Special reports
GAMALIEL — A local interior decorator and business owner, LaDonna Pare, was recently honored with two design awards in an international design contest.
Pare received her awards during Interiors by Decorating Den’s 40th annual design conference, which was in San Diego, Calif. May 18-22.
While at the conference, Pare attended seminars on eco-friendly furnishings and creating outdoor living spaces.
She and her husband also participated in “Tour Diego,” a design tour that featured both the historical architecture and the contemporary luxury homes of the seaside village of LaJolla.
Pare has owned her franchise since 2003 and serves southcentral Kentucky and northern-middle Tennessee.
Pare’s entries were judged with more than 300 others in Interiors by Decorating Den’s 2009 International Dream Contest.
Established in 1969, Interiors by Decorating Den is an international interior decorating franchise with more than 500 decorators worldwide.
Outside judges are used for this annual contest and this year, included editors from Traditional Home, House Beautiful, House & Garden, Better Homes & Gardens, This Old House and Good Housekeeping.
Winners were based on their design excellence, effective use of color, pattern and scale, creative problem solving and overall presentation.
Lewis joins BG Tech economic team
BOWLING GREEN — Jim Lewis, an authority in lean manufacturing, has joined the Workforce and Economic Development team of Bowling Green Technical College.
He will work with area business and industry to develop a strategy for improved productivity and cost containment, both of which are crucial for profitability, especially during the current economic crisis.
Lewis has been championing the lean business philosophy as an industry consultant since 1992.
He has 35 years experience in operations management, engineering and the lean business philosophy in a variety of industry environments, including printed circuit boards, plastics, automotive, foundry, metal fabrication, furniture manufacturing, packaging and visual merchandising.
Lewis is also a columnist for FDM Magazine and the author of Learn to be Lean and Story of a Lean Journey.
Deere says 800 workers leave in voluntary program
MOLINE, Ill. — Deere & Co. said Tuesday about 800 salaried workers have decided to leave the world's largest farm machinery maker under a voluntary separation program.
The number of workers taking the offer was about four times as many as the company expected when it announced the program in April and represents about 3 percent of Deere’s overall salaried work force.
The company expects to realize $75 million in savings in the first year, after pretax expenses of about $100 million recorded mostly in the fourth quarter. Previously, the company expected $50 million in savings.
In April, the Moline, Ill.-based company said it would combine its agricultural and commercial and consumer equipment divisions. The job cuts are intended to help the company reduce costs and meet customer needs more efficiently.
Deere said at the time it expected to eliminate about 200 salaried jobs.
Spokesman Ken Golden said Tuesday more employees — many with more than 20 years experience — took the offer to leave. The company has 27,500 salaried workers, he said.
Golden did not know what the terms of eligibility were.
Deere has benefited from strong sales of farming machinery despite a drop in construction equipment orders amid the housing slump. But the global credit crisis and lower crop prices have made it more difficult for buyers to obtain financing for new equipment, and Deere earlier this year slashed its 2009 earnings outlook and suspended quarterly forecasts.
