On the Street... by Chuck Haney
The big news over the holiday weekend came with the announcement that Associated Packaging and Technologies, Inc. located in the FEC Industrial Park had been purchased by Sonoco Products Co.
Sonoco Products Co. (SON) reported from its headquarters in Hartsville, S.C. that it had purchased all Associated Packaging plants from Castle Harlan. The purchase price was announced at $120 million, including debt assumption.
Chillicothe plant employees were notified of the sale last week, according to a spokesman.
The Chillicothe plant, a maker of containers for the frozen food industry, was opened in the FEC Industrial Park in 2002. It currently operates 24/7 and has around 100 plant employees.
Sonoco, which itself is a packaging-product company, said the acquisition—from private-equity firm Castle Harlan, Inc. is expected to “modestly” boost earnings this year and should generate annualized sales of about $150 million. The deal officially was closed last week.
In a prepared statement, Chairman and Chief Executive Officers Harris E. DeLoach, Jr., said “With this acquisition, Sonoco has significantly expanded its existing thermoforming plastic container capabilities into the growing global frozen, chilled and ready to eat food markets.”
DeLoach also noted that APT’s technologies “provide a strong platform for significant product development and growth.”
Castle Harlan bought a controlling interest in APT in late 2000; terms weren’t disclosed at the time.
In April, Sonoco said its first quarter profit more than doubled from higher selling prices, widened margins and higher-than-expected demand. Shares closed at $30.96 last week and were inactive pre-market. The stock has raised 29% in the past year, according to Nathan Becker, Dow Jones Newswires.
Here’s a Look at a Glance at Sonoco:
*Headquartered in Hartville, S.C.
*More than 300 locations worldwide
*Approximately 16,500 employees
*2009 sales of approximately $3.6 billion
The Chillicothe APT plant is located in the FEC Industrial Park at 451 Corporate Drive. Robert Buchanan is the plant manager.
The former Chula Country Club, a trademark for great food, great friends and good times might be returning and if it does it might even be under a new name. It was in August of 2009 that it was announced that the Chula Country Club was going to be sold and a name change was coming.
The name change happened but the sale didn’t and over this past Memorial Day holiday weekend, the famous and popular food and lounge business just east of Chula on Route K was closed.
The building has now been cleaned and is going up for sale, according to Owner Esther Houston, who now manages the Wabash BBQ in Chillicothe. “I want to sell it or lease it or see it open up again,” said Houston, who can be contacted by interested persons at 660-247-2234.
The longtime dream of a four-lane highway for U.S. 36 is about to become reality.
Missouri Department of Transportation officials, city and county officials and others from communities along the new corridor will gather in Macon for the opening ceremony.
A logo has been created for the ceremony which encompasses the Veterans Memorial Highway, the Route 36/I-72 Corridor Association, the American Heritage Alliance Way of American Genius and the Chicago to Kansas City Expressway.
The event Saturday, July 10 beginning at 9 a.m. in Macon marks the official celebration for the opening of the final 52-mile stretch of four-lane pavement between Macon and Hannibal. It will mean that U.S. 36 will be a four-lane corridor across the state from St. Joseph to Hannibal.
The beginning of this soon to be opened corridor brings a milestone in transportation history that started many years ago with a plan to four-lane U.S. 36. Now after one section after another was opened in a ceremonial fashion in the past 25 years, the final stretch occurs this weekend.
The stops for the caravan will include time to say thank you to the citizens of Macon, Shelby, Monroe and Marion counties who joined together passing a sales tax to help fund the project.
Due to frequent rains this spring, the 10-mile stretch between Clarence and Shelbina will not be in open in time for this Saturday’s ceremony, but is expected to be complete by the end of July. Following the ribbon cutting, speeches and ceremony at Sydenstricker’s in Macon, the group will caravan through five more locations to help celebrate the occasion, concluding in Hannibal. A pre-ceremony for invited guests at a dinner celebration the night before the official ribbon cutting will take place in Shelbina on Friday evening.
Attendance was down slightly for the annual Chillicothe Chamber of Commerce and City of Chillicothe Independence Day fireworks show and the Freedom Festival, according to Dan Leatherman of KCHI.
“I think the possibility of rain at any time Sunday and the Fourth being on Sunday probably affected us having our normal crowd,” said Leatherman. He also noted that attendance was down some in the park for the live band and other activities Sunday evening.
It was the same around town and the area and parks were left empty for the most part over the three-day holiday weekend and downtown Chillicothe Saturday and Monday was quiet as a church mouse.
In other holiday weekend activities, it was reported that the crowd for the second Tunes under the Moon last Friday night was about like the opening live free music show. Three food and drink vendors were on hand and noted business was good. The Woody’s Automotive Group presented David Raye in concert at the Silver Moon Plaza.
There were 105 entries in the annual 5k and 10k Freedom Runs presented by the Grand River Area YMCA last Saturday. Program Director Matt Jones said when the wind is not blowing and the sun is shining, it is a great day for a race. He said special thanks goes to Citizens Bank & Trust and Chillicothe Parks & Recreation and the many volunteers.
The 5k winners—18 and under, Shanda Shannon and Kevin Sugden; 19-25, Virginia Austin and Elijah Ditter; 26-35, Tori Waggoner and Philip Pohren; 36-45, Laura Schuler and Jerry Lucas; 46-55, Nancy Nowland and Glenn Littrell; 56 and over, Laurinda Davison and Steve Holt.
The 10k winners—18 and under, Mary Kate Taylor and Preston Adams; 19-25, Rachel Hughes and Steve Taylor; 26-35, Terria Cox and Steve Kerr; 36-45, Vicky Burns and Rick Griffin; 46-55, Diane Lambert and Greg Hughes; and 56 and over, Ed Douglas (he asked that I put in his time of 51:32:00).
A little more than 400 persons were on hand to watch the Mudcats score an 18-7 non-league win at Shaffer Park Saturday night.
It’s July and that means the annual Livingston County 4-H and FFA Fair and the 22nd annual Chillicothe Lions Club Car-Truck-Motorcycle Show (July 17) as well as two of the city’s biggest invitational golf tournaments—the annual Knights of Columbus tourney and the Chillicothe Elks Lodge Tournament (July 24).
The opening event of the Livingston County 4-H and FFA Fair comes this Friday evening at the new fairgrounds just off 190 west of Chillicothe two miles.
The truck and tractor pull co-sanctioned with NWMPTA, IFPA and AMO Association. It begins at 6:30 at the fairgrounds arena with admission at $10 with kids under age six admitted free.
In addition to the truck and tractor pull there will be a Kids Pedal Pull that is Missouri sanctioned. Sign in is at 5:30 and the Kids Pull begins at 6 p.m. Age is four to 12 for Kids Pedal Pull.
In addition to parking at the fairgrounds, parking will also be available at the high school parking lot where a shuttle service will be provided.
It will mark the fourth year for the fair at its new home. On Tuesday, July 10 KMZU and premier sponsor Hedrick Medical Center will present the annual country music show featuring Billy Dean at the Jenkins Expo Center beginning at 7 p.m.
Advance tickets for $5 are available at HMC, Sensenich Jeweler, Livingston County TV, Koehler Homes, PC’s Elkhorn Steakhouse, Sewell Agency and Barnes Baker Motors. Tickets at the door are $10.
Through the week there will be queen, princess and junior princess contests, talent show, horse show, cattle and hog shows as well as 4-H activities. The annual picnic will be held Friday evening at the Jenkins Expo Center followed by the blue ribbon auction.
This Saturday, one of the long running golf tournament and fund raisers–the 20th annual Knights of Columbus Golf Tournament–is set at the Green Hills Golf Course. Bill Haynes of the Knights organization said entries for the four-man tourney are still being accepted. Persons may contact the Green Hills Clubhouse or Haynes at the Chillicothe Plumbing Supply at 646-1769.
On Saturday, July 17, the first annual Coke 3-person Scramble is set for a 9 a.m. with a shotgun start. There will be coffee and donuts/driving range and 18 holes of golf as well as lunch and an afternoon reception and awards event at the clubhouse. Persons should contact the clubhouse or Coca Cola in Trenton.
The committee of the Bob Fairchild Golf Classic and Green Hills Clubhouse Manager Dave Mapel announced this week that the 12th annual event, dinner and awards program have been moved to the Green Hills course this year. It is set for August 13-14. More details will be announced later.
Still on golf, the 2010 Pepsi 3-Man Scramble presented by Dr. Pepper is set for July 17 and 18 at the nine-hole Country Club course. There will be four flights. Tee times are 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. Dinner will be available but not included in the $240 entry fee.
The Chillicothe Mudcats back as many as seven games in the North Division MINK League two weeks ago, have pulled themselves right back into the thick of the chase.
The Mudcats beat the league-leading St. Joseph Mustangs three times and Clarinda once to get back in the chase behind St. Joe, Clarinda and Excelsior Springs. They put up a season high 18 runs in beating the Omaha Spirit Saturday night at Shaffer Park.
Tonight they are on the road to play the other Omaha team in a league doubleheader and then play at Excelsior Springs Tuesday night against a team that has really had their number. The Mudcats play Joplin at Shaffer Park Thursday and Friday evening at 7:05 p.m. before traveling to Sedalia on Saturday against the league-leading South Division team. They return home Sunday to host Excelsior Springs at Shaffer at 7:05 p.m.
Only three games remain at home after this Sunday with league play ending on July 22 before the two divisions winners square off in the playoffs.
Mark Kincel is the newest member of the Barnes-Baker Motors sales team in Chillicothe. Kincel began work last week according to General Sales Manager George Faulkner and joins six other sales consultants at the firm.
Kincel is a native of Hale and has been in sales and the loan business for Countrywide Home Loans as well as Fargo Home Loans. He attended college in Utah and has a degree in business. Kincel has a daughter and a grandson.
Happy 47th anniversary July 7 to Barry and Nancy Anderson of Chillicothe.
I want to send a birthday greeting this week to a couple of very special people. Opal (Mrs. Wally) Coats will celebrate her 90th birthday this Saturday and John Irvin will mark his 99th birthday this Sunday, July 11.
The following are celebrating birthdays from July 7 through July 13--Gladys Howe, Faye Posey, Noni Brookshier, Dorothy Allender, Janet England, Lisa Wilson, Karen Kohler, John Reynolds, Bryan Rouchka, Steve Waits, David Harris, Sr., Gerald Long, Kenneth Belzer, Mike Lollar, Roger Hart, Jeff Gillespie, Lisa Hobbs, Jason Brobst, Elva Thieme, Brenda Block, Lillian Davis, Gary Case, and Bret Dowell. Happy 12th birthday July 10 to Robbie Parkey from Mom, Dad and the gang.
Last week in concluding the “Slice of Life” feature on Kathy Rinehart, I promised to tell the story of the most asked question of the Rinehart family in this week’s On the Street and here it is.
On the Rinehart’s 40th anniversary six years ago, Darrel asked his wife Kathy what she would like to have for her anniversary. Her reply was a “Bug” or better known as a Volkswagen and it had to be a red one (like a tomato).
Darrel, a veteran with Woody’s Automotive Group, searched all over, including the internet and he finally found one—a red one. Then came the license plate debate of what to have the personalized license say. A trip to the license office showed they could not use “tomato” because someone else already had that personalized plate.
A few days later and one evening after a dinner with friend Nancy Hoyt and a brainstorming session, the name for the license plate came about. “I’ve got it,” said Nancy. “How about 2 Mato,” she said.
There you have it and next time you see the little red bug around town, check the plate.
I have already told you more than I know.
We send our deepest sympathy to the family, relatives and friends of Richard (Dick) Sidden, who was buried last week.
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