ARTS
David Ivers was appointed artistic director of South Coast Repertory, succeeding Marc Masterson. The San Fernando Valley native will also join Managing Director Paula Tomei as co-chief executive and step into his roles in March after he completes prior projects and commitments. Masterson, who’d filled the role since 2011, left when his contract expired. SCR said his departure was by “mutual agreement.” He was named artistic director of City Theatre Co. in Pittsburg in May. Ivers is currently artistic director of Arizona Theater Co.
— Subrina Hudson
LAW
Newport Beach-based lawyer John Hueston is on a team representing Tesla Inc. in a lawsuit against a former engineer alleging he stole trade secrets and sabotaged the battery plant where he worked. Hueston was a lead prosecutor in the Enron trial and is a partner at the Hueston Hennigan LLP law firm. Meanwhile, Tesla founder and Chief Executive Elon Musk is being sued by the Securities and Exchange Commission for fraud over his Aug. 7 tweet that he’d “secured funding” to take Tesla private.
— Hannah Mitchell
MANUFACTURING
Kaiser Aluminum Corp. in Foothill Ranch bought Columbia, N.J.-based 3D metal printer Imperial Machine & Tool Co. on undisclosed terms. Kaiser Aluminum makes semifabricated aluminum products for aerospace, general engineering, and custom automotive and industrial applications.
— Mediha DiMartino
RESTAURANTS
A Chapter 11 sale of the bankrupt Real Mex Restaurants Inc. was approved by a Delaware judge, news reports said. Real Mex ranks 10th on the Business Journal’s local restaurant chains list. Z Capital Group was the winning bidder in an auction, with a bid worth about $129 million. Real Mex operates the El Torito, Acapulco, Chevys Fresh Mex and other chains.
— Hannah Mitchell
Nékter Juice Bar Inc. in Santa Ana said a franchisee will open 30 locations of the juice and smoothie chain in Florida, Tennessee, Maryland and Washington, D.C., the latter two new markets for it. The first store should open in Florida early next year. Nékter ranked 23rd on the Business Journal’s list of OC-based restaurant chains with $61 million in systemwide sales. It has 120 locations in 13 states and plans to surpass 210 by the end of next year, 420 by the end of 2020.
— Paul Hughes
SERVICES
Willdan Group Inc. got $17 million in contracts with Colorado school districts. The Anaheim-based engineering firm’s new deals are worth $17 million. Willdan (Nasdaq: WLDN) reported 2017 revenue of $273 million and net income of $12 million.
— Paul Hughes
TECHNOLOGY
Fountain Valley-based consumer electronics company OrigAudio LLC was acquired by HUB Promotional Group in Braintree, Mass. for an undisclosed sum. The company got its start in 2009 with its Fold n’ Play speaker and has expanded to offer products including headphones and smart-tech backpacks. Estimated revenue is $14 million. It employs 38, most in OC. Co-founder and President Jason Lucash will retain his role while also serving as senior vice president of marketing and product. Chief Operating Officer and co-founder Mike Szymczak will be vice president of business development while also keeping his OrigAudio post. OrigAudio’s existing leadership team will remain and continue operating under its name, according to a HUB statement.
— Subrina Hudson
TRANSPORTATION
The Orange County Transportation Authority awarded a $220.5 million contract to Chicago-based Walsh Construction Co. to build a streetcar line from Santa Ana to Garden Grove. Work on the 4.1-mile OC Streetcar is scheduled to start late this year to prepare for testing and operations in 2021. It will run along Santa Ana Boulevard and Fourth Street between commuter rail at the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center and Harbor Boulevard in Garden Grove, connecting with multiple bus lines. The full project, including $51.5 million for the streetcars themselves, will cost an estimated $407 million. Walsh has an office in Corona in Riverside County.
— Hannah Mitchell
OTHER
Tustin-based Foundation Building Materials Inc., a distributor of building products, said it will sell its mechanical insulation business to Dunes Point Capital LP of Rye, N.Y., for $122.5 million in a deal expected to close in the fourth quarter. Net proceeds of about $116 million will be used to help pay down Foundation’s debt.
— Subrina Hudson
