February 28, 2020 at 8:19 p.m.
Bauer takes South Bend city position
Business roundup
A former reporter for The Commercial Review is now working for the City of South Bend.
Caleb Bauer has been hired as the new communications director for the office of South Bend Mayor James Mueller.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Caleb to our team,” said Mueller, who succeeded former mayor and current candidate for the Democratic nomination for president Pete Buttigieg. “He will be an asset to advancing my administration’s commitment to transparency and sharing critical information with our residents.”
Bauer, 27, worked as The CR’s city reporter in 2016 and ’17 before joining the staff of the South Bend Tribune.
During his time in Jay County, he earned Hoosier State Press Association awards for investigative reporting and general news photo as well as Indiana Associated Press Media Editors awards for feature photo, spot news photo, spot news coverage and enterprise reporting.
He graduated from Indiana University in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in history and a certificate in journalism. He is a native of Zionsville.
New agreement
Ardagh Group, parent of glass container manufacturing plants in Dunkirk and Winchester, announced this week a long-term agreement to have its Madera, California, facility supply Copper Cane Wines and Provisions with 750-ml wine bottles.
The agreement helps keep the winery’s promise to stay local and sustainable by reducing its environmental footprint.
Mayor speaking
Dunkirk Mayor Jack Robbins will report on the State of Dunkirk at the Jay County Chamber of Commerce networking breakfast at 7:30 a.m. March 1 at West Jay Community Center. Glass Capital Cafe is catering the event. The charge is $8 per person.
Reservations are required by noon Friday. To make a reservation, call (260) 726-4481 or email [email protected].
New owners?
The Dean Foods milk processing plants in Decatur and Huntington could see an ownership change this spring if a bankruptcy court and the Justice Department approve their sale, Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly reports.
“The plants are among 44 fluid and frozen facilities the Dallas-based milk and dairy products company plans to sell along with real estate, inventory, equipment and other assets needed to operate them, including its store delivery system,” the newspaper reported.
Dean filed for bankruptcy in November 2019.
Earlier this month the company announced it had entered into a $425 million asset purchase agreement with Dairy Farmers of America.
Outsourcing tech
Tyson Foods Inc. will be outsourcing much of its information technology in order to reduce jobs and expenses.
Tyson, parent company of Tyson Mexican Original of Portland, said it went through a year-long review that led to a decision to shift to a service provider and eliminate about 330 IT jobs in Arkansas and Chicago.
“While it’s the right thing to do for the business, it’s a very difficult decision,” a company spokesman said.
Some of the affected IT team members will be offered positions with the service provider. Others will be offered a severance and benefits package.
Meanwhile, Tyson also announced a new member of its board.
Les R. Baledge, 62, who was executive vice president and general counsel of Tyson Foods from 1999 to 2004, has been appointed to the board. He also practiced corporate and finance law with Kutak Rock and The Rose Law Firm, both located in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Integrating
Walmart is deepening the integration of its online and brick-and-mortar units by merging the merchandising teams that choose what products are carried, Bloomberg reported this week.
All of the company’s merchants will now report jointly to U.S. chief executive officer John Furner and U.S. e-commerce chief Marc Lore.
The group will eventually make all decisions on what products will be sold in Walmart stores and online.
New editor
Jessica Bricker has been named editor of The News-Banner in Bluffton.
A journalism graduate of Indiana University, she succeeds Dave Schultz, who is retiring after serving in that position since 2016.
Bricker and her husband, Allen, reside in Bluffton with their son. She serves on the board of the Indiana Associated Press Media Editors and the board of the Wells County Historical Society.
Grants available
Poet Biorefining-Portland is offering community grants of up to $7,500 for local projects. For more information or to apply, go to poet.com/grants.
Deadline for application is April 10.
Power out
Thousands of Indiana Michigan Power customers were affected by a power outage in Adams and Wells counties Wednesday. I&M had power back on at about 2 p.m. Most of those affected were in the Decatur area.
Sells stock
Former Yum! Brands chief executive officer Greg Creed has sold a majority of his stake in the company, Louisville Business First reported this week.
Yum! is the parent company of Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and KFC.
Creed served as the CEO of Yum! from 2015 until the end of 2019.
He sold a total of 87,945 shares on Feb. 14 for $105.16 each, for a total of $9.2 million.
He still owns about 25,000 shares of Yum! Brands stock. He also indirectly owns more than 163,000 shares through a limited liability company. Louisville Business First said.
Coming back
Old Navy is returning to Muncie, the Ball State Daily News reported this week.
The merchandiser left Muncie about 10 years ago but will now be taking over the space that previously housed MC Sports in the Muncie Plaza on Princeton Avenue.
No official date for the store’s opening has been announced.
New bank
Carmel-based Merchants Bank of Indiana has opened a new branch in downtown Richmond. The branch employs more than 20. Merchants has locations in Indianapolis, Lynn and Spartanburg as well as Carmel.
Sale leaseback
The big KitchenAid distribution center in Greenville, Ohio, is part of a huge sale-leaseback deal executed this month by Whirlpool.
The deal involves Whirlpool sites in Marion, Findlay and Ottawa in Ohio as well as properties in Tennessee and Italy.
The deal totaled $178.9 million.
With the leaseback arrangement, operations at the KitchenAid distribution center will continue as normal.
Top manager
The Ohio Pork Council has recognized Bill Knapke of Cooper Farms in Fort Recovery as its 2019 Swine Manager of the Year.
“The Swine Manager of the Year Award recognizes an individual who is highly knowledgeable of the pork industry and has demonstrated the ability to make key decisions on behalf of their operations,” National Hog Farmer said.
Knapke has been with Cooper Farms for more than 20 years.
He has written numerous nutrient management plans for farms located in Ohio to ensure that the environment and the local water supplies are protected for generations to come, National Hog Farmer said.
Most ethical
NextEra Energy Inc., parent of Bluff Point Wind Energy Center, has once again been recognized as one of the world’s most ethical companies by Ethisphere Institute.
Based in Juno Beach, Florida, NextEra’s principal businesses are Florida Power and Light Company, Gulf Power Company and Next Era Energy Resources LLC.
It’s the 13th time that NextEra has been honored for its ethical business practices by the institute.
“This recognition is a testament to our team of nearly 15,000 employees who are living our corporate values of being committed to excellence, doing the right thing and treating people with respect, while helping build a sustainable energy era that is affordable, efficient and clean. Doing what’s right has always been, and will continue to be, at the forefront of how we conduct business, and our commitment to continuous improvement drives us to develop innovative, industry-leading solutions to solve the world’s toughest energy challenges,” chairman and chief executive officer Jim Robo said in a prepared statement.
A Fortune 500 company, NextEra is the world’s largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and sun and is a world leader it battery storage.
It also operates eight commercial nuclear power plants in Florida, New Hampshire, Iowa and Wisconsin.
More solar
Indiana Municipal Power Agency has won a unanimous recommendation to rezone property in Richmond for a solar park.
The property is located at the corner of Wernle Road and South 23rd Street.
The rezoning proposal now goes to the Richmond City Council for a hearing and vote on March 16.
Richmond already has three solar parks, and a fourth is under construction.
The first was a small one next to the Richmond Power and Light office south of the city. Two have been built on either side of Interstate 70 on the city’s far east side. The fourth is under construction on Industries Road between Flattley and Salisbury roads.
“All together, those parks will generate 22 megawatts of power. The proposed site on the southeast side would produce about 16 on its own,” the Palladium-Item reported. “The new project would consist of 55,000 panels on about 75 acres. Construction would begin either late this year or early next and wrap up by the end of 2021.”
Caleb Bauer has been hired as the new communications director for the office of South Bend Mayor James Mueller.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Caleb to our team,” said Mueller, who succeeded former mayor and current candidate for the Democratic nomination for president Pete Buttigieg. “He will be an asset to advancing my administration’s commitment to transparency and sharing critical information with our residents.”
Bauer, 27, worked as The CR’s city reporter in 2016 and ’17 before joining the staff of the South Bend Tribune.
During his time in Jay County, he earned Hoosier State Press Association awards for investigative reporting and general news photo as well as Indiana Associated Press Media Editors awards for feature photo, spot news photo, spot news coverage and enterprise reporting.
He graduated from Indiana University in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in history and a certificate in journalism. He is a native of Zionsville.
New agreement
Ardagh Group, parent of glass container manufacturing plants in Dunkirk and Winchester, announced this week a long-term agreement to have its Madera, California, facility supply Copper Cane Wines and Provisions with 750-ml wine bottles.
The agreement helps keep the winery’s promise to stay local and sustainable by reducing its environmental footprint.
Mayor speaking
Dunkirk Mayor Jack Robbins will report on the State of Dunkirk at the Jay County Chamber of Commerce networking breakfast at 7:30 a.m. March 1 at West Jay Community Center. Glass Capital Cafe is catering the event. The charge is $8 per person.
Reservations are required by noon Friday. To make a reservation, call (260) 726-4481 or email [email protected].
New owners?
The Dean Foods milk processing plants in Decatur and Huntington could see an ownership change this spring if a bankruptcy court and the Justice Department approve their sale, Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly reports.
“The plants are among 44 fluid and frozen facilities the Dallas-based milk and dairy products company plans to sell along with real estate, inventory, equipment and other assets needed to operate them, including its store delivery system,” the newspaper reported.
Dean filed for bankruptcy in November 2019.
Earlier this month the company announced it had entered into a $425 million asset purchase agreement with Dairy Farmers of America.
Outsourcing tech
Tyson Foods Inc. will be outsourcing much of its information technology in order to reduce jobs and expenses.
Tyson, parent company of Tyson Mexican Original of Portland, said it went through a year-long review that led to a decision to shift to a service provider and eliminate about 330 IT jobs in Arkansas and Chicago.
“While it’s the right thing to do for the business, it’s a very difficult decision,” a company spokesman said.
Some of the affected IT team members will be offered positions with the service provider. Others will be offered a severance and benefits package.
Meanwhile, Tyson also announced a new member of its board.
Les R. Baledge, 62, who was executive vice president and general counsel of Tyson Foods from 1999 to 2004, has been appointed to the board. He also practiced corporate and finance law with Kutak Rock and The Rose Law Firm, both located in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Integrating
Walmart is deepening the integration of its online and brick-and-mortar units by merging the merchandising teams that choose what products are carried, Bloomberg reported this week.
All of the company’s merchants will now report jointly to U.S. chief executive officer John Furner and U.S. e-commerce chief Marc Lore.
The group will eventually make all decisions on what products will be sold in Walmart stores and online.
New editor
Jessica Bricker has been named editor of The News-Banner in Bluffton.
A journalism graduate of Indiana University, she succeeds Dave Schultz, who is retiring after serving in that position since 2016.
Bricker and her husband, Allen, reside in Bluffton with their son. She serves on the board of the Indiana Associated Press Media Editors and the board of the Wells County Historical Society.
Grants available
Poet Biorefining-Portland is offering community grants of up to $7,500 for local projects. For more information or to apply, go to poet.com/grants.
Deadline for application is April 10.
Power out
Thousands of Indiana Michigan Power customers were affected by a power outage in Adams and Wells counties Wednesday. I&M had power back on at about 2 p.m. Most of those affected were in the Decatur area.
Sells stock
Former Yum! Brands chief executive officer Greg Creed has sold a majority of his stake in the company, Louisville Business First reported this week.
Yum! is the parent company of Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and KFC.
Creed served as the CEO of Yum! from 2015 until the end of 2019.
He sold a total of 87,945 shares on Feb. 14 for $105.16 each, for a total of $9.2 million.
He still owns about 25,000 shares of Yum! Brands stock. He also indirectly owns more than 163,000 shares through a limited liability company. Louisville Business First said.
Coming back
Old Navy is returning to Muncie, the Ball State Daily News reported this week.
The merchandiser left Muncie about 10 years ago but will now be taking over the space that previously housed MC Sports in the Muncie Plaza on Princeton Avenue.
No official date for the store’s opening has been announced.
New bank
Carmel-based Merchants Bank of Indiana has opened a new branch in downtown Richmond. The branch employs more than 20. Merchants has locations in Indianapolis, Lynn and Spartanburg as well as Carmel.
Sale leaseback
The big KitchenAid distribution center in Greenville, Ohio, is part of a huge sale-leaseback deal executed this month by Whirlpool.
The deal involves Whirlpool sites in Marion, Findlay and Ottawa in Ohio as well as properties in Tennessee and Italy.
The deal totaled $178.9 million.
With the leaseback arrangement, operations at the KitchenAid distribution center will continue as normal.
Top manager
The Ohio Pork Council has recognized Bill Knapke of Cooper Farms in Fort Recovery as its 2019 Swine Manager of the Year.
“The Swine Manager of the Year Award recognizes an individual who is highly knowledgeable of the pork industry and has demonstrated the ability to make key decisions on behalf of their operations,” National Hog Farmer said.
Knapke has been with Cooper Farms for more than 20 years.
He has written numerous nutrient management plans for farms located in Ohio to ensure that the environment and the local water supplies are protected for generations to come, National Hog Farmer said.
Most ethical
NextEra Energy Inc., parent of Bluff Point Wind Energy Center, has once again been recognized as one of the world’s most ethical companies by Ethisphere Institute.
Based in Juno Beach, Florida, NextEra’s principal businesses are Florida Power and Light Company, Gulf Power Company and Next Era Energy Resources LLC.
It’s the 13th time that NextEra has been honored for its ethical business practices by the institute.
“This recognition is a testament to our team of nearly 15,000 employees who are living our corporate values of being committed to excellence, doing the right thing and treating people with respect, while helping build a sustainable energy era that is affordable, efficient and clean. Doing what’s right has always been, and will continue to be, at the forefront of how we conduct business, and our commitment to continuous improvement drives us to develop innovative, industry-leading solutions to solve the world’s toughest energy challenges,” chairman and chief executive officer Jim Robo said in a prepared statement.
A Fortune 500 company, NextEra is the world’s largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and sun and is a world leader it battery storage.
It also operates eight commercial nuclear power plants in Florida, New Hampshire, Iowa and Wisconsin.
More solar
Indiana Municipal Power Agency has won a unanimous recommendation to rezone property in Richmond for a solar park.
The property is located at the corner of Wernle Road and South 23rd Street.
The rezoning proposal now goes to the Richmond City Council for a hearing and vote on March 16.
Richmond already has three solar parks, and a fourth is under construction.
The first was a small one next to the Richmond Power and Light office south of the city. Two have been built on either side of Interstate 70 on the city’s far east side. The fourth is under construction on Industries Road between Flattley and Salisbury roads.
“All together, those parks will generate 22 megawatts of power. The proposed site on the southeast side would produce about 16 on its own,” the Palladium-Item reported. “The new project would consist of 55,000 panels on about 75 acres. Construction would begin either late this year or early next and wrap up by the end of 2021.”
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