Kickstart: The Foxconn story remains complicated

Nothing has ever been simple about Foxconn Technology Group's plans in the U.S.

First there was the competition to be the home of a massive Foxconn plant, eventually won by the state of Wisconsin. But that was followed by blowback when it became clear that the state's incentive package to the Taiwanese electronics company would cost the state more than $4 billion — or $172,000 per job for each of the promised 13,000 jobs.

Anything involving a project the size of Foxconn would have ripples throughout the manufacturing community. Not only was the company expecting to source more than $4 billion for its supply chain locally, as PN's Audrey LaForest wrote in 2018, its expected workforce of more than 13,000 could complicate hiring for smaller companies in the region.

But things have only gotten more complex since a 2018 groundbreaking, attended by President Donald Trump.

The website The Verge has a lengthy story on what has been going on since then, including back-and-forth discussions that it says has left many state officials uncertain what, exactly, Foxconn plans to do there, and whether that incentive package still even applies.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and PSA Group are set to create the biggest automotive merger since Daimler and Chrysler's "merger of equals*"

But what, exactly, will that look like?

Our sister paper, Automotive News has a quick breakdown of what to expect.

For starters, leadership will be split between representatives from the two companies, with PSA CEO Carlos Tavares, 61, as CEO of the merged group, also for an initial five-year term, with FCA CEO Mike Manley, 55, will take the role of chief operating officer.

Together the companies will have the capacity to make 14 million vehicles annually, making them the fourth largest global automaker. The impact on suppliers to the carmakers remains to be seen.

(*Not really a merger, not really equals.)

Sure your office supports the local charity or children's hospital. But are you willing to spend a winter night outside to put your personal stamp on fundraising and awareness?

On Dec. 13, David Preusse, the CEO of Wittmann Battenfeld's U.S. operations, once again "slept" through a night of rain and 37 degrees, raising $2,900 for the Northwestern Connecticut YMCA's Freezin' For A Reason fundraiser.

"Sleeping bag living only appears cozy and romantic in movies," Preusse wrote in a Linked In post.

Click here for more information on the YMCA shelter, which provides 16 beds.