Biz News: Bosch opens eBike U.S. headquarters in Irvine
Bosch officially opened the U.S. headquarters for its electric bicycle systems this month in Irvine.
Bosch, based in Germany, launched its eBike unit in 2009 and introduced its pedal-assist motor drive on bikes at the Eurobike trade show in 2010.
The company says it has sold more than 1 million eBike systems in Europe since beginning production in 2011. Europe is its top sales market, followed by Japan and the United States.
*
Irvine company, Sotheby’s to partner
Irvine-based Stack’s Bowers Galleries, which conducts live, online and specialized auctions of rare U.S. and international coins and currency and ancient coins, has entered a multiyear agreement with Sotheby’s to present a series of coin auctions at Sotheby’s headquarters in New York City.
The first will be held from May 19 to 20, highlighted by Part 1 in a series of seven auctions of the D. Brent Pogue Collection, considered the most valuable private collection of federal American coins.
Sotheby’s and Stack’s have collaborated several times on coin auctions, including the Dallas Bank Collection in 2001 and the $7.6-million auction of a 1933 Double Eagle in 2002 that became the most expensive coin in the world.
*
Sidecar Doughnuts expands
Costa Mesa’s vintage-themed Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee is expanding into Santa Monica with a store at 631 Wilshire Blvd.
Sidecar opened on Costa Mesa’s East 17th Street Promenade in spring 2013 and has gained a loyal following.
*
Accounting company opens Irvine office
Mueller Prost LC, a St. Louis-based tax, audit, accounting and management advisory service, has moved its California office from Long Beach to 2010 Main St. in Irvine.
The company will host an open house from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the new space.
*
Plaza Bank to merge with Bank of Manhattan
Irvine-based Plaza Bank and El Segundo-based Bank of Manhattan announced an agreement to merge.
All existing branches of both banks will remain open after the merger, the companies said.
Based on financial information as of Dec. 31, the banks had combined assets of about $1 billion, with deposits of about $850 million.
*
NVISION moves base from Newport Beach
After 15 years in Newport Beach, NVISION Eye Centers, one of the nation’s largest providers of LASIK and cataract surgery, has moved its headquarters to Aliso Viejo.
The company’s LASIK and cataract practice at 3501 Jamboree Road in Newport Beach will remain.
*
E3 Financial acquired by Illinois firm
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., an international insurance brokerage and risk management firm based in Illinois, announced it has acquired e3 Financial of Newport Beach. Terms were not disclosed.
E3 Financial, established in 1988, provides employee benefits brokerage, human resources administration and financial benefits consultation for groups and individuals. Gallagher said e3 will continue to operate at 4100 Newport Place Drive under the direction of Norbert Chung, the leader of Gallagher’s Western employee benefit consulting and brokerage operations.
*
Irvine, Riverside accounting firms merge
Ramirez Jimenez International, an Irvine-based public accounting and consulting firm, completed a merger with Robert J. Casillas Accountancy Corp. of Riverside on Jan. 1.
Casillas, a certified public accountant, will be partner in charge of the Inland Empire for Ramirez Jimenez International, which was established in 1980.
*
Microsoft tech strategist to speak
Josh Condie, a partner technology strategist at Microsoft, will speak at a luncheon presentation Feb. 3 in Irvine titled “Increase Staff Productivity and Security With KME and Microsoft.”
The free public event will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Microsoft Technology Center, 3 Park Plaza, Suite 1600. It is being presented by KME Systems, an information-technology company based in Lake Forest.
For more information and to register, visit kmesystems.com/microsoft-productivity.
From staff reports