BETTENDORF, Iowa - Sivyer Steel Corporation is pleased to announce its Casting Facility and Process Approval for Steel Castings for Marine Applications from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), a society that sets industry standards of safety and performance for marine and offshore applications. Sivyer Steel has been in business since 1909, offering casting services to steel markets around the globe, and its ability to offer steel casting services for ABS-compliant marine applications customers further reinforces its competitive commitment to higher standards, advanced capabilities and efficiencies, innovation and sustainability.

"It's another step in our efforts to be the best of the best," said Kramer. "It allows us to better serve our customers and offer them certified-quality products from a corporation that's been in the industry and dedicated to the highest standards for over 100 years.

"Especially as we expand our markets into marine applications and offshore operations, we're continuing our certifications and building on our extensive experience in the industry."

After a year-long application and audit process involving satisfactory inspection of the facility and an assessment of the manufacturing system and process, Sivyer Steel was awarded this certification and is approved to produce castings to the requirements of ABS Materials and Welding Rules Part 2-3-9 (2015).

According the ABS, meeting these compliance standards offers benefits such as "reduced administration and a greater potential for market penetration." Sivyer Steel already held ISO 9001:2008 certification from the International Organization of Standardization, assuring that the way in which its products are made results in a quality end product. The additional certification from ABS signals to Sivyer Steel's customers that its products meet ABS quality, safety and performance standards.

"Sivyer Steel is proud to be acknowledged as a corporation that strives for excellence and provides the highest quality assurance and minimal environmental impact," said Tonya Burgess, Director of Quality Assurance and Regulatory Compliance. "It's a point of pride for Sivyer Steel and a huge benefit for our customers."

Approval is valid for five years subject to an annual endorsement survey and will expire December 11, 2019.

Sivyer Steel Corporation is an ISO 9001:2008-certified steel foundry, which means that we meet the International Organization for Standardization's criteria for a quality management system. We are committed to producing high-quality, high-volume custom castings for many major manufacturing industries.

For more information, visit www.sivyersteel.com, search Sivyer Steel Corporation to find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @SivyerSteel.

While women continue to make impressive strides in academics, in the business world and with buying power in general, a significant percentage are vulnerable to retail therapy and other modes of frivolous spending, says Erica L. McCain, a veteran financial expert, LUTCF and founder of McCain & Associates, (www.mccainins.com).

According to a recent study from Prudential - the eighth biennial of its kind - women report they are no more prepared to make sound financial decisions today than women in the study were two years ago and 10 years ago.

"Women love buying nice things not only for themselves, but also for their children and other loved ones," McCain says. "As I've experienced in my years of assisting clients, and in my own life, you're likely to kick yourself down the road when you realize $200 would've been better spent for retirement, rather than at the salon."

McCain, author of "Ladies With Loot," reviews why women may be better off taking the scissors to their credit cards.

•  You'll want financial independence for your golden years. As the Prudential study indicated, 75 percent of women say that maintaining their current lifestyle is very important, yet only 14 percent reported they were confident they could make that happen.

"Most of us seem to be living in parallel realities, which is a dangerous long-term plan," she says. "A good rule of thumb is that you need seven times your annual salary to fund your retirement. If you make $50,000 a year, your retirement savings should be a minimum of $350,000,000."

•  Rare opportunities for your children come with a price tag. Being short of necessary funds for a child's rare opportunity may come as a surprise to some women. A woman in her 30s may be accustomed to a lifestyle supported by two strong incomes, but in the event of a divorce, most women should prepare themselves for a financial reality check.

"Err on the safe side of your finances," McCain says. "If you're enjoying a lifestyle of liberal spending because of a great income, realize much of that stream can drastically slow due to an unforeseen life event."

•  Emergencies quickly follow with the need for funding. One of the defining characteristics of life is its unpredictability. A careless driver could total your car; medical emergencies are often expensive, even with insurance; you may need to hire an attorney for a number of reasons; and the list goes on.

"Life is scary, but less so when you have adequate funds to deal with an emergency," McCain says.

•  Time can be on a woman's side. Women are uniquely pressured to maintain an image of beauty throughout their lives. With age comes added pressure to look good, so more money may be spent on hair coloring, haircuts, Mani-Pedi treatments and Botox injections. It all adds up.

"When it comes to saving money, time absolutely can work for us," McCain says. "The more you save and longer you save it, the more asset building you can do. Instead of fighting time, why not use it to your advantage?"

About Erica L. McCain, LUTCF

Erica L. McCain is a financial professional with a Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow (LUTCF) designation and more than 16 years of experience. She founded her own firm, McCain & Associates (www.mccainins.com), in 2007, intent upon providing the detailed, personalized services retirees and pre-retirees need to pursue their retirement goals. She specializes in the financials for women in all stages of their lives and careers. McCain is a member of the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), the premier association of financial professionals.

The 100 Great Iowa Nurses program announces that scholarship applications will now be accepted through March 16, 2015. 

Iowa City, IA (February 25, 2015) - Each year, the 100 Great Iowa Nurses program recognizes 100 nurses across the state whose courage, competence, and commitment to patients and the nursing profession stand out above all others. Patients, coworkers, friends, and family members nominate an outstanding nurse for recognition. 100 Great Iowa Nurses are honored each year at a ceremony created for the state of Iowa by nurse and community leaders.

This statewide event belongs to the people of Iowa, and is made possible through the generous support of sponsors. In addition to recognizing 100 Great Iowa Nurses every year, the program also offers scholarship support to nursing students at all levels of education. The 100 Great Iowa Nurses Scholarships promote professional nursing in Iowa by supporting the continued education of future nurse leaders. Applicants must:

• Commit to advancing their education and professional goals of enhancing the delivery of quality health care in Iowa through practice, research, and/or teaching
• Be full- or part-time students attending an approved ADN, BSN, or MSN nursing program, or a PhD in Nursing program or related field, such as education

Current and future nurses across Iowa are encouraged to apply for available scholarship opportunities to complete or further their nursing education. Scholarship applications can be found at www.greatnurses.org/scholarships.

This year's celebration will be held May 3, 2015 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. The celebration is an annual prelude to National Nurses Week, which begins on May 6 and ends on May 12 (the birthday of Florence Nightingale).

About 100 Great Iowa Nurses

100 Great Iowa Nurses is a nonprofit program that honors great nurses in Iowa, and funds scholarships to support the education of Iowa nurses. Established in 2004, the program recognizes qualities that demonstrate efforts beyond those expected of a nurse within his/her normal duties, such as concern for humanity, significant contribution to the profession, and mentoring. For more information, visit www.greatnurses.org.

CONTACT: Cassie Raasch, Communications and Marketing, 100 Great Iowa Nurses, 319-335-7003, info@greatnurses.org