Tag Archives: geneva

We’re No. 2 … in Economic Ranking

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The World Economic Forum takes Geneva over Washington in its latest global competitiveness report. In other words, Switzerland tops the United States in the ranking of world economies. It is the first time out of the No. 1 spot for the U.S. since the rankings were revised in 2004.

Why the downgrade? The report cites banking system troubles, concerns about the "government’s ability to maintain distance from the private sector" and doubts about firms’ auditing and reporting standards.

The Swiss, who also dipped into recession and had to bail out their largest bank (UBS), were lauded for "capacity to innovate, sophisticated business culture, effective public services, excellent infrastructure and well-functioning goods markets."

In the banking category, Canada led the way. The U.S. was 108th (behind Tanzania) and the British 126th.

Public data and an executive opinion survey are used to compile the rankings. Behind the Swiss and the Americans are: Singapore, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Japan, Canada and the Netherlands.

At the bottom were African countries Zimbabwe and Burundi. For Zimbabwe, the report cited "corruption, basic government inefficiency and the complete absence of property rights."

Know Your Red Gold Facts (No Rotten Tomatoes for this Elwood Company)

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You’ve undoubtedly seen their ads. You’ve heard the name. But what you didn’t know about Red Gold, the Elwood-based tomato product producer, may surprise you. So here are some fun facts about Red Gold, a company we’re proud to say is part of the Indiana Chamber member family:

  • The company has over 1,100 employees, who work at facilities in four small Indiana towns — Orestes, Geneva, Alexandria and Elwood.
  • Red Gold began in 1942 when Grover Hutcherson and his daughter, Fran, rebuilt a Midwest cannery to provide fresh-tasting canned food products for the war effort. (The company remains a family-owned business.)
  • In Chicago, New York and 36 other major U.S. markets, Red Gold sells more canned tomato products than any other manufacturer.
  • Nearly one-third of all canned tomato products purchased in the U.S. are made by Red Gold.
  • Three out of every four consumers of retailer brand tomato juice drink Red Gold produced tomato juice.
  • The company attracts creative minds to develop some of the industry’s most advanced tomato growing and processing technology — although the Midwestern climate helps quite a bit, too.
  • Red Gold is the nation’s largest provider of retail private label tomato products (with ketchup leading the way).
  • Personal testimony: Their ketchup is really freaking good.

And just think, Super Bowl Sunday is only two days away. Salsa, anyone?