Port Traffic Mixed
For September, the Port of Los Angeles has posted its best monthly numbers in two years. But neighboring Long Beach port reported a small decline in cargo traffic.
Railroad Operator Chugs Away on Port Project
BNSF still seeks public approval of 2005 yard proposal.
In 2005, when BNSF Railway Co. started planning a rail yard a few miles north of the Port of Los Angeles, the railroad operator hoped the new facility would open by this year.
Making Tracks
Anschutz company rolls vintage rail cars into downtown L.A.
Philip Anschutz’s American Railway Express makes tracks to L.A. to line up party rentals for its three vintage cars.
In Stitches
Leather upholsterer hopes to sew up used-car market
Leather upholsterer seeks to get more skin in the game by expanding from new- to used-car market.
Roski's Majestic Interested in San Pedro’s Ports O’Call
The Port of Los Angeles has released the names of eight developers that have expressed interested in redeveloping San Pedro’s Ports O’Call Village, a restaurant and retail development owned by the Port of Los Angeles. Ed Roski's Majestic Realty Co., which hopes to lure an NFL franchise to City of Industry, is on the list.
Contractor Seeks Shot in Arm From Medical Work
EXPANSION: Premio sees healthy growth making parts for variety of equipment.
For most of its 22-year history, Premio Inc. has assembled custom computers and built screens into machines – like Redbox movie rental kiosks.
Touchy Subject
MANUFACTURING: Fuhu takes on titan Toys R Us in fight for tykes’ tablet market. A victory could be short-lived.
Maker of kids’ tablet squares off in court against Toys R Us and its rival device.
In the Bag
QTrade’s Manik Jayakumar saw his future in tea leaves despite his parents encouraging him to be a doctor.
Tea importer Manik Jayakumar applies some heat to Americans’ love for the iced variety.
Carson Cable Manufacturer Acquired by British Private-Equity Firm
A London private equity firm said it has acquired Coast Wire & Plastic Tech Inc., a Carson company that manufactures custom cables and wires.
Truckers Want Break on Audits
SHIPPING: Companies say Teamsters driving reviews.
Port trucking companies suspect labor sympathies are driving recent state and federal audits of businesses.
Fashion Company Proves Good Fit for Investors
CLOTHING: Renovation of stores, improved inventory boosts American Apparel.
American Apparel shares hit 52-week high as CEO Dov Charney fashions a comeback.
Port Can’t Navigate Acquisition of Headquarters
REAL ESTATE: Purchase of Legacy Partners tower stalls amid infighting.
Nearly a year after Long Beach harbor commissioners deadlocked on a plan to move port headquarters into a downtown office building, the port isn’t any closer to finding a new home.
Heimlich Device Tough To Swallow?
Maker of anti-choking product hopes buyers go with their guts.
Company hopes customers get all choked up over its Heimlich Helper.
Inside the Box
SHIPPING: Shipito.com is connecting with online shoppers looking to send packages overseas.
Shipito sees its overseas service as a package deal for online shoppers.
Berth Pains
Long Beach port expansion could sink businesses
Cargo expansion plans could torpedo a longtime eatery and other businesses at Long Beach port.
Barbie Boards Cruise Line For Marketing Adventure
Hospitality: Royal Caribbean offering Mattel doll package at premium.
Mattel’s Barbie is hitting the high seas on board a themed cruise from Royal Caribbean.
Port Traffic Dips in L.A. But Increases in Long Beach
After solid growth for most of the year, cargo traffic at the Port of Los Angeles dipped slightly in August, according to figures released Friday. Traffic was up at the neighboring Port of Long Beach, which has seen its cargo numbers decline in most months this year.
In Plane Sight
AVIATION: Lancaster surveillance service looks to land contracts from other cities.
Civilian surveillance service pursues eye in the sky dreams in cities beyond Lancaster.
Born And Bread For Buns
King’s Hawaiian finally sweet on hot dogs, hamburgers.
Bread maker King’s Hawaiian is on the rise with the launch of buns for hot dogs and hamburgers.
Long Way Down
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A few weeks ago, Fasha Mahjoor looked down from the top of an eight-story building and had quite a fright.
Bike Company Sharing More Than Pedal Power
KIOSKS: Long Beach to get some of Bike Nation’s profits; L.A. might, too.
A new bike-share system should be up and running in Los Angeles a few months before a similar system rolls out in Long Beach – but it looks like Long Beach might have gotten a better deal.
Foreign Exchange
MANUFACTURING: Commerce company exports mattresses to address Chinese consumers’ worries about product safety.
Nova Lifestyle in Commerce is exporting its mattresses to – surprise – China, where buyers are concerned about their own country’s product safety.
L.A. Airport Traffic Rises Slightly
The number of passengers flying through Los Angeles International Airport continued to rise in July, keeping the airport on pace for its best year since the recession.
Chip Maker Finally Goes All In on Plant Shutdown
ELECTRONICS: Closing of International Rectifier facility first floated in 2009.
Three years ago, El Segundo chip maker International Rectifier Corp. had slumping sales and announced plans to shut down its manufacturing plant in that city.
Cooling Off?
Solar ranch nears launch as large projects lose sizzle
ENERGY: Sun could be setting on large-scale projects such as First Solar’s facility outside of Lancaster.
Cargo Traffic Up at L.A. Port, But Down Again at Long Beach
After a hiatus in June, familiar trend reemerged at the local ports last month: growth in cargo traffic at the Los Angeles harbor, but shrinkage in neighboring Long Beach.
Overhill Shares Get Cooking Amid Transaction Talk
Shares of Vernon frozen food manufacturer Overhill Farms Inc. surged Tuesday, a day after the company announced it has hired investment banking firm Piper Jaffray & Co. to help it evaluate potential acquisition offers and other deals.
Airport Agency Hopes to Land Energy Business
LAWA pitches property in Palmdale for use as wind or solar farm.
For decades, the nearly 18,000 acres of Palmdale land purchased by Los Angeles World Airports for the future home of a massive air terminal has instead been home to nothing but an expanse of Joshua trees and desert scrub.
Some Landowners Not On Board With Railcar Tax
Vote by downtown residents to decide levy for new line.
Some downtown L.A. landlords are railing against proposed tax to pay for a new streetcar line.
Gas, Oil Power Turbine Maker
Capstone charges into industry to boost sales
Capstone has spun oil and gas companies into the biggest clients for its turbines.
Downtown Streetcar Clears Hurdle
The plan to build a streetcar in downtown Los Angeles picked up speed Tuesday when the Los Angeles City Council called for a special election that could create a taxing district for the project.
Passenger Traffic at LAX Picks Up Speed
Passenger traffic continued to grow last month at Los Angeles International Airport, which is on pace to handle more passengers than it has since before the recession.
Ground Force
Solid Terrain launches D.C. offensive for its 3-D physical maps.
Solid Terrain maps out strategy to line up more customers for its 3-D physical models.
Implantable Lens Maker’s Investors Eye the Door
Shares of Staar lose their shine after disappointing quarter.
Shareholders don’t like what they see after implantable lens maker Staar’s disappointing quarter.
Cleaning Up
Astro Pak turns sights to Earth for new customers
Astro Pak turned to new industries to unearth customers for its cleaning services used by the Apollo moon program.
Tea Maker’s Santa Fe Springs Exit Was in Leaves
RELOCATION: QTrade moves to Cerritos with eye on future expansion.
You’ve probably never heard of QTrade International Corp., but if you’ve ever strolled down the tea aisle at Whole Foods Market, you’ve probably seen the company’s products.
Making Grade
Chief Executive Marco Petruzzi has learned to live with angry foes of Green Dot’s charter schools.
INTERVIEW: CEO Marco Petruzzi says the LAUSD could learn a lot from Green Dot’s charter schools
Loser in LAX Concession Competition Files Protest
The fight for duty-free stores at Los Angeles International Airport started in earnest on Thursday, with Swiss retailer Nuance Group alleging airport staff improperly favored rival DFS in its bid to hold on to airport shops.
L.A., Long Beach Ports Report Improved June
Cargo volumes at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach rose in June, though the two ports continue to see disparate trends.
Down to Earth
Rocketdyne’s energy units could help fuel sale
Rocketdyne hopes its emerging energy technology helps fuel acquisition interest.
Investors See Shares of Jean Makers as Poor Fit
APPAREL: True Religion and Guess stock tumble after slow Levi’s sales.
Slow sales for Levi’s wears on investors’ confidence in local jeans makers
Weakening Economy Saps Strength From Industrial Stronghold
The San Gabriel Valley’s industrial market absorbed more than 1 million square feet of space in the final quarter of last year and the first of this year as businesses prepared to meet the demands of an improving economy.
Long Beach Loses Lift Amid Departures by Aerospace Firms
Downtown Long Beach and the city’s airport are separated by just a few miles, but the office markets in those two areas are quickly moving in opposite directions, reflecting broader changes in the local economy.
DFS Gets Staff Nod at LAX
The current operator of duty-free shops at Los Angeles International Airport has been recommended by airport staff to continue in that role over seven competitors.
SpaceX Fires Up South Bay Real Estate Market
Aerospace: Elon Musk firm takes104,000 square feet next to its headquarters.
News & Analysis: Space Exploration Technologies Corp. made big headlines for a successful spaceflight in May.
Lancaster Takes Shine to Solar Power
Energy: City likes revenue but some see private-public conflict.
ENERGY: Lancaster charges into solar deals to power up city revenue.
North Korean Missed Opportunity
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North Korea may not sound like a dream destination for most people, but then globe hopper Mickey Kantor isn’t most people.
Labor Tide Rolls Into Long Beach
Port PLAs could sink nonunion contractors.
Nonunion contractors look to stem tide of project labor agreements at Long Beach port.
Coffee Maker Aims to Perk Up Sales
Rival roasters force Farmer Bros. to brew premium line.
Coffee maker Farmer Bros. hopes to light a fire under sales and its stock with a specialty line.
Long Beach Port Looks to Shore Up Rail Lines
Third track near docks planned to speed cargo east.
The Port of Long Beach will soon start building almost five miles of railroad track near the docks, a move to ease congestion and speed cargo to points east.
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