Wednesday, February 02, 2000
TRISTATE BUSINESS SUMMARY
45,000 sign up for Any Distance
In the two weeks since Cincinnati Bell launched its new Any Distance long-distance service, it has signed more than 45,000 customers, the unit of Broadwing Inc. said Tuesday.
That represents about 7 percent of the households in Cincinnati Bell's service area and about 14 percent of the 330,000 customers it set as a goal to be signed up for the service by March 30.
Any Distance is unusual among long-distance offers in that it provides 30 minutes free each month and one free month to customers who sign up by March 30.
Anti-slamming laws require all customers, including those already receiving local telephone service from Cincinnati Bell, to designate Any Distance as their long distance provider if they want the service.
Valeo to cut 12% of workers elsewhere
Valeo SA, Europe's second-largest car-parts maker, will cut about 12 percent of its work force and move some manufacturing to Eastern Europe and Latin America as it struggles with declining profitability.
A division of the industrial giant, Valeo Climate Control Corp., makes automotive heating and cooling components at a plant at Symmes Road and Ohio 4 Bypass, Butler County. The plant employs 285 and will not be affected by layoffs elsewhere, said James O'Neill, plant manager.
The Paris-based maker of clutches, gearboxes and heating systems said it will take charges of 700 million euros ($679 million) over the next two years to eliminate about 6,000 U.S. and Western European jobs.
New leaders announced for two Milacron units
Milacron Inc. Tuesday named two new executives to head its Widia cutting tool insert business in Germany and Uniloy Milacron, its Manchester, Mich., blow molding systems business.
Roland E. Bechtel, formerly general manager of Ferromatik Milacron, the company's European plastics injection molding machine operation, was named chairman of the managing board of Widia in Essen, Germany.
Martin Lakes, senior vice president of operations at Manitowoc Cranes and a former Milacron executive, was named to succeed James R. King as president of Uniloy. Mr. King will remain with the company on an interim basis to aid the transition.
Hoffmann Sausage picks two for board
John Kinsella, a culinary professor at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, and Myron M. Kilgore, a local educator and coach, have been named to the board of directors of Hoffmann Sausage Co., a West End sausage and ham manufacturer.
Privately held Hoffmann, which employs 35, said 1999 revenues increased 7 percent, fed by a 10 percent gain in fourth-quarter sales.
California clothier coming to Tower Place
Tower Place at the Carew Tower has signed a California specialty retailer to open on the second floor of the mall, replacing European specialty chain Mondi, which went out of business in November.
Georgiou Studio, based in San Francisco, specializes in private-label contemporary clothing. Its founder and owner, Cyprus-native George Georgiou, directs the design of all his apparel lines. The new store could open as soon as this week.
— From staff and wire reports
Taft's gift rooted in history
VP leaving P&G for seminary
Clubs make deals happen
Big Sky sold; one store closed
Roberds dismissing 7 execs
INDUSTRY NOTES: RETAILING
Price hikes called danger
TRISTATE BUSINESS SUMMARY
