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Business Oakville Beaver 0 The Oakville Beaver, W ednesday December 8, 2004 - C5 BUSINESS EDITOR: ROD JERRED · Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 5559) Fax 905-337-5567 email editor@oakvillebeaver.com · WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8,2004 New CEO for Ford of Canada Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited, has announced the appointment of Joe Hinrichs as president and CEO, effective Jan. 1, 2005, replacing Alain Batty who has been named director of European sales staffs, Ford of Europe. Hinrichs is currently the director of manufacturing at Ford Motor Company. "Joe brings a wealth of experience to Ford of Canada as a strong business leader and operational expert," said Anne Stevens, group vice president, Canada, Mexico and South America, Ford Motor Company. "As a key player in our prod uct creation process, he has in-depth knowledge of the unprecedented wave of new vehicles now arriving at Canadian showrooms." Hinrichs, 37, joined Ford four years ago and has held a variety of roles in vehicle manufacturing, materials plan ning and logistics, and powertrain operations. Prior to join ing Ford, Hinrichs served as partner and senior vice presi dent for Ryan Enterprises Group, where he ran a tier-one automotive supplier, and spent 10 years at General Motors where at 29 he became the youngest plant manager in GM's recent history. " I want to personally thank Alain for his unwavering commitment to the success of Ford in Canada. Under his leadership, the company has strengthened its dealer rela tions, achieved record levels of customer satisfaction and secured a $1 billion investment to bring flexible manufac turing to the Oakville Assembly Plant," Stevens said. Batty, a French national with strong family ties in Canada, is a 27-year Ford employee whose career has spanned four continents, including roles as the president of Ford Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), executive director of the 14-nation Asia-Pacific region, general sales manager in France, and managing director of Ford operations in Spain, Portugal, Belgium and Luxembourg. " It has been an honour to serve as president and CEO of Ford of Canada as it celebrated its 100th year," Batty said. "We have many recent accomplishments to be proud of -the opening of our new Canadian headquarters, strong partner ships with our dealers, hitting new heights in customer sat isfaction and remaining the top-selling automotive brand in Canada in a tough competitive environment - all of which position the company for even greater success in the next 100 years." As director of manufacturing, Hinrichs oversaw the manufacturing, quality and launch of numerous new prod ucts at six assembly plants and worked with the product cre ation process to develop and launch innovative, competitive vehicles. "I look forward to working with the entire Ford of Canada family -- ' its employees, dealers, labour partners and suppliers to build on the momentum that Ford of Canada has generated in the last few years and to continue to drive forward its commitment to great products, a strong business and a better world," Hinrichs said. " It will be excit ing to introduce to the Canadian consumer more new prod ucts than ever before while continuing to focus on Ford of Canada's proven excellence in customer satisfaction." Ford of Canada's operations include a national head quarters, six regional offices, five vehicle assembly and engine manufacturing plants, two parts distribution cen tres, and affiliates including Ford Credit, Jaguar, Volvo, Land Rover and Hertz. Ford of Canada employs nearly 16,000 people, while an additional 21,000 are employed in 500 Ford and Ford-Lincoln dealerships across Canada. In 2003, revenues for Canadian operations were $20.8 billion, making Ford of Canada one of the country's largest private ly held companies. For more information, visit www.ford.ca. SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS: Bronte merchants have joined forces to help raise money for Christian's Dream Foundation to benefit Rose Cherry's Home for Kids this Christmas shopping season. Pictured here are botton row (left to right) Barbara Kerr, True Life Chiropractic, Carlos Soares, Online Travel Centre, (top row, left to right) Chris Manyard, Manyard Menswear, Michael and Laura Killip,Twisted Fork, Ela Delacor, Delacor Studio, Vinnie DiRollo.Vinnie's Cafe, and Dr. Jeff Belutz, True Life Chiropractic. Bronte merchants spread the Christmas spirit By Ross Gordon SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Vinnie DiRollo, of Vinnie's Cafe and a team of local business people are providing an opportunity to get shoppers back in touch with the elusive spirit of Christmas. The beneficiaries of these fundraising activ ities will be the 350 chronically ill children, and their families, who annually attend Rose Cherry's Home for Kids in Milton. Proceeds are raised under the auspices of Christian's Dream Foundation, in memory of Christian DiRollo. Christian's Dream Foundation has chosen Rose Cherry's Home for Kids to receive this support. To date, the Foundation, founded by Vinnie DiRollo, John DiRollo, Rose Strong, and Marisa Bucciarelli, has donated $120,000 to the facility, which provides respite and pallia tive care. The giving takes shape as follows: At Vinnie's Cafe patrons will find a Christmas tree decorated with butterflies, which sell for $2 each. DiRollo is also giving away every 20th fresh brewed coffee, but with a catch. The recipients are directed to go out and perform an act of kindness for someone else. Give a hug to make someone's day, shovel a sidewalk, or relieve someone's loneliness with a caring conversation. "You pay it forward," DiRollo explains, alluding to the Hollywood movie of the same name. "We need to realize how blessed we are", says DiRollo, who, despite the tragic passing of her son Christian at age 9 in 2003 to a degen erative illness, promotes love and giving to others as an antidote to sadness and loss. Several local businesses are sharing this spirit of giving. True Life Chiropractic in Bronte is conducting a toy drive which started Nov. 22. In addition, for the month of December, the clinic will waive normal fees charged for initial chiropractic examinations. Donations from patients collected in lieu of fees go to Christian's Dream Foundation. On Dec. 22, patients will have the opportunity to donate to the Foundation, as adjustment fees are waived. That day is an open house, with carol ing, and later, warm drinks at Vinnie's Cafe. Call 905-465-2210 for more details. Other Bronte businesses such as OnLine Travel Centre, TWisted Fork Restaurant, Maynard's Men's Wear, and Delacor Studio (Ladies' Fashions) are offering butterflies for sale. Maynard's is providing free socks to every 20th customer, with the proviso that they pay it forward. Rose's Baskets will be selling butterflies, and challenges other home based businesses to take part in the sales. Bucci Salon in downtown Oakville is also challenging downtown businesses to take part. Hbc launches new charity toy program Sheridan marketing students win gold at provincial competition Oakville student plays key role in top place finish A team of Sheridan Marketing students came out on top at the 25th annual Ontario Colleges Marketing Competition (OCMC), held recently at Georgian College in Barrie. The team of 16 second and third-year students competed in a total of 1 1 marketing events, and received awards in five categories to achieve the overall Gold Award. Among the team members was Lisa Marion, an Oakville resident who teamed up with fellow student Laura Bolta to win first place in the marketing research category. This year's win marks the second gold place finish for Sheridan at this competition in the past four years. "Our students work hard and perform well at OCMC under the guidance of our excellent professors," says Gerard Mercer, Dean of the School of Business. A total of 14 faculty and staff coached the award-winning team. The Ontario Colleges.Marketing Competition is held each year and draws competitors from 15 colleges across the province. Sheridan's Marketing Program prepares students for employment in the fields of business and consumer product and service marketing. The curriculum includes making professional business presentations, developing comprehensive marketing plans, conducting market research, and using a systems approach to customer management. Working in teams, students also conduct a marketing research survey and a comprehensive marketing plan for a local business. A computer simulation that depicts real mar ket environments and the use of current marketing case studies bring actual work challenges into the classroom. BARRIE ERSKINE / OAKVILLE BEAVER Carm Bozzo, of Halton Women's Place, left, was on hand to launch the sale of the Hudson Bay Company's new charitable plush toy program. In recognition of the new program each of the comapny's almost 450 stores will donate $500 in gift cards to local charities. The plush animals will be sold for $5.99 at Bay, Zellers and Home Outfitters stores with proceeds going to local charities. Also on hand for the launch were (left tor right) Peter Withall Home Outfitters Store Manager, Dario Morelli, Assistant Store Manager, The Bay, and Barry Atkinson, Store Manager of Zellers. SANTA'S HELPERS: