Claas boosts production staff to meet ag demand
by Michelle Leach

Out of its 200,000-square-foot headquarters at 8401 S. 132nd St., Claas of America designs and develops machines aimed to save farmers time and money; demand for such products has led the company to hire production staff in the last two years, boosting the size of its local staff to 100, according to Maury Salz, president of Claas Omaha.
“As fuel and fertilizer prices continue to rise, we must develop machines that can do more work in the same amount of time while trying to minimize operating costs,” Salz said.
The Omaha plant and offices represents the North American headquarters for Claas, according to the Claas of America site. Manufacturing, engineering, sales, marketing, HR and accounting tasks are performed out of this location. The site also reports that Claas physical presence in Omaha goes back to 1997, when a joint venture between the company and Caterpillar brought the Lexion combine to Caterpillar dealers and North American farmers. Manufacturing of these combines first started in Omaha out of a temporary facility, it reads, and in 2001 production was moved into what the company calls “one of the most modern combine production plants worldwide.”


Cetac Technologies adapts to serve evolving needs of laboratory clients
by Richard D. Brown

By rolling out its new ASX-7000 auto-sampler platform four months ago, Omaha-based Cetac Technologies has entered new markets worldwide that need liquid chromatography-based chemical analysis.
Cetac Technologies, a 23-year-old Omaha-based firm with customers worldwide and about $15 million in annual revenues, is seeking to diversify its output of sampling equipment used in public and private testing laboratories throughout the world.
The company makes sample handling and sample introduction equipment for elemental analysis.
“We like to develop one major product with a new platform each year and we roll out four to six different models per year,” CEO Bill Ahern said.


Woods Bros Realty of Lincoln breaks sales record in 121st year in industry
by Michelle Leach

In May, Woods Bros Realty’s associates closed about 14.5 percent more units than the same time the year prior, boosting dollar volume by nearly 11 percent to $51 million. This growth came off of a record-setting month for the 121-year-old Lincoln-based real estate company, according to Managing Broker Gene Ward, who oversees the Lincolnshire office.
“Sales taking place in April exceeded any month ever for both Woods Bros Realty and the entire Lincoln real estate market,” Ward said, noting these pending sales were driven by the first-time homebuyers credit, and contributed to the high rate of closings that later occurred in both May and June. In April, according to the site’s blog, Woods Bros agents sold on average more than 10 homes daily. “Those transactions all needed to be closed by the end of June to qualify for the stimulus that was provided by the government.”
Before government incentives to increase buying activity were even a thought, the business was growing; Ward said it added an office in York about three years ago. Aside from the Lincolnshire office at 7141 A St., its other capital city sales locations are at 7100 S. 29th St. and 3737 S. 27th St.



Increased support services lead to revenue growth for EFrame
by Michelle Leach

EFrame has always had a help desk throughout its 10-year-history, but it didn’t always have a focus on “live answer” — an immediate resolution to a question, delivered by a human technician...

Lincoln’s Empyrean Brewing increases capacity, broadens its distribution areas
by Matrissa Leggett

Empyrean Brewing Co. of Lincoln has added 15 counties in central Iowa and the state of South Dakota to its market by signing with new distributors late last year and in early 2010...

EMS Billing Services grows as more ambulance services outsource billing
by Matrissa Leggett

EMS Billing Services began in 1997 as a home-based operation with founder and CEO Leslie Vaughn as the sole employee. Today the Omaha company...

Daake aims to assist clients through branding, creative design work
by Barbie Mully

“In a world full of people only some want to fly,” reads a sign in the office of Daake Design, a full service branding and design studio founded in 2001 by Greg Daake...

Midtown associations partner to continue revitalization, boost area businesses
by Tiffany Gann

Businesses and developments are popping up left and right in Midtown Omaha. Buzz around Midtown Crossing at Turner Park has put the area under the spotlight...

Surety Technologies boosts staff to accommodate demand for solutions
by Michelle Leach

A year-and-a-half ago, Omaha-based Surety Technologies was featured locally in a publication’s franchise on business makeovers. At the time, several suggestions were made...

Omaha’s Thompson Law Office plans to develop additional focuses in firm

Thompson Law Office in Omaha plans to add to its areas of practice during the next year to round out the firm, according to managing attorney Ben Thompson...

MITA provides members with education to enhance business strategies
by Matrissa Leggett

As changes in legislation occur or other events come about that may affect international trade in the Midwest, the Midwest International Trade Association keeps member companies informed...

Trade A Tape Comic Center of Lincoln adapts throughout 35 years in industry
by Tiffany Gann

Marking its 35th year, Trade A Tape Comic Center in Lincoln has held strong in the niche market of comic books with only one competitor in the capital city...

LK Design makes move to Omaha after establishing Nashville design business
by Tiffany Gann

After establishing himself in Nashville as an interior designer with an eye for contemporary design, Lester Katz immediately took to Omaha after making the move in April...

Avant Salon & Day spa gaining clientele from salon services, product offerings
by Matrissa Leggett

Avant Salon & Day Spa is regaining ground in 2010 after experiencing about a 6 percent drop in business during 2009, said owner Kim Mandolfo. She said that the salon and spa is seeing an increase...