Maker of app that helps not-for-profits gets seed funding
Cause.it, founded by students from I.U. and Purdue, was awarded $500,000 by Innovate Indiana.
Manufacturing
Articles
Tool-maker Hurco makes headway after tough stretch
The company, which develops computer-controlled equipment for cutting and forming metal, made progress in fiscal 2012 toward restoring profitability to pre-recession levels.
Marketer SmallBox helping clients improve their cultures
In mid-2011, the staff of local Web marketing firm SmallBox began a period of self-reflection that allowed the team to identify its “North Star,” the purpose, mission and vision that keeps a company headed in the right direction. It’s now spreading the word.
Hillenbrand diversifies by growing whole new business
Casket company turns heads with aggressive foray into equipment manufacturing.
Carmel tech consultant plans expansion, 36 jobs
Allegient LLC said it will add the jobs by 2017 and expand its Carmel headquarters by 4,000 square feet.
Local tooling manufacturer acquired by private-equity firm
Techniks Inc., a designer and distributor of industrial cutting tools, has been acquired by Tenex Capital Management. Tenex, in turn, merged Techniks into another of its companies, Jasper-based Nap Gladu, to form a new holding company.
Trafalgar company bringing reflective technology to consumer market
Halo Coatings, founded in 2007, spent its early years licensing its proprietary reflective technology for powder-coating applications to companies involved in highway infrastructure, such as guardrails. But it’s now shifting its focus to the big players in the apparel, medical and consumer-product fields.
Former BrightPoint exec joins Angie’s List as COO
J. Mark Howell will join the Indianapolis-based public company March 1. Howell previously spent 18 years as an executive with BrightPoint Inc., which was acquired in October by California-based Ingram Micro Inc.
Fishers auto supplier moving to Anderson
Keihin North America Inc. plans to relocate between 130 and 175 management, engineering and development jobs to the Flagship Enterprise Center.
Sun King brewery lands tax breaks for expansion
The downtown brewery plans to spend $2.1 million on additional equipment and add 20 jobs by 2016 in exchange for a tax abatement from the city.
Foul odor spurs Oliver Winery hard-cider lawsuit
The Bloomington-based winery claims in a federal lawsuit that it was forced to recall its hard apple cider due to defective cans provided by Ball Metal Beverage Container Corp.
Subaru targets more growth at Indiana plant
The maker of Subaru cars is targeting a 6-percent increase in global sales this year, spurred by the introduction of a new Forester SUV model. The company will use its plant in Lafayette to increase output.
Muncie-based glass maker to be sold for $1.6B
Ardagh Group said it has agreed to buy Indiana-based glass bottle and jar manufacturer Verallia North America, which has about 4,400 employees at 13 manufacturing plants in the United States, including more than 650 workers in Indiana.
Analyst cuts Cummins rating, citing rise in shares
Analyst Stephen Volkmann lowered his rating on the engine maker's stock to "Hold" from "Buy," noting that the shares have risen 30 percent from their October lows and are now just 10 percent below all-time highs.
Hurco reports increase in quarterly, annual profit
The Indianapolis-based maker of computer-controlled machining tools attributed much of the increase to higher demand for its products in North America and Europe.
New ChaCha unit to pair celebrities, advertisers
The ever-evolving information/answers service ChaCha Search has launched a startup within the 7-year-old company. Social Reactor will match advertisers with participating celebrities and other “social influencers,” who will use social media tools such as Twitter to drive fans to advertisers. Verge founder Matt Hunckler was tapped to get it rolling.
ExactTarget stock finishes year in positive territory
The marketing software maker that went public in March is ahead of its offering price even as it suffers because of some competitors’ woes.
Sprint first carrier to sign on to FM radio service
Sprint on Tuesday announced a preliminary agreement with radio industry representatives that will enable customers to listen to local FM radio stations on their mobile phones. Emmis CEO Jeff Smulyan was a key negotiator in making the deal.
Auto makers, including those in Indiana, enjoy big year
Strong U.S. sales in December capped a remarkable year for the auto industry. U.S. sales of models manufactured in Indiana in 2012 by General Motors, Toyota, Honda and Subaru outpaced the national rate, rising 17 percent.
Tipton manufacturer with 173 workers says its closing
Steel Parts Manufacturing Inc. says it plans to close its plant in Tipton, ending employment for 173 workers. The company told the state the closure and layoffs will begin Feb. 28 and end by March 14.