Worcester Business Journal

www.wbjournal.com June 22, 2015 • Worcester Business Journal 5 Gene Huegin, 20 executive personnel, marketing and customer service positions will be relocated from Massachusetts to Milwaukee. However, he expects about six of the 20 employees to make the move, with the rest being new hires. Leominster has served as the company's U.S. headquarters since 1979, PFERD's website says. FRAMINGHAM — Staples has cleared two foreign regulatory hurdles for its intended acquisition of Office Depot after securing approval from the Chinese government, the office supplies retailer said. The announcement came a week after New Zealand authorities gave its blessing to the $6.3 billion transaction that was announced in February. Staples said it's also seeking approval from regulatory agencies in the United States, Canada, Australia and the European Union. Staples Chairman and CEO Ron Sargent said in a statement: "We … expect the transaction to be completed by the end of the year." Twenty-seven Central Massachusetts companies are among nearly 200 companies in the Bay State that have been awarded state-funded workforce training grants. The Baker administration announced the recipients of more than $10.4 million in grants that will provide customized training and lead to the creation of nearly 650 jobs. Companies that receive the grants often experience savings through improved worker productivity, according to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. The 27 Central Massachusetts companies are expected to receive more than $2.8 million to help train 2,410 projected trainees and create 198 jobs. GARDNER — OmniVision Technologies is partnering with optical instruments maker Precision Optics Corp. (POC) of Gardner and Tokyo- based Fujikura to develop a tiny camera module for medical applications. California-based OmniVision is a developer of advanced digital imaging solutions. The company said it's teaming with Precision Optics and Fujikura to develop the 160K CMOS imaging sensor (CIS) module. The collaboration will work on developing an "ultra-small camera module with best image quality, low power consumption and ease of integration for reusable endoscopes and other medical applications," the statement said. HUDSON — D2 Productions is leasing 1 Kane Industrial Dr., a free- standing 6,000-square-foot industrial building. The audio-visual company is relocating its operations from Marlborough, the real estate agency said. Veracity Construction Group, a fiber optics service provider, is leasing 2,200 square feet at 5 Kane Industrial Dr. A new, 8,800-square-foot building REGIONAL BRIEFS >> Continued from previous page THE ACCOUNTING FIRM OF Greenberg, Rosenblatt, Kull & Bitsoli, P.C. TAKES PLEASURE IN ANNOUNCING THAT David J. Mayotte CPA/ABV, CVA, CFE, CFF 306 MAIN STREET, SUITE 400 | WORCESTER, MA 01608 508.791.0901 | WWW.GRKB.COM HAS BECOME A DIRECTOR OF THE FIRM JANUARY 1, 2015 Greenberg, Rosenblatt, Kull & Bitsoli, PC Certified Public Accountants YES YES Small businesses hear that a lot around here. 246 Main Street, Milford, MA 01757 If you're talking to banks about your Commercial Lending needs, then let Milford Federal be part of the conversation. Talking with Milford Federal about your business' Commercial Lending needs won't cost you anything. Not talking to us could cost you a lot. Whether you're purchasing real estate, expanding your present business, or refinancing existing debt, Milford Federal can help: • Commercial Mortgages • Term Loans • Equipment Financing • Lines of Credit • SBA Loans • Local decision-making Please call Dave McHugh at 508-381-5228 today. You'll like what he has to say. 4.3x6_yes.indd 1 4/29/15 10:36 AM REAL DEALS Real Deals highlights recent commercial property transactions in Central Massachusetts. Commercial real estate firms that want to submit information on transactions can send it to editorial@wbjournal.com, or fax it to 508-755-8860. Sources: Worcester Register of Deeds, CBRE New England ADDRESS: Shops at the Pond, 739-769 Donald Lynch Blvd., Marlborough AREA: 104,125 sq. ft. SALE PRICE: $21.1 million SELLER: Kimco Realty Corp. BUYER: RK Centers The fully leased center is adjacent to the Solomon Pond Mall. The mix of national tenants includes DSW, Best Buy, EMS and Olive Garden and is also occupied by Pure Hockey's flagship store. at 11 Kane Industrial Dr. was leased to City Electric Supply, a national wholesaler. Dogs' Learning Center has leased a 6,750-square-foot building at 12 Kane Industrial Dr., offering dog training. Play It Now, an online computer game, apparel and toy distributor, has leased a 5,800-square- foot building at 14 Kane Industrial Dr., the real estate agency said. WORCESTER — Primetals Technologies is upgrading a wire-rod mill in Turkey to allow for expanded production. The company said in a statement that it will apply advanced technology to a wire rod outlet owned by Turkish steel producer Kroman Celik Sanayii. The modernization will allow the facility, built in 2008, to expand its product line with high- carbon wire rod. The contract was signed last year, and the work is expected to be completed by the end of the summer. Primetals is a joint venture between Siemens AG — a German conglomerate with operations in Worcester — and Tokyo-based >> Continued on next page F I L E P H O T O — Compiled by Sam Bonacci, Worcester Business Journal Staff Writer

• Cover