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Americans Deeply Divided Over Offshoring By U.S. Companies
Tuesday, June 08, 2004SAN FRANCISCO -- The nation appears to be deeply divided over the practice of off-shoring by American businesses, with nearly 60% of respondents to an Employment Law Alliance survey saying companies that send work overseas that could be done by U.S. workers should be punished by the federal government.Other survey findings include:39% of American workers believe that American companies should be free to outsource work overseas.58% believe that companies outsourcing work that could be done by Americans to offshore contractors should be penalized by the U.S.
Bioscience Industry Makes Gains in Pennsylvania
Tuesday, June 08, 2004SAN FRANCISCO -- Pennsylvania's bioscience industry is stronger than ever, with 83,860 jobs in the industry and an average employee salary of $65,060, trade association Pennsylvania Bio announced here yesterday.The report, introduced at the Biotechnology Industry Organization's 2004 International Conference here, examines the size, scope and wages of the bioscience industry; venture capital investment; and funding through the National Institutes of Health.Some 2,038 businesses are part of the Keystone State's bioscience and bioscience-related industries, and these companies pay a total of $5.5
InfoCision Invests $2 Million in Contact Center Technology
Tuesday, June 08, 2004AKRON, Ohio -- InfoCision Management Corp., the nation's third largest privately held teleservices firm, last week completed the final phase in a $2 million technology upgrade of its 21 contact centers in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.InfoCision equipped all its communicator booths with PC-based workstations, including Web access and software from Interactive Intelligence. The company also expanded its inbound customer-care and call-blending capabilities.
Akron-Canton Airport, AirTran Airways Host Boston Tea Party"
Tuesday, June 08, 2004GREEN, Ohio -- The Akron-Canton Airport and AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings Inc., today are celebrating new daily nonstop flights between Akron-Canton Airport and Boston's Logan International Airport. The service began June 5."We realize travelers in Northeast Ohio are in need of low-fare flights to the East Coast, so we're pleased to be able to offer this new nonstop service to Boston," says Kevin Healy, AirTran Airways vice president-planning and sales.
"Akron-Canton Airport, AirTran Airways Host Boston Tea Party"
Monday, June 07, 2004"GREEN, Ohio -- The Akron-Canton Airport and AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings Inc., today are celebrating new daily nonstop flights between Akron-Canton Airport and Boston's Logan International Airport. The service began June 5."We realize travelers in Northeast Ohio are in need of low-fare flights to the East Coast, so we're pleased to be able to offer this new nonstop service to Boston," says Kevin Healy, AirTran Airways vice president-planning and sales.
"Cole National Reports $500,000 Net Loss"
Monday, June 07, 2004"CLEVELAND -- Cole National Corp., a retailer of optical services and personalized gifts with over 2,900 locations throughout North America and the Caribbean, today reported a net loss of $500,000 for the first quarter of fiscal 2004 compared with a net loss of $6.4 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2003.The gross margin rate at Things Remembered, which operates a distribution center in North Jackson, Ohio, increased to 72.8% from 72.5% in last year's first quarter as a result of an increase in personalization sales, which carry a high gross margin rate.
Two More Large U.S. Companies Drawn to China
Monday, June 07, 2004ATLANTA -- Close on the heels of General Motors' plans to invest some $3 billion to expand operations in China over the next three years (read story), another major U.S. manufacturer and a DIY superstore today announced plans to enter and expand in the country.The Home Depot, the world's largest home improvement retailer, will formally create a business development operation based in China and has named Bill E.
U.S. Hispanics Rapidly Embracing Internet
Monday, June 07, 2004This report is new this week in The Business Journal's small business how-to section. To see what else is new, click here or click on the "how-to" tab at the top of The Daily Business Journal Online home page.U.S. Hispanics are relatively new to the Internet, yet they recognize the value it brings to their family and are quickly making its tools and features part of their daily lives. In addition, Hispanics are outpacing the general online market in their use of some of the most advanced features of the Internet, a recent study finds. <more>"
General Motors Continues Rapid Expansion in China
Monday, June 07, 2004SHANGHAI, China -- General Motors today announced plans to continue the aggressive growth of its business in China. Pending government approval, the total amount of new investment is expected to exceed US$3 billion over the next three years. The funds will be allocated for a number of new projects including the introduction of some 20 new vehicles and powertrains, creation of new facilities at GM's local engineering and design center, the expansion of GM's existing manufacturing joint ventures, and the launch of a new financing joint venture.
HMO Rates Continue Double-Digit Increases
Monday, June 07, 2004LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill. -- Preliminary 2005 Health Maintenance Organization rates will increase almost 14%, continuing a trend of double-digit health care cost increases, but the rates are showing signs of moderation, according to new data from Hewitt Associates Health Resource. As U.S. companies begin to negotiate health plan rates for 2005, data shows that initial HMO rate increases are averaging 13.7% compared to 17.5% at the same time last year.