Forge parent posts loss

Allegheny Technologies Inc., parent company of Portland Forge, reported first quarter sales of $987.3 million and a loss from contributing operations of $18.1 million. That compares to net income of $9.7 million on sales of $1.1 billion in the same quarter of 2013.
“As we began 2014, we were cautiously optimistic that business conditions would gradually improve as we move through the year,” Rich Harshman, chairman, president, and chief executive officer, said in a prepared statement.
“Our first quarter results and our near-term outlook are consistent with that view. While the first quarter was challenging, business conditions improved as the quarter progressed. As we enter the second quarter, we are seeing meaningful signs of continued improvement.”
Earlier this month, ATI closed its LaPorte iron castings facility, which it had been trying to sell. That will result in about $2 million in closure costs, primarily severance, in the second quarter.

Office 2013 class
Ivy Tech Corporate College and John Jay Center for Learning will be offering a class of Microsoft Office 2013 from 8 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, May 20.
Cost for the class at John Jay is $79. The deadline for registration is May 13.
To register, contact Carolyn Carducci at John Jay at 260-729-5525, extension 223, or via email at [email protected].

Seminar set
The first Jay County Chamber of Commerce business seminar of 2014 is set for 8 to 10 a.m. on May 14. Tom Steiner of the East Central Indiana Small Business Development Center will present “Is Your Business Running You?”  
For more information, contact Dean Sanders, executive director of the chamber, at 260-726-4481.

Partnership formed
Meridian Health Services and IU Health Ball Memorial Physicians have announced a pediatric services partnership.
Meridian will be linked with IU Health Ball Memorial Pediatric Physicians, Prime Time Pediatrics, and IU Health Ball Memorial Pediatric Rehabilitation Services.
Meridian Health Services is a regional healthcare system with a facility in Portland.

Hiring veterans
Tyson Foods Inc., parent company of Tyson Mexican Original in Portland, has joined in an ongoing effort to hire military veterans that includes a new government tool called the Veterans Employment Center.
The center is designed to simplify job-hunting for veterans, transitioning service members, National Guard members, reservists, and military spouses.
Since 2011, Tyson has hired more than 3,000 military veterans.

Attends seminar
Dr. Steven DeGroff of Family Eye Care, Berne and Winchester, recently attended a seminar on new developments in cataract surgery, macular degeneration, and other disorders of the eye in Fort Wayne. The event was sponsored by the Cataract and Laser Institute and the Retinal Institute of Fort Wayne, Kokomo, and Mishawaka.

Open house set
Adams Health Network will host an open house on Thursday, May 1, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the newly-remodeled Adams Medical Office Complex adjacent to Adams Memorial Hospital, Decatur. The event is open to the public, and tours of the facility will be offered.

New members
The Jay County Chamber of Commerce reports four new members this month. Joining the chamber are Jay Custom Furnishings of rural Portland, Kaup Pharmacy of Fort Recovery, Niki’s Beauty Salon of Portland, and STS Ship LLC of Pennville.[[In-content Ad]]