Bayer Corp. Tight-Lipped About Possible Expansion Of Spokane Plant

Bayer Corp.’s Spokane plant, the world leader in manufacture of allergy products and a major local employer for generations, reportedly is considering a large-scale expansion.

Sources close to the Bayer operation in Spokane say the firm has been discussing an ambitious construction program in the immediate vicinity of its plant at 3525 N. Regal. Preliminary plans reportedly envision a sizable increase in personnel, which would help to boost local payrolls.

The Spokane plant is among this community’s elite employers in terms of pay and benefits. It also is among the most prestigious of Inland Northwest firms on a global scale.

Founded three-quarters of a century ago as Hollister-Stier Laboratories, the plant long has been a worldwide supplier of allergenic extracts and related specialty products for the diagnosis, treatment and therapy of allergies.

According to the company, the North Regal plant is today the largest pharmacy for allergy products on earth.

Hollister-Stier retained its original name through several ownership changes, until five years ago, when it became Miles Allergy Products.

Shortly thereafter it became Bayer Corp., which is the name of the U.S. operating subsidiary of German-based Bayer AG. Local officials had no comment about possible expansion.

Washington Mutual basks in limelight

Everything seems to keep coming up roses for Washington Mutual Savings Bank:

Last month, a new survey by Fortune magazine rated Washington Mutual Savings Bank the most admired savings institution in America.

Currently, the largest Northwest-based financial institution, which has deep roots in Spokane, is making a multibillion-dollar bid to merge with Great Western Financial Corp. of Los Angeles and emerge as the largest thrift in the United States.

Recently, the female of a peregrine falcon pair that picked Washington Mutual’s headquarters tower in Seattle as a nesting place, has been laying eggs, further enhancing the bank’s already glowing image.

And now the April issue of Money magazine picks Washington Mutual as one of six stocks that could return 30 to 50 percent over the next two years. Money reports that Washington Mutual growth prospects warrant analysts’ projection of a 35 percent return on shares between now and the end of 1998.

GU gains OK for Beta Alpha Psi chapter

A Gonzaga University petitioning chapter of Beta Alpha Psi, the national honorary and professional accounting fraternity, has won national board approval for a permanent chapter. “We’re probably the smallest department in the country to have achieved this,” said Kay Carnes, chair and associate professor of accounting.

Official installation of GU’s new Iota Delta Chapter will be at 5 p.m. April 19 at Red Lion Spokane City Center. For more information, contact Carnes at 328-4220, ext. 3420.

Departing EDC boss collects accolades

At a farewell reception for economic developer Bob Cooper, scores paid their respects to a man who has been Spokane’s premier corporate recruiter for the past decade.

Cooper, who has accepted a new job in California, told assembled well-wishers last week that in his line of work, five years in one place is a long time. Most business and civic leaders didn’t appear too wrought-up over Cooper’s resignation as president of the Spokane Area Economic Development Council, which seemed to be expected, if not overdue.

Observed Peter Kerwien, perennial board member of the economic development council and a member of the search committee for Cooper’s replacement: “As he himself pointed out, these assignments typically last only a few years. We should be thankful,” concluded the Washington Water Power Co. executive, “for what we’ve got - for the time that Bob Cooper did spend with us.”

But John Level, vice president and general manager of Hi-Rel Laboratories Inc., 204 E. Nora, was far less philosophical about Cooper’s departure. The transplanted Californian, whose electronics company ranks among Cooper’s choicer recruiting plums, is one of Cooper’s biggest fans.

“We should not be losing a man of his caliber and his talents,” lamented Level. “He is too valuable to our recruiting efforts, and too important to the vitality of the business community.

“Bob Cooper moved our company up here five years ago,” Level recalled, “and since then we have contributed about $6.5 million to the Spokane economy in the form of payroll.

“He never promised us the moon and the stars,” said Level. “But there is not a month goes by that he doesn’t call and ask how things are going for us, and if there is something he can do to help.

“Equally important to the business sector, he developed a staff who treated people like they themselves would want to be treated.

“Our business has benefitted tremendously from his recruiting and his attention,” Level said. “I’m sure there are others in this crowd tonight who will tell you the same thing.

“If anyone thinks Bob Cooper can be replaced,” said Level, “they are crazier than hell. Our whole company will miss him a lot.”

, DataTimes MEMO: Associate Editor Frank Bartel writes a notes column each Wednesday. If you have business items of regional interest for future columns, call 459-5467 or fax 459-5482.

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Frank Bartel The Spokesman-Review