Published May 2002

Business Briefs

Rinker pipe plant closes
Workers at a concrete pipe plant that had operated for decades in southwest Everett were given layoff notices in April as the facility prepared to close, employees said.

Rinker Materials Corp., formerly known as CSR America, planned to close the plant at 6300 Glenwood Ave. in late April, according to workers.

The assets were being sold to Hanson Pipe & Products, a division of British-based Hanson PLC and the largest concrete pipe maker in North America, workers said.

Rinker officials had no comment on the announced closure, only confirming that the plant might be sold.

“We are in a possible sale process, which is governed under a confidentiality agreement,” said Peter Trimble, a spokesman for the Florida-based company. “Until something happens, nothing is definite.”

But the plant’s employees — currently numbering 35 — were given their two weeks’ notice April 9.

Dan O’Connor, Business Manager with Laborers Union Local 292, started meeting with workers and management after the April 9 announcement.

In addition to the Everett pipe plant, Rinker owns asphalt, concrete and aggregate plants in Snohomish County. None of those other facilities, some of which are located next to the pipe plant, will be affected by the closure, Trimble said.

Before coming under the ownership of Rinker in 1990, the plant and other materials facilities were owned by Everett’s Associated Sand & Gravel Co., which was founded in 1938 by business partners George Duecy and Howard Sievers.

— Eric Fetters

HomeStreet Bank program
raises funds for zoo
HomeStreet Bank and Woodland Park Zoo are partnering together for Wild About Zoos, a promotion in support of zoo programs and operations.

Through September, HomeStreet will donate $5 to Woodland Park Zoo for every bank account, mortgage, loan and insurance policy opened at one of its branches, including its Marysville and Mountlake Terrace locations.

For more information about Wild About Zoos, call HomeStreet at 800-719-8080 or visit online at www.homestreet.com.

Campaign for Kids Lunch set;
Tulalip leader to be honored
The 2002 Campaign for Kids Lunch will be held at noon on May 30 at the Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel in Everett.

The event, which helps raise money for scholarships and programs provided to more than 12,000 kids in Snohomish County through Boys & Girls Club facilities as well as school and apartment sites, will feature Wally Walker, President and CEO of the Seattle SuperSonics and Storm, as the keynote speaker. County Executive Bob Drewel will be the master of ceremonies.

The HERO Award, which is given to an individual in the county that contributes to the organization in an amazing way, will be given to Herman Williams, Chairman of the Tulalip Tribes.

There is no cost for a ticket; however, donations will be accepted at the end of the event. For more information or to register, call 425-258-2436.

WSU program to start at University Center
Washington State University’s Master’s in Engineering Management degree is being offered at the University Center at Everett Station beginning this month.

EM 575, Performance Management in Technical Organizations, begins May 13.

Call 425-259-8602 for more information.

Erickson Furniture adds
collection, display area
Erickson Furniture of Everett will be the exclusive area retailer for the Christopher Lowell Home Collection from Flexsteel. The store has added a 1,600-square-foot custom display area designed by Lowell to showcase the collection, a fabric kiosk, style samples and a video explaining Lowell’s design philosophy.

Herald, union reach agreement
About 50 members of the Pacific Northwest Newspaper Guild have reached an agreement with The Herald on a four-year contract.

The contract was ratified April 3 by the workers, who work in advertising, production, distribution and technical services jobs. The union did not disclose the vote total, but guild spokeswoman Liz Brown said it was approved by a wide margin.

The contract gives workers annual raises of between 2.5 and 4.4 percent, depending on job category, which, given the current economic climate, is “fair,” Brown said.

The union also won a wage differential for some night-shift workers who didn’t receive one before, and The Herald agreed to contract buyouts, rather than layoffs, if new technology eliminates the jobs of workers during the life of the contract.

Publisher Allen Funk said the agreement allows nonunion artists to do more work during the production of advertisements. In exchange, the paper will spend more money on training for union-represented composing room workers.

Business-plan workshop set
Everett Community College is offering a workshop titled “How to Write a Business Plan” from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on two consecutive Thursdays beginning May 16. The course will simplify the task of business planning.

The price is $95, and pre-registration is required.

For more information or to register, call Continuing Education at 425-388-9214.

New hotel opens in Mukilteo
Extended Stay America Inc. has opened a three-story hotel at 3917 Harbour Pointe Blvd. SW in Mukilteo.

The 107-room hotel, the company’s 18th property in Washington, is aimed at business people on extended work assignments or people who are relocating and need a place to stay for more than a couple of days.

Business input wanted for trade mission
The Trade Development Alliance is sponsoring a trade mission to Barcelona, Spain, early this month, and Snohomish County Councilman Dave Gossett, the county’s representative to the TDA, will be participating.

Local businesses that are interested in exporting or importing opportunities with Spain, and that want specific issues addressed or questions answered during the trade mission, can contact Gossett by calling 425-388-3494 or sending e-mail to dave.gossett@co.snohomish.wa.us.

Wilder wins award for Everett Station work
Wilder Construction of Everett won the Eagle of Excellence Award from the Associated Builders and Contractors of Western Washington recently for its work on the new Everett Station transportation center. The project was selected for its outstanding execution and because its many facets showcase “what it takes to put an entire project together.”

Local historian to speak
at accountants’ dinner
Snohomish County historian David Dilgard will be the featured speaker when the Everett chapter of the American Society of Women Accountants holds its annual public relations dinner, starting at 5:30 p.m. May 9 at the Everett Holiday Inn. For reservations, call Linda Jensen at 425-745-5365 or send e-mail to lindakj@gte.net. The sign-up deadline is May 2.

Back to the top/May 2002 Main Menu