Archive for category: Client News

RALEIGH, N.C. (June 13, 2011) – Geami, a producer of eco-friendly protective packaging materials (www.geami.com), will debut its new product lines at the Internet Retailer Conference & Exhibition. The conference will be held June 14-17 in San Diego.

Companies that use protective packaging to ship parcels will have the opportunity to experience how the eco-friendly Kraft paper wrapping material can save time and money both in the warehouse and in overall production costs. The patented Kraft paper material replaces plastics such as bubble and foam materials. Demonstrations of the packaging system will be located at booth #1836 of the Internet Retailer Conference.

The newest product, eWrap is the result of retailers and ecommerce shippers seeking a packing solution that fits in a compact storage area. The new automated countertop dispensing system produces 12.5-inch-wide packaging, and refills are ordered by the box. Geami’s versatile Kraft protective packaging is used to wrap a wide variety of products such as tableware, glassware, food, health, beauty and cosmetic products. On exhibit will be eco-friendly packaging solutions that are ideal for both light and medium-high volume shippers.

“While attendees will discover how versatile Geami’s Kraft paper wrapping and cushioning materials are to use, the opportunities for increased throughput in processing and packing orders is the linchpin of the system,” says Lynn Moe, account manager for Geami.

Based on customer input, three product dispensing options – iWrap, eWrap and ProWrap – are engineered with the best interest of Geami clients, consumers and the planet. All of the products feature an auto expander, which produces the company’s Kraft paper cushioning material on demand while packers wrap. The interlocking nature of the web eliminates the need for tape adhesives and prevents content movement in the box. This has been shown to be significantly faster than manually wrapping from bubble and foam wraps, making this system more efficient as the industry pushes harder for same-day shipping of internet orders.

Made from high-tensile-strength paper, a patented process creates a honeycomb web that provides impact deflection and shock absorption better than foams, bubble packaging and air pillows of equal volume.

Large-volume shippers will continue to use the original expander system that has been newly branded ProWrap. This countertop machine dispenses 14-inch-wide packaging that is sold by the pallet. One pallet of ProWrap produces 31,000 feet of wrapping and has the protective capacity of a truckload of bubble-style packaging.

The iWrap system is designed specifically for small business and modest-volume shippers where portability is required. The easy-to-use dispenser rack and 13-inch-wide rolls can be stored in a cabinet or on a shelf.

As client relationships with some of the most visible and prominent brand names and retailers continue to grow, Geami has introduced personalization and branding options that enhance the consumer experience and reduce the ecological footprint. Geami paper-based packaging materials are biodegradable and 100 percent recyclable.

About Geami:
Geami^®  uses patented technology to create paper-based protective packaging that prevents damage during the shipment of fragile materials. Founded in 1994 and based in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, Geami is a privately held company serving Fortune 500 companies, Top 100 catalogers and light-volume shippers worldwide. The 100 percent recyclable Geami product serves as a cost-effective alternative for oil-based materials such as foams, bubble packaging and air pillows. Nearly 20,000 packages are shipped daily with their contents protected by Geami. Visit http://www.geami.com.

RALEIGH, N.C. (May 25, 2011) — Hughes Pittman & Gupton, LLP (www.hpg.com), one of the largest CPA firms headquartered and staffed in the Research Triangle Park region of North Carolina, recently co-hosted a forum titled: Planning and Executing a Successful Liquidity Event. More than 50 Triangle-area CEOs and business leaders attended the four-hour event. Heather Dean, HPG tax partner, and Amy Smith, HPG senior tax manager, were two of the featured speakers at the event, held on May 10 at Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary,  N.C.

The forum offered insight into proactive planning, including mergers and acquisitions strategies, succession planning to family or management, and valuation and tax considerations.

During the discussion, Dean and Smith highlighted the importance of planning an exit strategy when making initial structure and tax decisions, such as choosing between becoming a C Corporation, S Corporation, or Partnership (LLC).  Likewise, they explained how it is vital to understand the total economics of the deal to consider the difference between the treatment of a taxable versus tax-free transaction, or a stock versus asset acquisition, as well as how the company’s entity type treats the transaction for tax purposes.

“There are very significant tax decisions that can affect a liquidity event,” explained Smith. “These issues can have a huge impact on both owners and employees; therefore, they should be planned for and reviewed regularly during the life of a company.”

Dean and Smith also explained that before agreeing to a sale price for a company, it is imperative to consider the transaction’s structure, as it could affect the ultimate net consideration received. Buyers and sellers typically have differing goals, so the tax impact of differing potential structures should be quantified and considered in the price negotiation process.

“Planning for an exit strategy should begin at the birth of the entity and develop throughout the company’s life cycle. It is very rewarding for us to work with companies from the beginning stages of structuring, both domestically and internationally, all the way through to a successful exit.”  Dean added.

About Hughes Pittman & Gupton, LLP (HPG): HPG is one of the largest CPA firms headquartered and staffed in the Research Triangle Park region of North Carolina, as ranked by the Triangle Business Journal. More than just an accounting firm, HPG assists clients in looking beyond the bottom line^sm by being the right people, right value and right firm to achieve each client’s definition of success. HPG is a member of CPAmerica International and affiliated with the Crowe Horwath International alliances of firms, with offices worldwide. The firm leverages this to provide national and global accounting resources to its clients. HPG offers a wide array of business accounting, auditing, corporate tax and management advisory services. Specialties include serving owner-managed, investor-backed technology and life science organizations, healthcare services, real estate development, manufacturing and distribution businesses, as well as providing ERISA audits, family wealthcare services and Sarbanes-Oxley internal audit services.

HPG has remained committed to advancing a thriving Triangle community since its founding in 1983. In recognition, the firm is the recipient of two Pinnacle Business Awards by the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce; the 2009 Large Entrepreneurial Business Award and the 2010 Integrity in Business Award. Additionally, HPG has been certified Green Plus by the Institute for Sustainable Development for integrating environmental sustainability efforts into company culture, and has been named one of the top 100 Best Accounting Firms to Work For in the country by Accounting Today. Visit www.hpg.com or follow HPG on Twitter at http://twitter.com/HPGcpas.