News

Barrier Companies sells to private equity firm

Locally headquartered - and nationally operating - Barrier Companies has been acquired by New York City-based private equity firm, Lincolnshire Management, Inc. Founded in 2008, Barrier Companies is composed of Barrier Technologies and Barrier Compliance Services, and is a leading… more

Metro Ford Motor Co. plant to remain closed through mid-May

A global parts shortage has forced Ford Motor Co. to temporarily close Kansas City’s biggest factory for at least a month. Nearly all of the 7,100 hourly employees at the Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo have been temporarily laid… more

Creative Planning buys Castle Wealth, adds $320M

Overland Park-based Creative Planning has acquired Castle Wealth Advisors in Indianapolis. The move allows Creative to offer business valuation and succession planning services, which had none internally until now. Founded in 1973, Castle has 10 employees. The group has experience doing… more

OneDigital increases assets by $6B with acquisition

OneDigital Investment Advisors made another acquisition, adding Westminster Consulting LLC and its $6 billion in plan assets to the ranks of Overland Park-based subsidiary OneDigital Retirement + Wealth. Westminster's employees will work from its headquarters in Rochester, plus three other… more

In a Nutshell: Is This the New Mission of Corporate America?

Many of my Wall Street colleagues recently shared concerns about proposed board diversity plans. Differences of opinion between those advocating for greater corporate diversity and those seeing it as an industry quota system have created tensions.  Other arguments played out… more

Coping with COVID: Evening appointments open for COVID vaccine through KCMO Health Department

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Jobless claims sink once again

In the week ending April 17, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 547,000, a decrease of 39,000 from the previous week's revised level. This is the lowest level for initial claims since March 14, 2020 when it… more

Closed Saint Luke’s hospital in Leavenworth to get new tenant

Renovations will soon begin on a vacant building in Leavenworth, Kan. once known as Saint Luke’s Cushing Hospital. The health system announced in summer 2020 it would be closing the hospital, citing financial strain. Its doors officially closed in October… more

KC-based VMLY&R renews U.S. Navy contract worth $455M

Global advertising and marketing firm, VMLY&R has scored a renewed contract with the U.S. Navy. Housing its headquarters in Kansas City, Mo., this is the company's second five-year contract in a row with the branch. The contract has an estimated… more

Grain Belt Express progress on slow roll

The Grain Belt Express is starting to acquire land along its route spanning across nearly the width of both states. Despite the start, landowners, local officials and some Missouri lawmakers continue to push back, arguing the project will be destructive… more