Business First of Buffalo articles from June 2000

Business First of Buffalo archives from June 2000

Striking a chord.
June 5, 2000... Falletta brings harmony to BPO When the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra plays its final notes of this weekend's concert series, it will cap its first season under the baton of JoAnn Falletta. Falletta came to the orchestra as its...

Arena games saturate area sports market.
June 5, 2000... The May 26 announcement by Mark Hamister that an ABA 2000 basketball team would not be up and running this autumn was boiled down to rental fees sought by Adelphia/Crossroads LLC. The arena operators want to charge the basketball team $41,000...

Corporate culture at Rich takes a holiday.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2000... The "Dilbert" era is over at Rich Products Corp. Slowly, the sterile corporate cubicles, like those parodied in the Dilbert comic strips, are making way for the likes of Mr. Potato Head, crayons and Slinkys. Rich Products, the area's...

Mark IV buyout starts a new era, not retirement for Alfiero.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2000... Sal Alfiero spent a career building Mark IV Industries Inc. into the $2 billion Amherst-based global manufacturing company it is today. But now, with a group of European investors offering $2 billion to buy the company, Alfiero the...

The Big Hibernation.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2000... It was the kind of a June day that people who watch lousy late night comedians don't believe happen too often in Buffalo. The sun was high in the sky and a cooling breeze was blowing off the lake to keep the day as mild as wussy wings. It was...

Warsaw-based banks receive high rankings.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2000... Three banks owned by Warsaw-based Financial Institutions Inc. are ranked among the most "small business friendly banks" in the state by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The National Bank of Geneva, Wyoming County Bank and The...

Broadcast reporter joins Business First.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2000... Elizabeth Carey has joined the Business First staff in the new position of broadcast reporter. Beginning June 5, Carey will appear on WKBW-Channel 7's Good Morning Western New York with reports on important local business news. At the...

Medical products firm files with SEC for IPO.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2000... Wilson Greatbatch Technologies Inc. has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a $115 million initial public stock offering. Greatbatch officials said they plan to use funds from the sale to repay debt, and for general...

Clarifications & amplifications.(Brief Article)(Correction Notice)
June 5, 2000... Hamilton Houston Lownie designed the Flickinger Center in downtown Buffalo. A story last week incorrectly listed another firm as the building's designer. GET LISTED! If you want to be part of these upcoming lists, contact David Fink...

Mullane buys Jeep franchise from Downing.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2000... Mullane Motors Inc. has purchased Downing & Hall's Jeep franchise to give the Lockport dealership a full complement of DaimlerChrysler product models. The sale will free space at Downing & Hall's, also in the Town of Lockport, for the...

Groups align to oppose shelter.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 5, 2000... Five neighborhood groups along with Forever Elmwood have formed a coalition to lobby against the influx of social services agencies in the Elmwood Avenue-Allentown area. Specifically, the group, Coalition for Neighborhood Preservation, has...

Bills find a new angle to give fans more room.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 5, 2000... The Buffalo Bills say they have heard the cries of their fans and as a result approximately 22,000 newly-installed seats at Ralph Wilson Stadium have been adjusted. The affected seats are in the stadium's lower bowl and were put in last...

Private label producer finds favor in the freezer.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2000... James and his group of out-of-town investors couldn't have made their arrival in Chautauqua County more timely. When they acquired the assets of Dunkirk Ice Cream Co. in 1996, the company was on the ropes. Beset by mounting debts and a...

Competitive cost cuts necessary, Delphi says.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 5, 2000... The meetings had one message for the 5,000 hourly and salaried workers at Delphi Harrison Thermal Systems: The Lockport manufacturing complex is not meeting financial targets and more has to be done to lower costs. "The primary reason for...

Acme Electric acquired by downstate firm.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 5, 2000... East Aurora-based Acme Electric Corp. said it has agreed to be acquired by a Tarry-town, N.Y., buyer, Key Components LLC, for about $56.7 million in cash. At the same time, Acme said it terminated a merger agreement with a newly-formed...

Innovations at Ivoclar strengthen firm's roots.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 5, 2000... Ivoclar North America Inc. is flinging open the doors of a new $2.5 million addition with recent upgrades and renovations that together allow the Amherst based dental products manufacturer improved distribution and product training. At the...

Job opportunities grow skilled trade trainees.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 5, 2000... When it comes to the skilled trades, manufacturing industry leaders agree there's a big fork in the road, with college enrollment following one path and the skilled trades on the other. Paul Goodrich, director of the Metalworking Institute...

Dunn Tire opens stores in Olean, Rochester area.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 5, 2000... Dunn Tire Corp. has opened two new stores, giving the local chain 28 regional outlets. Dunn Tire has opened a store in the Rochester suburb of Gates and another in Olean. The stores will be full service locations, selling a wide...

Computer manufacturer finds growth markets.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 5, 2000... A North Tonawanda computer manufacturer is enjoying quiet growth in local and national markets. Technology Distribution Network (TDN) projects revenues of $40 million to $45 million by the end of 2001, up from 1999's $30 million, as it...

Two tech companies seek venture funding.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 5, 2000... Two technology companies will solicit venture capital from members of the WNY Venture Association at a forum June 7. Hanford Bay Associates Ltd. is seeking minimum funding of $300,000 to upgrade its human resources scheduling and management...

Giambra playing role of IDA peacemaker.
June 5, 2000... When he was campaigning last year, County Executive Joel Giambra made a point of talking about how various entities in the region had to take a more proactive, collaborative approach if the region was going to turn itself around. Giambra,...

Demise of Clarkson won't sink Sea Fever.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 5, 2000... A summer sailing instruction program affiliated with a failed nonprofit will be relaunched at the Small Boat Harbor this year. The Buffalo Community Boating Center, first launched in the summer of 1998, began as a project of Sea Fever Inc.,...

State OKs program in scientific computing at UB.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2000... The State Education Department has approved a new advanced certificate program in computational science for the University at Buffalo. The program is designed to train science and engineering graduate students in scientific computing. A...

Blue Cross & Blue Shield wins national award.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 5, 2000... Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Western New York received a "Best of Blue" award from the Blues' national association for its internal communications campaign. The campaign introduced employees to the company's corporate emphasis on an...

Food safety program finds growing market.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 5, 2000... A program that started as a profit-making enterprise at the now defunct Clarkson Center has been picked up by an Orchard Park training firm. Occupational Safety & Environmental Associates Inc. (OSHA) is working with the London,...

Tops, food firms sign promotion deal.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 5, 2000... Tops Markets Inc., the area's largest supermarket chain, has kicked off a new partnership to promote state-produced items. The Amherst-based Tops is teaming up with more than 20 grocery and food products manufacturers from across New York...

Business execs boost international program.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2000... D'Youville College hopes to expand its international business program with the help of some area executives. The college has formed an advisory board of leaders in the global market to complement its program of hands on experience. ...

Get ready to tell us about your 'Works in Progress'.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 5, 2000... Do you have a new office building or shopping center on the drawing board? Maybe there's an apartment building or medical center in your future. If your company is expanding, building or renovating, we want to know about it for our...

Inexpensive electricity powers Arcade move.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2000... Taylor Pohlman's newest production facility in Arcade should be fully operational by the end of the summer. All of the company's prototyping and job development will be done at its Orchard Park facility, a custom not unheard of in the...

Initial public offering made by NRG Energy.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 5, 2000... NRG Energy Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Minneapolis-based Northern States Power Co., has gone public. The company purchased the Huntley generating station in Tonawanda and the Dunkirk generating station in June 1999 under the...

House strips OSHA's ergonomics budget.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 5, 2000... The House Appropriations Committee struck a blow against OSHA's proposed ergonomics standard by eliminating funding for enforcing the regulations from the agency's budget. Ergonomics opponent Rep. Roy Blunt, RMo., calls the move a...

Doctors thwarted in push for collective bargaining.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2000... Legislation to give doctors collective bargaining rights was pulled from the House floor on the eve of Congress' week-long Memorial Day recess. The American Medical Association calls the delay "an outrageous subversion of the American...

Code of ethics adopted for Internet health sites.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2000... The Internet Healthcare Coalition unveiled a code of ethics for the Web's 15,000-plus health care sites. The code calls for sites to provide accurate, up-to-date information and disclose any sponsorship relationships. It also requires...

Agencies ordered to meet contract goal for women.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 5, 2000... President Clinton ordered government agencies to designate a senior acquisition official to promote contracting opportunities for woman-owned small businesses. Last year female entrepreneurs won only 2.5 percent of all federal contracts --...

IRS aids small businesses, but tax code still problem.
June 5, 2000... Small businesses spend an average of $7 in compliance costs for every $1 in federal income tax they owe, according to the National Federation of Independent Business. This ratio may fall slightly after the Internal Revenue Service ramps up...

Insurance agencies.
June 5, 2000... Insurance agencies Ranked by 1999 premium volume Phone Prior ...

WNY stock car driver back on Busch circuit.
June 5, 2000... Veteran stock car driver John using the biggest event of the season at Holland Speedway to mark his own return to the NASCAR Busch North series. With the backing of Bruce Bennett, a car owner from Canada; Spors is making a comeback with a...

Fort Erie Race Track says business is up.
June 5, 2000... The first month of the horse racing season at Fort Erie Race track has resulted in increased wagering. General Manager Eddie Lynn said the track handle is up 13 percent from last season, and wagering through simulcasting has more than tripled....

Bisons, Beach Boys play doubleheader.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 5, 2000... The 20th century band that rode a California wave to international notoriety will be back at Dunn Tire Park. The Beach Boys will headline the Buffalo Bisons' "Beach Bash" promotion on Sunday, July 30. The band will perform an hour after...

Child & Family Services takes over health clinic.
June 5, 2000... An area clinic has been taken over by Child & Family Services. The nonprofit agency received approval from the state Office of Mental Health to assume operation of the Friendship House Clinic of WNY. It had been run by St. Augustine's...

Alfred, Jamestown CC create research initiative.
June 5, 2000... Alfred State College and Jamestown Community College will create a cooperative research initiative for faculty and students in engineering and science technology with help from a National Science Foundation grant. The $299,352 NSF grant...

Blue Cross parent awarded contract.
June 5, 2000... HealthNow, the parent company of Blue Gross & Blue Shield of Western New York, has won a federal contract to do claims processing for durable medical equipment for Medicare recipients in the Northeast. The company replaces United...

State doubles allocation to Festival of Lights.
June 5, 2000... A Festival of Lights in Niagara Falls received a financial windfall this week with the announcement that the state will double its allocation to $100,000. Funding for the event was secured in the 2000-2001 state budget by Sen. George...

Senate likely to kill bid to phase out estate tax.
June 5, 2000... The House is poised to pass legislation that would phase out the estate tax over 10 years, but even supporters of the bill are not optimistic that the Senate will follow suit during this short election-year session. "It's very difficult on...

Decisions, decisions.
June 5, 2000... Many companies struggle with choice on whether to buy or lease Companies looking to lease their own vehicles vs. own them have just as many choices as there are cars on the road. The decision is usually based on a company's long-term...

Follow a fitness regime at trade show marathon.
June 5, 2000... Booth, up. Product, out. Brochures, stacked. But sit down and have a doughnut? Not a good idea, not if you want to be alert during the trade show. To stand out at trade shows, exhibitors need to exude energy and enthusiasm to...

Good event planners help like manna from heaven.
June 5, 2000... SPECIAL REPORT FIRST PERSON There are no easy days for Virginia Scahill. Just scheduling a time to sit down for an hour for this interview was difficult for Scahill, a special event and production management professional. Crazy, busy...

Buffalo connection helps Turkish business leaders.
June 5, 2000... The facilitators for two successful conferences held in Turkey were a team of professional creativity experts who are leaders at the annual Creative Problem Solving Institute held in Buffalo. The conference was created and directed by Halim...

Be sure to know rules before traveling abroad.
June 5, 2000... The whole thing started innocently enough. A 40-something Buffalo woman was cruising through her spring vacation in the Mexican party town of Cancun and had rented a golf cart to ride around. Her cart time was almost up; it was time to return...

Survey says women are better business travelers.
June 5, 2000... A majority of corporate travel managers say female travelers are more likely to adhere to travel policy guidelines than their male counterparts, but nearly all agree that women are not granted exceptions to policy. more often than men. ...

Enhanced technology needed now at meetings.
June 5, 2000... As the value of people's time increases, improving meetings through technology will not be a luxury but a requirement. Meetings are designed to improve communication among the participants, and by incorporating technology before, during and...

8th annual Small Business Awards.
June 5, 2000... Area banks and organizations honored 39 small businesses at the eighth annual Small Business Awards luncheon held May 24 at the Radisson Hotel & Suites, Airport. The sponsors of the awards. luncheon included U.S. Small Business Administration,...

World trends in home computers.
June 5, 2000... The world is witnessing a rise in home computer sales, a trend that appears strongly linked to the desire to get wired, according to Young & Rubicam. * In Japan, sales of home PCs have been fueled by falling prices and strong demand from...

Thinking out of the box.
June 5, 2000... Fom Beanie Babies to everything collectible What's up: Having a great idea is well and good, but it takes serendipity to make it come to fruition. The founders of Creative Plastics had both. In its very first year the company, now 2 years...

Protect your data with reliable backup device.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2000... With a variety of fast, inexpensive storage devices now available to your business, why gamble with your company's files? After all, a hard drive crash can make your business lose money -- and you your sanity -- faster than a stock market...

The YMCA of Greater Buffalo.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2000... The YMCA of Greater Buffalo honored 26 individuals and three companies at its 148th annual dinner meeting May 10. The following received Toast to Buffalo Awards in appreciation for their humanitarian efforts: Dr. L.N. Hopkins, chief of...

Department of Energy.
June 5, 2000... U.S. Energy Secretary Bill Richardson presented the Department of Energy Voluntary Protection Program's Star Status Award to Westinghouse/West Valley Services Co., which is completing a project to solidify radioactive waste liquid. The...

Canadian Consulate General.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2000... CPA James Sachs was honored by the Canadian Consulate General for his contribution to building trade between Canada and the United States. Sachs, a director at Freed Maxick Sachs & Murphy P.C., received the Canada-U.S. Ambassador Award at the...

ElderWood Affiliates.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2000... Kelly McIntyre was named a Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year by the New York State Dietetic Association. She is head of nutritional services at ElderWood Affiliates' Heathwood Health Care Center in Williamsville and Riverwood Health Care...

United Way of Buffalo & Erie County.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2000... United Way of Buffalo & Erie County presented several awards at its annual meeting: Volunteer of the Year Award, Trudy Mollenberg, volunteer chair of the United Way initiative Success by Six; One Person Award, Robert Kresse, special counsel...

Junior League of Buffalo.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2000... The Junior League of Buffalo presented the Susan Reid Greene Russell Award to Clotilde Perez-Bode Dedecker at its annual awards dinner May 30 at Harry's Harbour Place Grille.

Kids Escaping Drugs.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2000... Kids Escaping Drugs named the following to its Hall of Fame: Roger and Margo Arnold, Empire Financial Services; Paul Clark, West Seneca Town Supervisor; Boomer Connell, Channel 2 On Your Side; Jim and Diane Creed; Anne Harrington; Peter Linder,...

Canisius College Board of Regents.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2000... Pamela Jacobs received the Distinguished Citizen Achievement Award from the Canisius College Board of Regents at its annual scholarship ball May 13. A graduate of Rosary Hill College, she was formerly an English teacher at Bennett High School...

University at Buffalo.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2000... Rodney Doran received the Distinguished Service to Science Education Citation from the National Science Teachers Association at an April conference in Orlando, Fla. He is a professor of learning and instruction in the University at Buffalo...

Alfred University.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2000... Alfred University's Career Development Center earned the Philip J. Brockway Innovation Award from the Eastern Association of Colleges and Employers for its "Byte the Site" program. The two-week promotion was aimed at increasing awareness and...

Public Relations Student Society of America.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2000... Six members of the Public Relations Student Society of America chapter at Buffalo State College earned fourth place in a regional competition. The students, Lisa Noetzel, Jane Shanahan, Laura Marsick, Dawn Ogden, Mary Buesing and Robert Tarry,...

Villa Maria College.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2000... The Villa Maria College board of trustees gave the 2000 President's Award to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Province of the Congregation of St. Felix, or Felician Sisters. The college was founded by the local order, which this year celebrates its...

Federal Executive Board.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2000... The Federal Executive Board presented John E. Foley Awards to the following local federal employees at its Public Service. Recognition Awards Ceremony: Roger Daugherty, Cindy Jones and Todd Rehanek, Department of the Air Force, 914th Airlift...

Junior Achievement of Western New York.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2000... Junior Achievement of Western New York named Bradley Hafner as its Business Leadership Hall of Fame laureate for 2000. He is chairman of West-Herr Automotive Group. Scott Bieler, West-Herr president, will serve as chairman for the Oct. 5 Hall...

University at Buffalo.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2000... Frank Ciccia and Sally Sams received Outstanding Service Awards from the University at Buffalo Professional Staff Senate. Ciccia, director of the leadership development program in the Office of Student Development, is founder and chair of the...

Northtowns Charter Chapter of the American Business Women's Association.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2000... The Northtowns Charter Chapter of the American Business Women's Association will hold its 10th annual recognition night June 7 at the Dock of the Bay Restaurant. Marsha Henderson, Western New York District president of KeyBank, a director of...

CTG.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2000... CTG Chairman and CEO Gale Fitzgerald received the Thomas Hart Kendig Award for Achievement from the Niagara International Trade Council. The award, which honored Fitzgerald's achievement in dramatically building CTG's European sales, was...

Quality Bindery Services Inc.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2000... Quality Bindery Services Inc. named Lori Browning, front office assistant, as Employee of the Quarter for the first quarter of 2000. She joined the company in 1998. The company does binding, stitching, folding and other postpress services.

Alice Holowka.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2000... Alice Holowka was named Person of the Year by the National Automotive Radiator Service Association. She is vice president of Moxie's Radiator Shop and secretary/treasurer for Erie Radiator and Core Sales, both in West Seneca. The organization...

Nash Finch Company.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2000... Food distributor Nash Finch Company named Rich Products Corp. its Bakery/Deli Vendor of the Year. The award criteria are performance, creativity and merchandising. Rich's sales and support services were also cited for outstanding efforts on...

Independent Insurance Agents Association of New York Inc.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2000... Peter Stevens was one of five members honored by the Independent Insurance Agents Association of New York Inc. Stevens, president of Edmund D. Stevens Inc., received the Outstanding Local Association President Award for his service to the...

St. Joseph Hospital Foundation.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 5, 2000... The St. Joseph Hospital Foundation gave its 10th annual Caritas Award to Patrick Wiles, president and CEO of St. Joseph, Kenmore Mercy and Sisters Hospitals. Wiles will be honored at a June 7 reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Radisson...

Lake Shore Health Care Center Inc.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2000... Suzanne Roccisano, business office manager for Lake Shore Health Care Center Inc. in frying, was honored as Healthcare Financial Management Association of Western New York's Member of the Year. She has worked at Lake Shore for seven years and...

Michael Banks.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 5, 2000... Michael Banks, a senior chemist with DuPont Conan and co-chair of the sixth annual Garden Walk, received a DuPont Volunteer Recognition Award. The award was accompanied by a $1,000 donation to the Garden Walk. For more information about the...

Alexis Clare.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 5, 2000... Alexis Clare, associate professor of glass science in the School of Ceramic Engineering and Materials Science at Alfred University, received the Gottardi prize from the International Commission on Glass. The annual award recognizes a young...

Adam's Mark Hotel Buffalo.(Brief Article)
June 5, 2000... Gary Bradley was named 1999 New York State Bellperson of the Year by the New York State Hospitality and Tourism Association. He is a bellman at Adam's Mark Hotel Buffalo. He will now be considered for the national Stars of the Industry...

Follow-up call after the letter has been sent.
June 5, 2000... Salespeople often send letters of introduction or information about products and then follow up with a phone call that begins with the stupid question: "Did you get my letter?" What are you thinking? The prospect will always say "no." Now...

Bill allows governments to sell overdue tax liens.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 5, 2000... All eyes were on the Assembly this week, as Majority Leader Michael Bragman of Cicero made a play to take over leadership of the Chamber from Speaker Sheldon Silver. Expressing dissatisfaction with Silver's leadership, Bragman and 19 other...

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 5, 2000... Joyce Frost of Grand Island earned her instructor-of-trainers certificate through Girl Scouts of America She is director of adult development for the Girl Scout Council of Buffalo and Erie County. She will train volunteers who will become Girl...