An investor group including John Ziegelman and CD Capital Management are calling for the company to hire an investment bank to look at strategic alternatives, including a sale. Ziegelman is disappointed with the management of the company's business, and believes that it should "immediately be put up for sale in order to maximize long-term shareholder value." Ziegelman also believes that there are "several financial and strategic purchasers potentially interested in acquiring Meadow Valley." The CD Capital group holds 345,700 shares (6.7% of the total outstanding).

Hexcel shareholder OSS Capital Management suggested several candidates for the structural-materials company's board. Hexcel didn't say whether it would make a formal proposal of its nominees to shareholders. In a July letter to Hexcel's chief executive, OSS Capital urged the company to retain an investment bank to explore Hexcel's strategic alternatives. OSS said it was concerned with a decline in the company's gross margin, despite an increase in sales. Hexcel currently owns 5.29 million shares (5.6%).

Wintergreen Advisers requested that the company name Adolfo Henriques to its board. Wintergreen Advisers currently holds 1.36 million shares (23.9%).

Dubai Holding, part of the business empire of the United Arab Emirates' ruling al Maktum dynasty, said it may consider making an offer to acquire the Singapore-based hotelier. Dubai Holding, which is run by Mohammad al Gargawi, the UAE minister of state for cabinet affairs, said it began acquiring Orient-Express shares in order to prevent another shareholder, Indian Hotels Co., from acquiring a significant stake in the company. Dubai Holding currently has 3,911,611 shares (9.2%).

Shamrock Activist Value Fund reported ownership of 2,271,465 shares (5.03%), after buying 1,310,100 from Aug. 21 to Oct. 12 at prices ranging from $19.31 to $21.62 each.

Chilton Investment raised its stake to 8.4 million shares (20.1%), from 7.97 million (19.2%) reported in July.

A group including Loeb Partners raised its holdings to 645,811 (8.15%), from 549,211 (6.93%) reported on Sept. 24.

On Oct. 22, Ramius Capital filed a 13D disclosing that it has a) nominated two Ramius nominees and two independent nominees for election as directors at the 2007 annual meeting and b) submitted a shareholder proposal recommending that the board immediately engage an investment bank to evaluate alternatives that could enhance stockholder value, including a merger or sale. On Oct 5, Barington Capital notified the company it would nominate one Barington nominee and one independent director for election to the board at the annual meeting. Key Numbers: 7.6%: The percentage of shares of common stock owned by Ramius. 8.7%: The percentage of shares of common owned by Barington.