[ BUSINESS NOTES ]

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Mar 16, 2003 by Capital-Journal

Three legendary leaders

Three legendary leaders, Ken Blanchard, Joe Gibbs and John Maxwell, will deliver a day of training on March 28 that will be simulcast at First United Methodist Church, 600 S.W. Topeka Blvd.

Tickets are $75 for the Maximum Impact Simulcast event.

Blanchard is the author of "The One Minute Manager" and "Raving Fans."

Joe Gibbs is a NASCAR team owner and former NFL coach of the three- time world champion Washington Redskins and author of the best- seller, "Racing to Win."

John Maxwell is New York Times Best-Selling Author of "The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership."

For more information, call 233-8100.

Ethanol production to increase

The U.S. ethanol industry produced a record 2.13 billion gallons in 2002, according to the Ethanol Report published by the Renewable Fuels Association in Washington, D.C.

Currently 68 ethanol plants, including many in Kansas and Nebraska, can produce 2.7 billion gallons annually.

With 11 plants under construction, annual production capacity will expand to more than 3 billion gallons by the end of 2003.

Ethanol production consumed more than 800 million bushels of corn in 2002.

GNC struggles in off year

Since assuming the helm last year, Royal Numico's chief executive officer has received numerous unsolicited letters and calls from people interested in buying General Nutrition Cos. But Jan Bennink said that he wanted to give the health supplements chain a little more time to get itself in order.

Numico reported a net loss of $250 million for last year's final quarter, including an impairment charge of $423 million to reduce the value of the GNC business. While the Dutch company's baby food and clinical nutrition divisions had sales growth in the fourth quarter, net sales at GNC fell 11.8 percent from the previous year.

GNC's slump was blamed on a slow economy and on a dramatic drop- off in sales of ephedra, a supplement used in weight-loss and body- building products. Federal officials have proposed tough new labels warning consumers the supplement could be dangerous. The substance was linked to the death of Baltimore Orioles pitching prospect Steve Bechler, who collapsed of heatstroke at spring training in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and died a day later.

Bennink was inclined to see progress at GNC, citing improved margins and the remodeling of almost all of the chain's 5,600 stores.

Target, Gap splash maternity wear

Ami Moreland got through her pregnancy a couple of years ago by wearing her husband's shirts and boxer shorts.

Her opinion of maternity clothing at the time? Yuck.

"I was stuck with big, ugly stuff," the 24-year-old woman said of the maternity apparel that was available when she was expecting her son Bobby, now 17 months old. "I want to be pregnant now!"

Big-name retailers, including Target stores and Gap Inc., recently have made a bigger splash in maternity wear, a category traditionally dominated by smaller niche players. Their strategy is to offer affordable clothes in styles similar to what a woman would wear if she wasn't pregnant.

Forget about tent dresses with princess collars and bows. Think form-fitting camisole tops, with unbuttoned oxford shirts and boot- cut denim capris.

Target has carried maternity apparel for years at its more than 1,100 stores, but now the discounter is aggressively marketing a new line by New York City fashion designer and boutique owner Liz Lange.

The former Vogue editor --- who has dressed famous moms-to-be such as Cindy Crawford, Julianne Moore and Uma Thurman --- is known for modern, clean styles that accentuate the pregnant figure, not hide it.

"No more muumuus --- those days are over," Lange proclaims in a Target commercial that has aired during high-profile TV shows such as the Grammy Awards. The retailer also featured the Liz Lange for Target line on the cover of a recent Sunday advertising circular --- a far cry from the modest maternity displays of years past.

Meanwhile, several babyGap and Old Navy stores nationwide have added a selection of maternity clothing near their infant offerings. The maternity merchandise had been available only online.

--- Staff and wire services