Business & Economy
Don't expect major tax law changes anytime soon
By KATHLEEN PENDER
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Cutting taxes has been a preoccupation of the Bush administration, with a significant tax bill coming almost every year. But many of the cuts implemented during his presidency are set to expire between now and 2010.
How to stay away from legal fees
By BRUCE FREEMAN
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Q: Dear Professor Bruce: I dislike lawyers. What can I do in my business to make sure members of my family will not get into arguments that cause my business to have to pay a lot of legal fees?
A: Disputes among family members in a family owned business can easily cost thousands or even millions of dollars in legal fees, and result in incalculable damage to family relationships.
Las Vegas looks to alternative fuels for city fleet
By MARK HANSEL
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
The pumps with the peculiar nozzles and large white tanks behind them tell you this is not just another gas station.
Yet this refueling station behind the Clark County Library is where most of the city of Las Vegas' vehicles fill up _ though, significantly, not with gasoline.
Target, Salvation Army compromise on bell ringers
By STEVE ALEXANDER and CHRIS SERRES
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Target Corp. and the Salvation Army have reached a compromise over a long-running dispute over whether to allow bell ringers in front of Target stores.
For the third consecutive year, Target will ban bell ringers outside its stores because of its no-solicitation policy.
Krispy Kreme looks for sweet return overseas
By M. PAUL JACKSON
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc. plans to significantly expand operations into other countries, even as it dials back its presence domestically.
Krispy Kreme said in a recent filing to regulators that it plans to develop about 200 stores overseas over the next five years, including markets in Asia, the Middle East and Western Europe.
The company had announced plans earlier this year to expand internationally, but gave a clearer picture of those plans, and the number of potential new stores, in its annual filing to the Securities and Exchange Commission.
"Based on continued research and experience with international stores, the company is focusing international development primarily in potential markets," overseas, the company said.
According to the filing, Krispy Kreme is also hiring more workers to help with its planned expansions.
Oklahoma firm sues Disney, Mattel over Toys
By PAUL MONIES
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
An Oklahoma toymaker has put up a roadblock against media giant The Walt Disney Co. and its hit movie "Cars," alleging trademark infringement.
In a federal lawsuit filed last month in Oklahoma City, Collectible Promotional Products Inc.
Firms seek to boost Mexican recycling
By SANFORD NAX
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
One of the largest electronic recycling companies in California is hooking up with a Mexican partner to open operations south of the border.
Electronic Recyclers of Fresno will partner with the Burillo Azcarraga Group to develop Electronic Recyclers International Mexico, a joint venture that eventually could recycle up to 120 million pounds of used televisions, computer monitors, cell phones and other electronic waste per year, said John Shegerian, chief executive of Electronic Recyclers.
Many of those consumer goods contain harmful products such as mercury and lead, which can leach into ground water and have been banned from landfills in California.
Cell phone companies race for developing markets
By TAVIA GRANT
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
More than two billion people in the world have a cell phone. But for the world's largest mobile phone companies, a new race has begun for the next billion.
Most growth will come from the developing world, which already has more cell phones than now exist in the industrialized countries.
"By 2008, there will be over three billion people using mobile communications," said Johanna Liukkonnen, Nokia Corp.'s industry marketing manager.
Some firms spend wisely on research, development
By TOM ABATE
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
At Google, engineers are encouraged to spend a good portion of their time coming up with ideas. At Apple Computer, the focus is on catering to the customer with industrial design.
Heinz hangs on to top spot in satisfaction survey
By TERESA F. LINDEMAN
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
In what could provide fodder for board room discussions at the H.J. Heinz Co., the Pittsburgh ketchup company held onto its place atop a customer satisfaction index _ while showing just enough weakness to send up a few flags.
Heinz still ranks number one on the American Customer Satisfaction Index's update of the manufacturing/non-durable goods sector.
