Melinda French Gates, wife of Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates, has been elected to the board of directors of The Washington Post Co., the parent company of The Herald. Along with the newspapers, the company also owns Newsweek magazine, the Kaplan Inc. educational services business and several television stations and cable TV systems.
Microvision Inc. of Bothell will develop an advanced prototype of its head display system for drivers and passengers for Volkswagen of America. The order is separate but similar to another recent deal between Microvision and Volkswagen’s electronics laboratory. Under both contracts, Microvision will develop a compact display system that meets specifications for future car designs. This and other deals give Microvision more than $600,000 in new business so far in the third quarter.
The Boeing Co. on Thursday announced the sales of 10 737-700 jetliners to two Latin American airlines. Aeromexico will buy eight of the planes, while Copa Airlines of Panama will buy two. Both airlines also plan to lease additional planes. Also Thursday, Boeing announced its first price increases since 2002. The new list prices for 2004 are about 3.5 percent higher, a spokesman said. At the new list prices, Thursday’s two deals are worth up to $580 million, although, discounts are common.
Key elements of Delta Air Lines Inc.’s broad turnaround plan will take months or even years to implement, suggesting that the struggling carrier is setting itself up for how it will survive after a likely Chapter 11 filing, industry observers said Thursday. Delta’s plan includes cutting up to 7,000 jobs over 18 months. The shedding of its Dallas hub will take full effect Jan. 31. Its strategy to cut $5 billion in costs is targeted to 2006, and adding leather seats and in-flight entertainment to planes will take time. Delta said a bankruptcy filing could come in as little as three weeks.
After 81 years of making its signature confection, Almond Roca maker Brown &Haley plans this holiday season to introduce a new twist on an old favorite: Cashew Roca. It will be the first time the Tacoma company has created an offshoot of its popular candy since 1923. Pierson Clair, the company’s CEO, said the idea for Cashew Roca came during a staff meeting, when employees had the simple epiphany that “there are other wonderful nuts.”
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