Pittsburgh Business Times articles from May 1996

Pittsburgh Business Times archives from May 1996

USAir discards Business Select; new CEO kills $50 million plan to attract business flyers. (Stephen Wolf)
May 27, 1996... New CEO kills $50 million plan to attract business flyers FINDLAY TOWNSHIP - From the start, USAir's expensive Business Select program was ill-fated: Its press roll-out was originally scheduled for Sept. 8, 1994, the day that USAir Flight 427...

Oliver Building onwers' group accuses Mellon Bank of fraud; lawsuit claims bank misled partners on interest rate swap.
May 27, 1996... Lawsuit claims bank misled partners on interest rate swap DOWNTOWN - The bankruptcy of One Oliver Plaza has taken an ugly turn: The limited partnership that owns the 39-story building has charged Mellon Bank Corp. with fraud. The...

Selling our green thumb: an industrial heritage spawned environmental firms that could make Pittsburgh a world leader. (includes related article)
May 27, 1996... An industrial heritage spawned environmental firms that could make Pittsburgh a world leader DOWNTOWN - When some people think of Pittsburgh, they think black and gold. But Mayor Tom Murphy thinks green - and he isn't alone. The image of...

Alcoa takes headquarters building off the sales block.
May 27, 1996... Bidders were unwilling to pay $18 million asking price DOWNTOWN - Rising from the heart of the Golden Triangle and caked with an aluminum coating, the Alcoa Building is a 31-floor monument to its signature tenant. It's a piece of...

Retired admiral plays latest role in Spang & Co. saga. (Elmo Zumwalt Jr.)
May 27, 1996... Rath family continues infighting over management of company BUTLER - Retired U.S. Navy Admiral Elmo Zumwalt Jr. has fought his share of battles. But few have been as ugly as the one he's gotten into with Spang & Co. Mr. Zumwalt, a partner...

Thomas Sokolowski's one-man show: the new director of The Warhol Museum seeks to dispel misconceptions.(People to Watch)
May 27, 1996... The new director of The Warhol Museum seeks to dispel misconceptions. NORTH SIDE - Now that he has become the director of the 2-year-old Andy Warhol Museum, Thomas Sokolowski could assemble foreshadowings of this career turn into a repetitive...

Alcoa is among firms testing the floor plan waters.(Special Report: Management & Employee Issues)
May 27, 1996... As open office trend takes hold, range of involved sectors expands DOWNTOWN - Scrap the symbolism of the corner office. The seat of power no longer lurks behind a closed door but positions itself at the center of operations. "The more...

Facing a crisis head-on. (Bradley Brown Design Group)(Small Business Diary)
May 27, 1996... Design firm's forthright approach helps overcome the departure of a spouse and business partner. When my partner and I formed Bradley Brown Design Group, a graphic design firm, in 1980, I never thought about the possibility of our...

Going for the green: small businesses and the earth both stand to benefit from heightened environmental awareness.
May 27, 1996... It used to hip to be square. Now it seems it's hip to be green. Environmental consciousness isn't just for the politically correct anymore. A number of small businesses are realizing that being green can keep them in green. Take Little...

Reach out and touch someone: traditional and not-so-traditional techniques will keep your company's name in the spotlight. (includes related article)
May 27, 1996... You can count on most companies acknowledging customers and suppliers over the Christmas and Hanukkah holidays, but John Brady Design Consultants treats the calendar like a roulette wheel: Where it stops, nobody knows. The Brady bunch...

Specialty steel's boom goes bust. (specialty steel market decline)
May 20, 1996... Firms retract price increases, expect decreased earnings PITTSBURGH - J&L Specialty Steel Inc. withdraws a planned price increase. Universal Stainless & Alloy Products Inc. announces that second-quarter earnings will be lower than expected....

Senior brokers now forming own shops.
May 20, 1996... Independent brokers double their ranks in the last five years DOWNTOWN - in February, Bob Fragasso left Smith Barney after 15 years to start his own firm. Another Smith Barney manager left the same day, to do the same thing. A little...

All for one? (Pittsburgh Regional Alliance)
May 20, 1996... OAKLAND - Two months after agreeing to head the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance, Tim Parks is in good spirits, still bubbling with optimism and promise. "I am twice as energetic," he said. Good thing. As president and chief executive of PRA,...

Federated may anchor Trust's office building. (Federated Investors Inc.'s possible occupancy of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust's planned office building)
May 20, 1996... Mutual fund giant, Cultural Trust discuss $45 million project DOWNTOWN - Federated Investors Inc. is negotiating to become the signature tenant for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust's planned 400,000-square-foot office building. If the giant...

UPMC, Blue Cross to co-own HMO. (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center; Blue Cross of Western Pennsylvania; Blue Cross Medicare health maintenance organization)
May 20, 1996... SecurityBlue deal may mean closer ties for health giants DOWNTOWN - Blue Cross of Western Pennsylvania and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center are in final talks that would give UPMC ownership in a new Blue Cross Medicare health...

Westmoreland County's aggressive campaign pays jackpot of job gains. (business recruitment campaign of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania)
May 20, 1996... But is Westmoreland's gain Allegheny County's loss? While Westmoreland County basks in its success at luring companies within its borders, Allegheny County is searching for ways to keep more businesses from flying its coop. In the last the...

Non-retail business grow weary of Downtown hassle. (businesses' departure from downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
May 20, 1996... Many look for new locations as technology broadens their reach DOWNTOWN - Where a company did business used to be every bit as important as how it did business. Often, if you weren't plying your trade Downtown, you weren't doing it at all....

Lawmaker seeks R&D tax credit for businesses. (Thomas P. Gannon; research and development)
May 13, 1996... Credit may be last business benefit in tight state budget HARRISBURG - A Republican legislator hopes to convince colleagues and Gov. Tom Ridge that, despite this year's tight state budget, there is room for one more little break for business....

A new high-tech honcho. (Pittsburgh High Technology Council Pres. and CEO Ray Christman)
May 13, 1996... OAKLAND - The Pittsburgh High Technology Council has named Ray Christman its new president and CEO. Mr. Christman succeeds Tim Parks. who will head the new Pittsburgh Regional Alliance. Mr. Christman will keep his post as president and CEO...

Officials say Adtranz weighing move to new site at Southpointe.
May 13, 1996... Allegheny County hopes to keep firm, multimillion dollar plant WEST MIFFLIN - One of Pittsburgh's largest privately held companies, Adtranz, may soon move to Washington County The former Westinghouse unit's plan to build a...

Koppers files for $119 million IPO; stock sale would return private company to public ownership. (Koppers Industries Inc.)
May 13, 1996... Stock sale would return private company to public ownership DOWNTOWN - What goes around comes around - at least for Koppers Industries Inc. The company hopes to go public this summer, possibly on the eighth anniversary of its predecessor...

Former Oberg CEO will run Digital Tool. (David Shondeck; Oberg Industries Inc.; Digital Tools)
May 13, 1996... David Shondeck to take high-tech machinery maker to new level NORTH SIDE - One man's loss is another man's gain. Or so Digital Tool Inc. hopes. The company has hired former Oberg Industries CEO and president David Shondeck to steer its...

Old company digs for fresh coal successes: Rochester & Pittsburgh Coal Co. defines small miners' challenges.
May 6, 1996... Rochester & Pittsburgh Coal Co. defines small miners' challenges INDIA A, Pa. - An old dog supposedly can't learn new tricks. But Rochester & Pittsburgh Coal Co. is betting more than $100 million to disprove that adage. The local coal...

Born of racism 50 years ago, illegal jitney services are essential transportation for African-Americans. (includes related article)
May 6, 1996... HILL DISTRICT - The room is cluttered with old office furniture and folding chairs. The plywood and paneled walls are covered with Beauty of the Week photos from Jet Magazine. Men mill and talk as they wait. They never wait long; someone is...

Lone group now seeking City Center. (DeBartolo Realty Corp.)
May 6, 1996... DeBartolo Realty leads group pressing mixed-use project DOWNTOWN - A triumvirate of powerful developers has emerged to negotiate a purchase of the long-dormant City Center project from its bank owner. But as the group led by DeBartolo...

Amsco's HQ, jobs head to Cleveland. (Amsco International Inc.)
May 6, 1996... Steris Corp. purchase ends company's Pittsburgh presence DOWNTOWN - Amsco International Inc. was ballyhooed as evidence of Pittsburgh's power to attract new firms when the growing medical supplies company relocated here from Eric in 1990....

ANSYS files $53 million public offering.
May 6, 1996... Engineering software maker adds to local high-tech IPO boom HOUSTON, Pa. - ANSYS Inc. is the latest among a rash of local high-tech firms to go public. The $40 million developer of engineering software filed the necessary documents on...

Harmarville Rehab Center's new owner replaces CEO. (Frank DeLisi replaces David Hirsh)
May 6, 1996... Healthsouth names Frank DeLisi to succeed David Hirsh HARMARVILLE - Harmarville Rehabilitation Center, which has undergone a dizzying series of ownership changes since December, has replaced its chief executive officer and confirmed it will...

Miami developer betting on North Hills office market. (Zell Two Inc.)
May 6, 1996... "Mad Dog" Cannon plans buildings despite FORE's exit McCANDLESS - The license plate on his car reads "Mad Dog." And Michael Cannon, president of Miami-based Zell Two Inc., has a set of real estate plans to match. His ambitious - and...

The Italian Oven seasons its stock with buyouts and expansion plan. (Italian Oven Inc.)
May 6, 1996... Restaurant shares remain lukewarm following IPO LATROBE - In an effort to bolster its mediocre performance on Wall Street, The Italian Oven Inc. has been increasing the number of company-owned stores in its chain. It currently owns 21 of...

Public-private coalition cleans up polluted stream in Slippery Rock. (Slippery Rock Watershed Coalition)(Special Report: Environmental Quarterly)
May 6, 1996... Businesses donate time, money and expertise to project SLIPPERY ROCK - A century ago, coal mining was the heart and soul of this borough. The mines are gone now, but traces of their existence remain. The water in Slippery Rock Creek...