Crain's Detroit Business articles from December 2003

Crain's Detroit Business archives from December 2003

Future uncertain for life-science startups as money dwindles.(News)
December 1, 2003... Byline: Laura Bailey The state has cut money for life-sciences startups, and experts are divided about the future of Michigan's small life-sciences industry. So far this year, 23 life-sciences companies were formed statewide,...

Talks could decide Warren TI plant's future; UAW agrees to open early negotiations.(News)
December 1, 2003... Byline: Terry Kosdrosky Contract negotiations under way at TI Automotive Ltd.'s Warren plant could determine the future of the former Bundy factory that employs about 240 union members. The company is facing heavy pressure from its...

People.
December 1, 2003... architecture Matt Hathorne to associate, Luckenbach Ziegelman Architects, Bloomfield Hills, from senior designer, project architect. construction Charles Cook to senior vice president of operations, GeneralSports Turf Systems,...

Color it successful; Web site showcases artwork by category.(News)
December 1, 2003... Byline: Robert Ankeny Detroit interior designer Roxanne Thomas used to fly to Arizona, New York City or the West Coast to shop for artwork for her clients. Now, thanks to an idea hatched in part by Detroit area lawyer Mark Schlussel,...

TV exec files for bankruptcy in Florida.(News)(Kevin Adell)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Byline: Robert Ankeny Kevin Adell, a Detroit TV executive who tried to put an Oakland County home builder into involuntary bankruptcy last year, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy himself in Fort Myers, Fla. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge...

Tipping still in season, but for how long.(News)(Rochester Mills Beer Co)
December 1, 2003... Byline: Michael Strong While the economy has been considered by many experts to be in the dumps for some time, those in the service industry suggest that when it comes to tipping, people are being as generous as ever. Restaurant owners...

Upper views along Upper Straits Lake.(News)
December 1, 2003... Byline: JoAnn Amicangelo even years ago, Paul Hodges and Karen Tucker often walked down the road from their former home in Orchard Lake to admire an 18-acre residential development on Upper Straits Lake and dreamt of building a home there....

Second look merited for Poletown precedent.(Opinion)
December 1, 2003... For 20 years, local governments trying to condemn private property to orchestrate major developments have invoked a single word: Poletown. Now the Republican majority on the Michigan Supreme Court wants to revisit that landmark ruling,...

Smaller stomachs, bigger bills; While stomach-reduction clinics proliferate, health plans and employers struggle to pay for the rising popularity of bariatric surgery.(Health Care)
December 1, 2003... Byline: Katie Merx n increasingly obese population coupled with the promise of profit is resulting in a booming stomach-reduction industry in Southeast Michigan. Experts point to even more demand for bariatric surgery in coming years,...

$94M deal brings permanent casinos closer.(News)
December 1, 2003... Byline: Robert Ankeny Two of Detroit's three casinos may soon have clearances to start building hotels and permanent casinos, following the announcement Tuesday that a federal lawsuit against Greektown Casino L.L.C., MotorCity Casino L.L.C...

Legend Mobile taps pop stars for prepaid cards.(Rumblings)
December 1, 2003... irst it was model-themed Web sites, then it was basketball player-themed Palm Pilots, then NASCAR and Playboy-themed mobile phones. So of course the next step for Ann Arbor-based Legend Mobile Inc. is... teen pop star-themed prepaid credit...

Behr muscles into local market; Newcomer targets passenger-vehicle market.(News)
December 1, 2003... Byline: Terry Kosdrosky Behr America Inc.'s investments of $35 million in its Troy headquarters last year and a planned $100 million in its Dayton, Ohio, plant are starting to pay off, with recent contract wins from General Motors Corp....

Cookbooks give taste of Detroit.(News)
December 1, 2003... With the holidays fast approaching and everyone looking for ways to reduce the shopping frenzy, a local cookbook might do the trick. No, this isn't a pitch for another Keith Famie cookbook, but there are plenty of options if you're looking for...

Wrap it up; Tasteful gifts range from practical to extravagant.(News)
December 1, 2003... Byline: Kath Usitalo Holiday shopping time may be getting tight but indications are that wallets are a bit looser this season than in recent years. And while the spirit is willing, the bottom line will win: Surveys show that more...

Gifts for the traveler.(News)
December 1, 2003... Byline: Kath Usitalo Here are some ideas for making trips more pleasant, along with some suggestions on where to send your favorite globetrotters. Maya My, What A Wonderful Day (And Night) Give a gift of relaxation at the intimate...

Where to buy.(News)
December 1, 2003... Stores may have more than one Metro Detroit location. Some items listed in the story are of limited edition and may not be available. Some items are available online only. All addresses are Michigan unless noted. * American Spoon Foods:...

Concern for ethics needs to start at top.(Column)(Column)
December 1, 2003... Everyone is talking about business ethics these days, and for good reason. The challenges are clear and pertinent. Can modern companies conduct business ethically and still be competitive, integrating the personal standards and family or...

Noble International's campaign for investors starts to pay off.(News)
December 1, 2003... Byline: Terry Kosdrosky Laser welder Noble International Ltd. wanted to make more of a splash on Wall Street after years of being a quiet small-cap stock. Mission accomplished. The Warren-based company has attracted more...

Etkin lodges growth in hotels; Latest opening puts portfolio at 2,000 rooms.
December 1, 2003... Byline: Jennette Smith Etkin Equities L.L.C. marked the opening of its 13th hotel two weeks ago as it builds a nearly 2,000-room portfolio. Southfield-based Etkin opened the Residence Inn in Novi Nov. 19, adding another property to a...

Betting the farm; Horsemen making tough choices as racing declines.
December 1, 2003... Byline: Andrew Dietderich It took Todd Buter 20 years to realize his dream of buying a horse farm, but only six for it to turn into a potential nightmare: Being forced to consider selling it in the near future. That wasn't the plan....

How much assistance?(News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Retirement communities offer at least two kinds of residences: Independent living, designed for the younger, more active senior, offers residents the freedom of a private residence and the security of having a 24-hour caregiving support...

How big? How much?(News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Waltonwood Senior Living Residences and American House Senior Living Residences offer a variety of layouts and sizes to choose from in independent and assisted-living settings: * One-bedroom, one-bath units with about 700 square feet. ...

Doctor building 'one-stop shop' in fast-growing Lake Orion area.(Health Care)
December 1, 2003... Byline: Michael Strong Kevin Robertson sits in his Lake Orion office looking out the window watching cars, sport-utility vehicles and heavy trucks rumble by on Lapeer Road, and it confirms his decision to build a large medical and surgical...

This Just In.
December 1, 2003... Meijer loss, Kmart closings hurt Handleman Sales for Troy-based music distributor Handleman Co. declined by 11 percent during the second quarter in part because of the loss of customer Meijer Inc. to Coral Springs, Fla.-based Alliance...

Looks like the recession is coming to an end.(Column)(Column)
December 1, 2003... Byline: KEITH CRAIN Last week there was some pretty good news from our government about our economy. Seems that our growth rate is really getting cranked up, and things are starting to look up. All I can say is, it's about time....

A mentor can help you in quest to find a mate.(News)
December 1, 2003... If you're serious about finding a significant other and you've been striking out on your own, it's time to find a mentor. It's not a new idea, but it's probably a good one. The Learning Channel cable network's new show "Date Patrol''...

Modeling life; Designer Interiors crafts growing business out of making model homes feel lived in.(News)
December 1, 2003... Byline: Jennette Smith Don't call Mary Olk a decorator. While Olk, owner and CEO of Troy-based Designer Interiors, makes a business of outfitting model homes with furniture, bedding and window treatments, her craft has evolved in...

Profile.(News)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2003... Who he is: Paul Hodges III, 49. What he does: President and CEO, Codespear L.L.C., Birmingham. Hobbies: Snow skiing, water skiing, cars, working out and reading. Who she is: Karen Tucker, 43. What she does: Third-grade teacher,...

CMS to pay $16M to settle 'round-trip' trading case.(Review)
December 1, 2003... Jackson-based CMS Energy Corp. said in a statement that it has agreed to pay $16 million as part of a settlement agreement with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. The agreement is designed to settle charges that CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS)...

Briefly.(Briefs)(HomeRoute makes Inc.)
December 1, 2003... Byline: Ben Lefebvre HomeRoute makes Inc. list of fast-growing companies Howell-based HomeRoute, a residential real estate Web resource, has been named to Inc. magazine's list of fastest-growing private companies. The Inc. 500 list hit...

Business Diary.(Business)(Exhibit Enterprises Inc.,)
December 1, 2003... agreements Cincinnati Lamb, a Chesterfield Township machining and assembly systems company, has reached an agreement with China's Shenyang Machine Tool Co. Ltd. to work together to sell machine tools and systems in China. contracts...

Letters.
December 1, 2003... Video lottery will pay off Editor: This is in reply your Nov. 10 editorial, "Not Worth The Gamble.'' If this weren't such a serious situation, the recent measures taken by the Soo Tribe, Greektown Casino and their hired gun Jacob...

A figure of dispute; Is state's job decline 23.5% of U.S. total?
December 1, 2003... Byline: Brent Snavely Michigan's job base has declined rapidly over the past two to three years. In fact, Michigan had about 112,900 fewer jobs in August than it did in the fourth quarter of 2001 - a decline that is larger than any...

Bankruptcies.(Public Notice)
December 8, 2003... The following businesses filed for Chapter 7 or 11 protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Detroit Nov. 26-Dec. 4. Under Chapter 11, a company files a reorganization plan that the court must approve. Chapter 7 involves total liquidation. ...

Opening pitch: Developing a business plan.(Special Report)
December 8, 2003... Byline: Mike Scott A good business plan can help owners understand their company and industry better, but only if it is kept up-to-date and shared with employees and lenders, small-business experts said. First and foremost, a business...

Developer offers sky-high plan for downtown Royal Oak; $50M project calls for three 100-ft. towers.(News Victor Saroki & Associates Architects P.C.)
December 8, 2003... Byline: Andrew Dietderich Detailed plans for a proposed $50 million project at 11 Mile Road and Main Street call for three buildings that would tower over downtown Royal Oak at more than 100 feet each and include an expanded Main Art...

Group pushes $56M plan to make fairgrounds into a Metropark.(News Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority, Detroit, Michigan)
December 8, 2003... Byline: Robert Ankeny A tri-county citizens committee has launched a petition drive supporting creation of a Metropark at the state fairgrounds in Detroit. That reality may be some time off, however, with a $56 million price tag on the...

Census: Michigan leads in Arab-Americans.(News U.S. Census Bureau research)
December 8, 2003... Byline: Robert Ankeny The Arab population in the United States has nearly doubled over the past 20 years, with Michigan and metro Detroit continuing to lead the nation, according to U.S. Census Bureau figures. The growth and solidity...

Biz leaders monitor Detroit schools plan.(News)
December 8, 2003... Byline: Amy Lane Business officials are re-evaluating a fast-moving Detroit schools reform bill, after changes last week watered down a mayoral plan many business leaders liked. Unlike a proposal early in the week to give Detroit Mayor...

Better location, easier access brings ASC back to auto show.(News)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... Byline: Terry Kosdrosky A higher-profile, more accessible lower level for the 2004 North American International Auto Show was a key consideration for ASC Inc. to return to the event with a floor display. That, coupled with a...

Home plate: Learning how to let go by delegating.(Special Report)
December 8, 2003... Byline: Joel Golden Learning to delegate effectively can help a small-business owner free up his own time, increase employee satisfaction and boost the company's bottom line. A lot of small-business owners are confused about what it...

Payoff for nonprofit's self-evaluation: Revenue, UM partnership.(News)
December 8, 2003... Byline: Sherri Begin Taking a long look in the mirror is paying off for the Guidance Center in Southgate. CEO Michael Lott credits the group's systematic evaluation of its programs' effectiveness with doubling its revenue over the past...

Week in Review.(Review)
December 8, 2003... Venture wins $27.5M from Autoliv in suit Troubled auto supplier Venture Holdings Co. L.L.C. got good news Thursday when a federal jury returned a $27.5 million judgment in its favor. Fraser-based Venture, which is in Chapter 11 bankruptcy,...

State manufacturers ready to raise voices; Struggling sector wants training, other aid.(Michigan)
December 8, 2003... Byline: Michael Strong Small and midsized manufacturers in Michigan want more worker training, streamlined regulatory procedures and guarantees that any replacement for the single-business tax encourage new investment, according to a...

Detroit schools ponder new bond issue for capital improvements.(News Detroit Public Schools)
December 8, 2003... Byline: Laura Bailey The Detroit Public Schools will start 2004 by prioritizing unmet capital needs for a possible second bond issue as early as August. The need for more money is no surprise. When voters passed a mammoth $1.5 billion...

Away game: Right messages will help exhibit booth bring in business.(Special Report)
December 8, 2003... Byline: Laura Bailey A creative exhibit booth doesn't need to be expensive, but it can mean the difference between drifting in obscurity and enjoying high traffic at a trade show. But by following a few guidelines, a small business can...

Artists can help draw tourists to Detroit.(Column Michigan)(Column)
December 8, 2003... Byline: Mary Kramer Gov. Jennifer Granholm is touting strategies to create "cool cities'' to keep younger people from moving to Chicago and either coast. I'm not sure you can legislate "coolness.'' But small groups of like-minded people...

Schools' $1B in spending was good for all of us.(Opinion Detroit Public Schools)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... As tough as the economy has been for the past 21/2 years, consider this: The Detroit Public Schools have been pumping $40 million a month into the local economy with construction projects over the past three years. Imagine the local...

Trading spaces.(Special Report)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... Before preparing a booth for exhibiting at a trade show, ask the following questions: * What type of customer is coming to the show? * Which customers do you want to attract? * What do you have that they will be looking for? *...

Want list.(Michigan manufacturers)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... More than 1,000 Michigan manufacturers want help with state and federal policies, according to a recent state survey, including: State policies * Streamlining business and regulatory applications. * Supporting high-quality...

Sibleys Shoes Inc. history.(News)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... 1920: Harry Rosenfeld opens first store at the corner of Woodward Avenue and Sibley Street in Detroit. 1940s and 1950s: Sons Norman Rosenfeld and Rocky Ross join company and eventually assume management and ownership. 1990s: Sibleys...

Visteon keeps upgrades after losing CFO.(News)
December 8, 2003... Byline: Julie Armstrong Visteon Corp. was caught off guard when its new CFO quit his job before he even began. Wall Street analysts were chagrined when George Strickler, 55, backed out on Dearborn-based Visteon Nov. 26 after leaving...

Briefly.(Briefs)
December 8, 2003... Crain gets honorary degree Keith Crain, chairman of Crain Communications Inc., received an honorary doctor of humanities degree from Michigan State University at Saturday's commencement ceremony in East Lansing. Crain was honored for...

Financing.(Special Report)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... Sources of money for startup businesses: * Owner's personal money. * Friends and family. * Home-equity lines of credit. * Credit cards. * Angel investors. * Venture-capital funds.

Rumblings.(various news; Marshal Mathers (Eminem) donor to WJLB 97.1 FM's Coats for Kids)
December 8, 2003... Eminem giving large when it comes to charity Marshall Mathers' public image may not be as squeaky clean as Jerry Mathers', but a lot of Detroit area kids have the former to thank for coats this winter. Marshall Mathers, aka Eminem, has...

Hungry Howie's plans 50 stores; New territories help fuel growth in prime time for pizza chains.(News Hungry Howie's Pizza and Subs Inc.)
December 8, 2003... Byline: Michael Strong Hungry Howie's Pizza & Subs Inc. plans to add 50 stores nationally next year as it opens new territories to franchisees and busy people turn to pizza for convenience. The privately owned company added 36 new...

New tenants reverse Birmingham center's decline.(News Adams Square Michigan)
December 8, 2003... Byline: Andrew Dietderich Birmingham's Adams Square was struggling with a 72 percent vacancy rate in April, but it is now nearly filled with a new Aco Hardware, the expansion of Shore Mortgage into an empty Farmer Jack, a new women's...

Developer revives plans for 2,000 homes in Marion Twp. Agent raises hope for $400-$500M project.(News; Merl "Chuck" Sanch, Crossroads Real Estate)
December 8, 2003... Byline: Laura Bailey A stalled, 2,000-home development in Livingston County's Marion Township near Howell could be getting new life from a local real estate agent who hopes to develop the property. Merl "Chuck'' Sanch said he has an...

ArvinMeritor rival files new patent suit.(News )
December 8, 2003... Byline: Terry Kosdrosky Eight months after losing a patent-infringement lawsuit against ArvinMeritor Inc. over a truck transmission, Eaton Corp. is suing the Troy-based auto supplier again, this time over a different transmission. ...

City also wants to see plans for 3-acre plot near I-696, Woodward.(News)
December 8, 2003... Byline: Andrew Dietderich The city of Royal Oak has issued a request for proposals for 3 acres near I-696 and Woodward Avenue. The triangular parcel is bounded on the north by West Kenilworth Avenue, on the east by South Washington...

There is a lot of wasted money out there.(Column)(Column)
December 8, 2003... Byline: KEITH CRAIN Just last week, I saw a two-page newspaper ad advertising some products that interested me. It was a national company, so the ad probably was published simultaneously all over the country. If I was interested in getting...

MSX International plans move to Warren; Southfield HQ to be leased out to cut costs.(News)
December 8, 2003... Byline: Brent Snavely, Jennete Smith Ailing MSX International Inc. is moving its headquarters from a Southfield building that it has occupied for less than two years to Warren by Jan. 1, the company said Friday. Bruce Wagner, MSX...

Special order.(News Hungry Howie's Pizza and Subs Inc.)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... In 2004, Hungry Howie's plans to: * Add 50 stores. * Keep most of its growth in the Midwest, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida. * Continue its push into Texas, Oklahoma and Los Angeles.

Summit: Funding is just one piece of transportation puzzle.(News Michigan)
December 8, 2003... Byline: Amy Lane Southeast Michigan needs $70 billion to meet all its transportation needs through 2030, but faces getting only $40 billion in funding. It's a mismatch that means setting priorities. And the total cost and $30 billion...

People.(various appointments Michigan)
December 8, 2003... Architecture Richard Bogaert to project manager and senior landscape architect, Hamilton Anderson Associates, Detroit, from project manager, Grissim Metz Andriese Associates, Northville. Lynn Elgie to associate, SSOE Inc....

Letters.(Letter to the Editor)
December 8, 2003... Demolition wastes resources Editor: If smart businesspeople are putting back to use such architecturally and socially definitive Detroit landmarks as the Book Cadillac Hotel, it can be easily exhibited that Detroit has turned an...

Business Diary.(Briefs)(Public Notice)
December 8, 2003... Calls for nominations The Environmental Management Association seeks nominations for its fourth annual Environmental Achievement Award. Criteria include commitment to the environment and use of resources from the environmental industry to...

Wrong foot; Sibleys' missteps into new market lead storied retailer to stumble.(News)
December 8, 2003... Byline: Brent Snavely Over the past two years the new owners of Sibleys Shoes Inc. moved the company's headquarters from Warren to Holly, altered the company's merchandising formula and experimented with a jazzier store concept aimed at...

Corrections.(Correction)(Correction Notice)
December 8, 2003... * An article on Page 4 of the Nov. 24 issue should have said the board of directors of Nematron Corp. has asked shareholders to approve selling the company's liabilities and assets to a third party. The shell of Nematron - not the liabilities...

This Just In.(Wayne County Community College District to acquire University of Detroit Mercy's Outer Drive Campus)
December 8, 2003... WCCC to buy UDM's Outer Drive campus The Wayne County Community College District has signed a purchase agreement to buy the University of Detroit Mercy's Outer Drive Campus, 8200 W. Outer Drive, for $14 million. It will use the 32-acre...

Court strikes nursing-home fee; Ruling could take $100M from state.(William Collette, Ingham County, Michigan)
December 8, 2003... Byline: Amy Lane An Ingham County judge has struck down a Medicaid fee that nursing homes pay the state, potentially ripping a new $100 million hole in a state budget already $919 million short. Circuit Judge William Collette ruled...

Forum to discuss state judges.(News)(Calendar)
December 8, 2003... Byline: Robert Ankeny Should Michigan elect its judges or appoint them? This and other controversial topics about the state's judicial election process will be examined in a symposium at the Wayne State University Law School starting at...

Canadian found guilty of fraud, money laundering.(News)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... Byline: Robert Ankeny A federal court jury in Detroit has convicted a Canadian consultant of fraud and money laundering in connection with his role in a fabricated textile cartel that involved Ilene Moses, former clothing manufacturer and...

More fun for the money; ASC lures "car nuts" to reshape the company.(Paul Wilbur Chief Executive Officer)
December 8, 2003... Byline: Terry Kosdrosky ASC Inc. has used its "car nut'' culture to lure executives from larger auto suppliers to help lead it in the post-Heinz Prechter era. CEO Paul Wilbur, hired in September 2002, has played up the company's fun...

District faces deficit this year and next.(News)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... Byline: Laura Bailey In addition to planning for the next bond issue, the Detroit Public Schools also face an immediate issue: deficits of $56.2 million this fiscal year and up to $100 million next year. This year's deficit is caused...

First Base: Finding ways to finance your venture.(Special Report)
December 8, 2003... Byline: Laura Bailey Where did she get the money for that? The elusive answer to that common question is sometimes the only obstacle separating the small-business owners from the wannabes. The myriad options for startup and...

Third base: Hiring employees can free owner to help business grow.(Special Report)
December 8, 2003... Byline: Laura Bailey Hiring the right employees at the right time is one of the most crucial decisions a small-business owner will make, and if done correctly, can be one of the best. For instance, Angelain Loggins, owner of Bingham...

Calendar.(Calendar)
December 8, 2003... Wednesday Dec. 10 The Outlook for an FTAA: Implications for Business. Meeting of the International Business Forum. 11:45 a.m.-1:45 p.m. Speaker: Jeanne Broad, director of trade policy, Public Policy Center, General Motors Corp. The...

Hiring an accountant.(Special Report)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... If you don't have an accountant, you should shop around for one just as you would for any other service provider, according to the American Accounting Association. When shopping, you should ask the following questions: * Does the...

Second base: Getting the right accountant can pay big dividends.(Special Report)
December 8, 2003... Byline: Mike Scott An accountant does more than just add up the bottom line. A good accountant can help a small business add to its bottom line. "Many clients require a professional who can spot potential for financial savings,'' said...

Granholm will listen at summit.(Opinion Jennifer Granholm)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... Gov. Jennifer Granholm is holding a closed-door brainstorming session Monday in Plymouth with about 35 manufacturers in hopes of finding cures for a manufacturing malaise that has kept Michigan from participating in a national economic...

Playing the game; Taking your small business from first base to home plate.(Special Report www.crainsdetroit.com)(Advertisement)
December 8, 2003... Small-business owners usually start out with just an idea for a new product or service. Once they've put that idea on paper, they realize that they will have to answer many questions along the path from startup to success. Where do I...

Business plan basics.(Special Report United States Small Business Association www.sba.gov)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... The U.S. Small Business Association has many resources for entrepreneurs on writing and sticking with a business plan. Before such a plan is created, four questions should be considered: * What service or product does your business provide,...

Joining ASC.(News)(Brief Article)
December 8, 2003... Executives who have left larger companies to take positions with ASC: * Jeff Steiner, former vice president of sales and marketing for North America at Johnson Controls Automotive, now vice president of sales and marketing for ASC. *...