Hyundai Alabama plant sees spike in SUV production
Hyundai’s Alabama plant ramped up production of its Santa Fe SUV line during 2018, as the company set new records for overall SUV sales throughout the year. Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama said today that its workers built more than 88,000 SUVs last year, a 51 percent increase from 2017. Total output, which includes Elantra and Sonata sedans, topped 322,000 vehicles. – Made In Alabama
Retirement Systems of Alabama buys newspaper chain
Alabama’s employee pension fund has become sole owner of one of the largest chains of local U.S. newspapers. CNHI LLC has been acquired by the Retirement Systems of Alabama. The company includes 68 daily newspapers and more than 40 non-dailies plus websites in 22 states. The Montgomery-based newspaper group is being spun off Raycom Media Inc., which is being purchased by the Atlanta-based Gray Television Inc. Raycom was owned by the retirement system. – AP
Torch promotes Watson to president, CEO
Torch Technologies Inc. recently announced that its Board of Directors has promoted John Watson from President to President and CEO effective immediately. Concurrent with this move, Torch Co-Founder and CEO Bill Roark has completed the planned transition into his role as CEO of Starfish Holdings, Inc., the parent company of Torch Technologies, Inc. and other Starfish holdings. – News release
Tim Puthoff named CEO of Brookwood Baptist Health
Tim Puthoff has been named chief executive officer of Brookwood Baptist Medical Center and Tenet’s Alabama and Tennessee Group, which consists of a network of seven hospitals, including Alabaster’s Shelby Baptist Medical Center. Puthoff will be responsible for overseeing all strategic, operational and clinical activities at Brookwood Baptist Medical Center, as well as providing oversight and leadership at all five hospitals in the Brookwood Baptist Health system and Tenet’s Tennessee hospital operations. – Shelby County Reporter
Rickman named Bradford Health Services CEO
Mike Rickman is now Bradford Health Services’ chief executive officer. Rickman, who became the Birmingham-based recovery services’ president last year, becomes only the fourth CEO in the company’s 40-year-history. Rickman said he was honored by the position. – AL.com
BC/BS gives $250,000 to schools statewide
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama is granting $10,000 to 25 schools across the state. The grants are given to schools implementing health and wellness programs that focus on exercise, nutrition, and parental involvement in the school year. A few recipients from the 2018-2019 school year include Athens Intermediate, Banks Caddell Elementary, and Moores Mill Intermediate. – WHNT
Volvo subsidiary releases model to chase Tesla 3
Volvo Polestar, Volvo’s performance brand which has been relaunched as an electric brand, released the first image of its upcoming all-electric Polestar 2 sedan, which it describes as a Tesla Model 3 competitor. When Volvo rebranded Polestar two years ago, it was off to a somewhat awkward but interesting start as it unveiled its first vehicle, the Polestar 1. – Electrek
