Ideal Industries names new VP
Ideal Industries, a maker of tools and equipment for the professional contractor, has promoted Nick Shkordoff to group VP and general manager of the electrical division. Previously, Shkordoff was president of Anderson Power Products, a subsidiary of Ideal that designs and manufactures high-power interconnects and accessories. He also served as president of Ideal Industries Canada.
Shkordoff will be responsible for overall business strategies, product development, marketing and sales.
Jeffrey Burkhardt, currently VP global sales and marketing for Anderson Power Products, will succeed Shkordoff as the company’s new general manager.
The company is also forming a new division to serve the health and safety market. It will be led by Glenn Hollister, the former group VP and GM of the electrical division.
Based in Sycamore, Ill., Ideal Industries makes a number of hand tools, testing and measurement devices, and products geared toward the electrical contractor.
Readers Respond: Accident on the road to a green economy
Readers weigh in on the failure of solar-panel manufacturer Solyndra, and the state of the green economy:
"Not every business plan is well thought-out. Just because you have a new Solar Photovoltaic technology (as was the case with Solyndra), there is no assurance that the initial increased costs per watt to consumers will be accepted.
“Solyndra’s business plan was predicated on economies of scale bringing costs into line with existing technologies. In an industry changing as quickly as renewable energy is today, last year’s plan is obsolete before introduction. Perhaps smaller production facilities and a gradual start would have been the answer, rather than a huge production facility that made a great backdrop for a sound bite."
— Bob Whelan
Washington Supply Co.
Washington Depot, Conn.
"The technology and cost-benefit is not there yet for solar or many green industries. Wind is the most compelling, but with out-of-touch bureaucrats nothing will happen until we have a complete change in Washington."
— James Bologeorges
"The incident with this solar panel company had nothing to do with ‘green’ products as much as influence peddling. This blight (influence peddling) is the main cause of the plight that this great country currently finds itself in."
— Richard Freund
Home Depot announces grants to veterans groups
As part of its "Celebration of Service" initiative to honor U.S. military veterans, the Home Depot Foundation announced $1.425 million in grants to nonprofits dedicated to addressing the housing needs of veterans.
The grant recipients are U.S.VETS, Center for Veterans Issues, The Jericho Project, Low Income Housing Institute and Renovating Hope. Across the country, these recipients provide more than 500 homes and apartments for veterans each year.
During the "Celebration of Service" initiative, the Home Depot Foundation will announce about $1 million in grants each Monday between Sept. 11 and Veterans Day (Nov. 11) to veterans’ initiatives. The grants will total $9.1 million.
"We are impressed by the quality of work being done by each organization, and we hope that our funding and volunteer assistance will allow them to serve even more veterans and their families," said Kelly Caffarelli, president of the Home Depot Foundation.
Sep-21-2011 06:42 pm