Website design company in Maryland

New York, NY (PRWEB) May 18, 2012

Facebook’s initial IPO will go live on the stock market this Friday. Facebook has raised close to $ 16 Billion for its initial public offering and also for some of the first investors to jump on this come Friday morning.

Facebook is the largest social media site in the world bringing together over 500 million users. Although its real capacity for becoming a lucrative growing company in the near future is still in question, there is no doubt that their stock will be the hottest and most anticipated of them all.

“From young kids to grandparents are looking to invest in this wildly much anticipated stock, but will the value and return on investment really be there?” says Rod – owner of iLean Solutions. Facebook has been a great tool for businesses around the country, and has certainly been a huge part in the ever evolving world of online marketing – now referred to as social media marketing.

iLean Solutions is an all-inclusive online marketing and solutions services located in Maryland but serving the world. You can visit them at http://www.ileansolutions.com

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, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Appleton, Wisconsin (PRWEB) May 15, 2012

Air Wisconsin Airlines Corporation today announced it has promoted Vince Portaro to the position of senior vice president and chief operating officer and Joel Kuplack to senior vice president and chief people officer, reporting directly to President and CEO Jim Rankin.

In his new role, Portaro continues to oversee all customer service functions and airport operations, security, system operations control, crew resources, and properties and facilities. Additionally, he will now lead all flying operational activities, including the departments of flight, inflight and maintenance.

Kuplack continues to lead our human resources department, and oversee the continued enhancement of our employee culture and support through corporate learning, performance management, rewards and recognition programs as well as numerous employee communication vehicles. He also serves as the primary representative in negotiations with Air Wisconsin’s labor unions.

Related to these changes, Stan Petersen-Gauthier will assume the responsibilities of vice president – finance and controller. His new duties will include financial accounting and internal controls, payroll, accounts payable, cash management and treasury, and inventory control. He will also continue to have responsibility for the benefits department.

“These changes strengthen Air Wisconsin for both our flying and ground handling businesses and support our team, our product and our future,” noted Rankin.

Portaro joined Air Wisconsin in 1989, Kuplack in 2007 and Petersen-Gauthier in 1985, and all bring extensive industry knowledge and experience to these new roles.

Air Wisconsin, the largest privately held regional airline in the United States, operates as US Airways Express, scheduling nearly 500 departures per day to 70 cities in 26 states and two Canadian provinces. The fleet includes 71 Canadair Regional Jets (CRJ-200). Additionally, Air Wisconsin performs ground-handling services for United Express at United’s Washington Dulles International hub and 22 other cities throughout the country.

Additional information can be found at http://www.airwis.com.

– End –

Contact: Corporate Communications

920-475-7007

corporatecommunications(at)airwis.com

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Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

UK care home investments can be a good investment

(PRWEB UK) 16 May 2012

According to Colordarcy.com care and nursing Homes are the latest emerging asset class to offer a solid hands-free return on investment without the usual hassles of a traditional buy-to-let investment.

The number of older people in society is rising rapidly according to national statistics as people live longer and the inevitable expansion of this older population means we are seeing a corresponding growth in care homes. Yet not enough of them are being built – meaning that there will be strong competition for places.

According to the Office for National Statistics the number of people aged 65 and over is predicted to rise by nearly two-thirds by 2031 which will put a lot of pressure on existing UK care homes.

They also predict that the number of people aged over 85 years will increase from 1.3 million in 2008 to 7 million by 2081. Now that is a lot of octogenarians for the number of good care homes we have at the moment.

There are currently around 24,000 care homes in the UK and this number will need to more than double in the next 25 years to satisfy demand. This will create conditions where the best care homes will generate much higher returns for investors according to Colordarcy.com.

Guy Hands boss of Terra Firma, who is more famous for rock and roll, bought record label EMI for £3.2bn in 2007. After losing all their money on that, they have turned their attention to Four Seasons, the UK’s biggest care home group.

Loxley McKenzie Managing Director of colordarcy.com said “I can only assume that Terra Firma would have been more cautious this time around. This tells us that UK care homes are a viable alternative investment

If you want a hands-off rocking chair investment rather than a more volatile rock and roll investment that is fully managed and recession proof, then UK care homes are worth a look!”

Click here to review UK Care Home Investment.

Notes to the editor:

Colordarcy is a leading property investment company that specialises in finding positive cash flow investment properties worldwide. Colordarcy investment property portfolio includes some of the best properties for sale in Atlanta, Brazil, Florida, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

For more information, supporting pictures or logo artwork, please contact:

Steve Billing

PR Manager

Tel: +44 (0) 207 100 2393

Email: press(at)colordarcy(dot)com

Web: http://www.colordarcy.com/

Colordarcy Investment Ltd

35 New Broad Street

London

EC2M 1NH

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, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

iCON by Leica Geosystems

Norcross, Georgia (PRWEB) May 14, 2012

T.U. Parks Construction Company of Chattanooga, Tennessee was founded in 1944 as a one-man construction firm and has grown into one of Tennessee’s most progressive contractors, with a long history of health care work. The firm recently purchased Leica Geosystems iCON robotic total station in order to convert to one-man layout crews, and as the basis for a technologically superior construction layout system. The new instrument is getting its first big test on one of Chattanooga’s largest ongoing construction projects, the remodel and reconstruction of Memorial Hospital’s Glenwood Campus South Addition.

“Just this part of the project is 190,000 square feet of new construction and remodeling,” says Job Superintendent Gary Frame, “And most of it is adjacent to the intensive care units and surgery areas—we need to get our job done efficiently while staying out of the way. Reducing the number of personnel we have onsite is a good way to do that.”

The iCON system is a suite of hardware and software optimized for construction and machine control. Total stations, machine control systems, GPS equipment, tablet PCs and PDAs are all connected around the central hub of Leica’s iCONstruct field software, which can pass information back and forth wirelessly from field to office and from instrument to instrument. It’s a powerful and easy-to-use system that cuts the time for common construction tasks while improving accuracy and reliability.

“With a two-man crew, there used to be two places for errors,” explains Frame, “Now, with one man operating the instrument, and setting and marking points, our construction layout is more reliable and there’s no opportunity for communication errors. And with the iCON equipment, I’m even able to work faster than with a two-man crew.”

“As a company, Leica Geosystems continues to focus on the construction industry and progressive builders like T.U. Parks,” said Pat Smith, Building and Construction Segment Business Manager for Leica Geosystems. “The workflows and data needs of contractors are different than those of surveyors, and most vendors don’t seem to know that. This purchase is an endorsement of the work Leica has done to get it right.”

Leica Geosystems – when it has to be right

With close to 200 years of pioneering solutions to measure the world, Leica Geosystems products and services are trusted by professionals worldwide to help them capture, analyze, and present spatial information. Leica Geosystems is best known for its broad array of products that capture accurately, model quickly, analyze easily, and visualize and present spatial information.

Those who use Leica Geosystems products every day trust them for their dependability, the value they deliver, and the superior customer support. Based in Heerbrugg, Switzerland, Leica Geosystems is a global company with tens of thousands of customers supported by more than 3,500 employees in 28 countries and hundreds of partners located in more than 120 countries around the world. Leica Geosystems is part of the Hexagon Group, Sweden.

Attachments

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, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

IBISWorld Market Research

Melbourne, Australia (PRWEB) May 13, 2012

The Australian Chocolate and Confectionery Manufacturing industry has remained resilient despite a recessive economy, falling disposable incomes, volatile commodity prices and increasing import competition. The advent of the health-conscious consumer has required producers to be innovative with their product lines and adapt them to changing consumer trends. In the five years through 2011-12, industry revenue increased at an annualised 2.2%. Revenue growth is also expected to grow by 2.2% in 2011-12 to $ 3.09 billion. According to IBISWorld industry analyst Naren Sivasailam, “The high level of value addition during the production process has enabled the industry’s major players to maintain high profit margins and perform well despite recessive economic conditions”. High brand and customer loyalty commanded by the major players have also contributed to high profit margins and sales growth. The volatility of key inputs such as cocoa and sugar has resulted in strong import growth, as producers have resorted to foreign markets to source their products.

As economic conditions improve, IBISWorld expects sustained consumption of chocolate and confectionery. Sivasailam adds, “Consumers will choose to indulge themselves with inexpensive, feel-good luxuries such as candy in an attempt to ease more pressing concerns such as mortgage or loan repayments”. Strong brand loyalty, product innovations and aggressive marketing strategies will drive growth as the economy grows from strength to strength following the global financial turmoil. IBISWorld forecasts that industry revenue will increase over the next five years.

The Australian Chocolate and Confectionery Manufacturing industry is characterised by a high level of market share concentration. Although the industry has a number of small- to medium-size operators, the majority of its revenue is generated by the major players: Kraft Foods, Nestle and Mars. This concentration of ownership is due to an increase in acquisitions and organic growth for the major players through continued product innovation, strong brand loyalty and aggressive marketing.

For more information, visit IBISWorld’s Chocolate and Confectionery Manufacturing report in Australia industry page.

Follow IBISWorld on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/ibisworldau

IBISWorld industry Report Key Topics

This industry consists of establishments mainly engaged in manufacturing confectionery, chocolate or cocoa products, with or without sugar. Chocolate is produced from roasted ground cacao beans that are combined with other ingredients like milk and sugar. Cocoa is a powder produced from cocoa seeds that have been roasted, shelled, and ground. Sugar confectionery is produced by boiling, crystallising, and moulding sugar or molasses into solid pieces that are usually coloured or flavoured.

Industry Performance

Executive Summary

Key External Drivers

Current Performance

Industry Outlook

Industry Life Cycle

Products & Markets

Supply Chain

Products & Services

Major Markets

International Trade

Business Locations

Competitive Landscape

Market Share Concentration

Key Success Factors

Cost Structure Benchmarks

Basis of Competition

Barriers to Entry

Industry Globalisation

Major Companies

Operating Conditions

Capital Intensity

Technology & Systems

Revenue Volatility

Regulation & Policy

Industry Assistance

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Annual Change

Key Ratios

About IBISWorld Inc.

Recognised as the nation’s most trusted independent source of industry and market research, IBISWorld offers a comprehensive database of unique information and analysis on every Australian industry. With an extensive online portfolio, valued for its depth and scope, the company equips clients with the insight necessary to make better business decisions. Headquartered in Melbourne, IBISWorld serves a range of business, professional service and government organisations through more than 10 locations worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.ibisworld.com.au or call (03) 9655 3886.

©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

IBISWorld Market Research

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) May 10, 2012

Local freight trucking has not fared well in the five years to 2012, as all industry services have declined. Slow manufacturing production and retail spending reduced demand for the industry during the recession, according to IBISWorld industry analyst Lauren Setar. Declining demand caused greater price competition among operators, which limited profit margins. Additionally, soaring diesel costs dramatically reduced 2008 profitability, though many industry operators implemented fuel surcharges. These surcharges increase revenue, but are not sustainable. The industry performed poorly in 2009 when revenue declined 20.5%. Weak operating conditions caused many firms to record losses in 2008 and 2009, forcing some operators out of the industry. Furthermore, a drastic reduction in diesel prices in 2009 caused revenue from fuel surcharges, which are tacked on when diesel prices are high, to decrease during the year. Since then, revenue has increased along with fuel prices, but demand remains relatively weak. Consequently, revenue is expected to fall at an average annual rate of 3.3% to $ 32.4 billion during the five years to 2012. In 2012, IBISWorld expects that recovering demand and increased shipping volumes will cause industry revenue to grow by 2.0%.

Nonemployers comprise about 87.5% of firms in the Local Freight Trucking industry. Barriers to entry are very low, allowing for many small operators and, therefore, increased competition in the industry. These small firms, which generate 38.2% of revenue, were especially susceptible to the decline in demand, Setar said. In the five years to 2012, the number of companies is expected to decline by 3.2% annually to 187,247. Similarly, reduced demand has also caused industry employment to fall 3.4% annually during the same time.

Conditions are projected to improve slightly through 2017. As the economy recovers, the industry is expected to grow along with disposable income and, therefore, demand from manufacturing and retail spending. Additionally, diesel prices will cause growth in the five years to 2017 as companies heighten fuel surcharges to offset costs, though profit will eventually diminish. In the five years to 2017, IBISWorld projects that industry revenue will increase.

For more information, visit IBISWorld’s Local Freight Trucking in the US industry report page.

Follow IBISWorld on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/IBISWorld

Friend IBISWorld on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/IBISWorld/121347533189

IBISWorld industry Report Key Topics

Operators in this industry provide general freight trucking over short distances. General freight companies handle a variety of commodities, which are generally palletized and transported in a container or van trailer. Local general freight trucking companies usually provide trucking within a metropolitan area that may cross state lines, and the trips are generally same-day return.

Industry Performance

Executive Summary

Key External Drivers

Current Performance

Industry Outlook

Industry Life Cycle

Products & Markets

Supply Chain

Products & Services

Major Markets

Globalization & Trade

Business Locations

Competitive Landscape

Market Share Concentration

Key Success Factors

Cost Structure Benchmarks

Barriers to Entry

Major Companies

Operating Conditions

Capital Intensity

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Annual Change

Key Ratios

About IBISWorld Inc.

Recognized as the nation’s most trusted independent source of industry and market research, IBISWorld offers a comprehensive database of unique information and analysis on every US industry. With an extensive online portfolio, valued for its depth and scope, the company equips clients with the insight necessary to make better business decisions. Headquartered in Los Angeles, IBISWorld serves a range of business, professional service and government organizations through more than 10 locations worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.ibisworld.com or call 1-800-330-3772.

©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Julio R. Martinez, CFO – Professional Bank

Coral Gables, FL. (PRWEB) May 11, 2012

Professional Bank’s appointment of Julio R. Martinez as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer continues the bank’s commitment to community leadership and excellence in banking.

As CFO, Mr. Martinez is responsible for all financial and regulatory reporting, treasury management and interest rate risk, oversight of daily banking operations, compliance with internal controls, and communications with auditors and bank regulators, all of which are necessary to maintain the superior level of concierge-style client service offered at Professional Bank.

Mr. Martinez has 20 years of local banking and financial accounting experience in senior level positions. Prior to joining Professional Bank, Martinez was Senior Vice President, CFO at Union Credit Bank where he was responsible for the overall financial management and reporting of the bank. Martinez also held senior positions at BAC Florida Bank as CFO; BDO Seidman; Executive National Bank; Morrison Brown Argiz & Co; and at Commercebank, N.A. Prior to his banking and accounting career, Mr. Martinez served in the United States Marines.

“Julio Martinez is a natural leader and his combined banking and accounting experience and knowledge adds to our ability to service the needs of our customers and shareholders as well as to help position Professional Bank for future growth,” said Raul G. Valdes-Fauli, President and CEO, Professional Bank.

“Today’s banking, regulatory and lending environment demands that community banks acquire and retain top talent like Mr. Martinez to help meet their financial objectives,” said Dr.. Stanley Shapiro, Chairman of the Board. “We are very proud to have Julio Martinez join the ranks of Professional Bank as our new CFO,” added Dr. Shapiro.

Mr. Martinez earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Barry University in 1997 and is a Certified Public Accountant in Florida.

About Professional Bank

Professional Bank is a strong “relationship bank” serving the banking needs of professionals, business owners, entrepreneurs and executives in our community while providing its customers with a concierge-style banking service. Professional Bank is a member of FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender. For more information about Professional Bank, please visit http://www.professionalbankfl.com.

Contact:

Alec J. Rosen | 786.457.6680

alecjr(at)ajrpartners.com

©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Executive Compensation Specialists D.G. McDermott Associates announce a new executive compensation survey just for middle market companies

Red Bank, NJ (PRWEB) May 10, 2012

D.G. McDermott Associates and PRESIDENT&CEO Magazine announce the rollout of a new Executive Compensation Survey specifically designed for middle market companies. The survey gives company owners the opportunity to compare their executive compensation and benefits plans to industry and the broader market.

Though pay practices continue to take center stage, middle market businesses have not had sources for reliable, unbiased third party data that can help them benchmark their executive pay and benefits plans against a broad cross-section of similar companies.

“Most of the scrutiny has been on executive compensation at Fortune 500 companies,” says Don McDermott, owner and principal of D.G. McDermott Associates, a Red Bank, NJ, management consulting firm. “The 2012 Middle Market Executive Compensation Survey is the first tailored for public and private middle-market companies that will offer confidential, real-world comparisons to other middle-market companies.”

McDermott Associates, with consulting specialties in human resources and executive compensation, developed this survey in collaboration with PRESIDENT&CEO magazine, the publication for and about middle market executives.

The cost for survey participation is $ 495 per company and enrollment is open until May 31, 2012. Survey participants will receive a customized analysis for 19 senior management titles. Comparisons by position, then by geographic area, revenues, ownership type, and industry category will also be provided.

Those interested in the survey can learn more at http://www.dgm.com/surveyinfo or by calling D.G. McDermott Associates at 732.842.8634. Those who want to enroll can do so at http://www.dgm.com/MidMktExecCompSurvey.

About D.G. McDermott Associates

Founded in 1985, D.G. McDermott Associates, LLC, is a full-service management consulting firm that provides practical human resources and executive compensation programs to a range of public, private and not-for-profit firms. The company is known for thinking outside the box, and blending successful age-old business practices into modern-day solutions. McDermott Associates is based in Red Bank, N.J., and has served clients in the financial services, health care, durable and nondurable goods industries, utilities, and non-profits. For more information about McDermott Associates, visit dgm.com or call 732.842.8634.

About PRESIDENT&CEO Magazine

PRESIDENT&CEO is a magazine for, and about, American’s middle market C-level executives. The magazine focuses on the life and business demands associated with the challenge of being a middle market CEO, including management challenges, personal wealth management, finance and operations, travel and other “executive lifestyle” issues, and more. For more information about the publication visit presidentandceomagazine.com.

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Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

Cleveland, OH (PRWEB) May 08, 2012

Consumers know to visit Cardstore.com, from the American Greetings Corporation (NYSE: AM) family of brands, to find the perfect personalized greetings to surprise family and friends, and now the site offers the biggest laughs as well. Cardstore has introduced all-new funny birthday cards to their eclectic online boutique including hilarious and outrageous designs from brands like, justWink, Celeb-grey, Nobleworks, Amy Smyth Made It, and many more.

The new humor collections include something for every taste – from those that prefer their laughs more lighthearted to those that love something a little more absurd – so consumers are sure to find a funny birthday card that will make anyone in their address book laugh out loud on their big day.

”We are always adding freshness and variety to our line-up and we are very excited to be introducing these hilarious brands to our offering,” says Elizabeth Draeger, senior product manager at Cardstore. “Anyone who likes to send a laugh along with their birthday wishes will love these new greetings. We can’t wait for consumers to check them out and start sending them to family and friends.”

Cardstore offers more than 9,500 greeting card designs for users to personalize with favorite photos, heartfelt messages, and even their own signature for the perfect final touch. To check out the wide variety of photo card and greeting card designs perfect for any occasion, visit http://www.cardstore.com.

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, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.

IPOfferings helps patent owners monetize their intellectual assets

Boca Raton, Fla. (PRWEB) May 04, 2012

Rich Ehrlickman, founder and president of IPOfferings LLC was interviewed by BLOOMBERG TV on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange about the recent flurry of patent litigation and patent sales – the “patent wars” as they have come to be known – and their impact on the businesses involved in the transactions, and the effect they have had on the general business community. Separately, an article by Mr. Ehrlickman, Hedging Your Intellectual Property Bets, just appeared in INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MAGAZINE. While the Bloomberg interview and the article in IPM were separate events, the theme was similar. Patents have become a hot commodity: Highly valued by the companies that own them, and greatly coveted by the enterprises that do not.

In the BLOOMBERG TV interview, Mr. Ehrlickman characterized patent litigation and some of the recent patent sales as the “Sport of Kings,” but – ironically – it is among “haves” and “have nots.” The “haves” are the technology companies that invested in R&D, patented the technologies they invented, and now have valuable intellectual assets as a result of their R&D investments. The “have nots” are the newer technology-based businesses such as Google and Facebook that are now playing catch-up by buying patents.

Mr. Ehrlickman’s article in INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MAGAZINE introduces a third player, private equity funds that raise capital, buy patents, and then license or enforce them.

Mr. Ehrlickman’s interview with BLOOMBERG TV is viewable at the IPOfferings website, and his article in Intellectual Property Management can be downloaded from the site.

About IPOfferings LLC

Both a full-service patent broker and a provider of IP transaction and IP consulting services, IPOfferings helps its clients optimize the value of their intellectual assets. IPOfferings represents both sellers and buyers of patents, trademarks, technology and other intellectual property, and IPOfferings’ consulting services include IP strategy, valuation, analyses, licensing, M&A and due diligence. http://www.ipofferings.com

©Copyright 1997-

, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.