Business Briefs [Messenger-Inquirer, Owensboro, Ky.]

Feb. 14--National Office Furniture donates to 'Extreme Makeover'

National Office Furniture has joined numerous volunteers and companies on the largest build in the history on the TV series "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition."

The show chose The Fishing School, which provides a haven and academic support programs after school and during the summer to under-served youth ages 6-13 and their families.

The Fishing School episode will air at 7 p.m. CST on Sunday on Owensboro cable channel 11.

National Office Furniture, a division of Kimball International Inc., is a Jasper, Ind.-based manufacturer of high-quality office furnishings.

The new, 6,700 square feet and environmentally-friendly facility in Washington D.C., boosts the number of children The Fishing School can serve while creating an environment that builds confidence and stretches the mind and imagination, the show's promoters said.

National is donating its lounge products to further promote a comfortable and collaborative setting for the children, faculty, volunteers and visitors.

Since 1990, The Fishing School has served more than 2,500 young people and their families.

Sleep Systems gets new name, owners

Mark and Mary Hermann are the new owners of Mark's Sleep Systems at 603 Salem Drive. The couple bought the store from Jack Draper.

Mark Hermann has 28 years of experience with sleep systems starting out with Draper.

The store began as River City Waterbeds, with the name later changed to Crazy Larry's. About two years ago, the business became Sleep Systems.

"We're basically the same business, just with another name change," Hermann said.

Store hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. It's closed Sundays.

Boardwalk gives 4th quarter, year-end results

Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, LP announced Monday its results for the fourth quarter and year ended Dec. 31, 2009.

The company reported operating revenues of $279 million for the quarter and $909.2 million for the year, a 36 percent and 16 percent increase from $205.6 million and $784.8 million in 2008.

Net income was $71.6 million for the quarter and $162.7 million for the year, a 6 percent increase and 45 percent decrease from $67.6 million and $294.0 million in 2008.

The company had earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of $161.1 million for the quarter and $498 million for the year, a 44 percent and 5 percent increase from $112.1 million and $474.6 million in the comparable 2008 periods.

Free home buying, selling seminar is Feb. 25

A free seminar on home buying and selling will take place at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 25 in Room 145 of Daymar College, 3361 Buckland Square (off Carter Road).

The meeting will include presentations by a panel of experts who will answer questions on topics such as taking advantage of the $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers or the $6,500 credit for repeat buyers.

Panel members are: Beth Reynolds, Home Realty GMAC; Karen Carper, US Bank; Landon Barrowclough, Foreman Watson Land Title; J. Todd Inman, State Farm Insurance; Bill Francis, Amerispec Home Inspection Service; and Ryan Bays, Riverfront Appraisals.

Register with Reynolds at 929-2052 or by e-mail at [email protected].

Hunter Douglas on list of top performers

Hunter Douglas is listed in "The Top 100: The Consumer Goods Registry," which highlights the highest performing consumer goods companies in the nation.

The company, which is the nation's leading manufacturer and marketer of custom window coverings in North America, has a components division at 1600 Ragu Drive and a research and development location in Whitesville.

It is the only window covering company in the Top 10 Housewares/Tools category of this list.

The annual report is based on sales revenue research conducted by Consumer Goods Technology magazine.

The company's headquarters are in Upper Saddle River, N.J.

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