Worcester Business Journal

www.wbjournal.com May 11, 2015 • Worcester Business Journal 5 Zacks analysts of $1.776 billion. NATICK — Machine sensor manufac- turer Cognex Corp. reported record- high revenue, net income and earnings per share in the first quarter. Chairman Robert J. Shillman said in a statement that revenue grew 25 percent over the first quarter of 2014, "driving the high- est first-quarter net income and earn- ings per share in Cognex's 34-year his- tory." The quarter, which ended April 5, yielded revenue of $113.4 million, net income of $20.5 million, and net income per share of 23 cents. In the first quarter of 2014, Cognex earned revenue of $90.9 million, net income of $18.5 million, and net income per diluted share of 21 cents. WORCESTER — Karen M. Laganelli has been named CEO of the Notre Dame Health Care Center Inc. Laganelli, who holds a master's degree in health care administration, "brings to this role a deep commitment to compassionate care and to the mission of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur as well as familiarity with the greater Worcester health care community," Sister Ellen Agritelley, chairwoman of the care center's board of trustees, said in a letter announcing the appoint- ment, which takes effect May 26. Notre Dame Health Care Center operates du Lac Assisted Living, a hospice; the Educational Bridge Center on Plantation Street; and a long-term care center, also on Plantation Street, both in Worcester. WORCESTER — The Greater Worcester economy grew at an above-average clip in the first three months of 2015, according to the latest estimates of the Worcester Economic Index (WEI), released each quarter by Assumption College Economics Professor Thomas White. During the first quarter, the WEI increased at an annual rate of 3.9 percent, beating the final quarter of 2014, when it rose at a revised 3.1 percent rate, according to a statement from Assumption. "Local jobs numbers continue to move in a positive direction," White said in the statement. The economy is expected to continue to grow at a relatively strong rate over the next three to six months, the statement said. GRAFTON — U.S. Rep. James McGovern has filed a bill that would give states and local communities the ability to regulate propane gas facilities that are operated by rail carriers, his office announced. The filing follows plans by the Grafton and Upton Railroad to build a 320,000-gallon stor- age and transloading facility in North Grafton and last year's decision by the federal Surface Transportation Board (STB) that favored those plans. Fearing that the facility could pose a safety threat to the surrounding North Grafton neighborhood and nearby North Grafton Elementary School, officials in Grafton appealed that deci- REGIONAL BRIEFS >> Continued from previous page REAL DEALS Real Deals highlights a recent commercial property transaction in Central Massachusetts. Commercial real estate firms that want to submit information on recent transactions can send it to editorial@wbjournal.com, or fax it to 508-755-8860. Simply Beter. saversbank.com 800.649.3036 Member FDIC Member SIF Equal Housing Lender It's Your Move. Choose Wisely. Our Commercial Services Team is the wise choice to help your business win the game. Make your move, choose Savers Bank today. Knowledge + Experience + Trusted Advice. It all adds up. Large enough to serve the needs of most businesses and individuals; small enough to offer the personal attention you expect and deserve. Greenberg, Rosenblatt, Kull & Bitsoli, PC Certified Public Accountants 306 Main Street, Suite 400 • Worcester, MA 01608 508.791.0901 • www.grkb.com Sources: Worcester Registry of Deeds, City of Fitchburg — Compiled by Sam Bonacci, Worcester Business Journal Staff Writer ADDRESS: 150 Benson St., Fitchburg AREA: 4,648 sq. ft. and 14.41 acres SALE PRICE: $1.3 million SELLER: Fitchburg Foundry Inc. BUYER: Benson Street Realty LLC ABOUT THE SITE: This industrial-style property that's classified "factory" by the city was built in 1930. Its current tenants are Fiore Trucking Recycling & Disposal and Rydemore Truck Parts. sion to the First Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston. McGovern has filed a brief in support of that appeal. In a recent WBJ article, railroad owner Jon Delli Priscoli says the nearly complete facility is safe. WORCESTER — Pharmaceutical giant AbbVie, which has operations in Worcester, has extended its offer to buy California-based Pharmacyclics to May 15, the company announced. The extension comes about two months after AbbVie agreed to pay $261.25 per share from a combination of cash and equity, to acquire Pharmacyclics. The transaction values Pharmacyclics at about $21 billion, and was approved by both companies' boards of directors. Pharmacyclics makes the blood cancer treatment Imbruvica (ibrutinib), which has demonstrated "strong clinical effi- cacy across a broad range of hemato- logic malignancies and raised the stan- dard of care for patients," according to Richard A. Gonzalez, AbbVie chair- man and CEO. WORCESTER — Providence & Worcester Railroad stockholders will receive a 4-cents-per-share dividend later this month, the company announced. The freight carrier's board of directors approved the dividend for shareholders of record as of May 13. The dividend will be paid May 27. 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