Business News: Blossman Gas buys Dade Gas

Blossman Gas buys Dade Gas

Dade Gas Co., which supplies natural gas to 2,200 customers in Dade County ,Ga., and a portion of Jackson County, Ala., has a new owner.

Blossman Gas Inc., based in Ocean Springs, Miss., bought the Trenton, Ga.-based gas distributor, effective Oct. 31. Blossman is keeping the 6-employee staff at Dade Gas and the operation will be managed by Gerald Cook, who also manages Blossman operations in nearby Lafayette, Ga.

Dade Gas was started 22 years ago and was sold by owners Melvin Branford and Peggy Wallins.

""We are very pleased that the owners of Dade Gas have selected Blossman Gas to continue their long tradition of exceptional service to their customers," Blossman Gas CEO Stuart Wiedie said in a statement Wednesday. "This acquisition fits well into our strategy of acquiring quality propane companies in the eastern half of the United States."

Blossman Propane Gas, Appliance & Service serves about 150,000 customers in the Southeast and Mid Atlantic states and sells more than 85 million gallons of propane a year. Its showrooms also provide demonstrations and expertise on most national manufacturers of ranges, cooktops, water heaters, generators, gas grills and gas logs.


Kenco handles Coravin shipments

A Chattanooga-based logistics company has been chosen as the exclusive North American shipper for the new Coravin Wine Access System, a new technology that allows wine to be poured from the bottle without pulling the cork.

Kenco will handle all of the logistics to deliver the new device, which uses an inert, pressurized gas to keep wine fresh even after single or multiple servings from the bottle.

Kenco began handling shipping and returns for Coravin in March, along with some light assembly. Fulfillment is based at one of Kenco's Chattanooga facilities. In addition to consumer-direct shipments, Kenco will support the growth of existing sales to restaurants, wineries, cruise ships, and other dining/entertainment venues. Kenco will also provide parcel optimization solutions for Coravin's domestic and international shipments.

"We had been handling all the logistics in house since we first launched our Coravin system two years ago," said Coravin CEO Nick Lazaris. "But as our success soared, we knew we needed a 3PL partner who could deliver high-end services for our high-quality product."


Family Dollar delays special meeting

MATTHEWS, N.C. - Family Dollar is delaying a special meeting at which shareholders were to vote on its $8.5 billion acquisition by Dollar Tree as regulators determine how many stores might need to be divested for antitrust reasons.

The discount retailer said Wednesday that an update on the status of the Federal Trade Commission review is expected by the end of the first week of December. Dollar General said in a separate statement that is still committed to acquiring Family Dollar and that it is in talks with the FTC about the divestitures needed.

The meeting was rescheduled so shareholders would have enough time to review any additional information they receive prior to the meeting. The meeting scheduled for Dec. 11 will now be held almost two weeks later, on Dec. 23.

In July Dollar Tree Inc. agreed to buy Family Dollar for $8.5 billion, or $74.50 per share in cash and stock. Dollar General Corp. made a $9.1 billion bid, which Family Dollar's board rejected. Dollar General took its offer directly to Family Dollar shareholders, but it has garnered little support.

Dollar Tree, based in Chesapeake, Virginia, sells all items for $1 or less. Family Dollar and Goodlettsville, Tennessee-based Dollar General carry more national brands and items that cost several dollars.


Job fair today by staffing firm

HTI Employment Solutions, a Greenville, S.C.-based staffing company that is opening an office in Chattanooga to handle workers for Plastic Omnium and other manufacturing companies, is conducting its first job fair today form 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 2321 Lifestyle Way near Hamilton Place Mall.

The company is trying to fill the initial 184 temp-to-hire jobs for Plastic Omnium, a Volkswagen plastic bumper maker. Eventually, the automotive supplier plans to hire 300 workers. HTI is looking to hire operators, technicians, team leaders and other positions with a starting wage at $12.45 an hour. The jobs will work in assembly, paint line loading, preparation and injection molding. Manufacturing experience is preferred, but the minimum requirements are for only a high school diploma or GED equivalent.

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