A new $4 million expansion project will lead to more production and more jobs for a Clinton custom dermatological care packaging company.

Chim Potini, vice president of research and development with HNC Products, 283 Cromwell Drive, said the company plans to build an additional 40,000-square-foot building. If all goes well, it could be ready for use by March.

HNC Products provides formulation development, contract filling, clinical packaging and labeling for various cosmetic ointments, lotions, creams and gels.

"We think we will be more efficient with a new building and we view it as a sign of progress," Potini said. "We're committed to this site and look forward to adding more jobs and more production."

Currently, the company employs 40 people. In the spring, three to five new jobs could be added.

Last week, the company opened a new employee parking area and truck entrance. Construction crews were preparing the ground for the foundation on the new building which is expected to be in place in November.

n n n

The Carlson Wagonlit Travel branch in Decatur will be changing its name to something that rolls off the tongue a little easier: Travel Leaders.

It's a transformation sweeping over all 500 nationwide Wagonlit locations since August after the franchise was taken over by a new company called Travel Acquisitions Group. The Decatur branch is at 363 South Main Street.

Steve Loucks, a spokesman for Travel Acquisitions, said local franchise staff will remain the same but he hopes customers will see some other changes outside of the new name. These include higher levels of staff training, some new premium cruise options and an enhanced Web site at www.travelleaders.com.

The rise of Internet travel options allowing people to go online and make their own arrangements more easily provoked a shake-out in the travel industry, with some smaller travel agencies falling by the wayside.

"And while there may be fewer travel agencies then there were, say, 10 years ago, the ones that are still here are stronger than ever after the weeding out process," Loucks said. "The whole travel landscape has certainly changed, but we've been at the forefront of it."

He said Travel Leaders saw the Internet as a friend, not an enemy. And he said customers who book through the company Web site will have details forwarded to their local agent who can step in to help if problems arise.

"So if any follow-up assistance is necessary, you are going to have that local person working with you," Loucks added.

The Decatur Travel Leaders can be reached at 429-2929.

n n n

The only employee-owned agriculture service company in Illinois has added another location.

Nearly 75-year-old Van Horn Inc. of Cerro Gordo gained a seventh location after buying Macon Ag Service of Macon.

Van Horn, which employs 53 people, provides fertilizers, seed, crop protection, consultation and custom application services to local farmers.

It has locations in Warrensburg, Dewitt, Findlay, Bethany, Sullivan and Cerro Gordo, serving more than 4,500 customers in 11 counties.

n n n

Diners at Pastabilities Italian Grill may donate 20 percent of their bill to Project READ between 5 and 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9.

On Biz, published Fridays in the Herald & Review, highlights business developments. Contact Tony Reid at treid@herald-review.com or 421-7977 or Chris Lusvardi at clusvardi@herald-review.com or 421-7972. Kevin Barlow and Theresa Churchill contributed to this column.