth on all 2007 XJs will also allow most basic cell phone functions to be handled through the on-board vehicle controls. That includes the steering wheel buttons, audio system keypad or navi/info touchscreen.

[Source: Jaguar]

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By Noah Joseph on modena

Aluminum giant Alcoa has opened a new facility in Modena specifically to provide aluminum space frames and components to Ferrari.

The two companies began collaborating in 1994, when Ferrari determined that the lightweight metal was the way to go to reduce weight and improve the dynamics of its road cars, and began producing the space frames for the 360 Modena in 1998. Today Alcoa is Ferrari’s development and construction partner, with the aluminum conglomerate providing the frames for the F430, 612 Scaglietti and the new 599 GTB Fiorano.
Until now, Alcoa produced the components at their own plants in Hungary, Germany and the Netherlands and sent them to the Ferrari factory in Italy where Alcoa personnel assembled them into full space frames at Scaglietti Works, Ferrari’s body panel facility. With the new state-of-the-art 5,000-square-meter, million-euro facility, Alcoa will produce the space frames on site. The factory includes two high-speed robotic machining centers, two robotic joining centers and 12 space-frame assembly cells.
Alcoa’s overall investment in Italy totals nearly $300 million, having taken over Alumix in 1996 and incorporating six facilities: three extrusion plants, two smelters and one rolling mill, employing 1,900 workers directly and 4,000 indirectly. While we’re not likely to see any direct results from the new facility, it should help Ferrari produce its cars more efficiently, which is good all around.
[Source: FerrariWorld via Motorpasion]

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