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The article focuses on concerns regarding the possible impact of declining oil prices on profit at giant equipment manufacturer Caterpillar Inc.'s energy and transportation segment as of November 2014. Topics discussed include the expenditures recalibration at the company because of the freefalling mining industry, percentage of the company's revenue in the first three quarters of 2014 which came from the segment, and analyst Kwame Webb's suggestion for the company to do cost re-engineering.

The article investigates the impact of the sales slowdown at machinery and engine manufacturer Caterpillar Inc. on its suppliers. It reveals that the company has reduced its inventory by more than 1 billion dollars, while suppliers have been pressured to cut prices. Engine parts manufacturer Daco Inc. has permanently eliminated 90 of its employees after Caterpillar dropped the company as an engine parts supplier in early summer 2013.

The article offers a look at the business plans of Melrose Park, Illiois-based pinball machine manufacturer Stern Pinball Inc. in 2013. The company's sales are reported to be increasing, which is attributed to its new investor and a fresh strategy for its retro games that includes more promotion, tapping global markets and making more specialty versions of its games. Company owner Gary Stern claims that his company's revenues has tripled since he teamed up with Hagerty Peterson Co. LLC.

The article looks at the option for O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois to either divide concessions among bidders or retain a single concessionaire. According to the author, dividing a food and drink concessions contract will generate more revenue and will increase competition. On the other hand, having a single concessionaire is said to reduce work for the administrative staff of an airport and provide exclusive contracts with major chains, but it limits consumer choice.

The article focuses on the decision by commercial-equipment maker Middleby Corp. to enter the consumer market by acquiring upscale appliance manufacturer Viking Range Corp. Middleby chief executive officer (CEO) Selim Bassoul implies that the acquisition is part of his company's innovation strategy. Bassoul pledges to increase the revenues of Middleby and Viking. He cites that the first product to be released by Viking after the acquisition is a high-speed toaster oven.

The article reports on the success of brothers Mark and Jon Sider's Greater Than low-sugar sports beverage. They invested 250,000 U.S. dollars to create a beverage of coconut water added with beet sugar and few other ingredients. The beverage with a high level of potassium and low sugar content is available in 1,000 outlets in Chicago, Illinois. The company generates about 1 million U.S. dollars in annual revenue and ships 30,000 containers.