NGK Spark Plugs today announced it will be consolidating its spark plug manufacturing in the U.S. to its Sissonville location.

NGK has indicated that plans for the transition of production equipment from California to Sissonville should begin in October, and the move means new jobs creation at the company’s Sissonville site. 

“The consolidation of manufacturing into one location enables us to manage our process with a single team and facilitates better economies of scale” explained Bob Pepper, vice president of manufacturing and operations.

The company opened the Sissonville spark plug portion of their West Virginia operations through an expansion in May of 2008 with intentions of expanding capacity to meet market demands. Changes in the auto industry and forecasts for recovery created the need for consolidation and accelerated the timing for the West Virginia­­­­­­ expansion. 

“An expanded West Virginia campus will further strengthen our global network and better position the company to service its North American manufacturing customers,” Pepper said.

NGK opened an oxygen sensor plant near Sissonville in 1995. It opened a distribution center nearby in 2001 and expanded it in 2006. NGK underwent a $15 million expansion at Sissonville two years later. NGK now has nearly 300 employees at its Sissonville location.

NGK was the first Japanese-based company to establish operations in West Virginia. Sen. Jay Rockefeller was instrumental in attracting the company to the region. West Virginia now has about 20 Japanese businesses operating throughout the state.

The Alliance’s predecessor, BIDCO, was heavily involved in developing the Sissonville facility, and the ability to expand that facility is one reason NGK has opted to expand at its West Virginia site. 

The Kanawha County Commission and West Virginia Economic Development Authority have also been instrumental in assisting the company through its several expansions. 

As the regional economic development organization, the Alliance has offered to assist NGK throughout the transition. Specifically, Alliance economic development and workforce personnel will assist the company with identifying qualified candidates for job opportunities created by the transition.

If NGK associates choose to transfer from California to West Virginia, we will assist those individuals and their families, too.

“Increases in manufacturing are always welcome, especially in a challenging economic environment,” said Alliance President and CEO Matt Ballard. “The Charleston Area Alliance is pleased to be a long-term partner with such a tremendous and successful company such as NGK, and we are committed to assisting the company continue their success through this transition. West Virginia’s quality workforce, our low cost of doing business and our central location in the eastern United States make this state a perfect location for continued growth in manufacturing.”

If you join the Charleston Area Alliance, what’s in it for you?

Join us from noon to 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 11 at the Alliance, 1116 Smith St., for “Insider’s Guide to the Alliance: Maximizing Your Membership Dollar.” 

Starting at less than a dollar per day, you can be part of a network of 600 businesses and their 40,000 employees who are making smart investment in their bottom line future – and the future of our community – through their membership in the Charleston Area Alliance.

To help you get the biggest bang for your membership buck, the Alliance is presenting a FREE “Insider’s Guide to the Alliance” luncheon on Monday, October 11. Reservations are limited and an RSVP will be required for admittance.

Don’t miss out on the many benefits of Alliance membership … contact Deb Coffman at DCoffman@CharlestonAreaAlliance.org or (304) 340.4253 today to register.

Not a new Alliance member? You don’t have to be to attend this orientation!  Maybe you’re just curious about Alliance membership or maybe you’re already a proud Alliance member—either way, we’re happy to host you as we help you maximize your membership. 

You’ll meet face-to-face with Board members, Alliance staff and fellow members and learn about the many Alliance programs and services that can help your business today, such as: 

• Business referrals:  As a member, your name is added to our industry-specific roster of businesses and service providers and posted on our Web site.  The hundreds of inquiries we receive each year for recommendations are directed to the businesses that have demonstrated their professionalism and commitment to our community through their Alliance membership.
• Free technical assistance and business solutions:  Our economic development and technical professionals can provide guidance on a wide range of issues, from land development, to selling your products internationally to recruiting specialized personnel.  If we don’t have the answer, we know who will.  Help is just a phone call away.
• Networking and business contacts:  Our popular Business After Hours, Charleston Business Showcase, Generation Charleston and Elevations Professional Women’s Network are just a few of the low-cost forums available for connecting with others and raising the visibility of your business.
• Expertise:  Our Food for Thought series, Digi-Tools and other educational programs provide very affordable ways for you and your employees to hear from the experts and stay abreast of industry trends.
• Marketing:  Through our “Member Market” program, you can promote your business to the 3,000+ business people, young professionals and community leaders on the Alliance’s exclusive email list for only $150 ($100 non-profits).   Members may also submit information for inclusion on our blog and calendar of events at no charge.
• Special events:  Our popular special events, such as the Annual Celebration, Issues & Eggs breakfast, Speed Networkingand Golf Outing, provide members with cost-effective and highly visible opportunities for showcasing their businesses to decision-makers and business and community leaders in a professional setting (more…)

Join us for our next Food for Thought Luncheon from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 8 at the Charleston Area Alliance. This session, led by Jon Duffy, will focus on:

• What colleges are looking for in students
• College planning timelines
• College success factors including individual emotional intelligence
• And more…

Cost to attend this Food for Thought Luncheon is $20 for current Alliance members/$30 for future members.  Seating is limited and an RSVP is required to attend.   Lunch will be provided. 

Click here to register.

For more information, contact Lesley Hager at LHager@CharlestonAreaAlliance.org or (304) 340.4253.

About the speaker:
Jon earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from West Virginia University in 1991 and a master’s degree in school counseling from Marshall University Graduate College in 1998. His professional experience includes coordination of a school-to-work program in Kanawha County, nominated as Youth Service Provider of the Year by the Bureau of Employment Programs.

Jon has also coordinated professional health science student rotations in Kanawha County, served as a school counselor and has spent the past seven years serving as an educational consultant to colleges and universities throughout the U.S.

Notably in 2005, Jon co-authored research published in The Journal of the First-Year Experience & Students in Transition—investigating factors contributing to college freshmen achievement. Jon most recently served as co-chairman for the 2008 Higher Education Symposium on Emotional Intelligence at Georgetown University.

The Alliance will be able to invoice only for groups of 10 or more. Contact Deb Coffman at DCoffman@CharlestonAreaAlliance.org for more information.

The Alliance cannot issue cancellation refunds within 48 hours before the event. Thank you.

Unlike previous generations, when workers were often segregated by age and promoted on the basis of seniority, today’s new hire could find herself working with a peer that could be a grandparent’s age. This shift has had a dramatic impact on corporate culture and company performance, since priorities, attitudes and workstyles can vary with each generation. 

For example, “My way or the highway” managers tend to drive Baby Boomers crazy, while “flashy” or “schmoozy” bosses turn off Gen X’ers.  Both the oldest and youngest employees — World War II generation and Millennials — are motivated by awards and certificates. But they differ considerably on preferred methods of communication.

How to attract, retain and motivate employees of all ages and maximize their contributions will be the focus of the next “Inclusion=Innovation” program presented by the Charleston Area Alliance and Ernst & Young from noon-1:30 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 25 at the Alliance offices.

Click here to register.

Pat Kelly of Steptoe & Johnson will moderate a discussion by “Effective Immediately” co-authors Emily Bennington and Skip Lineberg, and Linda Bunn, associate state director for AARP, on how to maximize the contributions of people of different ages in the workplace to achieve success. 

Business managers, demographers and others have observed generational differences in approaches to employee loyalty, work/life balance and communication styles, among other issues. Panelists will discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by a multi-generational workforce and identify practices that will help individuals and managers work effectively with people of all ages.

Charleston’s East End would support a new grocery store, according to an East End Main Street feasibility study.

The East End, the market analysis says, is missing out on between $7 million and $10 million in revenue – a conservative estimate – by not having a full-service grocery store. A 20,000- to 25,000-square-foot store would be successful in the area.

“The grocery store idea has been a part of our outlook for quite some time,” said Ric Cavender, EEMS program director. “This analysis has confirmed residents’ desire to have a store on the East End, and now we can explore ways to make that happen.”

East End Main Street and its parent organization, the Charleston Area Alliance, today released the results of the feasibility study, conducted by the CLUE group out of Washington, DC and Urban Development Services out of San Antonio, Texas. EEMS hosted a public presentation Monday evening to announce the findings.

The EEMS Grocery Store Task Force this year hired Scott Day of Urban Development Services and Josh Bloom of CLUE to conduct neighborhood surveys and study buying patterns. The methodology included competitive analysis of existing food stores, analysis of sales potential, focus groups, assessment of potential sites, research on potential recruitment and consumer surveys. More than 800 people participated in surveys.

“We received an overwhelming response to the surveys, which were conducted both online and door-to-door,” Cavender said. “The consultants evaluated price points across the Charleston Metro region, buying power of the East End residents and shopping habits. This is a well-rounded, extensive study, and we are confident in the conclusions.”

At one time, the East End was home to two grocery stores, but both had closed by 2001. Foodland on Bigley Avenue and Capitol Market now are the nearest options.

“We’ve heard the demand for years,” said Alliance President and CEO Matt Ballard. “We hear about the need every day. This new data confirms it. A grocery store would be a boon for the East End economy and could spur growth in the area.”

According to the analysis, about 75 percent of grocery shopping trips made by East End residents are to stores outside of the East End area. It concludes many residents would opt to shop at East End stores, meaning current buying power justifies pursuing at least one grocery store for the region.

Several parcels in the area would be optimal sites for a store that serves the whole East End neighborhood and is walk-able for most East End residents and area employees, the study says. It suggests recruiting a “niche chain” grocery store and/or a business focused on organic foods.

“Because these two grocery stores concepts would be addressing different audiences, the two stores could be pursued separately or simultaneously,” the study says. (more…)

Express Employment Professionals and Charleston Area Alliance are presenting a free seminar for clients and friends from 8 a.m. to noon Thursday, Sept. 30.

Smalley

“Leading Organizational Excellence by Avoiding the Top 10 Leadership Mistakes” will be at the Clay Center. Go to the Walker Theater entrance at the back of the building. 

To reach new heights of organizational success, comprehensive leadership strategies must be an integral element of the company’s vision. Leadership is critical to the success of this vision becoming the organization’s mission.  This interactive session details the Top 10 leadership mistakes that can cause irreparable damage to leadership’s credibility and integrity thus quickly derailing any career and the organization’s strategic initiatives.

Through true life experiences, we will discuss the consequences of questionable leadership mistakes such as:

• The failure to embrace diverse thinkers and mavericks.
• Too much talking and not enough walking.
• Failing at communication.

Leadership is having the passion and ability to influence others to reach new heights.  Critical decisions must be addressed impacting corporate restructures, acquisitions, joint ventures and mergers. Unfortunately, mistakes can be made along the path that can damage the credibility of any leader resulting in failure of the organization’s mission, vision, goals and strategies thus tarnishing its culture.  By embracing proven behaviors and competencies outlined in this session and avoiding the Top 10 Leadership Mistakes, we are better prepared to lead the next generation of global talent to unlimited opportunities.

Continental breakfast served 7:30 a.m.

Please RSVP by Sept. 24 to Express Employment Professionals at (304) 746-8888 or e-mail amanda.newcomb@expresspros.com.  

About the Speaker:
For the last three decades, Jack Smalley has devoted his career to the field of human resources. His experience includes executive-level management in a number of different industries such as oil, chemical, and packaging. Jack serves as a senior human resources consultant for Express Employment Professionals.  He provides human resource training and consulting for nearly 600 Express offices and clients in the U.S. and Canada. Jack is a member of the Society of Human Resource Management and holds the designation of Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). In 2008, Jack had over 100 speaking engagements and was also a featured speaker at the 2008 National Society of Human Resource Management Conference.

Join us for our monthly Business After Hours from 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 26 at Ramada Inn and Wingate Inn in South Charleston.

It’s a tailgate-themed Business After Hours so be sure to wear your favorite team’s colors!

Register here.

It’s a fantastic opportunity to network and meet new people in the community. Enjoy music, food and beverages.

The cost is $15 for Alliance members and $25 for future members.

Online registration for this event ends at noon on Aug. 26. Prices increase to $25 and $35 at the door.

The Alliance will be able to invoice only for groups of 10 or more. Contact Deb Coffman at DCoffman@CharlestonAreaAlliance.org for more information.

The Alliance cannot issue cancellation refunds within 48 hours before the event. Thank you.

Trying to get that perfect photo? Then join us Sept. 10 for an introduction to digital photography. The class kicks off DigiTools, an exciting five-week course taught by our very own Charleston Area Alliance members. 

Digi-Tools will teach you the basics in working with digital photography and Adobe software. The classes will run on consecutive Friday afternoons from 2 to 4 p.m. The schedule is as follows:

Friday, September 10: Introduction to Digital Photography.  Instructor: Mark Wolfe, Mark Wolfe Design (Alliance member since 2009).

Friday, September 17: Introduction to Photoshop.  Instructor: Mark Wolfe, Mark Wolfe Designs (Alliance member since 2009).

Friday, September 24: Introduction to Illustrator.  Instructor: Josh Martin, Kanawha County Public Library (Alliance member since 1996).

Friday, October 1: Introduction to InDesign.  Instructor: Josh Martin, Kanawha County Public Library (Alliance member since 1996)

Friday, October 8: Introduction to Web Design.  Instructor: TBA

Classes are meant to build on each other; however, you do not have to take all of the classes.

Alliance member prices are $30 per class and $100 for the entire course.

Future member prices are $70 per class and $300 for the entire course.

Space is limited so sign up as soon as possible!  A special thank you to Bridgemont Community & Technical College for donating the iMacs we will be using for this course.

Visit www.CharlestonAreaAlliance.org/Events to sign up for individual classes.

Contact Lesley Hager at LHager@CharlestonAreaAlliance.org to sign up for the entire course.