RPC Containers Oakham is enhancing the sustainability credentials of the world’s leading decorative paint company with a new plastic can made from one-quarter recycled material.
RPC Oakham’s expertise will allow Dulux Matt and Silk Colours to be the first to market with a paint range in cans boasting 25 per cent recycled post-consumer waste content.
Injection moulded polypropylene cans are being introduced in 2.5 litre and 5 litre sizes for the water-based emulsion range, produced by AkzoNobel Decorative Paints.
The lightweight containers come in a striking charcoal-black colour, which replaces the previous white can and creates a vivid contrast between the container and the paint.
RPC’s injection moulding technical manager Brian Edwards, says: “We’ve worked very closely with AkzoNobel on an exceptionally technically-demanding project.
“Our challenge was to balance the level of recycled content with the technical and performance requirements of the packaging.”
“Though 25% is currently the maximum we can use without compromising the integrity of the container we are confident we will develop material blends that will enable us to increase this proportion over the next few years,” explains Brian.
The post-consumer waste used in the cans is supplied by the UK’s leading polymer recycler, Regain, and is sourced from domestic and overseas consumer markets.
Stuart Beecher, technical packaging manager from AkzoNobel adds: “The use of recycled material in our packaging is a key part of the AkzoNobel Sustainability Strategy and after working closely with RPC and Regain we have been successful in achieving the required technical performance to be able to bring the inclusion of 25 per cent PCR in a number of our containers to the marketplace.”
The new product underlines RPC Oakham’s commitment to offering customers unrivalled functionality with unmatched opportunities for eye catching design.
A recent investment at the Oakham factory brought in new equipment developed specifically to handle self-adhesive labels like those used by Dulux Silk and Matt Colours, as well as high-quality in-mould labelling.
Dulux Silk paint offers a wipe-clean delicate shine finish. Dulux Matt is a wipeable, smooth and creamy emulsion paint with excellent coverage that minimises imperfections, creating the most contemporary look for walls and ceilings.
2011年5月29日星期日
Nestlé building $30m bottle-to-bottle plant
Nestlé Waters North America plans to build a $30m (€21.3m) bottle-to-bottle PET recycling plant that will produce 40 million pounds (1,800 tonnes) of recycled PET annually.
"I'm hoping that within a year that we've got a plant built," said Kim Jeffery, CEO and president of the water-bottle firm. "I want to be up and running a year from now."
Jeffery said the company isn't prepared to make an official announcement yet; Nestlé and its planned joint venture partner are reviewing details, and both firms must approved the agreement. But he said the plant will "probably be located in the East Coast" and he hopes an announcement will come "relatively soon."
Once built and operating at full capacity, the plant would supply about 10% of the Nestlé's current total PET resin needs — about 440 million pounds (20,000 tonnes) a year.
Despite the troubles that caused Coca-Cola in March to shutter its 2-year-old joint-venture bottle-to-bottle PET recycling plant in South Carolina, Jeffery said he's not worried about a similar scenario down the road for Nestlé.
"They used a different process than we will use," he said in a 13 May phone interview. "Our joint venture company has a proven track record in manufacturing food-grade PET.
"For a PET recycling plant to work, the technology has to be right, the logistics have to be right and you need to be within a reasonable proximity of where your raw materials are," Jeffery said. "And when New York and Connecticut expanded their container bills to include water, we ended up with 40 million pounds of material that we actually own."
Jeffery — a staunch proponent of extended producer responsibility laws to improve the collection of all materials, not just bottles — said Nestlé is building the plant because: "I think there is a real business opportunity in the long-term and I want to understand the value stream."
He added: "The price of [recycled] PET today is 20% more than virgin and there's something wrong with that. If you've already expended the energy to make the bottle once, why would it be 20% more?"
It's Jeffery's view that some of that discrepancy is because PET collection in the US has focused mostly on soft drink bottles, and recently, water bottles, rather than all forms of PET containers and packaging.
"There is more demand than supply because we're only recycling 30% of PET bottles," said Jeffery. "If we are going to be successful in making recycled PET plastic a viable business, we need to be getting back as much material as possible. It is not going to be a viable business long-term if recycled PET is priced 20% higher than virgin.
"We're investing so we can look at the economics," he said. "We want to understand how we make this competitive. ... We need better recycling rates — not just for beverages, but across the board for all PET containers."
The Nestlé CEO said he's not sure if this would be the firm's only, or just its first, foray into producing recycled PET resin.
"Long-term, I'm not sure it's a business we want to be in," he said. "But we want to be in it for now. The question of whether we build more recycling plants has to do with how far back we want to be vertically integrated. We already blow mould our own bottles and make our own preforms."
Jeffery insists Nestlé is not trying to make a statement by building a closed-loop bottle-to-bottle recycling plant.
Nestlé's bottling plant in Pennsylvania, however, which manufactures the firm's Deer Park-brand water bottles from 50% recycled PET, is making a kind of statement — one that the company sees as important, according to Jeffery.
"I'm hoping that within a year that we've got a plant built," said Kim Jeffery, CEO and president of the water-bottle firm. "I want to be up and running a year from now."
Jeffery said the company isn't prepared to make an official announcement yet; Nestlé and its planned joint venture partner are reviewing details, and both firms must approved the agreement. But he said the plant will "probably be located in the East Coast" and he hopes an announcement will come "relatively soon."
Once built and operating at full capacity, the plant would supply about 10% of the Nestlé's current total PET resin needs — about 440 million pounds (20,000 tonnes) a year.
Despite the troubles that caused Coca-Cola in March to shutter its 2-year-old joint-venture bottle-to-bottle PET recycling plant in South Carolina, Jeffery said he's not worried about a similar scenario down the road for Nestlé.
"They used a different process than we will use," he said in a 13 May phone interview. "Our joint venture company has a proven track record in manufacturing food-grade PET.
"For a PET recycling plant to work, the technology has to be right, the logistics have to be right and you need to be within a reasonable proximity of where your raw materials are," Jeffery said. "And when New York and Connecticut expanded their container bills to include water, we ended up with 40 million pounds of material that we actually own."
Jeffery — a staunch proponent of extended producer responsibility laws to improve the collection of all materials, not just bottles — said Nestlé is building the plant because: "I think there is a real business opportunity in the long-term and I want to understand the value stream."
He added: "The price of [recycled] PET today is 20% more than virgin and there's something wrong with that. If you've already expended the energy to make the bottle once, why would it be 20% more?"
It's Jeffery's view that some of that discrepancy is because PET collection in the US has focused mostly on soft drink bottles, and recently, water bottles, rather than all forms of PET containers and packaging.
"There is more demand than supply because we're only recycling 30% of PET bottles," said Jeffery. "If we are going to be successful in making recycled PET plastic a viable business, we need to be getting back as much material as possible. It is not going to be a viable business long-term if recycled PET is priced 20% higher than virgin.
"We're investing so we can look at the economics," he said. "We want to understand how we make this competitive. ... We need better recycling rates — not just for beverages, but across the board for all PET containers."
The Nestlé CEO said he's not sure if this would be the firm's only, or just its first, foray into producing recycled PET resin.
"Long-term, I'm not sure it's a business we want to be in," he said. "But we want to be in it for now. The question of whether we build more recycling plants has to do with how far back we want to be vertically integrated. We already blow mould our own bottles and make our own preforms."
Jeffery insists Nestlé is not trying to make a statement by building a closed-loop bottle-to-bottle recycling plant.
Nestlé's bottling plant in Pennsylvania, however, which manufactures the firm's Deer Park-brand water bottles from 50% recycled PET, is making a kind of statement — one that the company sees as important, according to Jeffery.
2011年5月25日星期三
Filth: Bentleigh food store fined
ROTTEN food, mould and dead flies are just some of the filth found in a Bentleigh food store that has been fined almost $70,000.
The CK Foodstore (C & K Group Pty Ltd) in Centre Rd and proprietor Guo Jing Chen were found guilty on May 16 of 22 breaches of the Food Act.
Both were fined a total of $67,500 and ordered to pay Glen Eira Council’s legal costs of $9000.
Last November, C & K Group Pty Ltd and Chen pleaded guilty to the same charges at Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court, where they were fined $10,000 and placed on a 12-month good behaviour bond without conviction.
A routine inspection by the council’s environmental health officers uncovered a long list of failures, including piles of meat and dirt on the floor in the meat-preparation area, and live and dead flies in the handbasin and meat and seafood preparation benches.
They also found fly zappers overflowing with dead flies; mould growing on walls in the seafood-preparation area; and piles of rotten, mouldy and unsanitary food items on the cool-room floor.
The washbasin in the meat preparation area was not working; dirty plastic sheeting and mouldy duct tape covered shelves; milk crates and wooden pellets were used as shelving; and there was no food grade sanitiser.
Council director of community services Peter Jones said officers routinely inspected all of Glen Eira’s 795 registered food businesses to ensure they produced safe food and complied with the Food Act.
“Council’s strong surveillance of local food premises ensures the public is protected against unhygienic practices and unsafe food,” he said.
The CK Foodstore (C & K Group Pty Ltd) in Centre Rd and proprietor Guo Jing Chen were found guilty on May 16 of 22 breaches of the Food Act.
Both were fined a total of $67,500 and ordered to pay Glen Eira Council’s legal costs of $9000.
Last November, C & K Group Pty Ltd and Chen pleaded guilty to the same charges at Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court, where they were fined $10,000 and placed on a 12-month good behaviour bond without conviction.
A routine inspection by the council’s environmental health officers uncovered a long list of failures, including piles of meat and dirt on the floor in the meat-preparation area, and live and dead flies in the handbasin and meat and seafood preparation benches.
They also found fly zappers overflowing with dead flies; mould growing on walls in the seafood-preparation area; and piles of rotten, mouldy and unsanitary food items on the cool-room floor.
The washbasin in the meat preparation area was not working; dirty plastic sheeting and mouldy duct tape covered shelves; milk crates and wooden pellets were used as shelving; and there was no food grade sanitiser.
Council director of community services Peter Jones said officers routinely inspected all of Glen Eira’s 795 registered food businesses to ensure they produced safe food and complied with the Food Act.
“Council’s strong surveillance of local food premises ensures the public is protected against unhygienic practices and unsafe food,” he said.
Warm Terrine of Northern Arctic Char
Makes: 1 terrine (serves 10)
For the terrine:
Two 12-ounce (340-g) fillets of fresh Arctic char, all bones, including pinbones, removed (may substitute rainbow trout or salmon)
1 pound (450 g) white fish fillet, all bones removed
1 fresh leek
2 egg whites
2 tablespoons (25 mL) dry white wine
1/4 cup (50 mL) heavy 35-per-cent cream
Pinch, salt
Pinch, white pepper
2 tablespoons (25 mL) tarragon vinegar
1. Remove skin from fish, if present. Cut green top off leek, fan apart to separate layers, wash completely and blanch in boiling water about 2 minutes until soft but still brilliantly green. Remove from boiling water, rinse under cold water and drain. Cut separated leaf layers in half across the middle (not lengthwise). Cover and refrigerate.
2. Using a food processor, purée the white fish, then add 1 egg white, the white wine, half of the heavy cream, salt and pepper. Purée. Pass the purée through a ricer or fine-mesh strainer to remove any lumps. Mixture should be very smooth; cover and refrigerate.
3. Repeat Step 2, above, with the Arctic char, using remaining egg white, cream, salt and pepper, and tarragon vinegar instead of white wine; cover and refrigerate.
4. Line a terrine mould or rectangular ovenproof casserole dish about 9 by 7 inches by 2 1/2 inches (23 by 18 by 6 cm) with plastic food wrap. Spread a thin layer (¼ inch/6 mm) of puréed Arctic char (about 1/2 the char mixture) to completely and evenly cover the bottom of the lined dish and place dish in freezer until semi-frozen, about an hour. When set, remove from freezer and spread a smooth and even layer (¼ inch/6mm) of white fish purée (about 1/2 the white fish mixture) over the char purée; return to freezer to set one hour. Remove from freezer and evenly spread poached leek over top of the white fish purée.
5. Spread remaining white fish purée over leeks and return to freezer for an hour; spread remaining char purée evenly on top. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap, then wrap the entire terrine with foil.
6. Create a water bath (bain marie) by partially filling a flat-bottomed roasting pan ½-inch (12-mm) deep with boiling water. Place terrine in water bath and bake in a preheated oven at 350 F (180 C) for one hour. Remove from oven, rest 15 minutes at room temperature before removing from
For the terrine:
Two 12-ounce (340-g) fillets of fresh Arctic char, all bones, including pinbones, removed (may substitute rainbow trout or salmon)
1 pound (450 g) white fish fillet, all bones removed
1 fresh leek
2 egg whites
2 tablespoons (25 mL) dry white wine
1/4 cup (50 mL) heavy 35-per-cent cream
Pinch, salt
Pinch, white pepper
2 tablespoons (25 mL) tarragon vinegar
1. Remove skin from fish, if present. Cut green top off leek, fan apart to separate layers, wash completely and blanch in boiling water about 2 minutes until soft but still brilliantly green. Remove from boiling water, rinse under cold water and drain. Cut separated leaf layers in half across the middle (not lengthwise). Cover and refrigerate.
2. Using a food processor, purée the white fish, then add 1 egg white, the white wine, half of the heavy cream, salt and pepper. Purée. Pass the purée through a ricer or fine-mesh strainer to remove any lumps. Mixture should be very smooth; cover and refrigerate.
3. Repeat Step 2, above, with the Arctic char, using remaining egg white, cream, salt and pepper, and tarragon vinegar instead of white wine; cover and refrigerate.
4. Line a terrine mould or rectangular ovenproof casserole dish about 9 by 7 inches by 2 1/2 inches (23 by 18 by 6 cm) with plastic food wrap. Spread a thin layer (¼ inch/6 mm) of puréed Arctic char (about 1/2 the char mixture) to completely and evenly cover the bottom of the lined dish and place dish in freezer until semi-frozen, about an hour. When set, remove from freezer and spread a smooth and even layer (¼ inch/6mm) of white fish purée (about 1/2 the white fish mixture) over the char purée; return to freezer to set one hour. Remove from freezer and evenly spread poached leek over top of the white fish purée.
5. Spread remaining white fish purée over leeks and return to freezer for an hour; spread remaining char purée evenly on top. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap, then wrap the entire terrine with foil.
6. Create a water bath (bain marie) by partially filling a flat-bottomed roasting pan ½-inch (12-mm) deep with boiling water. Place terrine in water bath and bake in a preheated oven at 350 F (180 C) for one hour. Remove from oven, rest 15 minutes at room temperature before removing from
2011年5月22日星期日
Snobelen: Big bucks not for bird brains
There is a gang our political leaders seem unwilling to confront.
I am, of course, referring to the Sciuridae. You know them better as squirrels.
Specifically the diabolical squirrels that are known to attack urban and rural properties, knocking over, mangling and destroying bird feeders of every design. Their malicious behavior forces good men and women from the comfort of their homes in the dead of winter to try to resurrect the %&*# feeder.
Otherwise solid relationships have been ruined as spouses are ordered out into the cold to deal with squirrel carnage.
I can report from four decades of personal experience that the offending rodents sit in trees and laugh almost audibly while the feeders are resurrected.
I don’t begrudge the politicians for avoiding the whole squirrel issue. After all, there isn’t any solution. Or at least there wasn’t until now.
A 13-year-old student from Alberta, Ty Godfrey, has invented the planet’s first (as far as I know) squirrel-proof bird feeder. He will, I assume, soon be receiving the Order of Canada from a grateful nation.
I might have missed Ty’s remarkable invention if his father hadn’t casually mentioned they were visiting Toronto this weekend.
Attending a ball game I asked? Nope, attending the Canada Wide Science Fair (CWSF), he replied.
Ty is one of 500 young people who won the right to represent their region in the CWSF finals held this week in Toronto. This is the 50th anniversary of the CWSF and the competition is intense. But then it should be; there is almost a million dollars in prizes and scholarships to be won.
The young scientists who have earned the right to compete in the CWSF come from every corner of Canada. Their projects span the range of scientific inquiry from insects to quarks. The only common elements in the projects and papers are rigorous study and inquisitive minds. That, it seems, is a powerful combination.
Young Ty is a case in point. The invention of the squirrel-proof feeder, an ingenious combination of a two-litre pop bottle and a plastic tie, was a byproduct of research into the effect of colour on the feeding habits of birds.
I am, of course, referring to the Sciuridae. You know them better as squirrels.
Specifically the diabolical squirrels that are known to attack urban and rural properties, knocking over, mangling and destroying bird feeders of every design. Their malicious behavior forces good men and women from the comfort of their homes in the dead of winter to try to resurrect the %&*# feeder.
Otherwise solid relationships have been ruined as spouses are ordered out into the cold to deal with squirrel carnage.
I can report from four decades of personal experience that the offending rodents sit in trees and laugh almost audibly while the feeders are resurrected.
I don’t begrudge the politicians for avoiding the whole squirrel issue. After all, there isn’t any solution. Or at least there wasn’t until now.
A 13-year-old student from Alberta, Ty Godfrey, has invented the planet’s first (as far as I know) squirrel-proof bird feeder. He will, I assume, soon be receiving the Order of Canada from a grateful nation.
I might have missed Ty’s remarkable invention if his father hadn’t casually mentioned they were visiting Toronto this weekend.
Attending a ball game I asked? Nope, attending the Canada Wide Science Fair (CWSF), he replied.
Ty is one of 500 young people who won the right to represent their region in the CWSF finals held this week in Toronto. This is the 50th anniversary of the CWSF and the competition is intense. But then it should be; there is almost a million dollars in prizes and scholarships to be won.
The young scientists who have earned the right to compete in the CWSF come from every corner of Canada. Their projects span the range of scientific inquiry from insects to quarks. The only common elements in the projects and papers are rigorous study and inquisitive minds. That, it seems, is a powerful combination.
Young Ty is a case in point. The invention of the squirrel-proof feeder, an ingenious combination of a two-litre pop bottle and a plastic tie, was a byproduct of research into the effect of colour on the feeding habits of birds.
Through the looking glass
Obsession. There is no other word to describe Joy Menachery's ‘emotion' for making glass . He calls his brand of handmade glass ‘Hard Liquid'.
Joy at Hard Liquid fashions glass out of glass. His pieces have a fluidity that justifies the name, some of them look like they were frozen ‘mid-flow'. Bottles of all hues and shapes inspire Joy. His works are primarily used for ‘architectural applications', which means he works with architects and interior designers.
Time permitting he fashions beauty out of waste and if the requirement is big (dimensionally) it is only then that he buys glass.
It all started with him fabricating a furnace. Simple! Not as simple as it sounds. It took him 12 years to get the furnace right. He wanted a one foot by one foot 2 kilowatt electric furnace that would work on a single phase (of electricity); reaches 850 – 1000 degrees centigrade and the glass that he intended to make or rather mould shouldn't break either.
Tall order it appeared to be, for “people were willing to fabricate the furnace but there were no guarantees about uniform heating. If heating is not uniform, glass will break,” says Joy. After his already depleting bank account was lesser by Rs. 6 lakh he had his furnace. He now works on a three phase, 12 kilowatt furnace. He even fabricates small furnaces for those who want to use it for hand making glass. Competition isn't it? “Technology is not meant to be locked up. It should be available for people to use.”
He has bitter-sweet memories of the early times. Running out of money and not wanting to ask his father, of the desperation of not being able to show what he had in mind. Of what his then newly-married wife would have thought about him. “She went home and told her folks ‘something's amiss with my husband! He wants to BEND glass,” he recalls laughing. There was no way he was going to get a loan for ‘this'. “If I was making interlocking tiles or recycling plastic I would have got a loan easily. But not for this, because I had nothing to show as a sample.”
His love affair with glass began when he was very young. Joy is trained in printing technology; he worked as a creative consultant for a resort, he has tried his hand at eco-farming…he has even made reinforced bricks made of mud (‘not clay'). Now almost 18 years after he embarked on the quest for the perfect furnace, he is content (restless in parts) about the place where he is at now.
All the talk about ‘THE' furnace arouses curiosity. Joy takes us to his studio/workshop adjacent to his house in Eroor. There ‘she' sits, the furnace occupying pride of place at the centre of the workshop. Joy explains how it works. There are freshly ‘moulded' glass ‘bubbles' waiting to be taken out and ‘polished'. Moulds, by the way, are made of ceramic. Then there is the grinding machine which uses wet process so that there is no dust and therefore no air pollution. The grinding machine too is recycled from a second hand lathe machine.
Making glass is not as easy as it sounds. Since Joy's works have more to do with fusing pieces of glass, the compatibility of glass to be fused is important.
His products are available in some stores in the city. Work on his signature store on the first floor of his house is on.
Joy is very conscientious when it comes to the environment and pollution in particular. He is proud to say that his unit is non-polluting. “My neighbours had no clue about what I was doing here. They were surprised when they were told about my glass making. No noise, no emissions…nothing at all.”
Branding is something Joy has not ventured into, for the time being. Hard Liquid has exclusivity thrust upon it, it stays a closely guarded secret. In fact some people go as far to say that some of the things that they own have been ‘imported'. “That puts paid to any recognition or offers that might come my way,” he says with a twinge of regret. Joy does, however, participate in exhibitions and trade fairs across the country.
Raw material
Raw material is not a problem. He gets it from scrap dealers or from shops with glass pieces that they cannot use. Sometimes he gets them free, generally he pays for them. Given the unconventional nature of work sales tax department officials and his chartered accountant have been equally flummoxed. “I sometimes pay Rs.1 or 75 paise for a bottle, which after I am done with will cost anywhere upwards of Rs. 200. They couldn't understand the ‘economics' of the whole thing…but then that is the economics of handmade glass or rather recycling glass.” It is value addition that costs money. Joy says he doesn't price his products too high because there is no point pricing it prohibitively. “People should be able to afford my work.”
Joy at Hard Liquid fashions glass out of glass. His pieces have a fluidity that justifies the name, some of them look like they were frozen ‘mid-flow'. Bottles of all hues and shapes inspire Joy. His works are primarily used for ‘architectural applications', which means he works with architects and interior designers.
Time permitting he fashions beauty out of waste and if the requirement is big (dimensionally) it is only then that he buys glass.
It all started with him fabricating a furnace. Simple! Not as simple as it sounds. It took him 12 years to get the furnace right. He wanted a one foot by one foot 2 kilowatt electric furnace that would work on a single phase (of electricity); reaches 850 – 1000 degrees centigrade and the glass that he intended to make or rather mould shouldn't break either.
Tall order it appeared to be, for “people were willing to fabricate the furnace but there were no guarantees about uniform heating. If heating is not uniform, glass will break,” says Joy. After his already depleting bank account was lesser by Rs. 6 lakh he had his furnace. He now works on a three phase, 12 kilowatt furnace. He even fabricates small furnaces for those who want to use it for hand making glass. Competition isn't it? “Technology is not meant to be locked up. It should be available for people to use.”
He has bitter-sweet memories of the early times. Running out of money and not wanting to ask his father, of the desperation of not being able to show what he had in mind. Of what his then newly-married wife would have thought about him. “She went home and told her folks ‘something's amiss with my husband! He wants to BEND glass,” he recalls laughing. There was no way he was going to get a loan for ‘this'. “If I was making interlocking tiles or recycling plastic I would have got a loan easily. But not for this, because I had nothing to show as a sample.”
His love affair with glass began when he was very young. Joy is trained in printing technology; he worked as a creative consultant for a resort, he has tried his hand at eco-farming…he has even made reinforced bricks made of mud (‘not clay'). Now almost 18 years after he embarked on the quest for the perfect furnace, he is content (restless in parts) about the place where he is at now.
All the talk about ‘THE' furnace arouses curiosity. Joy takes us to his studio/workshop adjacent to his house in Eroor. There ‘she' sits, the furnace occupying pride of place at the centre of the workshop. Joy explains how it works. There are freshly ‘moulded' glass ‘bubbles' waiting to be taken out and ‘polished'. Moulds, by the way, are made of ceramic. Then there is the grinding machine which uses wet process so that there is no dust and therefore no air pollution. The grinding machine too is recycled from a second hand lathe machine.
Making glass is not as easy as it sounds. Since Joy's works have more to do with fusing pieces of glass, the compatibility of glass to be fused is important.
His products are available in some stores in the city. Work on his signature store on the first floor of his house is on.
Joy is very conscientious when it comes to the environment and pollution in particular. He is proud to say that his unit is non-polluting. “My neighbours had no clue about what I was doing here. They were surprised when they were told about my glass making. No noise, no emissions…nothing at all.”
Branding is something Joy has not ventured into, for the time being. Hard Liquid has exclusivity thrust upon it, it stays a closely guarded secret. In fact some people go as far to say that some of the things that they own have been ‘imported'. “That puts paid to any recognition or offers that might come my way,” he says with a twinge of regret. Joy does, however, participate in exhibitions and trade fairs across the country.
Raw material
Raw material is not a problem. He gets it from scrap dealers or from shops with glass pieces that they cannot use. Sometimes he gets them free, generally he pays for them. Given the unconventional nature of work sales tax department officials and his chartered accountant have been equally flummoxed. “I sometimes pay Rs.1 or 75 paise for a bottle, which after I am done with will cost anywhere upwards of Rs. 200. They couldn't understand the ‘economics' of the whole thing…but then that is the economics of handmade glass or rather recycling glass.” It is value addition that costs money. Joy says he doesn't price his products too high because there is no point pricing it prohibitively. “People should be able to afford my work.”
2011年5月18日星期三
Struktol Company of America Introduces New Lubricant for Nylon 6 and 66 Compounds
Struktol Company of America has unveiled STRUKTOL® TR 063, a unique lubricant which has been designed to reduce compound viscosity, significantly improve metal release, and enhance dispersion of mineral fillers and reinforcing agents in nylon 6 and 66. The product boasts a novel chemistry which makes it highly compatible with polyamides and superior in performance to alternative lubricants, according to Mike Fulmer, Struktol's Product Manager for Plastic Additives.
"TR 063 provides compounders and processors with a cost-effective, versatile process additive that can significantly improve throughput and efficiency," said Fulmer.
The company reports dramatic decreases in die build-up during compounding and extremely good overall processing, both in extrusion and injection molding of the finished compounds. "The metal release provided by this product is as good as we've seen," added Fulmer.
Strand pelletizing of nylon 6 and 66 compounds often results in die build-up after a short time. STRUKTOL TR 063 added at 0.5% to 1% loadings minimizes this type of build-up, allowing the processor to run longer and more efficiently without concern for contamination or discoloration. This is especially important in natural or light color compounds. At the same time, physical properties are minimally affected by TR 063, unlike competitive lubricants which can present concerns.
In filled or reinforced compounds, TR 063 provides a balance of viscosity reduction and dispersion improvement which leads to more consistent processing and maximum physical properties. The lubricant has been shown to have minimum interaction with coupling agents often used with reinforcing products such as glass fiber.
STRUKTOL TR 063 is designed to work in the temperature processing range of nylon 6 and 66 compounds. It can be added directly at the compounding stage or by the processor during part manufacturing. In pellet form, it can be easily added to extrusion or injection molding machines.
Struktol Company of America, headquartered in Stow, Ohio, is a leading manufacturer of process additives for the plastics and rubber industries. The privately-held company provides Intelligent Additive Solutions for a variety of polymer-based products and compounds for the consumer, industrial, packaging, and automotive industries. The company's technical specialists, R&D chemists, and compound laboratory are dedicated to creating innovative solutions to meet the exacting demands of an ever-changing polymer industry. Struktol's R&D center, technical service center, and manufacturing plant are located in Stow, Ohio. The company's additive solutions keep customers ahead of the competition with increased productivity, better quality parts, and lower overall costs.
"TR 063 provides compounders and processors with a cost-effective, versatile process additive that can significantly improve throughput and efficiency," said Fulmer.
The company reports dramatic decreases in die build-up during compounding and extremely good overall processing, both in extrusion and injection molding of the finished compounds. "The metal release provided by this product is as good as we've seen," added Fulmer.
Strand pelletizing of nylon 6 and 66 compounds often results in die build-up after a short time. STRUKTOL TR 063 added at 0.5% to 1% loadings minimizes this type of build-up, allowing the processor to run longer and more efficiently without concern for contamination or discoloration. This is especially important in natural or light color compounds. At the same time, physical properties are minimally affected by TR 063, unlike competitive lubricants which can present concerns.
In filled or reinforced compounds, TR 063 provides a balance of viscosity reduction and dispersion improvement which leads to more consistent processing and maximum physical properties. The lubricant has been shown to have minimum interaction with coupling agents often used with reinforcing products such as glass fiber.
STRUKTOL TR 063 is designed to work in the temperature processing range of nylon 6 and 66 compounds. It can be added directly at the compounding stage or by the processor during part manufacturing. In pellet form, it can be easily added to extrusion or injection molding machines.
Struktol Company of America, headquartered in Stow, Ohio, is a leading manufacturer of process additives for the plastics and rubber industries. The privately-held company provides Intelligent Additive Solutions for a variety of polymer-based products and compounds for the consumer, industrial, packaging, and automotive industries. The company's technical specialists, R&D chemists, and compound laboratory are dedicated to creating innovative solutions to meet the exacting demands of an ever-changing polymer industry. Struktol's R&D center, technical service center, and manufacturing plant are located in Stow, Ohio. The company's additive solutions keep customers ahead of the competition with increased productivity, better quality parts, and lower overall costs.
The Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) is pleased to announce that Kai Syrjälä, PhD of Finland-based Nokia will be a plenary speaker at the first SPE EUROTEC(TM) plastics technical conference.
EUROTEC(TM) 2011 will be held November 14-15 in conjunction with the Equiplast exposition in Barcelona. Dr. Syrjälä's presentation, titled "Plastics Injection Molding and Tool Making: Challenges in China and Future Visions," will be delivered on Monday, November 14, 2011.
Many plastics companies now have suppliers in China owing to cost-performance advantages and high-volume capabilities, noted Dr. Syrjälä. In addition, because of China's large clusters of electronics companies and moldmakers, the country has been ramping up its automotive industry. Dr. Syrjälä's presentation will illustrate current working models and practices in tool and mold manufacturing in China, focusing on how to succeed, maintain progress, and manage quality. He will also discuss what can be expected in the future.
Dr. Syrjälä is Director, Tooling and Molding Sourcing, at Nokia, and has led R&D teams all over the world. He is also responsible for the development and maintenance of Nokia's global 3D-CAD systems and works with industrial designers on the company's key products. Nokia was one of the first companies to use full solid modeling to take plastics from "style to steel" with short lead times. Dr. Syrjälä has been active in implementing new business models between Nokia and its suppliers in China.
THE SOCIETY OF PLASTICS ENGINEERS (SPE) is the premier source of peer-reviewed technical information for plastics professionals. Founded in 1942, SPE takes action every day to help companies in the plastics industry succeed by spreading knowledge, strengthening skills, and promoting plastics. Employing these vital strategies, SPE has helped the plastics industry thrive for over 60 years. SPE has become the recognized medium of communication among scientists, engineers, and technical personnel engaged in the development, conversion, and application of plastics.
EUROTEC(TM) 2011 will be held November 14-15 in conjunction with the Equiplast exposition in Barcelona. Dr. Syrjälä's presentation, titled "Plastics Injection Molding and Tool Making: Challenges in China and Future Visions," will be delivered on Monday, November 14, 2011.
Many plastics companies now have suppliers in China owing to cost-performance advantages and high-volume capabilities, noted Dr. Syrjälä. In addition, because of China's large clusters of electronics companies and moldmakers, the country has been ramping up its automotive industry. Dr. Syrjälä's presentation will illustrate current working models and practices in tool and mold manufacturing in China, focusing on how to succeed, maintain progress, and manage quality. He will also discuss what can be expected in the future.
Dr. Syrjälä is Director, Tooling and Molding Sourcing, at Nokia, and has led R&D teams all over the world. He is also responsible for the development and maintenance of Nokia's global 3D-CAD systems and works with industrial designers on the company's key products. Nokia was one of the first companies to use full solid modeling to take plastics from "style to steel" with short lead times. Dr. Syrjälä has been active in implementing new business models between Nokia and its suppliers in China.
THE SOCIETY OF PLASTICS ENGINEERS (SPE) is the premier source of peer-reviewed technical information for plastics professionals. Founded in 1942, SPE takes action every day to help companies in the plastics industry succeed by spreading knowledge, strengthening skills, and promoting plastics. Employing these vital strategies, SPE has helped the plastics industry thrive for over 60 years. SPE has become the recognized medium of communication among scientists, engineers, and technical personnel engaged in the development, conversion, and application of plastics.
2011年5月15日星期日
Colourful travails on the tiles
A few weeks ago, having discovered that our shower had been leaking for about a decade, we were forced to consider ripping the whole thing out and replacing it with a not cheap but rather nasty version fashioned in what is fondly dubbed "acrylic" by the manufacturers but looks like horrible plastic to me.
The first part of this renovation involved trashing the cabbage tree mosaic I had lovingly crafted on the back wall of the shower some 12 years ago. I had expected to erupt into sentimental sobs as the sledgehammer struck the first blow, but in reality I found myself rather relieved to be liberated from the daily evidence of my amateurish efforts at the mosaic art.
That was my second attempt at mosaicing. My first was on a set of steps leading to my house on Waiheke a zillion years ago. I was inspired by economy - smashing up plates and embedding them in cement was cheaper than paving or railway sleepers. The result was far from stylish, but I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I recall that I was inspired to create the cabbage tree on the shower wall after seeing the work of various mosaic artists, including Con Kiernan, Judi Brennan, Dhaj Sumner and others.
This second attempt was somewhat more sophisticated than the steps, and, at the risk of sounding immodest, drew gasps of admiration from those friends intimate enough to experience the interior of our shower.
I have to confess I haven't been moved to create any mosaics since, but now that winter's approaching and my creative opportunities are likely to be limited by the copious rain that Northland delivers between now and October, I'm giving it serious thought.
And I can certainly recommend it to anyone with an artistic bent who wants to make something that requires minimal skill and minor technical knowledge.
Advertisement
The deal is, make something - a pot, a post or a statue - and if it doesn't turn out as well as you wanted, sit it in the garden and hide the dodgy bits behind a palm frond. It'll look great and your friends will be thoroughly impressed by your creativity.
There's heaps of information on the net about how to make mosaics, and if you want to go a step further, you're bound to find a local mosaic class unless you live in Chatto Creek and, even then, there's probably someone there who knows how to do it.
To get you started, here are some tips I was given by the Clay Art Studio a few years ago. Since the mosaic art has been with us for a few hundred years, I'm confident it still applies!
1 Make sure your base is weatherproof and stable. Concrete is the ultimate base for outdoor mosaic projects, but for outdoor pictures, fibre cement board is great. Paint the back when you have finished. Wood is pretty much useless - even marine ply. It expands and contracts so much with heat and humidity changes that the grout can crack and water can get in.
2 Use waterproof glue. On concrete, cement-based adhesives work really well, but whatever glue you use, check the label says that it is good for exterior use. Also, use plenty of it. Make sure that there is a layer of glue between the mosaic piece and the base - don't press down so hard that all the glue squeezes out the sides.
3 Use weatherproof tiles. Many cheaper tiles will absorb water and, though this is okay on a vertical surface, if used flat on a paver or path, this water can freeze in the winter and damage the glaze. Outdoor tiles, glass, vitreous glass and high-temperature ceramics are a more sensible choice.
4 Grout well. Ensure that the grout is packed into the gaps between the pieces and worked in well so there are no air gaps. Use a rubber squeegee or spatula to completely fill the whole space, right down to the baseboard.
5 Seal the grout with a commercial grout-sealer. This seals up any tiny gaps that you can hardly see and prevents water working its way into them. It also gives the grout a smoother surface that is harder for mould and lichen to get a grip on.
The first part of this renovation involved trashing the cabbage tree mosaic I had lovingly crafted on the back wall of the shower some 12 years ago. I had expected to erupt into sentimental sobs as the sledgehammer struck the first blow, but in reality I found myself rather relieved to be liberated from the daily evidence of my amateurish efforts at the mosaic art.
That was my second attempt at mosaicing. My first was on a set of steps leading to my house on Waiheke a zillion years ago. I was inspired by economy - smashing up plates and embedding them in cement was cheaper than paving or railway sleepers. The result was far from stylish, but I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I recall that I was inspired to create the cabbage tree on the shower wall after seeing the work of various mosaic artists, including Con Kiernan, Judi Brennan, Dhaj Sumner and others.
This second attempt was somewhat more sophisticated than the steps, and, at the risk of sounding immodest, drew gasps of admiration from those friends intimate enough to experience the interior of our shower.
I have to confess I haven't been moved to create any mosaics since, but now that winter's approaching and my creative opportunities are likely to be limited by the copious rain that Northland delivers between now and October, I'm giving it serious thought.
And I can certainly recommend it to anyone with an artistic bent who wants to make something that requires minimal skill and minor technical knowledge.
Advertisement
The deal is, make something - a pot, a post or a statue - and if it doesn't turn out as well as you wanted, sit it in the garden and hide the dodgy bits behind a palm frond. It'll look great and your friends will be thoroughly impressed by your creativity.
There's heaps of information on the net about how to make mosaics, and if you want to go a step further, you're bound to find a local mosaic class unless you live in Chatto Creek and, even then, there's probably someone there who knows how to do it.
To get you started, here are some tips I was given by the Clay Art Studio a few years ago. Since the mosaic art has been with us for a few hundred years, I'm confident it still applies!
1 Make sure your base is weatherproof and stable. Concrete is the ultimate base for outdoor mosaic projects, but for outdoor pictures, fibre cement board is great. Paint the back when you have finished. Wood is pretty much useless - even marine ply. It expands and contracts so much with heat and humidity changes that the grout can crack and water can get in.
2 Use waterproof glue. On concrete, cement-based adhesives work really well, but whatever glue you use, check the label says that it is good for exterior use. Also, use plenty of it. Make sure that there is a layer of glue between the mosaic piece and the base - don't press down so hard that all the glue squeezes out the sides.
3 Use weatherproof tiles. Many cheaper tiles will absorb water and, though this is okay on a vertical surface, if used flat on a paver or path, this water can freeze in the winter and damage the glaze. Outdoor tiles, glass, vitreous glass and high-temperature ceramics are a more sensible choice.
4 Grout well. Ensure that the grout is packed into the gaps between the pieces and worked in well so there are no air gaps. Use a rubber squeegee or spatula to completely fill the whole space, right down to the baseboard.
5 Seal the grout with a commercial grout-sealer. This seals up any tiny gaps that you can hardly see and prevents water working its way into them. It also gives the grout a smoother surface that is harder for mould and lichen to get a grip on.
Does this make YOUR WAIST smaller?
How would you like to lose four inches off your waist in two minutes? Poof! Elizabeth Joyce of Callisto Couture Custom Corsets can make it happen.
"I have a 24-inch waist, but when it's laced up all the way in a corset, it's only 20 inches," says our corset model, Winnipeg burlesque entertainer Miss Angela La Muse. She owns a midnight-blue number with black trim and Swarovski crystals made by the Exchange District entrepreneur.
"The most difference I've seen in a corseted waist was nine inches smaller, and that was a man. But it was a man who was used to wearing corsets," says 39-year-old Joyce, who creates the fantasy garments start to finish.
Here's how it works: The steel or modern plastic "boning" cinches the entire core of the body and quite tightly at the waist. Someone near and/or dear to you can pull the lacing in the back and tie it firmly, or you can lace it ahead of time and do up the front closure yourself. Hey, presto! Madame (or Monsieur) has a slimmed waistline. And one can still breathe, though gently.
You'll want to take a deep breath before reading this, though. Ms. Joyce charges $800 and up for these custom garments, which take up to 40 hours make. They also require exotic materials "from weaving countries around the world." She notes her customers are often "confident women in their 40s and 50s with disposable income."
In fact, her website, www.callistocouture.ca, includes praise from the likes of Winnipeg philanthropist Gail Asper. "Exactly one year to the day I opened my business, Gail was photographed on the red carpet in Ottawa in one of my corsets. I took it as a sign I was at the right place in my career."
Any difficulty getting customers in Winnipeg at those prices? "No, I haven't noticed any," smiles Joyce, who works in a romantic lilac-coloured factory at 506-63 Albert St.
"I make the shape out of stiff German Cotil which won't rip or give way and insert custom-sized steel or plastic boning, in the place of whalebone used in the old days," she says.
Different parts of the garment, such as bra cups and front panels, often have a special fabric covering of their own, so there are delicate patchworks to be sewn together. This is a fantasy garment of a lady's own choosing, with suggestions from the Callisto Couture portfolio on display.
Joyce's little factory is outfitted with an industrial sewing machine that goes at lightning speed (she let me drive it and I almost landed up in the next office), an industrial steam iron and big hoops of steel and plastic to embrace the body and mould it. Then she adds strong but esthetically pleasing laces to finish the outfit. You can substitute ribbon ties for fun, but if you want a dramatic change to your waist, heavy-duty laces are the way to go.
These corsets are so pretty they don't need to be hidden unless they're supporting another garment, like a ball gown or wedding dress. Miss La Muse says she wears her custom blue corset over and under outfits, or alone as part of a costume onstage. The cinching gives her an hourglass look from the front, and a derrière that's a perfect upside-down heart.
Joyce often rescues desperate brides who bought their expensive gowns months before the wedding "and now there's two weeks to go and the dress won't fit." And then there are grads who just wants a sparkly corset top, to wear with a glamorous skirt.
At the opposite end of the age spectrum, she hears from annoyed grandmothers whose doctors have ordered a corset for back support. They look at these ugly things and say, "Ugh! I am still a woman, for heaven's sake."
Corset design seems like a strange second career for a scientist who used to work for Fisheries and Oceans Canada. But Joyce got restless in her early 30s -- one grows bored of zooplankton. So, six years ago, she made a radical change.
She always sewed, but didn't know which direction to go with it. "This may sound funny, but I put it out to the universe and the answer came back 'corsets,' and here I am."
Joyce believes she is well-suited to the work. "I am particular, and patient." Plus, she loves nature, and most of her fabrics are from natural substances such as silk, cotton and linen with colours from natural dyes such as tree bark. "When you iron that fabric, you get a fragrant woodsy smell."
A well-cared-for Callisto Couture corset, Joyce says, could last a lifetime. "It's something you can pass on to your daughters and granddaughters."
Think of it as a piece of fabric art -- and a hint at grandma's secret life.
"I have a 24-inch waist, but when it's laced up all the way in a corset, it's only 20 inches," says our corset model, Winnipeg burlesque entertainer Miss Angela La Muse. She owns a midnight-blue number with black trim and Swarovski crystals made by the Exchange District entrepreneur.
"The most difference I've seen in a corseted waist was nine inches smaller, and that was a man. But it was a man who was used to wearing corsets," says 39-year-old Joyce, who creates the fantasy garments start to finish.
Here's how it works: The steel or modern plastic "boning" cinches the entire core of the body and quite tightly at the waist. Someone near and/or dear to you can pull the lacing in the back and tie it firmly, or you can lace it ahead of time and do up the front closure yourself. Hey, presto! Madame (or Monsieur) has a slimmed waistline. And one can still breathe, though gently.
You'll want to take a deep breath before reading this, though. Ms. Joyce charges $800 and up for these custom garments, which take up to 40 hours make. They also require exotic materials "from weaving countries around the world." She notes her customers are often "confident women in their 40s and 50s with disposable income."
In fact, her website, www.callistocouture.ca, includes praise from the likes of Winnipeg philanthropist Gail Asper. "Exactly one year to the day I opened my business, Gail was photographed on the red carpet in Ottawa in one of my corsets. I took it as a sign I was at the right place in my career."
Any difficulty getting customers in Winnipeg at those prices? "No, I haven't noticed any," smiles Joyce, who works in a romantic lilac-coloured factory at 506-63 Albert St.
"I make the shape out of stiff German Cotil which won't rip or give way and insert custom-sized steel or plastic boning, in the place of whalebone used in the old days," she says.
Different parts of the garment, such as bra cups and front panels, often have a special fabric covering of their own, so there are delicate patchworks to be sewn together. This is a fantasy garment of a lady's own choosing, with suggestions from the Callisto Couture portfolio on display.
Joyce's little factory is outfitted with an industrial sewing machine that goes at lightning speed (she let me drive it and I almost landed up in the next office), an industrial steam iron and big hoops of steel and plastic to embrace the body and mould it. Then she adds strong but esthetically pleasing laces to finish the outfit. You can substitute ribbon ties for fun, but if you want a dramatic change to your waist, heavy-duty laces are the way to go.
These corsets are so pretty they don't need to be hidden unless they're supporting another garment, like a ball gown or wedding dress. Miss La Muse says she wears her custom blue corset over and under outfits, or alone as part of a costume onstage. The cinching gives her an hourglass look from the front, and a derrière that's a perfect upside-down heart.
Joyce often rescues desperate brides who bought their expensive gowns months before the wedding "and now there's two weeks to go and the dress won't fit." And then there are grads who just wants a sparkly corset top, to wear with a glamorous skirt.
At the opposite end of the age spectrum, she hears from annoyed grandmothers whose doctors have ordered a corset for back support. They look at these ugly things and say, "Ugh! I am still a woman, for heaven's sake."
Corset design seems like a strange second career for a scientist who used to work for Fisheries and Oceans Canada. But Joyce got restless in her early 30s -- one grows bored of zooplankton. So, six years ago, she made a radical change.
She always sewed, but didn't know which direction to go with it. "This may sound funny, but I put it out to the universe and the answer came back 'corsets,' and here I am."
Joyce believes she is well-suited to the work. "I am particular, and patient." Plus, she loves nature, and most of her fabrics are from natural substances such as silk, cotton and linen with colours from natural dyes such as tree bark. "When you iron that fabric, you get a fragrant woodsy smell."
A well-cared-for Callisto Couture corset, Joyce says, could last a lifetime. "It's something you can pass on to your daughters and granddaughters."
Think of it as a piece of fabric art -- and a hint at grandma's secret life.
2011年5月10日星期二
The one who refuses to fade
“Scary isn’t it? One minute, you’ re revelling in all that pomp and pageantry and then suddenly, zilch.”
Although it was a remark made in jest, the prospect of facing such a situation had obviously sent a chill down his spine as the politician squirmed uncomfortably in his chair.
And as if to distract himself from such a ghastly premonition, he reached for his coffee, never mind that it was piping hot, and took a gulp. His eyes registered alarm as the simmering dark liquid made its way down his throat, and he stuck out his tongue to let the cool air salve the stung muscle.
This is why we need the rehabilitation centre, he continued when his tongue returned to its normal temperature, mustering a nervous smile in between his words.
The topic was about political casualties, leaders who suddenly found themselves cast out from the corridors of power onto the streets.
So the politician had joked about the need for a rehabilitation centre exclusively for politicians whose careers meet a premature end.
These people, he said, should be psychologically re-programmed to lead ordinary lives and for those who were once at the peak, the rehabilitation must also include lessons on dealing with the stress of being stuck in traffic jams with no police outriders.
Humour aside. From a politician’s perspective, especially those from Barisan Nasional, who had frolicked in the spoils of being part of the ruling government for decades, this prospect would be nothing short of daunting. And in the 2008 election, many experienced it first hand.
No ordinary feat
As the Election Commission’s solemn-faced officers announced results after results, official cars, perks, power and respect started to vanish . Also disappearing were the retinue of apple polishers who once trailed behind, closer than their shadows. In a blink of an eye, these politicians were reduced from heroes to zeros.
But there was one man, who had refused to die with his career and fade into oblivion.
He was not voted out, but booted out, and that too in the most unceremonious manner. But like a phoenix, which rises from its ashes, he emerged stronger and rattled his adversaries to the core. Till this day, he remains a force to be reckoned with.
Anwar Ibrahim’s mental fortitude is definitely worthy of admiration – from deputy prime minister to prisoner, he managed to overcome all the odds designed to pin him down. From being a leader on this side of the political fence to becoming a leader on the other side of the fence, is no ordinary feat.
During that fateful month of September in 1998 when Anwar was given the marching orders, many political pundits believed that his political career had been laid to rest. It was the tragic case of a man in a rush, who underestimated his mentor, and now had to deal with the fact that he would never become prime minister.
On the night of his sacking, Anwar arrived fashionably late for the Umno supreme council meeting, which had convened to decide the fate of its deputy president and quipped to journalists that he was caught in a traffic snarl since he no longer had police outriders.
Hours later, he emerged from the iconic building and addressed his supporters. Standing on a plastic chair, he bellowed: “They asked me to resign but I refused. If I am to go down, I will go down fighting like a warrior.”
Anwar left after uttering those words but not before sending his supporters into a frenzy and ushering the birth of a powerful force, which would eventually be named as “Reformasi”. What happened next, in the absence of the alternative media then, did not make the news here.
Although it was a remark made in jest, the prospect of facing such a situation had obviously sent a chill down his spine as the politician squirmed uncomfortably in his chair.
And as if to distract himself from such a ghastly premonition, he reached for his coffee, never mind that it was piping hot, and took a gulp. His eyes registered alarm as the simmering dark liquid made its way down his throat, and he stuck out his tongue to let the cool air salve the stung muscle.
This is why we need the rehabilitation centre, he continued when his tongue returned to its normal temperature, mustering a nervous smile in between his words.
The topic was about political casualties, leaders who suddenly found themselves cast out from the corridors of power onto the streets.
So the politician had joked about the need for a rehabilitation centre exclusively for politicians whose careers meet a premature end.
These people, he said, should be psychologically re-programmed to lead ordinary lives and for those who were once at the peak, the rehabilitation must also include lessons on dealing with the stress of being stuck in traffic jams with no police outriders.
Humour aside. From a politician’s perspective, especially those from Barisan Nasional, who had frolicked in the spoils of being part of the ruling government for decades, this prospect would be nothing short of daunting. And in the 2008 election, many experienced it first hand.
No ordinary feat
As the Election Commission’s solemn-faced officers announced results after results, official cars, perks, power and respect started to vanish . Also disappearing were the retinue of apple polishers who once trailed behind, closer than their shadows. In a blink of an eye, these politicians were reduced from heroes to zeros.
But there was one man, who had refused to die with his career and fade into oblivion.
He was not voted out, but booted out, and that too in the most unceremonious manner. But like a phoenix, which rises from its ashes, he emerged stronger and rattled his adversaries to the core. Till this day, he remains a force to be reckoned with.
Anwar Ibrahim’s mental fortitude is definitely worthy of admiration – from deputy prime minister to prisoner, he managed to overcome all the odds designed to pin him down. From being a leader on this side of the political fence to becoming a leader on the other side of the fence, is no ordinary feat.
During that fateful month of September in 1998 when Anwar was given the marching orders, many political pundits believed that his political career had been laid to rest. It was the tragic case of a man in a rush, who underestimated his mentor, and now had to deal with the fact that he would never become prime minister.
On the night of his sacking, Anwar arrived fashionably late for the Umno supreme council meeting, which had convened to decide the fate of its deputy president and quipped to journalists that he was caught in a traffic snarl since he no longer had police outriders.
Hours later, he emerged from the iconic building and addressed his supporters. Standing on a plastic chair, he bellowed: “They asked me to resign but I refused. If I am to go down, I will go down fighting like a warrior.”
Anwar left after uttering those words but not before sending his supporters into a frenzy and ushering the birth of a powerful force, which would eventually be named as “Reformasi”. What happened next, in the absence of the alternative media then, did not make the news here.
Continued sales growth in 2010 as Weidenhammer expands market position
With group sales reaching €215 million in 2010 (2009: €192 million), the Weidenhammer Packaging Group (WPG), one of the world's two leading suppliers of composite cans, composite drums and plastic containers, achieved strong sales growth and clearly surpassed company targets. The group's cash flow for the same period increased by one percentage point to 14 per cent. In the current fiscal year, WPG is planning to increase sales - although sharply rising raw material costs will prevent the company from reaching the same earnings level achieved in 2010. Nevertheless, investment will continue at a high level. The expansion of production facilities and the introduction of new packaging solutions will help open up new markets and market segments.
The WPG achieved sales growth for the 15th consecutive year in 2010 with a significant increase in turnover that clearly exceeded management targets. "We are pleased with our financial results - especially in light of the global economic crisis that clearly had an impact on our company in 2009", said WPG CEO Ralf Weidenhammer. "The company's positive financial results show that our business strategy is on the right track and that our investment in production facilities, staff, research & development and new markets pays off. We plan to continue along the same lines in the future".
WPG cardboard and plastic divisions both contributed to the company's outstanding financial performance in 2010. The group's core business in composite cans and drums accounted for the largest share of revenues. A significant amount of turnover came from Weidenhammer Plastic Packaging (WPP). Founded in 2005, the group's plastics division reported growth for the third consecutive year. "Our plastic packaging business has evolved to become a mainstay in the company," Ralf Weidenhammer explained. "We hope to soon see WPP account for around 15 per cent of total group sales. This figure reached nearly 10 per cent last year".
The WPG achieved sales growth for the 15th consecutive year in 2010 with a significant increase in turnover that clearly exceeded management targets. "We are pleased with our financial results - especially in light of the global economic crisis that clearly had an impact on our company in 2009", said WPG CEO Ralf Weidenhammer. "The company's positive financial results show that our business strategy is on the right track and that our investment in production facilities, staff, research & development and new markets pays off. We plan to continue along the same lines in the future".
WPG cardboard and plastic divisions both contributed to the company's outstanding financial performance in 2010. The group's core business in composite cans and drums accounted for the largest share of revenues. A significant amount of turnover came from Weidenhammer Plastic Packaging (WPP). Founded in 2005, the group's plastics division reported growth for the third consecutive year. "Our plastic packaging business has evolved to become a mainstay in the company," Ralf Weidenhammer explained. "We hope to soon see WPP account for around 15 per cent of total group sales. This figure reached nearly 10 per cent last year".
2011年5月8日星期日
Mergers and Acquisitions Recap: Deals and Rumors of the Week
1) Total (NYSE:TOT), a French oil and gas exploration company, will buy a 60 percent stake in SunPower(NASDAQ:SPWRA), which produces solar panels, in a deal that values the latter at $2.3 billion. Total will pay $23.25 per share, which represents a 46 percent premium over the unaffected share price. Since the nuclear disaster in Japan,many oil and gas giants have experienced a surge in interest in renewable energy. Solar energy is a wild card, particularly because it hasn’t been that competitive with fossil fuels and feeds off of government subsidies.
2) Blackstone (NYSE:BX) likes Australia…a lot! It agreed to acquire Australian real estate company Valad Property Group (VPG.AX) for $227 million, a 50 percent premium over the unaffected share price, and will also receive a nice pile of $655 million in debt. Blackstone acquired the shopping malls of Australia’s Centro Properties(CNP.AX) only two months ago. Blackstone made these acquisitions under the assumption that the Australian real estate market is due for a rebound. Let’s hope they’re right!
After being rejected twice by NYSE Euronext (NYSE:NYX), the Nasdaq OMX Group (NASDAQ:NDAQ) and ICE(NYSE:ICE) may take their $11.1 billion bid hostile in a tender offer to NYSE shareholders. Currently, NYSE management wants to do the deal for less with Deutsche Boerse (DB1), but since the shareholders’ meeting this week, investors have been putting pressure on NYSE to either take the higher bid or encourage Deutsche Boerse to sweeten their offer terms. At least meet with Nasdaq and ICE!
Tuesday
1) Teva Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:TEVA), the largest generic drug maker by sales in the world, will acquireCephalon (NASDAQ:CEPH) for $6.8 billion or $81.50 per share, which represents a 39 percent premium over the unaffected stock price. Teva, a Jerusalem-based company, will now be able to focus more on selling brand-name drugsinstead of generics, since Cephalon has a vast array of products with more than $21.5 billion in sales.
2) Arch Coal (NYSE:ACI) is getting it done—it will acquire International Coal Group (NYSE:ICO) for $3.4 billion, making it the second-largest U.S. coking coal producer, after Alpha Natural Resources (NYSE:ANR), which is acquiring Massey Energy (NYSE:MEE). This bodes well for Arch, considering rising commodity costs and developing countries’ increasing demand. Arch will have access to coal assets in every major U.S. coal basin and will increase its reserves by 25 percent.
3) French luxury goods company PPR (PP.PA), which controls Gucci (GUCG.PK) and Puma (PUM.DU), will acquire Volcom (NASDAQ:VLCM), which sells skating, surfing, and snowboarding clothing, for $607.5 million, or $24.50 per share, a 25 percent premium over the unaffected stock price. This deal is a relief to some investors, who were nervous that the CEO, Francois-Henri Pinault, had his heart set on a massive acquisition, comparable toLVMH’s (MC.PA) acquisition of Bulgari (BUI.MU).
Terex (NYSE:TEX), a U.S. crane producer, offered $1.31 billion in a hostile bid for Demag Cranes (DMGCF.PK), a German crane company. The two had talked, but Terex wasn’t getting anywhere, so it decided to go directly to Demag shareholders. Some analysts think the price is too low, and another competitor, such as Konecranes (KNCRF.PK), may just barge in and out-bid Terex. Why Demag? Buying the company would give Terex access to Europe and emerging markets, particularly China.
DuPont (NYSE:DD) raised its offer 5 percent to $6.64 billion, or $139 per share, for Danisco (DCO.CO), a Danish food ingredients producer. The offer is a 32 percent premium over the unaffected stock price. Now Danisco is urging its shareholders to accept the offer, since many of them decided to reject the original price. DuPont already had about 48 percent acceptance from shareholders, and with the higher bid, many institutional investors, including the largest shareholder, Danish pension insurance company ATP, will now take the deal!
Warner Music Group’s (NYSE:WMG) day of reckoning is finally here. Final bids were due last night, and it’s likely the company will have an official buyer by the end of the week, possibly at a price greater than $3 billion. The contenders are two groups: Access Industry, and a joint bid by Platinum Equity and Gores Group. A bunch of bidders dropped out earlier in the process, including Yucaipa, and BMG Music Rights, a joint venture between German music company Bertelsmann and KKR (NYSE:KKR).
Speaking of raising bids, Community Health Systems (NYSE:CYH) raised its bid for Tenet Healthcare(NYSE:THC) to $4.07 billion, or $7.25 per share from $6 per share. The new price is a 69 percent premium over the unaffected stock price. This situation has been hostile in every way: Tenet adopted a poison pill to protect itself from Community Health, and the latter shot back by attempting to remove Tenet’s board. Then, Tenet filed a lawsuit against Community Health, accusing the company of overbilling Medicare. Community Health then converted its offer to all-cash in order to avoid legal ramifications should the lawsuit go through.
In case you didn’t think they were serious, the joint bidders Nasdaq OMX Group (NASDAQ:NDAQ) and ICE(NYSE:ICE) are now deciding, after two rejections, that they will make their offer for NYSE Euronext (NYSE:NYX)hostile. Now Nasdaq and ICE will go directly to NYSE shareholders with their “superior offer” that values the company at $14.24 per share, or approximately $11 billion. The joint bidders certainly deserve an A+ for effort! NYSE’s response was interesting enough: the company merely emphasized to shareholders that the offer did not change, and in fact, is the same offer that was rejected twice.
Ralcorp Holdings (NYSE:RAH), which makes Post Cereals and private-brand foods, allegedly received a takeover offer from an unidentified party for an undisclosed amount. Who could it be? Is it ConAgra (NYSE:CAG), who CNBC claims made an approach? Ralcorp apparently rejected their offer. Plus, Ralcorp’s chairman denies any such takeover rumors. This will continue until they spill the beans.
2) Blackstone (NYSE:BX) likes Australia…a lot! It agreed to acquire Australian real estate company Valad Property Group (VPG.AX) for $227 million, a 50 percent premium over the unaffected share price, and will also receive a nice pile of $655 million in debt. Blackstone acquired the shopping malls of Australia’s Centro Properties(CNP.AX) only two months ago. Blackstone made these acquisitions under the assumption that the Australian real estate market is due for a rebound. Let’s hope they’re right!
After being rejected twice by NYSE Euronext (NYSE:NYX), the Nasdaq OMX Group (NASDAQ:NDAQ) and ICE(NYSE:ICE) may take their $11.1 billion bid hostile in a tender offer to NYSE shareholders. Currently, NYSE management wants to do the deal for less with Deutsche Boerse (DB1), but since the shareholders’ meeting this week, investors have been putting pressure on NYSE to either take the higher bid or encourage Deutsche Boerse to sweeten their offer terms. At least meet with Nasdaq and ICE!
Tuesday
1) Teva Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:TEVA), the largest generic drug maker by sales in the world, will acquireCephalon (NASDAQ:CEPH) for $6.8 billion or $81.50 per share, which represents a 39 percent premium over the unaffected stock price. Teva, a Jerusalem-based company, will now be able to focus more on selling brand-name drugsinstead of generics, since Cephalon has a vast array of products with more than $21.5 billion in sales.
2) Arch Coal (NYSE:ACI) is getting it done—it will acquire International Coal Group (NYSE:ICO) for $3.4 billion, making it the second-largest U.S. coking coal producer, after Alpha Natural Resources (NYSE:ANR), which is acquiring Massey Energy (NYSE:MEE). This bodes well for Arch, considering rising commodity costs and developing countries’ increasing demand. Arch will have access to coal assets in every major U.S. coal basin and will increase its reserves by 25 percent.
3) French luxury goods company PPR (PP.PA), which controls Gucci (GUCG.PK) and Puma (PUM.DU), will acquire Volcom (NASDAQ:VLCM), which sells skating, surfing, and snowboarding clothing, for $607.5 million, or $24.50 per share, a 25 percent premium over the unaffected stock price. This deal is a relief to some investors, who were nervous that the CEO, Francois-Henri Pinault, had his heart set on a massive acquisition, comparable toLVMH’s (MC.PA) acquisition of Bulgari (BUI.MU).
Terex (NYSE:TEX), a U.S. crane producer, offered $1.31 billion in a hostile bid for Demag Cranes (DMGCF.PK), a German crane company. The two had talked, but Terex wasn’t getting anywhere, so it decided to go directly to Demag shareholders. Some analysts think the price is too low, and another competitor, such as Konecranes (KNCRF.PK), may just barge in and out-bid Terex. Why Demag? Buying the company would give Terex access to Europe and emerging markets, particularly China.
DuPont (NYSE:DD) raised its offer 5 percent to $6.64 billion, or $139 per share, for Danisco (DCO.CO), a Danish food ingredients producer. The offer is a 32 percent premium over the unaffected stock price. Now Danisco is urging its shareholders to accept the offer, since many of them decided to reject the original price. DuPont already had about 48 percent acceptance from shareholders, and with the higher bid, many institutional investors, including the largest shareholder, Danish pension insurance company ATP, will now take the deal!
Warner Music Group’s (NYSE:WMG) day of reckoning is finally here. Final bids were due last night, and it’s likely the company will have an official buyer by the end of the week, possibly at a price greater than $3 billion. The contenders are two groups: Access Industry, and a joint bid by Platinum Equity and Gores Group. A bunch of bidders dropped out earlier in the process, including Yucaipa, and BMG Music Rights, a joint venture between German music company Bertelsmann and KKR (NYSE:KKR).
Speaking of raising bids, Community Health Systems (NYSE:CYH) raised its bid for Tenet Healthcare(NYSE:THC) to $4.07 billion, or $7.25 per share from $6 per share. The new price is a 69 percent premium over the unaffected stock price. This situation has been hostile in every way: Tenet adopted a poison pill to protect itself from Community Health, and the latter shot back by attempting to remove Tenet’s board. Then, Tenet filed a lawsuit against Community Health, accusing the company of overbilling Medicare. Community Health then converted its offer to all-cash in order to avoid legal ramifications should the lawsuit go through.
In case you didn’t think they were serious, the joint bidders Nasdaq OMX Group (NASDAQ:NDAQ) and ICE(NYSE:ICE) are now deciding, after two rejections, that they will make their offer for NYSE Euronext (NYSE:NYX)hostile. Now Nasdaq and ICE will go directly to NYSE shareholders with their “superior offer” that values the company at $14.24 per share, or approximately $11 billion. The joint bidders certainly deserve an A+ for effort! NYSE’s response was interesting enough: the company merely emphasized to shareholders that the offer did not change, and in fact, is the same offer that was rejected twice.
Ralcorp Holdings (NYSE:RAH), which makes Post Cereals and private-brand foods, allegedly received a takeover offer from an unidentified party for an undisclosed amount. Who could it be? Is it ConAgra (NYSE:CAG), who CNBC claims made an approach? Ralcorp apparently rejected their offer. Plus, Ralcorp’s chairman denies any such takeover rumors. This will continue until they spill the beans.
4 gold traders owe P4.7B, says BIR
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) has filed tax evasion charges against four gold traders who allegedly owe the government about P4.76 billion in taxes from sales of the precious metal between 2005 and 2009.
Charged were Sylvia Chua Cantoria of Caloocan City, Diomedita Canonigo of Parañaque City, and Ronald Castro and Felonila Caluag, both of Meycauayan, Bulacan.
Castro and Caluag have gold trading businesses based in Marilao, Bulacan; Cantoria in Trece Martires, Cavite; and Canonigo in Talisay, Cebu.
BIR deputy commissioner Estela Sales, head of the agency’s legal and inspection group, said the four traders had engaged in gold transactions with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), but failed to file income tax returns for their businesses as well as personal income tax returns.
The BIR based the charges against the four gold traders on the letters of delivery and sales obtained from the BSP that detailed the number of pieces and the weight of the gold that they had sold to the central bank.
Cantoria sold refined gold amounting to P1.04 billion from 2006 to 2008; Canonigo sold P2.55 billion from 2005 and 2009; Caluag, P1.27 billion, also from 2005 to 2009; and Castro, P2.35 billion, also from 2005 to 2009.
72 returns unfiled
According to Sales, Castro, Caluag and Canonigo failed to file 20 tax returns each, and Cantoria 12.
Canonigo’s income tax deficiency, including surcharges and interest, was assessed at P1.65 billion for five taxable years, broken down as follows: P205.28 million in 2005, P353.41 million in 2006, P298.81 million in 2007, P371.95 million in 2008 and P419.66 million in 2009.
Castro allegedly failed to pay P1.56 billion in income taxes for the same period, broken down as follows: P48.70 million in 2005, P359.89 million in 2006, P544 million in 2007, P595.7 million in 2008 and P12.29 million in 2009.
Caluag was assessed P865.15 million from 2005 to 2009, and Cantoria for P683.41 million from 2006 to 2008.
Violations of Tax Code
Canonigo and Castro will each be charged with five counts of attempting to evade or defeat taxes, 15 counts of failure to file quarterly income tax returns (QITRs) and five counts of failure to file annual income tax returns (AITRs)—all violations of Sections 254 and 255 of the Tax Code.
Caluag will be charged with five counts of attempting to evade or defeat taxes, 15 counts of failure to file QITRs, and five counts of failure to file AITRs.
Cantoria will be charged with three counts of attempting to evade or defeat taxes; nine counts of failure to file QITRs, and three counts of failure to file AITRs.
The charges against the four bring to 42 the number of cases filed under the BIR’s Run After Tax Evaders (Rate) program during the incumbency of Commissioner Kim Jacinto-Henares.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Customs Thursday said it had seized a molding machine and a shipment of tiles and accessories that were allegedly undervalued by their consignees.
Horacio Suansing, deputy customs commissioner for enforcement, said he ordered the confiscation of a plastic injection molding machine that its importer, Columbia Plastic Manufacturing, had allegedly underdeclared as being worth only $16,000, or P720,000.
The BoC valuation and classification division, however, placed its value at between $27,500 and $42,000, Suansing said.
Charged were Sylvia Chua Cantoria of Caloocan City, Diomedita Canonigo of Parañaque City, and Ronald Castro and Felonila Caluag, both of Meycauayan, Bulacan.
Castro and Caluag have gold trading businesses based in Marilao, Bulacan; Cantoria in Trece Martires, Cavite; and Canonigo in Talisay, Cebu.
BIR deputy commissioner Estela Sales, head of the agency’s legal and inspection group, said the four traders had engaged in gold transactions with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), but failed to file income tax returns for their businesses as well as personal income tax returns.
The BIR based the charges against the four gold traders on the letters of delivery and sales obtained from the BSP that detailed the number of pieces and the weight of the gold that they had sold to the central bank.
Cantoria sold refined gold amounting to P1.04 billion from 2006 to 2008; Canonigo sold P2.55 billion from 2005 and 2009; Caluag, P1.27 billion, also from 2005 to 2009; and Castro, P2.35 billion, also from 2005 to 2009.
72 returns unfiled
According to Sales, Castro, Caluag and Canonigo failed to file 20 tax returns each, and Cantoria 12.
Canonigo’s income tax deficiency, including surcharges and interest, was assessed at P1.65 billion for five taxable years, broken down as follows: P205.28 million in 2005, P353.41 million in 2006, P298.81 million in 2007, P371.95 million in 2008 and P419.66 million in 2009.
Castro allegedly failed to pay P1.56 billion in income taxes for the same period, broken down as follows: P48.70 million in 2005, P359.89 million in 2006, P544 million in 2007, P595.7 million in 2008 and P12.29 million in 2009.
Caluag was assessed P865.15 million from 2005 to 2009, and Cantoria for P683.41 million from 2006 to 2008.
Violations of Tax Code
Canonigo and Castro will each be charged with five counts of attempting to evade or defeat taxes, 15 counts of failure to file quarterly income tax returns (QITRs) and five counts of failure to file annual income tax returns (AITRs)—all violations of Sections 254 and 255 of the Tax Code.
Caluag will be charged with five counts of attempting to evade or defeat taxes, 15 counts of failure to file QITRs, and five counts of failure to file AITRs.
Cantoria will be charged with three counts of attempting to evade or defeat taxes; nine counts of failure to file QITRs, and three counts of failure to file AITRs.
The charges against the four bring to 42 the number of cases filed under the BIR’s Run After Tax Evaders (Rate) program during the incumbency of Commissioner Kim Jacinto-Henares.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Customs Thursday said it had seized a molding machine and a shipment of tiles and accessories that were allegedly undervalued by their consignees.
Horacio Suansing, deputy customs commissioner for enforcement, said he ordered the confiscation of a plastic injection molding machine that its importer, Columbia Plastic Manufacturing, had allegedly underdeclared as being worth only $16,000, or P720,000.
The BoC valuation and classification division, however, placed its value at between $27,500 and $42,000, Suansing said.
2011年5月5日星期四
International Brewing Award Winner Unveils a New Kind of Lager
The traditional low hop, light malt and highly carbonated lager, has always been a staple of the larger scale brewery until now. Always eager to break the mould, Howe Sound Brewing has taken the traditional and turned it upside down with the unveiling of its Dortmunder-style lager, and in a can no less. Howe Sound's canned lager is the perfect fit for the great outdoors. Its highly portable format allows it to be easily taken more places: camping, to a barbecue, lakeside, and more.
"The lager is a Dortmunder-style lager that is different than many mainstream lagers in the marketplace. While dry and balanced, it is more full-bodied and has a higher hop rate and more maltiness than most domestic lagers." – Dave Fenn, co-owner, Howe Sound Brewing
Intriguing as its full-body, the lager continues not only the promise of European brewing traditions but also Howe Sound's commitment to their environmental philosophy and model of sustainability. In addition to being durable, stackable and made with 100% recycled aluminum, the can is also lined to prevent any metallic contamination. The topper is also unique! Made from #2 HDPE recycled plastic it is safe for birds, turtles and other small animals and can be reused.
"This is our first canned product, and offers traditional ale consumers in British Columbia a different format to enjoy our product whether they are sailing in the west coast waters or clambering up jagged trails," says - Leslie Fenn, co-owner, Howe Sound Brewing. "It's portable, light and embodies our environmental philosophy of nature and social consciousness first."
A family-owned and operated enterprise located only an hour's drive from Vancouver in scenic Squamish, Howe Sound Brewing first opened its doors in 2006 and features a quaint inn with 20 character guestrooms, a picturesque brewpub and restaurant, multi-use conference and banquet rooms, and an internationally recognized microbrewery.
"The lager is a Dortmunder-style lager that is different than many mainstream lagers in the marketplace. While dry and balanced, it is more full-bodied and has a higher hop rate and more maltiness than most domestic lagers." – Dave Fenn, co-owner, Howe Sound Brewing
Intriguing as its full-body, the lager continues not only the promise of European brewing traditions but also Howe Sound's commitment to their environmental philosophy and model of sustainability. In addition to being durable, stackable and made with 100% recycled aluminum, the can is also lined to prevent any metallic contamination. The topper is also unique! Made from #2 HDPE recycled plastic it is safe for birds, turtles and other small animals and can be reused.
"This is our first canned product, and offers traditional ale consumers in British Columbia a different format to enjoy our product whether they are sailing in the west coast waters or clambering up jagged trails," says - Leslie Fenn, co-owner, Howe Sound Brewing. "It's portable, light and embodies our environmental philosophy of nature and social consciousness first."
A family-owned and operated enterprise located only an hour's drive from Vancouver in scenic Squamish, Howe Sound Brewing first opened its doors in 2006 and features a quaint inn with 20 character guestrooms, a picturesque brewpub and restaurant, multi-use conference and banquet rooms, and an internationally recognized microbrewery.
On the block
Ford's St. Thomas assembly plant has gone up for sale for $22.75 million, and already there's "solid interest" in largest piece of commercial real estate to ever hit the area's market.
Commercial realtor C.B. Richard Ellis has had calls from manufacturers in sectors ranging from the automotive to green energy, kicking the tires on a possible sale, Randy Fisher, a broker with the realtor, said Wednesday.
"We are already encouraged. I would say there is solid interest," he said. "We are a global company and we put that message out, and there has been interest at various levels. I think there is opportunity here."
The sprawling, 44-year-old plant will close in September and take up to nine months to decommission, so it'll be available to a new owner in the summer of 2012, Fisher said.
"That is our job - to find an owner that brings jobs back to this area," he said.
It's likely the plant - since it is so large - will be bought by an investor and carved up for several users, essentially turning it into an industrial park, added Peter Whatmore, vice-president with C.B. Richard Ellis.
"It has been an important part of our business climate for (43 years) and has been a significant contributor to our local economy. This is a sad story," said Whatmore.
"It will be a significant challenge, but we have sold several of these across North America," he said.
"It will be tough, but we have a strong platform. We are optimistic," Whatmore said.
A vacant, 1.2-million-square-foot automotive plant in Windsor is attracting "substantial interest," he noted.
"We will get this done, but I'm just not sure what it will look like at the end of the day," said Whatmore.
While the looming sale had been common knowledge for months, seeing it listed has hit home for the plant's remaining 1,200 workers, said Scott Smith, chairperson of the Canadian Auto Workers union, Local 1520.
Still, a sale would offer hope a new owner might need workers - and the union would let an interested buyer know an experienced workforce is available, said Smith.
"We all knew the company was going to sell, but when you see it like that, there is a finality to it," he said. "The mood here is not good at all. It's becoming a reality as it gets closer."
About three years ago Ford of Canada also sold about 700 acres of land it owned - from the Ford plant south toward St. Thomas - for about $6.5 million to Bob McCaig, a St. Thomas businessperson who sold the Green Lane landfill to the City of Toronto for $220 million, said commercial realtor Dennis Broome, who chairs the St. Thomas economic development agency.
"I'm sure people will look at (the Ford plant)," Broome said of the plant. "It's close to Hwy. 401. It's a great deal."
It's "the end of an era" for the Ford plant, for many years the area's largest private employer.
"When you see a 'For Sale' sign go up, it is the end. It will not be saved," Broome said.
But there are many good signs in the St. Thomas economy, he added.
The Sterling Truck plant, home to 2,000 workers, was sold to Masco and it consolidated three different companies there, said Broome.
Two other plants near Sterling, where the former truck maker prepared its trucks and where it stacked them after, have been sold to different industries.
The Schulman Inc. plant was also sold to a Toronto plastic injection mould business that's now refurbishing the site.
"There are good things happening here," said Broome.
Commercial realtor C.B. Richard Ellis has had calls from manufacturers in sectors ranging from the automotive to green energy, kicking the tires on a possible sale, Randy Fisher, a broker with the realtor, said Wednesday.
"We are already encouraged. I would say there is solid interest," he said. "We are a global company and we put that message out, and there has been interest at various levels. I think there is opportunity here."
The sprawling, 44-year-old plant will close in September and take up to nine months to decommission, so it'll be available to a new owner in the summer of 2012, Fisher said.
"That is our job - to find an owner that brings jobs back to this area," he said.
It's likely the plant - since it is so large - will be bought by an investor and carved up for several users, essentially turning it into an industrial park, added Peter Whatmore, vice-president with C.B. Richard Ellis.
"It has been an important part of our business climate for (43 years) and has been a significant contributor to our local economy. This is a sad story," said Whatmore.
"It will be a significant challenge, but we have sold several of these across North America," he said.
"It will be tough, but we have a strong platform. We are optimistic," Whatmore said.
A vacant, 1.2-million-square-foot automotive plant in Windsor is attracting "substantial interest," he noted.
"We will get this done, but I'm just not sure what it will look like at the end of the day," said Whatmore.
While the looming sale had been common knowledge for months, seeing it listed has hit home for the plant's remaining 1,200 workers, said Scott Smith, chairperson of the Canadian Auto Workers union, Local 1520.
Still, a sale would offer hope a new owner might need workers - and the union would let an interested buyer know an experienced workforce is available, said Smith.
"We all knew the company was going to sell, but when you see it like that, there is a finality to it," he said. "The mood here is not good at all. It's becoming a reality as it gets closer."
About three years ago Ford of Canada also sold about 700 acres of land it owned - from the Ford plant south toward St. Thomas - for about $6.5 million to Bob McCaig, a St. Thomas businessperson who sold the Green Lane landfill to the City of Toronto for $220 million, said commercial realtor Dennis Broome, who chairs the St. Thomas economic development agency.
"I'm sure people will look at (the Ford plant)," Broome said of the plant. "It's close to Hwy. 401. It's a great deal."
It's "the end of an era" for the Ford plant, for many years the area's largest private employer.
"When you see a 'For Sale' sign go up, it is the end. It will not be saved," Broome said.
But there are many good signs in the St. Thomas economy, he added.
The Sterling Truck plant, home to 2,000 workers, was sold to Masco and it consolidated three different companies there, said Broome.
Two other plants near Sterling, where the former truck maker prepared its trucks and where it stacked them after, have been sold to different industries.
The Schulman Inc. plant was also sold to a Toronto plastic injection mould business that's now refurbishing the site.
"There are good things happening here," said Broome.
2011年5月2日星期一
Cheese craft: how to make Pangaea’s creamy chèvre at home
"I got bored of making charcuterie, so I started doing my own cheese. I’ve got 30 kinds on the go, and I tend to them seven days a week. I’m a little obsessed right now. If you have the right cultures—I order mine from Glengarry Cheesemaking in Lancaster—making fresh chèvre is simple, and the recipe is very forgiving. The only tough part is waiting three days while the chèvre does its thing. We’re not very patient in the modern world, but I find it soothing to wait for my cheese.” —chef de cuisine Derek Bendig
2. Pour milk into the pot and heat over medium heat until the thermometer reads 30° C.
3. Remove pot from heat. Sprinkle mesophilic culture over surface of milk and let stand 5 minutes. Stir milk gently with skimmer to distribute culture evenly.
4. In a small bowl, mix calcium chloride with 2 tbsp distilled water. Add mixture to milk and stir gently to distribute evenly.
5. In another small bowl, stir remaining distilled water and rennet. Add to milk and stir gently.
6. Cover pot and let stand at room temperature (no warmer than 22° C) for 18 hours until milk has separated into thick, yogurt-like curds and clear whey.
7. Set a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet. Set moulds on rack. Using skimmer, gently scoop a thin layer of curd from surface of thickened milk, leaving whey behind, and slide it into a cheese mould. Continue to scoop off and layer the curd until the mould is full. Repeat with remaining moulds.
8. Set aside at room temperature (again no warmer than 22°C) for 24 hours. Whey will gather in the baking sheet. Pour it off as necessary.
9. Unmould cheeses and sprinkle with salt. Let them dry uncovered for another 24 hours at room temperature until firm.
10. Roll the cheese logs in chives and parsley to coat evenly, or leave plain. Wrap in parchment paper, then plastic wrap and store in fridge for up to 2 weeks. Makes 4 three-ounce rounds.
DIRECTIONS
1. Wash and thoroughly sterilize a 12-cup stainless steel pot with lid, a meat thermometer, measuring spoons, a skimmer or slotted spoon, 2 small bowls and 4 cheese moulds* (4 inches tall and 3 inches in diameter).2. Pour milk into the pot and heat over medium heat until the thermometer reads 30° C.
3. Remove pot from heat. Sprinkle mesophilic culture over surface of milk and let stand 5 minutes. Stir milk gently with skimmer to distribute culture evenly.
4. In a small bowl, mix calcium chloride with 2 tbsp distilled water. Add mixture to milk and stir gently to distribute evenly.
5. In another small bowl, stir remaining distilled water and rennet. Add to milk and stir gently.
6. Cover pot and let stand at room temperature (no warmer than 22° C) for 18 hours until milk has separated into thick, yogurt-like curds and clear whey.
7. Set a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet. Set moulds on rack. Using skimmer, gently scoop a thin layer of curd from surface of thickened milk, leaving whey behind, and slide it into a cheese mould. Continue to scoop off and layer the curd until the mould is full. Repeat with remaining moulds.
8. Set aside at room temperature (again no warmer than 22°C) for 24 hours. Whey will gather in the baking sheet. Pour it off as necessary.
9. Unmould cheeses and sprinkle with salt. Let them dry uncovered for another 24 hours at room temperature until firm.
10. Roll the cheese logs in chives and parsley to coat evenly, or leave plain. Wrap in parchment paper, then plastic wrap and store in fridge for up to 2 weeks. Makes 4 three-ounce rounds.
On the Dot
Many people try to reduce their intake of Eastertide-related sweetmeats. As a result, they may ration out kwareżimal and figolli, without being aware of the potential dangers. Not removing any cellophane or plastic wrappers means that mould spores may be present without being evident, before the fungus multiplies. The public must be informed that it is not enough to cut away those areas of the confections that appear to have been affected.
Customised
• Why was all the fuss made about whether or not shops ought to open on Good Friday? One reason appears to be that some street vendors, including those who sell faith-related objects, could conduct business. So this was, perhaps, an exercise in equality.
Corners
• Valletta was a city built by gentlemen for gentlemen, not by bureaucrats for drivers. This much is evident from the new traffic plans that will come into force once the traffic flow directions are changed, following the demolition of City Gate. In all probability, the system was designed on paper – which, of course, indicates that all Valletta streets except the coast road ones criss-cross one another at right angles. Was proper attention made to gradients and pedestrian traffic?
Counters
• Special words of thanks go to the two young ladies at the counter of the Ħamrun branch of Maltapost. They are always with a smile on their face, ready to help elderly clients who turn up with several papers when all they need is the one that is the bill, indicating the amount they need to pay.
Carriages
• Ordinary buses are being seen to travel local routes, without taking up passengers, and sometimes with a “not in service” placard indicating that the people who are travelling in them may not be ordinary passengers. Are these runs meant to compute the optimum basic time that a journey ought to take, without any stops, such that calculations may be made for when the Arriva buses begin service? Or are the drivers potential employees being tested on their roads sense?
Customised
A lot, perhaps too much, fuss is being made about the forthcoming divorce referendum, which is a one-off thing. It is weird to note, however, that a permanent infrastructure change like the City Gate project did not warrant a referendum, and neither does hunting which, year after year, raises the hackles of many.
Coverage
• The prehistoric temples were covered for protection, their beauty hidden. However, the car park just outside Valletta remains without a roof, despite its inherent ugliness. One wonders whether this was intentional, or whether a ceiling for the last storey would have meant less income for the owners. Maybe a little more greenery would make the place less conspicuous once the whole area is renovated.
Collection
Without any doubt, one of the most beautiful exhibitions of Eastertide-related statuary was the one at San Anton palace at Attard. This featured antique life-sized statues, miniature, unpainted clay statues, and many other variations on the theme. It would be wonderful were this exhibition to be moved to an exhibition hall like, for example, Dar il-Mediterran, where it would not need to be divided into two segments, and it would be enjoyed by a great number of people, during the coming months.
Cycling
• James C. Wightman of St Julians took exception to the fact that this column criticised cyclists, for the wrong reasons. The correspondent failed to notice that the complaint addressed the church parvis being used as a playground, and also that the bicycles were not being used to commute to school but to perform dangerous wheelie tricks that could have fatal consequences.
Changes
• Is it possible that the people who order the digging of trenches in main streets or residential areas do not have access to five-day weather reports? Especially when a weekend comes between the commencement of works and their continuation, rain will turn large areas into fields of heavy, sticky clay that takes much longer to dry than ordinary mud, multiplying the inconvenience to motorists and residents.
Cemetery
• Each time there is heavy rainfall, it would seem that more weathered bits and pieces of the fascinating Gothic architecture of the Maria Addolorata Cemetery melt away into aggregate to be swept away in the flow. This national monument is well due for a renovation. It is useless expanding the perimeters and boasting of the additional number of graves, when such wanton destruction is being allowed to happen. Moreover, some slippery stairways have no banister rails, making them doubly dangerous.
Customised
• Why was all the fuss made about whether or not shops ought to open on Good Friday? One reason appears to be that some street vendors, including those who sell faith-related objects, could conduct business. So this was, perhaps, an exercise in equality.
Corners
• Valletta was a city built by gentlemen for gentlemen, not by bureaucrats for drivers. This much is evident from the new traffic plans that will come into force once the traffic flow directions are changed, following the demolition of City Gate. In all probability, the system was designed on paper – which, of course, indicates that all Valletta streets except the coast road ones criss-cross one another at right angles. Was proper attention made to gradients and pedestrian traffic?
Counters
• Special words of thanks go to the two young ladies at the counter of the Ħamrun branch of Maltapost. They are always with a smile on their face, ready to help elderly clients who turn up with several papers when all they need is the one that is the bill, indicating the amount they need to pay.
Carriages
• Ordinary buses are being seen to travel local routes, without taking up passengers, and sometimes with a “not in service” placard indicating that the people who are travelling in them may not be ordinary passengers. Are these runs meant to compute the optimum basic time that a journey ought to take, without any stops, such that calculations may be made for when the Arriva buses begin service? Or are the drivers potential employees being tested on their roads sense?
Customised
A lot, perhaps too much, fuss is being made about the forthcoming divorce referendum, which is a one-off thing. It is weird to note, however, that a permanent infrastructure change like the City Gate project did not warrant a referendum, and neither does hunting which, year after year, raises the hackles of many.
Coverage
• The prehistoric temples were covered for protection, their beauty hidden. However, the car park just outside Valletta remains without a roof, despite its inherent ugliness. One wonders whether this was intentional, or whether a ceiling for the last storey would have meant less income for the owners. Maybe a little more greenery would make the place less conspicuous once the whole area is renovated.
Collection
Without any doubt, one of the most beautiful exhibitions of Eastertide-related statuary was the one at San Anton palace at Attard. This featured antique life-sized statues, miniature, unpainted clay statues, and many other variations on the theme. It would be wonderful were this exhibition to be moved to an exhibition hall like, for example, Dar il-Mediterran, where it would not need to be divided into two segments, and it would be enjoyed by a great number of people, during the coming months.
Cycling
• James C. Wightman of St Julians took exception to the fact that this column criticised cyclists, for the wrong reasons. The correspondent failed to notice that the complaint addressed the church parvis being used as a playground, and also that the bicycles were not being used to commute to school but to perform dangerous wheelie tricks that could have fatal consequences.
Changes
• Is it possible that the people who order the digging of trenches in main streets or residential areas do not have access to five-day weather reports? Especially when a weekend comes between the commencement of works and their continuation, rain will turn large areas into fields of heavy, sticky clay that takes much longer to dry than ordinary mud, multiplying the inconvenience to motorists and residents.
Cemetery
• Each time there is heavy rainfall, it would seem that more weathered bits and pieces of the fascinating Gothic architecture of the Maria Addolorata Cemetery melt away into aggregate to be swept away in the flow. This national monument is well due for a renovation. It is useless expanding the perimeters and boasting of the additional number of graves, when such wanton destruction is being allowed to happen. Moreover, some slippery stairways have no banister rails, making them doubly dangerous.
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