November / December 2006 Issue of  "The Crucible"
"Metals Theft!"

NFFScope

The pendulum has swung again – this time to the left.  Beginning in January – and for the first time in more than a decade - control of Congress will belong to the Democrats.  As the last President learned during his final two years in office, the current President will soon discover that it‘s much more difficult to accomplish anything remaining on your agenda with the opposing party in control.

Businesses, and manufacturers, too, will undoubtedly find things much more difficult with their remaining “allies” now seated on the minority side of the aisle.  To listen to some organizations, though, you would think that nothing much has changed – or will.  NAM officials recently said “Sometimes a new Congress creates fresh opportunities for positive legislation if only because the new legislators bring with them a fresh attitude. … Come January, we will work with the 110th Congress under the assumption that … we can put partisanship aside and work together for economic growth.”  As optimistic as that may sound, I suspect in reality doing that will probably prove quite difficult.  

It makes little sense to debate how much or how little has actually been accomplished by the Republican Congress.  Some advances were made, but more could (and should) have been done.  Many of the gains that manufacturing achieved in the past few years have been opposed by many of those in the minority (who are now the majority) as gifts to the wealthy.  And just as certain initiatives by the last Democratic Congress were quickly undone once the Republicans assumed power, there’s no reason not to expect reactionary changes to happen with the same velocity now that the situation has swung around 180^o.  To the victors belong the spoils.  

Whether it happens – be it in Washington or in a state capitol 2500 miles to the west - the test of an organization’s effectiveness never lies in being able to work effectively with its friends. The real test comes in being able to accomplish one’s goals when those you must work with don’t share your beliefs or your concerns - but just as importantly, to do that without compromising your principles along the way.  

The stronger those principles, the stronger the foundation upon which the organization is built. I’ve heard some people suggest that the best architect of an organization’s character is how well it handles adversity, but I’m not sure I agree that’s exactly right.  

Adversity doesn’t actually build character.  It reveals it.

Combating Scrap Theft                                                           By: Chris Munford

Thieves took steel playground equipment and a brass bell from schools in Oregon.  They stole 30 foot-tall aluminum light poles in Maryland--more than 130 in Baltimore alone, at last count.  In Illinois, they targeted roof-mounted commercial air conditioners, making off with copper coils. They knocked out telephone service to portions of Washington state when they cut a fiberoptic cable, thinking it contained copper wire.  They raided sprinkler heads in Colorado public parks to get mixed-brass parts.

In New York, criminals entered the basements of occupied buildings to remove plumbing pipes.  They took stainless steel public sculptures in Kentucky and copper gutters from a college campus in Connecticut.  They stole spools of special high-temperature wire from..........................

The Scrap Industry Fights Materials Theft     

Though scrap thefts won't disappear-especially as long as prices remain high-the unprecedented cooperation among recyclers, ISRI, and law enforcement authorities can help mitigate the problem.  Beyond that, quick thinking, information sharing, and vigilance by recyclers have proved to be the most effective responses...........

Business Trends Barometer: Oct 2005-Sep2006            By: Ryan J. Moore, Director of Membership 

The NFFS Business Trends Barometer is a survey that provides members a month-to-month accurate snapshot of the pulse of business in the industry.  Every month, NFFS faxes the five question survey to all of its members along with the results of the previous month.  A quarterly graph is also provided for each question so in addition to members' ability to see how their business compared to the results of the previous month, they are also able to identify the trends in the industry over a four month period.............

UniFirst Provides NFFS Discount Prices for Work Uniforms & Floor Mats

UniFirst, one of North America's largest work wear and textile services companies, has been selected as the Preferred Vendor by the Non-Ferrous Founders' Society, according to an announcement by NFFS Executive Director Jim Mallory.  This means all NFFS members are now eligible for up to a 25 percent discount on UniFirst work garments and textile products...............

Finishing Room: Profanity                                                   By: Langan Associates, P.C. - Certified Public Accounts & Consulants

Vulgar or inappropriate language in the work place is rising and along with it an increasing number of court filings and complaints to human resources departments and the EEOC.

If your company doesn't have a specific language code, take steps to include in one of your employee handbook, along with policies against sexual harassment and discrimination.  The use of inappropriate language can cost your company in lawsuits - not to mention the bad image your firm can get if employees use profanity around customers and suppliers......