08.31
Business Wire, Nov 6, 2007
Popular Wall-Mounted Roma Hood Adapted for Island Kitchen Configurations Offers Elegant Styling, Affordability and Fast Installation
SAN FRANCISCO — Zephyr, a leading designer and manufacturer of design-centric, high-end kitchen ventilation hoods, today introduced Roma Island, a new, free-standing version of its sleek, contemporary Roma wall-mounted range hood. Designed for use over cooktops on kitchen islands or peninsulas, Roma Island combines power, convenience, ease of installation and affordability — major advantages for urban residential developers, professional builders and cost-conscious renovators.
Part of Zephyr’s Europa Collection, Roma Island features the same bold styling and stainless steel construction of the wall-mounted Roma, with:
* 36″ and 42″ widths
* Powerful, 600-cfm internal blower with 6″ round duct
* Angled halogen lighting that provides better cooktop illumination
* Easy, push-button controls for three-speed blower and halogen lights
For the kitchen contractor or builder, Roma Island offers unique ease-of-installation features:
* A quick-locking hanging mechanism that makes it one of the easiest island hoods on the market to install
* Duct cover extension up to 12 feet to accommodate non-standard installation needs
* Optional recirculating kit for ductless venting
“With Roma Island, we have adapted one of our most popular wall-mounted hoods to a wider range of kitchen configurations,” said Arcadio Lainez, director of marketing for Zephyr. “As part of our Essentials product line, Roma Island provides a sophisticated kitchen design element that is both practical and versatile, perfectly suited to an urban loft or a modern suburban home.”
The new Roma Island range hood became available through Zephyr distributors in October 2007. For more information, kitchen professionals and homeowners should contact their local Zephyr dealer or distributor. Information is also available directly from Zephyr at (888) 880-VENT (8368) or via the Zephyr Web site at www.zephyronline.com.
About Zephyr
San Francisco-based Zephyr designs, manufactures and markets a wide array of design-forward, high-quality kitchen ventilation hoods for numerous residential settings
08.30
Business Wire, Oct 20, 2008
GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo. — Emergency Medical Services Corporation (NYSE:EMS) today announced that its EmCare, Inc., (EmCare) subsidiary has acquired Templeton Readings, LLC. Founded in 2001 in suburban Baltimore, Md., by Philip A. Templeton, M.D., F.A.C.R., Templeton Readings, LLC is a leading provider of final reads and teleradiology services with contracts in 31 states and agreements representing an extensive network of radiologists across the country.
The transaction was completed on Friday, October 17, 2008. The company anticipates that the acquisition will contribute approximately $20 million in new annual net revenue. In connection with the acquisition, Dr. Templeton will continue in his role as President of Templeton Readings, LLC. He also has joined EmCare as Vice President, Strategy and Development of RadStaffing Management Solutions, an EmCare subsidiary.
William A. Sanger, EMSC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, “A number of significant market dynamics make this acquisition an exciting opportunity for the company. We believe that the shortage of radiologists has helped fuel development of the market for teleradiology solutions as physicians look to meet a growing demand with increasingly limited resources. Recent advances in technology coupled with a broader acceptance of teleradiology services in hospitals will continue to drive growth in our view particularly in the final reads market
08.30
Business Wire, June 01, 2009
END Will Feature New Spring 2010 Line at Upcoming Outdoor Retailer
Show
PORTLAND, Ore. — LaCrosse Footwear, Inc. (Nasdaq/NMS:BOOT), a leading provider of
branded work and outdoor footwear and apparel, announced today that it
has completed closing of its acquisition of certain assets of
Environmentally Neutral Design Outdoor, Inc., or END, a performance
footwear company focused on product innovation and sustainability.
Through the agreement LFI acquires substantially all the assets
comprising ENDâs footwear business, including inventory, intellectual
property, and other assets.
END began shipping product in late 2008 to provide everyday athletes
with high performance footwear that follows responsible design, and is
innovative and technical. END footwear has already received the honors
of âBest Trail Running Shoe Debutâ from Runnerâs World magazine in their
April 2009 issue and âBest Road Running Shoe Debutâ in their June 2009
issue. The company will debut its Spring 2010 line at upcoming shows
including the Outdoor Retailer Summer Show.
About LaCrosse Footwear, Inc.
LaCrosse Footwear, Inc. is a leading developer and marketer of branded,
premium and innovative footwear for expert work and outdoor users
08.25
Business Wire, March 26, 2008
NEW YORK — NYMAGIC, INC. (NYSE: NYM) announced today that it has acquired a book of professional liability insurance covering insurance agents, brokers and related professionals. The Company purchased this book of business through its subsidiary, Mutual Marine Office, Inc. (“MMO”) from Excel Underwriters Alliance, Inc. (Excel), effective March 1, 2008.
For more than 10 years, Excel has been a specialist in underwriting errors and omissions (“E&O;”) insurance policies for insurance brokers, agents and other related professionals. Excel was formed by David Wash, who has more than 15 years experience in this segment of professional liability insurance. Mr. Wash has been producing profitable business on behalf of MMO for more than six years.
In connection with acquiring the Excel book of insurance business, MMO has entered into an agreement with Excel’s affiliate, Spirit Underwriters LLC (“Spirit”) under which Spirit will act as MMO’s agent to further develop this line of insurance. This segment of professional liability business will be marketed using the servicemark BrokerPro(SM). Working in conjunction with Spirit, MMO plans to maintain an informational Web site and to provide a free legal-assistance hotline for its policy holders. MMO plans to offer these support services as part of a comprehensive professional liability insurance product tailored to the needs of its insureds.
BrokerPro(SM) will complement MMO’s other lines of professional liability insurance coverage. These include professional liability (E&O;) coverage for accountants, lawyers, engineers, defense contractors, music producers, home inspectors, design professionals, financial representatives and many other non-medical-industry professionals.
Any broker interested in accessing this product can contact Spirit Underwriters at 1-888-QUOTE40 (1-888-786-8340) or at info@spiritunderwriters.com.
NYMAGIC, INC. is an insurance holding company whose property and casualty insurance subsidiaries specialize in writing ocean marine, inland marine and non-marine liability insurance, and whose agency subsidiaries specialize in establishing markets for such business. The Company maintains offices in New York and Chicago.
This report contains certain forward-looking statements concerning the Company’s operations, economic performance and financial condition, including, in particular, the likelihood of the Company’s success in developing and expanding its business. Any forward-looking statements concerning the Company’s operations, economic performance and financial condition contained herein, including statements related to the outlook for the Company’s performance in 2008 and beyond, are made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
08.25
Business Wire, May 19, 2008
DUBLIN, Ireland — Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c92170) has announced the addition of “Breakfast Cereal Manufacturing – Industry Profile” to their offering.
Covering over 175 industries and updated every 90 days, the First Research Industry Profiles do the heavy lifting for you – saving your sales team valuable research time, enhancing client communications and giving you the competitive edge to win more business.
Easy-to-use and up-to-date, the Industry Profiles provide you with the industry research necessary to stay on top of constant changes in select industries.
The First Research profiles help target your products and services directly to prospects. The Industry Profiles provide the information and understanding you need to engage new prospects during the sales process, deepen customer relationships and strengthen your own bottom line.
Executive Summary
Brief Excerpt from Industry Overview Chapter:
The breakfast cereals manufacturing industry includes about 50 companies with combined annual revenue of $9 billion. Major companies include Kellogg; General Mills; Post (part of Ralcorp Holdings); and Pepsi Quaker Food and Beverage subsidiary. The industry is highly concentrated: the top four companies account for 80 percent of industry revenue.
Breakfast cereal manufacturing includes companies that make ready-to-serve packaged cereal and cereals like oatmeal and farina that must be cooked prior to eating. It doesn’t include the manufacturing of granola bars, breakfast bars, or packaged cereal snacks.
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
Demand is driven by demographics and health considerations, particularly the attitudes of busy families and working professionals toward the first meal of the day. The profitability of individual companies depends on managing raw material costs, operating efficiently, and maximizing retail shelf space. Large companies have advantages in purchasing, distribution, and marketing. Small operations can compete effectively by manufacturing cereals that emphasize organic or healthful ingredients. The industry is capital-intensive: average annual revenue per employee is $600,000.
Breakfast cereals compete against other popular breakfast items prepared at home, including eggs, yogurt, bacon, donuts, muffins, toaster pastries, bread, coffee, and fruit. Breakfast cereals also compete with restaurants and food kiosks that sell breakfast food items
08.25
Credit Union Management, May 2009 by Jooss, Ron
Credit unions are helping their members – and trying to remain competitive – in a tough auto lending environment.
t’s not a great time to be an auto lender or, for an increasing number of consumers, a car buyer.
Automotive market forecaster CSM Worldwide (www.csmauto.com) has predicted light vehicle sales of 9.7 million units for 2009. Most in the auto industry noticed sales dropping in 2008 when 13 million units were sold
08.25
Interior Design, July, 2005
The 23-piece .25 collection offers tub fillers, lavatory faucets, and showerhead combinations. Accessories include two wall valve-trim choices, towel bars, a robe hook, and a paper holder. Finishes are standard or matte nickel and chome. 60 Backus Avenue, Danbury, CT 06810; 800-899-6757; waterworks.com
circle 313
08.22
Business Wire, Nov 27, 2007
SEATTLE — Bella Sara[TM] collectable, horse-themed trading cards and online world for girls, a global phenomenon with over 30 million cards sold and more than 1 million registered users from 240 countries, introduces huggable Bella Sara horses this holiday season as plush toys that can be cared for online.
Each stuffed animal comes in a gift box with a pack of Bella Sara Ancient Lights cards and an activation certificate used to unlock and nurture that horse at www.bellasara.com, a safe, fun Web site with horse jumping and riding games, puzzles, coloring books, interactive stories and more. In addition, kids can make the virtual versions of the new plush horses do a special dance, rear up on their hind legs, bow their heads and shake their tails — a first for the Web site.
Until now, plush toys with online counterparts have been available primarily through specialty retailers and are often in short supply. In contrast, the Bella Sara plush horses will be available starting this November at major retailers including Target, Toys “R” Us and Wal-Mart, as well as at regional chains, bookstores and toy, hobby and equestrian shops. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price is $12.99.
“Bella Sara has really struck a chord with girls everywhere and continues to grow, so we are excited to once again expand the Bella Sara universe and offer another way for girls to play with their favorite horses,” said Peter D. Adkison, CEO of Hidden City Games and the entrepreneur previously behind the global phenomena of Magic: The Gathering and Pokemon trading cards. “Girls can now hold and hug their favorite Bella Sara horses this holiday season while they experience a magical, virtual world.”
“This is a great time to introduce stuffed Bella Sara horses, as plush toys with online activations will continue to be popular gifts this holiday season,” said Scott W. McCauley, vice president of marketing for Vintage Sportscards, Inc., category manager for Blockbuster, Kmart and Toys “R” Us.
Developed by Danish social worker Gitte Odder Braendgaard, Bella Sara trading cards have attracted the attention of parenting experts, educators and psychologists because each card features a magical, fairytale-like illustration of a horse along with a positive message such as “Beauty comes from within” or “Be the hero in your own story.” These messages stimulate pro-social dialogue both among girls and between girls and their parents and educators. Both the cards and the online world at www.bellasara.com strive to engage children with topics beyond looks and other superficial characteristics, focusing instead on developing each child’s inner strength and beauty.
Since its U.S. debut last year, Bella Sara has received numerous awards from child development and parenting authorities, including the “Seal of Approval” from the National Parenting Center, the “Seal of Excellence” from Creative Child magazine, the “2007 Excellent Product” and “2007 Outstanding Product” designations from iParenting Media and the “Best Products — Spring 2007″ award from Dr
08.22
Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City), Jul 15, 2002
SAN FRANCISCO (NYT) — There once was a time when motorists had only one choice to hear news and entertainment in their car — an AM radio with a single speaker. But today, even the terms “car stereo” and “cassette deck” are becoming antiquated. The new buzz phrase is “in-car entertainment” — products that include digital satellite radio, CD changers, digital audio jukeboxes, surround sound, DVD players and LCD TV screens.
“We’re seeing the beginning of a turf war for dashboard real estate,” said Ryan Jones, media and entertainment strategies analyst for the Yankee Group. “Within five years, we’ll reach a point, especially in new cars, where the options will be bewildering to consumers.”
Automakers once had high hopes that “telematic” devices like satellite navigation systems would generate new revenue sources. But now they are turning to high-tech entertainment systems, especially to boost sagging luxury vehicle sales, with navigation systems as an additional component but not the main feature.
Sirius Satellite Radio is one of the latest companies to race for a place on the dashboard with the long-delayed launch of its nationwide service. Sirius has one direct competitor in the never- before-tried category of pay radio — XM Satellite Radio Holdings. Both offer 100 channels of digital radio programming beamed from satellites orbiting the Earth. Sirius and XM, which are both publicly traded companies, have spent more than $3 billion combined in an attempt to create this new category. If it catches on, it would be the first significant change in automobile entertainment since the introduction of the car cassette deck, Jones said.
In May, car electronics maker Clarion Corp. of America introduced the Joyride, a Pentium-powered dashboard unit that is a complete home entertainment system for the road
08.22
Financial Adviser, November, 2006
Byline: Be careful or it will bite you
Property investing is causing me and my colleagues at the Mail a great deal of heart-searching.
I have no problem with a bit of property being added to create a balanced portfolio, but I am concerned about how it is being bought and sold.
I am particularly worried about whether investors and their advisers understand what they are getting into.
We have seen a spate of property funds launched over the past couple of years. Whether all of these managers have the experience to run such funds is questionable. It all smacks of the tech boom, when funds were being launched here, there and everywhere as managers chased a fast buck