State group names CalArk safest fleet
CalArk International Inc. has been named as the state's safest fleet by the Arkansas Trucking Association.
A year ago, the dry van truckload carrier logged more than 4.3 million miles in Arkansas with no reportable accidents. The Arkansas Trucking Association has more than 300 members, and each year the organization recognizes companies for awards in 12 different categories, including naming one fleet the Grand Champion. This year's winner was CalArk, which is based in Little Rock.
"The safest trucking companies on our highways deserve special recognition," trucking association Vice President Shannon Newton said in a news release. "These companies have safe records because their management and their truck drivers decide that safety is a priority. Their commitment and dedication make our highways safer for all of us."
-- Chris Bahn
Firm receives grant
for spore detector
A Fayetteville-based technology company has received a $150,000 grant to develop a new method to detect signs of tiny parasites in water.
Biodetection Instruments will use the National Institutes of Health grant to work on an automated cartridge for the quick detection of cryptosporidium oocysts, or spores, in water. Cryptosporidium, commonly called crypto, is a microscopic parasite and one of the most frequent causes of waterborne disease in the U.S., according to a Friday release.
The cartridge device is intended to detect living oocysts quickly, offering a faster and less complex option compared with current testing methods.
Biodetection Instruments is a VIC Technology Venture Development portfolio company. Fayetteville-based VIC has 15 portfolio companies in fields including nanotechnology, cancer diagnostics, pharmaceuticals and semiconductors.
-- John Magsam
Arkansas Index hits
high, ends at 354.78
The Arkansas Index, a price-weighted index that tracks the largest public companies based in the state, rose 3.82 to 354.78 Friday.
The index reached an all-time high of 355.39 during trading Friday.
Thirteen stocks rose and four fell.
Bear State Financial jumped 13.2 percent in twice its average volume, giving it a 31 percent increase since Wednesday's close.
Dillard's rose 3.3 percent on average volume.
For the week, 14 stocks advanced and three declined.
Bear State climbed 14.7 percent for the week.
USA Truck gained 9.9 percent for the week.
Home BancShares was up 7.1 percent for the week.
Total volume of the index was 21.8 million shares. The average daily volume for the week was 22.5 million shares.
The index was developed by Bloomberg News and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette with a base value of 100 as of Dec. 30, 1997.
Business on 06/07/2014