Consumer Affairs & Relations

Morton Salt has invested $1 million in a state-of-the art food lab at its research and development center in Elgin, Illinois, to support the food industry’s growing desire to reduce sodium levels in comestibles.  

By creating a dedicated food lab at its R&D center, Morton Salt is adding new equipment and 1,300 sq. ft. of space for its team of food scientists and technical staff. Morton also plans to focus on new product development, enhanced formulations, application testing and technical support.

New York -- Dov Charney, the ousted chairman and CEO of American Apparel Inc., is fighting back against his dismissal.

Just two weeks after Family Dollar adopted a “poison pill” shareholder’s rights plan, billionaire investor Carl Icahn, who recently disclosed he has a 9.4% stake in the discount retailer, has fired back.

In an open letter to Family Dollar chairman Howard Levine, Icahn demanded that the company be put up for sale immediately. Icahn also said in the letter that he wants three of his representatives added to the Family Dollar board immediately and will take his proposal for a sale directly to shareholders if management doesn’t support it.

Latham, N.Y. -- After announcing the realignment of corporate management earlier this month, DWM Facilities Maintenance announced its newly developed Service Enhancement Plan (SEP) to better serve the needs of its existing clients and drive long-term growth. In this strategic shift, DWM will expand the Client Lead role and add multiple account manager positions.

Matthews, N.C. – Billionaire activist investor Carl Icahn, who recently engaged in a high-profile effort to force EBay to separate its PayPal business, is now demanding that Family Dollar sell itself. Icahn, who recently disclosed he has a 9.4% stake in the discount retailer, sent an open letter to Family Dollar chairman Howard Levine saying that it is imperative the company be put up for sale immediately.

Los Angeles -- Apparel retailer American Apparel Inc. has fired its controversial founder Dov Charney as chairman, effective immediately, and has moved to fire him as CEO and president. The actions come on the heels of an ongoing investigation into alleged misconduct by Charney, who has been targeted in sexual harassment lawsuits and charged with allegations of misconduct for years.

American Apparel’s board of directors has voted to remove Dov Charney as chairman and fire him as president and CEO.

It is expected that the termination will be effective following a 30-day cure period required under the terms of Charney’s employment agreement.

For the time being, Charney is suspended from his positions as president and CEO, effective immediately, pending the expiration of the cure period. The board has appointed John Luttrell as interim CEO.

Fresh & Easy has launched a full-scale marketing campaign inviting customers to discover the company’s new image.

Since transferring to new ownership in November, the company said, it has reinvigorated the brand and its stores with the aim of being the anytime, anyway, anywhere solution for getting healthy, convenient and affordable food.