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Transportation, Distribution & Logistics
BEHIND THE NEWS: Hoosier stocks take flight, propelled by higher profits
May 14, 2007
Greg AndrewsMany Hoosier stocks are on a tear, posting year-to-date gains rivaling the numbers we saw in the frothy late 1990s, before
the Internet bubble burst. But market analysts say the comparison stops there. The companies posting gains are old-line manufacturers
like Cummins Inc., not dot-com startups built on hype. And the appreciation is built upon a solid foundation-rapid increases
in profit. Indeed, New York-based Citigroup noted that corporate profits are up 115 percent since the last recession ended
in the...
MoreBreaking bread, breaking down barriers: International Center pairs local hosts, visiting delegates to promote cultural understanding
May 14, 2007
Della PachecoInternational Center pairs local hosts, visiting delegates to promote cultural understanding When a group of Iraqi editors
and writers visited Indianapolis last summer as part of the U.S. State Department's International Visitor Leadership Program,
they learned about American journalism and Hoosier hospitality. Florence May, a member of the International Center of Indianapolis'
board and president of Simply Hospitality-an Indianapolis-based special-event planning company-hosted the group for dinner
in her home. May grew up in a military family and has lived throughout...
MoreTransit junkie boards IndyGo: New VP of operations hails from Columbus, Ohio's bigger bus line
May 14, 2007
Chris O\'malleyMilwaukee native Trevor Ocock figures his interest in transit dates to age 3. At least that's what his mother tells him. But
the transit bug overtook him at Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio, as he was earning a degree in business administration
and human resources management. Soon, he was washing buses for Ohio State University's transit line. Later, he drove an OSU
bus-met lots of ladies that way-and eventually became its operations manager. "I have always liked to be around...
MoreO'Reilly Auto Parts puts growth in high gear: Relationship with local track big part of plan for retail, distribution expansion
May 7, 2007
Anthony SchoettleFew Hoosiers had heard of O'Reilly Auto Parts before the Missouri-based company built a massive distribution center in Hendricks
County and bought the naming rights to Indianapolis Raceway Park last June. Now, the company, which was founded in 1957 and
went public in 1993, figures to become a major retail presence here. Already, 14 stores have cropped up here among 35 that
opened statewide. That makes 1,700 stores in 25 states for the company that reported revenue of $2.3 billion...
MoreBEHIND THE NEWS: Private equity players may be primping firms for IPOs
May 7, 2007
Greg AndrewsIt's an age-old strategy: A private equity firm buys a company, bolsters its performance, then pockets a tidy profit by taking
it public or selling it outright. Los Angeles-based Freeman Spogli & Co., the majority owner of Hhgregg Inc. the past two
years, last month revealed plans for a $170 million initial public offering for the consumer electronics retailer. You can
be sure other private equity firms that have scooped up local companies in recent years have the same exit...
MorePension changes fill state's VC coffer: Indiana Investment Fund has $155 million to pour into Hoosier companies
April 30, 2007
Peter SchnitzlerThe diversification of the state's two enormous public pension funds into private equity is transforming Indiana's venture
capital sector. And their $155 million Indiana Investment Fund is the largest factor in the equation. If it's successful,
the Indiana Public Employees' Retirement Fund and the Indiana State Teachers' Retirement Fund will save Hoosiers untold millions
of dollars and help launch a host of new high-tech companies. If it's not, taxpayers will one day have to foot the bill. Indiana
State Budget...
MoreATA parent sees potential in World Air, despite its woes: Impact of deal on Indianapolis headquarters unknown
April 23, 2007
Chris O\'malleyThe biggest acquisition in the 34-year history of ATA Airlines will steer it closer to its charter roots and further from
a scheduled-service binge that led to bankruptcy three years ago. Analysts say the $315 million deal to buy Atlanta-based
World Air Holdings will broaden the revenue base and bring economies of scale for ATA's newly renamed parent, Global Aero
Logistics. It also hands ATA a cargo business worth $100 million in 2005. The deal should give the Manhattan vulture...
MoreLocal companies get Taiwanese perspective: Butler University program brings 23 interns to Indy
April 16, 2007
Scott OlsonThe java stands Hubbard & Cravens Coffee Co. opened a year ago within Clarian Health Partners' three downtown hospitals are
brewing a rich aroma of results. Yet executives of the locally based coffee retailer and wholesaler know sales could be sweeter.
"The hospitals are so huge that we don't capture even a third of what we could," said Marcie Hubbard, director of store operations.
"So the question is, how do you reach everybody in that entire hospital?" The 23 Taiwanese...
MoreRelax, you better get used to it-it's only globalization: VOICES FROM THE INDUSTRY
April 16, 2007
Roger SchmennerGlobalization, like all sweeping economic trends, provokes a widespread disquiet. Specifically, we fear that somehow, if it
continues unchecked, people in the United States will lose their high-paying jobs and we will devolve into a lowwage service
economy. As China gains, we lose. To borrow a phrase from Thomas Friedman, they're frightened that the flattening of the world
economy will flatten us. It is true that traditional manufacturing jobs are fewer now than before. And, lots of things are
made...
MoreECONOMIC ANALYSIS: Jobs news is negative however you slice it
April 9, 2007
Patrick BarkeyWhat's the news on Indiana employment? Odd as it might seem, that phrase is almost a contradiction in terms. For while we
do receive very timely, detailed information on how many jobs are carried on Indiana employers' payrolls each month, the practical
challenges in keeping close tabs on the latest zigs and zags in the 3 million-strong Hoosier labor force make the interpretation
of the fresh data difficult. Only after the data have sat on the shelf for half a...
MoreWaiting for a sensible transportation plan: Commentary
April 9, 2007
Brian WilliamsThe Indiana Commerce Connector, those 75 miles of concrete through the Indiana countryside, was announced with great fanfare
at the start of the 2007 legislative session and recently disappeared with equal aplomb. Thanks to the efforts of state Rep.
Terri Austin, chairwoman of the House Roads and Transportation Committee, and the other members of that committee, the citizens
of Indiana had ample opportunity to express their opinions on Indiana's transportation needs. While the governor's specific
proposals for the Indiana Commerce...
MoreLonger Indiana State Fair could add corn dogs, cash: Extra days could boost sales by $1.3 million
April 9, 2007
Peter SchnitzlerBut extra helpings of your favorite fattening treats may be on their way. At its April 19 meeting, the Indiana State Fair
Commission will consider whether to add up to five more days to the fair, starting in 2008. "You'd have another weekend where
people can come out to partake in fair activities," said Indiana State Fair Commission Chairman Kyle Hupfer. "My guess is
you'd see some new folks come to the fair who wouldn't otherwise come." This year, fair...
MoreManagement's traffic cop: Administrative assistants play numerous roles, gain more respect
April 9, 2007
Marc D.As a girl, Lori Drzal dreamed of becoming a spy, a policewoman-something where she'd be helping others. Her father had different
ideas. "Become a secretary," he told her. "You'll always have a job." "Today," she said, "I think, 'Why did he tell me that?'
But ... I've always had a job. I've always grown in my jobs, and I've always been challenged." Drzal, 48, executive assistant
to Steak n Shake President and CEO Peter Dunn for the past four years,...
MoreTaliera switches strategy for buying underperforming brands of booze
April 9, 2007
Peter SchnitzlerTaliera Corp. plan to raise $60 million through an initial public offering was withdrawn March 27, but Taliera isn't going
away. It's simply trying a different approach. CEO J. Smoke Wallin said he and his team of eight beverage industry veterans
still believe their business plan is right.
MoreTask force to tackle big job: tallying infrastructure needs: Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce leads one-year study
April 2, 2007
Peter SchnitzlerIndianapolis hasn't attempted to systematically catalog all its infrastructure needs since 1991. Back then, the Greater Indianapolis
Chamber of Commerce collected a list of the most pressing local projects and presented it to Mayor Stephen Goldsmith. The
price tag at that time: $1.1 billion. A lot has changed in the 16 years since the Chamber released its Getting Indianapolis
Fit for Tomorrow report. Some problems it identified, such as the health risk of combined sewer overflows, have been partly
addressed....
MoreEYE ON THE PIE: Whom will the state subsidize next?
April 2, 2007
Morton MarcusLast week, I was walking on the Statehouse grounds and I saw some folks with large green pins on their lapels. "What do those
stand for?" I asked. "Small businesses need Electronic Gaming Devices" one wearer told me. "That's for bars," I commented.
The reply I got was not friendly. In the newspapers and on TV during the same week, there were features about horse breeders
"needing" more state subsidies from slot machines at racetracks to "keep the industry alive."...
MoreConcrete price-fixing case might not be wrapped up: Undisclosed state investigation delaying civil lawsuit
March 26, 2007
Peter SchnitzlerThe U.S. Department of Justice's highprofile, three-year investigation into price fixing in Indiana's concrete industry resulted
in one of the largest antitrust fines in history: $29.2 million against Greenfield-based Irving Materials Inc. The investigation
might not be over yet. The DOJ seemed to conclude its Indianapolis inquiry last month, finally closing the criminal case.
But a recent filing in a pending civil suit against IMI and its four former top executives hints the probe is continuing elsewhere.
This time, IMI...
MoreUniversity takes advantage of new design-build law: IU finishes its first building under construction process
March 26, 2007
Katie MaurerWhat do the Pyramids, the Great Wall of China and the Taj Mahal have in common? Each project was both designed and built by
the same people. Basically, they were among the first design-build projects in history. What seemed like a good idea hundreds
and thousands of years ago has been slower to take hold in modern times. These days, most construction projects are still
completed by separate entities-one that draws up the plans and another that brings those plans...
MoreMass-transit movement focuses on education: Passenger projections, search for director delay effort
March 26, 2007
Peter SchnitzlerEfforts to secure a mass-transit system for central Indiana are moving ahead. But not rapidly. Several mass-transit bills
are pending in the General Assembly-including one requiring the Indiana Department of Transportation to study building a rail
system from Indianapolis to Muncie, and another encouraging development of mass-transit systems across the state. But neither
is likely to result in immediate funding for a system serving Indianapolis commuters. Local mass-transit advocates still are
a long way from winning over lawmakers and others...
MoreMansur lands $50M midfield airport hotel
March 12, 2007
Jennifer WhitsonThe Indianapolis Airport Authority has tapped Mansur Real Estate Services Inc. to develop a $50 million-plus Westin hotel
at the new midfield terminal. But the hotel's final design may be one submitted by a former competitor, White Lodging Corp.
of South Bend.
MoreMixed-use project would transform Lawrence: Final piece of Fort Ben development includes residential, retail, offices
March 5, 2007
Cory SchoutenThe final piece of a decade-long redevelopment of Fort Benjamin Harrison would give Lawrence a new downtown with shops, offices
and public plazas mixed among as many as 1,000 condos, townhouses and apartments. The Fort Harrison Reuse Authority hasn't
settled on a name yet for the 88-acre project, but the quasi-governmental group's board is expected to approve zoning updates
this month that pave the way for the project. Public meetings will be held in March and April, and the first...
MoreNOTIONS Bruce Hetrick: A buck-a-pack increased tax for the health we lack
February 26, 2007
After our Valentine's Day wedding, my bride and I took a few days off for a brief New York City honeymoon. We walked nearly
everywhere, used public transportation when we wanted to go farther and bought our food and drink in jam-packed, smoke-free
restaurants and bars (the only kind there are in New York, thanks to a several-years-old, levelthe-playing-field, smoke-free
workplace law). I liked being able to dine anywhere and everywhere with clean indoor air. I liked the exercise from...
MoreVOICES FROM THE INDUSTRY: Coming to the defense of 'sprawl' in the suburbs
February 19, 2007
Brian MannSince World War II, strong public policies and economic conditions have led to booming homeownership in America, and rapid
expansion of a great highway transportation system has accelerated our country's suburbanization. We all know the story; we
are participants. In the 1960s, it was often referred to as the American Dream. Although never specifically defined, the American
Dream always included having a family, a reliable (maybe even cool) car, a nice home of one's own, and the freedom to work,...
MoreGuidelines target design of downtown development: New rules will protect urban character, supporters say
February 19, 2007
Scott OlsonDowntown developments soon will come under extra scrutiny, once new design guidelines are approved in the spring. Known as
Urban Design Indianapolis, the process of developing the criteria fell on the shoulders of several groups: the Department
of Metropolitan Development, Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana, Ball State University's architectural school and the
Urban Design Oversight Committee. The intent is not to mandate to developers that their buildings meet certain design standards,
but rather that the cosmetics coalesce with the existing...
MoreCross-border investment in real estate on the rise: Local brokerages playing a role in growing trend
February 19, 2007
Jennifer WhitsonIn 2006, $645 billion was sunk into real estate investments across the globe, according to a recent Cushman & Wakefield report.
Of that, $187 billion was sent across borders to invest. And companies everywhere are chasing the most cost-effective spots
to locate factories and needed hubs for office space. With all that cash changing hands, several locally based companies have
made sure they're positioned to help play a part. Take Indianapolis-based HDG Mansur, for example. In the field for 25...
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You guys have some "interesting" comments to say the least. I hope you will call in and share those opinions starting June 1. I'm looking forward to having you on the air.
For those who let this information strike a nerve, remember that this is still the America that allows the freedom to achieve dreams and goals. Should you really chastise those who are given a perk on a deal that is supported by the consumer (that is until they don't like the deal anymore due to envy) or should the dream of rewards for working be looked at a little closer? I say lets stick to the deal, go to work,earn our keep, shoot for dreams, change our jobs to have that dream or shut up about others achievements ..............while we are still afforded this liberty of America !
Three Magi
Cats out of the bag. The object of the game is to get acquired. That means the company has no idea how to grow beyond a certain point. Email is a 1990s technology. I have laughed at this company since day one. Such a small bit player. If it was anywhere but here, it wouldn't be newsworthy.
Esther, Indy has passed Chicago in the local government corruption arena. Don't downgrade us. We're No. 1 in the Midwest.