Crain's Detroit Business articles from January 2007

Crain's Detroit Business archives from January 2007

You're not standing still; neither are we.
January 1, 2007... The new year is always a time for new beginnings, and it's no different here at Crain's Detroit Business. Our resolution for 2007 is this: To do an even better job of covering the ideas and actions that can improve our regional and state...

Mary Sue Coleman.(University of Michigan)
January 1, 2007... Byline: Sherri Begin President University of Michigan Ann Arbor University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman made news locally and nationally last year in two fights: One for an Internet-search giant to establish a major...

L. Brooks Patterson.(Oakland County)
January 1, 2007... Byline: Anjali Fluker Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson's six-month crusade to repeal the state's single-business tax drew critics, but the Oakland County executive nevertheless delivered a quick victory. In his State...

Stakes high for region as Big Three, UAW sit down to talk.(United Automobile Workers)
January 1, 2007... Byline: Brent Snavely The future of the automotive industry in Southeast Michigan will be hanging in the balance later this year when the lead negotiating teams of the United Auto Workers and the domestic automakers sit down to hammer out...

Business Diary.(Janeeva InC. acquired by Vantage Technologies Inc.)(Greater Detroit Area Health Council contracts with Thomas Group Inc.)(Mackinac State Historic Parks contracts with Wagner Design )
January 1, 2007... ACQUISITIONS Janeeva Inc., an Ann Arbor software company specializing in outsourcing relationship-management software, has acquired Vantage Technologies from Vantage Partners, a Boston-based software company. Terms were not disclosed. ...

People.(appointments)
January 1, 2007... Finance Elizabeth Maynard to area vice president, Gallagher Benefit Services Inc., Troy, from vice president, Aon Consulting, Detroit. David Geen to business development officer, Huntington National Bank, Troy, from division manager...

Health care costs set to jump; Bigger increase expected in '07, survey says.(News)
January 1, 2007... Byline: Andrew Dietderich Health care costs in Southeast Michigan are expected to rise between 5.5 percent and 12 percent in 2007 compared with 3.5 percent last year. That's according to the Mercer Health & Benefits' 2006 National...

News hound: Jim Epolito, President and CEO, Michigan Economic Development Corp.(Business Lives)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Byline: Amy Lane Jim Epolito, 51, is on the go daily as Gov. Jennifer Granholm's point person for attracting and retaining Michigan business, and staying on top of news is vital. "Every morning, I try to scan all the newspapers,...

Snow place like home; Beauty, relaxation lure vacation-home owners up north amid winter chill.(Business Lives)
January 1, 2007... Byline: JoAnn Amicangelo For the majority of northern Michigan vacation-home owners, Labor Day and the changing leaves of fall signal the end of time spent at their lakeside cottages or cabins until Memorial Day beckons them back. They...

Jennifer Granholm.(State of Michigan)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Byline: Amy Lane Governor State of Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm pulled off a victory in November in a hard-fought battle for four more years in office. Granholm prevailed in the face of a weak state economy and job losses,...

Deadline Jan. 11 to submit biggest deals.(News)
January 1, 2007... Crain's Detroit Business will publish a list of the largest deals of 2005 in its Jan. 29 issue. Included will be mergers and acquisitions of at least $10 million, stock offerings, commercial-property sales and the largest office and industrial...

Breaking news from anywhere.
January 1, 2007... As we work to bring you news in the most convenient formats possible, we're going mobile. Catch up on breaking news from any Web-ready phone using Crain's Mobile at crainsdetroit.com/mobile.

Bob Rossiter.(Lear Corp.)
January 1, 2007... Byline: Brent Snavely Chairman and CEO Lear Corp. Southfield Shortly after Toledo-based Dana Corp. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March, Southfield-based Lear Corp. went through a run of seemingly bad news and Lear...

Restaurants galore planned for Bloomfield Park.(Business Lives)
January 1, 2007... Byline: Brent Snavely Cleveland-based Developers Diversified Realty Corp. has big restaurant plans for Bloomfield Park, a 535,000 square-foot shopping center at Square Lake and Telegraph roads. "The lease plan right now calls for 11 to...

Business ties make gift a natural.(Business Lives)
January 1, 2007... Byline: Sherri Begin After moving to Detroit in the 1960s with his wife, Patsy, William Smith chose the New Center area as the location for his new business, Allied Film & Video. Often, when entertaining out-of-town clients and guests,...

Stock Briefs.(Highland Capital Management L.P financing Delphi Corp.)(Tower Automotive Inc. getting finance from shareholders)(Valassis Communications Inc. merging with Advo Inc.)
January 1, 2007... Firm offers $4.7B for Delphi Highland Capital Management L.P., Delphi Corp.'s second-largest shareholder, has offered $4.7 billion to recapitalize the auto parts giant, The Associated Press reported Dec. 21. That compares with an...

Acquisitions likely over for Questor; No new fund for buyout firm.
January 1, 2007... Byline: Tom Henderson Questor Management Co. L.L.C., the private-equity firm co-founded by turnaround specialist Jay Alix, has decided not to raise a third investment fund, which likely means it will wind down its affairs and go out of...

NAIAS spotlight shines on design.(North American International Auto Show)
January 1, 2007... Byline: Jennette Smith The artistic side of the automotive business is getting more canvas at the 2007 North American International Auto Show. Design has long been king at the auto show, from the theatrical displays that serve as a...

State stocks track S&P 500 in 2006; health care drives growth.(News)
January 1, 2007... Byline: Sheena Harrison While the state remains in an economic slump compared to the rest of the country, Michigan public companies managed to perform on par with Standard & Poor's 500 Index in 2006. Stock analysts say the results show...

Take the 2006 news quiz.(News)
January 1, 2007... How well do you remember what you read in Crain's last year? Take our quiz. 1. Racing legend turned entrepreneur Roger Penske did not do the following this year: A. Helped secure the return of the Grand Prix to Detroit. B. Found...

Week in Review.(LaSalle Bank Midwest N.A will cut jobs)(Strategic Staffing Solutions Inc. rejected contract with Detroit Public Schools )(Delphi Corp.'s sales)
January 1, 2007... About 200 jobs to be lost in state in LaSalle cutback Troy-based LaSalle Bank Midwest N.A. will cut jobs as part of a directive by its parent company, Netherlands-based ABN Amro Bank N.V., for all North American operations to cut staffing...

Letters.(Letter to the editor)
January 1, 2007... Transplant proposals unwise Editor: I wanted to point out something you did not include in your Dec. 11 article, "Hospitals push to expand transplants.'' My first experience in bone-marrow transplants was as a clinical coordinator...

Sandra Pierce.(Charter One Bank)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Byline: Tom Henderson President and CEO, Michigan and Indiana Charter One Bank Detroit It was a headline-making year for Sandra Pierce and Charter One. In February, Pierce and Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm announced a...

Stanford Ovshinsky.(Energy Conversion Devices Inc.)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Byline: Andrew Dietderich Co-founder Energy Conversion Devices Inc. Rochester Hills Stanford Ovshinsky has been on a nearly five-decade mission to improve the world using science. And when you look over the 46-year...

Michael Duggan.(Detroit Medical Center)
January 1, 2007... Byline: Andrew Dietderich CEO Detroit Medical Center "Wallflower'' doesn't appear to be in the vocabulary of Detroit Medical Center CEO Michael Duggan, and it showed in 2006. From aggressively pursuing new physicians and...

Briefly.(Cooper-Standard Automotive Group acquired by Ford Motor Co.)(Ottawa Tower office building put for auction)(Parajan Investments L.L.C rezoning request with Madison Heights City Council )
January 1, 2007... Kilpatrick unveils neighborhood revitalization plan Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and industrialist Dave Bing on Dec. 19 announced the first phase of a three-pronged neighborhood rejuvenation effort for the city, called the "Next Detroit...

In the spotlight.(Detroit Renaissance Inc. appointed Karl Bell )(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... The Detroit Investment Fund, the $52 million private capital fund created and funded by Detroit Renaissance Inc. members to provide financing for growing businesses and residential real estate projects, has named Karl Bell senior vice...

Corrections.(Correction)(Correction notice)
January 1, 2007... * A story on Page 11 of the Dec. 18 issue should have said that Matt Cullen, general manager of economic development and enterprise services for General Motors Corp., is a member of Mosaic Youth Theatre's board of directors rather than its...

To be a player, Detroit has to focus.(Column)
January 1, 2007... Byline: Mary Kramer Last month, I heard an expert on innovation offer valuable advice to Detroit business leaders at a forum sponsored by Wayne State University and Detroit Renaissance Inc. Larry Keeley, co-founder of Chicago-based...

Detroit needs entrepreneurs, and he's put serious money into getting them started. That's why Dan Gilbert is Crain's 2006 Newsmaker of the Year.
January 1, 2007... Byline: Tom Henderson, Sheena Harrison In Cleveland, they thank Dan Gilbert for offering up the $60 million it took in July to keep LeBron James, Michael Jordan's heir apparent as the high-flying telegenic superstar of the National...

5. Times of upheaval for auto sector.(News)
January 1, 2007... Byline: Brent Snavely Don't expect the pace of change in the local automotive industry to slow in 2007. In fact, auto insiders are braced for what could be an even more turbulent year for mergers and acquisitions, financial woes and...

Ford library, museum prepares for new interest.(Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum)
January 1, 2007... Byline: Bill Shea President Ford's death on Dec. 26 has kept Elaine Didier busy and will keep her occupied for some time. The director of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum since January 2005, Didier had been preparing...

Beyond the big automakers.(North American International Auto Show )
January 1, 2007... Byline: Jennette Smith, Brent Snavely The North American International Auto Show means different things to the companies and organizations that exhibit or sponsor hospitality events. * Chinese automaker Changfeng Motors will use its...

Bankruptcies.
January 1, 2007... The following businesses filed for Chapter 7 or 11 protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Detroit Dec. 16-28. Under Chapter 11, a company files a reorganization plan that the court must approve. Chapter 7 involves total liquidation. ...

Partnership saves Detroit $5.2M in office expenses.(News)
January 1, 2007... Byline: Robert Ankeny The Detroit-Wayne County Joint Building Authority, contracting with a private company joint venture, has cut expenses to run the 50-year-old Coleman Young Municipal Center from $15 million to an estimated $9.8 million...

Talal Chahine.(La Shish Restaurants Inc.)
January 1, 2007... Byline: Brent Snavely Founder, owner La Shish Restaurants Inc. Dearborn More than a year after the Internal Revenue Service raided the headquarters of La Shish Restaurants Inc. and the home of founder Talal Chahine, the...

Dearborn mayoral vote Feb. 27.(John O'Reilly, Abed Hammoud and Maureen Keane-Doran contesting for elections)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Byline: Robert Ankeny Dearborn voters face a Feb. 27 winner-take-all mayoral election with 16 hopefuls already circulating petitions to become candidates. At least three "name'' candidates are already preparing to be in the race for...

3. Betting on the great race.(MGM Grand Detroit L.L.C.'s new facility)(MotorCity Casino L.L.C plans to open new facility)(Greektown Casino L.L.C's expansion)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Byline: Robert Ankeny One hot race to watch in 2007 won't be the return of the Grand Prix to Belle Isle, but the race between two permanent casino projects on the near west side of downtown. MGM Grand Detroit L.L.C., owned by MGM...

4. Game-changing developments?(News)
January 1, 2007... Byline: Robert Ankeny Several potential development projects that could change the face of downtown Detroit bear watching in 2007: * The city is trying to entice Dan Gilbert, chairman and founder of Livonia-based Quicken Loans/Rock...

Let's just hope the best come forward.(John Edwards's election campaigning)(Column)
January 1, 2007... Byline: KEITH CRAIN With the announcement last week of former Sen. John Edwards' campaign for the U.S. presidency almost two years ahead of the election, and many months before any of the primaries, it looks like the race has begun. ...

2. A shopping list for the new congressional majority.(economic development)
January 1, 2007... It's common for the electorate to rail against federal pork-barrel spending, such as the infamous "bridge to nowhere'' in Alaska. But such spending often is miraculously transformed into "economic development'' when lawmakers bring that bacon...

Rumblings.(WKRK 97.1 FM canceling its Parker and the Man program)(MGM Grand Detroit Casino L.L.C new training center )(tourism website draws 10 million visits)
January 1, 2007... WKRK shakeup spurs sports rumors Longtime sports radio talk show "Parker and the Man'' was reportedly canceled Thursday by WKRK 97.1 FM, a move that may herald the CBS Radio Inc. station's effort to begin simulcasting Detroit Red Wings...

This Just In.(Wayne County Airport Authority accused by drivers for restraint of trade )(Michigan Automotive Industry Association Inc. planning membership with NextEnergy)(BioFuels Industries Group L.L.C's new plant in Adrian)
January 1, 2007... Deal lets limo drivers in airport terminal A lawsuit filed by 40 members of the New Baltimore-based Great Lakes Limousine Association against the Wayne County Airport Authority was dismissed after the parties reached a settlement that...

George Jackson Jr.(Detroit Economic Growth Corp.)(Brief article)
January 1, 2007... Byline: Robert Ankeny President Detroit Economic Growth Corp. Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick sometimes refers to George Jackson as "my little general.'' Culminating with significant major projects in 2006, the former DTE Energy...

2006 Year in Review: Part 1 of 2.(economic development in Detroit)
January 1, 2007... Super success Detroit scored as host of February's Super Bowl XL, but the long-term win for the city could be the efforts it spawned and people it propelled. * Hot off his run as Super Bowl Host Committee chairman, Roger Penske was...

2006 Year in Review: Part 2 of 2.(riverfront development)
January 1, 2007... Rolling on the river Development and redevelopment on the Detroit riverfront continued throughout 2006: * Detroit developer Dwight Belyue announced in March @water Lofts, a $119.6 million complex of 480 luxury condominiums east of the...

Businesses must now notify of possible ID theft.(News)
January 8, 2007... Byline: Amy Lane Michigan businesses that maintain computerized databases of personal information face new state requirements to notify individuals of a security breach, under a bill signed last week by Gov. Jennifer Granholm. Public...

Bankruptcies.(Public notice)
January 8, 2007... The following businesses filed for Chapter 11 protection in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Detroit Dec. 29, 2006-Jan. 4, 2007. Under Chapter 11, a company files a reorganization plan. Midland Oil Co., 33330 W. Eight Mile Road, Farmington,...

CMS resolves legal disputes over trades, power plant; Settlements to total $212M.(News)(CMS Energy Corp. )
January 8, 2007... Byline: Amy Lane CMS Energy Corp. on Friday announced resolutions in two legal disputes, one stemming from energy trades and another involving the construction of a Dearborn natural gas-fueled cogeneration plant. In the first matter,...

Briefly.(Briefs)(Ramco-Gershenson Inc.' tax investigation by Internal Revenue Service)(Delphi Corp.'s credit ratings)(First Mercury Financial Corp.'s office in Irvine, Calfornia)
January 8, 2007... JCI to unveil new seats, other products at NAIAS Johnson Controls Inc. is pushing for lighter, snazzier and more functional interiors with new products such as a slim seat that offers more legroom to backseat passengers. The seat- and...

This Just In.
January 8, 2007... Highland, Delphi discuss purchase proposal Highland Capital Management LP said Friday that it s representatives met with Delphi Corp. management last week to discuss a $4.7 billion purchase proposal and work out terms of a confidentiality...

Once again, it's time for our Super Bowl.(North American International Auto Show )(Column)
January 8, 2007... Byline: KEITH CRAIN If you can imagine, there are 7,000 journalists who have descended on our city to cover this important event. And, there will be well over 700,000 excited fans who are going to line up to enjoy this event - a truly...

Survey: Auto consolidation likely to speed up.(News)
January 8, 2007... Byline: Brent Snavely Automotive industry executives believe that the rate of consolidation in the automotive industry will increase over the next five years, according to a study released Thursday by accounting firm KMPG L.L.P. "Our...

A central-city square for Midtown?(Viewpoint essay)
January 8, 2007... Byline: David Knapp Before the Detroit 300 Conservancy broke ground in May 2003 on Campus Martius Park, the project had many skeptics. With so many dilapidated structures and underused parks relatively close by, how would one more park,...

Week in Review.(Briefs)(TriMas Corp. appointed Jeff Paulsen)(Dearborn Bancorp Inc. acquired Fidelity Financial Corp.)(Rehmann Group of Troy; Boyes, Wright, Pittman & Co.; Weber, Curtin & Pahssen, LLC merged)
January 8, 2007... Former MotorCity investor to run Tahoe casino A former co-owner of Detroit's MotorCity Casino now plans to operate a Lake Tahoe casino that was owned for a short time in the 1960s by Frank Sinatra. The Nevada Gaming Control Board on...

Tooling group, in dispute with Engler-led group, goes national.(former Gov. John Engler's National Association of Manufacturers)(Michigan Tooling Association changed name to Tooling, Manufacturing & Technologies Association)
January 8, 2007... Byline: Sheena Harrison Frustration over Chinese outsourcing and currency valuation is causing a rift between former Gov. John Engler and Michigan tooling companies who say they need protection from global market pressures sooner rather...

Merger with Advo may mean shift in business for Valassis.(News)(Valassis Communications Inc.)
January 8, 2007... Byline: Bill Shea When Livonia-based Valassis Communications Inc. finalizes a $1.2 billion merger later this year, it could herald the beginning of a shift away from its traditional business - slick coupon booklets stuffed in Sunday...

Biz taxes top Lansing agenda; Big question: Will Granholm proposal shift?(Gov. Jennifer Granholm)
January 8, 2007... Byline: Amy Lane The Capitol is gearing up to resume debate on a replacement for Michigan's $1.9 billion single-business tax, which expires at the end of this year. Gov. Jennifer Granholm's November introduction of her Michigan...

Delphi, MSU to launch company; supplier may also work with WSU.(News)(Delphi Technologies Inc.)(Michigan State University)(Smart Antenna Inc.)
January 8, 2007... Byline: Tom Henderson Delphi Technologies Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Delphi Corp. that aims to develop nonautomotive revenue for the troubled parts supplier, is partnering with Michigan State University to launch its second...

People.(DeMaria Building Co. appointed Mark Reaume)(Skanska USA Building Inc. appointed Kurt Frownfelter)(AlixPartners L.L.C. appointed Philip Toy )
January 8, 2007... Biotechnology Robert Moellering Jr., Shields Warren-Mallinckrodt professor of medical research, Harvard Medical School, Boston, to the board of directors, NanoBio Corp., Ann Arbor. Construction Mark Reaume to project...

10 milestones; From a century of Detroit auto shows.(Focus)
January 8, 2007... Byline: Marti Benedetti A lot can change over 100 years. In the century since the first auto show put on by the Detroit Automobile Dealers Association, the show has gone from a display of a few automobiles to an international event...

Business Diary.(Briefs)
January 8, 2007... ACQUISITIONS Care Clinic Inc., Southfield, has purchased Pinnacle EasyCare L.L.C., Las Vegas. Pinnacle EasyCare operates and staffs Health Corner Clinics inside Las Vegas area Walgreens drugstores. The clinics are staffed by nurse...

Sowerby to speak.(People)
January 8, 2007... Byline: Joanne Scharich "Opportunities in 2007 for Local Business and The Capital Markets'' is the topic of the Jan. 10 Ideas Before Dawn breakfast meeting. The speaker will be David Sowerby, vice president and portfolio manager for...

Realcomp looks to fight FTC probe; another MLS settles.(News)(Federal Trade Commission)(MiRealsource)(Realcomp II)
January 8, 2007... Byline: Jennette Smith Michigan multiple listing services remain at the center of Federal Trade Commission proceedings over business practices deemed illegal and exclusionary by FTC investigators. This week, the FTC plans to give final...

Church case may impact land use.(News)(Lighthouse Community Church of God )
January 8, 2007... Byline: Jennette Smith A church's legal battle with the city of Southfield is considered one to watch for future precedent on how cities should follow a federal statute on religious property use. The city had denied a plan by...

8 Detroit projects get more than $170M in tax breaks.(News)
January 8, 2007... Byline: Robert Ankeny Eight redevelopment projects in Detroit have been approved to use $12.7 million in state brownfield tax credits and $158.1 million in state and local tax capture, Gov. Jennifer Granholm's office announced last month....

Don't change terms of tax discussion.(single business tax)(Brief article)
January 8, 2007... Work is beginning anew on a replacement for the single-business tax, due to expire at year-end. And, not surprisingly, the saber-rattling has begun. As Capitol Correspondent Amy Lane reports on Page 1, Gov. Jennifer Granholm, through Press...

Letters.(Letter to the editor)
January 8, 2007... Big questions on road plan Editor: The "Plans hinge on road proposal'' article in the Dec. 18 issue raises several issues: * The proposed extension of Martin Road calls for a roundabout (the new favorite of the Road Commission for...

In the spotlight.(United Way for Southeastern Michigan appointed Kelly Major )(Brief article)
January 8, 2007... United Way for Southeastern Michigan has hired former Brogan & Partners Convergence Marketing executive Kelly Major as vice president, brand identity and communications. Major, who will join United Way today, replaces Linda Remington, who...

Calendar.
January 8, 2007... Tuesday Jan. 9 Auto Show Panel Discussion: Is Product King? 6 p.m. Detroit Economic Club Junior Executives. Panelists include: Joseph Dehner, director-Jeep/Truck Design Studio, DaimlerChrysler Corp.; Jim Dunne, Detroit editor, Popular...

Fuel efficiency becomes grail.(Focus)
January 8, 2007... Byline: Brent Snavely Fuel efficiency, quality and safety are the top three criteria that automotive executives think are most important to consumers when they buy a new vehicle, according to a recent survey by KPMG L.L.C., and those views...

'Our year of emergence'; Meridian keeps a promise to workers, leaves bankruptcy.(News)(Company overview)
January 8, 2007... Byline: Brent Snavely As 2006 was drawing to a close, Richard Newsted was able to tell employees that Meridian Automotive Systems Inc. had officially emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. By doing so, Meridian's president and CEO was...

Baker builds to match growth; $6.4M building in Allen Park to add 37 classrooms.(News)(Baker College)
January 8, 2007... Byline: Sherri Begin Baker College plans to break ground in February on a $6.4 million building on its Allen Park campus, just a month after wrapping up construction of a 16,000-square-foot building. The recently completed $1.5 million...

Oakland County to ask: Which skills are lacking?(News)(County overview)
January 8, 2007... Byline: Bill Shea A thousand Oakland County companies will be surveyed later this year to find out what skills they need from new employees. Such a survey has never been done in the county, said Dennis Toffolo, deputy county executive...

New site gives Lipari Foods room to continue growth.(News)(Company overview)
January 8, 2007... Byline: Brent Snavely Warren-based Lipari Foods Inc., a wholesale food distributor, has moved about a half-mile into a new, 250,000-square-foot headquarters that gives the company more space to support sales growth throughout the Midwest....

Corrections.(Correction)
January 8, 2007... * The headline on a table on Page 4 of the Jan. 1 issue should have said the results were for 2006, not 2007. * A story on Page 97 of the Dec. 25 Book of Lists and Detroit Yearbook misstated the number of beds planned and the cost for Henry...

Rumblings.
January 8, 2007... Clarion sues Delphi, wants more volume A Japanese electronics supplier is telling Delphi Corp.: I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore. Last month, Clarion Corp. of America, a unit of Clarion Co. Ltd. of Japan, sued...

2007 North American International Auto Show.(Focus)
January 8, 2007... Press days: Through Tuesday. Industry preview: Wednesday and Thursday. Charity preview: 6-9 p.m. Friday. Public show: 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Jan. 13-20, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Jan. 21. For more information on the show, see www.naias.com.

Round two; Microsoft appeals $140M judgment for local inventor.(Case overview)
January 8, 2007... Byline: Tom Henderson A Commerce Township inventor named David begins another round of his battle with Goliath today if Microsoft Corp., as expected, files the brief of its appeal of a $140 million judgment he won against the software...

Can you patent a PB&J?(Opinion)(Brief article)
January 8, 2007... Just when you think you've seen it all when it comes to litigiousness, it turns out you really haven't. On Page 20, Tom Henderson reports that Southfield law firm Brooks Kushman P.C. was instrumental in overturning a patent J.M. Smucker had...

Week in Review.(Briefs)
January 15, 2007... Ford to spend $866M expanding SE Michigan plants Ford Motor Co. on Tuesday said it would spend $866 million on six Southeast Michigan plants, the first part of an investment it announced last summer. Ford said the investments in...

See the Newsmaker of the Year.(Calendar)
January 15, 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. For more...

Gov names bipartisan budget panel.(News)
January 15, 2007... Byline: Amy Lane Gov. Jennifer Granholm on Wednesday announced an advisory panel, co-chaired by former Govs. William Milliken and James Blanchard, to review the state's fiscal picture and offer recommendations. The panel will report to...

WSU mulls biz Ph.D. program; Biz school hopes move will attract faculty.(News)(Wayne State University )
January 15, 2007... Byline: Sherri Begin Wayne State University may launch a doctoral program in business this fall, a move aimed at making the university more competitive in attracting business faculty. Provost Nancy Barrett said the Ph.D. program also...