Crain's Detroit Business articles from August 2004

Crain's Detroit Business archives from August 2004

First comes the dissatisfaction, next the nagging doubt, then the ever-present 'what if?' Finally the pull toward a new career becomes overwhelming, and the needle inside can be pointing in only one direction: True north.(Special Report)
August 2, 2004... Byline: Laura Bailey Like half of all Americans, Pam Gustairs didn't like her job. But unlike most people who feel the same way, she did something about it: she traded in her briefcase - and her 20-year-old marketing company, P.S....

Business Diary.(Briefs)
August 2, 2004... Acquisitions Entela Inc., a Grand Rapids-based supplier of testing and engineering services, has absorbed the operations and customers of Advance Design Services Inc. of Roseville. Advance Design Services will be merged into the...

Flexibility drives home Olympic dream; Leave puts financial adviser on field one last time.(News)(Chris Demetral)
August 2, 2004... Byline: Andrew Dietderich Less than a week before heading to Athens to compete in the Olympics, sports was the farthest thing from Chris Demetral's mind. Demetral, a financial adviser in a Troy office of Edward Jones & Co., instead...

A sweet (but hot) Magnolia.(Special Report)
August 2, 2004... Byline: Michael Strong The flower of 1440 Franklin St. in Rivertown, Magnolia, held its gala grand opening July 20, and while all agreed the food was great, the air conditioning in the turn-of-the-century building was not. In fact, it did...

Briefly.(Briefs)
August 2, 2004... Delphi opens second technical center in South Korea Delphi Corp. opened its second technical center in South Korea last month, which will concentrate on developing engine-management systems. Troy-based Delphi spent $40 million on the...

Down time in China; Quick ways to explore culture if you're in Beijing on business.(Special Report)(Column)
August 2, 2004... Byline: Katie Merx I visited China in May to run the Great Wall Marathon and spent a week in Beijing exploring the spicy alleys, touring the must-see sights and meeting China's many welcoming and friendly people. But if you're...

Production fears hang over suppliers after solid first half; 7 of 9 suppliers reporting post improvements in 2nd quarter.(News)
August 2, 2004... Byline: Terry Kosdrosky Auto production held steady in the second quarter and auto suppliers reaped the profits. But many analysts predict the pattern will reverse in the second half. Of the nine local suppliers to report earnings so...

Confidant describes kickback scheme.(News)
August 2, 2004... Byline: Terry Kosdrosky A former attorney, accountant and confidant of two former ThyssenKrupp N.A. Inc. executives described in detail last week how he filtered money the men are accused of taking in a $6.5 million kickback scheme. ...

The mouse that roars.(News)
August 2, 2004... * Visit www.crainsdetroit. com to read the latest daily breaking business news. This week on the Web: Tuesday: Masco Corp. is scheduled to report second-quarter results. Wednesday: Amerigon Inc. is scheduled to report...

Crain's seeks best in real estate.(News)
August 2, 2004... Crain's Detroit Business is sponsoring the annual real estate excellence awards as part of the 18th annual University of Michigan/Urban Land Institute Real Estate Forum Oct. 27 and 28. Awards are given to real estate professionals in a...

Looser purse strings fuel M&A pursuit; More bank financing puts more companies in the hunt.
August 2, 2004... Byline: Terry Kosdrosky The lifeblood of the deal machine is flowing again. Banks are willing to lend more money to fund mergers and acquisitions, investment bankers say. That, coupled with improved financial performances, has more...

Building it right; Hartland Twp. looks to determine the elements that will help it grow - attractively.(Special Report)(McKenna Associates Inc.)
August 2, 2004... Byline: Sheena Harrison As more people move to Livingston County, Hartland Township is working to accommodate the growth while maintaining its aesthetic qualities by becoming a "premier community.'' The plan to become "premier'' means...

Mall renaissance; Five lifestyle centers hit drawing boards after 2-year drought.
August 2, 2004... Byline: Brent Snavely Developers are planning five outdoor "lifestyle'' shopping centers locally, the first new wave of major malls here in more than two years. The potential shopping centers - which all hope to feature national...

Letters.(Letter to the Editor)
August 2, 2004... End credit-union tax breaks Editor: I read your July 12 article on credit unions with interest ("Banks blast bills to loosen rules for credit unions''). Each and every working Jane or Joe Taxpayer pays more in federal income taxes...

Developers aiming to build on $100M portfolio.(Special Report)
August 2, 2004... Byline: Jennette Smith Jacobson Bros. and The JAR Group have amassed a combined $100 million local real estate portfolio, including two new condominium projects. The partners in real estate investment have holdings that include...

Meadowbrook cracks top 25.(News)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2004... Byline: Scott Pacheco Southfield-based Meadowbrook Insurance Group Inc. has become one of the country's 25 largest insurance brokers, according to an annual list from Business Insurance, a sister publication of Crain's Detroit Business....

$50M shopping center among several projects planned in Shelby Twp.(Special Report)(Modena Development Corp.)
August 2, 2004... Byline: Brent Snavely A developer's plan to build a 33-acre shopping center in Shelby Township is one of several recent examples of development and redevelopment projects that will benefit the township, Township Supervisor Ralph Maccarone...

Corrections.(Correction)(Correction Notice)
August 2, 2004... * Information obtained for the 2004 publicly held companies list in the July 26 edition of Crain's Detroit Business failed to include prebankruptcy revenue figures for Hayes Lemmerz International Inc. Total revenue, including pre- and...

People.(appointments)
August 2, 2004... Construction Debra Still to president and CEO, Pulte Mortgage Corp., Bloomfield Hills, from COO. Matthew Hunter to construction manager, Engelwood Resources, Clawson, from construction manager,Trillium Homes, Auburn Hills. Martin...

Senate looks at changes in electric-choice law.(News)
August 2, 2004... Byline: Amy Lane The battle over changes to Michigan's electric-choice law steps up this week as the Senate begins tackling bills backed by Detroit Edison Co. The Senate Technology & Energy Committee has scheduled its first hearing...

American Axle dedicates HQ.(Special Report)(headquarters)
August 2, 2004... Byline: Terry Kosdrosky American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. dedicated its $40 million world headquarters building July 23. The 250,000-square-foot, seven-story, white concrete-and-glass building looms over Holbrook Avenue at...

The real-life Dating Game.(Special Report)
August 2, 2004... Byline: Katie Merx In the month since I signed up with matchmaking service It's Just Lunch, my social life has been a whirlwind of dinners, dancing and pleasant summer strolls. I've met three men. They all were interesting, attractive...

Kaydon CEO says company is looking for acquisitions.(News)(Brian Campbell)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2004... Byline: Michael Strong Kaydon Corp. President and CEO Brian Campbell said the Ann Arbor-based company is planning to spend about $85 million to purchase a company that makes complementary products. Kaydon (NYSE: KDN), which...

Give voters a voice.(Opinion)
August 2, 2004... Should Michigan voters decide if gambling options proliferate in Michigan? Former Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumus thinks they should. We're inclined to agree with him. Now a lobbyist with Grand Rapids-based Varnum Consulting, Posthumus is one...

Nonprofit looks to raise money for nursing-home expansions.(Special Report)(Lutheran Social Services )
August 2, 2004... Byline: Sherri Begin Lutheran Social Services of Michigan is starting a capital campaign to renovate several of its nursing homes. The nonprofit hopes to raise $6 million to $10 million over the next three to five years. The money will...

Arbortext plans 2005 IPO if growth continues.
August 2, 2004... Byline: Andrew Dietderich Ann Arbor-based Arbortext Inc. plans to go public in 2005 if it continues on its current growth track and the market for public offerings remains stable. Arbortext, which makes publishing software, has seen...

Having a ball, Italian style; Bocce players roll up food, fun and teamwork, whatever the weather.(Special Report)
August 2, 2004... Byline: Scott Pacheco Phyllis Aiuto Zimmerman still can hear the thick Italian accents of her father and uncles as they whooped and cheered while whipping bocce balls around their yard in northwest Detroit. Though she was only a young...

Powerhouse plans to get Jefferson site back in shape.(News)
August 2, 2004... Byline: Brent Snavely Democratic Party campaign workers moved into a building previously occupied by Powerhouse Gym at 3162 E. Jefferson Ave. in Detroit last week, though the eviction of the gym operator for nonpayment of rent has been...

Deadline Tuesday for messiest desk.(News)
August 2, 2004... Byline: Shawn Selby Do you think an ordered desk is symbolic of an ordered mind? Do you believe cleanliness is next to godliness? Is there someone in your office who obviously worships at Our Lady of Perpetual Cubicle Landslides?...

Week in Review.(Briefs)
August 2, 2004... CMS to sell Australian pipelines in $145M deal CMS Energy Corp. is selling its interests in two western Australia pipelines in a $145 million transaction expected to close later this year. CMS (NYSE: CMS) said it has entered into an...

Rumblings.
August 2, 2004... Bray says he's broke, asks court for lawyer Ronald Bray, one of two former executives of Simplified Employment Services Inc. accused of defrauding the federal government of more than $51 million, is pleading poverty and asking for a...

Uncorking a hobby; Former Manpower franchisee turns wine interest into growing import business.(Special Report)( J&J Importers L.L.C.)
August 2, 2004... Byline: Michael Strong Jack Bourget knew when he sold his Manpower franchise in 2002 that he wouldn't retire. More important, he was able to make his hobby into his next job, meaning his days would never be boring. Bourget, 59,...

Digging despite the dirt; Excavator keeps family business growing in spite of favoritism rumors.(News)(Ferguson Enterprises Inc. (Detroit, MI))
August 2, 2004... Byline: Robert Ankeny Detroit contractor Bobby Ferguson hears the whispers about his company getting preferential treatment from the city administration, but says he largely ignores them. Some of the stories claim that phone calls by...

Home on a hilltop mirrors life journey.(Special Report)(Straith Group L.L.C.)(Straith Hospital for Special Surgery)
August 2, 2004... Byline: JoAnn Amicangelo * Who he is: James Straith, president, Straith Group L.L.C., Troy, and member of the board of trustees, Straith Hospital for Special Surgery, Southfield * Where he lives: A 2,500-square-foot 1950s three-bedroom...

This Just In.
August 2, 2004... Schostak to sell Macomb Mall, Laurel Park Place Schostak Bros. & Co. Inc. said last week that two of its malls, Laurel Park Place and Macomb Mall, are for sale. Co-President Robert Schostak confirmed that the malls are on the block,...

Execs call for better health care data.(News)
August 2, 2004... Byline: Katie Merx Michigan employers need health care quality data so consumers can make smarter choices about the way they spend their medical dollars, human-resources directors told health plan executives last week at the Michigan...

Casino-tax vote may come soon.(News)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2004... Byline: Amy Lane CAPITOL CORRESPONDENT A tax increase on Detroit's three casinos is heading toward a possible vote this week. Legislators last week were looking at options that include a compromise between a Senate-passed measure that...

Marathon quest; Volunteers run or walk to raise money for research.(Special Report)(Team in Training program)
August 2, 2004... Byline: Sherri Begin Paul Butcher, vice president of employee relations at TRW Automotive Holdings Inc. in Livonia, ran his fourth marathon in June in Anchorage, Alaska. His colleague, Chris Fenton, who is director of purchasing at...

It's going to be a long three months.(Column)(Column)
August 2, 2004... Byline: KEITH CRAIN OK, we survived the Democratic convention last week. Now we have to gear up in a couple of weeks and survive the Republican convention in the Big Apple. Boston was a great showcase for our mayor, who did a fine job....

Can we wow 'em like Chicago did?(Column)(Millennium Park)(Column)
August 2, 2004... Byline: Mary Kramer From a reception atop a nearby office tower here last month, editors, publishers and advertising directors from business publications throughout the country looked down with envy at Chicago's latest must-see...

Blue Cross in talks to sell PPOM; Denver firm wants to buy for-profit subsidiary.(News)
August 2, 2004... Byline: Katie Merx A Denver-based private-equity firm is negotiating to purchase Southfield-based PPOM L.L.C. from parent company Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, people close to the companies said. Representatives of KRG Capital...

Great news for the Motor City.(Opinion)(Brief Article)
August 2, 2004... NBC Sports' plans to broadcast live from the North American International Auto Show is great news for the Motor City. The new deal with the Detroit Auto Dealers Association, announced last week, will feature NBC's NASCAR broadcast team on...

$163M in E. Jefferson plans OK'd to seek tax credits.(News)
August 9, 2004... Byline: Robert Ankeny Planning for four proposed East Jefferson Avenue residential projects estimated to cost $163 million is moving ahead, as Detroit's Brownfield Redevelopment Authority gave approval July 21 for developers to seek tax...

This Just In.
August 9, 2004... Deal near for Ruth's Chris Steakhouse at Ford Field A major franchisee for Ruth's Chris Steakhouse Inc. said last week that plans for a restaurant at Ford Field are nearing completion. "I think we have a good deal and a good...

Chrysler pair hit road to visit suppliers.(News)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... Byline: Terry Kosdrosky The two top executives of the Chrysler Group are hitting the road to their suppliers to see innovations for themselves. One supplier executive praised the move, which he called a return to relationships that...

Key Plastics sets its sights on Eastern Europe for expansion.(News)
August 9, 2004... Byline: Rhoda Miel Key Plastics L.L.C. has moved from bankruptcy to new ownership and stability. It now plans to build an $18 million auto supply plant in Slovakia. The 350-employee operation in Dolny Kubin will be Key's second...

To fee or not to fee; Small businesses await outcome of federal battle over SBA loan program funding.(Small Business)(Small Business Administration)
August 9, 2004... Byline: Sheena Harrison Loretta Watson, president of Sparkle Janitorial Service in Detroit, wants to apply for a small-business loan to help her buy new equipment and additional supplies for her company. While Watson would likely try...

Business Diary.(Briefs)
August 9, 2004... Acquisitions Midwest Linen and Uniform Service, Pontiac, has acquired Ameritex Service Group and American Linen Service of Detroit. Midwest leases and launders textiles, dust-control products and reusables for the hospitality industry. ...

KeyBank plans push in area with Sterling acquisition.(News; Sterling Bank & Trust)
August 9, 2004... Byline: Katie Merx Jack Kopnisky, the president of Cleveland-based KeyBank N.A.'s consumer bank, plans aggressive growth in Southeast Michigan after its recent acquisition of Southfield-based Sterling Bank & Trust's Michigan branches. ...

Rumblings.(American Arab Chamber of Commerce )
August 9, 2004... American Arab Chamber forum to go to Houston The Dearborn-based American Arab Chamber of Commerce is readying plans for a September 2005 U.S.-Arab Economic Forum - in Houston. The chamber's inaugural forum was held in Detroit in...

Casting the 'Net; Web increasingly becomes source for workers, jobs.
August 9, 2004... Byline: Andrew Dietderich Jane Harper didn't know Plante & Moran P.L.L.C. had a technology practice until someone called and offered her a job there. And though Harper said she hadn't planned to leave her former employer, PPOM L.L.C....

Meadow Brook, Unique join for sales, marketing, catering.(News)(Meadow Brook Hall)
August 9, 2004... Byline: Sherri Begin Meadow Brook Hall believes a new agreement with Unique Restaurants Inc. and a permanent tentlike structure on its grounds will bring its finances back into the black by fiscal 2007. In fiscal 2003, the historic...

Week in Review.(Briefs)
August 9, 2004... Bridge owner files for studies on new span The Detroit International Bridge Co., which owns the Ambassador Bridge, has filed for permits in Michigan and Ontario to conduct an environmental-impact study for a second span of the bridge, which...

State limits on outsourcing right step.(Opinion)
August 9, 2004... Byline: Walter Mabry When it comes to saving American jobs and keeping work in our country, it is reassuring to know that Michigan government still believes in our state. Specifically regarding outsourcing, the practice of hiring an...

Ruling won't stop taking of blighted land, lawyers say.(News)
August 9, 2004... Byline: Robert Ankeny Lawyers on both sides in the running battle over condemnation of private property for public use say the Michigan Supreme Court's ruling overturning its own 1981 Poletown decision won't hurt communities trying to...

Sides gear up for Detroit schools fight.(News; )
August 9, 2004... Byline: Amy Lane The roots are forming for a potentially intense campaign to sell Detroit voters on the merits of a new school governance option. The Detroit Regional Chamber tentatively was to meet this week with some of its key...

Rookie film producer made fortune at Rock.(News; Gary Gilbert)
August 9, 2004... Byline: Katie Merx Gary Gilbert, the brother of Rock Financial founder Dan Gilbert and one of the Livonia mortgage company's first employees and investors, is celebrating a successful foray into movie-making with the new "Garden State.''...

Bankruptcies.(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... The following businesses filed for Chapter 7 or 11 protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Detroit the week of July 30-Aug. 5. Under Chapter 11, a company files a reorganization plan that the court must approve. Chapter 7 involves total...

Battenberg: Non-GM business will make up for dropped deals.(News)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... Byline: Terry Kosdrosky New business from new customers will outpace the loss of General Motors Corp. contracts at Delphi Corp., the auto supplier's CEO said last week. Troy-based Delphi (NYSE: DPH), a former GM division, continues to...

Bully-Cummings to speak.(News)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... Byline: Joanne Scharich Detroit Police Chief Ella Bully-Cummings is to speak at the next Ideas Before Dawn breakfast meeting Sept. 8 at the Detroit Athletic Club. Bully-Cummings was appointed to her post in November by Detroit Mayor...

Staffing industry leads job gains; Bellwether sector raises state hopes.
August 9, 2004... Byline: Amy Lane Look for an indication that the economy is turning around, and you'll find somebody like Jon Barfield. The chairman and president of The Bartech Group Inc. is hiring several hundred people a month at his Livonia...

A new foundation; Tower CEO Ligocki looks to cut debt, improve project planning.(News)
August 9, 2004... Byline: Terry Kosdrosky After taking an unorthodox route through the auto industry, Kathleen Ligocki has gone back to basics in her year at Tower Automotive Inc. Now the CEO's goal is to cut Tower's ample debt by $100 million in 2005....

Office leasing rates beginning to improve; Occupancy up; prices expected to stay stable.(News)
August 9, 2004... Byline: Brent Snavely The Detroit office market is showing signs of a rebound for the first time in four years, but even upbeat forecasters say it will take another year or more before vacancy rates rebound to pre-recession levels. ...

People.
August 9, 2004... Education Victoria Scavone to assistant vice president, enrollment and student services, Walsh College, Troy, from director of records and registration. Also, Karen Hillebrand to director of records and registration from assistant...

Ex-ThyssenKrupp CEO: Payments were part of loan arrangement.(News)
August 9, 2004... Byline: Dave Guilford Kenneth Graham, retired CEO of steel supplier ThyssenKrupp NA, finds nothing unusual about giving his attorney $550,000 in loans without a written agreement. "I had no concern,'' Graham said in court testimony...

Correction.(Correction Notice)
August 9, 2004... * An Other Voices column published on July 26 incorrectly implied that punitive damages were once widely available in Michigan. That is not the case.

Letters.(Letter to the Editor)
August 9, 2004... Free land is a good idea for city Editor: Among the many figures in your excellent July 19 MarketFacts special section is the projection that Detroit's population in 2030 will be 15.8 percent lower than in 1990. This is truly...

Briefly.(Briefs)
August 9, 2004... Study: Suppliers' trust of Big Three at all-time low Suppliers' trust of U.S. automakers is at an all-time low and as a result, they're saving their best products for Japanese automakers, according to an annual study released Aug. 2. ...

Program offers veterans a discount on franchise fee.(Small Business)
August 9, 2004... Byline: Sheena Harrison After 35 years working for the parts and service divisions of Ford Motor Co. and American Isuzu Motors, Dan Cleary wanted a job that would allow him to travel less and interact more with people on a daily basis. ...

The mouse that roars.(News)
August 9, 2004... This week on the Web: * Visit www.crainsdetroit.com to read the latest daily breaking business news. Chamber survey: As part of the Michigan Chamber Foundation Future Forum on Sept. 16-17, Crain's Detroit Business is conducting a...

Some sound death knell for routine supplier price cuts.(News; automobile parts)
August 9, 2004... Byline: Terry Kosdrosky The era of routine, annual pricedowns - where automakers demand across-the-board price cuts from suppliers - is coming to an end, said a supplier CEO and industry analyst. Though the practice will continue in...

We can't afford to lose another generation.(Column)
August 9, 2004... Byline: KEITH CRAIN It is easy to watch the time go by and then complain that nothing has happened. For me, it's been a generation of lost students in Detroit. For as long as I can remember, we've heard all the excuses, and we've seen...

Judge to PSC: Don't grant rate hike for blackout.(Detroit Edison Co.)(Public Service Commission)
August 9, 2004... Byline: Amy Lane Nearly one year after being hit by the worst power outage in its history, Detroit Edison Co. is facing a major setback in its effort to recoup about $25 million in blackout costs from customers. A state regulatory...

Ruling not a license to let property decay.(Opinion)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... Michigan governments no longer can seize property from private owners to spur economic development in the name of achieving a "public purpose.'' That's the essence of the ruling last week by the Michigan Supreme Court on a 7-0 vote. By...

Deadline Friday for real estate awards.(News)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... Crain's Detroit Business is sponsoring the annual real estate excellence awards as part of the 18th annual University of Michigan/Urban Land Institute Real Estate Forum Oct. 27 and 28. Awards are given to real estate professionals in a...

Walk-in center serves as resource.(Small Business)
August 9, 2004... Byline: Sheena Harrison A Warren-based business association has opened a small-business resource center in Michigan that is the 20th in a series of centers organized under a federal program. The new Small Business Training and Resource...

School reformers must educate.(Opinion)(Brief Article)
August 9, 2004... Now the hard work begins. Gov. Jennifer Granholm has pledged to sign a bill that will give Detroit voters a choice between school governance models. By Nov. 2, champions of school reform in the city of Detroit must convince a majority...

Business Education Briefs.(Briefs)(Davenport University)(Brief Article)
August 16, 2004... Byline: Sherri Begin Davenport to offer degree in service-industry management Davenport University will begin offering a bachelor's degree in service management and marketing in the fall of 2005 at yet-to-be determined campuses in the...

People.(Yamasaki Associates Inc)
August 16, 2004... Architecture Tod Stevens to director of design and senior associate, Yamasaki Associates Inc., Troy, from director of design, Rossetti, Southfield. Distributors Jonathan Stickel to finance director, Handleman Co., Troy, from...

Who will be Detroit's Lester Crown?(News)
August 16, 2004... Byline: Mary Kramer About 10 years ago, one of this city's recognized business leaders took on a cause his peers knew little of and cared about even less: health care for the poor and uninsured. Cook County Hospital, a public hospital...

Denso's new CEO takes aim at increasing business in U.S. Plan would muscle in on Delphi's, Visteon's strengths.(chief executive officer)(Denso International America Inc)
August 16, 2004... Byline: Terry Kosdrosky With its sights set on winning more Big Three contracts, Denso International America Inc.'s growth plans could come at the expense of Detroit's top systems suppliers. The new CEO of Denso's North American arm...

Hispanic Business expo expects 900.(News)(Brief Article)
August 16, 2004... Byline: Scott Pacheco The 2004 Hispanic Business Alliance Business Expo and Economic Summit next month at the Renaissance Center is expected to draw up to 900 attendees, compared with 100 at last year's event. Buyers and purchasing...

Pontiac group opens store for recycled building materials.(News)(Community Development Outreach)
August 16, 2004... Byline: Sherri Begin Community Development Outreach in Pontiac opened its first retail store for salvaged building materials last month. The nonprofit, which formed last fall, uses crews of men who are in rehabilitation for alcohol and...

Marketing malaise, lack of new products cool Domino's IPO.(News)
August 16, 2004... Byline: Kate MacArthur Domino's Pizza Inc. appears to be a victim of its own marketing success. When Chairman and CEO David Brandon rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on July 13, the country's No. 2 pizza chain was...