Business First of Buffalo articles from October 1991

Business First of Buffalo archives from October 1991

Fairbank Farms fattens up on low-fat beef products. (Fairbank Farms Inc. recovers after fire caused sales to plummet by $80 million) (Company Profile)
October 28, 1991... A less-fatty meat patty is helping Fairbank Farms recover from a fire that caused some $15 million in damages -- and sales to plummet by $80 million in 1989. That's right, $80 million. As a result of the fire, the meat processor and...

Rubber meets the road at Dunlop Tire. (Dunlop Tire Corp.)
October 28, 1991... While many U.S. tiremakers are beset by excess capacity, heavy debt loads and sluggish sales, a less-troubled Dunlop Tire Corp. is in position to increase market share. That belief, expressed by some industry analysts, also supposes that...

Development issues shape Falls mayoral race. (Niagara Falls, New York)
October 28, 1991... The seven members of the Niagara Falls City Council sat around a long, rectangular table during their special meeting Oct. 3. Republican Jacob Palillo occupied the single chair on one of the table's short sides. Democrat Anthony Quaranto took...

Hospitals prepared to make designated areas go up in smoke. (Western New York hospitals' program to eliminate smoking in hospitals)
October 28, 1991... Not a cigarette, ashtray or smokers' lounge will be found in most Western New York hospitals come New Year's Day. Hospitals nationwide have been given until Jan. 1 by the top health-care accreditation agency to become smoke-free or at least...

It'll be a green Christmas for Fisher-Price, analysts say. (Fisher-Price Inc. makes profits after a long slump)
October 28, 1991... Fisher-Price Inc. should enjoy a holly jolly Christmas this year, the first holiday season on its own in 22 years, analysts and retailers say. Despite a national recession, sales so far show the 61-year-old East Aurora toy manufacturer on...

Dunlop says Pro-Am Dinner stays part of the local picture. (Dunlop Tire Corp.; Dunlop Pro-Am Awards Dinner)
October 28, 1991... Dunlop Tire Corp. will continue to sponsor the Dunlop Pro-Am Awards Dinner even as it moves ahead with efforts to cut $25 million from corporate costs. Officials termed Dunlop's link with the annual event, which marks its 20th anniversary...

Kids R Us sets out game plan for four area stores. (Kids R Us Co. plans to open four stores in Western New York)
October 28, 1991... Kids R Us, the children's off-price clothing giant, is preparing to play in Western New York with four stores. The first Kids R Us, the clothing division of Toys R Us, will open in the spring in a Cheektowaga plaza developed by Wegmans Food...

Hospitals form computer venture. (Buffalo General Hospital; Erie County Medical Center; joint venture to develop computerized information system)
October 28, 1991... Buffalo General Hospital and Erie County Medical Center have formed a joint venture to develop and install a computerized information system at the center. Under the agreement, Buffalo General will provide ECMC with services including...

Nurses union sues Sheehan over dues taken from paychecks. (Nurses United Local 1168 of the Communications Workers of America AFL-CIO; Sheehan Memorial Hospital)
October 28, 1991... The union representing registered nurses at Sheehan Memorial Hospital has sued the Buffalo hospital for failing to remit dues deducted from employee paychecks. Nurses United Local 1168 of the Communications Workers of America AFLCIO, its...

OTB moves office to Mohawk Street. (Off-Track Betting Corp.)
October 28, 1991... Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp. has relocated its downtown Buffalo office to 15 E. Mohawk St. in a former Wendy's restaurant. Besides a ground floor betting office, OTB has moved its district office to the second floor of the...

Training program helps small business upgrade skills. (state program and training grant; Gowanda Electronics Corp.)
October 28, 1991... Survival was on the mind of David Schaack when he took to the highways Oct. 15 for the 30-mile trip from Gowanda to downtown Buffalo. Survival for his 25-year-old company, Gowanda Electronics Corp., and the 180 workers who manufacture...

Wholesale florist finds greener grass. (Sieck Wholesale Florist of New York State Inc. acquires office building)
October 28, 1991... Sieck Wholesale Florist of New York State Inc. has acquired an 18,000-square-foot former Grossman's store at Transit and Klein roads, Amherst. The company paid $509,915 for the property, according to documents filed Sept. 30 in the Erie...

Analyst says Marine shows some progress. (Moody's Investors Service Inc.; Marine Midland Bank N.A.)
October 28, 1991... Marine Midland Bank N.A's chief executive said a $56.9 million loss in the third quarter was expected. But even though the deficit was the Buffalo-based bank's sixth consecutive quarterly loss, an analyst for Moody's Investors Service Inc....

Atlanta does it better than Buffalo. (Atlanta, Georgia; Buffalo, New York; economic development)
October 28, 1991... Charlotte and Atlanta have it. Buffalo doesn't. That's according to the Nov. 4 issue of Fortune magazine, which ranked the "pro-business attitude" of 50 metropolitan areas. Charlotte finished in first place and Atlanta was second....

Referendum calls for canal tolls and increase in bonds. (referendum on future of Erie Canal)
October 28, 1991... Lockport Mayor Thomas Rotundo has been trying to stir up public interest in the Nov. 5 statewide referendum on the future of the Erie Canal, but he has found that to be a difficult task. "It's like the whole thing is one big secret," Rotundo...

Tayco Developments reverts to research firm it started as. (Tayco Developments Inc.) (Company Profile)
October 28, 1991... In the past 30 years, Tayco Developments Inc.'s stock skyrocketed to $32 a share, plummeted to about 25 cents, shot back to $14 only to sink to its current price, below a buck. What started as a small research and development company and...

Mark IV redeems debentures. (Mark IV Industries Inc.)
October 28, 1991... To further reduce its debt, Mark IV Industries Inc. has called for the redemption of about $41 million worth of convertible debentures due June 15, 2011. "This is an $82 million turnaround on our balance sheet," Chairman Sal Alfiero said....

Cummings named CEO of Comptek. (John Cummings; Comptek Research Inc.)
October 28, 1991... John Cummings, one of the founders of Comptek Research Inc. in 1968, has been appointed president and chief executive officer of the Buffalo-based computer systems company and defense contractor. Cummings, 58, succeeds John Wagner who...

M&T to close 3 Goldome offices. (Manufacturers and Traders Trust Co.)
October 28, 1991... M&T Bank, which acquired 11 of Goldome's Western New York offices and deposits totaling $1.9 billion in May, will close and merge three of the locations into existing M&T branches. The closings are the last of M&T's consolidation of branch...

Servotronics gets firm about increasing defense sales. (Servotronics Inc. seeks best defense contracts)
October 28, 1991... Servotronics Inc.'s strategy is simple: secure long-term contracts by offering the best products at the best prices with the best delivery. That's how the Cheektowaga company is increasing sales at a time when most defense contractors are...

A truckload of troubles: haulers hit a bumpy road of higher taxes, flat economy. (Special Report: Trucks & Vans)
October 28, 1991... These are tough times for the trucking industry, locally and statewide, with many companies just spinning their wheels to stay in business. Blame it on high taxes, the recession, a decline in manufacturing in New York, the state's budget...

Local truck dealers hoping sluggish sales turn a corner. (includes related article)(Special Report: Trucks & Vans)
October 28, 1991... A few random bright spots are beginning to appear in Western New York's otherwise sluggish market for new and used trucks -- a market beset by latent worries over a troubled economy. "The truck market is very much a mirror of the softness in...

Van modifications can put a business on wheels. (includes related articles)(Special Report: Trucks & Vans)
October 28, 1991... On the road again? You're not alone. More businesses are providing products and services to larger territories, and this means adapting to working on the go. But how do you make your workplace mobile, especially if you require extensive and...

William Poulson. (People on the Move)
October 28, 1991... William Poulson was named president and general manager of West Valley Nuclear Services, the wholly owned subsidiary of Westinghouse Electric Corp. He has been with Westinghouse since 1972 and most recently was executive vice president and...

Thomas Hyzy. (People on the Move)
October 28, 1991... Thomas Hyzy was named a partner in Feeley, Bonaventura & Hyzy, CPAs, P.C., formerly Feeley & Bonaventura of Kenmore. He also is an instructor in the Graduate Tax Certificate Program of the University at Buffalo School of Management.

William Knoche. (People on the Move)
October 28, 1991... William Knoche is president of Integra Enterprises, a Hamburg sales and sales management training and consulting company. He is owner of the local franchise of Sandler Sales Institute.

Western New York Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association Inc. (Ad accounts)
October 28, 1991... Western New York Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association Inc. named Creative Advertising Plus agency of record for the RV '92 show scheduled Jan. 16-20 at the Erie County Fairgrounds.

U.S. Postal Service. (Business notes)
October 28, 1991... The Western New York Division of the U.S. Postal Service opened its new, 24-hour Air Mail Facility Oct. 31 at 285 Cayuga Road featuring expanded window counter service, increased parking and drive-up deposit boxes.

Buffalo Hearing and Speech Center. (Business notes)
October 28, 1991... Buffalo Hearing and Speech Center named George Lukaszewicz Architects P.C. to design a new, 20,000-square-foot facility at Court and Seventh streets for its clinical operations.

Larry Smith Office. (Business notes)
October 28, 1991... Larry Smith Office Equipment Inc., in conjunction with the renovation of its offices at 1140 Wehrle Drive, Williamsville, has changed its name to Larry Smith Office. The 36-year-old company sells office supplies and equipment ranging from...

Comptek Research Inc. (Earnings and dividends)
October 28, 1991... (AMEX) Second quarter, Sept. 27 (in thousands) 1991 1990 Revenues $16,251 $12,754 Net income $380 $368 Earnings a share ...

Computer Task Group Inc. (Earnings and dividends)
October 28, 1991... (NYSE) Third quarter, Sept 30 (in thousands) 1991 1990 Revenues $70,013 $58,800 Net income $81 $1,956 Earnings a share ...

First Empire State Corp. (Earnings and dividends)
October 28, 1991... (AMEX) Third quarter, June 30 (in thousands) 1991 1990 Net interest income $86,152 $57,564 Net income $17,354 $14,402 Earnings a share ...

Lockport Savings Bank. (Earnings and dividends)
October 28, 1991... Third quarter, Sept. 30 (in thousands) 1991 1990 Net interest income $5,057 $4,208 Net income $1,818 $1,816 Lockport Savings Bank,...

OnbanCorp. (Earnings and dividends)
October 28, 1991... (OTC) Third quarter, June 30 (in thousands) 1991 1990 Net interest income $12,161 $11,148 Net income $4,729 $3,932 Earnings a share...

Niagara Mohawk Power Corp. (Stock developments)
October 28, 1991... (NYSE) The board of directors announced the sale of 914,000 shares of the company's preferred stock. Niagara Mohawk, based in Syracuse, provides electricity to an area encompassing more than half of New York state, including Western New York.

Commitment, not lip service, makes quality programs work. (Moog Inc. Aerospace Group of Moog Inc., Automotive and Industrial Electronics Group of Motorola Inc. make quality programs work.)(includes related articles)
October 21, 1991... Quality. The word has a meaning as good as gold. Michelangelo had it. So did Thomas Chippendale. And the builders of the Pyramids. In our time, "quality" has come to mean Rolls Royce sedans, Dom Perignon champagne, Rolex watches, Brooks...

World Games revenues running behind expenses. (financial aspects of World University Games)
October 21, 1991... Organizers say $1.2 million deficit was not unexpected The local organizing group for the 1993 World University Games had a $1.2 million deficit as of Aug. 31, according to a financial report released this month. Officials of Greater...

Molson taps into Buffalo for distribution center. (Molson Cos.)
October 21, 1991... The Molson Cos. Ltd., seeking an edge on its brewing competitors, has established an East Coast distribution center in Buffalo. Molson USA Breweries, the Reston, Va., subsidiary of the Toronto-based beer maker, contracted with F.W. Meyers...

Kuwaiti contract mother lode is only mirage for WNY firms. (hoped for contracts from Kuwait do not materialize; Western New York)
October 21, 1991... Western New York's current difficulties in doing business with Kuwait bring to mind a story about former Rep. Morris Udall. Udall, D-Ariz., ran for his party's presidential nomination in 1976. It seemed to be a doomed effort, as Udall...

M&T Bank, Norstar seen as potential Midlantic bidders. (M&T Bank; Norstar Bank N.A.)
October 21, 1991... Two growth-minded banks, including one in Buffalo, are seen as potential bidders for some or all of Midlantic Corp.'s $2.5 billion-asset upstate New York operation. Though officials of both banks decline comment, banking insiders in Buffalo...

Power authority rate hike sparks fight with industry. (New York Power Authority faces lawsuit from New York industries over power rate increase)
October 21, 1991... Despite five lawsuits pending against it, the New York Power Authority has proposed a second round of rate increases for its so-called replacement power. The authority wants to raise its replacement power rate from just over eight-tenths of...

Comptek, partners beam in on microwave data systems. (Comptek Research Inc., Bydatel Corp., Rand Capital Corp., and Joseph Wolfson create Bison Data Corp.)
October 21, 1991... Comptek Research Inc. has completed an agreement with three partners on a joint venture that could contribute much more to Comptek's sales than its defense business. Buffalo-based Comptek makes command, control, communications and...

Corey steps down as president at Falls medical center. (Don Corey; Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center) (Brief Article)
October 21, 1991... Don Corey has retired as president of Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, a $50 million-a-year corporation that he guided for 28 of the 31 years he was affiliated with it. Donald Ridge, a recently retired banker and member of the medical...

Transamerica opens office in Amherst. (Transamerica Financial Services Inc.) (Brief Article)
October 21, 1991... Transamerica Financial Services Inc., an arm of Transamerica Corp., is opening a local office. The company, which will sell insurance and offer financial planning services, has leased 17,200 square feet in the Amherst International Park....

Barrister retools its business to emphasize maintenance. (Barrister Information Systems Corp.) (Company Profile)
October 21, 1991... Barrister Information Systems Corp.'s major restructuring plan announced in May seems to be working. The computer company eked out a small profit -- $3,000 for its second quarter which ended Sept. 27 -- thanks to major cost-cutting efforts...

CTG forecasts gain in profits with 'information engineering.' (Computer Task Group Inc.) (Brief Article)
October 21, 1991... Computer Task Group Inc. is reorganizing part of the company in a move that officials say could change the way it does business and bring it more profits. The Buffalo-based consulting company designs, builds, implements, maintains and...

BAC acquires Eastern Hills fitness center. (Buffalo Athletic Club buys the Racquet and Fitness Club of Eastern Hills Inc.) (Brief Article)
October 21, 1991... The Buffalo Athletic Club has added another suburban facility to its portfolio. In a deal that had been rumored since early summer, the BAC acquired the Racquet and Fitness Club of Eastern Hills Inc. on Oct. 11 for $1.35 million. Eastern...

SEC queries delay Niagara Share meeting. (Securities and Exchange Commission; Niagara Share Corp.) (Brief Article)
October 21, 1991... Niagara Share Corp. has postponed its shareholder meeting indefinitely because the Securities and Exchange Commission has raised some questions about the proposed liquidation of the company. "They're having a little difficulty understanding...

Fine wine springs from the grapes of local vines. (a directory of local vineyards)(includes related articles) (Directory)
October 21, 1991... Within an hour's drive from Buffalo, there are a number of high-quality vineyards well worth a visit. The peak of activity at area wineries occurs between September and mid-October when the air is perfumed with the sweet smell of grapes...

Mark IV Industries Inc. (Proxy Report Excerpts) (Company Profile)
October 21, 1991... MARK IV INDUSTRIES INC. New York Stock Exchange -- IV Mark IV Industries Inc., headquartered in West Amherst, is a diversified manufacturer with operations in three business segments: technical products and systems, engineered products and...

Manufacturing goes Hollywood. (Westwood-Squibb Pharmaceuticals Inc. makes video to interest students in taking a career in manufacturing)
October 21, 1991... Westwood-Squibb Pharmaceuticals Inc.'s Forest Avenue plant is featured in a video made by a group of manufacturers hoping to dispel students' negative image of industrial work. Called "Making It," the video was commissioned by the Upstate...

A new shade of Brown. (Randy Brown)
October 21, 1991... What's Randy Brown been up to since he left the Greater Buffalo Chamber of Commerce this summer? He has formed RJB Public Affairs Inc. for association management and legislative representation, two areas in which he is well-versed and...

Good neighbors.
October 21, 1991... Ingram Micro Inc. is reaching into its pocket in an effort to be a good neighbor in the southeastern portion of Amherst. Ingram chose Amherst as the site of its Eastern Operations Center, a project that entails the construction of an...

Automobile Club of Western New York. (Ad accounts) (Brief Article)
October 21, 1991... Automobile Club of Western New York named Mitchell DeTine Domkowski & Partners advertising agency of record.

New York State Thruway. (Business Notes) (Brief Article)
October 21, 1991... The New York State Thruway designated Tallamy, Van Kuren, Gertis & Associates to prepare preliminary and final designs for the addition of a fourth lane between Exits 54 and 53.

P.J. Garvey Carting and Storage Inc. (Business Notes) (Brief Article)
October 21, 1991... P.J. Garvey Carting and Storage Inc. of Buffalo has become affiliated with Paul Arpin Van Lines, an international transportation firm based in Rhode Island. The local company was established in 1907 and occupies 15,000 square feet on Cornwall...

Buffalo Audio Visual Services. (Business Notes) (Brief Article)
October 21, 1991... Buffalo Audio Visual Services was named an authorized dealer of Magnavox commercial and industrial video products.

Buffalo Wire Works Co. (Business Notes.) (Brief Article)
October 21, 1991... Buffalo Wire Works Co. has formed a new Buffalo Perforating Division to provide custom cutting and hole perforating of metal plate and sheet. Buffalo Wire Works was established in 1869 and is a manufacturer of woven wire cloth and a fabricator...

Comptek Research Inc. (Contracts awarded) (Brief Article)
October 21, 1991... The Navy has exercised an option with Comptek Research Inc. of Buffalo to extend two one-year contracts with a combined value of $4.8 million for work on an electronic defense system for surface combat ships.

Sierra Research Division. (Contracts awarded) (Brief Article)
October 21, 1991... Sierra Research Division of LTV Aerospace and Defense Co., Cheektowaga, has received a $9.5 million contract from the Navy to produce a shipboard data multiplex system which translates and transmits information for fire control, sonar...

Cannon. (Contracts awarded) (Brief Article)
October 21, 1991... Cannon of Grand Island has been named construction manager for the $25 million multipurpose athletic facility on Erie Community College's city campus, and construction manager for the Buffalo Board of Education's $20 million Early Childhood...

Birdair. (Contracts awarded) (Brief Article)
October 21, 1991... Birdair of Williamsville, in a joint venture with Chemical Fabrics Corp. of Merrimack, N.H., has been selected to fabricate and install the permanent architectural fabric roof on the main terminal building of the new Denver International...

Contour Erection & Siding Systems Inc. (Contracts awarded) (Brief Article)
October 21, 1991... Contour Erection & Siding Systems Inc. of Orchard Park submitted an apparent low bid of $228,402 to the state Department of Transportation to rehabilitate two bridges on I-190 over Conrail tracks and six over the state canal system in the towns...

D.A. Elia Construction Corp. (Contracts awarded) (Brief Article)
October 21, 1991... D.A. Elia Construction Corp. of Buffalo has been awarded a $401,000 contract by the Erie County Water Authority to construct a zebra mussel-control system in intakes at the authority's Sturgeon Point water treatment plant in Derby and...

Empire Systems International Inc. (Contracts awarded) (Brief Article)
October 21, 1991... Empire Systems International Inc., a Buffalo software company, has been awarded a contract by At Hoist Ltd. of Nokia, Finland.

Taylor Devices Inc. (Earnings and dividends) (Brief Article)
October 21, 1991... Second quarter, Aug. 31 (in thousands) 1991 1990 Revenues $1,492 $1,089 Net income (loss) $94 ($10) Earnings (loss) a share...

Tower Group International Inc. (Mergers) (Brief Article)
October 21, 1991... New name: Tower Group International Inc. Companies: Tower Group International Inc., W.G. Carroll Inc., Incar Inc., FLF Corp., W.N. Proctor Co. Inc., Proctor Transport Services Inc., Prime Time Freight Service Inc. and Castelaza & Associates...

F.N. Burt Co. Inc. (Mergers) (Brief Article)
October 21, 1991... New name: F.N. Burt Co. Inc. Companies: F.N. Burt Co. Inc. and Aresenal Packaging Services Corp. Filer: Damon & Morey

Afore Inc. (Mergers) (Brief Article)
October 21, 1991... New name: Afore Inc. Companies: Sevenson Captial Corp. and Afore Inc. Filer: Phillips Lytle et al

Office Express. (Business Notes) (Brief Article)
October 21, 1991... Office Express, a Buffalo-based shipping and delivery service, has expanded to include the Rochester and Syracuse markets. Rates are $40 for Rochester and $75 for Syracuse.

B&S Mini Storage. (Business Notes) (Brief Article)
October 21, 1991... James Cleary has opened B&S Mini Storage at 5255 Southwestern Blvd. to lease self-storage space for terms of one month and longer. The company occupies 17,000 square feet and has more than 150 units starting at 25 square feet.

Business Computer Answers Inc. (Business Notes) (Brief Article)
October 21, 1991... Business Computer Answers Inc., a 3-year-old Buffalo company specializing in installation of Novell networks and custom programming, has opened a Pittsburgh office to offer office automation consulting to small and midsized companies.

Cookie Expressions Inc. (Business Notes.) (Brief Article)
October 21, 1991... Cookie Expressions Inc. has opened a full-service bakery at The Commons on the University at Buffalo Amherst campus. The 4-year-old "cookie florist" also announced that it has moved its South Towns retail store to expanded space at 979 Union...

The Western Extension. (Business Note)
October 21, 1991... Square Thru Fashions of Tonawanda has changed its name to The Western Extension and added two lines of square dance and Western wear: personalized air brush designs and custom-made ballroom shoes. Owner is Diane Graves.

Copies Inc. (Mergers) (Brief Article)
October 21, 1991... New name: Copies Inc. Companies: Copies Inc. and Copies Leasing Corp. Filer: Lippes Kaminsky et al

SCC Contracting Inc. (Mergers) (Brief Article)
October 21, 1991... New name: SCC Contracting Inc. Companies: Afore Inc. and SCC Contracting Inc. Filer: Phillips Lytle et al

Transcontinent Record Sales Inc. (Mergers) (Brief Article)
October 21, 1991... New name: Transcontinent Record Sales Inc. Companies: Majestic Entertainment Corp. and Transcontinent Record Sales Inc. Filer: Saperston & Day

Economy is still in the hole as factors take a dip. (economic indicators)(includes related article)
October 14, 1991... The story in the Sept. 9 issue about the Business First Economic Index for July began with a simple question: "Could this be the real thing?" Today's report on the August index provides an even simpler answer: No. Hopes for a sustained...

Tiny town in Indiana becomes Great Lakes diversion test case. (Lowell, Indiana; New York regulations on water diversion)
October 14, 1991... Oct. 17 hearing set in Amherst on request All George Gray wanted was a nice, quiet solution to his town's water problem. Gray, town manager of Lowell, Ind., never dreamed that his plan would become a controversial test case for New York...

Marine says Moody's review lacks justification. (Marine Midland Banks Inc. under review for possible downgrading as reported by Moody's Investors Service Inc.)
October 14, 1991... A national investor rating company has placed Buffalo-based Marine Midland Banks Inc. and its parent, Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corp., under review for possible downgrading. The disclosure by Moody's Investors Service Inc. surprised two...

WNY health insurers seek increases in '92 premiums. (Western New York; 1992)
October 14, 1991... Proposed Health Insurance Rate Increases Current Proposed % change Blue Cross traditional plan $110.18 $130.34 18.3 Community Blue $270.41 $307.99 13.9 Health Care Plan ...

Route 17 incubators start Ceramic Corridor. (Alfred University and Corning Inc.'s plant to open ceramic industry incubators)
October 14, 1991... Alfred University and Corning Inc. plan to open their ceramic industry incubators in Alfred and Corning in January. Financed by the New York State Urban Development Corp., the incubators are expected to be the beginning of the Ceramic...

Arbitration cases are sentenced to limbo until funds unlocked.
October 14, 1991... Businesses and others waiting for an arbitrator to decide suits they filed in Buffalo City Court will have to wait longer. The arbitration program will come to a halt in Erie and Niagara counties at the end of the month, a victim of cuts in...