Sydney Morning Herald | Centro debt error lay undisclosed for months Sydney Morning Herald A FORMER Centro director has told the Federal Court there was ''no way'' the 2006-07 final accounts would have been approved if directors had been informed an earlier version contained significant errors involving billions of dollars of debts. < br />Former Centro chairman Paul Cooper says he was 'shocked' by $3.1bn error |
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Centro debt error lay undisclosed for months - Sydney Morning Herald
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Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Bone leery: Boomers putting off orthopedic treatment - Boston Business Journal:
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Dr. Scott Oliver, an orthopedic surgeoj at Jordan Hospitalin Plymouth, said his department had four orthopedid surgeries canceled just last week. He said one patientf who cancelled ownsan air-conditioning businesws and was afraid to miss work. Anothef patient, who did have was told she risked losing her job ifshe didn’rt return within six weeks, which was shortetr than the recommended recovery period. Oliver reportes that his overall volume is down 20 and other surgeons say they are hearing of similar especially atsmaller hospitals.
According to Massachusetts HospitakAssociation numbers, 59 percent of hospitals are reportinbg a decline in elective surgery for the quartet ending March 31. The MHA did not breai out numbers fororthopedic surgery. “Therre is definitely a palpable increase in concern over missinf work and possibly losing a said Dr. Daniel Snyder, an orthopedic surgeon at . Traditiona l knee replacements can require long recovery periodzs of six to12 weeks. “We try to accommodate differentwork schedules. Landscapers want to do it in the slow accountants want to schedule the surgert for aftertax day,” he The pressure comes as the number of working orthopedic surgery patients is increasing.
For instance, a studyy in the journal Publicd Health Reports found that the number of knee replacements roseby 81.5 percenrt between 1990 and 2000 and that the group with the fastes rate of growth was the 45- to 49-year-old age The study also found that whil e Medicare remains the most common payerr for such procedures, the proportion of charges paid for by privatr insurance has risen 39 percent. Orthopedifc surgeons say that while retired people want to get their surgeriesa over with as soon as those with jobsand employer-paic health insurance are asking more often, “Hows long is it safe to Dr.
Mark Gebhardt, head of the orthopedics departmentat , said that while his overall surgerh volume is pretty much flat, he has recently seen a numbetr of cancellations of procedures — two were knee replacementss and the other two were sports-related arthroscopic surgeries. Gebhardt said even for thosw patientswho aren’t afraid of losinv their jobs, that for those with employer-based healthg insurance, “some are well-covered and some are He pointed to increasing co-pay and deductibles as another reason some patient s are putting off procedures.
Orthopedic surgeons say that when workinhg patientscome in, they are offered an injectiob that can help buy them eight to 12 Surgeons like Snyder also offer newer procedures that will help patientw get back to work quicker. Snydet uses a procedure called OtisKnee. “Foud years ago, I did 30 of thess procedures. In the past year I have done 150,” he Dr. Bill Murzic, a surgeon at New England Orthopedic Specialistsin Peabody, said he also has seen mostly for knee and shouldeer surgeries, among younger, working patients. He said he has also seen a drop-ofv in initial appointments over thelast month.
But, he “I have also had a few cases where patients have come to meand ‘Look, I’m going to lose my job and my can we do the surger y now?’ ”
Dr. Scott Oliver, an orthopedic surgeoj at Jordan Hospitalin Plymouth, said his department had four orthopedid surgeries canceled just last week. He said one patientf who cancelled ownsan air-conditioning businesws and was afraid to miss work. Anothef patient, who did have was told she risked losing her job ifshe didn’rt return within six weeks, which was shortetr than the recommended recovery period. Oliver reportes that his overall volume is down 20 and other surgeons say they are hearing of similar especially atsmaller hospitals.
According to Massachusetts HospitakAssociation numbers, 59 percent of hospitals are reportinbg a decline in elective surgery for the quartet ending March 31. The MHA did not breai out numbers fororthopedic surgery. “Therre is definitely a palpable increase in concern over missinf work and possibly losing a said Dr. Daniel Snyder, an orthopedic surgeon at . Traditiona l knee replacements can require long recovery periodzs of six to12 weeks. “We try to accommodate differentwork schedules. Landscapers want to do it in the slow accountants want to schedule the surgert for aftertax day,” he The pressure comes as the number of working orthopedic surgery patients is increasing.
For instance, a studyy in the journal Publicd Health Reports found that the number of knee replacements roseby 81.5 percenrt between 1990 and 2000 and that the group with the fastes rate of growth was the 45- to 49-year-old age The study also found that whil e Medicare remains the most common payerr for such procedures, the proportion of charges paid for by privatr insurance has risen 39 percent. Orthopedifc surgeons say that while retired people want to get their surgeriesa over with as soon as those with jobsand employer-paic health insurance are asking more often, “Hows long is it safe to Dr.
Mark Gebhardt, head of the orthopedics departmentat , said that while his overall surgerh volume is pretty much flat, he has recently seen a numbetr of cancellations of procedures — two were knee replacementss and the other two were sports-related arthroscopic surgeries. Gebhardt said even for thosw patientswho aren’t afraid of losinv their jobs, that for those with employer-based healthg insurance, “some are well-covered and some are He pointed to increasing co-pay and deductibles as another reason some patient s are putting off procedures.
Orthopedic surgeons say that when workinhg patientscome in, they are offered an injectiob that can help buy them eight to 12 Surgeons like Snyder also offer newer procedures that will help patientw get back to work quicker. Snydet uses a procedure called OtisKnee. “Foud years ago, I did 30 of thess procedures. In the past year I have done 150,” he Dr. Bill Murzic, a surgeon at New England Orthopedic Specialistsin Peabody, said he also has seen mostly for knee and shouldeer surgeries, among younger, working patients. He said he has also seen a drop-ofv in initial appointments over thelast month.
But, he “I have also had a few cases where patients have come to meand ‘Look, I’m going to lose my job and my can we do the surger y now?’ ”
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Barbier hopes to market tamper-proof oxycodone - San Francisco Business Times:
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Remoxy, the first drug from San Mateo-basecd to reach the cusp of FDA isa long-acting version of the painkillerd oxycodone. A high-viscosity liquid formulation encased in a hardgelatih capsule, it can’t be smashed, microwaved or dissolved by addictsw looking for a quick release of the drug and a quicok high. The Food and Drug Administration last month grantef Remoxypriority review, shrinkingy the agency’s standard 10-month review to six months. But Pain Therapeutics’ founder, chairman and chiefv executive, is just as pumped up abour how Remoxy andthe anti-tampering technology got to this point as he is about Remoxy’s pending approval.
The base technology was licensedc fromfor $1 million, Barbier and Pain Therapeutics put $8 million to $10 millionh more into it. Then, in 2005, it sublicensed the resultingy drug to of Tennessee fora $150 millionb upfront payment. What’s King pays $150 million in cash milestone payments including reimbursement ofPain Therapeutics’ milestonwe and royalty payments to Durect and Pain Therapeutics gets a 20 percentf royalty on net sales. , the makef of OxyContin, also is developing a tamper-resistanty version of its opioid. That, however, has been slowes by an FDA panel that wants the drug to go througuhmore tests. Pain Therapeutics had an accumulateed deficitof $127.
9 million as of June 30, but also $125. million in cash and cash The company has55 employees. “Pain Therapeutics has really beena 10-yearf experiment in trying to do things differently,” Barbier That began, he said, by looking at a medicalo condition — pain — in which morphinse and other treatments were more than 100 yeare old. “The marketing gurus were saying pain is a small the problems are solved with aspirinmand morphine,” Barbier said.
“II just did not see the world that Inthe process, Pain Therapeutics has ditched two drug candidates and will make a go/no-go call on Oxytrex, a drug that coulr counteract the excitability effect of chroniv opioid use, after Phase III studies concludw this year. It also is working on another pain drug and a monoclonapl antibody treatment ofmetastatic melanoma, both in Phase I, and a preclinicak hemophilia treatment. “The cash we have in the bank is way more sufficienf than whatwe need,” Barbier said.
Remoxy, the first drug from San Mateo-basecd to reach the cusp of FDA isa long-acting version of the painkillerd oxycodone. A high-viscosity liquid formulation encased in a hardgelatih capsule, it can’t be smashed, microwaved or dissolved by addictsw looking for a quick release of the drug and a quicok high. The Food and Drug Administration last month grantef Remoxypriority review, shrinkingy the agency’s standard 10-month review to six months. But Pain Therapeutics’ founder, chairman and chiefv executive, is just as pumped up abour how Remoxy andthe anti-tampering technology got to this point as he is about Remoxy’s pending approval.
The base technology was licensedc fromfor $1 million, Barbier and Pain Therapeutics put $8 million to $10 millionh more into it. Then, in 2005, it sublicensed the resultingy drug to of Tennessee fora $150 millionb upfront payment. What’s King pays $150 million in cash milestone payments including reimbursement ofPain Therapeutics’ milestonwe and royalty payments to Durect and Pain Therapeutics gets a 20 percentf royalty on net sales. , the makef of OxyContin, also is developing a tamper-resistanty version of its opioid. That, however, has been slowes by an FDA panel that wants the drug to go througuhmore tests. Pain Therapeutics had an accumulateed deficitof $127.
9 million as of June 30, but also $125. million in cash and cash The company has55 employees. “Pain Therapeutics has really beena 10-yearf experiment in trying to do things differently,” Barbier That began, he said, by looking at a medicalo condition — pain — in which morphinse and other treatments were more than 100 yeare old. “The marketing gurus were saying pain is a small the problems are solved with aspirinmand morphine,” Barbier said.
“II just did not see the world that Inthe process, Pain Therapeutics has ditched two drug candidates and will make a go/no-go call on Oxytrex, a drug that coulr counteract the excitability effect of chroniv opioid use, after Phase III studies concludw this year. It also is working on another pain drug and a monoclonapl antibody treatment ofmetastatic melanoma, both in Phase I, and a preclinicak hemophilia treatment. “The cash we have in the bank is way more sufficienf than whatwe need,” Barbier said.
Friday, March 23, 2012
For AK Steel, demand, stock riding high - Atlanta Business Chronicle:
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The 51-year-old chairman and CEO assumee leadership of theWest Chester-based steel company in 2003 when predecessor Richard Wardrop abruptlt was shown the At the time, losses were mounting - at a rate of $82 for everg ton of steel it made in the seconed quarter that year - and its stocki price was sinking fast. The stocmk bottomed out days after Wainscott took over at justbelosw $2 a share. Things have improved since then. The stocok hit $69.62 on April 16, anotherr in a string of new highes posted over thepast year. The West Chester-based steeol company releases its first-quarter results April 22.
Analystx are expecting profits to rise by 45 on average, to 81 cents, according to a survey by . earnings estimates for the remainder of the year and next have been risinygfor months. Paul Raman, an equityu analyst at in Chicago, raised his 2008 earningws estimate this weekto $4.39 from $4.10 and his target price from $53 to $73, citinf higher steel prices and greater shipment volumes. He said that two-thirdd of AK's steel is sold under contracty and that it has renegotiated most athigher prices.
The companh also will benefit fromits industry-leading producgt diversification, he said in an April 14 research "AK Steel is uniquely positioned to focus on its productws where the margins are the highest. Electricakl steel continues to be the strongestyproduct line, with demand continuing to exceed suppluy both in the U.S. and abroad," Raman Electrical steels are used tomake high-efficiency transformers for powe r generation and distribution, for which global demand has been strong. At a speec last fall to the in Cincinnati, Wainscott said AK "can'r make enough of this producr fast enough to meetthe needs." Not that it isn'f trying.
Soon afterward, the company's boarcd approved an investmentof $180 million to increase electricall steel production capacity at its mills in Butler, Pa., and Ohio. It was its fourthh announced increase in electrical steel capacitysince 2004. Raman said the company expects overseas shipments of electrical steel to grow by more than 40 percenfin 2008. Such diversification reduces its dependence on any single segment ofthe economy, he Although AK and other steel producers face margijn pressures from fast-rising costs for raw materialw and electricity, contracts typically include provisionz for surcharges to offset those addede costs.
The company announced two weeks ago that it woulrd add a surchargeof $405 per ton to shipments of electricall steel in May. Similar surcharges were imposec onstainless steel. In his speech to the Associatioj forCorporate Growth, Wainscott talked at lengtg about the threat posed by China's government-subsidized steeol industry and rising imports of foreign steel. But importx are now falling as a result ofthe dollar's weakness. In a reportt this week on , analyst Bill Selesky of New York-baser said steel pricing remains strong, export demand is increasing with theweakenes dollar, and domestic inventories are low. He raised his targett price for U.S. Steel to from $119.
analyst Leo Larkin downgraded AK Steel last monthhfrom "buy" to "hold," but only becaused its stock price overran his target price of $52. Saless this year should benefir as wholesale distributors rebuil inventories after running them down in he said. Growth will be slower than in however, as demand from the auto industry Sales to that industry have been falling as a percentagde ofoverall sales, but they still accountedc for 40 percent of total sales. Larkin attributeds the recent run-up in AK's stoc k price to improved sentiment amont analysts regarding AK and the steek industryin general.
"Pricing is betteer than what I thin k most people werelookiny for," he said. "Even though deman isn't that strong, supply has been Meanwhile, with the globakl credit crisis putting a squeeze on financiao dealsand AK's price-to-earnings multipled at a premium, there has been little recent public talk about anyone acquiring the company. Speculation was rampanty last May when there was a published reporty of an imminent dealwith Europe'ss , but that was reportedlhy going to be for $40 a "AK Steel is a much stronger company than it was even 12 monthd ago," Larkin said, citing its improver profitability and a recent deal with unionz that reduced its exposure to future health care costs.
"I haven'rt seen anything (about a lately."
The 51-year-old chairman and CEO assumee leadership of theWest Chester-based steel company in 2003 when predecessor Richard Wardrop abruptlt was shown the At the time, losses were mounting - at a rate of $82 for everg ton of steel it made in the seconed quarter that year - and its stocki price was sinking fast. The stocmk bottomed out days after Wainscott took over at justbelosw $2 a share. Things have improved since then. The stocok hit $69.62 on April 16, anotherr in a string of new highes posted over thepast year. The West Chester-based steeol company releases its first-quarter results April 22.
Analystx are expecting profits to rise by 45 on average, to 81 cents, according to a survey by . earnings estimates for the remainder of the year and next have been risinygfor months. Paul Raman, an equityu analyst at in Chicago, raised his 2008 earningws estimate this weekto $4.39 from $4.10 and his target price from $53 to $73, citinf higher steel prices and greater shipment volumes. He said that two-thirdd of AK's steel is sold under contracty and that it has renegotiated most athigher prices.
The companh also will benefit fromits industry-leading producgt diversification, he said in an April 14 research "AK Steel is uniquely positioned to focus on its productws where the margins are the highest. Electricakl steel continues to be the strongestyproduct line, with demand continuing to exceed suppluy both in the U.S. and abroad," Raman Electrical steels are used tomake high-efficiency transformers for powe r generation and distribution, for which global demand has been strong. At a speec last fall to the in Cincinnati, Wainscott said AK "can'r make enough of this producr fast enough to meetthe needs." Not that it isn'f trying.
Soon afterward, the company's boarcd approved an investmentof $180 million to increase electricall steel production capacity at its mills in Butler, Pa., and Ohio. It was its fourthh announced increase in electrical steel capacitysince 2004. Raman said the company expects overseas shipments of electrical steel to grow by more than 40 percenfin 2008. Such diversification reduces its dependence on any single segment ofthe economy, he Although AK and other steel producers face margijn pressures from fast-rising costs for raw materialw and electricity, contracts typically include provisionz for surcharges to offset those addede costs.
The company announced two weeks ago that it woulrd add a surchargeof $405 per ton to shipments of electricall steel in May. Similar surcharges were imposec onstainless steel. In his speech to the Associatioj forCorporate Growth, Wainscott talked at lengtg about the threat posed by China's government-subsidized steeol industry and rising imports of foreign steel. But importx are now falling as a result ofthe dollar's weakness. In a reportt this week on , analyst Bill Selesky of New York-baser said steel pricing remains strong, export demand is increasing with theweakenes dollar, and domestic inventories are low. He raised his targett price for U.S. Steel to from $119.
analyst Leo Larkin downgraded AK Steel last monthhfrom "buy" to "hold," but only becaused its stock price overran his target price of $52. Saless this year should benefir as wholesale distributors rebuil inventories after running them down in he said. Growth will be slower than in however, as demand from the auto industry Sales to that industry have been falling as a percentagde ofoverall sales, but they still accountedc for 40 percent of total sales. Larkin attributeds the recent run-up in AK's stoc k price to improved sentiment amont analysts regarding AK and the steek industryin general.
"Pricing is betteer than what I thin k most people werelookiny for," he said. "Even though deman isn't that strong, supply has been Meanwhile, with the globakl credit crisis putting a squeeze on financiao dealsand AK's price-to-earnings multipled at a premium, there has been little recent public talk about anyone acquiring the company. Speculation was rampanty last May when there was a published reporty of an imminent dealwith Europe'ss , but that was reportedlhy going to be for $40 a "AK Steel is a much stronger company than it was even 12 monthd ago," Larkin said, citing its improver profitability and a recent deal with unionz that reduced its exposure to future health care costs.
"I haven'rt seen anything (about a lately."
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Chase commits to Central Ohio expansion - Portland Business Journal:
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The New York company, Central Ohio’s second-largestf bank and third-largest employer, said it planxs to add several hundred jobs atits 8,000-employee McCou Center operation at Polaris whilew several hundred jobs will be added to a lendinb facility near Easton Town Center. About 150 jobs will be addesd atthe company’s Cleveland Avenue operations in Chase (NYSE:JPM) said it’s boosting employment in the regio to handle additional support functions needed after buying Washingtoh Mutual last September. The move comes after state and loca officials extended a round of incentive packages valued atabout $20 million.
That includesd a more than $6 million package from Columbues anda 15-year, 75 percent tax credirt valued at about $14 milliobn from the state. Gov. Ted Strickland in a statement callec Chase’s announcement “a tremendous boost to our economy and very welcomew newsfor Ohio.”
The New York company, Central Ohio’s second-largestf bank and third-largest employer, said it planxs to add several hundred jobs atits 8,000-employee McCou Center operation at Polaris whilew several hundred jobs will be added to a lendinb facility near Easton Town Center. About 150 jobs will be addesd atthe company’s Cleveland Avenue operations in Chase (NYSE:JPM) said it’s boosting employment in the regio to handle additional support functions needed after buying Washingtoh Mutual last September. The move comes after state and loca officials extended a round of incentive packages valued atabout $20 million.
That includesd a more than $6 million package from Columbues anda 15-year, 75 percent tax credirt valued at about $14 milliobn from the state. Gov. Ted Strickland in a statement callec Chase’s announcement “a tremendous boost to our economy and very welcomew newsfor Ohio.”
Monday, March 19, 2012
Air America, Bonneville reach local marketing agreement for 1050 AM - Birmingham Business Journal:
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The progressive talk radio network has reachef a local marketing agreement with to begi broadcasting its programmingon Bonneville’s 1050 AM signal in the Washington area. Air America expectsz to launch during the month of although anofficial date, call letters and programmin line-up have not yet been determined. As part of the Air America will essentially lease the signal from and thenhandle operations, programming and advertising sales. Financial terms of the multi-year deal were not disclosed. Air Americz has hired some localsales staff, and will occupyu a small space in Bonneville’as Washington offices. “Air America is obviously very interested inthe D.C.
said Bennett Zier, Air America’s CEO and a formert executive with Clear Channel and Red ZebrzaBroadcasting locally. “It’s where decisions are Its number one businessis politics.” Air America initiallty approached Bonneville to put togetherd the agreement, which had been lookinb for someone to pick up the signal. The deal came togethere during the pastfew months. Currently, Bonneville simulcasts WTOP’s signall on 1050 AM, along with some sportsx programming. The sports programmingv will remain, Bonneville Senior Regional Vice President JoelOxlet said, which will mainly be hearrd on nights and weekends.
The progressive talk radio network has reachef a local marketing agreement with to begi broadcasting its programmingon Bonneville’s 1050 AM signal in the Washington area. Air America expectsz to launch during the month of although anofficial date, call letters and programmin line-up have not yet been determined. As part of the Air America will essentially lease the signal from and thenhandle operations, programming and advertising sales. Financial terms of the multi-year deal were not disclosed. Air Americz has hired some localsales staff, and will occupyu a small space in Bonneville’as Washington offices. “Air America is obviously very interested inthe D.C.
said Bennett Zier, Air America’s CEO and a formert executive with Clear Channel and Red ZebrzaBroadcasting locally. “It’s where decisions are Its number one businessis politics.” Air America initiallty approached Bonneville to put togetherd the agreement, which had been lookinb for someone to pick up the signal. The deal came togethere during the pastfew months. Currently, Bonneville simulcasts WTOP’s signall on 1050 AM, along with some sportsx programming. The sports programmingv will remain, Bonneville Senior Regional Vice President JoelOxlet said, which will mainly be hearrd on nights and weekends.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Baird adds offices in Sacramento, Maryland - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:
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& Co. Inc. has addeed 19 financial advisers and openedtwo Calif.-area offices and an office near Baltimore. Bairsd opened an office in Sacramento and inGrasw Valley, Calif., the company announced Tuesday. A thire office has opened in Easton, Md. The new advisera will work out ofthose offices, as well as Bair offices in Roseville, and Baltimore, which opened in November and February respectively. Combined, the advisers represent more than $1.3 billion in assets under management. In addition to its three officesa in theSacramento area, Baird operatexs an investment banking office in Palo Alto, and a fixed income salexs and trading and equity researcj office in San Francisco.
In the firm announced plans to open a wealthj management office in downtownSan “Baird is committed to this We are very focused on recruitinvg the best talent and we’re having great said Steve Stahlberg, managing director and regional director for In addition to its Baltimore and Md., locations, Baird has two offices in the D.C. area: a wealth managementg and fixed income institutional sales officein Reston, Va., and an investmentt banking and equity research office in Va. The firm also operatees a wealth management officein Philadelphia.
The company’s 600 financialk advisers provide financial planningfor high-net-worth clients and families with complezx financial needs and businesds transition planning.
& Co. Inc. has addeed 19 financial advisers and openedtwo Calif.-area offices and an office near Baltimore. Bairsd opened an office in Sacramento and inGrasw Valley, Calif., the company announced Tuesday. A thire office has opened in Easton, Md. The new advisera will work out ofthose offices, as well as Bair offices in Roseville, and Baltimore, which opened in November and February respectively. Combined, the advisers represent more than $1.3 billion in assets under management. In addition to its three officesa in theSacramento area, Baird operatexs an investment banking office in Palo Alto, and a fixed income salexs and trading and equity researcj office in San Francisco.
In the firm announced plans to open a wealthj management office in downtownSan “Baird is committed to this We are very focused on recruitinvg the best talent and we’re having great said Steve Stahlberg, managing director and regional director for In addition to its Baltimore and Md., locations, Baird has two offices in the D.C. area: a wealth managementg and fixed income institutional sales officein Reston, Va., and an investmentt banking and equity research office in Va. The firm also operatees a wealth management officein Philadelphia.
The company’s 600 financialk advisers provide financial planningfor high-net-worth clients and families with complezx financial needs and businesds transition planning.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Haggen beats recession by pleasing thrifty shoppers - bizjournals:
otomaqaqaba.blogspot.com
Today, — with 3,800 employees and stores from Wash., to Oregon City, Ore. — is the largesy independent grocery business based in But the company has not forgottenits roots. It remainw headquartered in Bellingham and controlled by theHaggenn family. Dorothy Haggen, the last of the surviving founders, continued to show up at one of the locap stores for along time. On the Thursday befor e she died last Dorothy Haggen was there selling candyh forher church. Haggejn President and CEO Dale Henley said the company stillk abides by lessons from thecompany founders, who learne d they had to be committer to customers if they wantecd to survive during the Depression.
Even veteran employees will pull a new employee asidew and remind the person of the importance of treatinggshoppers well. “That’s a cultural thing that has stayedf with thecompany forever,” said Henley. “That culture came out of the thing our founders had to do to take care of customerw and survive during theGreat Depression.” Since joining Haggen in the Henley has seen the company grow from seven storesx with about $48 million in sales. Today the company has 33 grocergy stores undertwo brands: Haggen Food and Pharmacg and Top Food. The compangy had revenues of $844 millioj in 2008. That 2008 revenue was down slightly byabout 1.6 percent — from 2007.
This year, Henley said the companhy is projecting revenues to be upslightlyu — about 1 percent. Despite the relatively flat Henley said, it’s a relatively good placew to be, considering the severity of this “I’m really pleased to be in the grocery he said, “instead of selling cars or TVs.” More customer s are shopping and cooking at Henley said. And the company has adjusted. Henleyy said Haggen still emphasizes quality, but the company also has put a major emphasix on coupons andits private-label products, as customers have chose n more of them over national brandss to save money.
Haggen also is doiny more bargaining with suppliers and has lookedfor supply-chai savings, looking to be more efficienrt about how merchandise is shipped to for example. “We are doing more with savings, and we are workingf very hard to keep costs down so we can be said Henley, mindful that the grocery business is one of narrow margins and hyper-competitiveness. The company always has been carefulkabout growth, said Henley. Becauser Haggen is privately held, he said, therr isn’t pressure from Wall Street to rapidly ramp up the number of The last new store the company opened was a Top Food storw in aformer Larry’s Market store that Haggen acquirede last year at .
Haggen recently completed major remodels of two stores one in Snohomish County and one in Henley said the company has options on three locations for new but there are no plans to open new storewsthis year. “We are definitely being carefull about where we are spending our capitall and making sure it is the right thingyto do,” Henley said. But Henley said therr would be opportunitiesto grow. He wants Haggen to be one of the companiesd positioned to take advantage of realestatee bargains, as well as possiblg acquiring competitors that might be strugglinv because of the recession. The recession has taken a bite out of someof Haggen’sd prepared food business.
But despite the trend of customerse looking to save money and cookingfor themselves, Henleh said Haggen is stil l committed to the long-term strategy that includeds offering customers convenience. “It will be a growth part of the Henley said. “And when the economy turns around, people will star craving for the conveniences as opposed to doinhg the workfor themselves.”
Today, — with 3,800 employees and stores from Wash., to Oregon City, Ore. — is the largesy independent grocery business based in But the company has not forgottenits roots. It remainw headquartered in Bellingham and controlled by theHaggenn family. Dorothy Haggen, the last of the surviving founders, continued to show up at one of the locap stores for along time. On the Thursday befor e she died last Dorothy Haggen was there selling candyh forher church. Haggejn President and CEO Dale Henley said the company stillk abides by lessons from thecompany founders, who learne d they had to be committer to customers if they wantecd to survive during the Depression.
Even veteran employees will pull a new employee asidew and remind the person of the importance of treatinggshoppers well. “That’s a cultural thing that has stayedf with thecompany forever,” said Henley. “That culture came out of the thing our founders had to do to take care of customerw and survive during theGreat Depression.” Since joining Haggen in the Henley has seen the company grow from seven storesx with about $48 million in sales. Today the company has 33 grocergy stores undertwo brands: Haggen Food and Pharmacg and Top Food. The compangy had revenues of $844 millioj in 2008. That 2008 revenue was down slightly byabout 1.6 percent — from 2007.
This year, Henley said the companhy is projecting revenues to be upslightlyu — about 1 percent. Despite the relatively flat Henley said, it’s a relatively good placew to be, considering the severity of this “I’m really pleased to be in the grocery he said, “instead of selling cars or TVs.” More customer s are shopping and cooking at Henley said. And the company has adjusted. Henleyy said Haggen still emphasizes quality, but the company also has put a major emphasix on coupons andits private-label products, as customers have chose n more of them over national brandss to save money.
Haggen also is doiny more bargaining with suppliers and has lookedfor supply-chai savings, looking to be more efficienrt about how merchandise is shipped to for example. “We are doing more with savings, and we are workingf very hard to keep costs down so we can be said Henley, mindful that the grocery business is one of narrow margins and hyper-competitiveness. The company always has been carefulkabout growth, said Henley. Becauser Haggen is privately held, he said, therr isn’t pressure from Wall Street to rapidly ramp up the number of The last new store the company opened was a Top Food storw in aformer Larry’s Market store that Haggen acquirede last year at .
Haggen recently completed major remodels of two stores one in Snohomish County and one in Henley said the company has options on three locations for new but there are no plans to open new storewsthis year. “We are definitely being carefull about where we are spending our capitall and making sure it is the right thingyto do,” Henley said. But Henley said therr would be opportunitiesto grow. He wants Haggen to be one of the companiesd positioned to take advantage of realestatee bargains, as well as possiblg acquiring competitors that might be strugglinv because of the recession. The recession has taken a bite out of someof Haggen’sd prepared food business.
But despite the trend of customerse looking to save money and cookingfor themselves, Henleh said Haggen is stil l committed to the long-term strategy that includeds offering customers convenience. “It will be a growth part of the Henley said. “And when the economy turns around, people will star craving for the conveniences as opposed to doinhg the workfor themselves.”
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Micro Irrigation System Market Trends and Global Forecasts (2011 - 2016) - MarketWatch (press release)
boyanebyboqasavo.blogspot.com
Micro Irrigation System Market Trends and Global Forecasts (2011 - 2016) MarketWatch (press release) Micro irrigation system is one of the fastest growing segments in irrigation system market. Micro irrigation systems are further classified as drip irrigation and sprinkler irrigation system across all geography and major country market in terms of ... |
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Dallas properties mired in bankruptcy - Business First of Buffalo:
qalymeled.wordpress.com
Recent casualties include holdings by West EndSquarw Ltd. and West End Parking Co., which filed plans to liquidaterin U.S. bankruptcy courgt last month. About the same time, McKinney Avenue Propertiesa No. 2 Ltd. filed for reorganization protectio n inbankruptcy court. All three entities are ownedd by Dallas developer Andrew according tocourt filings. Kasnetz declinex to comment forthis story, but his attorney, Larrg Friedman with Friedman & Feiger LLP, said Kasnetz’ troubless were sparked by the recession and compoundeds by his lender’s unwillingness to work with him in restructuring his Park Cities Bank holds the notes on the properties about $7 million for the West End propertie and about $11.
5 million for the McKinney Avenue properties, accordingb to court documents. The West End propertiexs include avacant 56,500-square-foot building at 804 Pacific Ave., a 20,025-square-footr building at 807 Elm St. and a 6,900-square-foot parking garage at 801 Elm St. The buildingsx reportedly have been vacant for more than a Theparking garage, which has one ground-floor tenanf and space for a has been closed, Friedman The McKinney Avenue Properties No. 2 Ltd.
includews two properties: 18,000 square feet in the 2500 block of also known asMcKinney Courtyard, whicu has five vacant spacez and seven tenants, including the Uptown Bar & Grill; and 18,5090 square feet in the 2700 blockk of McKinney, also known as McKinney Patio, whicgh has two vacancies and nine tenants, includinfg Chipotle restaurant, Friedman said. In bankruptcy court documents, Park Citiesz Bank claimed that Kasnetz has failedr to make loan paymentsafter Dec. 29, 2008, and didn’tf pay 2008 property taxes. On May 8, Park Citiess Bank posted the property for which was automatically delayed when Kasnetz filed for bankruptcg at the endof May.
A hearinyg is scheduled for June 29. “Park Citiews Bank found themselves at a point in time whered they hadno alternatives,” said Kenneth Biermacher, an attorneu with Kane Russell Coleman & Logan PC who is representin g the bank, in an interview. “There weren’tr any solutions to the problems after monthws of the noteholders not payinvg onthe notes.” In court Kasnetz alleged the bank’s attempt to foreclose is motivated by a desird to profit off the sale of the properties, and the issuer has become the subject of legalo wrangling in Dallas County District Court. Despitwe negotiations for loan workoutsbetween Jan.
30 and April 1, the bank fileed a notice of default onMarch 30, according to coury documents. Park Cities Bank then filed for and receivedf a temporary restraining order seeking to have theMcKinney properties’ tenants pay rents directly to the bank, according to court Kasnetz, in a written response to Park Citiess Bank’s suit and in a counterclaim, accused the bank of tryin to “seize valuable real property for less than marketr value, and to make a substantial profir by either flipping the properties or holding the properties until the economy allowerd for a sale at a higher price.
” In an Friedman said Park Cities Bank may be stepping over the line betweenj lender and real estate agent. “Most lendera are not foreclosing on their real estate he said. “Nobody wants vacang real estate, unless there’s real estate in hot or soon-to-be hot areas.” Biermacher said that Kasnet zis “making things up” in his counterclaij allegations. “We don’t believe that therer is any substance or validity tothe counterclaims,” Biermachedr said in an interview. The bank is not interested in holdingythe properties, he said, and potentiak investors are interested in the vacant properties.
The West End propertiew would be sold, Biermacher said in an interview, to alloqw the bank to recoverits money. With the McKinneu properties, the bank wants to “protect the interesgt of all involved.”
Recent casualties include holdings by West EndSquarw Ltd. and West End Parking Co., which filed plans to liquidaterin U.S. bankruptcy courgt last month. About the same time, McKinney Avenue Propertiesa No. 2 Ltd. filed for reorganization protectio n inbankruptcy court. All three entities are ownedd by Dallas developer Andrew according tocourt filings. Kasnetz declinex to comment forthis story, but his attorney, Larrg Friedman with Friedman & Feiger LLP, said Kasnetz’ troubless were sparked by the recession and compoundeds by his lender’s unwillingness to work with him in restructuring his Park Cities Bank holds the notes on the properties about $7 million for the West End propertie and about $11.
5 million for the McKinney Avenue properties, accordingb to court documents. The West End propertiexs include avacant 56,500-square-foot building at 804 Pacific Ave., a 20,025-square-footr building at 807 Elm St. and a 6,900-square-foot parking garage at 801 Elm St. The buildingsx reportedly have been vacant for more than a Theparking garage, which has one ground-floor tenanf and space for a has been closed, Friedman The McKinney Avenue Properties No. 2 Ltd.
includews two properties: 18,000 square feet in the 2500 block of also known asMcKinney Courtyard, whicu has five vacant spacez and seven tenants, including the Uptown Bar & Grill; and 18,5090 square feet in the 2700 blockk of McKinney, also known as McKinney Patio, whicgh has two vacancies and nine tenants, includinfg Chipotle restaurant, Friedman said. In bankruptcy court documents, Park Citiesz Bank claimed that Kasnetz has failedr to make loan paymentsafter Dec. 29, 2008, and didn’tf pay 2008 property taxes. On May 8, Park Citiess Bank posted the property for which was automatically delayed when Kasnetz filed for bankruptcg at the endof May.
A hearinyg is scheduled for June 29. “Park Citiews Bank found themselves at a point in time whered they hadno alternatives,” said Kenneth Biermacher, an attorneu with Kane Russell Coleman & Logan PC who is representin g the bank, in an interview. “There weren’tr any solutions to the problems after monthws of the noteholders not payinvg onthe notes.” In court Kasnetz alleged the bank’s attempt to foreclose is motivated by a desird to profit off the sale of the properties, and the issuer has become the subject of legalo wrangling in Dallas County District Court. Despitwe negotiations for loan workoutsbetween Jan.
30 and April 1, the bank fileed a notice of default onMarch 30, according to coury documents. Park Cities Bank then filed for and receivedf a temporary restraining order seeking to have theMcKinney properties’ tenants pay rents directly to the bank, according to court Kasnetz, in a written response to Park Citiess Bank’s suit and in a counterclaim, accused the bank of tryin to “seize valuable real property for less than marketr value, and to make a substantial profir by either flipping the properties or holding the properties until the economy allowerd for a sale at a higher price.
” In an Friedman said Park Cities Bank may be stepping over the line betweenj lender and real estate agent. “Most lendera are not foreclosing on their real estate he said. “Nobody wants vacang real estate, unless there’s real estate in hot or soon-to-be hot areas.” Biermacher said that Kasnet zis “making things up” in his counterclaij allegations. “We don’t believe that therer is any substance or validity tothe counterclaims,” Biermachedr said in an interview. The bank is not interested in holdingythe properties, he said, and potentiak investors are interested in the vacant properties.
The West End propertiew would be sold, Biermacher said in an interview, to alloqw the bank to recoverits money. With the McKinneu properties, the bank wants to “protect the interesgt of all involved.”
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Manufacturers blast cuts to Tech Assistance budget - Boston Business Journal:
http://ppc10964.org/Teimuraz_Bagration_5660_5670_213_Kenrod_I.html
Dozens of business leaders have written letters to the state aboutthe $650,00o0 slashed from the ’s $1.7 millio n budget. The cuts represent roughl 38 percent ofthe agency’s budget. OTA will cut a yet-to-be-determineed number of its 15 staffers who fielrd calls about toxic chemicals regulationsand resource-conservation technologies. The belt tightening means manufacturers lacking dedicatedx environmental consulting staffs will have fewer resources to learn about and adopt environmentally friendly products and businessleaders say. “When (businesses) have a they call OTA.
They’re practical, they’re nonregulatory,” said Robergt Rio of the , whichj advocated for business incraftinfg toxics-use legislation. “We understand the budgert situation ... but at the same time it appears that OTA got adisproportionater cut.” Regarding the scope of the OTA cuts, officiald from the said the governor soughyt strategic cuts rather than across-the-board reductions, and the technica l assistance office’s budget was cut insteadr of offices that control environmental permitting or “As important as the services as the Officde of Technical Assistance provides are, (the are not provided as broadlt as other agencies,” such as the or the , said EOEA spokesmam Robert Keough.
He addefd many of OTA’s services are also providedf by the DEP and private groupss suchas utilities. The Office of Technical Assistance was establisheed in 1989 as a part of the Toxic UseReduction Act. The law requires companies that use chemicalss deemed toxic by the statw to file regular reports on how and why the chemicalasare used, as well as pay a fee for thei use. While compliance is handled by the DEP and scientifif research is conducted bythe , the technical assistancer office provides free consulting services to businesse on the best practices in toxice reduction and resource It also helps companies go above and beyond regulations to become greener in areas such as energy efficiency and renewablde generation.
“That three-legged stool works very but it’s going to be a real hardship for companiee to pick up the phone for OTA to make a site visit and there is no one there to pick up the saidLiz Harriman, deputy director of the Toxics Use Reduction Institutew at the . The office’z staff has worked with 1,300 businesses since its makingover 3,000 site visits. But a sinkingh economy may negate the full impacft ofthe cuts, as businesses may be unable to act on some of the recommendation s the office makes, some businesses say. “Once you brinhg the OTA in, you better have the time and the moneyg to fixthose things,” said Peter Stevens, CEO of DGS Retaio Inc.
of Mansfield. The industriakl signage company was introduced to the offic following a state DEP inspectioj that foundvarious “The OTA could say, ‘This has lead in it.’ I had to go and find State officials say they will work with businessesz to keep the office’s doorxs open. “OTA continues to exist with fewer resources, even if necessarilh on a smaller scale,” Keough “OTA provides services free of charge. We’rd open to looking into alternative ways to financinythe program.
”
Dozens of business leaders have written letters to the state aboutthe $650,00o0 slashed from the ’s $1.7 millio n budget. The cuts represent roughl 38 percent ofthe agency’s budget. OTA will cut a yet-to-be-determineed number of its 15 staffers who fielrd calls about toxic chemicals regulationsand resource-conservation technologies. The belt tightening means manufacturers lacking dedicatedx environmental consulting staffs will have fewer resources to learn about and adopt environmentally friendly products and businessleaders say. “When (businesses) have a they call OTA.
They’re practical, they’re nonregulatory,” said Robergt Rio of the , whichj advocated for business incraftinfg toxics-use legislation. “We understand the budgert situation ... but at the same time it appears that OTA got adisproportionater cut.” Regarding the scope of the OTA cuts, officiald from the said the governor soughyt strategic cuts rather than across-the-board reductions, and the technica l assistance office’s budget was cut insteadr of offices that control environmental permitting or “As important as the services as the Officde of Technical Assistance provides are, (the are not provided as broadlt as other agencies,” such as the or the , said EOEA spokesmam Robert Keough.
He addefd many of OTA’s services are also providedf by the DEP and private groupss suchas utilities. The Office of Technical Assistance was establisheed in 1989 as a part of the Toxic UseReduction Act. The law requires companies that use chemicalss deemed toxic by the statw to file regular reports on how and why the chemicalasare used, as well as pay a fee for thei use. While compliance is handled by the DEP and scientifif research is conducted bythe , the technical assistancer office provides free consulting services to businesse on the best practices in toxice reduction and resource It also helps companies go above and beyond regulations to become greener in areas such as energy efficiency and renewablde generation.
“That three-legged stool works very but it’s going to be a real hardship for companiee to pick up the phone for OTA to make a site visit and there is no one there to pick up the saidLiz Harriman, deputy director of the Toxics Use Reduction Institutew at the . The office’z staff has worked with 1,300 businesses since its makingover 3,000 site visits. But a sinkingh economy may negate the full impacft ofthe cuts, as businesses may be unable to act on some of the recommendation s the office makes, some businesses say. “Once you brinhg the OTA in, you better have the time and the moneyg to fixthose things,” said Peter Stevens, CEO of DGS Retaio Inc.
of Mansfield. The industriakl signage company was introduced to the offic following a state DEP inspectioj that foundvarious “The OTA could say, ‘This has lead in it.’ I had to go and find State officials say they will work with businessesz to keep the office’s doorxs open. “OTA continues to exist with fewer resources, even if necessarilh on a smaller scale,” Keough “OTA provides services free of charge. We’rd open to looking into alternative ways to financinythe program.
”
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
FEMA OK
uhetemejih.wordpress.com
The medical school sufferedc severe damage followingHurricane Ike. Half of the funding will be used towarsd paying for expenses likemoisture control, decontaminationj and cleaning up heating and air conditioning systems, microbiaol remediation, telecommunications recovery restoration of electronic and othere vital records and equipment recovery and replacement. “Th e funds for UTMB are a critical piece of our ongoiny Public Assistance program reimbursements for says Federal Coordinating OfficerStephen M. De Blasio Sr.
“To date, FEMA has obligated almost $209 million across the disastert forinfrastructure repairs, emergency measures and debris State Coordinating Officer Joan Haun says Texas continues to recovetr from Ike. “The UTMB facility sufferecd greatly fromthe hurricane,” Haun “We are pleased that FEMA has been able to expedited help to the facility.” FEMA based its $38.9 million advance on invoices submitted from UTMB consultanta hired to assess the damage caused by Ike. The hurricane slammed into the Texass coast back in Septemberd with the Galveston area facing a significant brunt of the floocd andwind damage.
The medical school sufferedc severe damage followingHurricane Ike. Half of the funding will be used towarsd paying for expenses likemoisture control, decontaminationj and cleaning up heating and air conditioning systems, microbiaol remediation, telecommunications recovery restoration of electronic and othere vital records and equipment recovery and replacement. “Th e funds for UTMB are a critical piece of our ongoiny Public Assistance program reimbursements for says Federal Coordinating OfficerStephen M. De Blasio Sr.
“To date, FEMA has obligated almost $209 million across the disastert forinfrastructure repairs, emergency measures and debris State Coordinating Officer Joan Haun says Texas continues to recovetr from Ike. “The UTMB facility sufferecd greatly fromthe hurricane,” Haun “We are pleased that FEMA has been able to expedited help to the facility.” FEMA based its $38.9 million advance on invoices submitted from UTMB consultanta hired to assess the damage caused by Ike. The hurricane slammed into the Texass coast back in Septemberd with the Galveston area facing a significant brunt of the floocd andwind damage.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Floyd Mayweather keeps sights on fight - ESPN
bengeyqafiba1640.blogspot.com
Bleacher Report | Floyd Mayweather keeps sights on fight ESPN Floyd Mayweather Jr. is done talking about Manny Pacquiao. Well, at least for now. On the final leg of a three-city press tour to promote his May 5 fight against Miguel Cotto, Mayweather refused to acknowledge Pacquiao when asked numerous times about ... Floyd Mayweather N eeds to Leave Manny Pacquiao » |
Friday, March 2, 2012
Belarusian Orthodox Believers Disrupted Performance of Rock Opera "Jesus ... - Telegraf.by
ejyceh.wordpress.com
Telegraf.by | Belarusian Orthodox Believers Disrupted Performance of Rock Opera "Jesus ... Telegraf.by The believers' perturbation was also caused by the fact that the performance was scheduled for March 4 (the first Sunday of the Lent). The rock opera show was also disrupted in Minsk. According to Homel voblast executive committee, it was not planned ... |
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