CareFusion, a medical technology company in San Diego, has agreed to acquire Rowa, a Germany-based firm specializing in robotic medication storage and retrieval systems for retail and hospital pharmacies, for $150 million. “Combined, we see an opportunity to provide customers outside the U.S. with a complete medication management offering and accelerate our global growth in the retail and hospital pharmacy automation segments,” said Kieran Gallahue, chairman and CEO of CareFusion. He said Rowa’s technology is complementary to CareFusion’s Pyxis automated dispensing system. Rowa’s products enable high-density, high-speed storage and retrieval of pre-packaged pharmaceutical inventory. More than 3,500 of the systems have been installed in 30 countries. Gallahue said the Rowa products are complementary, designed for the management of medication that takes place in the pharmacy, with technology geared for the unique packaging common in many countries outside the United States. Rowa has more than 300 employees and is headquartered in Kelberg, Germany with operations in Italy, the Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden.
New Culinary Team Named for 1500 OCEAN
Aaron Martinez and Joe Weaver
Hotel del Coronado’s signature restaurant, 1500 OCEAN, has appointed a new culinary team of Aaron Martinez as chef de cuisine and Joe Weaver as wine director. Prior to taking the helm of 1500 OCEAN’s culinary team in June 2011, Martinez was the chef de cuisine for The Restaurant at Rancho Valencia in Rancho Santa Fe. Before that, he spent three years at Addison at The Grand Del Mar. He was also the sous chef at The Prado in San Diego where he interned while attending the Arizona Culinary Institute. He holds a culinary arts degree from the Arizona Culinary Institute and a bachelor’s degree from San Diego State University.Weaver was recently promoted from assistant manager/assistant sommelier to manager/wine director for 1500 OCEAN and ENO. As manager, Weaver oversees a staff of 50 and manages an extensive wine program that features over 800 labels. He will also manage the wine program for ENO – The Del’s wine, cheese and chocolate room. Weaver previously was wine director at Crescent Heights Kitchen & Lounge in San Diego and sommelier/manager of Quarter Kitchen at the Ivy Hotel.
Luxury Apartments Planned for San Marcos
Wood Partners is breaking ground on the construction of a new luxury apartment community in San Marcos. The as yet unnamed development is adjacent to California State University San Marcos. The 108-unit gated development is located at 815 South Twin Oaks Valley Road. The first units are scheduled to be available in May 2012. The remaining units will be available when construction is completed in October 2012. The development will include 12,000 square feet of retail space. The 42 two-bedroom and 66 one-bedroom units will be distributed among four three-story buildings. 3 Tier Investments LLC, an investment group, will break ground at the same time on its Campus Pointe retail project. The site will consist of two retail buildings cornering the property with a total of 12,000 rentable square feet, including up to three restaurants with al fresco dining and up to seven retail businesses. The architect for the residential community is Van Tilburg, Banvard, Soderbergh and the general contractor is WP West Builders.
Pride Festival Slated for July 15-17 in Balboa Park
More than 150,000 people are expected to take part in the annual Pride festival July 15-17 in Balboa Park. The event kicks off at 6:30 p.m. on July 15 with an outdoor rally featuring political speakers and Pride award winners. An 11 a.m. parade is scheduled on July 16 on University Avenue in Hillcrest. This year’s celebrity grand marshal is actress Meredith Baxter. She’ll be joined by community grand marshal Chris Shaw, owner of Baja Betty’s, Urban Mo’s and Gossip Grill, and third grand marshal Daniel Hernandez, who came to the rescue of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords after she was shot by gunman during an Arizona rally in Feburary. Hernandez also will speak at the July 15 rally. The celebration returns to the park with a two-day festival July 16-17 showcasing hundreds of exhibits and vendors, dance areas and concert stages that will headline comedian Margaret Cho (July 16) and female rapper Salt-N-Pepa (July 17). Regular gate prices are $20 a day and $30 for the weekend. Admission is free for active military. The cost for seniors and students with valid ID (18 to 24) is $10; and $5 for youth 13 to 17 years of age. For details, call (619) 297-7683 or visit sandiegopride.org.
Walden Family Services Hires Grants/Communications Manager
Walden Family Services has hired Elizabeth Berg as its new grants and communications manager. In her new position, Berg will be responsible for identifying and applying for essential grant funding for the organization, as well as managing the organization’s overall communications needs. Berg previously served as the marketing communications manager for the San Diego Museum of Man in Balboa Park, where she was responsible for marketing, public relations and development activities to attract visitors and funders to the museum.
Small Business Workshops
SCORE San Diego continues its series of low-cost workshops. Fees range from $29 to $109, depending on the program. To register online, visit score-sandiego.org. For more information, call (619) 557-7272.
• July 7 – Financing Your Business – 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).
• July 8 – Professional Selling: Increase Your Business Sales Now! – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).
• July 8 – Financial Statements: What They Mean, How to Use Them – 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $29, $39 at the door).
• July 11 – Business Basics 101 – 9 a.m. to noon at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego 92123; no charge – please pre-register).
• July 12 – Legal Issues for Small Business: Contracts and Leases – 9 a.m. to noon at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $49, $59 at the door).
• July 13 – QuickBooks Basic – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at National University in Kearny Mesa (9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego 92123; pre-paid registration $69, $79 at the door).
• July 15 – Women’s Networking Breakfast and Exhibits – 8 to 11 a.m. at Morgan Run Resort & Club in Rancho Santa Fe (5690 Cancha de Golf, Rancho Santa Fe 92091; attendees: $30 by July 12, $40 after; exhibitors: $80 by July 12, $90 after).
The Daily Business Report is produced by REP Publishing Inc., publisher of SD METRO, the North Park News, Kensington News and the West Coast Craftsman. Contact: Manny Cruz (619) 287-1865.
