Contract won’t lead to more hiring: Textron Marine & Land Systems has been awarded a $64.3 million contract by the U.S. Army to make 88 more armored security vehicles. The company says the contract was expected and will not lead to more hiring at its Slidell facility. Textron has 980 workers in Slidell. Textron Vice President Mike Gelpi told New Orleans CityBusiness the company will produce two different types of armored security vehicles used domestically and abroad. Gelpi says Textron will work on the order throughout 2012 and that he expects the company to maintain its current rate of turning out 48 vehicles a month.
Keep the customer satisfied: Ford topped an annual ranking of auto brand loyalty. According to Polk, an automotive industry marketing and information service, Ford’s brand loyalty was 60.3% in 2010, an all-time record. Brand loyalty is based on the percentage of people who buy or lease a new vehicle made by the same manufacturer as their old vehicle. Mercedes-Benz was second, at 56.7% in 2010, while Honda ranked third at 56.6%.
