http://wrenchtime.com/engineering.html
The purchase price for the 36-acre located at 810 Union Road, is $2.5 The site features eight buildingstotallingh 57,000 square feet with both residentia and commercial space. Ronald Mahurin, academicd vice president and dean of theAllegany County-baserd private college, said the listing reflects the institution’s desirre to enhance its presence in Buffalo, where it is work closely with several non-profit Ideally, the school woul like to lease or buy a locatiohn close to the Southtowns and leasse or buy another site withi city lines, he said.
“We really want to find ways in whicb we can partner with existing organizations and find a a spot that would signal our commitment both to the city of but also to the surrounding communitieswhere we’vw had an important presence,” Mahurin “We really haven’t determined whether we would leas e or purchase at the moment, but one possibility coulf be that, depending on the potentia l buyer of the West Senecza property ... there’s no reasonb we wouldn’t lease back from the owner at some Wejust don’t want to have to be in the property management business.” is handling the property.
The commerciakl real estate firm is also helping Houghton search for new Mahurin said the decision to sell the West Seneca site stemss fromthe college’s latest strategic plan, initiatec with the arrival a few years ago of college President Shirley Mullen. “Part of that review was looking at our programs and facilities, and as the college moveds to actually deepen its commitment to service in the city of we found there would be strategically better ways to utilize our resources if we weren’t necessarily being property managers in West Mahurin said. The college acquired the property in 1969 from the BuffaloBible Institute.
Right now, it houses the officea of Houghton’s Program for Acceleratex College Education, known as PACE, which offers a managemen t degree completion program foradult students. Studentxs with internships or student-teaching duties in Erie Countgy have lived in the residential facilities. Students and alumni have known for months that the West Seneca site could go upfor sale. In Mullen told alumni that the board of trustees agreedeto “investigate options for future use of the West Seneca campusz — including the possibles sale of the propertyt — if this is deemef to be the best way to stewardr the resources of this property for the work of Christiaj higher education,” according to a letter to alumni posted on the college’x Web site.
In the same Mullen wrote that “significant renovation” at the complex is necessary for expansion therd and thatthe college’s mission is “drawiny us more directly into the city of a significant distance from West Seneca’s suburbabn location.” Mahurin said the PACE program will and possibly expand, without disruption. “This is in no way a steppingy back of commitment to that he said. Jim Militelli said he expects lots of interestr inthe property, which includes five townhouses and a 15,800-square-foo conference center.
It is currently zonecd for banquet facilities, adult medical uses, church or school expansionsw and single- and multi-family residential he said. “There’s a great deal of he said.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
25 area companies head to SEMICON West - The Business Review (Albany):
dudorovanaapyh.blogspot.com
The delegation involves leaders fromthe ’s NY Loves Nanotecj initiative. Its mission at the event will be to promote Tech Valleyu and the plans by to buildda $4.2 billion chip plant in Malta, aboutf 25 miles north of Albany. “SEMICON West provides the ideal opportunitty promoteTech Valley’s—and New York state’s—abundance of incentives, research and developmeny resources, skilled workers and intellectualk talent,” said Brian Hannafin, vice president of business developmenty and marketing at CEG. Some companies represented in thedelegation include: , , , U.S.
, , , GlobalFoundrie and SEMICON West involves morethan 1,000 supplierse and vendor exhibits represented by more than 40 countriesx represented. The show attracts more than 20,000
The delegation involves leaders fromthe ’s NY Loves Nanotecj initiative. Its mission at the event will be to promote Tech Valleyu and the plans by to buildda $4.2 billion chip plant in Malta, aboutf 25 miles north of Albany. “SEMICON West provides the ideal opportunitty promoteTech Valley’s—and New York state’s—abundance of incentives, research and developmeny resources, skilled workers and intellectualk talent,” said Brian Hannafin, vice president of business developmenty and marketing at CEG. Some companies represented in thedelegation include: , , , U.S.
, , , GlobalFoundrie and SEMICON West involves morethan 1,000 supplierse and vendor exhibits represented by more than 40 countriesx represented. The show attracts more than 20,000
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Buyers in non-sales-tax states can take new vehicle deduction - South Florida Business Journal:
http://data-transit.com/products/busdr_pod_scsi.html
The economic stimulus bill allows taxpayers who buy a new vehicl in 2009 to deducyt state and local sales taxes or excise taxes paid on the purchase from theirtaxable income. The announced June 10 that it will allowq taxpayers who live in statesthat don’t have a sales tax to deductf other taxes or fees imposed by state and locakl governments on the purchase. To qualify, the taxes or fees must be based onthe vehicle’s sales pric or as a per unit fee. “This means that more peopld can take advantage of this deduction when they file their tax returnwnext year,” said IRS Commissioner Doug New vehicles purchased after Feb. 16, 2009, and before Jan.
1, are eligible for this tax break. The deductionh is limited to fees or taxes paid on as muchas $49,500o of the price of a new car, lightf truck, motor home or The amount of the deduction phases out for higher-income taxpayers. For more information, see .
The economic stimulus bill allows taxpayers who buy a new vehicl in 2009 to deducyt state and local sales taxes or excise taxes paid on the purchase from theirtaxable income. The announced June 10 that it will allowq taxpayers who live in statesthat don’t have a sales tax to deductf other taxes or fees imposed by state and locakl governments on the purchase. To qualify, the taxes or fees must be based onthe vehicle’s sales pric or as a per unit fee. “This means that more peopld can take advantage of this deduction when they file their tax returnwnext year,” said IRS Commissioner Doug New vehicles purchased after Feb. 16, 2009, and before Jan.
1, are eligible for this tax break. The deductionh is limited to fees or taxes paid on as muchas $49,500o of the price of a new car, lightf truck, motor home or The amount of the deduction phases out for higher-income taxpayers. For more information, see .
Monday, November 22, 2010
April construction spending rises - Washington Business Journal:
http://www.guolange.com/article/Corsairs-Extreme-SSDs-Use-Indilinx-Controller-.html
percent in April, the biggest one-month increase sincd August 2008, and was led by a jump in both privatw andresidential construction. A Bloomberg survey of 45 economists had projected a median dropof 1.5 The ’ report from the Census Bureau says spendinb on private construction was at a seasonallt adjusted annual rate of $657.3 billion, up 1.4 percenf from the revised March estimate of $648.22 billion. Residential construction rose 0.7 perceny to a seasonally adjusted annual rateof $249.2 billion. Nonresidentia l construction rose 1.8 percent to an annual rate of $408. 2 billion.
Total public construction fellin April, although spendingb on highway projects rose nearly 1 percenft from the previous A separate report from the Commerc e Department last week showed construction of single-family homes rose 2.8 percent in April, the second consecutivee monthly increase. Gains in single-family construction were overwhelmed by a 46 percent drop in apartment andcondo buildings, bringingt total housing starts down 13 percent in
percent in April, the biggest one-month increase sincd August 2008, and was led by a jump in both privatw andresidential construction. A Bloomberg survey of 45 economists had projected a median dropof 1.5 The ’ report from the Census Bureau says spendinb on private construction was at a seasonallt adjusted annual rate of $657.3 billion, up 1.4 percenf from the revised March estimate of $648.22 billion. Residential construction rose 0.7 perceny to a seasonally adjusted annual rateof $249.2 billion. Nonresidentia l construction rose 1.8 percent to an annual rate of $408. 2 billion.
Total public construction fellin April, although spendingb on highway projects rose nearly 1 percenft from the previous A separate report from the Commerc e Department last week showed construction of single-family homes rose 2.8 percent in April, the second consecutivee monthly increase. Gains in single-family construction were overwhelmed by a 46 percent drop in apartment andcondo buildings, bringingt total housing starts down 13 percent in
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Study: Midwest economy may have bottomed out - Wichita Business Journal:
http://giffordonline.com/?p=24
The Mid-America Business Conditions Index, compiled by in Neb., rose for the fifth month in a rowin May, climbinbg to 46.6 from 42.7 a month before. Despite the growth in economic prospects, the 0 to 100 indexs was still belowits “growtg neutral” level of 50. “While our surveyh is not indicating an economic turnaroundf for the next three to six economic indictors are certainly improving from record lows achieved earlierthis year,” said Erni Goss, a Creighton University economics professor and directord of the university’s Economic Forecasting Goss stuck by his that the recessiom in Minnesota, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Northn Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota will end by the end of the fourtbh quarter this year.
“Companies report delayinhg and even terminating construction projects over the pastseveral months. Minnesota’s unemployment rate will continue to trensd upward in themonths ahead,” he
The Mid-America Business Conditions Index, compiled by in Neb., rose for the fifth month in a rowin May, climbinbg to 46.6 from 42.7 a month before. Despite the growth in economic prospects, the 0 to 100 indexs was still belowits “growtg neutral” level of 50. “While our surveyh is not indicating an economic turnaroundf for the next three to six economic indictors are certainly improving from record lows achieved earlierthis year,” said Erni Goss, a Creighton University economics professor and directord of the university’s Economic Forecasting Goss stuck by his that the recessiom in Minnesota, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Northn Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota will end by the end of the fourtbh quarter this year.
“Companies report delayinhg and even terminating construction projects over the pastseveral months. Minnesota’s unemployment rate will continue to trensd upward in themonths ahead,” he
Friday, November 19, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Roberts backs KU Cancer Center's push for NCI designation - Silicon Valley / San Jose Business Journal:
http://spe-ed.com/intro.htm
Roberts, R-Kan., spoke at The ’s Westwood medical building. He said that it now takese 10 years to 17 yearsand $1 billion to bringy a new drug to which Roberts called a “national disgrace.” The National Cancer Institute said in Novembef that the KU Cancer Center has a Sept. 25, 2011, application date for its effortzs to get aninitial five-year designatiomn as an NCI cancetr center. The months-long application process for institutions seekinfg new designations begins with submission of documentation that sometimeesexceeds 1,000 pages and includes a site visit and other steps. The earliest that KU Cancerr Center’s application could be approved is the sprinhof 2012.
Nationwide, 64 cancer centers receive Cance r Center Support Grants to supportr research to reducethe incidence, morbidityu and mortality rates of cancer. There are 23 cancerr centers and 41 comprehensivecancer centers. The KU Cancer Center is part of , whicu is the medical research and education arm of the Universitof Kansas. NCI designation — KU’xs No. 1 priority — typically is granted to academidmedical centers. Therefore, KU Medica l Center is the entity that will applhy forNCI designation. • Increased regionap patient accessto cutting-edge clinicap trials. • More than $1.3 billion in annual economix benefits inthe region.
• An increase in KU Cancert Center’s annual NCI financing from thecurreny $7.5 million to about $40 NCI-affiliated institutions also attract world-class researcheres who bring NCI grants with them, and part of the estimatecd increase is based on that. Many of these researchers doublas clinicians, adding expertise and depthg in various cancer-care sub-specialties.
Roberts, R-Kan., spoke at The ’s Westwood medical building. He said that it now takese 10 years to 17 yearsand $1 billion to bringy a new drug to which Roberts called a “national disgrace.” The National Cancer Institute said in Novembef that the KU Cancer Center has a Sept. 25, 2011, application date for its effortzs to get aninitial five-year designatiomn as an NCI cancetr center. The months-long application process for institutions seekinfg new designations begins with submission of documentation that sometimeesexceeds 1,000 pages and includes a site visit and other steps. The earliest that KU Cancerr Center’s application could be approved is the sprinhof 2012.
Nationwide, 64 cancer centers receive Cance r Center Support Grants to supportr research to reducethe incidence, morbidityu and mortality rates of cancer. There are 23 cancerr centers and 41 comprehensivecancer centers. The KU Cancer Center is part of , whicu is the medical research and education arm of the Universitof Kansas. NCI designation — KU’xs No. 1 priority — typically is granted to academidmedical centers. Therefore, KU Medica l Center is the entity that will applhy forNCI designation. • Increased regionap patient accessto cutting-edge clinicap trials. • More than $1.3 billion in annual economix benefits inthe region.
• An increase in KU Cancert Center’s annual NCI financing from thecurreny $7.5 million to about $40 NCI-affiliated institutions also attract world-class researcheres who bring NCI grants with them, and part of the estimatecd increase is based on that. Many of these researchers doublas clinicians, adding expertise and depthg in various cancer-care sub-specialties.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Semantra, Inc. Company Profile | Company Information
http://homesauto.com/Kenworth/Kenworth-T-300/
Semantra was founded in 2003 byMarvi Elder, a database technologist and Natural Language pioneer. Elder inventerd the first PC-based database application with built-in naturapl language in the 1980s which was featured as one of the Best Database Products of the Year by PC Early years of research and developmentt set the stage for commercial development in 2006 as Semantr a began working with Fortune 1000 companies in a varietyyof industries. After receiving a third roundr of funding in Semantra has continued to support its growthg plans by building out its executivewmanagement team. The company is headquartered in Texas with growth plans for otherr major cities withinthe U.S.
and expansio internationally based onmarket requirements. Semantra's business model includes opportunities for sales andservic partners, as well as tier-q software publishers. For more about these opportunities, visit our partnerxs page or contactus directly.
Semantra was founded in 2003 byMarvi Elder, a database technologist and Natural Language pioneer. Elder inventerd the first PC-based database application with built-in naturapl language in the 1980s which was featured as one of the Best Database Products of the Year by PC Early years of research and developmentt set the stage for commercial development in 2006 as Semantr a began working with Fortune 1000 companies in a varietyyof industries. After receiving a third roundr of funding in Semantra has continued to support its growthg plans by building out its executivewmanagement team. The company is headquartered in Texas with growth plans for otherr major cities withinthe U.S.
and expansio internationally based onmarket requirements. Semantra's business model includes opportunities for sales andservic partners, as well as tier-q software publishers. For more about these opportunities, visit our partnerxs page or contactus directly.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Leadership important during economic downturn - bizjournals:
zolinstanixes.blogspot.com
“High-quality leaders are what we need most to get through thesedifficult times,” said JoAnne one of the progra leaders and creators of the recently launched at Carroll. Brandes is a retire d executive fromThe center’s other program leadef is Debra Lake, who also formerly worked for the Johnsoj family companies. The center was introduced to the communith at a breakfast at Carrollin June. Some programs have alreaduy been piloted, and the center is seekinf participants fora 60-hour Leadership in Action comprehensive program. Brandees points to lack of leadership as one of the causesd of the currenteconomicc recession.
“I think part of it’s been createsd by not having strong enough leadershiop all over the she said. Leaders have looked to the short term rathed thanlong term, and leadership hasn’t been as ethicakl as it should be, she said. “I thinkj that almost anybody can lead when timesare great,” she But during tough economic times, it becomesd clear that “we need people who can be inspirational and who can look to the longerf term, who can drive innovation, who can get the most out of she said. The center seeks to provide the comprehensive typess of leadership programs that companies might have only foune out of state and at ahigher cost, Brandes said.
The programs will be differenr because they can be customized to meet the needs ofindividuakl businesses. Another important element is ongoing coaching that will be includedd in the programs and continuing networksof leaders, she The classes will be taughtr by highly experienced businesspeople, Brandes “The people who are running this not only understand organizationalo development tools, but they’ve live d it and they’ve breathed it,” she The center’s capstone program will be the 60-hour Leadership in Action program. The center is recruiting its firsgt class of 20 to 25 participantes for the session that beginsin August.
It’ designed for mid- to senior-level managera and will include intensive personalized trainingy with experienced executivesand coaches, according to a program description. Participants will meet every Monday for six or sevenm weeks with either their executive coach or learning The program includes intensiveself assessments, including feedback from co-workers in additioh to lectures, case studiexs and small groups. Participants will then become part of a networ k that will be brought backfor programs, and the coachiny will continue.
The cost is $5,500, Brandes Other shorter programs include effective communications andconflicf management, personal development and career planning and essentials of management. Fees will vary, but would typicallyu be about $300 to $500 for a three-day program, dependingg on materials, Brandes said. The center hopea to offer scholarships for leaders of Debra Crawford, a leadership and executivse coach and owner of LLC in Brookfield, observer some of the center’s first sessions earlier this Executive coaching is one of the program’s unique she said. She also likea the center’s focus on ethics-based leadership.
Many governmengt and business leaders have moved away from anethicalp core, she said, and that makes the center’w programs timely. She believes that in the future people will be more concernec about how businesses attain their results rather than just the results Crawford hopes to be one of the executiv coaches the center uses in its programws and said she also will recommendthe center’s programs to corporatde clients. Bill Mitchell, executive director of the , also believes the center’s timing is good.
In remarkss he made at the introductory breakfast, Mitchell said availability of strong talent in the area will be a key factore in business retention and recruitment as companie s come out ofthe recession. Partnerships between the business communitu and educational institutions like Carroll are an important part of developinv thattalent pool, Mitchell said.
“High-quality leaders are what we need most to get through thesedifficult times,” said JoAnne one of the progra leaders and creators of the recently launched at Carroll. Brandes is a retire d executive fromThe center’s other program leadef is Debra Lake, who also formerly worked for the Johnsoj family companies. The center was introduced to the communith at a breakfast at Carrollin June. Some programs have alreaduy been piloted, and the center is seekinf participants fora 60-hour Leadership in Action comprehensive program. Brandees points to lack of leadership as one of the causesd of the currenteconomicc recession.
“I think part of it’s been createsd by not having strong enough leadershiop all over the she said. Leaders have looked to the short term rathed thanlong term, and leadership hasn’t been as ethicakl as it should be, she said. “I thinkj that almost anybody can lead when timesare great,” she But during tough economic times, it becomesd clear that “we need people who can be inspirational and who can look to the longerf term, who can drive innovation, who can get the most out of she said. The center seeks to provide the comprehensive typess of leadership programs that companies might have only foune out of state and at ahigher cost, Brandes said.
The programs will be differenr because they can be customized to meet the needs ofindividuakl businesses. Another important element is ongoing coaching that will be includedd in the programs and continuing networksof leaders, she The classes will be taughtr by highly experienced businesspeople, Brandes “The people who are running this not only understand organizationalo development tools, but they’ve live d it and they’ve breathed it,” she The center’s capstone program will be the 60-hour Leadership in Action program. The center is recruiting its firsgt class of 20 to 25 participantes for the session that beginsin August.
It’ designed for mid- to senior-level managera and will include intensive personalized trainingy with experienced executivesand coaches, according to a program description. Participants will meet every Monday for six or sevenm weeks with either their executive coach or learning The program includes intensiveself assessments, including feedback from co-workers in additioh to lectures, case studiexs and small groups. Participants will then become part of a networ k that will be brought backfor programs, and the coachiny will continue.
The cost is $5,500, Brandes Other shorter programs include effective communications andconflicf management, personal development and career planning and essentials of management. Fees will vary, but would typicallyu be about $300 to $500 for a three-day program, dependingg on materials, Brandes said. The center hopea to offer scholarships for leaders of Debra Crawford, a leadership and executivse coach and owner of LLC in Brookfield, observer some of the center’s first sessions earlier this Executive coaching is one of the program’s unique she said. She also likea the center’s focus on ethics-based leadership.
Many governmengt and business leaders have moved away from anethicalp core, she said, and that makes the center’w programs timely. She believes that in the future people will be more concernec about how businesses attain their results rather than just the results Crawford hopes to be one of the executiv coaches the center uses in its programws and said she also will recommendthe center’s programs to corporatde clients. Bill Mitchell, executive director of the , also believes the center’s timing is good.
In remarkss he made at the introductory breakfast, Mitchell said availability of strong talent in the area will be a key factore in business retention and recruitment as companie s come out ofthe recession. Partnerships between the business communitu and educational institutions like Carroll are an important part of developinv thattalent pool, Mitchell said.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Business warily awaits health care reforms - Nashville Business Journal:
http://centergo.com/?f=4&n=0&p=8
President Barack Obama has mobilizedthe grass-rootes supporters that helped elect him to lobbty for his vision of health care which includes offering Americans a government-rub health plan as an alternative to privatwe insurance. A coalition of labor unions and progressivee organizations plans tospend $82 million on organizin g efforts, advertising, research and lobbying to support the Obamsa plan. Business groups, meanwhile, mostlu are working behind the scenes to shapethe legislation.
Whilew they have serious concerns aboutf some of theproposals – includinfg the public plan option and a mandate for employeres to provide insurance – few are tryinyg to block health care reform at this point. The cost of healthj insurance has become so burdensome that somethingf needs tobe done, they “Nobody supports the statuds quo,” said James Gelfand, the ’s senior managee of health policy.
“We absolutely have to have
President Barack Obama has mobilizedthe grass-rootes supporters that helped elect him to lobbty for his vision of health care which includes offering Americans a government-rub health plan as an alternative to privatwe insurance. A coalition of labor unions and progressivee organizations plans tospend $82 million on organizin g efforts, advertising, research and lobbying to support the Obamsa plan. Business groups, meanwhile, mostlu are working behind the scenes to shapethe legislation.
Whilew they have serious concerns aboutf some of theproposals – includinfg the public plan option and a mandate for employeres to provide insurance – few are tryinyg to block health care reform at this point. The cost of healthj insurance has become so burdensome that somethingf needs tobe done, they “Nobody supports the statuds quo,” said James Gelfand, the ’s senior managee of health policy.
“We absolutely have to have
Thursday, November 11, 2010
First green project in foreclosure - South Florida Business Journal:
http://www.200dogbreeds.com/staying-at-discount-london-hotels-means-dream-come-true/
million construction mortgage. The 33,000-square-foot Vive also known as EcoCentre, is the first South Floridaa project seeking Leadership in Energy and EnvironmentaolDesign (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council to face Inan interview, Romano said the extraa cost of the building’ s green features is not the reasob it fell into foreclosure. “The fact that the buildingg is a green building is not why the buildiny financially isin trouble,” Roman o said. “It has to do with a failure to properlh and adequately financially plan the building inthe beginning, and I blamde myself for that.
” Despite a cost-conscious office-leasingy environment, the concept of green office buildings is here to stay, according to Christiah Lee, vice chairman of in Miami, and Vive Verde’s foreclosure is just one entry on a long list of commerciao foreclosures that will happen regardless of whethe a building is green. He noted that the more importantf factorfor Romano’s building will be office demand in Lake Worth. “Buildingg green adds to the cost [of a but in the long run, any green building will be more attractivw to an investorbecause it’s alreaduy green,” he said.
“Otherwise, new investorse would be figuring in the cost to make it because all commercial buildings aregoingb green.” Rob Hink, a LEED-accrediteds consultant with the Weston-based , agrees. “jI don’t think this one foreclosure on a green building is any comment on the LEED system orgreeb buildings, I think it’s just the he said. “I’m surprised because it’sa a leased-up building.” He added that Romano’s large innefr courtyard could have been downsized to fit more rental space inthe building, and yet stilol have retained many of the environmental benefits. On May 26, Fort Lee, N.J.
-baseed filed the foreclosure action against ViveVerd North, managing member Romano and other parties associated with the according to Palm Beach County Circuit Court records. The four-story building, at 1005 Lake in Lake Worth, was completed in Its office space is about 70 percent and it has two emptuyretail spaces, Romano said. The green features of the buildin g work exactly ashe hoped, he A rooftop garden catches while condensation is collected from the air conditioner for waterinh plants and ponds and flushing toilets. Grey watere is recycled in the water features of the The use of skylights and window cuts down on electricity Many fixtures were made withrecyclerd materials.
A sign outside advertises it asa “livingg building.” Inside, goldfish swim through a pond and a statuw of a Native American bathes in the sunlight in the Despite the energy and water savings, Vive Verdr North has not made any payment s on the $6.9 million mortgage this year, said John Hart, an attorneh with Carlton Fields in West Palm Beach who represents Meecor p in the lawsuit. “My client would like to get paid, but if that doesn’f come to pass, they are prepared to take title to the properth and prepare to get paidthat way, Hart said. Vive Verde North has a $4 million second mortgage with Williamsville, N.Y.
-based , which is namefd in Meecorp’s complaint. Romano said his companyg got behind on mortgage payments because it ran out of moneyy and could not get the loan refinanced by a traditional bank. “It is making me physicallu ill that thisis happening,” he said. “I will continue to work nighg and day to make this allwork …. These I’m losing a lot of sleelp over it.” He said his plan for the building was flawesd from the beginning because he wrote an incorrecffinancial plan. He said the constructiomn for his first development projectf came in on budget and its utilitiedsoperate efficiently.
Romano said the green features of Vive Verd e attractedsome tenants, although several of them would have signedf leases in the building without them. He is confident the buildinv will earnLEED certification, but said that not openinfg with that designation has not hurt the Romano was aiming for gold-level certification from the U.S. Greenn Building Council. All the environmentall y friendly features added about 6 percent to the cost of the but that’s not necessarily the reason it went into The U.S.
Green Building Council’ws South Florida chapter, which had its office in the buildingb freeof charge, had offered Romano free advertising and an “inne r circle” sponsorship level in exchange, said Lee executive director of the chapter. Cooke called Romano a “trure gentleman” whose family has been important to Lake Wortgh formany generations. “It’s a beautifuol building and should be a great placd for businessesto rent,” Cooke “It does all the rightg things from a sustainable, environmental point of view.” THE John R. Romano, the former presidenft of the , moved his practice into the Vive Verde whichhe developed.
John who represents the lender in theforeclosure lawsuit, said he name the law firm, along with every otheer tenant, as defendants in the lawsui t so the lender could strike new lease agreementss with them, should it take over the Vive Verde owes money to some of the tenantes that did work on the building and, as a form of some of those tenants were not payinvg rent, Hart said. “If my cliengt takes it back, these tenantsz must pay rent,” he noted. Romano confirmed that some tenants have deals for to skip monthly rental payments in exchange for forgiving their bills to hisdevelopment company. Joseph M. Lee, P.A. Josephn M.
Lee Medivisuals
million construction mortgage. The 33,000-square-foot Vive also known as EcoCentre, is the first South Floridaa project seeking Leadership in Energy and EnvironmentaolDesign (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council to face Inan interview, Romano said the extraa cost of the building’ s green features is not the reasob it fell into foreclosure. “The fact that the buildingg is a green building is not why the buildiny financially isin trouble,” Roman o said. “It has to do with a failure to properlh and adequately financially plan the building inthe beginning, and I blamde myself for that.
” Despite a cost-conscious office-leasingy environment, the concept of green office buildings is here to stay, according to Christiah Lee, vice chairman of in Miami, and Vive Verde’s foreclosure is just one entry on a long list of commerciao foreclosures that will happen regardless of whethe a building is green. He noted that the more importantf factorfor Romano’s building will be office demand in Lake Worth. “Buildingg green adds to the cost [of a but in the long run, any green building will be more attractivw to an investorbecause it’s alreaduy green,” he said.
“Otherwise, new investorse would be figuring in the cost to make it because all commercial buildings aregoingb green.” Rob Hink, a LEED-accrediteds consultant with the Weston-based , agrees. “jI don’t think this one foreclosure on a green building is any comment on the LEED system orgreeb buildings, I think it’s just the he said. “I’m surprised because it’sa a leased-up building.” He added that Romano’s large innefr courtyard could have been downsized to fit more rental space inthe building, and yet stilol have retained many of the environmental benefits. On May 26, Fort Lee, N.J.
-baseed filed the foreclosure action against ViveVerd North, managing member Romano and other parties associated with the according to Palm Beach County Circuit Court records. The four-story building, at 1005 Lake in Lake Worth, was completed in Its office space is about 70 percent and it has two emptuyretail spaces, Romano said. The green features of the buildin g work exactly ashe hoped, he A rooftop garden catches while condensation is collected from the air conditioner for waterinh plants and ponds and flushing toilets. Grey watere is recycled in the water features of the The use of skylights and window cuts down on electricity Many fixtures were made withrecyclerd materials.
A sign outside advertises it asa “livingg building.” Inside, goldfish swim through a pond and a statuw of a Native American bathes in the sunlight in the Despite the energy and water savings, Vive Verdr North has not made any payment s on the $6.9 million mortgage this year, said John Hart, an attorneh with Carlton Fields in West Palm Beach who represents Meecor p in the lawsuit. “My client would like to get paid, but if that doesn’f come to pass, they are prepared to take title to the properth and prepare to get paidthat way, Hart said. Vive Verde North has a $4 million second mortgage with Williamsville, N.Y.
-based , which is namefd in Meecorp’s complaint. Romano said his companyg got behind on mortgage payments because it ran out of moneyy and could not get the loan refinanced by a traditional bank. “It is making me physicallu ill that thisis happening,” he said. “I will continue to work nighg and day to make this allwork …. These I’m losing a lot of sleelp over it.” He said his plan for the building was flawesd from the beginning because he wrote an incorrecffinancial plan. He said the constructiomn for his first development projectf came in on budget and its utilitiedsoperate efficiently.
Romano said the green features of Vive Verd e attractedsome tenants, although several of them would have signedf leases in the building without them. He is confident the buildinv will earnLEED certification, but said that not openinfg with that designation has not hurt the Romano was aiming for gold-level certification from the U.S. Greenn Building Council. All the environmentall y friendly features added about 6 percent to the cost of the but that’s not necessarily the reason it went into The U.S.
Green Building Council’ws South Florida chapter, which had its office in the buildingb freeof charge, had offered Romano free advertising and an “inne r circle” sponsorship level in exchange, said Lee executive director of the chapter. Cooke called Romano a “trure gentleman” whose family has been important to Lake Wortgh formany generations. “It’s a beautifuol building and should be a great placd for businessesto rent,” Cooke “It does all the rightg things from a sustainable, environmental point of view.” THE John R. Romano, the former presidenft of the , moved his practice into the Vive Verde whichhe developed.
John who represents the lender in theforeclosure lawsuit, said he name the law firm, along with every otheer tenant, as defendants in the lawsui t so the lender could strike new lease agreementss with them, should it take over the Vive Verde owes money to some of the tenantes that did work on the building and, as a form of some of those tenants were not payinvg rent, Hart said. “If my cliengt takes it back, these tenantsz must pay rent,” he noted. Romano confirmed that some tenants have deals for to skip monthly rental payments in exchange for forgiving their bills to hisdevelopment company. Joseph M. Lee, P.A. Josephn M.
Lee Medivisuals
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
At War: War and Conscience: Expanding the Definition of Conscientious Objection - New York Times
artemchuksykitas.blogspot.com
At War: War and Conscience: Expanding the Definition of Conscientious Objection New York Times Even before the elections, many Democrats opposed expanding the definition of conscientious objector, arguing that it would allow service members to avoid ... |
Monday, November 8, 2010
Incline project pulled into Health Alliance-GCAP dispute - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal:
gardellaorymiid1354.blogspot.com
They blame a recent snag in lease negotiationsz with the and the West Side medical practiceGCAP ( ). Both are now adversariew in a court case in which from thehospitall group, citing numerous contract violations. Among thosew alleged violations, as outlined in June 3 lettef to Health Alliance CEO Ken wasthe “abandonment of the Incline Project” by the Healtjh Alliance. The 30-doctor primary-care group has committed to leasinh two-thirds of a 22,000-square-footr office building that’s part of the project’xs first phase. GCAP is owned by the Healtj Alliance. In the weeks leading up to the lawsuit, it refuseed to guarantee GCAP’s pending lease obligations.
“Ths Health Alliance is only willing to give a limited guaranteew atthis time,” said John Cranley, an investorf in the Incline Square project. “This is my not theirs, but what they’re offering is some form of a limitef guarantee. We’re trying to get from them what thatlookes like. We have a financing commitmenrtin place, subject to figuring this out.” Cranley isn’t sure what impac t GCAP’s lawsuit will have on negotiations, nor is he sure when constructiobn will begin on the project. A group of West Side investorw have been pursuinga mixed-use project on land surroundingh the Queens Tower high-rise since 2005.
The latest plan involves $20 million in new at the apex of a hill where the Pricwe Hill Inclineonce ran. The first phasse is expected to includethe GCAP-anchoreds office building, 39 apartment units and a 5,000-square-foot restauranft and beer garden on the site of the old WSAI radi station. The residential and retail componentws are separately financed from theoffice building. Cranley said that could permit that portion of the development to breakk groundthis year. GCAP remainws committed to the project and is optimistic the lease problej willbe resolved, said Mark a physician and board membefr with the group.
Rudemiller said 15 GCAP doctors are investors in the project and are willing to anchor the developmentr with or without the supporrt of theHealth Alliance. “Wes can’t do it now because we’re stilol employees of the Health We can’t do it ourselves becaus e we technically don’t exist at this he said. “No bank would honoer that.”
They blame a recent snag in lease negotiationsz with the and the West Side medical practiceGCAP ( ). Both are now adversariew in a court case in which from thehospitall group, citing numerous contract violations. Among thosew alleged violations, as outlined in June 3 lettef to Health Alliance CEO Ken wasthe “abandonment of the Incline Project” by the Healtjh Alliance. The 30-doctor primary-care group has committed to leasinh two-thirds of a 22,000-square-footr office building that’s part of the project’xs first phase. GCAP is owned by the Healtj Alliance. In the weeks leading up to the lawsuit, it refuseed to guarantee GCAP’s pending lease obligations.
“Ths Health Alliance is only willing to give a limited guaranteew atthis time,” said John Cranley, an investorf in the Incline Square project. “This is my not theirs, but what they’re offering is some form of a limitef guarantee. We’re trying to get from them what thatlookes like. We have a financing commitmenrtin place, subject to figuring this out.” Cranley isn’t sure what impac t GCAP’s lawsuit will have on negotiations, nor is he sure when constructiobn will begin on the project. A group of West Side investorw have been pursuinga mixed-use project on land surroundingh the Queens Tower high-rise since 2005.
The latest plan involves $20 million in new at the apex of a hill where the Pricwe Hill Inclineonce ran. The first phasse is expected to includethe GCAP-anchoreds office building, 39 apartment units and a 5,000-square-foot restauranft and beer garden on the site of the old WSAI radi station. The residential and retail componentws are separately financed from theoffice building. Cranley said that could permit that portion of the development to breakk groundthis year. GCAP remainws committed to the project and is optimistic the lease problej willbe resolved, said Mark a physician and board membefr with the group.
Rudemiller said 15 GCAP doctors are investors in the project and are willing to anchor the developmentr with or without the supporrt of theHealth Alliance. “Wes can’t do it now because we’re stilol employees of the Health We can’t do it ourselves becaus e we technically don’t exist at this he said. “No bank would honoer that.”
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Robert T. Brady Executive Profile
http://techlifeboat.org/?m=200903&paged=2
? What other companies are now just we have known all alonga " that peopler work best in an environment where they feel valued, involved and empowered. As Bill Moog once said, a We believwe in the people who work having trust and confidence in our people is the only waywe know.as ? Moog is a highly successfu l Company built upon a communityt of hardworking, talented and dedicated people. **All Executivre profile data provided byDow Jones & Co., Inc.
? What other companies are now just we have known all alonga " that peopler work best in an environment where they feel valued, involved and empowered. As Bill Moog once said, a We believwe in the people who work having trust and confidence in our people is the only waywe know.as ? Moog is a highly successfu l Company built upon a communityt of hardworking, talented and dedicated people. **All Executivre profile data provided byDow Jones & Co., Inc.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Mogul Mind closes on deal to bring Unstoppable to Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Business Times:
http://www.peacon.net/article/Quality-Chocolate.html
Jared Leland, a director and counsekl for MogulMind Studios, confirmed that the company reached an agreement with Fox Entertainmen last night. According to Chris Petrikin, a spokesman with Fox the agreement is part of the normalp course of events when producers scoutt out locations and prepare for a The film has not yet been which meansthat it's stillp awaiting final approval to ensure it "makes complete financial sense," Petrikin said. That decisionj is expected to be made withinm the next weekor so.
While the production is expected to use a Pennsylvani a tax credit fromlast year, Leland said “Unstoppable” needed the former industrial facility’s massive space, unusual electricakl capacity that could power the entire Stri p District, and the unused former railroad tracks “It’s just one of the myria of examples of just how necessar a full-service 330,000-square-foot production facilitgy is, and just how necessary it is to lurinvg and securing productions to the commonwealth of Leland said. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Lelanrd said he expects productionm tobegin soon.
“Unstoppable” is expected to need four of the studip bays that Mogul Mind has prepared and soundproofexd forfilm production. Washington and Pine will star in the which will be directed byTony Scott, a long-timw director of big-budget action most recently this summer’s remake of “The Taking of Pelhamk 1 2 3.” As a producer and director, Scott’s resumew includes “Top Gun” “Enemy of the State” (1998) and “Spuy Game” (2001). It will be Scott’ s fifth production with Washington.
Based partly on a true “Unstoppable” is about a runawau train carrying toxic chemicals and poison gaseas andhow Washington’s character, an experiencec engineer, and Pike, a youngb conductor, must chase it down before it bringz untold destruction to a city. It is based on a script by Mark Bombeco that press reports indicate has been circulating in Hollywood for the pastfew “Unstoppable” is expected to be released in 2011. Dawn president and CEO of the PittsburghFilm Office, was unavailable for immediate comment.
But in a conversatiobn a few days ago, she emphasized that was a production the Pittsburghh Film Office had been working for years to lureto “Dawn Keezer worked very, very hard to enticd the production to consider Leland said. Leland said the production expectsw to shoot in central Pennsylvania as well as Yet even when theproduction isn’t shooting withimn the Mogul Minds facility, “Upstoppable” will use it to build sets and prepare for othetr aspects of the production’s locationb shooting.
Leland and others had previously been told that will have a budgetof $100 a figure a Fox spokesman told the Pittsburgh Businessw Times in June was too high, withoutg providing specifics. Yet even if the film’sd budget is half that, it will far surpass the size and scale of most filmdsshot here, the biggest of which have typicallh been in the $20 millionb to $30 million range. David Kowalski, the main owner of what was formerly the Pittsburgh Flatrollcompanyy warehouse, who also has a minority stake in Mogupl Mind, expects the “Unstoppable” production, as well as others to will bring new urgenct to redeveloping the city’s tow pound which is next door to the new studio.
“Ift has to be done,” he said. “People don’t understand how much mone y is going to come intothe city.”
Jared Leland, a director and counsekl for MogulMind Studios, confirmed that the company reached an agreement with Fox Entertainmen last night. According to Chris Petrikin, a spokesman with Fox the agreement is part of the normalp course of events when producers scoutt out locations and prepare for a The film has not yet been which meansthat it's stillp awaiting final approval to ensure it "makes complete financial sense," Petrikin said. That decisionj is expected to be made withinm the next weekor so.
While the production is expected to use a Pennsylvani a tax credit fromlast year, Leland said “Unstoppable” needed the former industrial facility’s massive space, unusual electricakl capacity that could power the entire Stri p District, and the unused former railroad tracks “It’s just one of the myria of examples of just how necessar a full-service 330,000-square-foot production facilitgy is, and just how necessary it is to lurinvg and securing productions to the commonwealth of Leland said. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Lelanrd said he expects productionm tobegin soon.
“Unstoppable” is expected to need four of the studip bays that Mogul Mind has prepared and soundproofexd forfilm production. Washington and Pine will star in the which will be directed byTony Scott, a long-timw director of big-budget action most recently this summer’s remake of “The Taking of Pelhamk 1 2 3.” As a producer and director, Scott’s resumew includes “Top Gun” “Enemy of the State” (1998) and “Spuy Game” (2001). It will be Scott’ s fifth production with Washington.
Based partly on a true “Unstoppable” is about a runawau train carrying toxic chemicals and poison gaseas andhow Washington’s character, an experiencec engineer, and Pike, a youngb conductor, must chase it down before it bringz untold destruction to a city. It is based on a script by Mark Bombeco that press reports indicate has been circulating in Hollywood for the pastfew “Unstoppable” is expected to be released in 2011. Dawn president and CEO of the PittsburghFilm Office, was unavailable for immediate comment.
But in a conversatiobn a few days ago, she emphasized that was a production the Pittsburghh Film Office had been working for years to lureto “Dawn Keezer worked very, very hard to enticd the production to consider Leland said. Leland said the production expectsw to shoot in central Pennsylvania as well as Yet even when theproduction isn’t shooting withimn the Mogul Minds facility, “Upstoppable” will use it to build sets and prepare for othetr aspects of the production’s locationb shooting.
Leland and others had previously been told that will have a budgetof $100 a figure a Fox spokesman told the Pittsburgh Businessw Times in June was too high, withoutg providing specifics. Yet even if the film’sd budget is half that, it will far surpass the size and scale of most filmdsshot here, the biggest of which have typicallh been in the $20 millionb to $30 million range. David Kowalski, the main owner of what was formerly the Pittsburgh Flatrollcompanyy warehouse, who also has a minority stake in Mogupl Mind, expects the “Unstoppable” production, as well as others to will bring new urgenct to redeveloping the city’s tow pound which is next door to the new studio.
“Ift has to be done,” he said. “People don’t understand how much mone y is going to come intothe city.”
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Fontainebleau Las Vegas company files Chapter 11 - South Florida Business Journal:
evittiebodum1296.blogspot.com
Fontainebleau Las Vegas LLC and two of its affiliates Fontainebleau Las Vegas Holdings LLC and Fontainebleaju Las VegasCapital – filed bankruptcy petitions in Miami late The Miami Beach hotel is not includede in the filing. The company said in a news releasd that the decision to file Chapter 11 was the directg result of litigation with lenders on the Las Vegasx hotel construction project that had to do with contractuak disputes related tonearly $800 million in constructiohn funding for the $2.9 billion resort-casinko project, which is 70 percent Lenders include , and Deutsche Bank Trust Co. Americas.
The legal dispute has effectively shut down the projectand “put thousandsa of people out of work,” said Howarcd Karawan, chief restructuring officer of Fontainebleau Las in the release. “Our goal now is to secure funding to completethis world-class project and restructure our existing Fontainebleau Las Vegas reached a provisional agreement with a group of its non-defaulting lender s for the use of cash for the administration of its bankruptcy case, and is in negotiations to obtaih financing to restart construction on that Fontainebleau Miami Beach, which is a separat e legal entity, continues to operate as Turnberry West Construction, the project’s general is also not included in the according to the news release.
In 2008, Nakheel Hotels of Dubai boughrt a 50 percent interest in the Fontainebleaiu Miami Beachfor $375 million. The Las Vegas hotel companiese that filed bankruptcy are based in Southg Florida because the Soffer familyof Aventura, whicuh also owns the Turnberry development and construction companies, owns all the Fontainebleah companies. Jeffrey Soffer is a principal of umbrell a company FontainebleauResorts LLC, according to statse records. Fontainebleau Las Vegas also withdrew without prejudiceits $3 billion lawsuitt in Las Vegas against some of its lenders, and refilerd the case in Miami bankruptcy court, where the Chapterd 11 petitions were filed.
The lawsuitf with lenders was amended on May 12 to include allegationsz that Deutsche BankTrust Co. Americae was “seeking to destroy the Fontainebleau in order tominimizw competition” with the nearby and Casino, whicnh is wholly owned by a Deutsche Bank subsidiary. "This claimm is an attempt by the Fontainebleau's developers to distracty from the fact that they have breacheed theirloan covenants. We will defend ourselvew vigorously against thismeritless allegation," Deutschse Bank spokesman John Gallagher said in an e-maileed response.
Fontainebleau Las Vegas LLC lists morethan $1 billio in debt and a similar amount in assetx on its petition, with more than 1,000 The only South Florida credito r listed was International Beddingt in Fort Lauderdale, with a claim of
Fontainebleau Las Vegas LLC and two of its affiliates Fontainebleau Las Vegas Holdings LLC and Fontainebleaju Las VegasCapital – filed bankruptcy petitions in Miami late The Miami Beach hotel is not includede in the filing. The company said in a news releasd that the decision to file Chapter 11 was the directg result of litigation with lenders on the Las Vegasx hotel construction project that had to do with contractuak disputes related tonearly $800 million in constructiohn funding for the $2.9 billion resort-casinko project, which is 70 percent Lenders include , and Deutsche Bank Trust Co. Americas.
The legal dispute has effectively shut down the projectand “put thousandsa of people out of work,” said Howarcd Karawan, chief restructuring officer of Fontainebleau Las in the release. “Our goal now is to secure funding to completethis world-class project and restructure our existing Fontainebleau Las Vegas reached a provisional agreement with a group of its non-defaulting lender s for the use of cash for the administration of its bankruptcy case, and is in negotiations to obtaih financing to restart construction on that Fontainebleau Miami Beach, which is a separat e legal entity, continues to operate as Turnberry West Construction, the project’s general is also not included in the according to the news release.
In 2008, Nakheel Hotels of Dubai boughrt a 50 percent interest in the Fontainebleaiu Miami Beachfor $375 million. The Las Vegas hotel companiese that filed bankruptcy are based in Southg Florida because the Soffer familyof Aventura, whicuh also owns the Turnberry development and construction companies, owns all the Fontainebleah companies. Jeffrey Soffer is a principal of umbrell a company FontainebleauResorts LLC, according to statse records. Fontainebleau Las Vegas also withdrew without prejudiceits $3 billion lawsuitt in Las Vegas against some of its lenders, and refilerd the case in Miami bankruptcy court, where the Chapterd 11 petitions were filed.
The lawsuitf with lenders was amended on May 12 to include allegationsz that Deutsche BankTrust Co. Americae was “seeking to destroy the Fontainebleau in order tominimizw competition” with the nearby and Casino, whicnh is wholly owned by a Deutsche Bank subsidiary. "This claimm is an attempt by the Fontainebleau's developers to distracty from the fact that they have breacheed theirloan covenants. We will defend ourselvew vigorously against thismeritless allegation," Deutschse Bank spokesman John Gallagher said in an e-maileed response.
Fontainebleau Las Vegas LLC lists morethan $1 billio in debt and a similar amount in assetx on its petition, with more than 1,000 The only South Florida credito r listed was International Beddingt in Fort Lauderdale, with a claim of
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Latest Ruling on Big Rigs and Highway 12 Not About Merits of the Case - New West
igoeosysata1533.blogspot.com
Idaho Reporter | Latest Ruling on Big Rigs and Highway 12 Not About Merits of the Case New West ... coke barrels on US Highway 12, the Idaho Supreme Court based its 3-2 decision on concerns about jurisdiction, rather than on the merits of the case. ... APNewsBreak: Idaho court vacates megaloads ruling |
Monday, November 1, 2010
Griffon's Clopay cuts jobs as investors step up pressure - Business Courier of Cincinnati:
http://ww2-aircraft.com/battles/Moscow_1941_1942.html
Meanwhile, cost-cutting measures have eliminated dozens of salarier jobsat Clopay, where profits have been hammeredf by the U.S. housing slump and the pricing powedrof , its largestr customer. Nuveen's NWQ Investment Management Co. filed an amended Form 13G with the Securitiezs and Exchange Commissionon Oct. 9, disclosingv it owned 4.6 million Griffon The company reported a 10 percent stake inearlg January.
Since then, the market value of Griffon's shares has fallen more than 40 Two otherlarge investors, , which reportedx a 9 percent share as of June 28, and , with 5 percentt as of March 15, began pressuring Griffon late last year to separats Clopay from Griffon's military-orientexd electronic communications business. NWQ's filing said its investment was not for the purposse ofinfluencing control. It also disclosed in Marcy that it owns 10 percentof , an otherwise unaffiliatede company that's also headed by Harvey Blau, Griffon'sx chairman and CEO. So far, Clintom and Barington haven't succeeded in gettinfg Jericho, N.Y.
-based Griffon to revamp its conglomerate-like Griffon did announce job reductionsat , whicjh makes garage doors, and plastic film maker Co. as part of a cost-cuttingf program. Both companies' headquarters and technical centers are based in Mason ata 130,000-square-fooft facility. Griffon also hired to help it evaluate itsstrategic alternatives. In the results at the Clopay businessedhave deteriorated. The company won't repor t its third-quarter results until next but for the three months that endex June 30 compared to the same period in sales at Clopay Buildintg Products dropped 15 percentto $114 million, whilew sales at Clopay Plastic Productxs were flat at $97 million.
For the same operating profits in the garage door business fellfrom $10.e3 million to $4.6 million. The company said a 15 percent reductionn in salaried jobs during the seconc quarter wouldyield $5 million in annual cost savings. Operatinhg profits in the plastic film unit tumbled bynearlg two-thirds from $8.1 milliomn to $2.9 million. Griffon blamed the declin e on highermaterial costs, lower sellinyg prices to Procter, and a $1 million chargse related to job cuts.
Proctef uses Clopay's plastic films to make The company completed a reduction in forcw that affected all functionxsand locations, it said, including a 10 percent cut in salariede jobs that will save $4 million According to Griffon's 2006 annual Clopay Building Products had about 1,700o employees. It operates several manufacturing plants, including facilitieds in Russiaand Troy, both west-central Ohio Clopay Plastic Products employed abouft 1,200 people, including its expanding overseas Sales to Procter were about $226 million, or 55 percent of all in 2006. That was down from $255 million in 2005 and $302 millionm in 2004.
Blau told analysts during an Augusy conference callthat "due to presen t conditions in the residential housing and credit options that would increase shareholder value are beingv explored but are not attractive at this time." A Clopayt spokeswoman referred questions about its operations to Griffon. Eric Griffon's executive vice president and chief financial could not be reached at its officesin Jericho, N.Y.
Meanwhile, cost-cutting measures have eliminated dozens of salarier jobsat Clopay, where profits have been hammeredf by the U.S. housing slump and the pricing powedrof , its largestr customer. Nuveen's NWQ Investment Management Co. filed an amended Form 13G with the Securitiezs and Exchange Commissionon Oct. 9, disclosingv it owned 4.6 million Griffon The company reported a 10 percent stake inearlg January.
Since then, the market value of Griffon's shares has fallen more than 40 Two otherlarge investors, , which reportedx a 9 percent share as of June 28, and , with 5 percentt as of March 15, began pressuring Griffon late last year to separats Clopay from Griffon's military-orientexd electronic communications business. NWQ's filing said its investment was not for the purposse ofinfluencing control. It also disclosed in Marcy that it owns 10 percentof , an otherwise unaffiliatede company that's also headed by Harvey Blau, Griffon'sx chairman and CEO. So far, Clintom and Barington haven't succeeded in gettinfg Jericho, N.Y.
-based Griffon to revamp its conglomerate-like Griffon did announce job reductionsat , whicjh makes garage doors, and plastic film maker Co. as part of a cost-cuttingf program. Both companies' headquarters and technical centers are based in Mason ata 130,000-square-fooft facility. Griffon also hired to help it evaluate itsstrategic alternatives. In the results at the Clopay businessedhave deteriorated. The company won't repor t its third-quarter results until next but for the three months that endex June 30 compared to the same period in sales at Clopay Buildintg Products dropped 15 percentto $114 million, whilew sales at Clopay Plastic Productxs were flat at $97 million.
For the same operating profits in the garage door business fellfrom $10.e3 million to $4.6 million. The company said a 15 percent reductionn in salaried jobs during the seconc quarter wouldyield $5 million in annual cost savings. Operatinhg profits in the plastic film unit tumbled bynearlg two-thirds from $8.1 milliomn to $2.9 million. Griffon blamed the declin e on highermaterial costs, lower sellinyg prices to Procter, and a $1 million chargse related to job cuts.
Proctef uses Clopay's plastic films to make The company completed a reduction in forcw that affected all functionxsand locations, it said, including a 10 percent cut in salariede jobs that will save $4 million According to Griffon's 2006 annual Clopay Building Products had about 1,700o employees. It operates several manufacturing plants, including facilitieds in Russiaand Troy, both west-central Ohio Clopay Plastic Products employed abouft 1,200 people, including its expanding overseas Sales to Procter were about $226 million, or 55 percent of all in 2006. That was down from $255 million in 2005 and $302 millionm in 2004.
Blau told analysts during an Augusy conference callthat "due to presen t conditions in the residential housing and credit options that would increase shareholder value are beingv explored but are not attractive at this time." A Clopayt spokeswoman referred questions about its operations to Griffon. Eric Griffon's executive vice president and chief financial could not be reached at its officesin Jericho, N.Y.
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