Crain's Cleveland Business articles from February 2004

Crain's Cleveland Business archives from February 2004

Gates putting a lot of focus on parking.
February 2, 2004... Byline: STAN BULLARD Agreeing to buy Canada's largest parking company is only the beginning for Gates Group, a Mayfield Heights-based private equity firm that plans to play consolidator in the fragmented North American parking business....

BioEnterprise earns grant.(Health Care)
February 2, 2004... Byline: SHASTA CLARK BioEnterprise Corp. has received a two-year, $300,000 grant from the Mt. Sinai Health Care Foundation. BioEnterprise, the Cleveland-based organization created to recruit and support life science companies in...

Think small.(Opinion)
February 2, 2004... Oh, that more of the big companies in Northeast Ohio were job generators like aggressive Progressive Corp., the supercharged auto insurer that has added thousands of employees in Greater Cleveland over the last decade. Alas, it is the...

Jewish Family Service buys clinic.(News)
February 2, 2004... Byline: SHANNON MORTLAND The Jewish Family Service Association of Cleveland has acquired the assets of The Psychobiology Clinic of Greater Cleveland. The 19-year-old Psychobiology Clinic, a mental health agency that treats severe...

On the Job; Lucene Wisniewski, clinical director for eating disorder programming at UHHS Laurelwood Hospital and Counseling Center.(Health Care)
February 2, 2004... Byline: Barbara Payne Lucene Wisniewski wasn't signed up to take a class in physiological psychology when she was a student at the Douglas College for Women at Rutgers University, but when she accidentally stumbled into one, it changed her...

Health savings accounts look to be favorite in future.(Health Care)
February 2, 2004... Byline: HARRIET TRAMER Health savings accounts, which made their debut at the start of the year as part of Medicare reform, will build on their medical savings account roots to become a much-touted health benefit, experts predict. ...

Cole fallout remains foggy; With a Luxottica base in Cincy, Twinsburg operations may be at risk.(News)
February 2, 2004... Byline: HENRY GOMEZ Every analyst and investor with an eye on the optical industry saw it coming in 2004: Italian retail giant Luxottica Group SpA would be revealed as the secret suitor of Twinsburg's Cole National Corp. Predictable,...

Going Places.(People)
February 2, 2004... Job Changes Financial Services VANTAGE FINANCIAL GROUP INC.: William McCormick to vice president, principal and equity owner, Vantage companies; Lori Lynn and Robert Perciak to associates; Sharie Stuart to manager and Michael P. Dralle...

Cohen & Co., McCurdy team up for audit venture; Six employees to provide services for funds.(News)
February 2, 2004... Byline: JEFF STACKLIN The accounting firms of Cohen & Co. and McCurdy & Associates have formed a joint venture to house their respective auditing practices for mutual funds, hedge funds and other small- to medium-sized investment...

Calif. lender to add 150 jobs here.(Finance)
February 2, 2004... Byline: JAY MILLER A California-based lender is planning to bring 150 higher-paying jobs to downtown Cleveland. Education Lending Group Inc., a 5-year-old publicly traded San Diego company, has won state approval of an eight-year, 65%...

Citigroup changes mean job cuts here.(News)
February 2, 2004... Byline: JEFF STACKLIN More than 400 employees at the former Sears, Roebuck and Co. call center in Middleburg Heights will lose their jobs this year as part of a restructuring of the operation by their new boss, Citigroup Inc. Citigroup...

Landerwood Plaza lures in two new tenants.(News)
February 2, 2004... Byline: HENRY GOMEZ Not to be forgotten in an increasingly crowded retail mix in the eastern suburbs, the 44-year-old Landerwood Plaza has kicked off 2004 with the signing of two new tenants. The Pepper Pike shopping center, a town...

Weatherhead worries; Dean turnover, rankings raise concerns about business school.
February 2, 2004... Byline: SHANNON MORTLAND Albert J. Weatherhead III looks at the Weatherhead School of Management with a bit of disappointment, much like a father would look at a son who had lost his way. He remains confident the school can be an...

Tax Liens.(News)
February 2, 2004... The Internal Revenue Service filed tax liens against the following businesses in the Cuyahoga County Recorder's Office. The IRS files a tax lien to protect the interests of the federal government. The lien is a public notice to creditors that...

Budget worries not over for NASA Glenn; Commercialization project saved, but Mars/moon initiatives may cost program.(Technology)
February 2, 2004... Byline: TOM JACKSON Administrators at the NASA Glenn Research Center won a victory when Ohio lawmakers helped to save the center's technology commercialization effort, but they don't have much time to celebrate. They're waiting to find out...

Ganeden hopes to lure big fish bent on buying.(Health Care)
February 2, 2004... Byline: EILEEN BEAL Would you bet your financial future on a bacteria? You would if you were Andrew Lefkowitz and Sean Farmer. Mr. Lefkowitz is president and CEO of Ganeden Biotech Inc., and Mr. Farmer is chief scientific officer at...

Care crosses new borders; Decline in Middle Eastern patients has Clinic looking to other areas.(Health Care)
February 2, 2004... Byline: SHANNON MORTLAND Most have heard the stories of Arab princes traveling to the Cleveland Clinic for health care, bringing with them an entourage and plenty of spending cash. But such visits have slowed significantly since Sept. 11,...

Volunteers becoming harder to find.(Health Care)
February 2, 2004... Byline: JOHN H. TIDYMAN MetroHealth Medical Center is trying to make volunteering a family affair by developing a program to encourage families to volunteer together. In the face of a declining number of committed hospital volunteers,...

Medicare act brings some good news here.(Health Care)
February 2, 2004... Byline: AMY LEOPARD WOODHALL The historic Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 includes more than the much-publicized prescription drug benefit. While not a cure-all for Northeast Ohio's...

Say, is that Clevetown or Youngsland?(Opinion)
February 2, 2004... Byline: Henry Gomez Dubiously high rates of corruption, crime, drugs and unemployment are the hallmarks for which the city of Youngstown never asked, but a reputation like this is hard to overcome. Consider, then, the recent musing of...

Short Takes.(Briefs)
February 2, 2004... * AND THE WINNER IS...: The American Society on Aging recently lauded the Myers Research Institute of Menorah Park Center for Senior Living and HCR Manor Care in Beachwood with the 2004 Healthcare and Aging Award. Collaboratively, the...

Investment casters try to beat the slump.(News)
February 2, 2004... Byline: DAVID PRIZINSKY The lengthy commercial aerospace industry slump, which was compounded by the effects of 9/11, has tested the mettle of Northeast Ohio metalworking companies that specialize in the "lost wax,'' or investment casting...

Late News.
February 2, 2004... SURVEY SAYS: EXEC HIRING ON UPSWING Cleveland-based Management Recruiters International Inc., a global job search and recruitment agency, predicts hiring for mid- and upper-level management positions will increase during the first half of...

Quiet giant Noveon keeps on growing.(News)
February 2, 2004... Byline: MIKE VERESPEJ For a one-time division of an aerospace company, it's ironic that specialty chemical maker Noveon Inc. - with 29 manufacturing plants and 2,800 employees worldwide - hasn't been visible on Northeast Ohio's corporate...

Computer success story offers lessons in retooling.(Opinion)
February 2, 2004... Byline: HERB KLEIMAN The 50th anniversary of the first commercial computer is here. The IBM 650 was the new industry's initial thrust into the world of business, government and education. Computers were marketed as a tool for those...

Clinical Specialties stays on growth path.(Health Care)
February 2, 2004... Byline: CHRISSY KADLECK What worried Ed Rivalsky the most about the growth of his company, Clinical Specialties Inc., was the loss of the casual culture of professionalism he fostered since founding it in 1988. "I was afraid of how the...

Training to teach ways to battle hackers.(News)
February 2, 2004... Byline: SHASTA CLARK Hurricane Labs LLC is exploring the dark side of information technology. The Independence-based Internet security training and consulting firm is holding a five-day "hack-a-thon'' to teach students to think like a...

OfficeMax building for sale; Highland Hills employees will consolidate in Shaker.
February 2, 2004... Byline: STAN BULLARD The downsizing of OfficeMax Inc. following its acquisition by Boise Cascade Corp. is beginning with a major real estate offering: OfficeMax's 5-year-old Highland Hills business support building is going on the block....

Cleveland considers living wage revision.(News)
February 2, 2004... Byline: JAY MILLER Cleveland City Council in the next few months likely will change the city's living wage law to include employer-paid benefits in the compensation standards for companies that pay some employees less. "If a company...

Bankers troubled by cut in SBA loan amounts available.(News)
February 2, 2004... Byline: JEFF STACKLIN A temporary decrease in the amount of money available in the most popular Small Business Administration loan program could have some fledgling companies worried where they'll get their startup capital. The SBA on...

Datebook.(Calendar)
February 2, 2004... Week of Feb. 7-13 Saturday 14th Annual Skilled Trades Career Fair. Sponsored by Hard Hatted Women. Sheet Metal Workers Union Hall, 3666 Carnegie Ave. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Information, 216-861-6500 ext. 207. Monday Branding...

Entrepreneur joins prestigious biz school board.(News)
February 2, 2004... Byline: HENRY GOMEZ Herbert C. Smith, chairman and CEO of HC Smith Ltd. and Smith International Enterprises Ltd. in Shaker Heights, has joined the board of visitors at a prestigious West Coast business school. Dr. Smith last month...

Luxottica.(News)
February 2, 2004... Headquarters: Milan, Italy 2002 sales: $3.3 billion Employees: Nearly 35,000 U.S. optical distributors: LensCrafters, Sunglass Hut International Sample brands owned: Ray-Ban, Revo, Killer Loop Source: Hoovers.com

Software helps Clinic track resident hours.(News)
February 9, 2004... The Cleveland Clinic is using software developed by Livonia, Mich.-based WorkForce Software to track its residents' attendance and duty hours. The software requires residents to use a badge reader to log in and out when on duty. The system...

Ad strategies shift along with cable culture.(Small Business)
February 9, 2004... Byline: HARRIET TRAMER When sizing up advertising opportunities, Dan Geller makes certain not to slice his budget into too many thin pieces, especially when it comes to cable television. While cable's increasing specialization - whole...

Fill in the blanks.(Opinion)
February 9, 2004... The following story about another large employer leaving town was front-page news Jan. 30 in the city's daily paper. We've left out a couple key details from the story's first paragraph to see if you can fill them in. "The new owner of...

Seidman in selling mode; Deal will put Pilla in driver's seat at struggling Pontiac dealership.(News)
February 9, 2004... Byline: HENRY GOMEZ Lee Seidman, whose gradual exit from car sales began four years ago when he and Jamie Pilla sold four Motorcars dealerships, is taking another step toward full retirement. The 71-year-old Mr. Seidman last week told...

Brokaw adds up the Addys; Other firms downplay significance of aiming for prizes.(News)
February 9, 2004... Byline: HENRY GOMEZ As Brokaw Inc. last month romped to another Best in Show finish at the Cleveland Advertising Association's Addy awards, many dismissed the victory as old hat. It was, after all, the seventh consecutive win for the...

Crain's looking for Women of Note.(News)
February 9, 2004... Women of accomplishment. Women of perseverance. Women of character. Such are the women Crain's Cleveland Business plans to profile in its Women of Note section, which is scheduled for the July 5 issue. We are seeking recommendations...

Bankrupt Westco's assets sold.(News)
February 9, 2004... Byline: HENRY GOMEZ A West Virginia bedding retailer that is looking to expand in Ohio and other Midwestern states has acquired showrooms, a trademark and other assets from Akron's bankrupt Westco Group Inc. Westco, which filed for...

Grand Openings.(Small Business)
February 9, 2004... Club Suri Alpacas 12740 S. Reed Road Grafton 44044 www.clubsuri.com Owners Dennis and Terri Radesic operate a 12-acre animal ranch and help customers raise alpacas "for pleasure and profit.'' 440-748-6078 Doogan's of...

How they did it; A look at how a small business owner tackled a challenge.(Small Business)
February 9, 2004... Byline: Mary Ann Jannazo Who: Highland Construction Co. of Broadview Heights (440-838-4212) Did what? Built a solid reputation based on craftsmanship, reliability and service. Owner Brent Baxter has grown his client list from...

Take steps to safeguard proprietary info.(Small Business)
February 9, 2004... Byline: Lisa Babish Forbes, James Hogan The value - and even the future of many businesses - lies in their proprietary information and the employees to whom they entrust that information. Formulas, manufacturing processes, client...

Health savings accounts can reduce rising price of plans.(Small Business)
February 9, 2004... Byline: Peter A. DeMarco Employers and employees who have wrestled with rising health insurance costs now have a new option to consider to help manage the costs - health savings accounts. Established as part of the Medicare reform bill...

Going Places.(People)
February 9, 2004... Job Changes Architecture RICHARD L. BOWEN + ASSOCIATES: Alan D. Esparza to senior vice president. Construction DARDEN CO.: Jason Pastor to estimator. Education CLEVELAND STATE UNIVERSITY, CLEVELAND-MARSHALL COLLEGE...

Letter: Guns save lives.(Letters)
February 9, 2004... Editor: After failing to scare business lobbyists into the fight in 2003, and after losing in the legislative arena just weeks ago, gun ban lobbyists are now hoping to convince business owners to discriminate against employees and...

Loan key to retaining 170 jobs; Investors counting on state help to buy Metaldyne plant.(News)
February 9, 2004... Byline: DAVID PRIZINSKY Efforts are under way to save nearly 170 manufacturing jobs that will disappear this spring unless new investors are able to acquire the Metaldyne Inc. aluminum auto parts plant on Cannon Road in Bedford Heights....

Investors up ante in MDG by $5.5M.
February 9, 2004... Byline: SHASTA CLARK On the heels of last week's announcement that Matt Jennings is stepping down as head of the nonprofit biotech assistance group BioEnterprise Corp., the first Israeli company that BioEnterprise recruited to Cleveland...

Oglebay staring down Ch. 11; Company warns of bankruptcy option as it seeks relief from debt.
February 9, 2004... Byline: JEFF STACKLIN Awash in a sea of debt and red ink, the leadership of mineral and aggregate shipper and supplier Oglebay Norton Co. may seek shelter in a different kind of port - namely, U.S. Bankruptcy Court. The 150-year-old,...

Outlying hospitals geared up for growth.
February 9, 2004... Byline: SHANNON MORTLAND Outward migration from Cuyahoga County is causing Northeast Ohio's smaller and more rural hospitals to question how they will care for the additional patients moving into their areas. The answer, they've found,...

Short Takes.(Briefs)
February 9, 2004... ***** Correction: A brief on page 13 of today's issue misstates terms of an acquisition made by Cleveland-based investment firm Calcol Inc. Calcol last month acquired for $2.1 million the 20% minority stake of partner company China...

ARE YOU A ROMANTIC?(Briefs)
February 9, 2004... Or do you find it hard to think about roses and romance after a busy day on the job? Crain's is looking to talk to a few to whom candlelight and quiet nights are as much a part of their week as endless meetings and mounds of paperwork. ...

New business ideas? Bring them on.(Opinion)
February 9, 2004... Byline: Brian Tucker Have a business plan for what you think will be a high-growth company here in Northeast Ohio? Ray Leach wants to hear from you. Mr. Leach, the former entrepreneur who now heads this region's latest organization...

Aid for Cleveland Range still in oven.(News)
February 9, 2004... Byline: JAY MILLER Cleveland officials are trying to find a way to help an East Side manufacturer expand within the city limits in a process that Councilman Michael Polensek believes has taken too long already. The manufacturer,...

KLI Learning seals deal to buy Minn. competitor.(News)
February 9, 2004... Byline: JEFF STACKLIN KLI Learning Corp., a Chagrin Falls developer of employee training software, last week closed a deal to acquire LogicBay Corp., a 25-employee competitor in Minneapolis. Robert Daugherty, CEO of KLI Learning, said...

Agilysys takes first steps in software.(Technology)
February 9, 2004... Byline: TOM JACKSON Agilysys Inc. of Cleveland is no stranger to change - last year it changed its name from Pioneer-Standard Electronics and exited the business of distributing electronic components. Now the company has entered the...

Presidents Day: You can bank on it.(Finance)
February 9, 2004... Byline: JEFF STACKLIN Ahhhh, bank holidays. Those days - such as Presidents Day next Monday, Feb. 16 - when government and most bank employees get to sleep in and relax for a day while most other folks must go to work. They're the days...

Correction.
February 9, 2004... A brief on page 13 of today's issue misstates terms of an acquisition made by Cleveland-based investment firm Calcol Inc. Calcol last month acquired for $2.1 million the 20% minority stake of partner company China National Food Industry Corp....

Site links buyers to local tech vendors.(News)
February 9, 2004... A new web site has gone live to help local companies fulfill their computer needs locally. The buyNEO site at www.buyneo.us links companies with information technology vendors in Northeast Ohio. Buyers can use the site to post a...

Late News.
February 9, 2004... WYNDHAM SELLS FAIRLAWN RADISSON Dallas-based Wyndham International Inc. has sold its 128-room Radisson Hotel in Fairlawn to Akron Hospitality Group LLC of Pickerington, Ohio. Wyndham sold the hotel as it sheds nonstrategic assets to cut...

Datebook.(Calendar)
February 9, 2004... Week of Feb. 14-20 Monday Cost Recovery: Driving Savings to the Bottom Line. Sponsored by the Institute of Management Accountants. The Manor Party Center, 24111 Tungsten Road, Euclid. 6-8 p.m. $18. Information, 440-201-3315. ...

Expected workplace trends for 2004.(Small Business)
February 9, 2004... 1. Desire for workplace community 2. Active retirement 3. Back-to-basics benefits 4. Informal reference checking 5. Renewed emphasis on ethics 6. Taking working vacations 7. Choices for the unemployed 8....

Rebounding Cavaliers pondering price hike.(Cleveland Cavaliers)
February 16, 2004... Byline: HENRY GOMEZ The increasingly marketable Cleveland Cavaliers - once an oxymoron - have begun an early push to peddle season tickets for 2004-05. And it's likely to cost more to buy them. About two months remain on this year's...

Lakewood's loss may be River's gain.(Column)
February 16, 2004... The proposal to redevelop a part of Rocky River is as interesting for what it isn't as it is for what it is, if you know what I mean. You're probably thinking: How on earth can I possibly know what you mean in that combination of words? ...

Embedded Planet out to find $3M in fresh funding.(Technology)
February 16, 2004... Byline: CHRIS THOMPSON Embedded Planet is trying to raise $3 million to accelerate growth beyond its planned 35% sales increase for 2004. While that's an aggressive growth goal, it's actually down from the company's 2003 performance,...

CWRU to receive $4.8M of grant to study heart failure.(News)(Case Western Reserve University)
February 16, 2004... Byline: SHANNON MORTLAND The School of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University and two out-of-state institutions have received a $9.2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study heart failure - a condition that kills...

Grand Openings.(News)(LBSi)(Netspace Cleveland)(Hurricane Labs LLC)(Brief Article)
February 16, 2004... LBSi 12120 Elmwood Ave. Cleveland 44111 www.lbsi.com Provides ERP software and consulting services. Recently expanded to include rights to market, sell and service proAlpha enterprise resource planning software in the U.S....

New owner set to put biz back in gear.(News)(Sippola, Richard)(Carnegie Body Co.)
February 16, 2004... Byline: JEFF STACKLIN Richard Sippola wanted to take his career down a different path. He's now doing just that as president and owner of Carnegie Body Co. of Brooklyn, a distributor of truck and trailer parts that Mr. Sippola is dragging...

CSU rotating machine chair foresees benefits for area biz.(News)(Cleveland State University Fenn College of Engineering)(Donald Bently and Agnes Muszynska Endowed Chair in Rotating Machinery)
February 16, 2004... Byline: TOM JACKSON The holder of the first-ever endowed chair at Cleveland State University's engineering school said he hopes CSU's leadership in rotating machinery studies will help Northeast Ohio businesses gain an advantage by being...

Going Places.(People)(appointments)(LORAIN COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE)
February 16, 2004... Job Changes Construction CLEVELAND CEMENT CONTRACTORS INC.: Tom O'Loughlin to director, business development; Walt Bargmann to chief estimator; Jay Kester to project manager. Education LORAIN COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE: Jeffrey...

Bankruptcies.(Brief Article)
February 16, 2004... The following businesses recently have filed for protection from creditors in the U.S. Bankruptcy Courts in Cleveland and Akron. Under Chapter 11, a company files a reorganization plan that must be approved by the court. Chapter 7 is a total...

ComSense looks for cash to support sensor plans.(Technology)(ComSense Technology Inc.)
February 16, 2004... Byline: CHRIS THOMPSON Bob Schmidt has started six companies, but none are as ambitious as ComSense Technology Inc. The fledgling company - spun out of work done by Orbital Research Inc. - has developed a high-temperature pressure...

Short takes.(Briefs)(Francesca Fisher introduces online shopping firm)(Comm Group of Pennsylvania opens office in Arkon)(WebWaders.com Inc. acquires PiggyBills.com)
February 16, 2004... * EBAY INTERMEDIARY: Fitness guru Francesca Fisher, founder of Body Sculpting, and her husband Carl recently formed a business to help people sell antiques and collectibles on eBay. Called Professional Auction Listing Service, the Aurora...

Region's attitude issues show in survey.(News)
February 16, 2004... Byline: JAY MILLER It turns out that Northeast Ohio's inferiority complex is more complex than it appears, which isn't a good sign for the regional economy. That's one observation from a recent survey of the region and its economy...

Felder dogged by lawsuits.(Bruce Felder)(Courthouse Square Development Corp.)(Morgan Printing Co.)
February 16, 2004... Byline: STAN BULLARD With his proposed 25-story Courthouse Tower hotel and office project, developer Bruce Felder wanted to do big things in downtown Cleveland. Instead, Mr. Felder finds himself with lawsuits on his hands. Three...

The right way.(Opinion)(Fund for Our Economic Future )
February 16, 2004... Certain initiatives for fostering economic development in our region are better conceived than others. The soon-to-be-unveiled Fund for Our Economic Future is among the well-conceived ones. The fund is an outgrowth of a two-year effort...

Proenza thinking bigger; U. of Akron looks to add enrollment, research.(News)(Luis Proenza)(University of Akron)
February 16, 2004... Byline: SHANNON MORTLAND Luis Proenza envisions a University of Akron that is to northern Ohio what Ohio State University is to Columbus - a research powerhouse that also serves as a major economic engine for the region. To gain such...

Move on to create global biz organization.(News)
February 16, 2004... Byline: SHASTA CLARK An effort is under way to develop an organization that would market Cleveland to international companies that want to establish U.S. headquarters, then would provide business resources and perhaps physical space when...

Local applicants step up for utility watchdog group.(News)(Ohio Consumers' Counsel)(Brief Article)
February 16, 2004... Byline: JAY MILLER At least 11 Northeast Ohio attorneys have applied for the job of Ohio Consumers' Counsel, the state utilities watchdog. The job came open last November when Robert Tongren resigned under pressure. Mr. Tongren faced...

Late News.(Hyland Software Inc. granted property tax rebate)(Rinaldi Jewelry closes its store)(Champion Staffing acquires A Job Near Home Inc.)
February 16, 2004... TAX DEAL OK'D FOR HYLAND EXPANSION Hyland Software Inc., manufacturer of OnBase document management software, has been granted a 100% property tax abatement for the planned 60,000-square-foot addition at its Westlake headquarters. The deal...

Hackers welcome here; Security project looks to trap computers 'crackers' in effort to find out how to thwart future break-ins.
February 16, 2004... Byline: TOM JACKSON Go ahead, hacker punk. Break inside Bill Mathews' computer. Mess with his files. He wants you to. The burglars of the online computing world - people Mr. Mathews and his fellow computer security specialists refer to...

Office firm drops leases to regroup.(News)(PS Executive Centers Inc.)
February 16, 2004... Byline: STAN BULLARD Retreating from two of five locations it opened during a 2002 expansion, shared-office provider PS Executive Centers Inc. has secured a U.S. Bankruptcy Court order breaking the leases for its Cincinnati and Orlando,...

Datebook.(Calendar)(Calendar)
February 16, 2004... Week of Feb. 21-27 Saturday Engineering Exposition: National Engineers Week. Sponsored by the Cleveland Area National Engineers Week Committee. Great Lakes Science Center, Gund Wintergarden, 601 Erieside Ave. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free....

Letters.(Letter to the Editor)
February 16, 2004... Buy locally Editor: I would like to proffer a simple approach to enhance the economic vitality of Northeast Ohio. It will make a measurable difference in the economic base of our local community without the need for any gimmicks or...