Other items of interest Orange County Business Journal
HEALTHCARE
Irvine-based healthcare software company Quality Systems Inc. struck a deal to buy Augusta, Georgia-based ViaTrack Systems, which markets data-exchange technology. Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed. ViaTrack has worked with Quality Systems subsidiary NextGen Healthcare, which specializes in software for doctors and dentists offices.
Former patient Bob Bennett and his wife, Marjie, donated $2 million to Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach for a new operating room for less-invasive procedures in place of open-heart surgery. The center will also be able to handle other procedures. Bob Bennett is a former is a former broadcast television president at 20th Century Fox. The new surgery center at Hoag will specialize in the Edwards Sapien replacement heart valve, which received Food and Drug Administration approval for sales in the U.S. last month. The valve is made by Edwards Lifesciences Corp. in Irvine.
RETAIL
Anaheim-based luxury hybrid automaker Fisker Automotive Inc. named former Chrysler Group LLC head Tom LaSorda to its board as vice chairman. He will act as an adviser to Fisker co-founder and Chief Executive Henrik Fisker. LaSorda was chief executive and vice chair at the Auburn Hills, Michigan-based Chrysler until retiring in 2009. He later co-founded $100 million venture fund Stage 2 Innovations, which focuses on companies with patentable technologies. Fisker also named former Jaguar Land Rover North America executive Richard Beattie as its chief commercial officer, a new position. Beattie also served as chief executive of Mazda’s North American operations in Irvine from 1997 to 2000. He will oversee global marketing, sales and customer service for Fisker.
Aliso Viejo-based Johnny Rockets Group Inc. is bringing its burger-and-fries diners to Indonesia. The chain will open a franchise location at the Beach Walk Center at Kuta Bali by June, and plans four more in the country within five years. The company is owned by Lake Forest-based RedZone Capital GP LLC and has more than 300 company-owned or franchised restaurants in 16 countries.
Seven Wal-Mart Stores Inc. in OC were among those included in the retailer’s recent offer to give shoppers prices to match any online retailer. Shoppers had to show the online product information on a mobile phone or other device, with the offer limited to in-stock merchandise.
A Regal Cinemas multiplex at Fashion Island in Newport Beach reopened with reserved seating, a food menu featuring sandwiches and pizza, and beverage selections including wine and beer. Newport Beach-based developer Irvine Company, which owns Fashion Island, developed the food and bar menus.
OTHER NEWS
Irvine-based LA Fitness bought 171 of the 271 fitness clubs operated by rival Bally Total Fitness for a reported $153 million. Chicago-based Bally Fitness will continue to operate the balance of its clubs. The deal gives LA Fitness six additional OC locations and more than 500 clubs nationwide.
Irvine is the safest U.S. city with more than 100,000 residents, according to CQ Press’ City Crime Rankings. Irvine ranked sixth among all U.S. cities. Mission Viejo was third overall, and Lake Forest placed 12th.. Fishers, Ind., topped the list.
ECONOMIC INDICATOR
UP: Hiring prospects in the Orange County-Los Angeles area, according to a recent survey by Milwaukee-based temporary staffing firm Manpower Inc. The report found 18% of employers in the two-county area plan to hire in the first quarter, while 8% see layoffs, 68% expect flat staffing, and 6% said they don’t know their plans yet. A survey for the same time last year found 13% of employers planned to make hires, 13% expected layoffs, 72% foresaw no changes and 2% were undecided.
