Biglari was persistent in pressing Western Sizzlin deal
Steak n Shake CEO Sardar Biglari proposed buying Western Sizzlin in January and again in May and advocated the unusual structure
of the $39 million transaction.
Mergers & Acquisitions
Articles
NatCity name to remain at local branches until early 2010
Pittsburgh-based PNC Financial Services Group Inc. has converted 240 former National City Bank branches to their new identity,
but the 77 Indianapolis-area locations will keep the old brand for a bit longer.
Chemical-maker Benchmark Products merges with Ohio’s New Surface Technologies
Benchmark Products Inc., a local manufacturer of metal-finishing chemicals, will combine with a Bedford, Ohio, company and
keep its headquarters and production in Indianapolis. The combined company will be renamed Asterion LLC.
Greensburg manufacturer sold, jobs moving to Oklahoma
The Autoquip Corp. has completed its acquisition of American Lifts in Greensburg and will be moving nearly 50 jobs to company headquarters in Guthrie, Okla.
Music Mill to reopen again under new owner
The Music Mill, a local concert venue, restaurant and bar that has been closed down twice this year by different operators,
has new life. Local entrepreneur Ravi Chopra, 44, who owns the 6 Lounge & Restaurant downtown, announced last
night that he has purchased the Music Mill and plans to reopen it Oct. 12.
Report: Ice Miller, Louisville firm end merger talks
Merger talks that began last year between local legal heavyweight Ice Miller LLP and a Louisville-based law firm reportedly
have broken down, putting an end to a deal that was expected to close by the end of the year.
Republic’s purchase of Frontier could mean more local jobs
Republic Airways Holdings Inc. is considering shifting as many as 250 jobs to its home base of Indianapolis as a result of
its pending acquisition of Frontier Airlines Holdings Inc. in Denver, according to a news report.
Frontier creditors approve reorganization plan
Frontier Airlines Holdings Inc. said yesterday that creditors have approved its bankruptcy reorganization plan, including
its planned purchase by Republic Airways.
Local contractor Enterprise acquires Freije
Indianapolis-based Enterprise Electrical & Mechanical Co. has acquired The Freije Company, a 50-year-old local firm that
specializes in refrigeration-systems design, installation and service.
First Farmers acquiring CB Bank Shares
Converse-based First Farmers Financial Corp. said this morning it has agreed to acquire CB Bank Shares Inc. in Russiaville.
Southwest bid for Frontier could be in trouble
Southwest Airlines Co.’s bid for Denver-based Frontier Airlines Holdings Inc. may have hit turbulence, according to the Dallas
Morning News.
CARUSO: Real estate buyers, sellers, must recalibrate expectations
Mergers and acquisitions have all but ground to a halt because of lack of credit, disparate expectations between buyers and
sellers, and hesitance on the part of buyers to deploy their capital.
Local company acquires monster truck series
The Promotion Co Inc., an Indianapolis-based event promoter, said today that it has acquired the Monster Nationals series
of monster-truck shows from Image Promotions Inc. in Chardon, Ohio.
Republic Airways closes purchase of Midwest
Republic Airways Holdings says it has completed its acquisition of privately held Midwest Airlines
for $31 million in cash and debt.
Lilly software spinoff Maaguzi sells for $11 million
Investors in a company built around clinical research software bought from Eli Lilly and Co. have found their exit, though
it’s far from the lucrative payoff they’d once imagined.
Dow Agro sale still possible, but less likely
Midland, Mich.-based Dow Chemical Co. is still considering divesting Indianapolis subsidiary Dow AgroSciences LLC. But chances
that the chemical manufacturing giant will sell its local agricultural chemical and biotech unit have decreased.
Grain Dealers Mutual merges with Florida firm
Indianapolis-based Grain Dealers Mutual Insurance Co., one of the largest property-casualty insurers in the state, will
become part of The Main Street America Group, the Jacksonville, Fla.-based company said this morning.
Brightpoint’s Danish deal not so sweet two years later
The cross-continent mega deal that made Brightpoint Inc. the world’s biggest wireless phone distributor
has lost much of its sheen two years after being struck. Brightpoint Inc. in August 2007 purchased Denmark-based
Dangaard Telecom for $385 million in stock and the assumption of $350 million in Dangaard debt.
Indianapolis benefits firms merge
Two Indianapolis benefits consulting firms have finalized their merger, the companies announced this morning. Terms of the
deal between Benefit Associates Inc. and Benefit Consultants Inc., in the works since March, were not disclosed.
If Dow AgroSciences sells, let’s hope it’s not to a rival
Private equity firms have a reputation as ruthless acquirers. They slash fat and jettison sluggish product lines, all in a quest to wring out higher profits and grow the parts of the business with the most potential. For Indianapolis-based Dow AgroSciences—or at least for its 1,200 local employees—a buyer like that would be a godsend. […]