Page 7 - Clear Lake Mirror Reporter E-Edition 12-16-2015

Ag./BusinessClear Lake Mirror-Reporter Dec. 16, 2015 • Page 7

Billion Stellar Industries to close
Automotive
to acquire Kiefer Manufacturing business
Pritchard’s of
Clear Lake Stellar Industries announced that also been working closely with Han-
it will close its Kiefer Manufacturing cock County Mayor Thomas Harri-
Pritchard Family Auto Stores an- Pritchard Family Auto Store, located at 3101 Willow Creek Ct., Clear Lake, announced that it will be acquired by Billion facility in Sneedville, Tenn. on Dec. son to assist in job placement oppor-
nounced that its Clear Lake dealership Automotive. -Reporter photo 31 and transition its Kanawha, Iowa tunities and training for employees at
will be acquired by Billion Automo- operation to a Stellar company effec- the plant in Sneedville.
tive in late January. The dealership of selling and servicing vehicles across we are best serving the needs of our ter dealership, and announced that tive Jan. 1, 2016. Stellar Industries has “While this has been a difficult
is located at 3101 Willow Creek Ct. Northern Iowa,” said Joe Pritchard, customers, our communities and our new vehicles will no longer be sold at made a decision to exit horse and live- decision, Stellar Industries has taken
Clear Lake. President of Pritchard Family Auto employees.” Clarion Auto Center. Pritchard Fam- stock trailer manufacturing and focus the appropriate steps to assist the
Pritchard Family Auto Stores is a Stores. “As the industry and the busi- Additionally, Pritchard Fam- ily Auto Stores currently has no plans on its core business, hydraulic truck Kiefer Manufacturing employees in
national leader in commercial vehicle ness model for car sales evolves, we ily Auto Stores announced plans to to sell any of its six other automobile mounted equipment. Sneedville by working collaboratively
sales, and the company will build on continue to look for strategic part- expand their Forest City Auto Cen- dealerships located in Northern Iowa. The company has been negotiat- with our offices and workforce devel-
that performance. As a 5th genera- nerships and alliances to ensure that ing with a potential buyer for the fa- opment,” said Harrison. “We will be-
tion family-owned and operated busi- cility in Sneedville. Stellar Industries gin job coaching and host a job fair
ness, Pritchard Family Auto Stores is hopes to finalize details of the sale in Monday morning with the goal of
proud to provide North Iowa with a timely manner to aid in a smooth placing each person. Employment is
quality, dependable automobiles and transition for employees and new the key to the community’s success,
outstanding customer service since ownership. and I am hopeful we will be able to
1913. The company’s footprint ex- “This was a difficult business de- retain jobs locally through the sale of
pands across the United States with cision that we considered carefully,” Kiefer Manufacturing.”
commercial locations in Minneapolis, said Dave Zrostlik, Stellar Industries Stellar Industries will complete
Chicago, Detroit, Orlando, Las Vegas, president. “As an employee-owned as many orders as possible by Dec.
Baltimore, and Los Angeles. company, we are proud of the prod- 31. Manufacturing warranties and re-
“We are committed to continu- ucts made by our hard-working em- placement parts will be transitioned in
ing our successful, 102-year history ployees. We are committed to treat- the sale of the facility.
ing our employees with dignity and Once the transition is complete,
Pork Care Packages to be sent to respect, and helping them with the the plant in Kanawha will be utilized
transition moving forward.” to meet the increased demand for
Approximately 35 employees will Stellar® products, strengthen market
be affected. All Sneedville employees share and position the company for
will receive severance, vacation and future success.
personal pay. The organization has

Iowa members of the armed services
Iowa members of the armed Reserves and US Marine Corps Re- Tom Alexander
forces and their families will have a serves. Pork Care Packages were 401k, 403b, Financial Consultant
little more on their plates this holiday also delivered to the Iowa National 457 Plans
season, quite literally, with an unprec- Guard’s Survivorship Outreach Ser- Securities America
edented donation of Pork Care Pack- vices to deliver to 600 Iowa families of Member FINRA/SIPC
ages from the Deb and Jeff Hansen fallen Soldiers.
641-357-7106
888-357-7106

Foundation and Iowa Select Farms. From ribs and bacon to fresh Located at Clear Lake Bank & Trust
Every member of all Iowa military pork, the coupons in the Pork Care 322 Main Ave • PO Box 8, Clear Lake
units- active duty, Reserves and civil- Packages are redeemable at any local
ian employees - will be receiving $38 grocery store, regardless the brand [email protected]
www.investmentcenterclearlake.com

worth of coupons good for various or cut. The Pork Care Packages also Not FDIC/NCUA Insured. May Lose Value. No Bank Guarantee
pork products, including ham, ribs, contain a cookbook entitled “Our Not a Deposit. Not insured by any Federal Government Agency.
bacon and ground pork, through Favorites” which features pork recipes
their unit’s Family Readiness Coor- submitted by the employees of Iowa Securities offered through Securities America Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC, Tom Alexander, Representative.
dinators. In total, more than 12,000 Select Farms. Investment Center and the Securities America Companies are unaffiliated.

service members will be receiving the “We asked our employees to send
coupons, equating to $456,000 in free in their favorite family pork recipes to
pork. share with the military families and the We’re Growing…
“Providing support to military response was overwhelming,” says Jen We’re Moving!
families in Iowa is the least we can Sorenson, Communications Director
do for those on active duty and those for Iowa Select Farms. The bright and As of Dec. 29th our new location will be
who dedicate their time to civilian bold cookbook contains a variety of 418 North Shore Drive, Clear Lake
duty and the Reserves,” says Jeff Han- pork recipes for all of the Pork Care
sen, president and CEO of Iowa Se- Package products, including Apricot
Oakwood names Employee of the Year lect Farms. “Supplying the resources Glazed Ham, Bacon Pancake Cup-
for several home-cooked meals that cakes, Slow Cooker Cranberry Pork
Chosen by his co-workers, Brandon Gardner (center), assistant food service helps bring families together is our Chops and Apple and Ale Pork Roast.
supervisor and chef, was named Oakwood Care Center’s Employee of the way of saying ‘thank you’ to the men “The coupons offer a great op-
Year for 2015. To the left is Shawna Pralle, food service supervisor, and to the and women who sacrifice so much of portunity for service members to sit
right, Sheri Weaver-Isvik, administrator at Oakwood. Brandon is known for their time away from their families in down with their families to share a
his wonderful culinary skills that he shares daily with the Oakwood and The order to protect our freedom.” meal during the holidays and through
Courtyard residents and employees. He received an engraved plaque and a cash Employees of Iowa Select Farms the cold winter months,” Sorenson 418 North Shore Dr., Clear Lake
award. -Submitted photo delivered the Pork Care Packages to says. “On top of the Pork Care Pack- Bus: 641-357-8292
all units of the Iowa National Guard, age Program, the Foundation will
Business After Hours to be held Dec. 17 [email protected] Kim Ruter, Agent
www.kimruter.com
The Christmas Business After Hours, sponsored by Hall Realty and host-
ed by the Clear Lake Arts Center, will be held on Thursday, Dec. 18. An Open along with the 132nd Fighter Wing, also continue the popular Hams for
House will be held from 4:30-6:30 p.m. This festive event has become a tradi- Iowa Air National Guard; 185th Air Heroes Program, which delivers fresh
tion during this time of year. Refueling Wing, Iowa Air National pork packs and hams to select units
Guard; US Army Reserves; US Navy and families.” KIOW-FM 107.3

MERRY CHRISTMAS!
KIOW’s 37th Annual Festival of Christmas Concerts on
FM-107.3 and streaming on www.kiow.com Wednesday through Friday, Dec. 23
through 25, 2015. The KIOW Festival of Christmas Concerts is the broadcast of
area high school, middle school, elementary, college, and church Christmas and
Holiday Concerts which have been recorded live on location over the past 4 weeks.

Algona HS B/V • 10 am Wednesday
Belmond-Klemme HS B/V • 1 pm Thursday
Bishop Garrigan HS Band • 2 pm Wednesday
Bishop Garrigan HS Vocal • 10 am Friday
Clarion-Goldfield-Dows HS B/V • Noon Friday
Clear Lake HS Band • 3 pm Thursday
Clear Lake HS Vocal • 8 pm Friday
First Congregational Church Cantata • 11 am Friday
Forest City Christian School • 6:30 pm Wednesday
Forest City HS Band • Noon Thursday
Forest City HS Vocal • 3 pm Friday
Forest City MS Band • 4 pm Wednesday
Forest City MS Vocal • 1 pm Wednesday
Garner-Hayfield/Ventura MS/HS Band • 9 am Friday
Garner-Hayfield/Ventura Vocal • 5 pm Friday
Hancock Co Little Theatre • 11 am Thursday
Immanuel Christmas Eve Live • 5 pm Thursday
Lake Mills Elementary, 5/6 B/V • 6 pm Friday
Lake Mills MS/HS Band • 3 pm Wednesday
Lake Mills MS/HS Vocal • 2 pm Friday
Lake Mills Tapestry Singers • 8:30 pm Wednesday
Luverne Elementary • 4:45 pm Wednesday
Newman Catholic HS B/V • 7:30 pm Wednesday
NIACC • 10 am Thursday
North Iowa Elementary • 5:30 pm Wednesday
North Iowa HS Band • 4 pm Friday
North Iowa HS Vocal • 4 pm Thursday
North Iowa MS • 1 pm Friday
Northwood-Kensett HS B/V • 2 pm Thursday
United Methodist Christmas Eve Live • 6 pm Thursday
Waldorf College • 7 pm Thursday
West Hancock Elementary • 11 am Wednesdsay
West Hancock HS B/V • 7 pm Friday
West Hancock MS B/V • 9 am Thursday

Forest City, Iowa • 641-585-1073