Out of 26 million Texans, you may have an idea to change the world. You may have had several ideas to change the world. But only a tiny minority of you pushed through the U.S. Patent office from application to successful patent. We've seen Texans change the world many times over. Jack Kilby did it with Texas Instruments in 1958 with the integrated circuit, causing the start of the digital revolution, which, in part, is why you can read these words over your electronic device.
Over the last few years, Texas Business has brought its feature: Texas Business Patent of the Day. This list is of the ones that were either extremely clever, odd or strange. One thing becomes apparent from these patents and the patent that runs daily in Texas Business—Texans have a unique mind set.
Though the history of the Corn Dog is disputed, the State Fair of Texas claims to have introduced the Corny Dog sometime between 1938 and 1942. As a paean to that invention that now sits in the freezer section of every grocery store in the southwest, here are the fried foods the State Fair of Texas has introduced, or tried to introduce, in the last seven years.
Dead Texas musicians live on every time you hear their songs. Their songs play everywhere, so the dead Texas musicians appear to be immortal. Here's the short list.
Don't get caught up with John Wayne religion. For one thing, he's not Texan. He's in some fine movies involving Texas, most notably The Searchers, but none of his movies can make the best cut of Texas movies. Here's the short list.
Unsung Texas Business Journalists Mention that one is a reporter, and there's a spark of interest. Mention that one is a business news reporter, and watch the eyes glaze over. Except to the players, business and economic journalists are unappreciated. While many wish to become sports reporters when they grow up, most do not realize that business journalists cover the Real Game. Mention that reporter covers business, and watch the eyes glaze over. A toast to these below on the short list and the numerous unnamed ones slogging away. Full Story » TexasBusiness.com
Best Texas Mexican Food: The Short List No, we're not going to debate the difference between Tex-Mex, Mex-Tex, Mexican and Texican food. Just know these establishments are the pinnacle of Texas Mexican fare. No brag, just fact. Full Story » TexasBusiness.com
Best Texas Burgers Texas Burgers. . While a hamburger is merely sustenance and gratification for a meal, the memory a good Texas burger can give rise to Homeric odes. The short list. Full Story » TexasBusiness.com
Texas Business reports: AUSTIN—Owner Resource Group LLC acquired a majority interest in KMCO LP, KMTEX Ltd., and DOT Chemical Inc. from the McFerrin family.
Founded in 1975 and headquartered in Crosby, Texas, KMCO is a specialty chemical company serving the automotive, petroleum, industrial and agricultural markets.
The world’s largest chemical companies depend on KMCO for custom chemical processing (tolling) and specialty chemical manufacturing.
“Partnering with ORG will be very positive for the company, our customers and our employees,” said chairman Arthur (Artie) McFerrin in a prepared statement. “ORG brings additional capital and resources that will allow the company to improve upon the high quality products and services to which our customers are accustomed.”
“KMCO and its affiliates are one of the leading batch chemical processors in the industry,” said ORG managing director Jon Gormin in a statement. “We’re proud to partner with the McFerrins and support the management team as they continue to grow the company and serve the company’s outstanding array of customers.”
“We’re excited to work with Owner Resource Group to build on our 37 year history as a leading specialty chemical company,” said president Jeff McFerrin in a statement.
KMCO owns and operates two facilities. The KMCO facility is an ISO 9001 certified manufacturing plant on approximately 200 acres in Crosby, Texas. The facility includes eight distillation columns, 23 reactor systems and capacity for 250 rail cars. The KMTEX facility in Port Arthur, Texas sits on 32 acres with 20 million gallons of storage capacity for onsite terminaling as well as a 300 foot barge dock and 100 rail car spaces. The facility includes four stainless steel distillation columns and one carbon steel distillation column.
The transaction closed June 30, 2012. RCP Advisors LLC, PNC Erieview Capital and Argosy Investment Partners IV LP participated in the investment. GE Capital led the senior financing and PNC Erieview Capital led the subordinated debt financing.
Owner Resource Group is an Austin, Texas based private investment firm.
The Texas News Scrawl is a handy reference to stories Texas Business recommends from other news sources. Some of the stories that Texas Business currently suggests include: America’s greatest threat: Unsafe work conditions; The West News proves the value of a great weekly newspaper in a community torn up with grief and chaos; Chinese investors checking out Texas, Austin; Texas makes bounce house operators carry liability coverage, but not plants like West Fertilizer; bSpaceX’s Grasshopper leaping to NM spaceport;American Airlines, US Airways to name post-merger leadership within weeks; Texas power cushion seen at lowest level in a decade; Media outlets reflect Houston's diversity; and more.
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