latest articles

Drywall Co. Owner Says He Evaded $190K in Payments

Philip Joseph Franklin, owner and president of Franklin Drywall, pleaded guilty to one count of providing a false statement to two labor-union pension and benefit funds in connection with a scheme to underpay employees for overtime and to underpay union funds.

SurModics Appoints 2 New Directors, Ends Dispute

Two board candidates nominated by shareholder Ramius, LLC, will join the company's board immediately, and two current board members will vacate their seats in February-an arrangement that Ramius sought in order to address SurModics' "long-term underperformance."

TCF Brings Back Free Checking Accounts

A company spokesman said he expects the bank to garner "more deposits and more customers" following the elimination of $9.95 monthly maintenance fees, which were imposed a year ago.

3M Buys Engineered Materials Manufacturer

Nida-Core is the latest in a long series of recent acquisitions for 3M. The company closed 11 deals in 2010, and two remaining transactions-for the purchase of Alpha Beta and Winterthur-are expected to close in the first quarter of 2011.

Michael Foods to Expand in Gaylord

The company has entered into an agreement with the city to purchase a 31,460-square-foot building and two vacant lots in an industrial complex where it currently owns three other buildings.

3M Sued by State for Pollution Clean-Up Costs

After months of failed negotiations, Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson filed a lawsuit last week demanding that 3M pay the state for damage caused by its disposal of a certain type of chemical.