Special Report

Increasingly independent real estate agencies

Nonaligned real estate brokerages see growth, say reduced fees attract agents

June 5, 2014

Some independent real estate brokers here say their agencies are growing rapidly despite not having the brand recognition of regional and national franchise operations. Dan Lysek, co-owner and designated broker at Spokane Valley-based Live Real Estate LL

Hydraulic concern sees growth in manufacturing

ACM supplies, services equipment parts, valves

May 22, 2014

Mike McLean

Advanced Concepts in Man-ufacturing LLC, a young Spokane Valley manufacturing equipment service and supply company, has grown fourfold since its first year of operation and expects that growth to continue as the economy improves, says Eric Wellington, vic

Supply-chain execs look to invest in technology

Many said concerned about lack of workers

May 22, 2014

Staff Report

Supply-chain executives want to invest in powerful new technologies and business innovations to improve their supply chains, but are hampered by a shortage of qualified talent and pressure to cut costs, according to a new study by MHI and Deloitte Consult

Valley distribution center eyes $5 million addition

Core-Mark signs 15-year lease at expanded facility

May 22, 2014

Mike McLean

Core-Mark International Inc., the big San Francisco-based general merchandise distributor, is expanding its Spokane Valley distribution center with a 50,000-square-foot addition. Including the addition, Core-Mark will occupy 150,000 square feet of floo

Odom poised to expand presence

Distributor hopes to start using big new warehouse here in June

May 22, 2014

Katie Ross

Odom Corp., the Bellevue, Wash.-based wholesale beverage distributor, is anticipating the completion this summer of a new 200,000-square-foot regional warehouse on the West Plains, says Jerry Dexter, Spokane-based senior vice president for supply chain ma

Confidence rises among goods makers in new survey

Optimism hits highest point since late 2012, poll shows

May 22, 2014

Staff Report

Manufacturers are showing the highest level of business optimism since late 2012, according to the latest National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)/IndustryWeekÂ Survey of Manufacturers issued earlier this spring. The survey found that 86 percent of

Entering new dimension

Emerging 3-D printers useful in wide array of applications

May 22, 2014

Judith Spitzer

Once perceived as grist for sci-fi aficionados in a distant future, 3-D printing is turning up in unexpected places, in vastly different industries, and with surprising applications from the manufacture of prototypes, to the creation of synthetic body par

Kreidler looks to bolster data on medical networks

OIC passes rule designed to benefit health plan users

May 8, 2014

Staff Report

A new rule meant to give consumers more information about health insurers' provider networks has been published by Washington state Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler. The new regulation applies to all state-regulated health plans offered both ins

Holy Family's updated baby center ready to deliver

Expanded LDRP facility garners positive feedback

May 8, 2014

Kim Crompton

Providence Holy Family Hospital's newly remodeled and expanded Family Maternity Center is drawing positive feedback from patients and staff, and is well positioned to handle anticipated growth in demand for its 'LDRPâ€ model, which enables women to e

Illegal tobacco sales high in state for second year

Report says 15 percent of retailers sold to minors

May 8, 2014

Staff Report

The number of retailers in Washington illegally selling tobacco to minors is high for the second year in a row. An annual report that tracks illegal sales shows about 15 percent of tobacco retailers sold tobacco to minors in 2013, which is about the same