GLG News by Rubber Experts

James "Jim" RippyFormer Senior Vice President of OperationsCONTINENTAL TIRE THE AMERICAS, LLC.

How long will they wait?

June 2, 2008

Analysis of:Source: GM plans more restructuring | www.autonews.com

How long will the “do nothing” board at GM allow Waggoner and his team to continue their destruction of the company? How many restructuring scenarios will they be allowed before their board realizes that the plans presented are not working? When will the top folks be held accountable? Will they wait until the company is unsalvageable and all the top guys have ridden into the sunset with huge retirement packages? They have had so many “fix it” restructuring plans that they are probably to the state of recycling some of the old ones to buy more time.

Richard RousePresidentROR Mine Consulting

MINING WORKER SHORTAGE AT ALL LEVELS

May 15, 2008

Analysis of:U.S. energy industry is hampered by labor shortage | www.iht.com

  During  the  early  1970's  the  coal  industry  started  to  expand  and  found  that  not  only  was  there  a  shortage  of  engineers  and  technical  people  but  there  were  no  available  machine  operators,  maintenance  people  or  labors.  The  entire  work  force was  starting  to  reach  retirement  age  and  the  industry  had  very  little  growth  during  the  prior  twenty  five  years.  I  spent  several  years  hiring  many  totally  inexperienced  people  and teach  them  to  become  coal  miners.  We  held  many  training  courses  to  train  our  maintenance  people  both  in  the  class  room  and  with  hands  on  work  in  the  mines  working  on  equipment  with  supervisors  explaining  the  "  how  to  "  part  of  the  work  they  were  learning  to  do.  After  going  through  a  turn  over  rate  of  twenty  to  thirty  percent  for  a  four  year  period  we  finally  had  a  fairly  competent  work  force.  

Kevin BoyleConsultantKEVIN L BOYLE

Plastics Markets are Softening, But There is Hope for Plastics Economics

May 15, 2008

Analysis of:Graham Packaging net sales up 8 per cent | www.prw.com

First quarter results from converters confirm that demand for plastics packaging materials is down.  The good news is that higher revenues are attributed to thier ability to increase prices.  If converters have pricing power in the market, this should be good news for resin producers.

Kevin BoyleConsultantKEVIN L BOYLE

Power costs are THE key to chlor-alkali margins

April 30, 2008

Analysis of:Grangemouth firm in deal with British Energy | business.timesonline.co.uk

Energy costs are the most important input to chlor-alkali production costs.  Companies who have advantaged energy contracts, like those with low cost hydroelectric power, have a significant cost advantage in the market.  If Ineos can secure discounted electricity supplied to their operations in Runcorn, they pull closer to competing with hydroelectric power supplied firm, particularly in northern Europe.

James "Jim" RippyFormer Senior Vice President of OperationsCONTINENTAL TIRE THE AMERICAS, LLC.

What will it take for GM to wake up?

March 27, 2008

Analysis of:GM may boost vehicle prices to offset rising costs | www.autonews.com

I am convinced that this company cannot prosper with the present leadership in place. A complete house cleaning is probably the only hope for this company. How do the top guys continue to not only keep their jobs, but continue to be paid bonuses for the abysmal performance. Some of these players have been in their current positions for several years with track records that would have eliminated their team from the tournament long ago.

Kevin BoyleConsultantKEVIN L BOYLE

Commodity chemicals won't see the same "break"

March 4, 2008

Analysis of:Fourth-Quarter Specialty Chemical Results Vary By Sector | www.chemweek.com

Specialty chemical are not as sensitive to underlying raw material costs as commodities.  In addition, the structure of specialties softens the price volatility.  Commodity chemicals will not enjoy these kinds of results as energy prices increase, a recession looms, and increasing global capacity dampens export prices.

Dean BellefleurfounderD-idea

SPX Seized the Window of Opportunity

February 27, 2008

Analysis of:SPX sees 2008 profit up on global energy demand | www.reuters.com

SPX`s acquisition of APV is a fine example of a strategic power play to gain market share from formable giants the likes of Tetra-Laval and GEA.  Timely executed the strategy takes advantage of a recognized need for higher heat exchanger efficiencies and an increase of installed base.  The deployment of the strategy included the recruitment of ex Alfa-Laval Global General Manger Market Unit for Vegetable Oil Technology, Charles Ruben, a commendable manoeuvre.  

James "Jim" RippyFormer Senior Vice President of OperationsCONTINENTAL TIRE THE AMERICAS, LLC.

They will never get it!

December 27, 2007

Analysis of:With Detroit Downbeat on 2008, Its Suppliers are singing The Blues | www.nytimes.com

GM will never change until the top leadership is gone. They still operate in the mode of Jack Smith and Ignatio Lopes. A look at their performance over the past decade would convince anyone that their failed strategies do not work and will never work without significant changes starting with top leadership. Any coach with the won-loss record of GM would have been fired and sent to the minors long ago. Think about it! Who should be held accountable for declining market share and abysmal profitability if not the very top guy and the top guy in purchasing?  The "tooth fairy" did not cause such poor performance. This company needs new leadership.

James "Jim" RippyFormer Senior Vice President of OperationsCONTINENTAL TIRE THE AMERICAS, LLC.

Better but not good enough ?

November 7, 2007

Analysis of:Goodyear Reports Record Third Quarter Results | www.aftermarketnews.com

Good year has made significant progress sine the days of Gibara,but they are losing ground to both Michelin and Bridgestone. They do not have the efficiency levels of Bridgestone or the technology of Michelin. Their capital investment in new processes is approximately half that of the top two. They are sure to fall behind in plant efficiency. The move to remove retiree health care from their books and to the United Steelworkers is a small band-aid on their legacy cost. They will have to invest more in plant effeciency or be left in a distant third place.

John CoatesPresident and Chief Executive OfficerThe Fennimore Group

Mexico Border Crossings Demand Knowledge & Resources: Do You Really Need a 3PL?

October 15, 2007

Analysis of:Logistics providers increase focus on Mexico | www.purchasing.com

Operating cross border shipments is not as complicated or troublesome as some would suggest. What's needed is knowledge of US and Mexico Customs laws, a commitment to compliance, and understanding the distance specialized truckers like/want to travel. The question is: are you up for it or do your infrastructure constraints dictate handing it off?

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