This post is part of our Big Company, Small Town series, featuring large companies and the small towns in which they are headquartered.

How long does it take to manufacture 100 billion crayons? Well, if you're the developer and foremost manufacturer of the colorful little cylindrical beauties, it takes exactly 93 years, as evidenced by the successful history of Crayola Crayons.

Easton Pennsylvania, sitting at the confluence of the Delaware and Lehigh rivers, has served as the backdrop for the entire glorious history of Crayola Crayons. A small town, covering just under five square miles, and home to fewer than 30,000 inhabitants, what Easton might lack in girth, it certainly makes up for with history. The partnership of cousins Edwin Binney and C. Harold Smith, creators of the Crayola Crayon, probably were located in Easton to take advantage of the town's former status as a railroad hub, its access to raw materials, and its proximity to both Philadelphia and New York City.

While the partnership of Binney & Smith has grown and flourished, the city of Easton Pennsylvania has had its difficulties. While the Crayola empire has continually sought to enhance its offering and involvement in the creative arts by expanding, experimenting and inviting innovation, Easton has sought to remain true to, and thoughtful of its heritage. However, renewed stimulation of Easton's economy over the past decade has been focused on making the city an attractive getaway destination for visitors. This effort involves a deeply thoughtful utilization of the city's cultural, historical, and natural resources, which are being blended and deployed with strategic local focus.

Continue reading Big company, small town: Crayola, Easton, Pennsylvania

Big company, small town: Crayola, Easton, Pennsylvania originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 25 Jun 2008 10:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage from BloggingStocks:

• Bear Stearns Cos. Inc. (NYSE: BSC) reported a profit that missed expectations by a penny.
• Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) posted higher profits in the first quarter, boosted by global gains.
• Charles Schwab Corp. (NASDAQ: SCHW) first-quarter earnings were in line with expectations.
• Citigroup Inc. (NYSE: C) posted a bigger-than-expected loss on further write-downs.
• Crocs Inc. (NASDAQ: CROX) lowered first-quarter guidance led the stock to a new 52-week low.
• Eaton Corp. (NYSE: ETN) beat first-quarter estimates due to strong demand overseas.
• Gilead Sciences Inc. (NASDAQ: GILD) posted better-than-expected first-quarter earnings.
• ITT Corp. (NYSE: ITT) raised its first-quarter and full-year earnings guidance.
• Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) reported better-than-expected first-quarter earnings.
• JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) beat expectations though first-quarter profits fell
• Merrill Lynch & Co. (NYSE: MER) posted a bigger-than-expected first-quarter loss due to write-downs.
• TD Ameritrade Holding Corp. (NASDAQ: AMTD) second-quarter EPS rose 35%, but revenue fell.
• U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB) beat first-quarter earnings expectations thought profits slipped.
• Wachovia Corp. (NYSE: WB) posted its first quarterly loss since 2001 and cut its dividend.
• Washington Mutual Inc. (NYSE: WM) swung to a first-quarter loss of more than $1 billion.
• Wells Fargo & Co. (NYSE: WFC) beat expectations though first-quarter profits fell.

Continue reading Earnings highlights: Financials, Caterpillar, Johnson & Johnson, Crocs and others

Earnings highlights: Financials, Caterpillar, Johnson & Johnson, Crocs and others originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 19 Apr 2008 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.