Business Digest

REGION

Wheatland Tube moving operations, lays off 40

WHEATLAND, Pa. — Wheatland Tube Co. is moving operations from its pipe plant in Sharon to another western Pennsylvania plant, and laying off 40 workers in the process.

Wheatland Tube has shut down its hot-mill operation at the Sharon plant and is moving equipment to a sister plant in Wheatland.

Company president Bill Kerins says the company is spending $2 million to upgrade equipment and consolidate operations at the Wheatland plant. The consolidation should last through at least next year.

The company has about 900 workers in the western Pennsylvania area who have been subject to rolling layoffs because of the slow economy.

Gasior named president, CEO of Cortland Bancorp

CORTLAND — James Gasior has been named president and chief executive officer of Cortland Bancorp. He had been senior vice president and chief financial officer. Rodger Platt, who was named interim president last month after the resignation of Lawrence Fantauzzi, will serve as an adviser though the end of this month.

Also, the board of directors appointed Timothy Carney as director and executive vice president. He had been senior vice president and chief operations officer.

B.J. Alan Co. arranges financing for expansion

YOUNGSTOWN — B.J. Alan Co. has arranged for $10 million in financing that will be used to expand its Phantom Fireworks brand and assist in the seasonal operations of its fireworks stores. The financing was received from F.N.B. Capital Corp., a division of F.N.B. Corp., which is based in Hermitage, Pa.

B.J. Alan operates 55 Phantom Fireworks stores and 1,200 temporary stands, mostly in the West. Bruce Zoldan, company president and chief executive, said the financing will allow for more expansion.

Lordstown complex to start downtime next week

LORDSTOWN — The General Motors Lordstown complex will be down next week, and most hourly workers will be placed on temporary layoff. Jim Graham, president of United Auto Workers Local 1112, said the downtime was scheduled months ago so the plant could continue with preparations for the launch of the Chevrolet Cruze next year.

From Vindicator reports