Comcast: Demand launch went well
Comcast Corp. officials said Tuesday the company’s launch of its video-on-demand service in Spokane occurred without any surprises or disruptions.
The new service allows digital cable subscribers anytime access to about 2,500 programs, said Kris Workman, the Spokane office’s sales and marketing manager.
Comcast has about 98,000 video customers in the Spokane area. Roughly 40 percent pay for digital cable.
UPS aiming for more growth in China
Hong Kong UPS Inc., the world’s largest shipping carrier, said that China is the company’s top priority and that the American firm was expanding flights and facilities in the Asian nation that has become a manufacturing powerhouse.
“China isn’t an option. It’s essential. It’s our No. 1 priority,” John Beystehner, chief operating officer at UPS, said at a conference hosted by the Atlanta-based company.
Beystehner said the company plans to establish a hub in the Chinese financial capital of Shanghai by 2007. The firm’s 18 weekly flights in and out of China would expand to 21 next year, he added.
By the end of this year, the company’s China operations plans to have 3,500 employees, 1,400 vehicles and 75 facilities, Beystehner said.
UPS has also had strong growth in Hong Kong, where export volume grew by 20 percent in the second quarter, and Taiwan, where export volume rose by more than 25 percent, he said.
Rivals Fedex Corp. and DHL are also investing heavily in China.
Judge won’t jail Tyco pair before sentencing
New York A state judge Tuesday denied a request by prosecutors to jail two former top Tyco International Ltd. executives until they are sentenced next month on charges of stealing hundreds of millions of dollars from the company.
Manhattan prosecutors had argued that L. Dennis Kozlowski, former chief executive officer of Tyco, and Mark H. Swartz, the company’s former finance chief, were risks to flee before their sentencing on Sept. 19.
“We continue to believe there is a substantial flight risk in this case,” said Assistant District Attorney Owen Heimer during a brief hearing. He said the defendants have “significant resources” at their disposal and face lengthy prison sentences.
Defense lawyers pointed out to Obus their clients had shown up for every court appearance they were supposed to attend.
Kozlowski’s lawyer, Stephen Kaufman, said Heimer’s suggestion that Kozlowski might flee was “unfair and unfounded.”