FMT Consultants Opens Office in Century City
Citing an uptick in its Los Angeles business and seeking to build on those gains, Carlsbad-based FMT Consultants LLC has opened an office on Santa Monica Boulevard in Century City.
Being in the Right Place at the Right Time Is Everything in Tech
Technology Column
Dot-what? Lawyers and business executives recounted two sprawling technology stories during two evening presentations in late February.
Plug and Play Accelerator Seeking a Brick-and-Mortar Site
TECH: Property for Program Must Bring Proper ‘Lifestyle’
An organization concerned with getting young companies on their feet is now thinking about putting a roof over its own head. Plug and Play San Diego, which has had a virtual presence in town, plans to be in its own quarters during the first half of 2015, its leaders said.
Military Decisions
DEFENSE: Pentagon’s Fiscal 2015 Spending Plans Are Mixed Bag for Region
Northrop Grumman Corp.’s odd-looking Global Hawk aircraft might better have been named the Phoenix, since the bird seems to be rising from its own ashes.
Novatel's Machine-to-Machine Radios to Be Used by Vehicle Tracking Systems
A Long Island, N.Y. maker of vehicle tracking electronics is updating its product line with the help of San Diego-based Novatel Wireless.
General Dynamics Defense Deal Could Be Worth $250.1 Million
General Dynamics Corp. said that its Advanced Information Systems unit received a subcontract that could be worth as much as $250.1 million over 10 years if its U.S. Navy customer exercises all options.
Cubic’s Stock Ticker Symbol Gets an ‘LF’ Added to It, for Now
Cubic Corp. said on Feb. 25 that the New York Stock Exchange is changing the company’s ticker symbol to indicate it will be late in filing its financial statement from the quarter ended Dec. 31.
Pentagon Proposal Favors Northrop Grumman’s Global Hawk Over U-2 Spy Aircraft
In a surprise twist, the Pentagon has proposed retiring the U-2 high altitude spy aircraft in favor of the unmanned Global Hawk, a San Diego product.
Qualcomm Unveils 2 New Snapdragon Processors
Qualcomm Inc. took the wraps off of two Snapdragon processors Feb. 24.
GA-ASI Nabs $94M in Contract Modifications
The U.S. Army awarded General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. two contract modifications worth $94.3 million.
Austin Vying for Websense as the Company Considers Its Relocation Options
San Diego-based Websense Inc. may be considering more than one city as its new headquarters location. Meanwhile, city leaders in Austin, Texas, have OK’d an incentive package to bring Websense to their city, sweetening a multimillion-dollar deal offered by the state government.
Sentek Global Inc. Promotes Galetti to COO Position
Sentek Global Inc. said that it has promoted Jason Galetti to COO.
Golden Goose Award Goes to Local Physicist for Contribution
Honk if you love science. There is such a thing as the Golden Goose Award, and rest assured, winning it is a good thing.
MediaTek Inc. Expanding to Sorrento Valley
TECH: Microchip Maker Will Add a $3 Billion Presence to ‘Wireless Valley’
Chipmaker MediaTek Inc. wants to set up shop in Sorrento Valley as part of a global expansion and a push to serve the world’s growing middle class.
Sentek Global Names Galetti to COO Position
Sentek Global Inc. said that it has promoted Jason Galetti to COO.
Austin Vies for Websense as Company Considers Its Relocation Options
San Diego-based Websense Inc. may be considering more than one city as its new headquarters location. Meanwhile, city leaders in Austin, Texas, have OK’d an incentive package to bring Websense to their city, sweetening a multimillion-dollar deal offered by the state government.
Slacker Must Stand Out in Internet Crowd
RADIO: New CEO Needs To Boost Brand Awareness
Internet radio provider Slacker Inc. has tapped an executive from Nintendo of America Inc. and The Walt Disney Co. to further its growth and face its rivals in a crowded musical marketplace.
Defense Contract Could Be Worth $35M for Leidos Inc.
Leidos Inc., one of the two companies created with the 2013 split of SAIC, said on Feb. 20 that it received software work from the U.S. Strategic Command that could be worth as much as $35 million if the government exercises all of its options.
Maxwell Technologies Reports Net Income of $6.3M for the Year
Maxwell Technologies Inc. — a San Diego maker of ultracapacitors, high-voltage capacitors and microelectronics — reported a net loss of $2.8 million on revenue of $39 million during its fourth quarter, which ended Dec. 31.
2 Local Small Businesses to Compete for Navy Contracts for Cultural Evaluation Work
Though it can’t promise the intrigue of an “Indiana Jones” movie, the U.S. Navy can promise work in the archaeological space.
Illumina Launching ‘World’s First’ Genomics Incubator
Illumina Inc. is launching what it bills as the world’s first genomics incubator, saying it has teamed up with technology billionaire Yuri Milner and Silicon Valley Bank to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in startups.
Cubic Corp. Announces Dividend
Cubic Corp. said that it will pay out a semiannual dividend of 12 cents per share March 14.
Qualcomm Pulls Plug on New Snapdragan Chip
Qualcomm Inc. is canceling its Snapdragon 802 chip, meant for smart TVs.
Franklin Wireless Posts Improved Second-Quarter Revenue, Profit
Franklin Wireless Corp., a Sorrento Mesa-based business that designs and manufactures wireless modules and modems, reported net income of $127,000 on net sales of $7.55 million during its second quarter, which ended Dec. 31.
Kratos Gets $5.2M Government Order
Kratos Defense and Security Solutions Inc. recently received a $5.2 million order for unspecified blast-resistant and hardened products.
Technology Revs Up Allowing Many Truck Engines to Shutdown
Pretend for a moment that you are not in San Diego. Your job is to drive a snowplow. One of those big blizzards you’ve seen in the news is poised to strike your town, and the boss has stationed you downtown in your truck. It’s cold. No, really cold. You need to run your cab heater while you wait, so of course you have to run your engine at idle.
Kratos Receives $5.2M Order From Government
Kratos Defense and Security Solutions Inc. recently received a $5.2 million order for unspecified blast-resistant and hardened products.
Needs of Navy Addressed at 2014 Convention
DEFENSE: Wearable Computers, Cybersecurity Are on the Must-Have List
A U.S. Navy admiral told industry leaders that the military needs resilient, reliable and affordable technology from its suppliers. He also said that he sees a future in the military for wearable computer technology, such as glasses that place a computer monitor near a wearer’s eye.
Online Poker Big Deal For Indian Casinos
GAMING: State Legalization Would Present Opportunities
Local Native American casino operators are mulling how they might incorporate online poker into their business plans as research suggest that state laws prohibiting it might be changing.
Wireless & Wearable
Technology: Companies of All Sizes Exploring Burgeoning Market Offered By Devices We Will Wear
Qualcomm Inc. executive Nikhil Jain recalls the day that then-CEO Paul Jacobs called him to ask whether he would like to work on a watch.
Overland Storage Reports Q2 Results
Overland Storage Inc., the Kearny Mesa company specializing in data storage and data protection technology, reported a net loss of $4.3 million on net revenue of $10.6 million during the second quarter of its fiscal year, which ended Dec. 31.
Eisai Attempting to Sell Arena's Weight-Loss Drug, Belviq, in Brazil
San Diego-based Arena Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced plans to sell its weight-loss drug, Belviq, in Brazil.
Kratos Defense Deal Could Be Worth $29.6 Million
Kratos Defense and Security Solutions Inc. said on Feb. 11 that it will provide the U.S. Navy with certain systems and services for unmanned drones.
Cubic Finds Errors, Will Restate Financial Results
Cubic Corp. said that it plans to restate its financial results from fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2013.
Helix-Hon Joint Venture Co. Gets Defense Contract Potentially Worth $30 Million
The U.S. Navy’s construction office awarded the Helix-Hon Joint Venture Co. an indefinite quantity contract that could be worth as much as $30 million.
Mad Catz Interactive Reports Net Loss of $566,000 in Q3
Mad Catz Interactive Inc., a San Diego maker of computer game peripherals, reported a net loss of $566,000 on net sales of $32.9 million in its third quarter, which ended Dec. 31.
Spawar Systems C.O. Relishes New Role
DEFENSE: Captain Eager to Reach out to Defense Industry
As a science enthusiast, U.S. Navy Capt. Kurt Rothenhaus must feel like a kid turned loose in the Wonka candy factory. Actually, his situation is even better. He’s in charge of the candy.
Callaway’s 2014 Lineup May Drive Up Sales
SPORT: Big Bertha Brand Key Part of Turnaround Efforts
Callaway Golf Co. is preparing to introduce new versions of its storied Big Bertha brand of golf club Feb. 14 after a seven-year hiatus, and the company believes it and the club can reclaim former glory together.
Incentives for Websense on Austin Agenda
Websense Inc.’s plan to move its headquarters to Austin, Texas, will take a big step later this month when the Austin City Council talks about how it might attract the San Diego security software company.
Strengthening Cellphone Signals Brings Profitability to Nextivity
Communications: Company’s Cel-Fi Booster Being Used by 139 Operators
It’s maddening. The cellphone works fine in one area of a house but unfailingly drops calls in another.
TakeLessons Expands Reach With Acquisition of Betterfly
Whether it’s understanding the quadratic formula or bending one’s fingers to make an F chord on a guitar, TakeLessons says it can help.
Incentives for Websense on Austin Council Agenda
Websense Inc.’s plan to move its headquarters to Austin, Texas, will take a big step later this month when the Austin City Council talks about how it might attract the San Diego security software company.
Air Force Contract Could Be Worth $117.3M for General Atomics ASI
The U.S. Air Force wants to give its Reaper aircraft more range.
Peregrine Semiconductor Reports Net Revenue of $202.3M for the Year
Peregrine Semiconductor Corp. reported a net loss of $6.8 million on net revenue of $43.3 million for its fourth quarter, which ended Dec. 28.
Kratos Stock Climbs After News of Big Military Contract
Shares in San Diego-based Kratos Defense and Security Solutions Inc. rose dramatically on Feb. 3, on the same day that the company announced it won an indefinite-quantity contract with a ceiling of $7.92 billion.
Confusion May Be Drones’ Latest Weapon
Defense: General Atomics Part of Marine Corps Exercises To Evaluate Jamming Capability
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. is eyeing at least one new market for its Reaper aircraft, saying the military could use the unmanned flying machine as a battlefield signal jammer.
Qualcomm Buys 2,400 Patents Covering old PDA Devices
Technology Column
Remember those personal digital assistants from Palm and Compaq? They now show up on eBay with descriptions such as “vintage.”
For Vistage, It Is Time to Lead by Example
LEADERSHIP: Company Pursues Growth Strategy And Branding Campaign
Vistage International has always been about leadership. Its new owners are taking that to heart, pursuing an aggressive growth strategy and brand awareness campaign, and committing $5 million to back those efforts.
Callaway Golf Reports 2013 Loss, Expects to be Profitable in 2014
Callaway Golf Co. reported net losses for the fourth quarter and 2013 as a whole, but forecast a return to profitability in 2014.
Video Advertising Tech Company Receives $1.7M in Funding
Sightly, a Del Mar-based company specializing in localized video advertising, received $1.7 million in seed funding, according to the company.
