Business Digest
Home-based businesses in Agency will get a chance to display their wares at the first Home-Based Businesses exhibit in the Agency Community Center on Friday.
The event is set for 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and admission is free. Demonstrations will be held throughout the day. Vendors will include Pampered Chef, Home Interior, Longaberger and Mary Kay.
For more information, call Stacy Furbee at (269) 100-6833.
St. Joseph
The union representing nine press operators at the St. Joseph News-Press met Tuesday night but appears no closer to averting an April 30 strike.
The Graphic Communications International Union Local 15C did not vote on a company contract proposal, said Charles Lyon, president of the union local. The company’s proposal, which included a 2 percent wage increase, went nowhere during a collective bargaining meeting last week.
“Everything remains as it is. There was just a lot of discussion,” Mr. Lyon said. “I guess if nothing changes, there will be a strike on the 30th.”
Lee Sawyer, the newspaper’s general manager, said he’s hopeful the rank-and-file will vote on the company’s latest contract proposal.
Portland, Ore.
Northwest Pipe Company reported increased sales and earnings for the first quarter of 1999.
Sales increased to $57.5 million compared to $38.2 million in the first quarter of 1998. The company recorded net income of $2.6 million, a 53 percent increase from the first quarter of 1998.
The company attributes the increased sales and earnings to improved market conditions.
Northwest Pipe operates a manufacturing facility in Atchison, Kan.
Dayton, Ohio
Earnings for Mead were down in the first quarter of 1999, while sales were up slightly.
Mead reported earnings of 22 cents per share as opposed to 29 cents per share in the first quarter of 1998.
Net sales improved 3 percent to $863.2 million in the first quarter, compared to $839 million in the first quarter of 1998.
Mead’s coated board system, specialty paper division, Gilbert Paper and Investees all had improved financial results, offsetting lower prices and operating difficulties in the containerboard division and lower prices for coated paper and school and office products. Mead operates a manufacturing facility in St. Joseph.
