The Christmas Price Index reflects the changing economic mix in the U.S. away from manufacturing to a more service based economy.

An investment in the true cost of Christmas would have yielded a better return than the stock market over the past year. However, the true cost of Christmas hedge fund has yet to be created.

Post-Christmas economic statistics have been inconclusive, with those from the retail and manufacturing sectors on the negative side, while house prices are showing signs of improvement. Therefore, despite earlier hopes of a cut this time, a no-change decision was widely expected. However, we firmly believe the trend is still downwards and therefore this is a cut 'deferred', not a change of heart.

The [Internal Revenue Service] says we are manufacturing, while the U.S. Department of Agriculture says we are agriculture. They are definitely not in agreement.

In the late '90s, manufacturing was looked at as a cost to be controlled. It wasn't looked at strategically.

The Zanesville plant is one of six manufacturing facilities for All American Homes nationwide. Our Zanesville facility opened in July 1998, employs 175 people, and builds 250 to 300 homes per year. It serves 75 independent builders who cover a radius of about 250 miles from Zanesville.