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By TIMES WIRES
Published September 19, 2006

Exec that's leaving says Ford is too layered

Too many layers of management have built up at Ford Motor Co. during the company's 103 years and must be streamlined to get the ailing automaker back on its feet, departing Ford executive Anne Stevens told the Detroit Free Press. "The company has too many layers, the company is too bureaucratic and it takes too long to get things done," said Stevens, who is retiring from her post as Ford's chief operating officer for the Americas on Oct 1. This year, Stevens said she quietly decided that her job, which was created for her last October, was among those that should be cut. The position had earned her the title as most powerful woman in the car business. "I just don't think I could look anyone in the face with this challenge of right-sizing, restructuring, while I knew I consumed a position that was a second layer," she said. Stevens thinks her impending departure, along with the simultaneous retirement of Dave Szczupak, Ford's group vice president of manufacturing in the Americas, sends the right signal: "that Ford is really serious about flattening the structure."

Home Depot adding 1,000 employees to boost stores

The Home Depot Inc., the nation's largest home-improvement store chain, says it is hiring more than 1,000 new employees across the country as part of its latest effort to improve its stores. The Atlanta company said it is seeking in particular applicants with specialty, skilled trades and professional contracting backgrounds for full-time and part-time jobs in numerous departments. The hiring is part of Home Depot's plan to invest an additional $350-million in its stores during the second half of this year, as it tries to improve customer service amid a slowing economy.

Other chatter

AIRWAVES AUCTION NETS $13.9B: The Federal Communications Commission declared the latest and most lucrative auction of the public airwaves closed on Monday, with bids totaling nearly $13.9-billion.

[Last modified September 18, 2006, 23:17:10]