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Vol. 13 No. 14
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Briefs in this week's issue
• Fiserv promotes five within Customer & Channel Management unit • West Gate Bank appoints Bauer • ACEC/N adds board members, appoints new officers to group • Blue Cross and Blue Shield adds Hoefener to sales staff in state • Schemmer appoints Rossman • Peterson, Levic promoted within Swanson Russell’s Lincoln office • A-FAN names Holoubek director Special Section: Architecture Retirement & Senior Issues |
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Here is brief summary of our feature stories.
by Matrissa Leggett
Garner Industries in Lincoln experienced single-digit sales growth for the company overall in its fiscal year ending April 30, according to Scott McLain, president. The company is made up of three core areas: manufacturing, CNC machining and plastic injection molding.
According to McLain, the manufacturing segment of the company, which designs, manufactures and sells the BinMaster product line of level controls, had its highest level of growth reaching a historic sales record, and is the largest revenue-generating portion of Garner Industries.
He said there were several key drivers for the increase. One factor is that the company has invested in sales and marketing to create new international markets. McLain said the company hired a sales manager for South America and invested in setting up distribution in China. The company is doing business in Turkey, Chili, Mexico, China, India and Russia, in addition to other places worldwide.
Bio Nebraska elevated to major industry player with bioscience’s potential in state
by Michelle Leach
Bioscience is being positioned alongside well-established statewide industry powerhouses like ag and manufacturing, as the Nebraska Department of Economic Development lists it as a “target industry,” due to its potential for growth. And wind is already at the bioscience sector’s metaphorical back, according to Amy Recker, executive director of the Bio Nebraska Life Sciences Association.
“In Nebraska our rate of growth in the bioscience industry is 19.2 percent, and that’s between 2001 and 2008,” Recker said, citing a joint report released in May by global biotech partner BIO and research firm Battelle. “Nationally, [the rate] is 15.8 percent.”
Omaha-based Bio Nebraska supports employers throughout the state in four industry subsectors: agricultural feedstock and chemicals, drugs and pharmaceuticals, medical devices and equipment, and research, testing and medical laboratories. Its member-entities include educational institutions like Creighton University and the University of Nebraska system, government organizations like NDED and the Nebraska Ethanol Board, and businesses like GreenLeaf Genetics, Monsanto Co., Merck & Co., Pfizer, Streck and Novozymes.
Mapes Architectural Panels focusing on education, green building sectors
by Matrissa Leggett
Mapes Architectural Panels, a division of Mapes Industries in Lincoln, had a record year in 2008 followed by a strong year in 2009 according to Jay Marshall, president. He said multiple factors have contributed to the company not feeling the effects of the down economy, including its focus on the education sector.
The division manufactures laminated infill glazing panels, which it sells and distributes to glass and glazing subcontractors and window manufacturers. The majority of its customer base is within the continental United States, but it also has customers located in Canada and Puerto Rico.
According to Marshall, the division has about 4,000 customers listed in its database. In addition to an inside sales force, the division also has 15 independent manufacturer representatives across the country.
Expanded location leads to more sales for Open Harvest Cooperative Grocery
Open Harvest Cooperative Grocery has increased total store sales by nearly 22 percent following the expansion of the store in October 2009 — from 3,300 square feet...
Trade A Tape Comic Center marks 35 years as downtown niche store
by Tiffany Gann
Marking its 35th year, Trade A Tape Comic Center has held strong in the niche market of comic books with only one competitor in Lincoln...
Demand for accountants set to rise as changes to standards anticipated
by Michelle Leach
Within eight years, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics expects nearly 280,000 more accounting and auditing jobs will have been added...
Recycling Enterprises of Nebraska set to add new cities for residential pickup
by Matrissa Leggett
Recycling Enterprises of Nebraska is growing its client base and expanding its geographic territory, but has been challenged by the instability of the markets...
Trade show exhibitors paying close attention to displays, watching costs
by Lori McGinnis Black
Exhibiting at trade shows still is a viable option for many companies looking to meet new prospects, but more firms are paying closer attention...
Euphoria sees business increasing through sales, added awareness
So far this year, business is up by 20 percent over what it was two years ago for Euphoria, a specialty retail clothing, jewelry and home accents store in Lincoln...
Anonymous Men’s Apparel aims to appeal to wide range of clients
by Matrissa Leggett
Connie Liesemeyer had been helping a friend who owned a women’s boutique in north Lincoln when she recognized the need for a retail store featuring men’s clothing.
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