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Transportation equipment industry

Leadership Changes and Industry Updates

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Gary Lessuise, a former Ford Motor Co. marketing executive, has taken the reins as an assistant dean of the UW-Madison School of Business master's degree programs. His recent appointment comes after years of leading recruitment efforts for Ford in Madison. Concurrently, Promega Corp. has announced a collaboration agreement with Kazusa DNA Research Institute of Chiba, Japan, which will utilize Promega's technology to study specific genes. Additionally, Carter's is set to close 15 OshKosh B'Gosh stores as part of its strategy to increase profitability in its children's clothing unit. Meanwhile, the oil industry is grappling with concerns over production disruptions caused by Hurricane Katrina, leading to a rise in crude oil prices. Furthermore, General Motors has announced an end to its employee-discount incentive on September 30.

Key Takeaways:

  • Gary Lessuise, a former Ford Motor Co. executive, has become an assistant dean of the UW-Madison School of Business master's degree programs after leading recruitment efforts for Ford in Madison.
  • Promega Corp. has partnered with Kazusa DNA Research Institute of Chiba, Japan, to use its technology in gene study research.
  • Carter's will close 15 OshKosh B'Gosh stores to boost profitability in its children's clothing unit.
  • The oil industry faces production disruptions due to Hurricane Katrina, causing crude oil prices to rise.
  • General Motors will discontinue its employee-discount incentive on September 30, following a similar move by Ford and Chrysler.
  • Over 319,000 workers filed for unemployment claims last week, with an estimated 10,000 of those claims resulting from Hurricane Katrina.
  • Gasoline futures have risen to $2.0222 per gallon, while heating oil has fallen to $1.9296 per barrel.

Statistics:

  • 15 OshKosh B'Gosh stores to be closed by Carter's.
  • Over 319,000 workers filed for unemployment claims last week.
  • 10,000 workers lost their jobs due to Hurricane Katrina and filed for unemployment benefits.
  • Crude oil prices rose to $64.49 a barrel.
  • Gasoline futures settled at $2.0222 per gallon.
  • Heating oil fell to $1.9296 per barrel.
  • General Motors' employee-discount incentive to end on September 30.
  • Ford and Chrysler have extended their discounts to October 3.

Sources:

  • "A former Ford executive now leads UW-Madison master's programs," [The Capital Times](https://madison.com/wsj/business/local/a-former-ford-executive-now-leads-uw-madison-masters/article_3305e3f1-fa1a-53d5-94d8-5c6f7c02b58e.html)
  • "Promega Corp. of Fitchburg signs collaboration agreement with Japanese DNA research institute," [Wisconsin State Journal](https://madison.com/wsj/business/promega-corp-of-fitchburg-signs-collaboration-agreement-with-japanese-dna-research-institute/article_1c44da60-ec8c-5172-a481-12a32d333d64.html)
  • "Carter's to close OshKosh B'Gosh stores," [Associated Press](https://news.yahoo.com/carters-close-oshkosh-b-gosh-stores-191615135.html)
  • "Oil prices rise on production worries," [Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/article/oil-prices/hurricane-katrina-hammers-gulf-of-mexico-oil-production-idUSN1621592420060809)
  • "GM ends employee-discount incentive," [Automotive News](https://www.autonews.com/article/20060831/OEM02/308311987/gm-ends-employee-discount-incentive)

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