Crain's Detroit Business articles from February 2007

Crain's Detroit Business archives from February 2007

Speculation rises that Continental could purchase Siemens VDO.(Siemens VDO Automotive Corp.)
February 5, 2007... Byline: April Wortham Crain News Service Is Continental AG interested in buying Siemens VDO Automotive Corp.? Industry watchers in Europe and North America say not only is the answer yes, but parent Siemens AG might be setting the...

Gift eases kids' hospital visits.(Business Lives)
February 5, 2007... Byline: Sherri Begin As a parent and grandparent, Charles Ghesquiere Jr. understands the anxiety children often feel in a clinical medical setting. When the opportunity to help fund a dedicated children's surgery unit at William...

State's energy plan creates buzz; Renewable standard praised; costs decried.(News)
February 5, 2007... Byline: Amy Lane A proposed new state energy plan is getting kudos, criticism it doesn't go far enough, and concerns from business about higher rates and less freedom to switch to alternate-electricity suppliers. The energy plan,...

All eyes on governor's State of State, budget.(Jennifer Granholm )
February 5, 2007... Byline: Amy Lane The next move is up to the governor. A fiscal advisory panel's report to Gov. Jennifer Granholm on Friday put Lansing politicians on notice that Michigan needs prompt, and fundamental, reform of spending and taxes. ...

Beringea starts $150M fund, opens China office.(News)
February 5, 2007... Byline: Tom Henderson Farmington Hills-based Beringea L.L.C., a firm that combines investment banking and equity investing, is expanding on two fronts. It has begun raising a fourth investment fund, its largest at $150 million, and will...

Savvy businesses add to intellectual-property work.(Focus)
February 5, 2007... Byline: Robert Ankeny Intellectual-property law in Detroit and across the country continues to be a growth industry as business and industry puts more emphasis on protecting the fruits of its brain power. The actual number of patent...

Seeking up-and-comers under 30.(News)
February 5, 2007... Who is the smartest, brightest and most creative twentysomething you know? Nominate him or her for our second-annual "20 in their 20s'' feature to be published April 30. Unlike "40 under 40,'' we aren't looking for hard business results,...

Looking for winning small businesses.(News)
February 5, 2007... Crain's Detroit Business is seeking entries for its 2006 Small Business Awards. The awards will honor local small businesses that have proven to be exceptionally innovative or have overcome difficult problems and become a better...

Pumping up the pulse; New name reflects bigger business for former Star Trax.(Star Trax Corporate Events)
February 5, 2007... Byline: Bill Shea The bar mitzvah company. That's the sort of description the owners of Southfield-based marketing company Star Trax Corporate Events hopes to shed by changing the name. Say hello to Pulse220. The rebranded...

A conversation with Robin Asher, Clark Hill P.L.C.(Focus)(Interview)
February 5, 2007... Byline: Tom Henderson Robin Asher is a patent attorney with Detroit-based Clark Hill plc. Crain's reporter Tom Henderson spoke with Asher about new patent process rules expected to be enacted later this year and a much-anticipated U.S....

ArvinMeritor says it's done selling.(News)
February 5, 2007... Byline: Brent Snavely For more than a year ArvinMeritor Inc. (NYSE: ARM) has been selling off divisions, but Chip McClure, ArvinMeritor's chairman and CEO, said Friday that the company is done now. On Friday, ArvinMeritor announced...

ArvinMeritor sale tip of iceberg.(News)
February 5, 2007... Byline: Brent Snavely ArvinMeritor's announcement Friday that it plans to sell its emission's division capped off a week full of automotive-related deals that underscore the high-level of interest in automotive suppliers, even while the...

Week in Review.(Briefs)
February 5, 2007... Jury finds Ilene Moses guilty of fraud, perjury One-time clothier and fashion maven Ilene Moses was found guilty Thursday by a federal court jury in Detroit on 52 counts of bank, mail and wire fraud, bankruptcy fraud, money laundering,...

In the Spotlight.(Valassis Communications Inc. appointed Michael Kowalczyk )(Brief article)
February 5, 2007... Valassis Communications Inc. (NYSE: VCI), a Livonia-based coupon-maker, has named Michael Kowalczyk to the newly created position of senior vice president and general manager of Valassis In-Store Marketing. He had been vice president of...

Crain's seeks successful CFOs.(Focus)(Brief article)
February 5, 2007... Exceptional business people can be recognized through several award programs offered by Crain's Detroit Business. Following are the criteria and deadlines for our newest recognition program, the CFO Awards. CFOs have taken on new...

Calendar.
February 5, 2007... Tuesday Feb. 6 Wishful Thinking? Global CEOs Predict Boom Times. Noon-1:30 p.m. The Detroit Economic Club. Samuel DiPiazza Jr., CEO, PricewaterhouseCoopers International. Hyatt Regency Dearborn, Dearborn. $35 members, $40 guests of...

Cultural Alliance gets a start; Foundations chip in $400,000 as seed money.(Cultural Alliance of Southeastern Michigan)
February 5, 2007... Byline: Sherri Begin A group of local foundations today is expected to announce $400,000 in seed money over the next three years to support the newly formed Cultural Alliance of Southeastern Michigan. Cranbrook Educational Community is...

Tab through our issue.(News)
February 5, 2007... Byline: Daniel Eizans Another week, another new feature for crainsdetroit.com. This week marks the first for our redesigned "This Week's Issue'' section on the home page of our Web site. Instead of offering only the top six news...

Newsmaker of the Year.(Calendar)
February 5, 2007... Who: Dan Gilbert, founder/chairman, Rock Financial/ Quicken Loans Inc. When: Feb. 14. Where: Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center. Tickets: $40 for Inforum members, $50 for others. Reservations: inforummichigan.org. Call (313)...

Moosejaw sells stake to fuel growth; Agreement among a raft of local M&A activity.(Moosejaw Mountaineering and Backcountry Travel Inc. acquired Parallel Investment Partners)
February 5, 2007... Byline: Sheena Harrison Moosejaw Mountaineering and Backcountry Travel Inc. is looking to grow into a national retailer after selling a majority stake to Dallas-based private-equity firm Parallel Investment Partners. "We think we have...

Groups push forward on mass-transit proposals.(Amtrak Inc. negotiations with Southeast Michigan Council of Governments)
February 5, 2007... Byline: Andrew Dietderich Parallel efforts are pushing forward plans to bring rapid transit to metro Detroit, including one that could have commuter trains operating daily between Ann Arbor and Detroit by the end of this year. ...

Briefly.(Jones Lang LaSalle Inc. appointed Ron Gantner, A.J. Weiner and Erica Holton)(Janesville Acoustics moves from Ohio to Southfield)(St. John Hospital and Medical Center's fund raising programs)
February 5, 2007... Jones Lang LaSalle hires 3 from Trammell Crow The Detroit office of Jones Lang LaSalle has hired former Trammell Crow Co. commercial real estate brokers Ron Gantner, A.J. Weiner and Erica Holton. Gantner was appointed senior vice...

Bankruptcies.(Public notice)(Brief article)
February 5, 2007... The following businesses filed for Chapter 7 or 11 protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Detroit Jan. 26-Feb. 1. Under Chapter 11, a company files a reorganization plan. Chapter 7 involves total liquidation. Clinton Auto Service Inc., dba...

There is a calm, but we hope no storm.(Kwame Kilpatrick appreciated for his works )(Column)
February 5, 2007... Byline: KEITH CRAIN I am quite impressed with not only the job that Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick has been doing the past year or so, but what's equally impressive is the persona that he is presenting to our city and to the nation. Our...

This Just In.(Farbman Group buys land of Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association - College Retirement Equities Fund)
February 5, 2007... Farbman buys Southfield office complex, land Southfield-based Farbman Group last week bought a high-profile site in Southfield comprising the Oakland Commons office development and 19 acres of vacant land. The estimated $30 million...

Rumblings.(Catuity Inc. moves location)
February 5, 2007... Catuity pulls up stakes for Virginia Catuity Inc. (Nasdaq: CTTY), a company that processes customer-loyalty programs and point-of-sale gift cards for retailers, continues to struggle for survival, but will no longer struggle in Southeast...

Dollars and sensors; From growing nerve tissue to sensing chemicals, WSU researcher Greg Auner has made some big breakthroughs. Now the push is on to translate his inventions into products.(Wayne State University)
February 5, 2007... Byline: Tom Henderson Officials at Wayne State University and collaborators in private industry hope the time has come for Greg Auner to begin turning his trove of patents - 26 are issued or pending - into a trove of commerce. Auner,...

Michigan No. 5 in patents.(Focus)
February 5, 2007... State rankings of patents issued to U.S. residents for the 2006 federal fiscal year, which ended Sept. 30. 1. California 23,579 2. Texas 6,345 3. New York 6,075 4. Massachusetts 4,089 5. Michigan 3,913 Source: U.S....

One brand for all of us.(community and economic development in Michigan)(Column)
February 5, 2007... A new tourism branding effort for Southeast Michigan may succeed in doing what business and civic leaders have wanted to do for years: Create a single, strong and regional identity that blurs the political and geographic boundaries that have...

Openings balance closings.(restaurants)
February 5, 2007... Byline: Brent Snavely The restaurant news in Southeast Michigan over the past several weeks has been both troubling and encouraging as a number of notable restaurants have closed while several new restaurants have arrived. Restaurants...

A bet on Ballard; Siemens VDO to push hybrids after purchase.(Siemens VDO Automotive Corp. acquires Ballard Power Systems Inc.)
February 5, 2007... Byline: Brent Snavely Siemens VDO Automotive Corp. is charged up about its soon-to-be-complete acquisition of Dearborn-based Ballard Power Systems Corp., a designer and assembler of electric drive powertrain systems. Ballard Power has...

People.(Rochman Design-Build appointed Marty Lewis)(Amerisure Mutual Insurance Co. appointed Steven Hartzler)(St. John Health Corp. appointed Debra Williams )
February 5, 2007... Architecture Charles Auvenshine to project manager, Giffels, Southfield, from project manager, Mandell, Bilovous, Lenderman, Troy, and Mary Demars to controller-U.S. operations from director of finance, Gunn Levine, Detroit. ...

Grisham fan.(Business Lives)(Mark Hoppe of LaSalle Bank)(Brief article)(Biography)
February 5, 2007... Byline: Tom Henderson Grisham fan Mark Hoppe CEO LaSalle Bank Midwest N.A. In addition to running Troy-based LaSalle Bank Midwest, Mark Hoppe, 52, is vice president of its sister bank in Chicago, LaSalle Bank, and vice...

How to rethink taxes and spending.(Column)
February 5, 2007... Byline: Phil Power, John Bebow We need fundamental reforms in how Michigan both spends and collects our taxes. This isn't some obscure argument best left to academics and bureaucrats. It's at the core of such living room issues as the...

Career missions; Professionals find new callings, fulfillment in nonprofit sector.(Business Lives)
February 5, 2007... Byline: Marti Benedetti Cameron Hosner is passionate about working for nonprofits. "I've turned down for-profit jobs that pay more money,'' said Hosner, who for nine years has been CEO and president of Dearborn Heights-based Vista...

Letters.(Letter to the editor)
February 5, 2007... Look to UM, state for loss of Pfizer operations Editor: I have some comments and perspective on Michigan economic development in light of the recent announcements by Pfizer and other companies abandoning some or all involvement in...

A new look at Triangle District.(real estate development)(Brief article)
February 12, 2007... Byline: Sheena Harrison A group of projects slated to begin development this year is causing Birmingham to re-evaluate the master plan for its Triangle District. The city, with the help of Royal Oak-based consultant LSL Planning Inc.,...

Briefly.(AlixPartners L.L.C. appointed Stefano Aversa and Peter Fitzsimmons )(Automation Alley appointed John Voorhorst)(Aastrom Biosciences Inc. got the approval for its cardiovascular agent from Food and Drug Administration )
February 12, 2007... Washtenaw bond rating raised Washtenaw County expects a recent improvement to its bond credit rating to save about $200,000 on a $21.6 million expansion and renovation to the county's jail. Standard & Poor's boosted its assessment of...

Letters.(Letter to the editor)
February 12, 2007... Editorial erred on Medicaid Editor: One point in your Jan. 22 editorial, "Bold ideas needed to balance budget,'' was extremely inaccurate. The editorial stated that to help balance the state budget, Michigan's Medicaid benefits should...

As the shops churn; Independents, mall competition alter Birmingham retail.(News)
February 12, 2007... Byline: Sheena Harrison A constant churn of independent shops, along with increased competition with nearby malls for national retailers, could change the shopping landscape in downtown Birmingham. While about 30 new retailers came to...

Industrialist poised to acquire Delphi's interiors business.(News)
February 12, 2007... Byline: David Barkholz, Robert Sherefkin Crain News Service Industrialist Ira Rennert, whose high-flying lifestyle and hard-nosed business practices have riled adversaries, is negotiating to buy Troy-based Delphi Corp.'s interiors...

Service employment gains don't offset manufacturing losses locally.(News)
February 12, 2007... Byline: Amy Lane For an unprecedented six years in a row, employment ranks in Michigan and metro Detroit appear to have declined, although not to the extent of the early 2000s. Preliminary state data show continued job losses as of the...

Granholm proposal worries B-to-B service providers.(Jennifer Granholm)
February 12, 2007... Byline: Amy Lane Patricia Nemeth, president of Detroit law firm Nemeth Burwell P.C., is already contending with slow-paying clients in Michigan's down economy. And adding a 2 percent tax to their bills, as Gov. Jennifer Granholm...

Budget plan gives more to marketing.(News)
February 12, 2007... Byline: Amy Lane Michigan's tourism and business marketing will get a continued boost, under the budget proposed last week by Gov. Jennifer Granholm. Granholm is calling for $10 million annually over the next three years to promote...

Is Icahn set to be King Lear? When corporate raider Carl Icahn comes calling, most companies view it as a troubling omen. But Lear Corp.'s management sees someone they can deal with.(Carl Icahn )
February 12, 2007... Byline: Brent Snavely Last week's corporate buyout saga involving Southfield-based Lear Corp. (NYSE: LEA) and legendary corporate raider Carl Icahn was unusual both for a company targeted by Icahn, and for Icahn himself. Typically,...

ASC sells off equipment from specialty-car biz.(News)(Questor Management Co.)
February 12, 2007... Byline: Robert Sherefkin Crain News Service A dearth of new contracts has prompted ASC Inc. to retreat from its high-profile specialty-vehicle business. Late last month, liquidators sold presses, paint lines, sanding stations,...

Bankruptcies.(Brief article)
February 12, 2007... The following businesses filed for Chapter 7 or 11 protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Detroit Feb. 2-8. Under Chapter 11, a company files a reorganization plan that the court must approve. Chapter 7 involves total liquidation. ...

Seeking top CFOs.(News)(Chief financial officers)(Brief article)
February 12, 2007... Crain's is seeking nominations for its first-ever CFO Awards. Winners will be recognized at a May 17 dinner and featured in the May 28 issue. To be eligible, nominees must be CFOs, or hold an equivalent job, who have displayed excellence...

Crain's seeks 40 Under 40.(News)
February 12, 2007... Crain's Detroit Business is looking for successful executives for its annual 40 Under 40 feature. This special report, to be published Sept. 24, will spotlight 40 of the best and brightest in Southeast Michigan who have made their marks in...

Small-business successes.(News)
February 12, 2007... Crain's Detroit Business is seeking entries for its 2006 Small Business Awards. To be eligible, companies must have been profitable in 2005; be at least 3 years old; have no more than 150 employees and annual revenue of $10 million or...

OK, then. How do we pay for it? Patterson proposals broaden discussion; Ficano says there's not enough time.(cigarettes taxation)
February 12, 2007... Byline: Jennette Smith Last week, Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson offered up five alternative options to finance a Cobo Center expansion, reaching to cigarette taxes, new casinos, or additional fees for airplane passengers....

Domino's recipe: Cut interest; Deal offers flexibility, puts dough in hands of shareholders.(News)(Domino's Pizza Inc.)
February 12, 2007... Byline: Brent Snavely Ann Arbor-based Domino's Pizza Inc. (NYSE: DPZ) seemingly tossed its bank and bond debt up in the air last week in an effort to recapitalize its debt structure into a more flexible obligation with lower interest...

If it costs more, it's not a budget cut.(state budgets)
February 12, 2007... Byline: KEITH CRAIN Everyone is talking about what a sorry financial state our state government is in at the present time. That really shouldn't be a surprise to anyone who has even the remotest idea of what condition our state is in...

Room rush; Upcoming influx of glitzy hotels might make it hard for older lodgings to compete.(Metro)
February 12, 2007... Byline: Jennette Smith The Las Vegas-style glitz of permanent casino hotels and two major historic hotel renovations are coming to Detroit at the same time, adding 1,850 hotel rooms during the next two years and bringing new competition...

Granholm's proposal not bold enough.(Jennifer Granholm's education policy)(Column)
February 12, 2007... Michigan has an opportunity this year to start almost from scratch and create a blueprint on taxes and government organization to build a healthier future. We agree with one key element in Gov. Jennifer Granholm's State of the State...

Rumblings.(contract between Stanton and Associates Inc. and University of Michigan Health System)
February 12, 2007... Biggies out, bagels in at UM hospital The Ann Arbor-based University of Michigan Health System, citing in a press release an "opportunity to provide new options in healthy eating,'' has given Wendy's the boot from its University Hospital....

This Just In.(James Griffith resigned from Plastech Engineered Products Inc.)(Crain Communications Inc. appoints Paul Dalpiaz)
February 12, 2007... Another executive leaves Plastech Another high-level executive at Plastech Engineered Products Inc. has departed after a brief stay with the interior-trim company. In an e-mail sent last month to friends and colleagues, James Griffith...

We need nominations!(News)
February 12, 2007... Byline: Daniel Eizans Have you visited crainsdetroit.com to put in your nominations for our various special sections yet? We're searching for Southeast Michigan's finest 20-somethings, under-40 stars, successful small businesses and top...

Group readies push to help nonprofits lobby effectively.(Michigan Nonprofit Association )
February 12, 2007... Byline: Sherri Begin The Michigan Nonprofit Association is forming a Southeast Michigan council to help it take a larger role in forming public policy. The Southeast Michigan Nonprofit Public Policy Council will be patterned after...

Reporter's Notebook; Bureau to go after smaller conventions.(Focus)
February 12, 2007... Byline: Jennette Smith A new branding campaign for the region isn't the only thing going on to boost Detroit's odds of attracting visitors - including meetings and conventions prospects. While the new campaign and its brushed-metal...

Lead outside director of NAIC resigns.(News)
February 12, 2007... Byline: Sherri Begin The National Association of Investors Corp.'s lead outside director resigned Monday after 25 years on the board for allegedly having views that were "out of sync'' with the volunteer aspects of the nonprofit. ...

The art of service; DIA hires Ritz-Carlton vet to focus on visitors, raise revenue.(Detroit Institute of Arts, Sven Gierlinger)
February 12, 2007... Byline: Sherri Begin When Ritz-Carlton veteran Sven Gierlinger learned the Detroit Institute of Arts was seeking a hospitality-industry veteran to head up the museum's operations, he was intrigued. "I was puzzled at first why a museum...

Border tension; Bridge owner says new law gives Canada too much power.
February 12, 2007... Byline: Andrew Dietderich A new law that the owner of the Ambassador Bridge calls "a loaded gun'' gives the Canadian government more control over private bridges and tunnels and has the company that owns the bridge unsure if it will be...

Seeking up-and-comers under 30.(News)
February 12, 2007... Who is the smartest, brightest and most creative twentysomething businessperson you know? Nominate him or her for our second-annual "20 in their 20s'' feature to be published April 30. Unlike "40 under 40,'' we aren't looking for hard...

Newsmaker of the Year.
February 12, 2007... Who: Dan Gilbert, founder/ chairman, Rock Financial/ Quicken Loans. When: Wednesday. Where: Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center. Tickets: $40 for Inforum members, $50 for others. Reservations: inforummichigan.org. Call (313)...

Week In Review; From crainsdetroit.com, Week of Feb. 3-9.(Briefs)
February 12, 2007... CMS Energy to sell unit to Abu Dhabi firm for $900M CMS Energy Corp. on Tuesday announced the $900 million sale of its ownership interests in businesses in the Middle East, Africa and India. CMS (NYSE: CMS) is selling its CMS Generation...

Calendar.(Calendar)
February 12, 2007... Tuesday Feb. 13 What's in Store for the 2007 Economy? 7:30 a.m. The Association of Corporate Growth Detroit Chapter. Speaker: John Olivo, vice president, money market portfolio manager, Goldman Sachs. Glenn Oaks Golf & Country Club,...

Tough choices should favor good schools.(Column)
February 12, 2007... Byline: Mary Kramer There are 232 schools in the Detroit Public Schools, and the district is planning to close 52 of them because, as the district's facilities director told The Detroit News recently, the district has about 60,000 empty...

Fixing Cobo; Crain's readers: We need a bigger convention hall, but do it economically and run it better.(Cobo Center)
February 12, 2007... Byline: Jennette Smith A major expansion for Cobo Center has lingered on the region's "to-do'' list for nearly a decade, but new ideas about how to pull it off resonate with the business community. A group of Crain's readers...

People.(Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories Ltd. appointed Mukul Rathi)(DeRoy & Devereaux Private Investment Counsel Inc. appointed John Krakowiak)(Intuit Lender Services Inc. appointed Grantham Spencer )
February 12, 2007... BIOTECHNOLOGY Mukul Rathi to interim CFO, Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories Ltd., Detroit, from controller. EDUCATION Marla Stone to administrative manager, business office, The Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health...

In the spotlight.(University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers appointed David Morlock)(Brief article)
February 12, 2007... Ann Arbor-based University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers on Feb. 1 named David Morlock CFO. Morlock has been with the health system since 1990 and served as director of financial planning since 1997, and director of finance for...

All Night ambition; After-hours auto shops plan fast expansion.(All Night Auto Inc.)
February 19, 2007... Byline: Sheena Harrison All Night Auto Inc. is rolling out plans to expand nationwide with its service centers that cater to clients after traditional hours and retail stores that sell aftermarket auto parts. The company, held by...

2nd Maserati dealership to roar in.(Maserati Automobiles Inc.)
February 19, 2007... Byline: Brent Snavely Looking for some good economic news? Here it is. Southeast Michigan is getting a second Maserati dealership. The Suburban Collection in Troy announced last week that it plans to extend its lineup of...

Next steps in Midtown.
February 19, 2007... Byline: Joanne Scharich What's next for Midtown/New Center? Find out during the Feb. 28 Ideas Before Dawn panel discussion. Speakers will include: William Schramm, senior vice president, strategic business development, Henry Ford...

Appealing your property tax can pay off.(News)
February 19, 2007... Byline: Sheena Harrison Craig Hecker, owner and president of Wesch Cleaners in Birmingham, estimates he pays about $30,000 in property taxes on his business each year. While Wesch Cleaners had sales of about $3 million last year,...

Developers eye Dearborn site; Redico, Burton-Katzman have $50m plan for Ward building.(News)
February 19, 2007... Byline: Jennette Smith The former Montgomery Ward site in east Dearborn could become a corporate office for an undisclosed medical technology company as part of a $50 million redevelopment proposal. The plan by Redico L.L.C. and...

Don't tax family businesses to death.(News)(Brief article)
February 19, 2007... Byline: Christopher Crain Gov. Jennifer Granholm wants to reinstitute a "death tax'' in Michigan. Judging by the governor's budget plan, it appears she plans to tax this state's economy into prosperity. Her proposal aims to raise...

Weighing our culture.(Intuit Lender Services Inc.'s Dan Gilbert awarded)
February 19, 2007... Since 1986, Crain's Detroit Business has honored 21 "Newsmakers of the Year'' who have delivered informative, often passionate and warmly received luncheon speeches as part of the recognition event. Quicken Loans Chairman Dan Gilbert was...

Marketing, sales awards program seeks nominees.(Marketing and Sales Executives of Metro Detroit)(Brief article)
February 19, 2007... The Marketing and Sales Executives of Metro Detroit is seeking nominees for its Platinum Awards, which recognize the marketing and sales accomplishments of Michigan-based companies. One individual and one sales team of up to four people...

Cash scarce for worker-training proposal.(News)
February 19, 2007... Byline: Amy Lane Gov. Jennifer Granholm's proposal to train thousands of unemployed workers for new careers in high-demand jobs faces hurdles in the Capitol, not the least of which is funding. The $230 million program, which would...

Week in Review.(General Motors Corp. in talks to buy)(Northwest Airlines Corp. planning for restructuring)(Inalfa Sunroofs L.L.C appointed David Gienapp)
February 19, 2007... Sources: GM in talks about acquiring Chrysler Group General Motors Corp. is in negotiations to buy Chrysler Group in its entirety, say Automotive News sources in Germany and the United States. Automotive News is a sister publication to...

In the spotlight.(People)
February 19, 2007... Van Buren Township-based automotive supplier Visteon Corp. (NYSE: VC) has named William Quigley III as CFO effective March 9. He will continue as chief accounting officer. "Bill Quigley brings strong financial acumen and industry knowledge...

Calendar.
February 19, 2007... Tuesday Feb. 20 Detroit Economic Club. Noon-1:30 p.m. Hector de J. Ruiz, chairman and CEO, Advanced Micro Devices Inc. The Royal Park Hotel, Rochester. $35 members, $40 guests of members, $50 others. Contact: (313) 963-8547. ...

Briefly.(Douglas DelGrosso to become chief executive officer of Lear Corp.)(Wayne State University narrowes search for dean)(state of Michigan gives tax credit to Visteon Corp.)
February 19, 2007... DelGrosso would be CEO, Rossiter chairman in Lear deal Douglas DelGrosso, 44, Lear Corp.'s president and COO, is in line to become Lear's CEO if shareholders approve Carl Icahn's proposal to acquire Lear for $5.3 billion. On Feb 9,...