Ford Motor Company Revs Up with New and Improved 2015 Transit

Ford

Ford Motor Company is planning to hire at least 12,000 employees by the close of 2015, with nearly half of these employees expected to serve on the assembly team for the 2015 Ford Transit. This marks the first time the Ford Transit has been manufactured and sold in the United States.

Sold regularly as a cargo van, the Ford Transit is also available as a pickup truck, cutaway van chassis, minibus or passenger van. The Transit is a complex vehicle that offers consumers a choice of two wheelbases, three roof heights, three body lengths and diesel or gasoline engines. It is being created with new and improved paint and body shops and assembly lines. Additionally, Ford has invested more than $1.1 billion to increase production of the company’s full-size F-150 pickups and commercial vans.

In 2014, Ford had stated a goal of hiring 5,000 salaried and hourly employees in the United States. Kansas City currently includes nearly 5,000 hourly workers on three separate crews – the last of which was created in the summer of 2013. Extra workers have been hired for plants at Michigan Assembly and Flat Rock, as well as Lima and Louisville, Ohio. Approximately 300 more jobs are expected at the engine plant in Cleveland.Ford recently paid out over $500 million to cover service, recall and warranty costs for vehicles.

By the end of 2015, Ford plans to open two additional manufacturing facilities in Asia and one in South America. The company will sell the stripped chassis and the E-series cutaway and is working with fleet customers to prepare for an upcoming switch from the E-series to the Transit.

 

 

Marla Ahlgrimm on the Prevention of Falling

Marla Ahlgrimm National Falls Prevention Awareness Day is observed each September to encourage safety and security in the home, notes pharmacist Marla Ahlgrimm. As a women’s health leader, Marla Ahlgrimm has analyzed the subject and learned a great deal about alleviating potential risks. Here, Marla Ahlgrimm shares her knowledge about preventing falls with the ZRYLW readership.

ZRYLW: Hello and welcome!

Marla Ahlgrimm: Good morning – how have you been?

ZRYLW: Just fine, thank you. It’s wonderful to speak with you about National Falls Prevention Awareness Day.

Marla Ahlgrimm: It’s an important cause.

ZRYLW: How many people suffer falls each year?

Marla Ahlgrimm: According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, up to 30 percent of people who fall suffer injuries such as head traumas, hip fractures and lacerations.

ZRYLW: That’s troubling.

Marla Ahlgrimm: It’s an issue, too, that we need to examine even for those who are not in the senior demographic.

ZRYLW: In general, what’s the first step in avoiding a fall?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Consulting with a physician is always an intelligent choice. By reviewing medications and nutritional supplements, a physician can help with fall prevention.

ZRYLW: Is there certain information that the physician may require during this appointment?

Marla Ahlgrimm: It can be a great benefit to keep track of instances of falls or near-falls.

ZRYLW: Could your health conditions cause a fall?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Oh, certainly. In fact, some ear and eye disorders increase a person’s risk as a result of compromised balance.

ZRYLW: What specific symptoms should be of concern to the individual?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Some people feel shortness of breath, numbness, joint pain or dizziness when they walk.

ZRYLW: As one method of fall prevention, would it be wise to select a particular brand or type of shoes?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Shoes with slick soles, floppy slippers and high heels can make a person fall, slip or stumble.

ZRYLW: What’s the best choice: Nike, Adidas….?

Marla Ahlgrimm: The brand name does not matter in the long run, but make sure to select a pair of shoes that are comfortable.

ZRYLW: What about socks?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Wear sturdy, properly fitting shoes instead of walking around in socks or slippers.

ZRYLW: What other suggestions might the doctor provide?

Marla Ahlgrimm: With a doctor’s permission, try activities like swimming, tai chi, water aerobics, or walking. Building an exercise routine can improve flexibility, coordination, balance and strength.

ZRYLW: How else can a person improve their health?

Marla Ahlgrimm: Some men and women opt for a physical therapist who can develop an exercise program designed to improve their muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness.

ZRYLW: Thanks so much for your insight on this subject!

Marla Ahlgrimm: You’re quite welcome!

Currently residing in Madison, Wisconsin, Marla Ahlgrimm has traveled the country as a guest speaker on women’s health issues. Marla Ahlgrimm is the author of two popular books on hormone replacement therapy (HRT).