Crain's Detroit Business back issues from September 2007:
Gilbert starts private-equity biz; RockBridge to invest up to $200M, focus on Michigan.(RockBridge Equity Partners L.L.C.)
Sep 03, 2007; ... Byline: Tom Henderson Dan Gilbert has co-founded a new private-equity company, RockBridge Equity Partners L.L.C., which plans to invest $150 million to $200 million over the next three years to acquire controlling interest in profitable, growing companies. RockBridge ...
Corrections.(Correction)
Sep 03, 2007 ... * An entry for JVS on a list of capital campaigns published on Page 14 in the Aug. 27 issue should have said the nonprofit's campaign is in its quiet phase. * A story on page 11 of the Aug. 27 issue should have said the Detroit Institute of Arts launched a new $180 million ...
Many choose not to bid on Selfridge leasing deal.(News)
Sep 03, 2007; ... Byline: Chad Halcom An offer to lease property at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County for private redevelopment got a modest number of takers as bidding closed last week. The deadline passed last Monday for developers and brokers to submit a notice of ...
Briefly.(Briefs)(Con-way Freight Inc.)(Beaumont Hospital)
Sep 03, 2007 ... Con-way Freight to realign, add staff in Ann Arbor Con-way Freight Inc. said Aug. 22 it will align its three divisions into a single operation this year headquartered in Ann Arbor. Currently, Con-way Freight has units in Ann Arbor; Fort Worth, Texas; and Buena Park, ...
Love of opera was right tune for gift.(Business Lives)(Allison-Fisher International Inc. donates to Michigan Opera Theatre)
Sep 03, 2007; ... Byline: Aaron Harris Respect for general director David DiChiera and a longtime love for opera compelled Doug and Sarah Allison to make a $1 million gift to the Michigan Opera Theatre. The Allisons live in Bloomfield Hills, haven't missed a show at the theater in ...
This Just In.(BNP Media accquires Ascend Media )(Delphi Corp)(United Way for Southeastern Michigan has appointed Troy Clarke)
Sep 03, 2007; ... Some push for new look at funding for bridge study Business interests and some lawmakers are hoping to breathe more life into a study examining the creation of another bridge across the Detroit River, in the wake of recent Senate action that makes it more difficult for the state ...
McKenna Associates: Inspired by architecture, collaboration.(Focus)(McKenna Associates Inc)
Sep 03, 2007; ... Byline: Aaron Harris Senior Planner Sarah Traxler says that one of the coolest things about working at McKenna Associates Inc. is the company's building. The Northville community-planning firm is in a former Ford Motor Co. automotive plant designed by legendary ...
Income-tax hike gains currency as budget fix.
Sep 03, 2007; ... Byline: Amy Lane As lawmakers look for new revenue to help close a nearly $1.8 billion gap in Michigan's upcoming budget, some Capitol observers say an increase in the state income tax is a logical choice. Economists and others say the increase, once enacted, would be ...
Execs: Health costs still a major concern.(Briefs)(health insurance costs )(tax bills move in Legislature)
Sep 03, 2007; ... Byline: Amy Lane For the fourth consecutive year, Michigan employers say they're grappling with rising health insurance costs that outpace the rate of inflation, according to a survey of state business executives prepared for a Sept. 18 Michigan Chamber of Commerce conference ...
Letters.
Sep 03, 2007 ... 'One D' work was done here Editor: I would like to point out an error in fact and clear up a few misconceptions that appeared in your Aug. 27 "Other Voices'' column by Tim Smith, "Respect Detroit's creative community.'' In citing examples of advertising ...
Nuspire Networks: Hoops for the troops.(Focus)(Nuspire Networks L.L.C. hold video game tournaments)(Brief article)
Sep 03, 2007; ... Byline: Tom Henderson At Nuspire Networks L.L.C., an IT company in Commerce Township that offers network management, including service for General Motors Corp.'s dealers, long hours and hard work doesn't translate into no fun. The catered meals, the summer madness ...
Dynamic Edge: Are you a pirate or a ninja?(Focus)
Sep 03, 2007; ... Byline: Tom Henderson The workday at Ann Arbor-based Dynamic Edge Inc., an IT company that offers custom database programming, server and desktop support and Web design, might include time off for bowling or a trip to a matinee. It always includes free lunches on ...
United Way may aid agencies outside new focus areas.(News)
Sep 03, 2007; ... Byline: Sherri Begin The United Way for Southeastern Michigan could provide transitional money to agencies that don't fit into its new areas of focus that take effect next July. The transitional funds could help those nonprofits cover operational costs, build ...
Computer-training company broadens horizons.(News)
Sep 03, 2007; ... Byline: Chad Halcom Livonia-based New Horizons Computer Learning Centers of Michigan plans to expand in Chicago, and to some degree in Cleveland, after completing a purchase of franchise rights and assets in both cities earlier this year. The recently formed New ...
Into the grape: Part 1 of 2; Michigan's wineries a popular destination for wine lovers.(Business Lives)
Sep 03, 2007; ... Byline: Maureen McDonald When Debra and Robert Watson packed for their July trip to the Leelanau Peninsula, they left plenty of room to bring home several cases of wine they bought from vineyards in the Traverse City area. Debra Watson, an executive assistant to the ...
Harry Potter magic boosts sales for Borders, but no help on profits.(News)(Financial report)
Sep 03, 2007 ... Byline: Sheena Harrison The last installment of the Harry Potter book series caused a jump in same-store sales for Borders Group Inc. in the second quarter, but it wasn't enough to offset losses for the Ann Arbor-based bookseller. For the quarter ended Aug. 4, Borders ...
Bankruptcies.
Sep 03, 2007 ... The following businesses filed for Chapter 7 or 11 protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Detroit Aug. 24-30. Under Chapter 11, a company files a reorganization plan. Chapter 7 involves total liquidation. Solar Stamping and Manufacturing ...
In the spotlight.(People)(appointment of Anthony Caudle )(Brief article)
Sep 03, 2007 ... Anthony Caudle has been named managing director of Detroit-based Comerica Inc.'s Corporate Investment Banking Group, which provides underwriting services for businesses. In the newly created position, he will focus on increasing national sales. Caudle, 42, has been ...
Calendar.(Calendar)
Sep 03, 2007 ... Thursday Sept. 6 Detroit Economic Club. Noon-1:30 p.m. Ron Gettlefinger, president, International Union, United Auto Workers. Masonic Temple, Detroit. $40 members, $50 guests of members, $65 others. Contact: (313) 963-8547 or www.econclub.org. Helping ...
Week in Review.(Briefs)(Behr America Inc planning completed its restaurant construction)(Health Alliance Plan expands its online services)(Andiamo Restaurant Group of Warren plans to open restaurant)
Sep 03, 2007 ... Guardian Building purchase OK'd The Wayne County Commission passed a proposal Thursday to authorize the county to acquire the Guardian Building, a parking structure and a vacant office building for $33.5 million. The purchase from Detroit-based Sterling Group ...
Rumblings.(Wal-Mart Stores Inc plans to open 17 supercenters)(Telemus Capital Partners L.L.C)(Wayne State University)
Sep 03, 2007 ... Wal-Mart plans place union in 'tough situation' The union that represents metro Detroit grocery workers seems to be taking a civil stance toward Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s plans to open 17 supercenters in the area through 2009. The United Food and Commercial Workers Local ...
NWA fixes problems - quietly; Airline focuses on flight cancellations, not PR.(News)(Northwest Airlines)
Sep 03, 2007; ... Byline: Bill Shea Northwest Airlines Corp. is taking a quiet approach to repair public-relations damage in the wake of 4,000 canceled flights in June and July that cost the carrier millions of dollars and untold numbers of customers. The Eagan, Minn.-based airline, ...
Ex-foundation boss pays back embezzled funds.(News)(Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation)
Sep 03, 2007; ... Byline: Robert Ankeny Karen Marie Breen, former executive director of the Metro Detroit & Southeast Michigan Chapter-Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, who admitted stealing more than $225,000 from the organization over several years, has made restitution of all the missing ...
Jervis B. Webb: Always up for an outing or game.(Focus)(Brief article)
Sep 03, 2007; ... Byline: Sheena Harrison Jervis B. Webb Co. strives to give its employees a chance to play while they're at work. The Farmington Hills-based conveyor manufacturer has a number of sports-themed activities each year, including company-sponsored golf outings, a bowling ...
I am not a robot, and neither are you.(News)(human resource management)(Brief article)
Sep 03, 2007; ... Byline: Michael Lee What's a cool place to work? In my estimation, a cool place to work isn't about free massages or pet baby-sitting or the most expensive espresso machine. It's mostly about how employees are treated. All other things (such as pay) being ...
Farbman Group: A good place to stay.(Focus)(Brief article)
Sep 03, 2007; ... Byline: Daniel Duggan As a real estate services company, Southfield-based Farbman Group has a front-row view of employers and young talent leaving the area. With that in mind, the office culture is geared toward keeping talent at the company. Flexible scheduling to ...
GM Planworks: Sabbaticals, job rotations.(Focus)(General Motors Corp.)(Brief article)
Sep 03, 2007; ... Byline: Bill Shea GM Planworks pays more than lip service to its insistence that employee well-being is a priority. The Detroit company, created in 2000 and owned by Chicago-based Starcom MediaVest Group, handles all of General Motors Corp.'s $2.9 billion in media ...
Airfoil: Blow off steam with kickball.(Focus)(Brief article)
Sep 03, 2007; ... Byline: Bill Shea Kickball. Nerf guns. Curling. It's not your typical office mixture for a public-relations firm, but those are just some of the elements that make Airfoil Public Relations in Southfield a cool place to work, said Allen Arnold, an Airfoil account ...
Cut out of the deal? RealComp II is lone holdout in fight over opening up distribution of real estate listings.(News)
Sep 03, 2007; ... Byline: Daniel Duggan Craig Mincy accepts that his real estate brokerage model bucks that of traditional brokerages. His Brighton-based business, michiganlisting.com, offers home sellers the option of listing their home on multiple-listing services for $495, then ...
What employees said about their Cool Place to Work.(Focus)
Sep 03, 2007 ... The following are based on what employees described as "cool'' about their companies in their nominations. The companies are ranked with their category size, based on number of employees. Companies with 1-50 employees 1. Horne Travel Consulting Inc. ...
Our winners promote teamwork and creativity - and provide great benefits.(Focus)
Sep 03, 2007 ... Where are the cool places to work in Southeast Michigan? Crain's asked that question in 2005 and got some surprising results. With the uncertain economy and with the state and Southeast Michigan working to stop the exodus of talented young workers leaving for other ...
Business Diary.(Briefs)(Fresh Enterprises Inc. Baja Fresh Mexican Grill contracts with Curve Detroit)(R.L. Polk & Co. acquires Roadtodata)(General Purpose Vehicles Inc. announced the commercial production)
Sep 03, 2007 ... Contracts Innovative Vending Systems, Walled Lake, has acquired exclusive United States and Puerto Rico distribution rights for SmartMech, a computerized system which reports and audits the amount of cash in vending machines. IVS will also have nonexclusive worldwide ...
$300M acquisition done, Noble turns to combining with Tailored Blank.(News)(Noble International Ltd acquires Tailored Blank Arcelor )
Sep 03, 2007 ... Byline: Brent Snavely Noble International Ltd. (Nasdaq: NOBL) completed its $300 million acquisition of Tailored Blank Arcelor on Friday and CEO Thomas Saeli said it's time for the company to turn its attention to integrating the two operations. Noble acquired eight ...
People.
Sep 03, 2007 ... Architecture Brett Carte to senior associate, TMI Architecture, Bloomfield Hills, from associate. Biotech Narendra Lalwani to chief scientific officer, Cerenis Therapeutics Inc., Ann Arbor, from senior director and head of drug safety evaluation, Esperion ...
Orbis Holding Group: Don't work overtime.(Focus)(Brief article)
Sep 03, 2007; ... Byline: Aaron Harris Rachel Gottler, customer service benefits administrator at Orbis Holding Group, says her company is a cool place to work because it encourages its employees to have a work-life balance. "The atmosphere is great and the schedules are flexible,'' ...
Altair: Professional, but not formal.(Focus)(Altair Engineering Inc.)(Brief article)
Sep 03, 2007; ... Byline: Chad Halcom Jeans and casual attire are the prevailing dress code at Troy-based Altair Engineering Inc., but employees can and do also work frequently from home. Still, there's no lack of incentive to show up at the office with its regular staff barbecues and ...
Henry Ford Health: Always cooking something up.(Focus)(Brief article)
Sep 03, 2007; ... Byline: Chad Halcom Diversity in the workplace, and a variety of activities where employees cross the cultural gap, were among the enjoyable work features cited by employees of Detroit-based Henry Ford Health System. Bob Riney, COO of Henry Ford and its 21,000 or so ...
Banquet center, wine shop next for Bacco.(Business Lives)(Luciano Del Signore plans to open a wine shop)(Michigan Chefs de Cuisine Inc. gives annual Chef of the Year award )(Chuck Rocky Rachwitz palns to open Rockys Rotisserie )
Sep 03, 2007; ... Byline: Brent Snavely Since opening his fine-dining Italian restaurant in 2002, Luciano Del Signore has offered his patrons exquisite and highly acclaimed cuisine at Bacco Ristorante, his 100-seat restaurant in Southfield. Now, Del Signore is about to offer more. ...
`Star Wars' fan.(Business Lives)(Small Plates)
Sep 03, 2007; ... Todd Stern Owner, Small Plates Todd Stern, 40, opened Small Plates, a restaurant on Broadway in Detroit in 2002 and plans to open his second location in Royal Oak in October. Small Plates was also one of two Detroit restaurants to make City Magazine's ...
In vino veritas; A recent tour of Traverse City area wineries yields some great wine.(Business Lives)(Personal account)
Sep 03, 2007; ... Byline: Cindy Goodaker On an August vacation in the Traverse City area, I thought I would undertake a long-delayed tour of northern Michigan tasting rooms, sampling both a variety of wines as well as comparable wines across a number of wineries. My travels ...
State needs coherent gambling policy.(Column)
Sep 03, 2007; ... Byline: Mary Kramer What's Michigan's booming industry? In a state struggling financially, it's ironic we seem to be winning the horse race on adding the most gambling spots in the Midwest. Detroit is getting ready to welcome three "permanent'' casinos and ...
High stakes in the air.(Opinion)(Northwest Airlines Corp.)(Brief article)
Sep 03, 2007 ... Northwest Airlines is one of at least six airlines vying for a shot at new nonstop routes to China from its Detroit hub. The U.S. Department of Transportation may award the routes in late September. Despite Northwest's bungling of post-bankruptcy operations this summer, we ...
HR needs to take leadership.(Focus)(Fast Co.)
Sep 03, 2007; ... Byline: John Hollon Two summers ago, Fast Company made a splash with its cover story "Why We Hate HR.'' The human resources community, not surprisingly, did not respond well. The central theme of the article was that a company's human resources staff should add value ...
State investment shines light on new Ardesta fund.(News)
Sep 03, 2007 ... Byline: Tom Henderson Two of the state's most successful venture capitalists, Rick Snyder and Chris Rizik, have started a new Ann Arbor-based VC fund that will invest in nanotechnology, life-science and alternative-energy companies in the Midwest. The new fund will ...
Into the grape: Part 2 of 2; Michigan's wineries a popular destination for wine lovers.(Business Lives)(Travel narrative)
Sep 03, 2007; ... Byline: Maureen McDonald Taste and tour Amid the 22 wineries in the Grand Traverse region, Coe says that three or four stops is the optimum number. If tourists seek fresh air and a 360-degree view, Sara and Jon Swanson recently formed ...
A bet on state's future.(Opinion)(Viewpoint essay)
Sep 03, 2007 ... Smart business owners reinvest profits into research and product development. A strong pipeline is also a strong signal to potential investors. Michigan's need to diversify its economy requires that same kind of philosophy. At the government level, the state has used ...
Civility needed in Lansing.(Opinion)
Sep 10, 2007 ... Ann Arbor's Center for Michigan, which seeks to promote civil and solution-oriented political conversation, noted in Friday's e-newsletter the lack of such in the state's continuing inability to put together a 2007-08 budget. Sample comments from our elected leaders: ...
New exec a win for Detroit.(Opinion)(Jim Press)(Brief article)
Sep 10, 2007 ... In a week in which Michigan lost the Volkswagen headquarters to Virginia, it was good to know that a high-level executive of a Japanese car company wants to throw his lot in with Detroit. The recruitment of Jim Press to the executive ranks of Chrysler is not only a boost for the ...
State ruling may jeopardize some open-heart work.
Sep 10, 2007; ... Byline: Sherri Begin The open-heart surgery programs at a handful of area hospitals could be in jeopardy if the state's Certificate of Need Commission upholds current standards at its Sept. 18 meeting. The commission is expected to hear subcommittee recommendations ...
Dealers are im-Pressed; Hiring of Toyota exec builds morale.(Chrysler L.L.C. hires Jim Press)
Sep 10, 2007; ... Byline: Tom Henderson, Mark Rechtin What is it about Jim Press that sends Detroit area dealers into rapture at the very mention of his name? What you get are tales of the guy's phenomenal attention to detail - and to dealers. That's likely why Chrysler L.L.C. CEO Bob ...
Press has strong Detroit ties.(News)(services of Jim Press)
Sep 10, 2007; ... Byline: Robert Ankeny Detroit's nonprofit community feels Jim Press is a known quantity, and a welcome one. He is no stranger to Detroit. After graduating from Pittsburg State University (Kan.), Press worked for two years at Ford Motor Co., mostly in Oregon. Press ...
ITC powers forward; Company expands in Great Plains.(News)(ITC Holdings Corp.)(Company overview)
Sep 10, 2007; ... Byline: Amy Lane Years ago, at Detroit Edison Co.'s transmission unit, Joseph Welch laid the groundwork to join that Southeast Michigan system with an electricity-transmission network covering the remainder of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. In 2006, that's just what ...
VW wasn't a big player in Detroit area, insiders say.(News)(Volkswagen of America Inc)
Sep 10, 2007; ... Byline: Brent Snavely The loss of Volkswagen of America Inc.'s headquarters is yet anotherblow - both symbolically and economically - to Michigan, but automotive insiders say the automaker hardly will be missed because it has historically kept such a low profile. ...
DeVry University opens campus in Southfield.(News)(DeVry Institutes of Technology)
Sep 10, 2007; ... Byline: Chad Halcom DeVry University has 87 campuses and learning centers in 25 states, but its new education center in Southfield is its first in Michigan and an effort to tap a growing market for career training in the Detroit area. Classes began last week at the ...
Summits cast energy as future industry; Focus is on alternatives, manufacturing.(News)(Detroit Economic Club)(Conference notes)
Sep 10, 2007; ... Byline: Robert Ankeny, Chad Halcom The Detroit Economic Club is in the early planning stages of a three-day, $2.75 million energy-related conference that it hopes to turn into an annual event. The National Conference on Energy Independence, Manufacturing and the ...
Wayne County may get track; Thoroughbred site would cost up to $80M.(Citizens Bank's Jerry Campbell is investing in racetrack)
Sep 10, 2007; ... Byline: Bill Shea Western Wayne County may yet become home to a thoroughbred horse race track, which would mark the sport's return to metro Detroit after nearly a decade's absence. Jerry Campbell, chairman of Citizens Republic Bancorp in Ann Arbor and owner of one of ...
Reporters' Notebook; Romulus optimistic.(Focus)(devlopment of destination for retail, sports or entertainment)
Sep 10, 2007; ... Byline: Daniel Duggan A series of vacant parcels north of Detroit Metropolitan Airport in Romulus make up a big area where there have been equally big ideas. But not big commitments. In recent history, several big entertainment-related proposals have been ...
Other Voices: Search for cheaper goods ends up costing.(Opinion)(Mattel Inc.)
Sep 10, 2007; ... Byline: David Hemmings With quality-control issues continuing to plague China, the latest word is that the government will be sending officials to the United States to try to stem the tide of a wave of hyperventilating press and government officials over a series of tainted ...
Telemus gets $400M boost; Assets had been managed by PWC Detroit.(News)(Telemus Wealth Advisors L.L.C acquires PricewaterhouseCoopers L.L.P )
Sep 10, 2007 ... Byline: Tom Henderson Southfield-based Telemus Wealth Advisors L.L.C. will announce today it has added to its portfolio the management of $400 million in assets formerly managed by the investment advisory group of the Detroit office of PricewaterhouseCoopers L.L.P. ...
Week in review; From www.crainsdetroit.com, week of Sept. 1-7.(Briefs)
Sep 10, 2007 ... Delphi plan: Creditors get equity rights, cash payments Troy-based Delphi Corp. plans to leave Chapter 11 bankruptcy by Jan. 1 by paying off creditors through an equity rights offering and cash payments, it said at a press conference Thursday evening after it filed its plan of ...
Hispanic Business Alliance expects 5,000 at Expo.(News)
Sep 10, 2007; ... Byline: Sheena Harrison The Hispanic Business Alliance hopes to draw about 5,000 people to come to this year's Hispanic Business Expo and Economic Summit - something the organization sees as a sign of the event's growing impact in the community. The sixth-annual ...
Calendar.(Calendar)
Sep 10, 2007 ... Tuesday Sept. 11 The University of Michigan's Law School's Environmental Law and Policy Program Inaugural Lecture. 4 p.m. Carol Browner, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency 1993-2001. Honigman Auditorium, University of Michigan Law School, Ann Arbor ....
In the spotlight.(People)(Inforum appointment)(Brief article)
Sep 10, 2007 ... Detroit-based Inforum has named Barbara Palazzolo COO. Palazzolo, 56, had been corporate communi- cations director for Hospice of Michigan in Detroit. She had also been a strategic consultant for Inforum. Palazzolo earned a bachelor's degree in ...
Bankruptcies.
Sep 10, 2007 ... The following businesses filed for Chapter 7 or 11 protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Detroit Aug. 31-Sept. 6. Under Chapter 11, a company files for reorganization. Chapter 7 involves total liquidation. Parth Sarthi L.L.C., 3058 Bridgefield Drive, Ann Arbor, voluntary ...
Soft economy boosts interest in Ann Arbor's greenbelt project.(Focus)
Sep 10, 2007; ... Byline: Daniel Duggan When Ann Arbor's greenbelt plan was created in 2003 to protect farm land and open space, the booming local economy put the plan at odds with developers. As developers tried to speculate on land where growth was headed, those trying to preserve ...