Business Briefs Feb. 21

Dairy processor files for reorganization

Citing what its chief executive officer calls a "perfect storm" of difficult financial conditions, Western Dairy Specialties of Yerington seeks to reorganize under Chapter 11 of the federal bankruptcy code.

Mike Compston, the company's CEO, says difficulty in securing working capital at affordable rates and grocers' hesitancy to switch suppliers at a time of sagging retail sales led to the dairy's closure in December and bankruptcy filing this month.

A compounding factor, he says, was stiff competition among retailers that cut milk prices and eroded the dairy's profits.

The $40 million facility opened in May of 2008 and employed 56 at its peak.

Low score for Reno Airport

J.D. Power and Associates gave the Reno-Tahoe Airport a two out of five ranking in customer satisfaction, based on a survey of travelers during 2009, which is when the airport was remodeling its baggage-handleing and check-in facilities.

Verizon adds towers

Verizon Wireless said last week it has begun operation of two new cell sites in Northern Nevada.

The sites provide better coverage in the area of the Carson City Airport and improved coverage along Kingsbury Grade in the Stateline area, Verizon said.

Contract won by Chromalloy

Chromalloy Gas Turbine Corp. of Carson City this month won a federal contract worth $167,172 to provide gas generators to the Naval Supply Systems Command Center in Mechanicsburg, Pa.

- Northern Nevada Business Weekly