Pittsburgh Business Times articles from September 2000

Pittsburgh Business Times archives from September 2000

FRESH BAIT.(McCune Foundation)(Pennsylvania tourism)(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... McCune Foundation pushes for marketing of region as tourist destination The McCune Foundation has tapped William Lafe Associates of Lawrenceville to create the Natural Amenities Marketing Initiative, the region's first public relations...

Local real estate broker follows customers into new, mystical territory.(the mystical sciences of vastu shastra and feng shui)(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... Could feng shui improve your bottom line? Jeff Holroyd, a feng shui master? Well, not quite. But the local commercial real estate broker has become something of an expert on the mystical sciences of vastu shastra and feng shui -- out...

Dick Corp. eyes Waterfront HQ.(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... Developer says deal is 'close' HOMESTEAD -- Dick Corp., one of the Pittsburgh region's largest contractors, is considering a move to The Waterfront in Homestead. The contractor, which is building the Pirates' PNC Park and putting...

Adaboy founders depart fledgling software firm.(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... Company reportedly set to elect its board DOWNTOWN -- "This page is currently being updated," reads the "team" link on Adaboy.com, the Web site of a tech start-up seeking to inject advertising into online videogames. It might also...

All is Wells -- how far will it go?(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... The dashing red and black logo of Wells Fargo & Co., the $222 billion San Francisco financial institution, has been popping up around town. But it's not heralding another player among local banks. It's actually the final touch of Wells...

Business schools get their grades.(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... OAKLAND -- Business Week's ranking of the nation's top business schools has the locals taking lumps. (As usual, the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School led the list.). Carnegie Mellon University held firm at No. 14, its same post...

Sailing into uncharted waters.(the River Life Task Force forum at Carnegie Lecture Hall)(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... OAKLAND -- Medieval and Renaissance cartographers used to write the phrase, "Here be dragons," over any uncharted and unfamiliar body of water on the maps they drew. One was reminded of this tactic during The River Life Task Force forum at...

County narrows talks for convention hotel.(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... Forest City reportedly the likely developer DOWNTOWN -- After months of discussions and development proposals, officials from Allegheny County are negotiating with a single company to build the long-awaited convention center hotel...

ONE YEAR AGO.(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... Taking Flight A Virginia firm prepared to lease the former Greater Pittsburgh airportto develop air-cargo facilities.

Mountain men.
September 29, 2000... USIS conducts investigations from underground base James Bond pops readily to mind when visiting the home of US Investigations Services in Slippery Rock. And it Would take 007 to infiltrate this mountainside complex situated behind a...

Economic lobbyist leaves for Bush job.(Tony Fratto)(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... Tony Fratto spoke for half-dozen agencies WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A half dozen Pittsburgh-area economic development agencies have lost their voices in Washington, D.C., and Harrisburg. Tony Fratto, a lobbyist whose efforts have resulted in...

Many Pa. small business owners undecided in key ballot contests.(SMC-Pennsylvania Small Business survey)(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... Bush, Santorum hold leads in their respective races CHURCHILL - It might seem a foregone conclusion that small business owners support Republican candidates, but a statewide survey shows significant numbers of those businessmen remain...

You can own a piece of Three Rivers before it vanishes into sports history.(FreeMarkets Inc. auction of pieces)(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... Authority taps FreeMarkets to auction pieces of stadium NORTH SIDE -- In the market for a scoreboard? How about some stadium lighting? If so, the Sports & Exhibition Authority may have a deal for you. The authority, which is...

Partnership to aid shipment of goods.(eCopper Inc.; eflatbed.com)(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... GREEN TREE - Eflatbed.com, an online trucking logistics company, has formed a partnership with eCopper Inc., based in Phoenix. Eflatbet.com will provide transportation management and logistics services to companies doing business on...

CORRECTIONS & AMPLIFICATIONS.(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... Dominion Tower, formerly CNG Tower, was listed in an incorrect geographic section in the Commercial Real Estate Leasing Guide, a supplement to the Sept.22 issue. Dominion Tower is located Downtown. BEA Systems and SilverStream Software...

CEI takes major share in Zlingshot, enabling start-up to 'tweak' plans.(Computer Enterprises Inc.)(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... Investment adds up to 'a few million dollars' GREEN TREE -- Computer Enterprises Inc. has taken a 50 percent stake in Zlingshot LLC, giving the fledgling technology incubator formerly based in Shadyside a shot of cash, credibility and...

Calgon to sell consumer goods on QVC.(Calgon Carbon Corp.)(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... ROBINSON TOWNSHIP -- Calgon Carbon Corp. will launch its line of consumer products with the help of QVC Inc. The first product, expected to hit the airwaves sometime in the fourth quarter, will be a jewelry box lined with an activated...

Sylvan to build new facilities.(new $3.3 million bioproducts facility)(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... SAXONBURG -- Sylvan Inc., a mushroom and mushroom spawn producer with facilities worldwide, plans to build a new $3.3 million bioproducts facility as well as two satellite mushroom-growing facilities. Scheduled to be completed in the...

NRM taps investment bank for turnaround.(National Record Mart Inc.; Policano and Manzo L.L.C.)(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... CARNEGIE -- With its stock trading under a dollar a share, National Record Mart Inc. hired Policano and Manzo as the investment bank to change the company's direction. Policano and Manzo, which has offices in New York and New Jersey,...

Seven Springs names new management.(Seven Springs Mountain Resort has appointed Scott Bender as its president and chief operating officer)(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... CHAMPION -- Seven Springs Mountain Resort has appointed Scott Bender as its president and chief operating officer and Sandy Ferguson as its chairman and chief executive officer. These appointments conclude the Seven Springs board's review...

Alcoa buying back stock.(Aluminum Company of America)(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... NORTH SIDE -- Alcoa said it will begin repurchasing stock under its previously authorized stock repurchase program. Alcoa has about 868 million shares outstanding. The company periodically buys back shares of its outstanding common stock...

Leap acquires wireless operating license here.(Leap Wireless International Inc. in Pittsburgh)(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... San Diego-based wireless communications carrier Leap Wireless International Inc. has closed the acquisition of a wireless operating license in Pittsburgh, from Radiofone PCS, for an undisclosed amount. The previously announced acquisition...

FreeMarkets inks Dana.(FreeMarkets Inc. deal with Dana Corp.)(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... DOWNTOWN -- FreeMarkets Inc. has signed a deal to provide its online marketplace services to Toledo, Ohio-based Dana Corp., a global automotive supplier that posted 1999 sales of $13.2 billion.

SightSound.com drops IPO plan.(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... MOUNT LEBANON -- SightSound.com Inc. has withdrawn its request to go public. The firm, which distributes feature films online, cited an unfavorable market as the reason for pulling out. SightSound President and CEO Scott Sander said in a...

UPMC shows off new performance complex.(UPMC Health System)(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... SOUTH SIDE -- UPMC Health System unveiled its Sports Performance Complex to the public on Tuesday, conducting a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The facility encompasses the UPMC Center for Sports Medicine, as well as indoor and outdoor practice...

Japan, China, Canada contribute heavily to trade deficit.(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... Three countries were responsible for almost half of America's trade deficit during the first seven months of 2000, according to U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis figures. Goods imported from Japan, China and Canada were worth $118 billion...

Burt Hill.(Burt Hill interview)(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... * Organization: Burt Hill provides architecture, engineering and interior design services. Siteworks designs outdoor environments, offering landscape architecture, civil engineering and land planning services. * Birthplace: Pittsburgh...

Blattner Brunner lands eight-figure Ohio-based Breakaway Foods deal.(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... Microwaveable goods rollout officially under way DOWNTOWN -- Advertising agency Blattner Brunner Inc. has landed the eight-figure Breakaway Foods LCC account and is launching the national rollout of the Columbus, Ohio-based company's...

Lawmakers: Nations schools must do a better job with math, science.(Alan Greenspan)(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... Science Foundation cash helped Pittsburgh improve test scores WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Alan Greenspan says he's glad he learned math with a pencil and paper, not a calculator. But few students today will turn into Alan Greenspans,...

Produce growers face slotting fees as more supermarkets consolidate.(Western Growers Association; Ralphs Grocery Co.)(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... Slim profit margins reduced even more WASHINGTON, D.C. -- As a result of supermarket industry consolidation, produce growers say they now must pay the same kinds of fees that dry goods manufacturers have paid for years to get their...

Driven to succeed.(Florence Mendelson of Innovation Works)(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... Florence Mendelson sets the bar high, and exceeds it At age 6, Florence Mendelson went door to door toting a shoeshine kit her father bought her, drumming up business. "I would ring doorbells," she said. "My mother was mortified. My...

Altra Broadband opens California R&D site.(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... SOUTH SIDE -- Altra Broadband Inc., a subsidiary of South Side-based Ansoft Corp., has opened a research and development facility in Irvine, Calif. The Irvine Technology Center will develop technologies for fiber optic and wireless...

Ansys sponsors design contest for students.(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... CECIL TOWNSHIP -- Southpointe-based Ansys Inc. and Design News magazine are sponsoring the College Design Engineering Award. Ansys will award $10,000 to the best college design team and a $10,000 scholarship to their school's engineering...

Music e-retailer moves to new office space.(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... WARRENDALE - DVDEmpire.com, a Web-based DVD e-retailer, has built and moved into new office space. The new offices and distribution center encompass 13,000 square feet in Warrendale. Founded in 1997, the firm had been working out of...

www.adbusters.org.(satire and social commentary on web site)(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... Want to check out what the anticorporate subversives are saying these days? Check out this site, which endorses Ralph Nader along with "culture jamming," a combination of prank and protest designed to draw attention to a cause in sometimes...

www.freefind.com.(Internet/Web search engine)(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... This site creates a search vehicle for other Web sites. Example: If you run a small Web site that lacks a self-search feature, go to Freefind, provide certain information, and you'll be e-mailed a hyperlink that users can click on to search...

www.checksinthemail.com.(online check ordering services)(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... Want to liven up your checkbook without paying the rates banks charge for new checks? There are several sites online where you can order new checks for less. At checksinthemail.com, you can get 400 designer checks, such as those with puppies,...

John Beck.(BodyMedia web site designer)
September 29, 2000... * Age: 32 * Job: I am the lead user interface designer for the BodyMedia.com Web site. BodyMedia is a healthy lifestyle company that is developing tools to help people monitor and better manage a balanced healthy lifestyle. As a...

A leg up.(Sox Appeal Inc. carries a wide array of hosiery)(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... Tights take center stage at Sox Appeal Store owner Nina El-Tobgy, whom you could say "sox" it to shoppers from three locations, is readying for a tight year -- textured and wildly patterned tights, that is. Though bright tights are a...

G.I. Joe in Camelot.(Hasbro Inc.'s John F. Kennedy action figure)(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... John F. Kennedy wasn't just a widely respected president. He also had a military career, the kind legends are made of, that Hasbro Inc. is commemorating with a collectible action figure. The Boston-based toymaker offers the John F....

In the cards.(Action Publishing's political playing cards)(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... It's been said that politics is nothing more than a game. How true. The best part is, anybody can play. The privilege comes courtesy of Action Publishing of Glendale, Calif., which is selling Politicards 2000, a full deck of playing...

The art of relaxation.(wood chaises from Thomas Moser Cabinetmakers)(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... Thos. Moser Cabinetmakers, the 40-year-old, family-owned crafters of sinuous, gallery-quality wood furniture now offers a cherry wood and full-grain leather chaise of such simple grace and comfort that you may be tempted to dream away your...

GOOD BLOODLINES.(Joseph Knowles of Dragonswood Advisors)(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... Jay Knowles' family features a strong investment background Jay Knowles claims he's relatively new to the practice of investing, but he's certainly been prepped for it. Mr. Knowles' late father was a partner in the Downtown...

Kerotest questions.(Kerotest Manufacturing continues to struggle)(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... A few weeks ago, we started to hear rumblings from workers at the Kerotest Manufacturing Corp., a Hazelwood valve maker. It caught our attention particularly because Kerotest is a "name" company around here. Not because it's the most...

Penalizing pedestrians.
September 29, 2000... As documented in these pages in recent weeks, it is getting more difficult to drive around Pittsburgh with all of the ongoing construction projects. Now it's becoming quite costly to walk around the city, too. Pittsburgh's gendarmes have been...

Guinness tech section not timely.(Column)
September 29, 2000... To a dog, one of our years passes like seven. Remember that the next time you complain about how quickly time flies. Time is not a gentle butterfly, its wings caressing the passing years. Time is a thundering buffalo herd, trampling...

Candidates position themselves for gubernatorial run.(Pennsylvania)(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... With the number of political ads on television these days, it's easy to lose track of the less visible races on the Pennsylvania ballot. Besides choosing a president, a senator and members of Congress, voters on Nov. 7 will also elect an...

Why United, US Airways merger shouldn't fly.(United Airlines Inc., US Airways Group Inc.)(Column)
September 29, 2000... In late May, UAL Corp.'s United Airlines reached an agreement to purchase US Airways Group Inc. for $4.3 billion in cash and the assumption of $7.3 billion of debt and lease obligations. Unfortunately, the proposed acquisition of the...

Before you go...(exit interviews)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 29, 2000... Companies find exit interviews aid retention efforts Chuck Karlovits is a believer in the benefits of exit interviews. "What we look for are trends that repeat themselves over a period of time, whether it be money, shift or benefit...

As time goes by in Brazil: Sao Paulo and Rio couldn't be more different.(Rio de Janeiro)(Column)
September 29, 2000... Rio's charm tops Sao Paulo's pollution One of the nice things about landing in Brazil is that you can at least get to your hotel without getting gouged. All of the major airports have taxi counters either inside or immediately...

ANOTHER PAIR OF EYES.(Mellon Ventures L.P.)(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... Mellon Ventures partners its way to a $1 billion fund utilizing a 'broad investment strategy' Do game plans change radically en route to $1 billion? Not according to Chuck Billerbeck, managing director of Mellon Ventures, the 4-year-old...

BT Financial unveils revenue growth pan.(and name change)(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... JOHNSTOWN -- BT Financial Corp., parent of 72-branch Laurel Bank, announced a series of strategic initiatives to enhance future revenue and earnings growth. This restructuring effort is led by switching to a new name -- Promistar, effective...

As bank values recover, regional, small banks are seen as good stock buys.(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... Experts warn against buying on merger expectations DOWNTOWN -- Bank stocks have taken a beating in recent years, as the Federal Reserve continued to push up interest rates to rein in the economy. But big bank stocks have recovered of...

Corporations debate benefits of leasing headquarters instead of owning.(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... Decision impacts corporate identity, employee morale After years of owning its own headquarters in Robinson Township, Eat n' Park decided to become a renter. Despite years of solid growth, when the time came to establish a new...

Mellon Trust launches new Internet service.(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... DOWNTOWN -- Mellon Trust Global Securities Services, a division of Mellon Financial Corp., has launched Workbench, an Internet-based service that provides clients, particularly investment managers, with browser-based financial news and...

Great American replacing Homestead branch.(Great American Federal Savings and Loan Association)(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... WHITEHALL -- Great American Federal Savings and Loan is replacing its Homestead branch of 54 years with a new office in that community's Waterfront development. The original office closed Sept. 25; its replacement opens its doors Oct. 4. The...

Deciding on tech firms' M&A value proves to be difficult in early stages.(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... Process has taken into account people, history, client roster Squirrel Hill-based Hell's Kitchen Systems Inc. had to do it before Red Hat Inc. bought it for $90 million to get at its Linux technology in January. Oakland-based...

Car financing company revving up with $12.5 million growth infusion.(Continental Auto Receivables Inc.)(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... Pittsburgher takes leadership role in firm A specialty finance company that works through auto dealers to finance new-and used-car loans has gotten a $12.5 million infusion to grow the business. Dublin, Ohio-based Continental Auto...

Increasing number of defaults forces industry to lean on 'bad lenders'.(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... Baltimore used as testing ground for HUD efforts After 20 years in the real estate business, Michelle Lewis knows well the pitfalls afflicting minorities, the poor and the elderly when it comes to buying a house. Lately, it seems...

Delay in corporate delivery of news may change after SEC investigation.(Security and Exchange Commission's Fair Disclosure act)(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... Individuals and institutions to receive news in 'timely' way A long-standing way of distributing corporate press releases appears to be heading for a change, thanks to the Security and Exchange Commission's efforts to combat selective...

CONSOL reports lower first quarter earnings.(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... UPPER ST. CLAIR -- CONSOL Energy Inc. reported it expects first quarter earnings to be lower than current analyst estimates. Net income for the quarter is estimated to be between 5 cents and 10 cents per share or $4 million to $8 million....

Employees' earnings reportedly score small victory over inflation.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
September 29, 2000... Retail workers lowest paid at average $279 per week The typical American worker is making a few bucks more than he or she did just a year ago. Average weekly earnings for nonsupervisory employees rose 4.6 percent between July 1999...

Cashing out a 401 (k) plan just because you are changing jobs is a bad idea.(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... Q. What should I do with the money I've saved in my 401 (k) plan if I change jobs? A. According to a recent survey by Hewitt Associates, more than half of all 401 (k) plan participants cash out of their 401 (k) plans when they change...

Allegheny Ludlum announces price increase.(Allegheny Ludlum Corp.)(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... DOWNTOWN -- Allegheny Ludlum announced it plans to increase its base prices on several products by 5 to 7 percent. Ludium, part of Allegheny Technologies Inc., will hike prices on super stainless steel, nickel-based alloy and superalloy...

State insurance mandate forcing many smaller S&Ls to close doors.(savings and loans of Pennsylvania)(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... Only one area S&L on list remains publicly traded And then there were none? Turtle Creek Savings & Loan Association, with assets last year of $4.1 million, filed for dissolution in August 1999, according to Mike Wishnow, press...

PEOPLE.
September 29, 2000... ACCOUNTING Michael Polk was hired as a staff accountant by Leonard F. Polk & Co., Mount Lebanon. Mr. Polk is a graduate of Duquesne University. ADVERTISING/PR/MARKETING CommuniTech, a McMurray-based marketing communications...

Kennametal Inc.(named one of top companies by American Machinist)(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... Kennametal Inc., Latrobe, was named one of America's leading manufacturing technology companies by American Machinist in the 2000 Excellence in Manufacturing Technology Achievement Awards.

K. Raman Venkatesh.(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... Robinson Township-based Calgon Carbon Corp., chemical engineer K. Raman Venkatesh is one of 12 honorees of the American Chemical Society's Heroes of Chemistry 2000 program. Mr. Venkatesh developed a cost-effective process to eliminate...

Bidwell Training Center.
September 29, 2000... The U.S. Department of Labor has given awards to the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program of Western Pennsylvania and the Bidwell Training Center, Manchester, for raising awareness of fair employment issues. The organizations received the...

City Theatre.
September 29, 2000... City Theatre, South Side, has retained Albert Halt & Associates, Hartford, Conn., to conduct its national search for a producing director to replace Marc Masterson. Mr. Masterson has accepted the position of artistic director of Actors...

Geneva College.(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... Geneva College of Beaver Falls has introduced a new degree: a master's of special education. The program gives area teachers the opportunity to add a certification in mental and physical disabilities to their credentials.

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield.(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield has entered the long-term care business. The regions dominant insurer has launched a program called Long-Term BlueCare, hoping to tap the market of potential consumers who are familiar with the Blue Cross name.

H.J. Heinz Co.(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... Downtown-based H.J. Heinz Co. has formed the Heinz Specialty Pet Food organization to focus specific attention on pet stores and veterinary clinics. It will be headquartered in the North Side.

IBT Bancorp Inc.(two new subsidiaries, IB&T Financial Services and T.A. of Irwin LLC)(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... IBT Bancorp Inc., parent of Irwin Savings & Trust Co., announced two new subsidiaries, IB&T Financial Services and T.A. of Irwin LLC. IB&T Financial Services offers personal and business insurance, as well as investment products. T.A. of...

Magee-Womens Hospital.
September 29, 2000... Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC Health System, Oakland, installed digital mammography technology, aimed at detecting breast cancer. The GE product is the only device of its kind approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Magee...

SEMTEK Systems Inc.
September 29, 2000... SEMTEK Systems Inc. of Vandergrift, Westmoreland County, has acquired Cross Electronics Inc. of Cranberry Township, Butler County. Cross will now be known as SEMTEK Systems Inc. -- Control Systems Division.

Strategic Energy.
September 29, 2000... Pittsburgh Mayor Tom Murphy and City Councilman Dan Cohen, chairman of council's general services and telecommunications committee have proposed a new power supply coordination agreement with Downtown-based Strategic Energy. Under the terms...

United Way of Allegheny County.
September 29, 2000... United Way of Allegheny County launched the 2000 fund-raising campaign with the 10th annual Day of Caring, an event where 6,000 people representing 142 companies volunteer at United Way-funded organizations. The campaign's goal is to raise...

CoManage Corp.
September 29, 2000... Wexford-based CoManage Corp. contracted with Hollywood, Fla.-based Interloop Inc., to install CoManage's Integrated Service Manager to support and manage Interloop's Digital Subscriber Line, T-1 and Voice-over-Broadband services for local,...

FreeMarkets Inc.(contract with eSociety)
September 29, 2000... FreeMarkets Inc., a Downtown-based business-to-business auction firm, received a contract from Seattle-based eSociety, an Internet company that builds business-to-business marketplaces with trade associations and other industry groups....

II-VI.Inc.
September 29, 2000... II-VI.Inc., Saxonburg, received a 13-month $4.7 million contract from the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center. The contract will develop technology to be used in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

Adelphia Business Solutions.
September 29, 2000... John Rigas, chairman of the board, purchased 20,000 shares of class A common stock between $11.56 and $12.88 each from Aug. 16 to Aug. 17, and now directly and indirectly holds 8,727,547 shares of common. Michael Rigas, director, purchased...

Transforming Professionals and Personal Life.
September 29, 2000... Art of Possibility: Transforming Professionals and Personal Life, Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander, $22.50. The book otters breakthrough practices for creativity in all human enterprises. Infused with the energy of the dynamic...

Solutions Consulting.(website)(Brief Article)
September 29, 2000... Southpointe-based Solutions Consulting, a subsidiary of Perot Systems Corp. that provides e-business strategy and solutions, contracted with iFultillment Inc., a Chicago-based e-commerce fulfillment company, to launch the firm's new Web-based...