A Much Beloved Toy Generating More Steam This Christmas, a Turnaround in New Bedford, One of the Hottest Companies Among the Hot Technologies and `CIO of the Year' Featured On `Business Now' Sunday, December 19th

Business Wire, Dec 16, 1999

BOSTON & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 15, 1999--

Television business news magazine "Business Now" this week spotlights the resurgence of model trains as a gift for kids of all ages; shows how a New Bedford, Massachusetts capacitor-maker has made a dramatic turnaround; reports on one of the hottest performers in the hot technology industry; and introduces viewers to Information Week's Chief Information Officer of the Year.

Business Now airs at 9 a.m. Sunday, December 19th on WCVB-TV, Boston; and at 11 a.m. Sunday, December 19th on WABC-TV, New York;

The program simultaneously is being broadcast on the Business Now web site: www.BusinessNowTV.com

This week Business Now reports on:

1) MTH Electric Trains, a Columbia, Maryland firm which is leading a resurgence of interest in the old toy favorite--the model train. Mike's Train House has combined high tech and imagination to build a 60-million dollar business. Business Now's Gail Flannigan reports Mike's Train House is not just for kids; the average customer is 52 years old.

2) Averox, a New Bedford, Massachusetts company which is making a comeback manufacturing a product we use every day, cannot live without--but never see--capacitors, which store energy in major appliances. After undergoing an economic slump in the early 90's, Averox reorganized itself with new management, improving everything from manufacturing processes to customer service. Today it's building a new state-of-the-art plant.

3) Nextel, one of the best-performing companies among the hot technologies---wireless communication. CEO Tom Donahue says Nextel is experiencing phenomenal growth because of a combination of its digital technology, national focus, and a product with great appeal to the business community.

4) Chief Information Officer of the Year--David Bent of Visteon Automotive Systems, the 18 billion dollar auto parts subsidiary of Ford Motor Company. In a partnership with Information Week, Business Now interviews the CIO who earned the magazine's top honors..

"Business Now" is produced by Building America Television, home of the Internet's most extensive library of video-streamed business news at www.BusinessNowTV.com

"Business Now" is currently preparing stories on VC-backed companies who are mezzanine or pre-IPO. For story suggestions or more information, contact Amanda Cole at 703/787 3533, x33.

Program sponsors include Ernst & Young LLP, Nextel, National Discount Brokers and Silicon Valley Bank.