ROCKWELL – Advance Auto Parts Inc. has opened a store in Rockwell at 8610 U.S. 52, close to Johnny’s Barbeque and Food Lion.
The store opened Friday. The business sells parts, batteries, accessories and maintenance items.
Daniel McDaniel is the new general manager and has 12 employees. A 15-year veteran of the automotive and retail sales industries, McDaniel has been with Advance Auto Parts for almost eight years and is ASE-certified.
The new store offers a range of parts and national brands, as well as several free services including installing windshield wipers and installing batteries following a complimentary check of the vehicle’s electrical system and old battery.
The store offers parts delivery to local commercial customers, such as professional mechanics and garages. Customers also can drop off used motor oil and batteries for recycling.
SALISBURY — Five employees of Industrial Supply Solutions Inc. in Salisbury have been named to the company’s Triangle Club for top performers.
Rocky Corbett, Bill Hesse, Mike Lear, Don Lorentz and Sam Sobataka received the honor. They are among 11 employees named to the group by Industrial Supply Solutions and Conveying Solutions.
Industrial Supply Solutions is a wholesale distributor with operations in 10 states, Canada, Mexico and the Bahamas.
 Kannapolis native Jay W. Efird, a Concord representative for Modern Woodmen of America, has achieved membership in the Million Dollar Round Table.
 The organization is an international, independent association of more than 38,000 members, or less than 1 percent of life insurance and financial services professionals. Members demonstrate exceptional professional knowledge, strict ethical conduct and outstanding client service.
 The local Modern Woodmen office is located at 860 Craigmont Lane NW in Concord.  Contact Efird at 704-244-8353 for more information.
 Founded in 1883, Modern Woodmen of America is a fraternal financial services organization offering financial products and fraternal member benefits throughout the United States.
Food Lion has launched a three-week “Pack in the Savings” campaign, during which customers can purchase specially marked items and receive MVP card savings to help schools win a grant up to $25,000. Twelve grants totaling $160,000 will be awarded to schools enrolled in the Classroom Rewards program in Food Lion’s operating area.
The top three schools per Food Lion division whose supporters purchase the most “Pack in the Savings” items by Aug. 27 will win cash grants. The grand prize winner will receive $25,000, the first place winner, $10,000, and the second place winner, $5,000.
The Food Lion MVP Classroom Rewards program offers schools the opportunity to obtain needed supplies. Shoppers who link their MVP card to a school in the program earn one point for every dollar spent on Food Lion brand products year-round, which the schools can then redeem for educational equipment.
To participate, customers can shop for products specially-marked with a “Pack in the Savings” tag. A complete list of participating products can be found at www.foodlion.com/packinthesavings. Customers can enroll in the Classroom Rewards program by visiting FoodLionMVPRewards.com to register their MVP card.
Food Lion donates nearly $1 million annually to more than 1,400 schools in its 10-state-operating market. The “Pack in the Savings” promotion is in addition to the annual program for schools.
 SALISBURY — The W.G. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center will host a veterans job fair on Monday, Sept. 16, from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. in the Social Room in Building 6.  The event is being held to provide veterans easy access to a variety of employers who are veteran-friendly.
 Interviews will be conducted on site, and veterans are encouraged to bring their resumes and be prepared to discuss their skills and abilities.  Employers interested in participating in the event should contact Tara Manis-Healey, Employment Services Program Manager, at 800-469-8262, ext. 5587. There is no fee to be an employer vendor.
SALISBURY — The Salisbury-Rowan Association of Realtors has spots available for businesses that would like to participate in the 2013 Rowan County Home Expo on Sept. 27.
The deadline for vendor applications is Aug. 30. To learn more, contact Morgan Harper at 704-636-1811 or visit www.salisburyrowanrealtors.com . 
WASHINGTON — The International Trade Administration has announced that North Carolina merchandise exports increased 6 percent in the first half of 2013 compared to the same period of 2012, growing from $14.1 billion to $14.8 billion.
That’s a record high export level for the state. 
“This new export data from the first half of 2013 show states across the country have more businesses marketing their products abroad and creating thousands of new jobs in their local communities. This data confirms that our efforts to help American businesses compete globally are having an impact right here in North Carolina,” said Francisco Sánchez, under secretary of commerce for International Trade. “The United States is selling more goods and services to the rest of the world than ever before. The International Trade Administration will continue to do everything we can to assist North Carolina businesses as they increase their exports and create jobs.”
North Carolina’s merchandise export sales in the first half of 2013 outpaced the 2012 figures in many top destinations, including: India (+86 percent); France (+67 percent); Saudi Arabia (+44 percent); the United Kingdom (+18 percent); and Korea (+14 percent). Key merchandise export categories include: chemicals; machinery manufactures; transportation equipment; computer and electronic products; and textiles.
“These export numbers show that many North Carolina businesses continue to do well in their global sales,” said Greg Sizemore, director of the U.S. Export Assistance Center in Charlotte. “In these challenging economic times, exporting is helping many businesses thrive. We’d like to help businesses with their exporting efforts.”
Submit information about new businesses, honors and management promotions to bizbriefs@salisburypost.com. Include a daytime phone number.