For the Record – Northern Virginia, September 2013

Colliers International has negotiated a renewal for the global headquarters of Dynex Technologies in Chantilly. The company did an early renewal on 36,734 square feet of space. Founded more than 60 years ago, Dynex is a designer and manufacturer of fully automated microplate workstations, laboratory instruments and associated accessories for the clinical diagnostics and research markets. (VirginiaBusiness.com)

Convene, the nation’s fastest growing conference center network, is beginning a national expansion by developing its first Washington, D.C., metropolitan location in Tysons Corner. Convene worked with Lerner Enterprises, one of the region’s large, private real estate developers, to lease 15,000 square feet at 1800 Tysons Boulevard in the Corporate Office Centre at Tysons II. The company plans to transform the former Monterrey Fish Grotto restaurant into a conference and event center. (VirginiaBusiness.com)

San Francisco-based Digital Realty Trust Inc. announced a $150 million expansion in Loudoun County that will add 50 jobs. The provider of data center solutions has committed to invest at least $150 million by 2015 in its Loudoun County operation. The campus expansion is expected to create at least 50 jobs in the county. As a result of the commitment, Digital Realty will be eligible for a sales tax exemption on eligible data center computer equipment. (VirginiaBusiness.com)

Fair Oaks Mall in Fairfax has started a multimillion renovation that will include major upgrades and new amenities. The project will be completed in two phases, with renovations targeted for completion by the 2014 holiday season. According to a news release, work will be done at night, while the mall is closed, to minimize disruptions to shoppers and tenants. Work will be suspended during the 2013 holiday season. Fair Oaks, which opened in 1980, is one of the region’s largest shopping destinations. (VirginiaBusiness.com)

Falls Church-based General Dynamics announced it was consolidating its armament and technical products business into its ordnance and tactical systems business. The combined organization will be led by Michael S. Wilson, president of General Dynamics Ordnance And Tactical Systems. The company’s headquarters will be in St. Petersburg, Fla. General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products headquarters in Charlotte, N.C., will close by the end of the year as a result of the consolidation. (VirginiaBusiness.com)

Inova and Valley Health System are teaming up. Inova, which has five hospitals in Northern Virginia, and Valley Health, which has six hospitals in Virginia and West Virginia, said they will seek ways to collaborate in clinical research, information technology, population health and clinic service delivery. Under the plan, the health systems will remain separate and be independently governed, and neither entity will have a seat on the other’s board. In addition, no jobs will be affected by the agreement. (VirginiaBusiness.com)

Kroger, already the country’s largest traditional supermarket operator, is expanding its reach in key Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states by snapping up regional grocer Harris Teeter Supermarkets Inc. Harris Teeter has 212 stores in eight states, including 39 stores in Virginia. Most of Harris Teeter’s stores in the state are in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads. The $2.44 billion cash deal reflects Kroger’s growth plans at a time when supermarkets are fighting competition from big-box retailers such as Target and Wal-mart, as well as drugstores and dollar stores that are expanding their food sections. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Copying the strategy of the Hershey Company, its archrival Mars has introduced a bite-size Snickers. McLean-based Mars began distributing the new product, Snickers Bites, in May. It is a bite-size, unwrapped cube of Snickers, sold in a 2.83 ounce bag and an eight-ounce resealable pouch, which is meant to be shared. Snickers Bites is the first new Snickers product introduced by Mars since it began selling Snickers Peanut Butter Squares in 2011. (The New York Times)