The acquisition is the largest in W.M. Barr's history, according to a company statement. In the last few years, W.M. Barr has acquired seven other companies, the latest being Aegis, an antimicrobial product company similar to Microban, in 2010.
David Meyers, current CEO of Microban, will remain in place and the company will maintain its Huntersville headquarters, operating as an independent subsidiary. Microban was founded in 1994 by three biomedical engineers. The company has facilities throughout North America, Europe and Asia.
"Our transaction with W.M. Barr is an important step forward in the growth of Microban, creating new market opportunities for both companies," Meyers said in a statement.
In an accompanying statement, W.M. Barr president and CEO Richard Loomis said the acquisition was a "transformational event for W.M. Barr," allowing the company to provide global branded products for its customers.
— Memphis Business Journal
New local software bears India fruit
Cornelius-based VectorVest announced earlier this week its release of VectorVest India, software that analyzes, sorts, ranks and graphs more than 2,100 stocks trading on India's National Stock Exchange and Bombay Stock Exchange for value, safety and timing. Every stock is ranked with 10 months of data using VectorVest's proprietary analytics, and given a clear buy, sell or hold rating every day.
Ranked ninth in world economies and fifth in real growth rate GDP, India is among the fastest-growing economies in the world, with some economists observing that it may overtake China in a few years. India is the world's largest democracy and the world's leading importer and exporter of goods and services.
VectorVest is a stock analysis software package that combines fundamental valuation with technical analysis, and is designed for all types of investors. It provides a buy, sell or hold rating on more than 21,500 stocks worldwide daily, and in addition to the newly-released VectorVest India, is available for stock markets in the U.K., Australia, Hong Kong, South Africa and most Eurozone countires. For more information, visit www.vectorvest.com.
— Marketwatch
New name, markets for pool service group
Charlotte Swim Club Management, an aquatics management service, has recently updated its corporate name to Swim Club Management Group, Inc. to reflect its expansion into multiple markets in the southeast, including Asheville and Richmond, Va.
Part of the renaming includes a new corporate Web site at www.SwimClubManagement.com, as well as multiple regional Web sites.
"With our expanded footprint across the Carolinas and southeast, it made sense to adjust our name to better reflect the markets we serve," says Brian Sheehan, president and CEO of Swim Club Management. "While our name may be changing, the reliability, the personal touch and the responsiveness that our clients expect will not change."
Swim Club Management, founded in 2002 and headquartered in Huntersville, provides services critical to the operation of commercial pools, such as lifeguard management, pool maintenance, repairs and renovations, outdoor furniture, safety equipment and swimming lessons.
— PR.com
Couple sell local biz, head for retirement
Go-Forth Pest & Lawn, a pest-control and lawn-care business based in High Point, has expanded to the Lake Norman area by purchasing Lake Norman Pest Control. Go-Forth bought the company from Sam and Fran Newman, who are retiring after 30 years in business. Financial terms of the deal weren't disclosed.
The purchase extends Go-Forth's service area from Hillsborough in the east to Statesville and the Lake Norman area in the west. Go-Forth will maintain its headquarters in the Triad and operate a satellite branch in the Lake Norman area.
— Charlotte Business Journal
With eye on growth, Realty firm adds staff
Nine new agents have joined Lake Norman Realty, President Abigail Jennings recently announced. Joining the team are Rose Cramer, Tracy Frazier, Carol Laney, Audra Lattimore, Adam McCall, Douglas Mumaw, Michelle Nantz, Jen Schafer and David Walker.
"We are so pleased to have the addition of these associates on board with us," says Jennings. "Their profiles of success, years of real estate experience, and dedication to customer service made them a perfect fit at Lake Norman Realty. Each of these new associates adds something unique to the Lake Norman Realty team and by expanding our team we positively impact the market."
Jennings also reports that a little healthy competition between agents in Lake Norman Realty's various offices resulted in 330 toys being collected for the Toys for Tots program last month.
Leading the way was the Denver office with 124 toys, followed by Mooresville with 99 and Cornelius with 78.
This year Lake Norman Realty will mark its 34th year serving the Lake Norman community, with offices in Cornelius, Mooresville, Davidson, Denver and Statesville.
New president, board members at EWLKN
Erika Erlenbach has been named the president of the board of directors for Executive Women of Lake Norman (EWLKN) for fiscal year 2012. Erlenbach is a founding member of the EWLKN and an attorney with the McIntosh Law Firm in Davidson. New board members include Kathy Holden, president/co-owner of Home Helpers & Direct Link of Lake Norman, and Marilyn Celenza, owner of Good Clean Fun, headquartered in Huntersville. Holden and Celenza will serve as Membership Co-Chairs.
EWLKN is an association of professional women who hold positions of leadership within their organizations. EWLKN's mandate is to facilitate relationships between professional women through the core values of leadership, mentorship, membership and friendship. Some of the organization's targeted areas of focus for the coming year are to facilitate networking opportunities and business and personal growth through a series of "Executive Round Table Discussions" on various topics of interest to busy professional women, to participate in community events targeted to supporting women and to strengthen the Lake Norman community through active involvement in community-based programs.
For more information, visit www.executivewomenoflkn.com or contact Dana Nieters, immediate past president, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 704-516-9363.
Sports med practice adds new specialist
Lakeside Family Physicians & Sports Medicine Center has a new member. Dr. Clint Beaver, MD, a sports medicine specialist, joined the practice on Jan. 2 and will see patients at Lakeside's Mooresville office at 130 Plantation Ridge Drive.
Beaver is a graduate of Wake Forest University Bowman Gray School of Medicine. He completed a residency in family medicine and a fellowship in sports medicine at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. Beaver is board-certified in family medicine. He has served as the team physician at international soccer matches as well as the NCAA men's basketball tournament.
In addition to primary care, Lakeside Family Physicians & Sports Medicine Center Mooresville specializes in sports medicine, including sports concussion management and treatment for minor injuries and musculoskeletal problems. Special conveniences include on-site physical therapy, splinting and casting as well as urgent care services on weekdays and weekends.
