Four N.H. businesses fail in July
Some 335 households and businesses filed in July
Author: Bob Sanders
PC Connection's YTD sales top $1b
Driven by corporate buying, PC Connection Inc. sold some $543 million of computers, services, equipment and software last quarter, a 6 percent increase over last year, resulting in net income of $8.8 million or 33 cents a share, a nickel…
Micronetics settles pre-merger shareholder suits
Micronetics Inc. on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding that tentatively settles three shareholder class action suits in an attempt to prevent them from affecting the company's $75 million merger to Mercury Computer Systems Inc. The terms of the settlement…
2Q profits jump 62% for Centrix Bank
Centrix Bank's profits shot up in the second quarter to $2.4 million, or 76 cents a common share -- a 62 percent increase compared to the same quarter last year. That brings the Bedford-based commercial bank's net income to $4…
Unitil reports loss for second quarter
Unitil Corp. lost $400,000, or 3 cents a share, in the quarter ending June 30, despite recent rate increases. The Hampton-based company said weather was mostly to blame. With 20 percent fewer heating days, natural gas usage plummeted 7.8 percent…
Total GTAT exec compensation rises 15 percent in 2012
GT Advanced Technologies paid its top five executives $16.8 million in cash, equity and benefits for the 2012 fiscal year - a 15 percent increase over the previous fiscal year, according to a proxy filed with the Securities and Exchange…
Milford candlemaker to expand in Ohio
Alene Candles LLC, the Milford-based contract manufacturer of high-end candles and home fragrance products, has announced plans to expand and create several hundred new jobs -- in Ohio, not New Hampshire. The company -- which now employs about 125 full-time…
GTAT hiring of Calif. battery firm exec sparks speculation
GT Advanced Technologies has hired Dan Squiller, CEO of PowerGenix Corp., a California company that develops batteries for hybrid vehicles, according to documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. But circumstances have prompted speculation that there may be…
USA Springs should be liquidated, says bankruptcy trustee
The bankruptcy trustee filed a motion Tuesday in Bankruptcy Court to convert USA Springs' Chapter 11 reorganization bankruptcy to Chapter 7 liquidation after the cancelation of a scheduled July 20 auction and the company's bankruptcy attorneys filed motions to quit…
NHTB earnings flat in second quarter
The 2012 second-quarter earnings of Lake Sunapee Bank's parent company didn't improve much from last year's second quarter. New Hampshire Thrift Bancshares Inc. reported earnings of $2 million, or 30 cents a diluted share, virtually the same as it did…
Soltani challenges USA Springs bankruptcy lawyer's bid to quit
After seeking postponement of Friday's auction of the controversial USA Springs bottling business until September, the firm's bankruptcy attorney asked to withdraw from the case because of what he called "irreconcilable differences" with his client -- a move that would…
Q&A with FairPoint President Patrick McHugh
Patrick C. McHugh, who represented FairPoint Communications as an attorney at Devine Millimet & Branch, became its New Hampshire president in November 2011, replacing Teresa Rosenberger, another former Devine attorney who returned to the firm. NHBR caught up with him…
Senate panel OKs easing independent contractor rules
Employers would be able to send workers to the state Labor Department to be certified as independent contractors if Senate Bill 191, a measure endorsed Tuesday by the Senate Commerce Committee, becomes law. The bill, approved over the objections of…
Enterasys to return to N.H. with 540 jobs
The move back to New Hampshire represents a remarkable comeback for the firm, which left the state in 2003
USA Springs deal is muddied again
The detention of two executives of Malom Group AG -- and the difficulties of the Swiss company in proving two Brazilian bonds it holds are legitimate -- has held up closing on a $60 million loan that would enable bankrupt…
4 women allege sex harassment at Manchester firm
Four female employees of Manchester-based HR Concepts LLC have filed a sexual harassment suit last week against the Manchester company and its CEO, Peter H. Jennings. The suit charges that Jennings inappropriately touched several of the defendants and made crude…
In Lakes Region, tourism a mixed bag
It's not a bad life, economically speaking, up in the Lakes Region. But that doesn't mean it's the good life either. It should be. New Hampshire Business Review contacted a sampling of those who make their money off visitors in…
Insurance Dept. health exchange bid actions questioned
The New Hampshire Insurance Department has disciplined Leslie Ludtke -- its health-care policy analyst -- for what it calls "behavior issues," but for what Ludtke says was her refusal to go along with bidding procedures that might be illegal. Ludtke…
Senate panel backs health alliances
The Senate Commerce Committee has given the go-ahead to make it easier for organizations like chambers of commerce to form purchasing alliances for health insurance, but it doesn't particularly care for qualified trusts, which would make it easier for trade…
Bill fixing health purchasing alliances gains
New Hampshire chambers of commerce want more flexibility in the state's health insurance purchasing alliance law, and it looks like they are going to get it, despite the concerns of insurers. The concern of the local chambers and the Business…
Ex-Cabletron exec reflects: 'Why didn't I speak up?'
A year out of federal prison, Gayle Spence maintains that the wrong people went to jail
Ocean Bank to take People's name
The Ocean Bank name, which was first used in 1854 by a bank in Kennebunk, Maine, and has replaced the name of more then a dozen New Hampshire banks in various mergers over the last two decades, will be no…
How alleged ‘Ponzi’ firm fell through regulatory cracks
Both the state’s securities and banking agencies argue that the other had primary jurisdiction over the company
Hypertherm supplier drops demand
A legal dispute between Hanover-based Hypertherm Inc. and a key supplier that shut down a product line appears to have been resolved. ACT Electronics Inc., the Massachusetts-based sole supplier of circuit boards for which Hypertherm had already paid, shipped the…
Hypertherm claims ‘extort’ threat by supplier
Hypertherm Inc. has charged a sole supplier of a crucial circuit board with trying to “extort” a quarter of a million dollars by withholding equipment for which the Hanover, N.H.-based manufacturer says it has already paid and desperately needs. As…
State rep taps China’s bounty
Ten years ago, state Rep. Fran Wendelboe, the staunch conservative deputy House majority leader from New Hampton “wouldn’t have dreamed of doing business in China.” Even now, as a “pro-life person,” China’s encouragement of abortion and its one-child policy, “absolutely…
Planet Fitness sues over trademark
Planet Fitness is seeking a judgment about the use of its “judgment free” language.
More news from NHBR:
NH residential real estate: ‘Still very much a seller’s market’
While home prices might be moderating in other parts of the country, the median price of a single-family house in New Hampshire rose to $550,000 in August, the second highest price point this current year. That price is just $3,000 more than the $547,000 recorded in July, but it is $47,500 more than January’s $502,500. The highest median price in 2025 was $569,450, recorded in June and the most ever recorded in the state.
Pro-business groups back BEA commissioner continuing
3 of 5 Executive Council members oppose Taylor Caswell’s reappointment
Erin Creegan tapped as interim U.S. Attorney for New Hampshire
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has appointed Erin Creegan to serve as the interim U.S. Attorney for New Hampshire, following the resignation of Jay McCormack earlier this month.
Judge rules NH is not funding an adequate education
Superior Court Judge David Ruoff has once again ruled that the state has shirked its duty to fund an adequate education and this time further held that local school property taxes, which vary in rate from one municipality to another, are themselves unconstitutional.
Inquiries pressure BEA to explain Chinese water company Nashua purchase
Nashua mayor: ‘I don't think people generally understand that this company came to Nashua as part of a state economic development initiative.’
Solar advocates throw shade on $43.5 million grant clawback by Trump
Solar advocates in New Hampshire — backed by the congressional delegation — are denouncing a Trump White House decision to claw back $48.5 million already promised to the state to fund solar energy projects for low-income residents.
Pro-business groups back BEA commissioner's reappointment
As Taylor Caswell’s reappointment as commissioner of the N.H. Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA) hangs in the balance, two independent statewide economic-related associations are standing with him and saying he should keep his job. The presidents of the New Hampshire Business & Industry Association (BIA) and Ski New Hampshire offered statements backing Caswell’s reappointment by the Executive Council.
Assessing this year’s State House housing initiatives: More could have been done
Housing stakeholders' criticism is directed largely at a new state budget that defunds or doesn't fund certain programs
Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo praises Trump’s interventionist side
With the interventionist version of President Trump on the upswing, one of its most forceful cheerleaders — former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo — took a recent victory lap in New Hampshire.
