Category: News

(Reuters) – Tire maker GPX International Tire Corp said on Tuesday its U.S. operations filed for Chapter 11 protection as a result of 44 percent antidumping duties levied by the U.S. Commerce Department against its manufacturing facility in China.

GPX, which specializes in making tires for off-road use, said it would use the restructuring process to split its operations into three parts and sell them separately.

Under the restructuring plan, Alliance Tire Corp will acquire GPX’s U.S. operations, including worldwide rights to the Galaxy and Primex brands, the company’s medium radial truck tire distribution business and the company’s South African entity, GPX Tyre South Africa.

The company will wind down its European operations, while its Canadian unit, Dynamic Tire Corp, will become a separate entity.

The bankruptcy filing applies only to GPX and not to its foreign subsidiaries including Canada’s Dynamic Tire and China’s Starbright Group Inc, the company said.

In a bankruptcy petition filed late on Monday, the company said it had both assets and liabilities of between $100 million and $500 million.

Malden, Massachusetts-based GPX said that although some job eliminations may arise from redundancies in corporate functions, the restructuring will allow 95 percent of its current North American workforce to remain employed.

A list of creditors holding the largest unsecured claims includes U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which is owed $5.7 million, and China’s Tianjin United Tire and Rubber, which is owed $1.8 million, according to the bankruptcy petition.

The case is In re: GPX International Tire Corp, US Bankruptcy Court, District of Massachusettes (Boston), No. 09-20170. (Reporting by Santosh Nadgir in Bangalore; Editing by Mike Miller)

peHUB Note: Sterling Investment Partners had acquired a minority equity stake in GPX four years ago for just over $40 million.

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You’ve heard of Borderlands, right? It’s one of the new FPSs out there but forget about the rest, you must play this game. I just started yesterday after beating Prototype (another killer game) and I have to say I’m hooked. So far I’m getting the vibe that the game is kind of like a cross between a western-themed FPS and a RPG with a simple, but robust character development. (I’m playing as Mordecai, the sniper) Anyway, just watch the trailer above and then get the game. It’s on Steam or your favorite torrent site. Oh, and it has a Co-Op mode. Everyone loves Co-Op.

Coachman Industries Inc. (OTC BB: COHM), an Elkhart, Ind.-based home construction company, has raised $20 million in debt financing from an affiliate of H.I.G Capital. The deal includes $10 million of convertible debt funded at closing and a $10 million revolving line of credit.

PRESS RELEASE

Coachmen Industries, Inc. (Pink Sheets: COHM.PK) announced today that it had completed a $20 million two-year financing arrangement with an affiliate of H.I.G. Capital, LLC for the working capital needs of the Company.

“This culminates almost a year of effort to secure new financing for the Company and puts to rest any lingering questions about our Company’s financial stability. It enables us to proceed immediately on two pending major construction projects. In addition, we can now resume making strategic investments critical to our future,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Rick Lavers.

“While the capital itself provides us with increased financial flexibility, equally important is the effect this transaction has had on our bonding capabilities,” Lavers continued. “With the assistance of H.I.G. Capital, we have been able to dramatically reduce the collateralization requirements on bonds necessary to operate our businesses. This reduction has allowed us to accept a contract for the long-anticipated second stage of the Ft. Bliss, Texas barracks project in the amount of $8.1 million, for which we received a “go forward letter” this week. Construction on that project will start in the fourth quarter of this year. In addition, we have also received a verbal award based on our RFP for a major dormitory project of about the same size, which also requires bonding. But for the support of H.I.G., the Company would not have been able to move forward on either of these opportunities.”

Coachmen expects that this transaction will also free up millions of dollars in restricted cash currently pledged to support various letters of credit. The Company also announced that it has signed a contract for the sale of its shuttered facility in Zanesville, OH for $2.9 million. That transaction is scheduled to close October 31, although that closing date may be extended into November.

H.I.G. Capital is a leading global private equity investment firm with more than $7.5 billion of equity capital under management. Based in Miami, and with offices in Atlanta, Boston, and San Francisco in the U.S., as well as affiliate offices in London, Hamburg and Paris in Europe, H.I.G. specializes in providing capital to small and medium-sized companies with attractive growth potential. Matt Sanford and Fabian de Armas, both of H.I.G., will join Coachmen’s Board of Directors, effective immediately.

Sanford, a Managing Director of H.I.G., said, “We are pleased to provide the financial support necessary to allow Rick and his team to pursue their strategic vision for the company less encumbered by short term liquidity constraints. While it continues to face extremely tough market conditions in the short-term, we believe this is a good business with solid long-term potential.”

The $20 million credit line consists of two components, $10 million of convertible debt funded at closing and a $10 million revolving line of credit to be drawn as business conditions dictate. Under certain circumstances, HIG may convert the debt into shares of Company stock, and may also exercise warrants it will receive in the transaction that in combination could give them voting control of approximately 51% of the outstanding stock of the Company. That percentage could increase if the Company either misses certain performance covenants, or if the Company exercises its option to pay interest on the debt in additional notes, rather than cash.

About Coachmen Industries

Coachmen Industries, Inc. is one of America’s premier systems-built construction companies under the ALL AMERICAN BUILDING SYSTEMS®, ALL AMERICAN HOMES® and MOD-U-KRAF® brands, as well as a manufacturer of specialty vehicles. Coachmen Industries, Inc. is a publicly held company with stock quoted and traded on the over-the-counter markets under the ticker COHM.PK.

About H.I.G. Capital

H.I.G. Capital is a leading global private equity investment firm focused exclusively on the middle market. It has a broad and flexible capital base and more than $7.5 billion of equity capital under management. Based in Miami, and with offices in Atlanta, Boston, New York and San Francisco in the U.S., as well as affiliate offices in London, Hamburg and Paris in Europe, H.I.G. specializes in providing capital to small and medium-sized companies with attractive growth potential. Since its founding, H.I.G. has invested in and managed more than 200 companies worldwide. The firm’s current portfolio includes companies with combined revenues in excess of $7 billion. For more information, please refer to the H.I.G. website at www.higcapital.com.

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The House Democratic leadership is expected to unveil its health-overhaul legislation Thursday, the Associated Press reports. The next step will be for the merged bill – consolidated from three separate committee reports – to go to the Congressional Budget Office for a cost estimate, before lawmakers vote. In the Senate, Majority Leader Harry Reid is awaiting the CBO’s analysis of his bill, before taking it to the floor (10/29).

“CBO’s answers will help determine whether the public option lives or dies. Even whether we get reform or not,” according to PBS’ Nightly Business Report. The budget office will face significant challenges in preparing a forecast, however, and it will have broad margins of error. A former director of the office told Nightly Business Report that many of the new, untested provisions in the bill, like health exchanges and interstate insurance markets, would be difficult to estimate. He also points out that the CBO is constrained by congressional demands. For instance, lawmakers insist that they are scheduled to cut doctors pay by 20 percent in the next few years, and for budgeting purposes, Congress ignores the fact that they are extremely unlikely to do so (Gersh, 10/28).

Meanwhile, “Senate Democrats are concerned that cost estimates for a health care reform bill will not be available for another week and a half, pushing back their quest to begin debating the bill on the floor sometime next week,” Roll Call reports. “That timeline could complicate Reid’s ability to finish debate before Thanksgiving, because the Veterans Day holiday on Nov. 11 falls on a Wednesday and the Senate is not expected to be in session that day or the remainder of that week. That would leave just one full week of floor debate on the bill before Thanksgiving on Nov. 26” (Pierce, 10/28).

Franklin Myers has joined Paine & Partners as an operating advisor, with a focus on energy investment opportunities. He is a former advisor and senior executive with Cameron International Corp.

PRESS RELEASE

Paine & Partners, LLC (“Paine & Partners”) today announced that Franklin Myers has joined Paine & Partners as an Operating Advisor focused on identifying and evaluating energy investment opportunities globally for the firm.

“Franklin has exceptional experience building, growing and guiding large, successful and global energy organizations,” said Troy Thacker, a Partner of the firm. “Paine & Partners has a long-standing interest and strong investment track record in the energy sector.  We believe Paine & Partners’ creative approach to problem solving combined with Franklin’s wealth of experience in the industry will allow our fund to serve as a differentiated capital provider to the energy sector.”

 

“I have great respect for Paine & Partners’ investment approach, which creates long-term value through deep industry knowledge, operational improvement and innovative problem solving, in partnership with management teams,” said Mr. Myers. “The principals and I share a view that the current environment presents a range of compelling energy investment opportunities.  I look forward to pursuing these opportunities as part of the Paine & Partners team, contributing my operational expertise and experience in the energy industry.”

 

W. Dexter Paine, III, a Partner of Paine & Partners, added, “We are very pleased to welcome Franklin to our growing group of Operating Directors and Advisors.  This group, comprised of leaders in our focus industries, is a unique and important part of Paine & Partners’ investment process.”

 

Until recently, Mr. Myers was a Senior Advisor to Cameron International Corporation (formerly known as Cooper Cameron Corporation).  Mr. Myers served as Senior Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Cameron International Corporation from January 2003 until April 2008 when he became a Senior Advisor to the company.  Mr. Myers served as Senior Vice President of Cooper Cameron Corporation from July 2001 to January 2003, as Senior Vice President and President of the Cooper Energy Services division from August 1998 to July 2002 and Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary from April 1995 to July 1999. Prior to joining Cooper Cameron Corporation, Mr. Myers was employed by Baker Hughes Inc., where he served as Vice President and General Counsel from January 1988 to December 1994 and as Senior Vice President and General Counsel from December 1994 to April 1995. 

 

Previously, Mr. Myers was an Attorney and Partner at the law firm of Fulbright & Jaworski.   Mr. Myers has served as a Director of ION Geophysical Corporation (previously Input Output Inc.) since 2001, and is currently Chairman of the Compensation Committee and a Member of the Audit and Governance Committees. Mr. Myers also serves on the Boards of Directors of Comfort Systems USA Inc., ION Geophysical Corporation, Reunion Industries Inc., Seahawk Drilling, Inc and Convest Energy Corp. 

 

Mr. Myers received a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from Mississippi State University and a J.D. degree, with honors, from the University of Mississippi.

 

About Paine & Partners, LLC

Paine & Partners provides equity capital for management buyouts, going private transactions, and company expansion and growth programs. Paine & Partners engages exclusively in friendly transactions developed in cooperation with a company’s management, board of directors, and shareholders. Since it was established in 1997, the firm has executed 18 platform investments and 63 add-on acquisitions, representing a total enterprise value of USD $6.5 billion.  For further information, see www.painepartners.com.

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Google began rolling out its new music search feature late yesterday. The feature enables search results with links to audio previews of songs provided by MySpace (which just acquired iLike) or Lala, when a user searches for music-related queries like the name of a song, artist, or album. The results also include links to purchase full songs.

Google says it is always looking for ways to reduce the "time to result," or the length of time it takes a user to actually find what they are looking for. Since Google gets millions of search queries about music each day, they figured this feature would be a good way to reduce that in many cases. "If you’re searching for music, ‘time to result’ is really ‘time to music,’" Google says.

Google takes a step further by providing results based on specific lyrics. "Many times, though, you don’t know the name of the song or the artist who sings it," the company says. "Maybe you remember only the chorus — or maybe you remember who sang it, but you forgot the exact name of the song. If you’ve ever heard a catchy song in a car or cafe, but just can’t figure out the name of the song, you’ll know what I’m talking about. This search feature also helps you find many of those songs by entering a search containing a line or two of lyrics."

Google has also partnered with Pandora, imeem and Rhapsody to include links to their sites where you can discover music related to your queries as well.

Yahoo took Google’s announcement as an opportunity to bring up what it has been doing with music search itself. "We have found that nearly 6 percent of all Yahoo! searches are music-related," says Larry Cornett, Vice President, Consumer Products, Yahoo Search. "Given the massive number of things people search for, we think it is pretty significant."

"We’ve made it easier to find music videos, artist information, and play full length songs from within the search results page," he adds. "This is just one of the many ways Yahoo! is enhancing the search experience for music lovers. With Search Assist, Search Monkey, and Yahoo! Shortcuts, you can discover even more relevant information about your favorite artist. Wonder what U2 is up to these days? Search for U2 and you’ll see images and videos, and hear full-length songs all in one place."

Since the overwhelming majority of searchers are using Google, finding music looks like it will be much more convenient now. Not everybody can access Google’s feature yet, but they should be able to sometime today. Do you have it yet? What do you think? Share your thoughts.

Related Articles: 

> MySpace Introduces New Music Features

> Google Phone and Music Service Both on the Way?

> MySpace Music Goes Down Under

The rumors were correct. Nintendo was planning a larger screen DSi. Fair enough. So now you’re probably wondering just how big of a difference a 4.2-inch screen is over a 3.25-inch screen. Well, Nintendo is fielding that question with a little interactive page, which trys to up-sell the new, large screen model over the original one. Seeing is believing, after all.

The page is in Japanese but the picture doesn’t need translation. The new DSi LL is a monster compared to the standard DSi. Aging gamers are going to dig it for sure. (John’s in that group, btw)

Two years ago, a class action lawsuit was filed against the cable companies for not offering a la carte channels. This is an issue that gets people up in arms — even as studies have suggested that mandated a la carte would cost consumers more (though, others dispute those findings). On the whole, I think that a la carte offerings that let people choose their own channels would certainly make consumers much happier (a good thing), but I have trouble believing that it should be mandated by the government.

So does the district court where the lawsuit was filed. It’s now been dismissed, with the court saying that the plaintiffs failed to show the harm to the market. Of course, the case will be appealed, so this is a long way from over.

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ScanScout Inc., a Cambridge, Mass.-based developer of software for inserting contextual advertising into Internet video, has raised new Series B funding from EDB Investments of Singapore. This closes out an $8.5 million Series B round. Other company backers include Catalyst Partners, First Round Capital, Time Warner and Ron Conway.

PRESS RELEASE

ScanScout ( http://www.scanscout.com ) today announced that Singapore-based EDB Investments (EDBI) has made an investment in ScanScout to close the in-stream video ad provider’s series B round at $8.5 million. The new funds will aid growth of the company in the United States as well as establish new developments in the Asian market, including the company’s new Singapore headquarters, its first office in the region. The strategic investment from EDBI follows the launch of ScanScout’s new Super Pre-Roll video ad unit. The format solves pre-roll’s engagement limitations by integrating interactive elements into the ads and creates an environment that is more compelling for viewers and beneficial for brands.

“ScanScout continues to provide advertisers and consumers the best experience with in-stream video ads and EDBI’s investment will ensure that we maintain that practice,” said Bill Day, CEO, ScanScout. “Adding EDBI as an investor is a testament to ScanScout’s desire to grow both domestically and internationally and is a resounding endorsement of the potential of online video industry.”

“ScanScout has proprietary technologies that are scalable and borderless, and fits very well with EDBI’s investment interests in the exciting field of digital media,” said Swee-Yeok Chu, CEO of EDB Investments. “With its novel underlying technologies and the strong growth of online videos in the industry, we look forward to ScanScout expanding its international footprint and growing new capabilities in Singapore as its global launch point in Asia.”

Over the past year, ScanScout has experienced tremendous growth. ScanScout was ranked by comScore in July 2009 as the largest online video ad network and its network of 600-plus premium publishers continues to grow rapidly due to market-beating CPM pricing and the ability to monetize both pre-roll and overlay ad impressions. ScanScout is the only comprehensive online video advertising company in the market today with an at-scale network for both pre-roll and overlay ad units. Over the last year, ScanScout has run several hundred ad campaigns for leading ad agencies and their clients.

The popularity of online video continues to grow at an impressive rate across the globe. In the United States alone, advertising revenue within the medium is projected to eclipse $4b by 2013 with 85 percent of U.S. Internet users interacting with online video, according to recent eMarketer reports.

About ScanScout
ScanScout is video advertising that guarantees results. As the leading in-stream video advertising provider, the company connects advertisers and consumers through online video maximizing brand impact and providing unmatched transparency and measurability within the industry. By utilizing breakthrough proprietary technology that ensures precision targeting, real-time optimization and brand protection, Scanscout generates engagement and value throughout the entire video-viewing experience. Partners include more than 600 premium sites including RealNetworks, Fox News and Broadway.tv. For more information, please visit: www.scanscout.com.

About EDB Investments
EDB Investments (EDBI) is a leading investment firm headquartered in Singapore with worldwide presence. EDBI invests globally in the innovative and dynamic sectors of Biomedical Sciences, Clean Technologies, Digital Media, as well as key industries in Singapore. As a value adding investor, EDBI works closely with its portfolio companies, leveraging on its extensive networks and experience to help bridge and drive the companies’ growth strategies for Asia. For more information please visit www.edbi.com.

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SnapLogic, a San Mateo, Calif.-based provider of a data integration platform, has raised $2.3 million in Series A funding. Backers include Andreessen Horowitz, Maples Investments, Naval Ravikant (Epinions co-founder) and Brian McClendon (Google VP of engineering).

PRESS RELEASE

SnapLogic, the DataFlow pioneer, announced today that it has closed a $2.3 million Series A round of venture capital financing. The investors included Andreessen Horowitz, Maples Investments, Google engineering vice president Brian McClendon, and Vast chairman and Epinions co-founder Naval Ravikant. The new funds will be used to continue development of the company’s pioneering DataFlow platform for on-demand data integration. The company also announced that Gaurav Dhillon, co-founder of SnapLogic and a founder and the former chief executive officer of data integration leader Informatica Corporation, has been named chief executive officer of SnapLogic.

“The SnapLogic DataFlow platform is the future of data integration, making business data available when and where it’s needed, flexibly and simply,” said Ravikant. “I’m looking forward to working with Gaurav and the SnapLogic team as they take data integration beyond batch-oriented approaches and into the new realm of on-demand data flow.”

SnapLogic DataFlow uses Web technology to provide an open, scalable, and extensible data integration platform. It provides organizations of all sizes with the most complete, flexible, and cost-effective solution for on-demand data integration. SnapLogic DataFlow can read from and write to any data source, easily integrating data from SaaS applications, the Web, databases, files, and on-premise applications. Extensions for integrating data from NetSuite, SalesForce, SugarCRM, Twitter, and more are available now. More information is available http://www.snaplogic.com/products.

“This round of investment from Internet veterans Marc Andreessen, Mike Maples, Brian McClendon, and Naval Ravikant is a gratifying endorsement of SnapLogic’s mission and approach,” said Dhillon. “The growth of Web data is rapidly changing the volume, composition, uses, and storage of business data, and the requirements for data integration are changing in lock-step. I’m excited to roll up my sleeves and step into a full-time leadership role at SnapLogic at this time of market acceleration and the rise of a new age of data integration.”

Dhillon co-founded SnapLogic in 2006, provided seed capital, and served as the company’s chairman since inception.

Prior to that, he was chief executive officer at Informatica, which he co-founded in 1992. As its first employee, he systematically grew Informatica from a startup idea to a leading software enterprise with customers and operations around the world. As the chief executive, Dhillon led Informatica through its initial launch, its successful initial public offering (IPO), and its expansion to Europe and Asia. And, by the time he left in 2004, he gained industry-wide recognition of his pioneering vision for data integration. Prior to founding Informatica, Dhillon held management and engineering positions at Sterling Software and Unisys Corporation.

About SnapLogic

SnapLogic advances the data integration market with its innovative DataFlow platform, open architecture, and simple subscription business model. The DataFlow platform connects to almost any SaaS, cloud, or Web computing application via open connectors and data pipelines, providing information as a utility to business users and applications. SnapLogic was founded in 2006 by data integration pioneers and is headquartered in San Mateo, Calif. For more information, please visit www.snaplogic.com or call (650) 525-3540.

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You’ve been pregnant for 40 years huh? Wait, I mean 40 weeks. Most women can’t wait for their baby to be born once they hit the last month of pregnancy. Bladders are small, backs are sore, feet are swollen, and they can’t wait to meet their new bundle of joy. Many women seek advice from friend, books, or the Internet on how to naturally induce their labor. Nipple stimulation almost always comes up in conversation. If you are pregnant and someone tells you to use nipple stimulation to induce your labor, smile but don’t take their advice.

In order for the female body to naturally go into labor, a chemical called oxytocin is created. This signals the uterus to begin contracting and the cervix to thin and dilate. If you have ever heard of Pitocin, it is the synthetic version of oxytocin. A woman’s body will never leave her pregnant forever. The body will begin producing oxytocin when it is ready. For many women, this isn’t soon enough. Some try nipple stimulation to jump start their labor.

Nipple stimulation makes the body begin producing oxytocin. The main reason for this is after delivery. When a baby nurses on it’s mother’s breast, the stimulation causes her uterus to contract and shrink back down to it’s normal size. Many women use this natural phenomenon to stimulate contractions BEFORE their baby is born.

There are a couple downfalls to nipple stimulation: nipple pain, and intense contractions. Nipple stimulation for labor induction is not a gentle thing. You either have to manually tug at your nipples for a couple hours or use a breast pump. Either way, your nipples will be red and swollen afterward. If, by chance, the nipple stimulation works, extra oxytocin in body caused by the stimulation will cause the woman to have much more intense contractions. If you have ever been put on pitocin to augment your labor, the intensity is similar to extra oxytocin in your system. A more painful labor is not good for the mother’s psyche or body.

I may sound completely against nipple stimulation, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t try it with my first child. Unfortunately, or fortunately (however you want to look at it), the nipple stimulation did not work for me. I did experience regular contractions, but only while I continually stimulated my nipples. Once I stopped, the contractions. would stop. it just goes to show, the female body will go into labor when it is ready and not a moment sooner.

If you feel like you can’t be pregnant any longer, talk to your doctor. Maybe he/she will induce your labor in a hospital or under the supervision of a professional with pitocin. At least this way you have easy access to an epidural and don’t have red, swollen nipples. As desperate as you may be, try to stay away from nipple stimulation induction.

Related posts:

1. Usurping Mother Nature: The Rise in Induced Births
2. Pregnancy and Your Body
3. Early Pregnancy Test

Your relationship with your caregiver is the most important one you should develop during your pregnancy. It is important that your OB/GYN or midwife shares the same beliefs and views that you do. You have chosen this person to bring your precious bundle into the world and have entrusted them with not only your life, but the life of your unborn child – and your aftercare. It is important that you set up a time to meet with them before making your final decision; you can then determine if they are the right fit for you. You may be able to get recommendations from friends or even your family doctor if they do not deliver babies themselves. A lot depends on whether you want a natural birth in a birthing center, which is more personal and less clinical, or if you want to go the traditional route in the hospital. A lot will also depend on your medical condition during pregnancy. You may be limited. No matter which one you choose, it is important to make your views known.

During your regular doctor’s check-up it is best to ask as many questions as you want. Don’t hold back. That is what your healthcare provider is there for and being paid for. Don’t be afraid to speak up and don’t worry if you feel that you are taking up too much time. It is always best to be well informed. You surely will feel better going home with your questions and concerns addressed. Most clinics also have phone nurses for any additional queries that come up once you are home.

If, after a few visits to your provider, you do not feel comfortable or he or she may seem distracted or forceful during your visit, SWAP DOCTORS! Trust me. They will not be offended in any way. After all, you are the most important person there. You do not want to dread your next visit or risk a miserable delivery. Labor is one of the most important days of your life, and having the confidence that the OB will honor your wishes should the birthing plan suddenly change. Your doctor may not agree with your wishes or listen to your opinion. If you are not okay with this, don’t be afraid to speak up or find someone who will listen to you. You deserve the respect.

During active labor you have the right to change your birth plan and demand medication (although if you are too far into labor you will be denied). Your labor and the delivery of your baby is a once in a lifetime experience and you shouldn’t have to associate negativity with it. If your wishes are denied, demand someone else immediately. You may get another partner in the practice or a doctor on duty, but they may be more inclined to treat you adequately.

Postpartum is every bit as important as the pregnancy itself – if not more so – because now your body is attempting to repair the ravages of childbirth, whether it was a C-section or a vaginal delivery. It is vital that you keep a close eye on your body for any negative symptoms that are listed on the hospital or birthing center discharge paperwork. For example, if your C-section incision site becomes red and painful, contact your doctor. If he or she says tells you this symptom is normal but you don’t feel it is, get it checked out immediately. I, personally, was told this and ended up with multiple C-section infections because I did not speak up. It is imperative that you follow your instinct. If you feel that your worries are not being adequately addressed, speak to someone about it. Don’t take the risk of getting sicker.

Some doctors are not as in tune with postpartum depression as others. It is not something to be ashamed of; it is a serious condition that will affect your recovery as well as your bonding time with your baby. If your doctor dismisses it, bring it to his or her attention. If you are given medication that makes it worse, tell your doctor and they will be able to help. They should be familiar with postpartum depression and should understand how important this is. If not, they can refer you to someone who can help.

Hopefully all will go well for you and your baby. It is up to you to help to make it possible. Make yourself comfortable with your healthcare and lifestyle. This is the best and most important time of your life.

Related posts:

1. Caesarean Section – A Soft Option?
2. Usurping Mother Nature: The Rise in Induced Births
3. What is Postpartum Depression?

By Daniel Gross
Slate.com

Recent data provided newspaper lovers with fodder for despair and newspaper haters with fodder for glee. As Reuters reported, citing Audit Bureau of Circulations figures, “Average weekday circulation at 379 daily newspapers fell 10.6 percent to about 30.4 million copies for the six months that ended on Sept. 30, 2009 from the same period last year.” “Those numbers take my breath away,” said Josh Marshall. “A ten percent decline year over year is the rate of a mode of distribution going out of existence.” Kevin Drum of Mother Jones reaffirmed his view that newspapers would be gone by 2025. Megan McArdle of the Atlantic declared, “I think we’re witnessing the end of the newspaper business, full stop, not the end of the newspaper business as we know it.”

Chillax, people.

At some point in the future, newspapers may disappear. But count me in the later rather than sooner camp. And I can’t help but think that many newspaper-doomsayers are conflating hope with analysis. According to many of the digerati, newspapers and other printed matter that people pay for through clunky old distribution systems (the mail, kids on bicycles, vans) can never make money and are bound to fail, while publications distributed online for free are destined to rule the world. (Of course, I could be guilty of the same impulse. I have feet in both worlds and could no more choose between print and the Web than I could choose between my two children.) But I also think this might be a case of making too much of a few numbers and ignoring some important ones.

First of all, there’s nothing ipso facto shocking about a decline in patronage of 10 percent in six months. Many political blogs and cable news shows have seen their audiences fall by much more than 10 percent since the feverish fall of 2008. And advertising at plenty of online publications has fallen by a similar amount. In case anybody has forgotten, we’ve had a deep, long recession, a huge spike in unemployment, and a credit crunch. Consumers have cut back sharply on all sorts of expenditures. . . READ FULL STORY

American Securities has completed its $38 per share tender offer for GenTek Inc. (Nasdaq: GETI), a Parsippany, N.J.-based maker of inorganic chemical products and valve actuation systems and components for automotive and heavy-duty engines. The acquisition is expected to close shortly, at a total value of approximately $673 million (including $262m of assumed debt and liabilities).

PRESS RELEASE
ASP GT Holding Corp. and ASP GT Acquisition Corp., wholly-owned subsidiaries of investment funds managed by American Securities LLC, a private equity firm, announced today the successful completion of the tender offer for all outstanding shares of common stock of GenTek Inc. ASP GT Holding Corp. intends to complete the acquisition of GenTek promptly.

The tender offer and withdrawal rights expired at 12:00 Midnight, New York City time, on Tuesday, October 27, 2009. The depositary for the tender offer has advised that, as of the expiration time, approximately 9,593,530 shares (including approximately 302,891 shares subject to guarantees of delivery) were validly tendered and not withdrawn, representing approximately 93% of all outstanding shares. All shares that were validly tendered and not properly withdrawn have been accepted for purchase. ASP GT Acquisition Corp. will promptly pay for such shares, at the offer price of $38.00 per share, net to the seller in cash, without interest and less any applicable withholding taxes.

ASP GT Holding Corp. intends to effect a “short-form” merger under Delaware law and GenTek will become a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of ASP GT Holding Corp. As a result of the merger, any shares of GenTek common stock not tendered will be cancelled and (except for shares held in the treasury of GenTek or by GenTek’s subsidiaries, ASP GT Holding Corp. or ASP GT Acquisition Corp., or shares for which appraisal rights are properly demanded) will be converted into the right to receive the same $38.00 in cash per share, without interest and less any applicable withholding taxes, that was paid in the tender offer.

Following the merger, GenTek common stock will cease to be traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market.

About American Securities LLC

Headquartered in New York with an office in Shanghai, American Securities LLC is a U.S. middle-market private equity firm that invests in market-leading companies in North America with annual revenues generally ranging between $100 million to $1 billion. Investments are funded from more than $6 billion of committed capital. The firm traces its roots to the family office founded in 1947 by William Rosenwald to invest and manage his share of his family’s Sears, Roebuck & Co. fortune. More information on American Securities LLC can be found at www.american-securities.com.

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EQT Partners has agreed to acquire Bulgarian cable television companies Eurocom and CableTel, at a combined enterprise value of more than €200 million. It plans to merge the companies and invest additional capital, alongside current CableTel shareholder Ron Finley.

PRESS RELEASE

The total enterprise value of the two transactions amounts to more than EUR 200 million, which sets the deal among the most significant transactions in the sector for 2009.

EQT V, a leading European private equity fund, has agreed to acquire Bulgaria’s two leading cable TV operators, Eurocom and CableTel. EQT V intends to merge the two entities, invest into the new company together with CableTel’s current shareholder Ron Finley and create a major player in the Bulgarian digital TV and broadband markets.

“We see great potential in the Bulgarian market as both digital TV and broadband are gaining ground fast. With our strong experience in the industry, we believe that by working together with the new company and its management we can drive both growth and technical innovation in the sector which today is fragmented”, says Piotr Czapski, Partner at EQT Partners, advisor to EQT V.

EQT has a strong track record of fostering growth and value creation in the more than 70 companies that it has invested in over the last 14 years. EQT has previously developed Swedish cable TV operators StjärnTV and Com Hem into leading local providers of digital TV, broadband and telephony – so called triple play. Currently, EQT owns a leading German cable TV operator Kabel BW which has recorded significant growth and successfully developed the triple play concept in Germany.

EQT V is acquiring 100% of the shares in Eurocom from US-based private equity house Warburg Pincus. At the same time, EQT V acquires 70% of the shares in CableTel from Gene Phillips. CableTel’s other shareholder Ron Finley will remain minority shareholder by rolling over his 30% shareholding in CableTel into the merged company and investing further equity.

The merged company will be the clear market leader in both Bulgaria and Macedonia with annual revenues of approximately EUR 70 million and some 0.5 million households connected to the network.

The Bulgarian cable TV market is fragmented and digital TV and broadband penetration rates are lower than in the European Union as a whole. EQT V intends, together with the new company’s management and other shareholders, to accelerate the move into digital TV, broadband and telephony services by continuously investing into and offering a broad range of new and competitive services in combination with superior customer service.

“To drive this development of both the merged company and the market as a whole investment is needed in the networks and the operations. With the support and financial backing from EQT V and their strong experience in the industry we will be extremely well positioned to not only benefit from the development but also being a driving force. For the customers of Eurocom and CableTel this means new and attractive services at very competitive prices and first-class customer care,” says Istvan Polony, CEO of Eurocom who will also become CEO of the combined company.

For at least two months after the merger announcement the two companies Eurocom and CableTel will continue operating as separate market entities and the services they offer now will be provided throughout this period. The operational integration of the two companies and the impact on customers in terms of new products and services will be announced separately. A merger between the two companies with one majority shareholder has been approved by the Bulgarian competition authorities.

ING Bank acted as financial advisor to EQT V in these transactions.

The transactions mark EQT V’s first and second investment in Central and Eastern Europe. Central and Eastern Europe is an important market for EQT and is covered by an advisory office opened in Warsaw, Poland, in 2008.

“While the ongoing global recession has slowed the activity in the whole private equity sector we continue to see very interesting and attractive opportunities in the Central and Eastern European economies. These investments are expected to be followed by further investments over the coming years”, continues Piotr Czapski.

About EQT

EQT is a group of leading private equity funds with operations in Northern Europe, Central and Eastern Europe, USA and Asia. EQT manages funds active within buy-outs, growth financing and infrastructure. EQT deploys a unique approach to investing, utilizing a vast network of industrialists to identify and develop companies. EQT’s model is based on clear corporate governance. The EQT funds mainly acquire or finance market leaders with considerable growth potential.

EQT acts as a catalyst for change in the companies that the funds invest in. The companies develop into market leading players through genuine and sustainable operational improvements. EQT has raised approximately EUR 13 billion in 12 funds, which have invested approximately EUR 7 billion in more than 70 companies. EQT owned companies employ more than 500,000 employees.

Since EQT Equity´s first acquisition in 1995, the average revenue growth in its portfolio companies has been 13% annually, the number of employees has increased by 12% annually and earnings by 20% annually. More than 90% of the historic value creation in the 31 fully exited companies is attributable to growth, strategic repositioning and increased earnings.

EQT Partners is advisor to all EQT funds and has more than 100 investment professionals with an extensive industrial and financial competence. EQT Partners has offices in Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Helsinki, Hong Kong, London, Munich, New York, Oslo, Shanghai, Stockholm, Warsaw and Zurich. EQT Partners Warsaw office covers the Central and Eastern Europe region.

About CableTel

CableTel is a new generation cable telecommunication operator. Founded in 1999 with the name CableTel Bulgaria, the company became a considerable player in the cable TV, telephony and internet services market after the entering of strategic international investors in 2003.

CableTel owns and operates the largest hybrid coaxial-optical cable network in Bulgaria reaching 23 cities. The company is also the undisputed cable market leader in Macedonia.

About Eurocom

Eurocom Cable Management Bulgaria is a telecommunication operator, which offers integrated communication home services – cable TV, digital TV, HDTV, Internet and telephony. The company owns the biggest optical – coaxial network in the country with 90% coverage in the capital and full coverage in Plovdiv and Pleven, as well as Gabrovo, Pazardjik and Kiustendil.

Eurocom is one of the co-organizers of the project Children Safe in Internet, which aims to inform parents and children about the rules for safety browsing on the Internet.

EQT V is part of EQT, a group of private equity funds that has raised approximately €13 billion in 12 funds. EQT Partners, acting as investment advisor to all EQT funds, has offices in Stockholm, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Helsinki, Hong Kong, Oslo, London, Munich, New York, Shanghai, Warsaw and Zurich. EQT funds realise their business concept by acquiring, financing and developing high-quality medium-sized companies in Northern and Eastern Europe, North America and Asia. EQT serves as an active owner and works in close cooperation with the management of the companies it acquires, to develop and implement value-enhancing strategies. In total EQT funds have invested in more than 70 companies.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://www.cisionwire.com

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Activaero GmbH, a German developer of controlled breathing devices for inhaled therapeutic agents, has raised €10.7 million in Series A funding. BioMedPartners led the round, and was joined by VI Partners, Abalis Finance AG and Vesalius Biocapital. MedVenture Partners served as placement agent.

PRESS RELEASE

Activaero GmbH, the leading company in the field of controlled breathing technologies for inhaled therapeutic agents, announced today the closing of a Series A financing totalling € 10.7 Million ($16 million). The international consortium was led by BioMedPartners AG (advising BioMedInvest LP II) and included VI Partners AG, Abalis Finance AG and Vesalius Biocapital I SICAR S.A.. The transaction was advised by MedVenture Partners GmbH.

The financing enables the Company to further develop its proprietary inhalation devices and strengthen business development activities for Activaero’s leading controlled inhalation technologies.

“Securing venture capital support for Activaero is important for our strategy to further increase visibility and awareness within the pharmaceutical industry and provide superior products and technologies to our collaboration partners. Therefore, we are delighted to have closed this financing round with such a consortium of leading Life Sciences investors,” said Gerhard Scheuch, Chief Executive Officer of Activaero. “The development and commercialization of our products and technology is now securely funded going forward.”

“Activaero has an outstanding expertise and reputation in the field of controlled inhalation. We are convinced that the strength of the unique technology combined with the experience of the team makes Activaero a very attractive investment and we are glad to be able to support Activaero in its further development and commercialization stages,” commented Gerhard Ries, General Partner at BioMedPartners.

At the same time, Gerhard Ries of BioMedPartners, Arnd Kaltofen of VI Partners, Jean-Marie Luechinger of Abalis Finance, Christian Schneider of Vesalius Biocapital Partners and John Patton, founder of Nektar, have all joined Activaero’s Supervisory Board.

***

About Activaero GmbH
Activaero is the leading company in the field of controlled breathing technologies for inhaled therapeutic agents. With stand alone inhalation products and inhalation systems available for clinical trials and marketing partnerships, Activaero’s technologies allow for the most precise and efficient patient-tailored pulmonary delivery. Activaero currently has two products on the market, AKITA®, a patient-tailored controlled breathing system with a smartcard that records the patient dosing parameters, and Watchhaler™, a hand held delivery system tailored specifically to children. The Company also has available a range of technologies ideal for the controlled delivery of inhaled therapeutics in the clinical trial setting and tailored to specific partnerships (AKITA2®, LimiX™). Finally, Activaero works with partners on a consultancy basis in the development of ideal inhaled delivery systems and the logistics in clinical trials. Activaero’s technological approach has been validated repeatedly in the clinical setting. The Company is privately held and located in Gemünden (Wohra) and Munich in Germany and Dublin, Ohio in the USA.

About Abalis Finance AG
Abalis Finance AG is an independent Swiss Holding Company focused on financing market growth of successful companies in the field of Pharmaceuticals, Life Science and Med Tech The company takes participations but grants under certain circumstances credits as well. Along with the financial participation Abalis plays an active role in the companies it supports by sharing its knowledge. The management has the longstanding successful international experience in the development and marketing of originator as well as generic pharmaceuticals.
Abalis Finance AG also owns and operates Abalis Pharma AG which is active in the development, marketing and licensing of value added pharmaceutical product with a focus is on novel patentable solutions for solid dosage forms.

About BioMedPartners AG
BioMedPartners AG is a leading independent European venture capital firm, providing private equity and mezzanine financing to early- to mid-stage healthcare and Life Sciences companies. Since 2003, BioMedPartners has invested in more than 30 highly innovative companies, of which five have already either successfully completed an IPO (Arpida AG, Santhera Pharmaceuticals AG) or have been acquired by leading pharma companies (ESBATech AG, Glycart Biotechnology AG, Thommen Medical AG). Recently, BioMedPartners has announced the closing of its second BioMedInvest fund (BioMedInvest LP II) with a capital of around CHF 100 million. With more than CHF 250 million in capital under management and a strong team of experienced specialists and industry experts as well as an extensive scientific and financial network, BioMedPartners has established itself as one of the leading early-stage healthcare investors in Europe.

About Vesalius Biocapital Partners sàrl
Vesalius Biocapital Partners is a European venture capital firm that focuses on the creation and growth of pan-European early-stage life science companies. The managed Vesalius Biocapital funds invest in areas with a high unmet medical need and a significant profit potential: new therapeutics, cutting-edge medical devices, innovative drug delivery technologies and diagnostic tests and instruments with a high utility level. The expertise of the team ranges from extensive investment and exit experience to operational experience in general management, business development, product development, IP, and finance of start-ups and more mature life science companies. Furthermore, individual team members have in-depth technical insights and competitive scouting experience in the life science sector. For more information please see www.vesaliusbiocapital.com

About VI Partners AG
VI Partners is a Swiss venture capital firm that supports university spin-offs as well as other promising start-up companies with capital, coaching and networks. Via the current “Venture Incubator” fund VI Partners invests “smart money” to develop promising technology-based ideas for products and services into successful businesses. For additional information please visit: www.vipartners.ch

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Fortinet Inc., a Sunnyvale, Calif.-based network security provider, has set its IPO terms to 12 million common shares being offered at between $9 and $11 per share. It would have an initial market cap of approximately $708 million, were it to price at the high end of its range. 

The company plans to trade on the Nasdaq under ticker symbol FTNT, with Morgan Stanley, J.P. Morgan and Deutsche Bank Securities serving as co-lead underwriters.

Fortinet has raised around $83 million in VC funding since 2002, from firms like Redpoint Ventures (15.2%) and Meritech Capital Partners (10.8%), Acorn Campus Ventures, DCM, Defta Partners and WI Harper Group. Last year the company earned $7.4 million on $211.8 million of revenue. www.fortinet.com

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WILMINGTON, Del. (Reuters) – Creditors to CCS Medical are hoping to reach agreement to bring the medical equipment supplier out of bankruptcy after a court rejected a plan backed by Highland Capital Management, a source said on Wednesday.

The plan to transfer the company’s ownership to creditors led by hedge funds of Highland Capital was rejected by Delaware Judge Christopher Sontchi last week for undervaluing the company.

The distributor of diabetes test strips and urological supplies had proposed transferring company ownership and $200 million in new debt to its first-lien lenders who were owed $350.3 million.

Second-lien secured lenders, who have claims of $112.8 million, opposed the plan which would have given them some cash or warrants for stock.

“The second-lien group hopes to work with the first-lien to effectively resolve this restructuring,” said the source close to the situation who declined to speak on the record because he was not authorized to do so.

Highland Capital, a hedge fund, is the largest holder of the company’s first- and second-lien debt, according to court documents.

Parties to the second-lien debt include Wachovia Bank as administrative agent, Bank of America (BAC.N) as syndication agent and JPMorgan Chase Bank (JPM.N) as documentation agent.

“The company is exploring all of its options,” said company spokesman Andy Brimmer.

At issue with the original plan was an analysis by financial advisors Goldman Sachs & Co, which valued the company at up to $286 million.

In rejecting the plan of reorganization, Sontchi questioned the methods used by Goldman.

“I really give in effect zero credence to the Goldman report,” Sontchi told a hearing last week. (Reporting by Thomas Hals; editing by Carol Bishopric)

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SYDNEY (Reuters) – Myer, Australia’s largest department store chain, raised A$2.2 billion ($2 billion) in the nation’s biggest IPO in two years, selling shares at the lower end of an indicative range, as institutional investors baulked at the rich valuation.

Myer said in a statement on Thursday its private equity owners TPG Capital and Blum Capital have sold out their entire stake in the IPO at A$4.10 each, confirming an earlier Reuters story based on sources with direct knowledge of the deal.

Myer’s IPO, the biggest Australian offer since the credit crisis hit, is seen as a litmus test for a flurry of other offers which are expected to come to market in the next few months.

Last week, outdoor-gear retailer Kathmandu launched a $349 million IPO while another retailer Ascendia is also planning a float next year. But Myer’s soft pricing would suggest difficult times for the gush of private equity offers.

“We think it’s too expensive,” said Richard Morris, investment manager at Constellation Capital Management, which decided not to buy shares in Myer.

“We’re conscious of the fact that department stores have been losing market share for a number of years…and also the fact that Myer are changing their strategy in terms of the shoppers they target,” he said, pointing to a move downmarket.

The IPO had been marketed in an indicative range of A$3.90-A$4.90 each. The offer price reflects price-to-earnings ratio of 15.1, Myer said in the statement.

Myer was priced cheaper than its main rival, David Jones (DJS.AX), which is trading at 17 times forecast earnings. UK department store Debenhams (DEB.L), also sold by TPG, is trading at 10.2 times forecast earnings while Japan’s Isetan Mitukoshi (3099.T) is trading at 17 times.

Myer will have about 581 million shares on issue, giving it a market value of about A$2.4 billion.

“Given the response from retail and institutional investors, and the preference expressed by investors…the TPG and Blum Capital investment company has decided to sell of its shares to satisfy some of the excess demand at the final price of A$4.10,” the statement added.

Myer, which will trade under the ticker MYR, is set to start trading on Monday.

Macquarie Capital (MQG.AX), Goldman Sachs (GS.N) and Credit Suisse (CSGN.VX) were joint lead managers to the offer.

TPG and Blum bought Myer for A$1.4 billion from Coles Group in 2006, and have spent more than A$370 million in updating logistics operations and renovating stores.

Myer has 65 stores across Australia, nearly double its upmarket rival David Jones’ 36 stores, and claims 3 million shoppers a week through its doors in a country of 21 million. ($1=A$1.11)

By Denny Thomas and Victoria Thieberger
(Additional reporting by Sonali Paul; editing by Mark Bendeich and Valerie Lee)

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