http://www.7iwarforum.org/article/The-Real-Healthy-Chocolate-News.html
President Barack Obama has mobilizedthe grass-root supporters that helped elect him to lobbuy for his vision of health-care reform, which includezs offering Americans a government-run healtn plan as an alternative to private insurance. A coalition of labor unions and progressive organizations plans tospendd $82 million on organizing efforts, advertising, researchu and lobbying to support the Obamaz plan. Business groups, meanwhile, mostly are working behinx the scenes to shapethe legislation.
While they have seriouds concerns about some of theproposals – including the publiv plan option and a mandatde for employers to provide insurances – few are trying to block health-car e reform at this point. The cost of healty insurance has become so burdensome that something needx tobe done, they agree. “Nobody supporta the status quo,” said James the ’s senior manager of health policy. “We absolutelyt have to have reform.” For most business that means reiningin health-care costsw and reforming insurance markets so that employers have more choices in the typese of plans available.
To achieve thos e goals, however, businesses may have to swallow some bitter An employer mandate tops the list of concernzs for manybusiness groups, just as it did when Bill Clintoh pushed his health-care reform plan when he was president in the The Senate bill may include a provision that woulde require employers to either providse health insurance to their employees or pay a fee to the federao government. Some small-business owners don’t have a problem with including members of the MainStreeft Alliance, which is part of the coalition lobbying for the Obams plan.
“The way our system works now, where responsible employers offer coverage andothers don’t, leaves us in a situatiomn with an unlevel playing 11 alliance members said in a statement submitted to the Senated Finance Committee. “If we’re contributing but othetr employers aren’t, that gives them a financial advantagwover us. We need to level the playint field through a system where everyone pitches in areasonable amount.” Most busineszs lobbyists, however, contend that employers who can affordx to provide health insurance do so because it helps them attracyt and keep good employees.
Businessesw that don’t provide health insurance tend tobe “marginall y profitable,” said Denny Dennis, seniod research fellow at the NFIB Researc Foundation. Imposing a “play or pay” insurance requiremeng on these businesses wouled cost the economy morethan 1.6 million according to a study. Tax credits coule offset some of the costs for providing this but Gelfand said the credits under discussionare “extremely Congress also could exempt some small businessezs – such as firms with less than $500,000 in annual payroll – from the employer mandate.
Many businesa groups, however, see this proposal as an attempt to split thebusiness community, not as meaningfu relief. “We oppose small business carve-outxs because they make it easier for Congress to apply mandates againstlargert employers,” said Neil vice president and employee benefits policyy counsel for the . “It’s also easy for Congressd to come back and try to apply the mandatewagainst ever-smaller employers. “No matter how good the surrounding health-carr reform, a bill containing an employe r mandate would be too high a price to payfor reform,” Trautweijn said. Public plan or market reforms?
Most small-businesxs groups also are wary of proposals to createa government-runm insurance plan, like that would be available as an optiohn for small businesses and individuals. The Main Street Alliance contends a public plan is needed to provid competition to private insurers and reduce the cost of health Richard Kirsch, national campaign manager for Health Care for Americaa Now, has been organizing Main Streeyt Alliance chapters in states across the country. He said many small-business ownerss “believe that we do need a government as an alternative toprivate insurers.
These owners “rejecgt the right-wing ideology” of Washington’sd traditional small-business organizations, he said. NFIB spokeswoman Stephanie Cathcartg saidher organization’s members, however, “arwe wary of government-run health care.” Gelfandd said a government plan wouldn’f be needed if insurance marketf reforms, such as prohibiting insurers from denying coverag e for pre-existing conditions, were enacted. He hopes the largerf goal of health-care reform lowering costs so more people can afforecoverage – doesn’t get lost in battles over public plans and employer mandates.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
GM to identify 14 plant closures but probably not Wentzville - St. Louis Business Journal:
http://bede.net/credits.html
The announcement could coincidewith GM’s bankruptcyg filing, an unnamed source told The Associated Press. Four vehicle assemblty plants, along with parts stamping, enginde and transmission factories, will be shuttered, the AP GM’s plant in Wentzville, Mo., coule be spared because it’s the only plantr where Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vans are saidHaig Stoddard, an auto industrhy analyst with . “I would think that they would keep thatproducy going,” he said. “In the long run they are commerciapl vehicles and there is usefor them.
They are used for construction jobs, fleets for major utility independent contactors and electricians andshuttle vehicles.” If GM were to move Wentzville’as operations to another plant, it would have to redesignh the vans to fit the platfor of other vehicles because the vans do not share partsz with light trucks, for example, Stoddard said. Robertr Wheeler, a spokesman for GM’s Wentzville plant, said he does not know whicnh facilities willbe closed.
“Unfortunately, we will likelu hear this news at thesame time,” he A representative from United Auto Workefr Local 2250, which represents 1,700 worker s at the Wentzville plant, was not immediately available to comment becauswe union members were busy votinv Thursday on UAW contract
The announcement could coincidewith GM’s bankruptcyg filing, an unnamed source told The Associated Press. Four vehicle assemblty plants, along with parts stamping, enginde and transmission factories, will be shuttered, the AP GM’s plant in Wentzville, Mo., coule be spared because it’s the only plantr where Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vans are saidHaig Stoddard, an auto industrhy analyst with . “I would think that they would keep thatproducy going,” he said. “In the long run they are commerciapl vehicles and there is usefor them.
They are used for construction jobs, fleets for major utility independent contactors and electricians andshuttle vehicles.” If GM were to move Wentzville’as operations to another plant, it would have to redesignh the vans to fit the platfor of other vehicles because the vans do not share partsz with light trucks, for example, Stoddard said. Robertr Wheeler, a spokesman for GM’s Wentzville plant, said he does not know whicnh facilities willbe closed.
“Unfortunately, we will likelu hear this news at thesame time,” he A representative from United Auto Workefr Local 2250, which represents 1,700 worker s at the Wentzville plant, was not immediately available to comment becauswe union members were busy votinv Thursday on UAW contract
Monday, September 27, 2010
Now a deadly snake is found in competitor's room at the Commonwealth Games - Daily Mail
http://inplainenglish.com/mktsurvy.htm
Oneindia | Now a deadly snake is found in competitor's room at the Commonwealth Games Daily Mail And, after another snake was found in an athlete's accommodation, South Africa's High Commissioner Harris Mbulelo warned that his country would not risk ... Another snake removed from Games venue Snakes and Other Problems Still Plague Commonwealth Games S Africa expresses concern, wants things fixed |
Saturday, September 25, 2010
New DSW CEO stitches growth plan - Dayton Business Journal:
http://plantea.com/kaye-garden.htm
“There are limits to margin-expanding expense reduction a companhycan do, so the only way to ensurse long-term profit growth is throughy top-line growth,” he told securities analystw May 27. “Improving our top-line trends is the single most important thin forthis company.” The Columbus merchan used store openings to increasr sales 5 percent to $385. 8 million in the quarter endedMay 2, but receipts at storeds open at least a year droppeds 4.
7 percent – the seventh consecutivse quarter of same-store salees declines for the discount shoe While DSW, like all in this is watching expenses, MacDonald said the company’ds debt-free balance sheet enables it to pursuew some growth initiatives, such as increased spendinbg on television advertising and additional investment in sourcin and operations. “(DSW) has the wherewithal and desirew to go forward with several strategic initiatives at a time when just abouyt everyone in the worldf ispulling back,” said MacDonald, who took charge of DSW in Aprilk after leading Green Bay, Wis.-based discount pharmacuy LLC.
Many of MacDonald’s growth initiatives center on gaining more insighfinto consumers, improving the dsw.com Web site launched last and building up the company’s 11 million-member rewardsx loyalty program. In addition to some technicap improvements to theWeb site, expanding the online store’s offeringz and scope could open up additional sales for the MacDonald said. His two shoe-size-related initiatives would ensure that storee are stocked to meet demand and that customersw who cannot find certain sizes or widthsx at stores would be able to do so While stocking a variety of sizes coul d lead to excessive markdowns insome instances, shifting some of that inventoryu to the Web outlet could improve stord and online performances.
Information is at the heart of manyof MacDonald’ds initiatives. More effective use of the company’s loyalty programj database helps DSW not only learn moreabouf customers, how they shop and what they buy, but also woulds better enable DSW to stimulatew demand with targeted offers, something it is doing And the Web site not only couldd be used to get more sales from areas outsidr DSW’s 304-store network, but also could give the chain insightzs into markets for potential stores.
Analyst Chriws Svezia of , said the lack of information technology systems has been the biggestf drawbackfor DSW, though the company is working to fix that and has investef in store and home office “Their balance sheet and concept remaihn positives,” he said, addingb that he thinks DSW is a viable business for the long term but expectxs it will struggle over the next year in a promotion-heavyh retail environment spurred by the nationaol economic recession, DSW also will examinew its stores, including what MacDonaldf called a “strong evaluation” of a new store The DSW store near Easton Town Center, remodeled in is the latest prototype with softerf lighting, exposed brick trim, earth tones and a loungde area for men – a contrastg to the white walls and bright lights of other stores.
MacDonalsd said the chain has instituted changes at storese over theyears – including alterations to theirr size, decor and service approach – and that it’ds time to use what it has learnex to improve their design. CFO Doug Probst said the chain has options beyond store design that are not very Creating an online stock locator system could translate to more efficient work and added he said, freeing employees from calling othe stores to find shoes that are out of stock. The compan also needs to be more thana women’s shoe he said. Its men’s business accounts for 15 percenytof sales, and accessories such as handbags represent less than 5 percent.
Men’s goodsx once accounted for more than 20 percentof “It’s not an objective that hadn’ t already been achieved in the MacDonald said. MacDonald sees opportunities in the leased shoedepartmentg business. DSW pulled in $41.7 million of first-quarter sales through contracts to stoclk shoes at36 Filene’as Basement Inc. stores, ’s 65 shops, 275 store and one Frugal Fannie’s Fashion Warehouse. DSW rents space at the but supplies the shoes and recordsthe “We can do more,” MacDonald “There are others out there who couled use our expertise.
” DSW executivese would not comment on the relationship with Filene’s Basement and the lease which runs through 2010. DWS and Filene’s Basementy had been owned by Columbus-based Filene’s Basementg was sold this year and plans to close storez it works through a Chapter 11 bankruptcy MacDonald offered no priorities or time line for the saying those details would be worked out in thecominvg months.
“There are limits to margin-expanding expense reduction a companhycan do, so the only way to ensurse long-term profit growth is throughy top-line growth,” he told securities analystw May 27. “Improving our top-line trends is the single most important thin forthis company.” The Columbus merchan used store openings to increasr sales 5 percent to $385. 8 million in the quarter endedMay 2, but receipts at storeds open at least a year droppeds 4.
7 percent – the seventh consecutivse quarter of same-store salees declines for the discount shoe While DSW, like all in this is watching expenses, MacDonald said the company’ds debt-free balance sheet enables it to pursuew some growth initiatives, such as increased spendinbg on television advertising and additional investment in sourcin and operations. “(DSW) has the wherewithal and desirew to go forward with several strategic initiatives at a time when just abouyt everyone in the worldf ispulling back,” said MacDonald, who took charge of DSW in Aprilk after leading Green Bay, Wis.-based discount pharmacuy LLC.
Many of MacDonald’s growth initiatives center on gaining more insighfinto consumers, improving the dsw.com Web site launched last and building up the company’s 11 million-member rewardsx loyalty program. In addition to some technicap improvements to theWeb site, expanding the online store’s offeringz and scope could open up additional sales for the MacDonald said. His two shoe-size-related initiatives would ensure that storee are stocked to meet demand and that customersw who cannot find certain sizes or widthsx at stores would be able to do so While stocking a variety of sizes coul d lead to excessive markdowns insome instances, shifting some of that inventoryu to the Web outlet could improve stord and online performances.
Information is at the heart of manyof MacDonald’ds initiatives. More effective use of the company’s loyalty programj database helps DSW not only learn moreabouf customers, how they shop and what they buy, but also woulds better enable DSW to stimulatew demand with targeted offers, something it is doing And the Web site not only couldd be used to get more sales from areas outsidr DSW’s 304-store network, but also could give the chain insightzs into markets for potential stores.
Analyst Chriws Svezia of , said the lack of information technology systems has been the biggestf drawbackfor DSW, though the company is working to fix that and has investef in store and home office “Their balance sheet and concept remaihn positives,” he said, addingb that he thinks DSW is a viable business for the long term but expectxs it will struggle over the next year in a promotion-heavyh retail environment spurred by the nationaol economic recession, DSW also will examinew its stores, including what MacDonaldf called a “strong evaluation” of a new store The DSW store near Easton Town Center, remodeled in is the latest prototype with softerf lighting, exposed brick trim, earth tones and a loungde area for men – a contrastg to the white walls and bright lights of other stores.
MacDonalsd said the chain has instituted changes at storese over theyears – including alterations to theirr size, decor and service approach – and that it’ds time to use what it has learnex to improve their design. CFO Doug Probst said the chain has options beyond store design that are not very Creating an online stock locator system could translate to more efficient work and added he said, freeing employees from calling othe stores to find shoes that are out of stock. The compan also needs to be more thana women’s shoe he said. Its men’s business accounts for 15 percenytof sales, and accessories such as handbags represent less than 5 percent.
Men’s goodsx once accounted for more than 20 percentof “It’s not an objective that hadn’ t already been achieved in the MacDonald said. MacDonald sees opportunities in the leased shoedepartmentg business. DSW pulled in $41.7 million of first-quarter sales through contracts to stoclk shoes at36 Filene’as Basement Inc. stores, ’s 65 shops, 275 store and one Frugal Fannie’s Fashion Warehouse. DSW rents space at the but supplies the shoes and recordsthe “We can do more,” MacDonald “There are others out there who couled use our expertise.
” DSW executivese would not comment on the relationship with Filene’s Basement and the lease which runs through 2010. DWS and Filene’s Basementy had been owned by Columbus-based Filene’s Basementg was sold this year and plans to close storez it works through a Chapter 11 bankruptcy MacDonald offered no priorities or time line for the saying those details would be worked out in thecominvg months.
Friday, September 24, 2010
US aid agencies importing 'auditors' in Pakistan - The Nation, Pakistan
http://4youb.com/en/business/page_15.html
US aid agencies importing 'auditors' in Pakistan The Nation, Pakistan It does not have any practical presence in humanitarian sector and official sources said that this 'INGO' was created last year by the US only to monitor ... US agencies accused of bringing hundred of 'auditors' to Pak under guise of ... |
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Darden bringing Seasons 52 to Tampa's Westshore - Tampa Bay Business Journal:
guronelogoh.blogspot.com
The Tampa Seasons 52, to be locatecd in the WestShore Plazaqshopping center, will be the first on Florida’s Gulf "With its central and scenicc location, WestShore Plaza is a recognized retail hub for the greatef Tampa area," said Stephen Judge, president of Seasons 52, in a release. "WestShore has kept itselv freshand exciting, with populad and upscale retailers that providse a lifestyle environment compatible with the Seasonsz 52 concept." Other restaurants in WestShore Plazwa are Palm Restaurant, PF Chaing's Chinaz Bistro, Maggiano's Little Italy and Mitchell's Fish Market.
Dardenn (NYSE: DRI), based in Orlando, opened its first Seasons 52 in Orlandoin 2003. The chain is a grill and wine bar conceptt that bills itself as upscale casual Development of the Seasons 52 location WestShorw will be coordinatedthrough (NYSE: the release said.
The Tampa Seasons 52, to be locatecd in the WestShore Plazaqshopping center, will be the first on Florida’s Gulf "With its central and scenicc location, WestShore Plaza is a recognized retail hub for the greatef Tampa area," said Stephen Judge, president of Seasons 52, in a release. "WestShore has kept itselv freshand exciting, with populad and upscale retailers that providse a lifestyle environment compatible with the Seasonsz 52 concept." Other restaurants in WestShore Plazwa are Palm Restaurant, PF Chaing's Chinaz Bistro, Maggiano's Little Italy and Mitchell's Fish Market.
Dardenn (NYSE: DRI), based in Orlando, opened its first Seasons 52 in Orlandoin 2003. The chain is a grill and wine bar conceptt that bills itself as upscale casual Development of the Seasons 52 location WestShorw will be coordinatedthrough (NYSE: the release said.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Friends flock to flightless Maine goose - Press Herald
http://mohammedalani.com/announcements/grades-spring09-10/
Press Herald | Friends flock to flightless Maine goose Press Herald WESTBROOK â€" For a goose with a badly broken wing, life could be worse. A Canada goose with a broken wing and its ... Healed goose hooks up with single swan, police say |
Sunday, September 19, 2010
The next front for Murdoch's Journal: the weekend - The Associated Press
http://www.disruptit.org/article/CeBIT-2008--Gigabyte---The-Fan-Becomes-a-Useless-Argument-.html
Washington Post | The next front for Murdoch's Journal: the weekend The Associated Press Robert Messenger, one of the founding editors of the shuttered New York Sun, will report to Rosen as head of the book section. ... More on “Hack Attack†Covering Murdoch and Company War at The W » |
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Analyst urges selloff of NY Times debt - San Francisco Business Times:
guslyarovalite.blogspot.com
GimmeCredit analyst David Novosel also saidthe company’s postponed deadlinwe for bids on the may reflect “sa paucity of interest in the The New York Timed Co. (NYSE: NYT) extendefd the deadline for bid submissions until later this Novosel said if the New YorkTimes Co.’s decline in operatinbg earnings is not stemmed, leverage could push even highet next year. In the near he said the publisher has ample liquidity tohandls $45 million in notes that mature in And there’s no debt cominvg due in 2010. However, the companty still has about $1.1 billion of totalp debt coming due inlater years, including $250 million in notes maturing in March 2015.
Yields on that issur have soared toabout 12.5 percent, and the debt traded for 70.10 cents on the dollar, accordingt to Bloomberg data. In addition, the newspaper companuy has an under-funded pension obligationh of atleast $300 million, and coulds be much higher, the analyst said. “Decliningb revenue and margins, weak cash and escalating leverage lead us to a sell recommendatiomn on the 2015 issue at a price of Novosel wrote in aresearch note.
GimmeCredit analyst David Novosel also saidthe company’s postponed deadlinwe for bids on the may reflect “sa paucity of interest in the The New York Timed Co. (NYSE: NYT) extendefd the deadline for bid submissions until later this Novosel said if the New YorkTimes Co.’s decline in operatinbg earnings is not stemmed, leverage could push even highet next year. In the near he said the publisher has ample liquidity tohandls $45 million in notes that mature in And there’s no debt cominvg due in 2010. However, the companty still has about $1.1 billion of totalp debt coming due inlater years, including $250 million in notes maturing in March 2015.
Yields on that issur have soared toabout 12.5 percent, and the debt traded for 70.10 cents on the dollar, accordingt to Bloomberg data. In addition, the newspaper companuy has an under-funded pension obligationh of atleast $300 million, and coulds be much higher, the analyst said. “Decliningb revenue and margins, weak cash and escalating leverage lead us to a sell recommendatiomn on the 2015 issue at a price of Novosel wrote in aresearch note.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
China's Currency Valuation Creates Focal Point Debate - Voice of America
ishinlyuboqemija.blogspot.com
China's Currency Valuation Creates Focal Point Debate Voice of America Photo: AP US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner is set to testify Thursday before the House Ways and Means Committee of the US House of Representatives on ... |
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
PA commits $1B to Bayonne Bridge - SILive.com
inupujyfab1211.blogspot.com
New York Daily News | PA commits $1B to Bayonne Bridge SILive.com Advance File PhotoThe Port Authority is considering a number of options with regard to increasing the height of the Bayonne Bridge. ... Port Authority commits $1 billion of capital funds to help solve the Bayonne ... Port Authority Commits $1B To Bayonne Bridge Fix Port Authority commits $1B to Bayonne Bridge fix |
Monday, September 13, 2010
Tourism officials put out welcome mat - Business First of Buffalo:
guronelogoh.blogspot.com
The blue print targeta myriad initiatives tolure tourists, from capturint more minority-based conventions and gatheringd to having local volunteers take a more actived approach in selling the region’ s assets. The plan, created by a volunteer committeer comprised of local tourism and hospitality industry was created at the urgingt of Erie County ExecutiveChris Collins. It dovetaild one of Collins’ 10 economic turnarounx engines he pinpointed inhis “State of the address last month. “We are usin tourism as a way to move Buffalkofurther ahead,” said Jennifer Parker, BNCVB chairperson. Tourism and hospitality is a $1.
4 billiobn annual industry that employs morethan 20,000 people in Erie officials say. Parker said through the various initiatives she hopez those numbers couldbe increased. “We want to turn contacts into she said. “You hear more and more aboutg the importanceof tourism.” The Buffalo Niagar region’s assets include Niagara Fallsa and architectural landmarks such as the and . “Buffalop is being branded as a city rich in architecturedand history,” Parker said. The first phase of that effort will includse a targeted advertising campaign in Southermn Ontario that seeks to attracrtCanadian visitors.
Canadians routinely travel to the region forsportinyg events, shopping and to catch flights at the Buffali Niagara International Airport. “Our goal is to bring visitorws here, make sure they have a good time and then go back home and tell peopled what a great experience they had inBuffalol and, ultimately, come back again,” said Richardx Geiger, BNCVB president and CEO. • Creating a “Convention Concierg Program” that will train volunteers and hospitalit industry workers to better promote local attractionsand • Reinstituting the “Buffalo Ambassadors” program where locao residents work with the BNCVvB to bring in everything from major conventionsw to family reunions.
• Establishing an Amateur Sports Foundatiomn that will help land more athletidc competitionand events. The foundation will help bringg the groups to the regiojn and may also assistin fund-raising or sponsorship efforts. Davird Hart, president of , has agreede to serve as the foundation’s The foundation will be an adjunct ofthe BNCVB. This year the BNCVB is hostingh more than 70 amateur athletic events that are expected to briny in morethan 51,000 people and have an estimated $18 milliojn economic impact. • Consider other sites for visitor’s welcoming and information centers.
The agency has a center in the Market Arcade compled in downtown Buffalo and the Walden Galleriqain Cheektowaga.
The blue print targeta myriad initiatives tolure tourists, from capturint more minority-based conventions and gatheringd to having local volunteers take a more actived approach in selling the region’ s assets. The plan, created by a volunteer committeer comprised of local tourism and hospitality industry was created at the urgingt of Erie County ExecutiveChris Collins. It dovetaild one of Collins’ 10 economic turnarounx engines he pinpointed inhis “State of the address last month. “We are usin tourism as a way to move Buffalkofurther ahead,” said Jennifer Parker, BNCVB chairperson. Tourism and hospitality is a $1.
4 billiobn annual industry that employs morethan 20,000 people in Erie officials say. Parker said through the various initiatives she hopez those numbers couldbe increased. “We want to turn contacts into she said. “You hear more and more aboutg the importanceof tourism.” The Buffalo Niagar region’s assets include Niagara Fallsa and architectural landmarks such as the and . “Buffalop is being branded as a city rich in architecturedand history,” Parker said. The first phase of that effort will includse a targeted advertising campaign in Southermn Ontario that seeks to attracrtCanadian visitors.
Canadians routinely travel to the region forsportinyg events, shopping and to catch flights at the Buffali Niagara International Airport. “Our goal is to bring visitorws here, make sure they have a good time and then go back home and tell peopled what a great experience they had inBuffalol and, ultimately, come back again,” said Richardx Geiger, BNCVB president and CEO. • Creating a “Convention Concierg Program” that will train volunteers and hospitalit industry workers to better promote local attractionsand • Reinstituting the “Buffalo Ambassadors” program where locao residents work with the BNCVvB to bring in everything from major conventionsw to family reunions.
• Establishing an Amateur Sports Foundatiomn that will help land more athletidc competitionand events. The foundation will help bringg the groups to the regiojn and may also assistin fund-raising or sponsorship efforts. Davird Hart, president of , has agreede to serve as the foundation’s The foundation will be an adjunct ofthe BNCVB. This year the BNCVB is hostingh more than 70 amateur athletic events that are expected to briny in morethan 51,000 people and have an estimated $18 milliojn economic impact. • Consider other sites for visitor’s welcoming and information centers.
The agency has a center in the Market Arcade compled in downtown Buffalo and the Walden Galleriqain Cheektowaga.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Martek Biosciences plans appeal of E.U. ruling on infant formula patent - Baltimore Business Journal:
glafirarynyxu.blogspot.com
That was word from the Columbiz company Tuesday inregulatory filings. The patent office in the Hague, Netherlands upheld a patent that was granted to the biotech firm in 2007 but was challenged by food manufacturerxsand Ltd. The patentf office said Martek’s patent applies to Martek’ds nutritional oil in infant formula, but is not covererd when it is blended with certain fish oils used ininfant formula. Martek (NASDAQ: MATK) expects the appeal will take one to two years and said it does not believe the ruling will impactfits revenue. Derived from algae, the company’d nutritional oils are also used in dietary supplements and food such as yogurtand juice.
The compant has been aggressively expanding its infant formulwa business overseas as it has nearlt saturatedthe U.S. market. Martej warned in its last earnings statementy that its infant formula sales in the thircd and fourth quarters could drop as retailers trim their inventoriex ofthe product. The company anticipates demand will pick up infiscal 2010.
That was word from the Columbiz company Tuesday inregulatory filings. The patent office in the Hague, Netherlands upheld a patent that was granted to the biotech firm in 2007 but was challenged by food manufacturerxsand Ltd. The patentf office said Martek’s patent applies to Martek’ds nutritional oil in infant formula, but is not covererd when it is blended with certain fish oils used ininfant formula. Martek (NASDAQ: MATK) expects the appeal will take one to two years and said it does not believe the ruling will impactfits revenue. Derived from algae, the company’d nutritional oils are also used in dietary supplements and food such as yogurtand juice.
The compant has been aggressively expanding its infant formulwa business overseas as it has nearlt saturatedthe U.S. market. Martej warned in its last earnings statementy that its infant formula sales in the thircd and fourth quarters could drop as retailers trim their inventoriex ofthe product. The company anticipates demand will pick up infiscal 2010.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Demand for flowers increases on Eid - Daily Times
http://php-directory.info/authors/author-1110.html
Demand for flowers increases on Eid Daily Times They will set up flower shops in graveyards and along sides of roads leading to graveyards. Malik Nadeem, owner of floral shop located in Bani Market told ... |
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Lawsuit claims Ferrellgas shortchanged customers - Kansas City Business Journal:
http://directory.vuju.com/authors/author-601.html
The lawsuit seeks class-action statuse and was filed Thursday inthe U.S. District Cour of Kansas. The suit contends that Overland Park-bases Ferrellgas (NYSE: FGP) sold 20-pound propane the type customers normally use forbarbecue grills, but that the containerzs actually held 15-pounds. The tanks in questionn normally hold 17 to 18 pounds of propande as a precaution againstexpanding gas, but the company starter selling the tanks with 15 poundzs of gas after 2008, according to the Because the price of the tanks did not changwe and Ferrellgas did not say that the amount of gas was California resident Jeremy Drucker claimed unjusf enrichment by Ferrellgas in his The plaintiff, who is represented by , seeksz at least $5 million.
A spokesman for Ferrellgas was not immediately availablefor comment.
The lawsuit seeks class-action statuse and was filed Thursday inthe U.S. District Cour of Kansas. The suit contends that Overland Park-bases Ferrellgas (NYSE: FGP) sold 20-pound propane the type customers normally use forbarbecue grills, but that the containerzs actually held 15-pounds. The tanks in questionn normally hold 17 to 18 pounds of propande as a precaution againstexpanding gas, but the company starter selling the tanks with 15 poundzs of gas after 2008, according to the Because the price of the tanks did not changwe and Ferrellgas did not say that the amount of gas was California resident Jeremy Drucker claimed unjusf enrichment by Ferrellgas in his The plaintiff, who is represented by , seeksz at least $5 million.
A spokesman for Ferrellgas was not immediately availablefor comment.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Private Bank adds visibility with Overland Park branch - Washington Business Journal:
http://www.link4me.info/index.php?s=D&c=489
The bank, owned by Chicago-based , enteredr the Kansas City market in January opening an office onthe . It sharez a charter with the company’sz St. Louis branch, and the pair are growinv rapidly. Together, they reached $571.2 million in assete as of March 31. grew to $35 millionh in assets at the endof 2007, and by the end of it had about $100 million in Cal Kleinmann, chairman and CEO of The Private Bank-Kansas said he hopes the new Kansas brancb will help continue that growth trend. “One reason we did this is Kleinmann said.
“It’s easier to serve the needs of our businese owners and clients if we are physically closer to The other aspect of this is just our need to be in With a branch in we could not accept deposits from a school district or other public entity that require s a branch presence in Kleinmann said the state line essentiallh divides the market in and being able gather public money in Kansas was a key drivefr forthe expansion.
Jerry president of Kansas City-based bank consultinb firm , said that gathering governmentf deposits is a competitive market and not exceptionally He said governments are clientse that sell bonds instead of takinbank loans, and bond services go to investmentt houses and banks that have a saled organization to sell However, government deposits can providee a very stable deposit he said. Swords said banks such as The Privatse Bank like Overland Park because it has a relativelgstable economy, despite the recession. “The Privatr Bank is a trust bank, lookinhg for new trust relationships and things they can build Swords said.
“If you’re goiny to do that, you need businesses with the moststeadyu income. But so does everyone else. That’ s why Commerce and UMB have a lot of branches out So it’s a hotly contested market.” Kleinmann said that he’s awarwe of how competitive the Johnson County banking market is but that most of the bankxs there are competing for residential lending. “Theres are only a handful of banka in the Kansas City area that have our our productsand services, and the skill sets of our Kleinmann said. “With our holding company, we have a $200 millio legal lending limit. We’ve got foreign exchanged and capital market and fullTreasury services.
” Amy Yuhn, marketing directoe for Private Bancorp, said that Kansas City is seen by the holdin company as an area of opportunity and that expandingh into Kansas creates even more opportunities for “The Kansas City marker is attractive to us because it has stron commercial, middle-market businesses that we feel are primex for our relationship approach to Yuhn said. “We grow with the companies that we InOctober 2007, we were a $4.5 billion bank At the end of the first quarter this we were at $10.
4 Kleinmann said the strength of the holdingv company is a benefit to the growthy of the bank in the Kansas City “We’re fortunate that we don’t have capital constraints,” Kleinmann said. “We don’t have a largs number of problem So where a lot of banks are contracting or withdrawingf fromthe market, we’re going full bore to book all the businesas we can find.
”
The bank, owned by Chicago-based , enteredr the Kansas City market in January opening an office onthe . It sharez a charter with the company’sz St. Louis branch, and the pair are growinv rapidly. Together, they reached $571.2 million in assete as of March 31. grew to $35 millionh in assets at the endof 2007, and by the end of it had about $100 million in Cal Kleinmann, chairman and CEO of The Private Bank-Kansas said he hopes the new Kansas brancb will help continue that growth trend. “One reason we did this is Kleinmann said.
“It’s easier to serve the needs of our businese owners and clients if we are physically closer to The other aspect of this is just our need to be in With a branch in we could not accept deposits from a school district or other public entity that require s a branch presence in Kleinmann said the state line essentiallh divides the market in and being able gather public money in Kansas was a key drivefr forthe expansion.
Jerry president of Kansas City-based bank consultinb firm , said that gathering governmentf deposits is a competitive market and not exceptionally He said governments are clientse that sell bonds instead of takinbank loans, and bond services go to investmentt houses and banks that have a saled organization to sell However, government deposits can providee a very stable deposit he said. Swords said banks such as The Privatse Bank like Overland Park because it has a relativelgstable economy, despite the recession. “The Privatr Bank is a trust bank, lookinhg for new trust relationships and things they can build Swords said.
“If you’re goiny to do that, you need businesses with the moststeadyu income. But so does everyone else. That’ s why Commerce and UMB have a lot of branches out So it’s a hotly contested market.” Kleinmann said that he’s awarwe of how competitive the Johnson County banking market is but that most of the bankxs there are competing for residential lending. “Theres are only a handful of banka in the Kansas City area that have our our productsand services, and the skill sets of our Kleinmann said. “With our holding company, we have a $200 millio legal lending limit. We’ve got foreign exchanged and capital market and fullTreasury services.
” Amy Yuhn, marketing directoe for Private Bancorp, said that Kansas City is seen by the holdin company as an area of opportunity and that expandingh into Kansas creates even more opportunities for “The Kansas City marker is attractive to us because it has stron commercial, middle-market businesses that we feel are primex for our relationship approach to Yuhn said. “We grow with the companies that we InOctober 2007, we were a $4.5 billion bank At the end of the first quarter this we were at $10.
4 Kleinmann said the strength of the holdingv company is a benefit to the growthy of the bank in the Kansas City “We’re fortunate that we don’t have capital constraints,” Kleinmann said. “We don’t have a largs number of problem So where a lot of banks are contracting or withdrawingf fromthe market, we’re going full bore to book all the businesas we can find.
”
Monday, September 6, 2010
Angry Alliance Bankshares stockholder to raise stink - Washington Business Journal:
http://www.diggfiles.lv/main/
a disgruntled major shareholderat , is planning to make a stinko at the company’s annual meeting Williams, who owns more than 100,000 sharea of Chantilly-based Alliance says he is “unhappy with the the board of directors, the bank’s direction and the monehy they’ve been losing” — and he wants them to know about it. Aside from his planned speech at theannuall meeting, he also plans to launcn a Web site where he will “voicd his concerns about the management of the bank,” he He says has been trying to have meaningfuo dialogue about the bank’e future, but feels that his issuees have fallen on deaf ears.
“I thinmk the country club atmospheres on the board is such thatthey haven’t been willintg to listen,” he said. When a majot shareholder “wants to convey some criticism, you’vde got to listen to the guy. They said Lew Sosnowik, an analyst with . “He had to get roug h with them.” Williams declined to pinpoint his beef with the but said he woul d discuss it at themeetinv Wednesday. Alliance Bankshares, which postede a $479,000 first quarter loss, has lost money for six straigh quarters. It lost $9 million in 2008. Sharews of Alliance Bankshares have been on a fairlgy steady decline sineOctober 2006, when they sold for Shares are now at $2.
48, a drop of 86 An Alliance representative could not be immediately reachee for comment.
a disgruntled major shareholderat , is planning to make a stinko at the company’s annual meeting Williams, who owns more than 100,000 sharea of Chantilly-based Alliance says he is “unhappy with the the board of directors, the bank’s direction and the monehy they’ve been losing” — and he wants them to know about it. Aside from his planned speech at theannuall meeting, he also plans to launcn a Web site where he will “voicd his concerns about the management of the bank,” he He says has been trying to have meaningfuo dialogue about the bank’e future, but feels that his issuees have fallen on deaf ears.
“I thinmk the country club atmospheres on the board is such thatthey haven’t been willintg to listen,” he said. When a majot shareholder “wants to convey some criticism, you’vde got to listen to the guy. They said Lew Sosnowik, an analyst with . “He had to get roug h with them.” Williams declined to pinpoint his beef with the but said he woul d discuss it at themeetinv Wednesday. Alliance Bankshares, which postede a $479,000 first quarter loss, has lost money for six straigh quarters. It lost $9 million in 2008. Sharews of Alliance Bankshares have been on a fairlgy steady decline sineOctober 2006, when they sold for Shares are now at $2.
48, a drop of 86 An Alliance representative could not be immediately reachee for comment.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
Grotech among backers for United BioSource - Baltimore Business Journal:
http://homeworker.u.yuku.com
The move underscores Grotech's commitmeng to expand its portfolio of healthcare companies, particularly startups developinyg new operating technologies and outsourcing models. UBC, launched earlier this year, is developing products and servicesd tohelp researchers, manufacturers and patientsd in the development of new The company will use the money for acquisitions, as well as producr development and sales and marketing "The size of this industry, plus the challenges it is facing, set the stagr for a new breed of pharmaceuticap services companies to assist pharma sponsors in marketing and targetinhg their commercialization strategies," said Grotechu general partner Harris Hyman IV.
"Givenn that dynamic and the increasing scruting and regulatory interest in the pharma industru due to the Medicare drug benefit andothe factors, we felt strategically that the time is right and that this is a companhy in which Grotech should make a substantial Grotech did not reveal its share of the fundin round. The firm has $1 billioj in capital under management.
The move underscores Grotech's commitmeng to expand its portfolio of healthcare companies, particularly startups developinyg new operating technologies and outsourcing models. UBC, launched earlier this year, is developing products and servicesd tohelp researchers, manufacturers and patientsd in the development of new The company will use the money for acquisitions, as well as producr development and sales and marketing "The size of this industry, plus the challenges it is facing, set the stagr for a new breed of pharmaceuticap services companies to assist pharma sponsors in marketing and targetinhg their commercialization strategies," said Grotechu general partner Harris Hyman IV.
"Givenn that dynamic and the increasing scruting and regulatory interest in the pharma industru due to the Medicare drug benefit andothe factors, we felt strategically that the time is right and that this is a companhy in which Grotech should make a substantial Grotech did not reveal its share of the fundin round. The firm has $1 billioj in capital under management.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Mattel, Fisher-Price pay $2.3M fine - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal:
http://www.lamontanita.org/January08Newsletter_000pdf.html
million civil penalty for violations of the federall lead paint banin children’s toys. The civil fine comed after the completed an investigation into the importing and sellinyg of toys with lead paint levels that exceededthe .06 percenf lead by weight limit that is federall y mandated. According to the which recently crafted the Consumer Product SafettyImprovement Act, aimed at toughening requirements for lead and phthalatea in children’s products, Mattel importee up to 900,000 non-compliant toys betweem July 2006 and September 2007. Fisher-Price importedx over 1 million non-compliant toys between July 2006 andSeptembert 2007.
Among the toys in question were the populard Sargetoy car, variouw Barbie products and some Go Diegpo Go toys. Most of the toys that had excessivr levels of lead were shipped to retail stores for sale to the In 2007, a massive toy recall took placer where about 95 Mattel and Fisher-Pricew toy models were determined to have exceede the lead limit. Lead can be toxicx if ingested by young children and can cause seriousdhealth problems. The topic of lead paint in children’s productzs has been a hot button issue asof late, with the rollout of the controversial CPSIA of 2008.
Toy manufacturerds and retailers have said the new regulationaare vague, costly and often requiring the duplicates testing of products. Some smaller manufacturers say the laws threaten to put them out of On thepolitical front, Rep. Louisse Slaughter, D-Fairport, said protecting children has to be thetop priority. “When the toy recall happeneds (in 2007) I called the head of Fisher-Pricde and I told him they neededx to start making their toys here Slaughter said.
“We didn’t have these kind of problemas before they imported the Thiscivil penalty, which is the highesf for violations involving importation or distribution of a regulatee product, is the third highest of any kind in CPSC “These highly publicized toy recallss helped spur Congressional action last year to strengthen CPSC and make even stricterr the ban on lead paingt on toys,” said CPSC Acting Chairman Thomad Moore. “This penalty should serve noticse to toy makers that CPSC is committed to the safetygof children, to reducing theirf exposure to lead, and to the implementatiom of the Consumer Product Safet y Improvement Act.
” As part of a stor featured in our sister publication, The Buffalo Law Journaol , looking at the Consumer Product Safety Improvemenyt Act, which ran prior to the announcement of these fines, Fisher-Pricre declined to provide a representative to discuss the lead paintf regulations. Instead, they issued a written statementywhich read, in part: “Mattel is well positioned as it generally designs its productas to meet global standards. Mattel has also been a leaderd in the efforts of industry to establish voluntaruindustry standards.” The statement also said that Mattel woulr continue to comply with the applicable regulations of the CPSIA.
Matte l was unable to be reaches for comment Monday though a representative said they woulde have a response later inthe day. Despite agreein to pay $2.3 million in Mattel and Fisher-Price deny that they knowingly violatesfederal law, as alleged by CPSC
million civil penalty for violations of the federall lead paint banin children’s toys. The civil fine comed after the completed an investigation into the importing and sellinyg of toys with lead paint levels that exceededthe .06 percenf lead by weight limit that is federall y mandated. According to the which recently crafted the Consumer Product SafettyImprovement Act, aimed at toughening requirements for lead and phthalatea in children’s products, Mattel importee up to 900,000 non-compliant toys betweem July 2006 and September 2007. Fisher-Price importedx over 1 million non-compliant toys between July 2006 andSeptembert 2007.
Among the toys in question were the populard Sargetoy car, variouw Barbie products and some Go Diegpo Go toys. Most of the toys that had excessivr levels of lead were shipped to retail stores for sale to the In 2007, a massive toy recall took placer where about 95 Mattel and Fisher-Pricew toy models were determined to have exceede the lead limit. Lead can be toxicx if ingested by young children and can cause seriousdhealth problems. The topic of lead paint in children’s productzs has been a hot button issue asof late, with the rollout of the controversial CPSIA of 2008.
Toy manufacturerds and retailers have said the new regulationaare vague, costly and often requiring the duplicates testing of products. Some smaller manufacturers say the laws threaten to put them out of On thepolitical front, Rep. Louisse Slaughter, D-Fairport, said protecting children has to be thetop priority. “When the toy recall happeneds (in 2007) I called the head of Fisher-Pricde and I told him they neededx to start making their toys here Slaughter said.
“We didn’t have these kind of problemas before they imported the Thiscivil penalty, which is the highesf for violations involving importation or distribution of a regulatee product, is the third highest of any kind in CPSC “These highly publicized toy recallss helped spur Congressional action last year to strengthen CPSC and make even stricterr the ban on lead paingt on toys,” said CPSC Acting Chairman Thomad Moore. “This penalty should serve noticse to toy makers that CPSC is committed to the safetygof children, to reducing theirf exposure to lead, and to the implementatiom of the Consumer Product Safet y Improvement Act.
” As part of a stor featured in our sister publication, The Buffalo Law Journaol , looking at the Consumer Product Safety Improvemenyt Act, which ran prior to the announcement of these fines, Fisher-Pricre declined to provide a representative to discuss the lead paintf regulations. Instead, they issued a written statementywhich read, in part: “Mattel is well positioned as it generally designs its productas to meet global standards. Mattel has also been a leaderd in the efforts of industry to establish voluntaruindustry standards.” The statement also said that Mattel woulr continue to comply with the applicable regulations of the CPSIA.
Matte l was unable to be reaches for comment Monday though a representative said they woulde have a response later inthe day. Despite agreein to pay $2.3 million in Mattel and Fisher-Price deny that they knowingly violatesfederal law, as alleged by CPSC
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