SKYTRAC PURCHASE GIVES MARKET LIFT TO LEITNER- POMA
Grand Junction chairlift maker LeitnerPoma has acquiredUtah’s Skytrac, giving theWestern Slope powerhouse in lift transportation a boost in the smaller market of fixed- grip chairlifts.
“This acquisition will allow LeitnerPoma to better serve ski areas of all sizes,” said Rick Spear, the president of Leitner- Poma of America, the 35- year- old North American subsidiary of France’s Pomagalski S. A. and Italy’s Leitner Ropeways.
Leitner- Poma has installed more than 8,000 chairlifts and transportation systems in 61 countries, including some of theworld’smost technologically advanced trams, gondolas and urban transport systems. Adding Skytrac to its portfolio expands its ability to serve smaller resortswhere aging fixed- grip chairlifts need replacing.
Sun Country Airlines begins service from DIA. Minnesota- based carrier
Sun Country Airlines began daily nonstop serviceWednesday between Denver and Minneapolis- St. Paul.
The new service makes MinneapolisSt. Paul the first destination to be served by six airlines from Denver International Airport, according to the airport in a news release.
The daily flight departs Minneapolis at 10: 20 a. m. and arrives at DIA at 11: 25 a. m. The return flight departs DIA at 12: 15 p. m. and arrives inMinneapolis at 3: 10 p. m. local time.
AB InBev profit dips.
AnheuserBusch InBev NV onWednesday said unfavorable currency effects, one- off financing costs and weak business in Brazil damaged earnings in the first quarter of the year.
The Belgium- based brewer posted net profit of $ 844 million for the quarter, down from $ 2.3 billion from a year earlier, largely as a result of adverse exchange rates for Latin American currencies and one- off financing costs, including increased interest expenses for bonds issued to prefund its merger with rival SABMiller.
The company said revenue totaled $ 9.4 billion in the quarter, down from $ 10.45 billion the previous year and missing analyst expectations of $ 10.04 billion.
Walmart brings back greeters.
Walmart Stores Inc. will begin deploying employees to all its entrances and exits in amove to deter shoplifters and improve customer service, reviving a door- greeter programthat had languished in recent years. Greeters will return toWalmart’s U. S. superstores in multiple forms, the company saidWednesday. At twothirds of locations, a standard greeter will be stationed at the entrance.
Tribune rejects Gannett buyout.
Tribune Publishing Co. onWednesday rejected Gannett’s more than $ 388 million buyout offer, saying it’s too little for the company that owns The Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune and other newspapers.
USA Today owner Gannett wanted to buy Tribune Publishing so it could expand its USA Today Network, an effort to unite USA Today with its more than 100 local daily newspapers.
But Tribune Publishing said Wednesday that “after thorough consideration” its board decided the proposal from Gannett Co., which is based inMcLean, Va., understates its true value and is not in the best interests of its shareholders.