Notable projects drive growth for Electric Co. of Omaha
by Michelle Leach

Elmer Smith was part of the first electrical team responsible for Rosenblatt Stadium. Now his grandson, Dan Smith, and the team the younger Smith has mobilized are diving into the new home of the College World Series, TD Ameritrade Park. The project Smith’s firm, Electric Co. of Omaha, landed this summer is “bittersweet” due to the family’s connection to Rosenblatt (his grandfather was also noted pitcher Wyland “Snuff” Smith) but it’s also exhilarating for the same reason, according to Smith.
“There is some sentimental value, some attachment, but I’m looking at it more as I’m carrying the heritage forward and that’s important to me,” Smith said.
The 28-year-old company Smith heads up at 815 S. 21st St. touts four divisions: building automation, low voltage, commercial electrical and security. Just as baseball is a theme in the Smith family, so is electrical work.


Amber Pharmacy fills specialty niche, forms new joint company with Hy-Vee
by Richard D. Brown

During its first 12 years of operation as a specialty pharmacy focused on serving patients dealing with complex and chronic health conditions, the ownership team of Omaha’s Amber Pharmacy admit their efforts have largely been off the radar screens of many of the national players, but that’s about to change.
In January, CEO William R. Kaplan Sr., who owns and operates Amber Pharmacy with his sons Bill Kaplan Jr. and Tim Kaplan, inked an agreement with West Des Moines-based Hy-Vee Inc. to form Hy-Vee Pharmacy Solutions, a joint-venture company that will enable the Omaha specialty pharmacy services firm to supply its services through Hy-Vee’s food stores in eight Midwestern states.
Kaplan Sr., CEO of the family-owned business, which has grown to 60 employees — 48 of them at the company’s 15,000-square-foot headquarters at 10004 S. 152nd St. — said the firm is nearing $100 million in annual revenues and also has licensed retail pharmacies in Dallas, Chicago and Philadelphia.


R.U. Nuts brings in more customers by adding product lines, equipment
by Jim Brazda

Recent investments in custom mixing equipment has allowed R.U. Nuts Co. of Lincoln to add new accounts and post 12 percent growth in 2009, said Charlotte Ralston, owner. The company has also expanded into Omaha with a regular, twice-a-week delivery route.
“We’re kind of an inch-by-inch growing company,” Ralston said. “We’ve always had steady, but slow growth.”
R.U. Nuts Co. is a wholesale distributor of snack foods, as well as a coffee roaster. In addition to bulk foods, R.U. Nuts has begun packaging snacks and selling them under its own label, Ralston said. Since the company owns its packaging equipment, it can also create custom packaging for its wholesale customers.


Slusky Mediation grows 20 percent as awareness of process spreads
by Michelle Leach

Four years ago Jerry M. Slusky helped to prevent litigation from costing two business partners $200,000 and two years of their time because the dispute that teetered on the edge of a lawsuit never made it to trial…


Graphic Technologies streamlining production, adding services offered
by Matrissa Leggett

Graphic Technologies is expanding services and increasing efficiency as it looks forward to increasing business in 2010, according to owner Rob Mayer…


Sloboth leads FNBO Direct’s ad campaign through use of social, digital media
by Barbie Mully

Since beginning her career with First National Bank of Omaha in 2007, Teresa Sloboth, senior marketing advisor for FNBO Direct, has planned and executed marketing campaigns that have earned national merit...


Lincoln’s Berggren Architects boosts activity through historic preservation
by Matrissa Leggett

During the past three years, Berggren Architects has maintained an average of 5 to 7 percent growth, said owner Jerry Berggren...


Blooms in Rockbrook Village places focus on education, personalization
by Tiffany Gann

After tireless entrepreneurial research, Sheila Fitzgerald opened Blooms in May of 2004 to an economy beginning to buckle…


Body Basics steady with corporate clients, referrals
by Tiffany Gann

Due to several high-profile commercial clients and a large referral customer base, Body Basics has steadily inclined revenue since its establishment in 1986…


Alliance Enterprises directs focus on hiring challenges in down economy
by Matrissa Leggett

As companies’ staffing needs and requirements have changed with the current economy, Doreen Blakely, president and CEO of Omaha-based professional search firm Alliance Enterprises, has developed a new program...


Homebuyers seeking open designs, energy efficiency
by Lori McGinnis

Energy efficiency, open floor plans and less square footage are the trends in today’s new home construction, area builders say…