Max Muscle, a seller of sports nutrition, weight loss and fitness products, is seeking franchisees to expand its presence nationwide.
The chain, founded Anaheim in 2003, operates more than 125 stores and is looking to add 500 additional locations over the next five years.
The company, which locates its stores near health and athletic clubs, is vying to grab a bigger piece of the $16 billion nutritional supplement market. Max Muscle sells such supplements, as well as athletic apparel and a private line of vitamins and other natural nutrient products under the name Max Nutraceuticals. But its target market is not just bodybuilders, but everyday people.
The chain is seeking regional directors as well as single- and multi-unit franchisees. Investment costs for a Max Muscle franchise range from $158,000 to $285,000 for a single unit, and $100,000 to $500,000 for area development agreements and master licenses.
The rollout coincides with a new store design that features flat-screen televisions, interactive libraries and online nutritional and exercise planning software.
credited by: bizjournals.com
2007-11-28
Cessna Skycatcher -- made in China
Cessna Aircraft Co. says the Shenyang Aircraft Corp. will build the company's newest model airplane, the 162 Skycatcher light sport aircraft.
Cessna Chairman, President and CEO Jack Pelton says light sport aircraft need the latest avionics, light-weight equipment, must be safe and reliable and be competitively priced.
"Our solution is to partner with SAC, a company with excellent facilities, state-of-the-art technologies and a workforce highly experienced in aircraft manufacturing," Pelton says.
Cessna is a subsidiary of the Textron Co. (NYSE: TXT). SAC is a subsidiary of China Aviation Industry Corp. 1. It is a government-owned group of aviation manufacturers.
Cessna will design the Skycatcher. It will also conduct testing and send employees to the SAC plant to oversee the manufacturing process. The airplanes will be assembled at the SAC plant in China.
credited by: bizjournals.com
Cessna Chairman, President and CEO Jack Pelton says light sport aircraft need the latest avionics, light-weight equipment, must be safe and reliable and be competitively priced.
"Our solution is to partner with SAC, a company with excellent facilities, state-of-the-art technologies and a workforce highly experienced in aircraft manufacturing," Pelton says.
Cessna is a subsidiary of the Textron Co. (NYSE: TXT). SAC is a subsidiary of China Aviation Industry Corp. 1. It is a government-owned group of aviation manufacturers.
Cessna will design the Skycatcher. It will also conduct testing and send employees to the SAC plant to oversee the manufacturing process. The airplanes will be assembled at the SAC plant in China.
credited by: bizjournals.com
Judge upholds signature revocation law
Leon County Circuit Judge Charles A. Francis rejected Florida Hometown Democracy's challenge to a new law that allows voters to revoke petition signatures on ballot initiatives.
Political action committee Florida Hometown Democracy challenged the constitutionality of the law allowing revocation of petition signatures. Save Our Constitution, the primary opponent of the group's proposed amendment -- which would require local referendums on future land-use changes -- has used the new law to try to cut the number of signatures its supporters have collected to try to get on the November 2008 ballot.
Save Our Constitution, a committee backed by the Associated Industries of Florida and Florida Hometown Democracy's primary opponent, said the ability of voters to take back their signature is necessary, "especially in light of the tactics of the Hometown Democracy group and its mercenary signature-gatherers."
Florida Hometown Democracy and its leader, Leslie Blackner, did not immediately return calls for comment. The group has the option to appeal.
Supporters need 611,000 signatures to get on the ballot and had nearly 394,000 filed with the state as of Tuesday afternoon.
credited by: bizjournals.com
Political action committee Florida Hometown Democracy challenged the constitutionality of the law allowing revocation of petition signatures. Save Our Constitution, the primary opponent of the group's proposed amendment -- which would require local referendums on future land-use changes -- has used the new law to try to cut the number of signatures its supporters have collected to try to get on the November 2008 ballot.
Save Our Constitution, a committee backed by the Associated Industries of Florida and Florida Hometown Democracy's primary opponent, said the ability of voters to take back their signature is necessary, "especially in light of the tactics of the Hometown Democracy group and its mercenary signature-gatherers."
Florida Hometown Democracy and its leader, Leslie Blackner, did not immediately return calls for comment. The group has the option to appeal.
Supporters need 611,000 signatures to get on the ballot and had nearly 394,000 filed with the state as of Tuesday afternoon.
credited by: bizjournals.com
2007-11-27
European Indexes End Higher
London
The FTSE 100 closed well in the black on positive broker views on the pharma and life insurance sectors and M&A in mining and utilities. Wall Street was trading higher. VEDANTA [+7.16%] was firm on talk of bid interest from China. Also, India's Supreme Court barred Vedanta from mining bauxite in the eastern part of the country. WTI was at US$97.86/bbl. In broker moves, Citigroup upgraded AVIVA [+5.34%] to buy from hold, arguing it could be the best buying opportunity in the sector since 2003. Also, Deutsche Bank boosted pharma stocks by saying that there are 'few catalysts, but valuation finally grabs some attention'. In utilities, PE firms Montagu and HgCapital said BIFFA [+24.76%] had rejected their bid approach. In company updates: GCAP MEDIA [-14.24%] said first half pretax profit slipped to 5.6 million and that CEO Ralph Bernard is to leave. INFORMA [+3.48%] appointed Adam Walker as finance director, adding it is on course to meet expectations for the group for the full year. NATIONAL EXPRESS [+3.31%] says trading remains in line with expectations, with particularly strong revenue growth at UK Trains. The company added that Adam Walker is to step down from his post as finance director to join Informa.
Paris
The CAC 40 [+1.94%] closed higher, with Wall Street trading positively on Black Friday. In Paris, SANOFI [+2.02%] was firm following a positive sector note from Deutsche Bank. ARCELOR MITTAL [+3.55%] plans a listing in India, wrote The Times of India. Elsewhere, AREVA [+4.94%] could see billions of invested - Germany's Siemens is 'ready' to increase its 34% stake in Areva NP, its nuclear reactor arm, according to Les Echos. However, the paper added that Siemens would not be happy to share Areva's capital with its rival ALSTOM [+4.9%]. There has been much market murmuring over a possible grand tie-up involving Areva, Alstom and BOUYGUES [+2.56%]. The plot thickened as La Tribune cited a trade union source suggesting French state-funded nuclear body CEA may reduce its 79% stake in Areva. Among financials, AXA [+4.3%] is making moves for CNP ASSURANCES [+11.0%], Les Echos reported. NATIXIS [+4.05%] shot higher having been upgraded to hold by Citigroup. CREDIT AGRICOLE [+5.0%] is seeking permission to be able to take its stake in Spain's Bankinter up to 30%. EADS's [+0.52%] Airbus has slashed R&D budgets in response to fears over the weakening US$, the FT reported. REXEL [+4.84%] has sealed its 4.85/sh takeover of NL's Hagemeyer.
Frankfurt
Xetra-Dax [+0.62%] closed in the black, above the 7600 level, as Wall Street was trading in positive territory on Black Friday, the day retailers are traditionally said to turn a profit as shoppers go bargain hunting after Thanksgiving. The US closes early today at 18:00 GMT. On the local macro front, German import prices excluding oil for October were up 0.4% m/m and down 0.1% year-over-year. POSTBANK [+4.14%] remained the leading blue-chip gainer as COMMERZBANK's [+2.01%] CEO says it is interested. Commerzbank also still wants to make an acquisition in Russia after failing to acquire a majority stake in Promsvyazbank, Interfax reported. In other news, SIEMENS [+2.18%] is 'ready' to increase its 34% stake in Areva NP, Areva's nuclear reactor arm, according to Les Echos. Merger plans between LUFTHANSA's [+1.63%] Germanwings unit and TUI's [+0.06%] TUIfly division are set to include Eurowings too, people familiar with the matter told Reuters. Both companies would each hold 40% of a planned joint airline, Sueddeutsche Zeitung reported. BEIERSDORF [-0.15%] wants to divest Tesa, its adhesives unit, and may sell stock in the division to its shareholders, according to Manager Magazin. There was talk of Kuwait raising its stake in GEA [+8.51%] to 25%. Away from M&A, DEUTSCHE BOERSE's [+2.81%] supervisory board is likely to extend CEO Reto Francioni's contract until 2013.
Netherlands
The AEX [+1.19%] closed higher, with Wall Street in positive territory on Black Friday, the day retailers are traditionally said to turn a profit as shoppers go bargain hunting after Thanksgiving. PHILIPS [+4.93%] rose further as the Lower House of Dutch Parliament passed a bill which doubles the limit on the amount of tax-free share buybacks. The news was particularly positive for Philips as it has a large amount of cash for share buybacks available. Separately, Philips wants to sell its Lighting unit in Winschoten, according to local press reports. In other news, the EU has extended its deadline to review AKZO NOBEL's [+3.25%] takeover of ICI. Akzo still expects the deal to close in January. HAGEMEYER [+1.96%] has reached an agreement on a 4.85 per share bid by France's Rexel. ARCELOR-MITTAL [+3.35%] wants to list on the Indian stock exchanges, using the Indian Depository Receipts [IDR], The Times of India reported. The steelmaker announced today that it bought back 3 million shares for 143.3 million between 16 and 22 November. HEINEKEN [-0.74%] is in talks to acquire Czech beverage group Drinks Union, daily MF Dnes reported, citing two unnamed sector sources.
Switzerland
After a rather choppy week, the SLI finished at a lower level than it had done at the end of the previous week. On Friday, however, markets were in fine fettle as Wall Street enjoyed a minor post-Thanksgiving session rally, on a shortened trading day. Back in Zurich, pharmas and financials were among the outperformers. Deutsche Bank reiterated its overweight on the pharma sector based on attractive valuations; says that its top picks include NOVARTIS [+3.33%] and ROCHE [+0.37%]. Anglo-Swedish AstraZeneca is another top pick for the broker. Financials also fired up, as bargain hunters scooped up names like UBS [+3.41%]. JP Morgan thinks ZURICH FINANCIAL [+1.99%] offers a pricing anomaly which it believes could close in the short term. For this reason, highlighted the stock as a short term trading idea while not changing its fundamental recommendation of neutral or price target of CHF435. On the news front, Domtar said it has won a judgment by the Supreme Court of Canada in a claim against ABB [+2.19%] and Alstom Canada Inc. The two companies have to pay Domtar c.CAD38.7 million in damages and interest. UNIQUE ZURICH AIRPORT [+0.96%] named Thomas E. Kern to become new CEO as of 15 January 2008. The airport operator also says CFO Beat Spalinger will leave in April 2008. In broker action, Goldman downgraded SONOVA [-3.17%] to a conviction sell.
credited by: businessweek.com
The FTSE 100 closed well in the black on positive broker views on the pharma and life insurance sectors and M&A in mining and utilities. Wall Street was trading higher. VEDANTA [+7.16%] was firm on talk of bid interest from China. Also, India's Supreme Court barred Vedanta from mining bauxite in the eastern part of the country. WTI was at US$97.86/bbl. In broker moves, Citigroup upgraded AVIVA [+5.34%] to buy from hold, arguing it could be the best buying opportunity in the sector since 2003. Also, Deutsche Bank boosted pharma stocks by saying that there are 'few catalysts, but valuation finally grabs some attention'. In utilities, PE firms Montagu and HgCapital said BIFFA [+24.76%] had rejected their bid approach. In company updates: GCAP MEDIA [-14.24%] said first half pretax profit slipped to 5.6 million and that CEO Ralph Bernard is to leave. INFORMA [+3.48%] appointed Adam Walker as finance director, adding it is on course to meet expectations for the group for the full year. NATIONAL EXPRESS [+3.31%] says trading remains in line with expectations, with particularly strong revenue growth at UK Trains. The company added that Adam Walker is to step down from his post as finance director to join Informa.
Paris
The CAC 40 [+1.94%] closed higher, with Wall Street trading positively on Black Friday. In Paris, SANOFI [+2.02%] was firm following a positive sector note from Deutsche Bank. ARCELOR MITTAL [+3.55%] plans a listing in India, wrote The Times of India. Elsewhere, AREVA [+4.94%] could see billions of invested - Germany's Siemens is 'ready' to increase its 34% stake in Areva NP, its nuclear reactor arm, according to Les Echos. However, the paper added that Siemens would not be happy to share Areva's capital with its rival ALSTOM [+4.9%]. There has been much market murmuring over a possible grand tie-up involving Areva, Alstom and BOUYGUES [+2.56%]. The plot thickened as La Tribune cited a trade union source suggesting French state-funded nuclear body CEA may reduce its 79% stake in Areva. Among financials, AXA [+4.3%] is making moves for CNP ASSURANCES [+11.0%], Les Echos reported. NATIXIS [+4.05%] shot higher having been upgraded to hold by Citigroup. CREDIT AGRICOLE [+5.0%] is seeking permission to be able to take its stake in Spain's Bankinter up to 30%. EADS's [+0.52%] Airbus has slashed R&D budgets in response to fears over the weakening US$, the FT reported. REXEL [+4.84%] has sealed its 4.85/sh takeover of NL's Hagemeyer.
Frankfurt
Xetra-Dax [+0.62%] closed in the black, above the 7600 level, as Wall Street was trading in positive territory on Black Friday, the day retailers are traditionally said to turn a profit as shoppers go bargain hunting after Thanksgiving. The US closes early today at 18:00 GMT. On the local macro front, German import prices excluding oil for October were up 0.4% m/m and down 0.1% year-over-year. POSTBANK [+4.14%] remained the leading blue-chip gainer as COMMERZBANK's [+2.01%] CEO says it is interested. Commerzbank also still wants to make an acquisition in Russia after failing to acquire a majority stake in Promsvyazbank, Interfax reported. In other news, SIEMENS [+2.18%] is 'ready' to increase its 34% stake in Areva NP, Areva's nuclear reactor arm, according to Les Echos. Merger plans between LUFTHANSA's [+1.63%] Germanwings unit and TUI's [+0.06%] TUIfly division are set to include Eurowings too, people familiar with the matter told Reuters. Both companies would each hold 40% of a planned joint airline, Sueddeutsche Zeitung reported. BEIERSDORF [-0.15%] wants to divest Tesa, its adhesives unit, and may sell stock in the division to its shareholders, according to Manager Magazin. There was talk of Kuwait raising its stake in GEA [+8.51%] to 25%. Away from M&A, DEUTSCHE BOERSE's [+2.81%] supervisory board is likely to extend CEO Reto Francioni's contract until 2013.
Netherlands
The AEX [+1.19%] closed higher, with Wall Street in positive territory on Black Friday, the day retailers are traditionally said to turn a profit as shoppers go bargain hunting after Thanksgiving. PHILIPS [+4.93%] rose further as the Lower House of Dutch Parliament passed a bill which doubles the limit on the amount of tax-free share buybacks. The news was particularly positive for Philips as it has a large amount of cash for share buybacks available. Separately, Philips wants to sell its Lighting unit in Winschoten, according to local press reports. In other news, the EU has extended its deadline to review AKZO NOBEL's [+3.25%] takeover of ICI. Akzo still expects the deal to close in January. HAGEMEYER [+1.96%] has reached an agreement on a 4.85 per share bid by France's Rexel. ARCELOR-MITTAL [+3.35%] wants to list on the Indian stock exchanges, using the Indian Depository Receipts [IDR], The Times of India reported. The steelmaker announced today that it bought back 3 million shares for 143.3 million between 16 and 22 November. HEINEKEN [-0.74%] is in talks to acquire Czech beverage group Drinks Union, daily MF Dnes reported, citing two unnamed sector sources.
Switzerland
After a rather choppy week, the SLI finished at a lower level than it had done at the end of the previous week. On Friday, however, markets were in fine fettle as Wall Street enjoyed a minor post-Thanksgiving session rally, on a shortened trading day. Back in Zurich, pharmas and financials were among the outperformers. Deutsche Bank reiterated its overweight on the pharma sector based on attractive valuations; says that its top picks include NOVARTIS [+3.33%] and ROCHE [+0.37%]. Anglo-Swedish AstraZeneca is another top pick for the broker. Financials also fired up, as bargain hunters scooped up names like UBS [+3.41%]. JP Morgan thinks ZURICH FINANCIAL [+1.99%] offers a pricing anomaly which it believes could close in the short term. For this reason, highlighted the stock as a short term trading idea while not changing its fundamental recommendation of neutral or price target of CHF435. On the news front, Domtar said it has won a judgment by the Supreme Court of Canada in a claim against ABB [+2.19%] and Alstom Canada Inc. The two companies have to pay Domtar c.CAD38.7 million in damages and interest. UNIQUE ZURICH AIRPORT [+0.96%] named Thomas E. Kern to become new CEO as of 15 January 2008. The airport operator also says CFO Beat Spalinger will leave in April 2008. In broker action, Goldman downgraded SONOVA [-3.17%] to a conviction sell.
credited by: businessweek.com
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