Acquisition finished

Acquisition finished

youngstown

Northern States Metals announced last week that it has completed the acquisition of assets related to the Solar Tracker business of OPEL Technologies.

NSM struck gold in 2009 when it first sold its hallmark product, the Solar FlexRack, the only fully assembled racking system for solar-powered units.

The Opel Tracker technology is a proven system designed to increase the yield of a solar-power system by up to 30 percent. The product will include many of the pre-assembled features of the Solar FlexRack.

Successful program

boardman

Hill, Barth & King has deemed its internship program, started in 1995, a success. The accounting firm employs interns, many of whom come from across the country, in all 12 of its offices statewide.

The company says the internship provides real-world experience in a fast-paced environment. The opportunity gives students work experience at the firm’s busiest time of year, tax season.

Hudson joins market

akron

Houston-based Hudson Energy has announced its intent to enter the Ohio electricity market and compete with the region’s major supplier, FirstEnergy.

Hudson Energy said it will sell electricity in the Ohio Edison, Cleveland Electric Illuminating and Toledo Edison territories.

The company also plans to launch in other large markets in the spring.

Specializing in the business-to-business supply of electricity and natural gas, Hudson Energy has operations in Texas, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, California and parts of Canada.

IPAL integration

youngstown

Turning Technologies, based in Youngstown, has announced a ResponseCard integration with IPAL, a web-based module (plug-in) and stand-alone program that enables in-class polling.

Turning Technologies’ API integration with IPAL is the first of its kind to enable polling with ResponseCard clicker hardware into the IPAL system.

“We’re proud to offer a ResponseCard API that allows developers to integrate ResponseCard hardware into the rapidly expending world of web-based applications,” said Mike Broderick, Turning Technologies’ CEO.

Gasoline prices drop

YOUNGSTOWN

Northeast Ohio gas prices have fallen more than 35 cents in the past month, according to auto group AAA.

Last week’s national average of $3.25 for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is the lowest price of 2012.

A number of factors have contributed to the price decline, including the switch to winter-blend fuel, which is less expensive to produce; increasing gasoline inventories; cheaper crude oil prices; lower demand; and economic concerns.

Vindicator staff reports

Selected local stocks

STOCK, DIVIDENDCLOSECHANGE

Aqua America, .70, 24.85 —.05

Avalon Holdings,3.89.00

Clear Channel, .73 31.48 —.51

Cortland Bancorp, 9.70—.05

Farmers Nat., .126.22 —.12

First Energy, 2.20, 41.61.07

FirstMerit Corp., .64,14.30 .04

First Niles Financial, .32,7.11.01

First Place Fin., .007.00

FNB Corp., .48,10.82—.16

General Motors,27.32—.02

General Electric, .68,20.88—.17

Motors Liquidation, .0422.00

Huntington Bank, .16, 6.37—.02

JP Morgan Chase, 1.20,44.00—.53

Key Corp, .20,8.44—.12

LaFarge, 15.84 —.18

Macy’s, .80, 37.51—.40

Parker Hannifin, 1.64, 85.15—1.40

PNC, 1.60,58.31—.86

RTI Intl. Metals,27.13—.44

Simon Prop. Grp.,4.40,157.970001—.10

Stoneridge 5.13 —.02

United Community Fin. 3.34.30

Selected prices at 4 p.m. Friday. Provided by Stifel Nicolaus. Not to be construed as an offer or recommendation to buy or sell any security.