CAR Celebrates It’s 25^th Year In Business

It is hard to believe that it has been 25 years since CAR was founded but believe it loyal newsletter readers; the company is 25 years old.  Our official anniversary date is September 12^th, 1986.  Please see the note below from our founder and CEO Charlie Rogers:

Dear Friends,

It’s hard to believe that it has been 25 years since I started CAR.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you.  If I try and single out everyone that helped, I would miss many, but I do have to acknowledge my wife Michelle.

Michelle has been solid as a rock.  The day after I quit my job she walked to the local day care center and took a job as a caregiver.  She continues her caregiver role as a “hands on” grandma with our soon to be 5 local grandchildren, and she also volunteers at Benincasa Hospice.

Beyond Michelle it’s all of you: friends, customers, employees, and vendors.  I have always believed that owning your own business is a privilege, and if the community embraced you it greatly enhanced your chance for success.  I look forward to participating and watching CAR continue to grow.  I also enjoy watching the CAR team of highly skilled professionals mold the company and get it ready for the next 25 years and beyond.

Sincerely,

Charlie

CAR Smashed All Time Sales Record August 2011

What could be better than turning 25?  How about setting a new all time sales record in Aug. and then following it up with the 2^nd best month in company history?  Well that is exactly what happened.  The old record was set in May 2006, over 5 years ago.  Since then we have come close a few times but never bested that particular month.  Between strong sales, efficient use of resources, and a lot of hard work, CAR invoiced for an additional 6% in August 2011-blowing away our previous record.  As per company policy if we break a monthly sales record we celebrate with lunch and CEO Charlie Rogers treated the staff to a well-deserved Sticky Lips BBQ.  September 2011, CAR beat May of 2006 again, making September our second best month ever.  Thanks to all our dedicated employees, customers, and vendor partners for your support.

10 Years and Counting…Congratulations Robert Little

A key CAR employee hit a significant milestone in August; Robert (Bob) Little celebrated his 10^th anniversary with CAR.  Bob started with the company on Aug. 20^th 2001.  Per company policy Bob was honored at the August employee meeting and given a lovely mantel clock. CAR was lucky enough to get Bob through a referral from CAR employee Rob Starks.  The two had worked together at another shop.  Bob was hired as a tool and die maker a job that he continues to excel at today.  Bob also runs our Wire EDM machines along with building dies.

Bob lives in Avon with his wife Cindy and their daughter.  When not working at CAR Bob enjoys watching the Chicago Bears and playing in his dart league.  He also enjoys live music and can be seen at various festivals around Rochester with Cindy.  Congratulations Bob Little on your years of service!

Bob receiving his clock at employee meeting

CAR Celebrates 25 Years At Sea Breeze Amusement Park

CAR deviated from its traditional company picnic, and instead headed to Sea Breeze to ring in our 25 years.  The picnic was held on Sept. 10^th and was attended by CAR employees, their families and friends.  CAR was blessed with perfect weather, and guests used their ride and slide passes and enjoyed a BBQ picnic at the special CAR pavilion.  Guests were also entered into a raffle; lots of prizes were given out, we also had a special raffle for the kids.  Congratulations to stampings employee Anthony Campbell who won the grand prize, a $100 gift certificate to Eastview Mall.

Thanks to Anthony’s wife Merribeth Campbell who captured a few snap shots of the day.  To view her pictures click here

Carrie Cassano Hause Ties The Knot

CAR sends its warmest congratulations to stampings scheduler Carrie Cassano Hause on her recent marriage to Robert Hause.  The wedding was held in Naples, NY on Aug. 13^th 2011.  The ceremony took place outside over looking Canandaigua Lake with the reception starting immediately after at the Bristol Views Bed and Breakfast.  The groom’s brother-in-law performed the ceremony and her father, Allen Cassano, escorted Carrie down the aisle.  The couple got lovely weather for their special day; with a bit of rain rolling in but not until the dance party was well underway.

Guests enjoyed a pig roast, live band, open bar, and fun party favors such as candy and mustaches.  Part of the CAR crew was invited to this celebration, and a good time was had by all.  Congratulations again to the “Care Bear”.

Just Hitched!

Mr. and Mrs. Hause

Yvette, Carrie, and Charlie

CAR CREW-back row Milt & Sue Cummings, Marc & Yvette Pagano, Steve Gerrard, Brook Steedman Front row-Brian Rumsey, Carrie Hause, Dan Kelly, &Gia Rumsey

20 Years and Counting…..

CAR sends its warmest congratulations to employee John Nameeopanha who achieved 20 years of service in June. This is quite an accomplishment considering CAR is celebrating its 25^th year in business this September. John was recognized at our June employee meeting. John works in our stampings department and is our lead set-up man in the multi-slides. John is a true expert when it comes to these unique machines and can always be counted on.

Loyal newsletter readers may recall reading about John’s involvement building a school in his native country of Laos. Aside from working at CAR, John enjoys spending time with wife Oulay, and volunteering at the local Lao temple.

John being honored at the June Employee Meeting

John celebrating the Lao New Year with Oulay and Sloane Pagano

Yvette Pagano Featured in Ontario County Daily Messenger

The 2010 census results showed that more and more women are business owners or in leadership positions. Ontario County Daily Messenger wanted a reaction to this statistic from local businesswomen. They interviewed Yvette Pagano, President of CAR for her opinion. Yvette was featured in their story along with some other local women leaders. CAR was also pleased to see CNC lathe apprentice Nate Pierce photographed as well. To read the full article click here

Randy Soulia Has Tied the Knot

CAR employee Randy Soulia, who works in our assembly room, was married on May 1^st to Kimberly (Bailey) Soulia of Macedon. The wedding took place in Penfield, NY at Channing Philbrick Park. Close family and friends attended the intimate ceremony. The couple then honeymooned in Smokey Mountains of Tennessee for just over a week. Ironically the couple each has a daughter named Lilly, so the new family will have some fun times in store keeping their “Lilies” straight! Best wishes to the happy couple from CAR.

The happy couple Randy and Kim

Going Green Contest/Free Wood

CAR gets quite a few wooden pallets that we are unable to re-use due to breakage or odd sizing. It is illegal to burn this wood on site. It is not illegal to burn this wood for personal use, so if you plan on having a campfire this summer we’ve got you covered. We have tried to give it away numerous times- usually advertising it on Craig’s List. People take it (including employees) here and there but eventually CAR rents an extra dumpster and throws it away. CAR would be happy to donate any or all of this wood. Newsletter readers should contact Cheryl Hixon at chixon@car-eng.com to arrange for a pick up.

As motivation- CAR is also having a Going Green Contest for best re-use of this wood. Marc Pagano (Yvette’s husband) used the scrap wood to build raised beds for their garden. Get your thinking caps on especially those of you involved with scouting, church groups, or any type of volunteer/community service. Please send your entries for wood re-use projects to Yvette Pagano at ypagano@car-eng.com We will be taking submissions until the end of Sept. 2011. The winning entry will receive a $100 gift card to Lento Restaurant. Marc Pagano is NOT eligible to win this contest; this was included as a thought starter only. The winner will be announced in next quarters’ newsletter- good luck.

Raised beds courtesy of CAR scrapped wood

Scarlet Rogers Retires

On July 13^th, Scarlet reported for her last day of work at CAR Engineering. Scarlett is Charlie Rogers’ (CEO/Owner) dog. This friendly employee has most likely greeted those of you who have visited CAR. After 14 years of service Scarlett is retiring to her Mendon home to contemplate nature and catch up on her naps. Scarlet’s sister Sage is being promoted from Junior Dog/Greeter to Senior Dog/Greeter effective immediately.

The company celebrated Scarlet’s retirement with a cookout. Scarlet’s former co-worker, beagle Mary-Todd attended the cookout as well. Mary Todd retired along with her owner, Steve Marra former CFO. Thank you for your years of service Scarlet.

Scarlet and Mary Todd

CAR employees enjoying the cookout