LANSING, W.Va. -- Three whitewater rafting companies in southern West Virginia are merging.
Adventure Mountain River, Class VI River Runners and The Rivermen say they will operate under new management headed by Paul Buechler. He's a longtime whitewater rafting guide at Class VI.
The coordination of activities will begin this spring. The merger is expected to be completed by 2009.
The companies say the combined operation will focus on developing an outdoor recreation destination resort that will include a family- and youth-oriented center.
Adventure Mountain River and Class VI will combine all operations at the Class VI base camp for the 2008 season. The Rivermen will continue to operate out of its present base camp.
Chimney construction complete at Allegheny's Willow Island plant
CHARLESTON -- Construction is complete on a new chimney that will reduce pollution at Allegheny Energy Inc.'s coal-fired electric power plant in Willow Island.
The new 640-foot chimney is part of a $105 million environmental upgrade at Pleasants Power Station. Allegheny says scrubbers in the chimney will reduce sulfur dioxide emissions by more than 30,000 tons a year.
Greensburg, Pa.-based Allegheny says the chimney also will reduce the discharge of fly ash and mercury emissions. The company began construction on the scrubbing equipment in 2006.
Allegheny also is adding scrubbers to the Fort Martin Power Station near Maidsville and its Hatfield's Ferry Power Station near Pittsburgh.
Dillard's acknowledges hedge fund's attempt to seat 4 board directors
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- A hedge fund that has long been critical of the management of Dillard's Inc. announced Wednesday that it will attempt to seat four directors on the board of the department store chain.
Barington Capital Group LP, led by James Mitarotonda, and its affiliate, Clinton Group Inc., claim the company has deteriorated under the management of Chairman and CEO William Dillard II, who took over in 1998 after the death of his father.
New York-based Barington, which owns 5.6 percent of Dillard's outstanding shares, nominated Mitarotonda, University of Delaware professor Charles M. Elson, former Wal-Mart Stores Inc. executive Nick White and former Federated Department Stores executive Eric S. Salus to the Dillard's board.
Members of the Dillard family control the majority of the company's Class B stock, which gives them two-thirds voting power for seats on the 12-member board.
Starbucks switching to new automated espresso machine
SEATTLE -- Starbucks is introducing a new automated espresso machine and getting back to grinding beans in its stores as the coffee retailer seeks to re-energize its slumping business.
Facing thousands of shareholders eager to hear the company's plans, Starbucks Corp. Chairman and Chief Executive Howard Schultz on Wednesday announced the arrival of the Mastrena, a new machine designed to leave a smaller margin for error in pulling shots and steaming milk.
While likely to disappoint some longing for the return of old-school manual machines, the Mastrena is about seven inches shorter than machines in stores now, making it easier for baristas to interact with customers.
"It's not just a piece of equipment," Schultz said of machine made by Thermoplan, the same Swiss company that makes Starbucks' current machines. "It's an unbelievable tool that will provide us with the highest-quality, consistent shot of espresso that will be second to none."
In an interview before the company's annual shareholders' meeting, executives said the company will also quit using flavor-locked bags of pre-ground coffee next month. Instead, it will grind beans in most of its U.S. stores to bring back the aroma that's been missing.
Michelle Gass, Starbucks' senior vice president of global strategy, said she expects the change will improve sales, which have been slipping amid a softening economy and growing competition from cheaper rivals.
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