Thu. Sep. 08, 2011 Private equity investment tops $6b in Mass.
Private equity firms invested more than $6 billion in 57 Massachusetts-based companies in 2010, according to a new analysis released today by the Private Equity Growth Capital Council. Massachusetts ranked sixth in terms of deal value in 2010, behind California, Illinois, New York, Texas, and Connecticut. Nationwide, private equity firms invested more than $148 billion in 1,234 companies, according to the council’s report. Google buys restaurant review service Zagat
California-based search giant Google Inc. has bought the restaurant review service Zagat as it tries to help people connect with local businesses. The founders, Nina and Tim Zagat, said they will remain a part of the 32-year-old company and will use Google’s resources and expertise to expand. Zagat currently offers reviews and ratings on restaurants in more than 100 cities around the world, based largely on surveys of diners. Google plans to integrate Zagat with its search and mapping products. Alkermes shareholders approve Elan deal
The drugmaker Alkermes Inc. said today that its shareholders approved its $960 million acquisition of Elan Corp. PLC’s drug technology business. The company, based in Waltham, said 99.9 percent of the votes cast were in support of the deal. Alkermes expects to complete the purchase by Sept. 16. At that time, the company will reincorporate in Ireland and change its name to Alkermes PLC. Alkermes agreed to buy Elan Drug Technologies in May for $960 million in cash and stock. JetBlue to have a bigger presence at Logan
JetBlue, the largest carrier at Logan International Airport, will soon expand its presence at Terminal C from 14 to 16 gates. AirTran, which currently operates from three gates at Terminal C, is expected to move to Terminal E on or about Nov. 2, said Logan Airport’s operator, the Massachusetts Port Authority. AirTran was recently acquired by Southwest Airlines. AirTran’s upcoming move will put it in the same Logan terminal as Southwest. AirTran’s move will free up more space for JetBlue. Dunkin’ details expansion plans
Dunkin’ Donuts, the Canton-based coffee-and-baked good chain, is continuing with its westward expansion, announcing today that it is recruiting franchisees for markets in Denver; Colorado Springs; Houston and Waco, Texas; Lincoln and Omaha, Neb.; Oklahoma City; Tulsa; Santa Fe; and Albuquerque, N.M. Dunkin’ said that it expects that restaurants in these markets will begin to open in early 2013. The company has more than 9,700 restaurants worldwide and reported system-wide sales of $6 billion in 2010. Haverhill Bank and Economy Co-operative Bank agree to merge
Haverhill Bank and Economy Co-operative Bank of Merrimac said today that they have agreed to merge in a deal that seeks to improve efficiencies and economies of scale. Economy Co-operative Bank’s Merrimac office will join Haverhill Bank’s six locations as a branch office under the Haverhill Bank nameplate. The combined bank will have about $235 million in deposits, $30 million in capital, and 70 employees. Report: TV remote may soon be history
Write the obit for the TV remote --- because it’s soon destined to join the rotary phone and the buggy whip as a curious museum piece --- or so suggests a new report by Altman Vilandrie & Co. and Research Now. According to the firms, many younger consumers would prefer using their smartphone or tablet computer to change channels, or check out something to watch from Netflix or Hulu. PerkinElmer to buy Caliper for $600m
PerkinElmer Inc., a Waltham health and industrial sciences company, has agreed to buy Caliper Life Sciences Inc. of Hopkinton in a deal with a total net purchase price of about $600 million in cash. PerkinElmer has been on a bit of an acquisition spree --- this is the seventh deal so far this year. Caliper Life Sciences is focused on imaging and detection services for life sciences research, diagnostics, and environmental markets. The acquisition complements PerkinElmer’s existing line-up of offerings in life science, diagnostics, environmental and food markets. Northeast Utilities, NStar execs address analysts
Company executives are set to update investor analysts on the proposed $4.5 billion deal by Hartford-based Northeast Utilities to buy NStar of Boston to create the region’s biggest power company. Northeast Utilities chief financial officer David McHale and NStar Chief Financial Officer James Judge are scheduled to speak at an energy conference in New York Thursday. Federal energy officials have approved the deal, but Massachusetts officials say the companies have failed to provide enough detail about environmental and financial benefits. Channel 7 names Rivera’s replacement
WHDH-TV (Channel 7) has named its new main coanchor: Reid Lamberty, who is joining the Boston NBC affiliate on Monday to coanchor the 5 p.m., 6 p.m., and 11 p.m. newscasts with Kim Khazei. National, global concerns slowing New England economy
Concerns about national and global economic trends has stunted business activity in New England, which had been growing modestly this year, according to a Federal Reserve survey . Some manufacturers reported a slowdown in demand while retail activity across the region was mostly flat compared to a year ago, according to the survey, know as the Beige Book. The Fed’s snapshot of the region’s economic conditions also underscored what unemployed workers already know: “Firms are doing little hiring.” | 
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