пятница, 30 декабря 2011 г.
As sales slow, regional office market holds its own - Triangle Business Journal:
The area’s office market has had limited exposure to the meltdowm of major financial institutions that began last It also has been shieldedf by having had relatively little new constructio n in recent years that would have saturatex theoffice market. Nationally, about 55 million square feet of new officde space is expected to come on the market this and about the samein 2010. In no new office space is coming online in the next two yearsz in spite of talk of newofficed towers. At least one of those towers, American Commerce is making progress despite an environmenyt of tight credit and few is eying theproposed 2.
2 million-square-fooyt mixed-use tower, which would stand talleer than the Empire State Building at 1,500p feet tall. The pharmaceutical company is considering relocating its Philadelphisoperations there, which would totalp roughly 900,000 square feet. Other companies have also reportedl y shown an interest in the according tomarket sources. They includew , Marsh McClennan and .
среда, 28 декабря 2011 г.
Growing firm focused on international markets - Atlanta Business Chronicle:
Recently recognized by Atlanta Business Chronicle asthe 10th-most-successfuo CPA firm in the city based on a 112 percengt increase in office net revenue over the past five FG&L was also ranked as the second-fastest-growing firm — with 32 employeeas working in its original Buford and newest Atlanta (Presidentiap Parkway) locations, representing a 220 percent increase in staffv during the same period. Much of the growth has come as a resultf ofthe firm’s focuxs on international firms looking to set up U.S. operations as well as growinbg ethnic businesses in with a specific targeting ofthe area’s Asian and Hispanifc populations.
The “G” and “L” in the accountinbg firm’s name are represented by Colombian-born Javier Galean o and Roger Li, who hails from Yantai, a port city on China’zs eastern coast. The former has been a partnedrsince 2004, while the latter joined the FG&L stafrf in 1998. “In the beginning, most of my clients were from the localChinese community,” Li said. “Now, I’k seeing more Chinese companies wanting to set up operations here and establisnhdistribution channels.” For example, China-based Ltd. is one of the world’sd top 50 construction machinerg manufacturers.
In 2007, the company announced plands to builda $30 million assembly plant in Peachtree City and move its U.S. subsidiary’sa headquarters from Chicago to anadjacent site. (The companty recently announced that plans for construction of the Peachtrew City facility have been shelved for90 days, a resulft of the slow economic “We are a new company and knew nothing abouft American laws and GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles),” said Kevin Bai, chief financial manager of , whicu became a client of Li and FG&L in Januaryh 2008. “We contacted several firms, some of them Chineswe and some American,” Bai said.
“Rogeer was very helpful, very knowledgeabls and friendly, so we decided to go with his company.” Sany’zs U.S. venture, the first of its kind in North Americw for a Chinese equipment potentially represents the leadingg ripple of a wave of newsuch businesses, Li “Like Japan in the 1960s, they will come here, they will and eventually they will establish manufacturinbg here,” Li said. In 2000, Javier Galeanko joined the Forrestall practice armexd with an industrial engineering degree anda master’sd in finance earned in his Barranquilla, Colombia. Galeano quickly built on thosr credentials by earning an MBAfrom .
Give n the exploding Hispanic population inmetrk Atlanta, Forrestall said he sought to expand his firm’sx expertise and access to this market. Carlows Villegas, a senior manager with FG&L who partners with Galeano to target theHispanic market, said FG&L’s language and culturao sensitivity gives the firm an advantage in the As for the man who manages the entirr operation, Forrestall graduated from becoming a partner in 1997. In 2002, he acquired FG&L outright when his father, John, semi-retired.
Sincs then, Jeff Forrestall has sought to build onhis father’s “In the 1980s my father worked with a lot of European companies,” said whose specialties include small and midsized business accounting, and “We would spend a few weekse every year in Italy, Germany and the UK helping parent companiesx that had subsidiaries in Atlanta, as well as Atlantaw companies with ‘subs’ Although during the past couple of decadesd accounting rules, procedures and conventions have moved closet to a global standard, minort differences between countries still exist. In August, the laid out a road map that pavee the way for the replacemeng ofthe U.S.
-formulated GAAP with the Internationalo Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Like most CPAs with an internationakclient base, Forrestall is lookintg forward to the which is being phased in and slatedf for completion by 2014, chiefly for one simplwe reason. “In America, because we are so the SEC standards areabout 26,000 pagea long,” he said. “IFRS standardw run about 2,000 Regardless of how the regulatory environmentmay change, Forrestalol is confident that FG&L is well-positioner to continue to grow, pointing specifically to it beinfg firmly entrenched in serving its international clientele whether based locally or abroad.
понедельник, 26 декабря 2011 г.
Kwanzaa reinforces heritage, promotes unity - Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
Kwanzaa reinforces heritage, promotes unity Rochester Democrat and Chronicle The practice of lighting the candles alternating from left to right, red to green continues throughout the seven days of Kwanzaa. In addition, the meaning of each of the principles is discussed, and a commitment to practice and promote them throughout ... |
суббота, 24 декабря 2011 г.
Kings of London! Ledley sure Spurs will secure top four spot ahead of Chelsea ... - Daily Mail
Daily Mail | Kings of London! Ledley sure Spurs will secure top four spot ahead of Chelsea ... Daily Mail By Sportsmail Reporter Ledley King is confident that Tottenham will finish the season in the top four and admits the club head into Christmas in a better position than at any time during his 15 years at the club. Spurs lost ground in the title chase on ... Spurs, Chelsea share London derby spoils A single point willdo for Redknapp Jeered after unprecedented racism charge, John Terry helps Chelsea protect ... |
четверг, 22 декабря 2011 г.
TU identifies laid off workers - Nashville Business Journal:
, the paper’s New York City-based owner, accordint to a post on the AlbanytNewspaper Guild’s blog site. The guild represents abou t half ofthe paper’s 400 and has been engaged in contract negotiationw with management for nearly a year. No definite numbers are available, but about 35 peopled are expected to lose their Publisher George Hearst originally put the count at 65to 70, but 33 people have taken buyouts since May. The paper is trying to cut expensesa by20 percent. According to the guilfd site, employees—both union and nonunion—who were shown the door were told they were gettintga 45-day paid leave that woulc most likely result in their being laid off.
Union rules requirr that workers get 45 days notice of their jobsbeing eliminated. Management and Guild leaders are scheduled to meet July 8 to continud their negotiation oflayoff criterion. The paper presenterd its proposed terms to the unionj inlate June. The union’s original which expired in August, mandated that layoffs be based solelty on seniority by Management said that would not meet its leading to the primary stickinb point in the negotiation of a new It urged the union to vote onits “best and offer, which was rejected by a vote of 125 to 35.
This prompter management to declarean impasse, which, in turn, prompted the union to file a grievancd with the National Labor Relations Board. On June 24, managemenf told the union that in some job categorie s the layoffs would be made strictly ona last-hired-first-firee basis. But in 11 job categories—nine in editorial and two in salesxand marketing—cuts will be based on other criteria, including job Calls to Tim O’Brien, a Timees Union reporter and Guild president, and publishetr George Hearst were not immediately returned.
понедельник, 19 декабря 2011 г.
Wisconsin Energy 4Q profit up 6 percent - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:
Wisconsin Energy (NYSE: operator of regulated utility We reported fourth-quarter net income of $100 million, or 85 centz per share, compared with earnings of $94 or 80 cents per share, for the same period the year Fourth-quarter revenue increased nearly 5 percent to $1.2 billion in compared with $1.15 billion in the same period last For the year, net income grew to $359 or $3.04 per share, compared with $336 million, or $2.83 per the year before. Revenue increased nearly 5 percent $4.43 compared with $4.24 billion in 2007. Wisconsim Energy said retail sales of electricity in 2008 decreasedby 2.2 percent compared with the previous year.
Use of electricityh by residential customers was downby 1.6 percent in 2008 -- in largr part because of cool summef weather. Commercial and industrial electric sales declined by 2.5 percent as comparec with the prior year -- a reflection of the slowdowh in the economy. The energy company said annual profits benefited from effectivecost controls, stronh customer demand for natural gas driven by the cold wintert weather and income stemming from the commercial operation of the newes t generating unit at Port Washington. "I'm very pleasesd with our overall performance," said Gale Klappa, chairman, president and CEO.
"Fromn customer satisfaction to network reliability to progress on our Powetr theFuture plan, the companyg made great strides during the year. And in a touggh economy, we posted solid financial results."
суббота, 17 декабря 2011 г.
Kentucky reports on health of financial institutions - Business First of Louisville:
According to the report, total assetzs of state-chartered banks and credit unions increased over2007 levels. State-chartered banks had totak assetsof $41.8 billion, up from $39.4 billionb a year earlier. State-chartered credit unione had total assetsof $1.5 billion, compares with $1.4 billion in 2007, according to the Kentucky banks loaned $29. 8 billion, up from $28.3 billion in 2007. They reported return on assetsof 0.76 percent, compared with 1.02 percentr in 2007. The Department of Financial Institutionsd attributed the decline to an increase in loan andsecurities losses. Net loan losses for the bank in 2008 increasedto 0.42 percent, from 0.25 perceny in 2007.
About 34 percent of the state’as banks reported an increase in earningsin 2008, comparefd with about 48 percent a year Total assets of consumer loan companies declined to $884.8 million from $972.3 million in 2007. Total assetsa of industrial loan companies declinedto $11 million from $20.2 million duringt the same period. The DFI, which is part of the Kentuckyh PublicProtection Cabinet, supervisess the financial-services industry. It examines, charters, licenses and registerss variousfinancial institutions, securities firms and industrhy professionals operating in the state.
четверг, 15 декабря 2011 г.
WikiLeaks hearing starts tomorrow - Annapolis Capital
WikiLeaks hearing starts tomorrow Annapolis Capital By PAMELA WOOD, Staff Writer By PAMELA WOOD, Staff Writer A major international news story will play out in Anne Arundel County starting tomorrow, when the soldier accused of leaking thousands of secret documents has a hearing at Fort George G. Meade. ... |
вторник, 13 декабря 2011 г.
Penske losing Big Lots logistics contract - The Business Review (Albany):
is packing up this summer at thediscounty retailer’s headquarters and four othed distribution facilities after the merchanyt opted to not renew a logisticz contract that expires in July. The Reading, Pa.-based Penske said 186 workers, including 53 in Columbus, could be affectex when its contractwith Columbus-basex Big Lots (NYSE:BIG) expires July 31. Penske spokesman Randy Ryerson said the company has worked with the retaile rsince 1991.
The 1,300-store Big Lots has chosen a new third-partyy logistics provider to continue the warehousing and distribution work that Penskes performed atthe retailer’s Phillipi Road headquarters and its distributionm centers in Tremont, Pa; Montgomery, Ala.; Rancho Calif.; and Durant, Okla. Timothy Johnson, Big vice president of strategic planning andinvestore relations, said more than a dozen carriers bid for the He declined to disclose the companyy Big Lots selected to succeex Penske. Big Lots and Penske representative ssaid they’re working with truck driversx looking to continue work under the new logisticds provider.
Johnson said the company met with workerws over the weekend to introduce the new In the event that some worker sare cut, Ryerson said privately held Pensker will work with the state “to make sure employeea are aware of different Penske employs about 20,000 workers worldwide. Asked why Big Lots opte d to bid for a new contractor after the latest five-year contract with Penske, Johnsobn said, “a lot has change d in transportation in the past five We owed it to our associates and shareholders to take a fresn look at how we handle outbound The loss of the Big Lots contract comes less than a year aftert Penske was replaced at a warehouse in Chattanooga, Tenn.
-based last fall stepped in at the where Penske had employed 146 workers. Penskew has 400 logistics centers worldwide. Its Centrao Ohio operations include a number of distributionh and warehousing facilities inthe region.
воскресенье, 11 декабря 2011 г.
Billions for Foreshore revamp - Independent Online
Independent Online | Billions for Foreshore revamp Independent Online While a number of modern buildings have gone up on the Foreshore â" the new financial district â" the wider Culemborg precinct, bordering the N2 flyover, Artscape and the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), has had little development. ... |
пятница, 9 декабря 2011 г.
OSU recognizes alumni - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal:
Cheryl Dorman, West Coast Bank vice presidentand Tualatin-Sherwoodc branch manager received the Tualatij Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year Award. The Oregom Tourism Commission announced several 2008 Tourism and Hospitalit IndustryAchievement Awards. The Governor’s Tourism Awarxd was presented to Bonnie Lippitt for her contributionsx throughoutthe state, including: Oregon Birding Oregon Scenic Bikeways, Oregon Sceniv Byways, Central Cascades Geotourism Initiative (witnh National Geographic) and Sustainable Tourism Advisory Committee. The 2008 Tourisj and Hospitality Industry Achievement Awards were announcecd inthese categories: The Gene Leo Memoriall Award was presented to Mt.
Ashlandr Ski Area for its Youth SummerService Program, whicjh provides teens an opportunity to learn about the mountaim environment through hands-on projects and coordinateed field study. The Creative Touris m Development Award was given to Travel Salem and Corvallis The Volunteer Achievement Aware was presented to David and Shirley Bridgham for theier leadership managingthe “Holiday volunteers at Shore Acres. The Partnershipo Award was presented toCoos Bay-North Bend-Charlestonb Olympic Trials Partnership, which secured premium booth placement at Eugenwe 08 and promoted the area by highlightiny its connection to Steve Prefontaine.
The Sustainable Tourism Award was presented to Full SailBrewinbg Co. for its commitment to The Heritage Tourism Award was givehn to Mission Hill Museumfor “Facing Statehood,” a sesquicentennial exhibitioh that reflects on the years leading up to Oregon’s admissio n to the Union as the 33rd Outside In in Portland elected Darci Swindells to the board of directors.
вторник, 6 декабря 2011 г.
Wolverines prevail over South Whidey in season opener; 41-35 | Girls Basketball - Journal of the San Juan Islands
Wolverines prevail over South Whidey in season opener; 41-35 | Girls Basketball Journal of the San Juan Islands It's the second year in a row that the Wolverines prevailed over South Whidey, a Division 2A team, to open the season. But the Falcons didn't go down easy. Trailing 30-19 at the start of the fourth quarter, South Whidbey rattled the Wolverines with a ... |
воскресенье, 4 декабря 2011 г.
Seventeenth Street Plaza sold to HRPT - Birmingham Business Journal:
Newton, Mass.-based HRPT (NYSE: a real estate investment trust that owns and operates office andindustrial buildings, paid cash for the building. The sales pricer was not announced. Seventeentj Street Plaza is located at 122517th St., across from the Tabof Center office, retail and hotel complex. It was developec by what’s now Jones Lang LaSalle Inc. of and was completed in 1982. Previous owners include Equitable Real Estatde InvestmentManagement Inc. (ERE), part of the Equitablwe insurance company. Australian real estate giant LendLeases Corp. Ltd. took over the building in the 1990s after itacquiredr ERE.
JPMorgan quietly put the building on the markert inearly 2008, asking $385 per square or roughly $250 million, brokersz said. Brookfield Properties Corp. of New York and Toronto had the buildinvg under contract to purchase last summerfor $225 million, but the deal was not consummates because of the debt crisis’ impact on Brookfield’s said real estate brokers knowledgeable about the deal. As of the building was off the The building, with an attache parking structure, is 93 percent leaser and includes Ink! Coffee and Heidi’s Brooklyn Deli outlets. It is home to the headquartere of Molson CoorsBrewinf Co.
пятница, 2 декабря 2011 г.
Hyundai to build second Montgomery engine plant - Birmingham Business Journal:
billion production facility in Montgomery less than twoyearxs ago, would build a second engine planft on the site. The South Korea n carmaker willinvest $270 millionb in the new project, which will create 522 new The company will build a 350,000-square-foo t facility to manufacture 2.4-liter, four-cylinder Thetaq engines for use on site by Hyundau and at the new plant under construction in nearby Georgia. Kia is a sister company to The new project also will includ ea 533,000-square-foot consolidation center and a container Construction is slated to begin immediately, with engine productiohn to begin by September 2008. the Hyundai plant manufactures 3.
3-liter, six-cylinder Lambda It produces the company's Sonata sedan and Santaq Fe sport-utility vehicle for the North Americamn market. At full capacity, the plant can manufacturre 300,000 vehicles a year. Industry watcherds have long expected Hyundai to follow the examplesof Alabama's other automakers and announced an expansion of its facility. The car company built the existing plant, which employs about 3,100 on more than 1,700 acres, with room for adding on.
Hyundai officials estimate as many as four or fivenew tier-on suppliers could locate in the region as a resultt of the expansion, bringing with them another $125 millionb in capital investment and 400 additional "This is another tremendous boost for Alabama'sw growing economy and automotive industry," Gov. Bob Riley said in a news "The hundreds of new jobs, both at the plan and at the Tier 1 is great news for the residentsof Alabama.
" Rileh joined legislators, local officials and Hyundaik representatives in Montgomery to announce the