Zubair's face emerges through a giant cloud of smoke. There's sweat pouring down his face but his agile fingers, barely visible, keep spinning a large copper plate over burning coals. Every now and then, he stops, but only to douse the plate in a powdery substance. In just another minute, Zubair whisks the plate, frisbee-like, into a tub of water. With a loud hiss, the simmering hot plate, by now glistening silver, settles at the bottom of the pool. That's it. Ali's show – of coating brass and copper ware in 'Kalayi' – is over.
His work may make for a fascinating sight but Zubair's audience at Yahiyaganj's utensil market is dwindling. With only four kalayi specialists remaining in the bustling bylanes of Lucknow's oldest residential area, it is no surprise that future generations are beginning to search alternative professions. "Earlier, we would go to people's homes. Now, in comparison, we barely have any customers. If we can make over Rs 500 every day, we consider it a day well spent. Our children are more interested in pursuing jobs that pay better," says Anwar Ali, a third-generation kalayi specialist in the city.
Kalayiwallahs visiting homes may be a thing of the past now, but there are still those who swear by the health benefits of getting utensils coated in solder. And when the best known medical prescriptions fail to help, even doctors recommend that patients use kalayi-coated brass ware. Old Lucknow's Ismet Bano says: "There is no question of using copper or brass utensils without getting them coated in kalayi. Cooking in these utensils without kalayi coating is harmful for the digestive system. No one can deny that food cooked in brass and copper ware tastes the best. And for that, getting utensils coated in kalayi is a must."
But practitioners of the dying trade confess that the entry of steel, aluminium and hindalium products has dented their businesses. "These products are available in the market for a lot cheaper. Only old, traditional homes where people have still held on to old stocks utensils end up coming to us for kalayi. Most have now switched to steel," Ali added.It may be cheaper, but even the best cooks confess cooking in steel utensils is nearly impossible. In contrast, buying brass or copperware and maintaining them is a costly affair. Sample this, brass and copper cost Rs 500 and Rs 400 respectively. To use them for cooking purposes, they need to be coated with kalayi. With ranga (solder) prices – the main ingredient in Kalayi – escalating to Rs 1,800 per kg, and labour costing a few additional rupees, daily use of such products in most households has dwindled to a bare minimum. And in cases where these utensils are still used, the frequency of ordering a fresh coat of kalayi has dropped significantly. Ali said: "When my father managed this shop, people would get their utensils and paan daans coated in kalayi every month. Now, only a handful of old families get a kalayi coating on their paan daans as a status symbol. Gradually, even that frequency has dropped. Most people now settle for a kalayi coating once every year."
Old timers tend to agree. "Earlier, we had our plates coated with Kalayi every two months. Back then it cost Rs 10 to get a plate coated. Now, we must pay anything between Rs 40 and Rs 60 for a single dinner plate. If you make a comparison, a new plate of steel is easily available in the same amount," Indira Mishra, a Gomtinagar-based resident said.
On their part, if kalayi specialists are bumping up prices, it is not without reason. For consumers, the shining utensils they collect from these shops is a result of a few hours of hard physical labour put in by the kalayiwallahs. The special treatment to the utensils begins with a dip in caustic soda to rid them of any oil stains, followed by a thorough rubbing with mild acid. Before the final layer of ranga or solder can be applied, these specialists then vigourously clean the utensils with sand. Finally, on a bed of coal fire, utensils are heated, coated in nausadar (ammonium chloride) and layered with solder using wads of cotton and bare hands.
"Even though it has been a family business that has been carried forward for over three generations, I've singed my hands many times doing kalayi. To attain a level of expertise, and to ensure each utensil is coated evenly, I had to learn the art from my father for two years before I could do on my own," Zubair said.Despite the effort, the dipping demand for kalayi is leaving specialists in a lurch. "During wedding seasons, we coat vessels given away as part of dowry. Hotels and restaurants also commission our services. But these requests are few and far between; not enough to keep us going," Mohammed Islam, another kalayi artist said. For the best-known four in Lucknow, the only hope for survival now rests in their
consumers.
It may be cheaper, but even the best cooks confess cooking in steel utensils is nearly impossible. In contrast, buying brass or copperware and maintaining them is a costly affair.
2011年5月29日星期日
Crunch is king
Crispy-crunchy gets our vote every time. The combo beats out all other textures (yes, even rich and creamy). Perhaps that's why we can't resist a freshly picked radish, the skin off anything roasted, the jumbo deli pickle and chips of any kind.
So when we fell in love with nut-crusted fish and toasted crumb-coated crab cakes while vacationing on the East Coast, we shouldn't have been surprised. A serving of crispy coconut mahi mahi sealed the deal. We had to alter our seafood cooking (mostly broiling and grilling) at home.
Good news: Coating fish and seafood with a crunchy exterior is a bit simpler than coating cutlets for Wiener schnitzel and milanesa. Simply dunk fish fillets in lightly beaten and seasoned egg whites, then into a crumb mixture.
For the coating, a few roasted nuts combined with ultracrisp panko (Japanese-style breadcrumbs) helps ensure crunch. A little unsweetened coconut also adds texture along with just a hint of coconut flavor. (If anyone — meaning my son — objects to coconut, omit it and opt for additional panko.) If you have time, let the coated fish rest on a wire rack set over a baking sheet for a little while; this dries it out a bit so it'll crisp better.
Deep-frying, while maximizing crispness, proves too messy and fat-laden. Brief shallow-frying in a well-seasoned cast-iron pan (or nonstick skillet) skimps on the fat yet still crisps the fish nicely. Pop the pan into a very hot oven to crisp the second side.
Wild-caught mahi mahi from the U.S. works beautifully here. So do fresh Pacific halibut, tuna and U.S. farmed tilapia or catfish. Panko breadcrumbs are available in most large supermarkets and Asian markets. Look for unsweetened coconut in Asian markets and store it in the freezer.
There's a reason tartar sauce accompanies crusted or fried fish — it cuts the rich coating. So does a tangy fruit relish spiked with a little fresh lime. Here, fresh pineapple purchased from the salad bar, mixed with crunchy cucumbers and cilantro adds amazing freshness to the plate in a snap.
A simple side dish of steamed vegetables makes a great accompaniment to the crunchy fish. For dessert — guess what? Rich and creamy tangerine sorbet. Just don't forget the ginger snaps.
So when we fell in love with nut-crusted fish and toasted crumb-coated crab cakes while vacationing on the East Coast, we shouldn't have been surprised. A serving of crispy coconut mahi mahi sealed the deal. We had to alter our seafood cooking (mostly broiling and grilling) at home.
Good news: Coating fish and seafood with a crunchy exterior is a bit simpler than coating cutlets for Wiener schnitzel and milanesa. Simply dunk fish fillets in lightly beaten and seasoned egg whites, then into a crumb mixture.
For the coating, a few roasted nuts combined with ultracrisp panko (Japanese-style breadcrumbs) helps ensure crunch. A little unsweetened coconut also adds texture along with just a hint of coconut flavor. (If anyone — meaning my son — objects to coconut, omit it and opt for additional panko.) If you have time, let the coated fish rest on a wire rack set over a baking sheet for a little while; this dries it out a bit so it'll crisp better.
Deep-frying, while maximizing crispness, proves too messy and fat-laden. Brief shallow-frying in a well-seasoned cast-iron pan (or nonstick skillet) skimps on the fat yet still crisps the fish nicely. Pop the pan into a very hot oven to crisp the second side.
Wild-caught mahi mahi from the U.S. works beautifully here. So do fresh Pacific halibut, tuna and U.S. farmed tilapia or catfish. Panko breadcrumbs are available in most large supermarkets and Asian markets. Look for unsweetened coconut in Asian markets and store it in the freezer.
There's a reason tartar sauce accompanies crusted or fried fish — it cuts the rich coating. So does a tangy fruit relish spiked with a little fresh lime. Here, fresh pineapple purchased from the salad bar, mixed with crunchy cucumbers and cilantro adds amazing freshness to the plate in a snap.
A simple side dish of steamed vegetables makes a great accompaniment to the crunchy fish. For dessert — guess what? Rich and creamy tangerine sorbet. Just don't forget the ginger snaps.
UPM to begin production of coated fine paper sheets at its Kymi Mill
The expansion of the Kymi Mill finishing room will begin in autumn 2011. The expansion will cost approximately €15 million. The project includes a new sheeting, ream wrapping and pallet packaging line. Technical changes related to the handling of the reels of paper machine 8 will also be made. The aim of the new sheeting line is to serve customers in close-by markets more efficiently and flexibly, and to support the production efficiency of the integrated mill site.
The coated UPM Finesse fine paper sheets are used for various graphic printing purposes, such as printed advertising material.
“The new sheeting line for the manufacturing of coated sheets will enable us to serve our customers better and faster than before. Thanks to the more extensive product range, we can ensure efficient use of the integrated mill site. The employment effect of the project is also positive, although it is still too early to estimate the number of jobs that will be created. We will especially need multi-skilled persons for these jobs,” says Timo Suutarla, General Manager for the Kymi Mill.
The Kymi Mill produces approximately 830,000 tonnes of coated and uncoated fine paper per year. Currently, the mill’s sheet production includes A4 size printer and copy paper made of uncoated fine paper. UPM also produces coated sheets in Germany at its Nordland Papier Mill.
For further information, please contact:
Mr Timo Suutarla, General Manager, UPM Kymi, tel. +358 204 153 600
UPM leads the integration of bio and forest industries into a new, sustainable and innovation-driven future. Our products are made of renewable raw materials and are recyclable. UPM consists of three Business Groups: Energy and pulp, Paper, and Engineered materials. The Group employs around 22,000 people and it has production plants in 16 countries. In 2010, UPM’s sales amounted to EUR 8.9 billion. UPM’s shares are listed on the Helsinki stock exchange.
The coated UPM Finesse fine paper sheets are used for various graphic printing purposes, such as printed advertising material.
“The new sheeting line for the manufacturing of coated sheets will enable us to serve our customers better and faster than before. Thanks to the more extensive product range, we can ensure efficient use of the integrated mill site. The employment effect of the project is also positive, although it is still too early to estimate the number of jobs that will be created. We will especially need multi-skilled persons for these jobs,” says Timo Suutarla, General Manager for the Kymi Mill.
The Kymi Mill produces approximately 830,000 tonnes of coated and uncoated fine paper per year. Currently, the mill’s sheet production includes A4 size printer and copy paper made of uncoated fine paper. UPM also produces coated sheets in Germany at its Nordland Papier Mill.
For further information, please contact:
Mr Timo Suutarla, General Manager, UPM Kymi, tel. +358 204 153 600
UPM leads the integration of bio and forest industries into a new, sustainable and innovation-driven future. Our products are made of renewable raw materials and are recyclable. UPM consists of three Business Groups: Energy and pulp, Paper, and Engineered materials. The Group employs around 22,000 people and it has production plants in 16 countries. In 2010, UPM’s sales amounted to EUR 8.9 billion. UPM’s shares are listed on the Helsinki stock exchange.
2011年5月25日星期三
3M Announces A Pair Of Executive Appointments
3M recently named Hak Cheol (H.C.) Shin executive vice president of International Operations and Christopher D. Holmes executive vice president of the Industrial and Transportation Business. Both will report to Inge G. Thulin, who was named 3M's chief operating officer last week. The appointments are effective immediately.
Shin, 53, was previously executive vice president of 3M's largest business, Industrial and Transportation. Holmes, 52, was previously vice president and general manager of 3M's Abrasive Systems Division.
"The appointment of these proven leaders represents continuity and progress toward 3M's goal of faster growth," Thulin said. "As engineers, H.C. and Chris understand very well the technical underpinnings of 3M's innovation and efficiency. More importantly, they understand how our innovation creates success for our customers."
He noted Shin's success in growing the Industrial and Transportation business over the past six years, his strong operational effectiveness and his deep knowledge of 3M's international business.
Thulin pointed to Holmes' focus on driving new product growth and profitability as key to the revitalization of 3M's industrial abrasives business, and to his vast experience in the industrial market.
Shin, 53, was previously executive vice president of 3M's largest business, Industrial and Transportation. Holmes, 52, was previously vice president and general manager of 3M's Abrasive Systems Division.
"The appointment of these proven leaders represents continuity and progress toward 3M's goal of faster growth," Thulin said. "As engineers, H.C. and Chris understand very well the technical underpinnings of 3M's innovation and efficiency. More importantly, they understand how our innovation creates success for our customers."
He noted Shin's success in growing the Industrial and Transportation business over the past six years, his strong operational effectiveness and his deep knowledge of 3M's international business.
Thulin pointed to Holmes' focus on driving new product growth and profitability as key to the revitalization of 3M's industrial abrasives business, and to his vast experience in the industrial market.
Fairborn manufacturer to add lines in joint venture with German firm
Ali Industries Inc. will house new manufacturing work at its Fairborn facility as part of a joint venture with German firm DRONCO AG.
Ali, a manufacturer and distributor of coated abrasives, sanding and finishing tools, employs about 150 people. Its primary brand in retail stores is Gator Finishing Products.
Ali’s facility at 747 E. Xenia Drive will be home to the joint venture, known as DRONCO America LLC.
An Ali spokeswoman on Tuesday said she was unsure how many people may be hired, or how soon hiring might begin.
Ali, founded in 1961 by Frank Ali, father of Ali’s current president, Terry Ali, has annual sales of about $40 million, according to a news release. DRONCO, a manufacturer of resin-bonded cutting, grinding and polishing wheels, as well as diamond tools, has annual sales of $50 million.
Ali said no decision has been made about who will lead the joint venture. For now, Terry Ali will lead the local operation. He was not available for comment Tuesday. The two companies said their product offerings are complementary, with both potentially benefiting from expanding their current product ranges.
DRONCO AG workers will set up new manufacturing lines in the Fairborn facility this summer. DRONCO also will be the exclusive distributor of coated abrasives for Ali Industries in Europe.
Ali, a manufacturer and distributor of coated abrasives, sanding and finishing tools, employs about 150 people. Its primary brand in retail stores is Gator Finishing Products.
Ali’s facility at 747 E. Xenia Drive will be home to the joint venture, known as DRONCO America LLC.
An Ali spokeswoman on Tuesday said she was unsure how many people may be hired, or how soon hiring might begin.
Ali, founded in 1961 by Frank Ali, father of Ali’s current president, Terry Ali, has annual sales of about $40 million, according to a news release. DRONCO, a manufacturer of resin-bonded cutting, grinding and polishing wheels, as well as diamond tools, has annual sales of $50 million.
Ali said no decision has been made about who will lead the joint venture. For now, Terry Ali will lead the local operation. He was not available for comment Tuesday. The two companies said their product offerings are complementary, with both potentially benefiting from expanding their current product ranges.
DRONCO AG workers will set up new manufacturing lines in the Fairborn facility this summer. DRONCO also will be the exclusive distributor of coated abrasives for Ali Industries in Europe.
2011年5月22日星期日
Sappi Fine Paper Europe Announces Cessation of Coated Graphic Paper Production at its Biberist Mill
Sappi Fine Paper Europe announced today that it will cease production of coated graphic paper at its Biberist paper mill in Switzerland. After due and thorough consideration during the consultation process with local employees ending on 16 May 2011 the definitive decision to discontinue the coated graphic paper production was taken. It is anticipated that production will cease by the end of July. The consultation was conducted with good co-operation between all parties involved, complying with the applicable Swiss legal framework.
Sappi continues to investigate possibilities for the sale and alternative industrial use of the site. Promising leads are being followed up, with a clear emphasis on those which generate the maximum employment opportunities. To give potential acquirers interested to convert the mill to alternative products the opportunity to complete a transaction, a decision regarding the future of paper machine No 6 (PM6) and paper machine No 9 (PM9) as well as associated support departments has been postponed. However, those employees working on paper machine No 8 (PM8) and associated people in finishing and supporting departments will be served notice of redundancy by the end of May. A social plan will specify redundancy terms, including provisions for outplacement and training support for all affected employees. The social plan will ensure that the affected employees are provided the best possible opportunities to secure new jobs.
In consultation with and supported by the Cantonal government of Solothurn, a decision concerning the remaining employees will be made by the end of July. The Biberist Mill employs around 550 employees in total.
"We recognise this is a very difficult and unfortunate outcome for those employees concerned, their families and the communities surrounding the mill," commented Berry Wiersum, CEO of Sappi Fine Paper Europe. "Unfortunately this action was unavoidable and essential given the continued overcapacity and sustained increases in input costs."
Volumes produced at the mill will be transferred to other Sappi sites. Production of the uncoated Cento brand will continue unless a suitable new owner for the mill is not found by the end of July. There will be no supply interruption of coated paper to customers during the transfer of production.
With the cessation of coated graphic paper production at Biberist mill, Sappi will reduce its coated graphic paper capacity by 500 000 tons per annum.
Sappi continues to investigate possibilities for the sale and alternative industrial use of the site. Promising leads are being followed up, with a clear emphasis on those which generate the maximum employment opportunities. To give potential acquirers interested to convert the mill to alternative products the opportunity to complete a transaction, a decision regarding the future of paper machine No 6 (PM6) and paper machine No 9 (PM9) as well as associated support departments has been postponed. However, those employees working on paper machine No 8 (PM8) and associated people in finishing and supporting departments will be served notice of redundancy by the end of May. A social plan will specify redundancy terms, including provisions for outplacement and training support for all affected employees. The social plan will ensure that the affected employees are provided the best possible opportunities to secure new jobs.
In consultation with and supported by the Cantonal government of Solothurn, a decision concerning the remaining employees will be made by the end of July. The Biberist Mill employs around 550 employees in total.
"We recognise this is a very difficult and unfortunate outcome for those employees concerned, their families and the communities surrounding the mill," commented Berry Wiersum, CEO of Sappi Fine Paper Europe. "Unfortunately this action was unavoidable and essential given the continued overcapacity and sustained increases in input costs."
Volumes produced at the mill will be transferred to other Sappi sites. Production of the uncoated Cento brand will continue unless a suitable new owner for the mill is not found by the end of July. There will be no supply interruption of coated paper to customers during the transfer of production.
With the cessation of coated graphic paper production at Biberist mill, Sappi will reduce its coated graphic paper capacity by 500 000 tons per annum.
2Sand.com partners with NauTech IT Solutions to foster Effective Online Presence
RJ Stroman, owner and founder of 2Sand.com, started woodworking in 1986 as a hobby while working in manufacturing as a chemical engineer. While always maintaining an interest in woodworking, his concern for the environment led to a passion for woodturning, when he began recycling tree service logs into wooden bowls in 2002. His hunt for woodturning abrasives at a reasonable cost (specifically 2" hook and loop discs for bowl turning) sparked the idea for an online coated abrasives business - one that carried everything in regards to sanding supplies. So in 2007, 2Sand.com was formed to fulfill and cater for needs of woodworking enthusiasts - since then it has grown into a premier provider of sanding supplier for businesses - now 2Sand wants to continue to expand its strong client base using the Internet as a medium. For this purpose, it has entered into partnership with NauTech IT Solutions, a premier IT solutions company in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
Founder of NauTech has been in the Information Technology industry for more than 20 years now. The company has catered to a diverse range of clients, delivering unique and reliable IT solutions that are in sync with a client's business vision. NauTech will help 2Sand.com reach a new pedestal as far as online presence is concerned.
Through strategic use of keywords, onpage content optimization, effective link building, and social media promotion the company will help it build an online presence that will ensure high position in search engine result pages. Consequently, 2Sand.coms' products will become an easily identifiable brand in the world of Internet.
Founder of NauTech has been in the Information Technology industry for more than 20 years now. The company has catered to a diverse range of clients, delivering unique and reliable IT solutions that are in sync with a client's business vision. NauTech will help 2Sand.com reach a new pedestal as far as online presence is concerned.
Through strategic use of keywords, onpage content optimization, effective link building, and social media promotion the company will help it build an online presence that will ensure high position in search engine result pages. Consequently, 2Sand.coms' products will become an easily identifiable brand in the world of Internet.
2011年5月18日星期三
Spooner launches new Website for 2011
Marketing manager Kate Baker says, “Following our move to the £4m purpose built manufacturing facilities, the website has needed updating to reflect the state of the art premises. The old site lacked information, imagination and was only available in English. With 80% of Spooner processing equipment exported around the world the website has to be accessible in every language.”
Spooner’s new website has been broken down by products and industries as Spooner also apply their innovative forced convection technology for the paper, converting, food and environmental industries as well as metals sector.
Based in Ilkley, West Yorkshire, UK, Spooner Industries has almost 80 years’ experience in forced convection drying, curing, converting, cooling and non-contact handling of coated and impregnated web materials, whether the substrate be paper, film, foil or heavy metal strips. Spooner is continuously developing new and innovative technologies and solutions in their in-house testing and R&D facilities to remain at the forefront of the food industry.
Camfil Farr Air Pollution Control (APC) (Jonesboro, AR), a leading producer of industrial dust and fume collectors, has published a new brochure to help companies engaged in metalworking operations to understand and comply with the new EPA regulation for Metal Fabrication Hazardous Air Pollutants (MFHAP). Under the sweeping new requirement, which covers nine metal fabricating and finishing source categories, companies that used to exhaust welding fumes and other process contaminants outside the plant will no longer be permitted to do so, and will now be required to prove “zero opacity.”
The informational brochure from Camfil Farr APC pinpoints the most important aspects of the MFHAP regulation, including upcoming deadlines, the processes impacted by the regulation, and monitoring and test methods required for compliance. It also discusses the role of high efficiency dust and fume collectors in maintaining compliance while also reducing energy costs.
Spooner’s new website has been broken down by products and industries as Spooner also apply their innovative forced convection technology for the paper, converting, food and environmental industries as well as metals sector.
Based in Ilkley, West Yorkshire, UK, Spooner Industries has almost 80 years’ experience in forced convection drying, curing, converting, cooling and non-contact handling of coated and impregnated web materials, whether the substrate be paper, film, foil or heavy metal strips. Spooner is continuously developing new and innovative technologies and solutions in their in-house testing and R&D facilities to remain at the forefront of the food industry.
Camfil Farr Air Pollution Control (APC) (Jonesboro, AR), a leading producer of industrial dust and fume collectors, has published a new brochure to help companies engaged in metalworking operations to understand and comply with the new EPA regulation for Metal Fabrication Hazardous Air Pollutants (MFHAP). Under the sweeping new requirement, which covers nine metal fabricating and finishing source categories, companies that used to exhaust welding fumes and other process contaminants outside the plant will no longer be permitted to do so, and will now be required to prove “zero opacity.”
The informational brochure from Camfil Farr APC pinpoints the most important aspects of the MFHAP regulation, including upcoming deadlines, the processes impacted by the regulation, and monitoring and test methods required for compliance. It also discusses the role of high efficiency dust and fume collectors in maintaining compliance while also reducing energy costs.
New Industrial Abrasives Directory from the Custom Manufacturing Marketplace
The custom manufacturing marketplace MFGmatch.net issued a statement this morning that negotiations with IndustrialSAVER have been completed to launch an online Abrasives Marketplace at The company said in a press release Monday the e-marketplace will be used to offer a wide range of bonded and coated abrasives for metalworkers, woodworkers, construction, auto body repair, machine shops, custom casting foundries, precision parts manufacturers, plastic molding and other applications. Products to be offered on the site, according to MFGmatch officials include abrasive belts, CBN tools, grinding wheels, stones, sandpaper, slotted discs, rolling paper, superabrasives, diamond & CBN wheels, cartridge rolls, grinders as well as other finishing, sanding and grinding tools and supplies.
As a division of Industrial Leaders Group (ILG), MFGmatch, according to Murphy is able to offer a steady stream of new high performance engineered grinding and sanding products for international and domestic markets. Murphy said the abrasive products directory presents primarily U.S. manufacturers and distributors of sandpaper sheets, hand pads, floor sanding, diamond wheels, cut-off tools, carbide tools, I.D., O.D. & centerless grinding machines, Blanchard grinders, resin and cotton-bonded products, surface preparation, polishing & conditioning supplies as well as bi-metal & carbon steel cutting blades, discs, stones, belts, wheels and allied products.
“The idea of the coated, bonded and superabrasives marketplace and directory is to help companies find and compare U.S. and international manufacturers and distributors of abrasive products for virtually all grinding, sanding and finishing applications as required for metalworking, woodworking, automotive, precision machining and other industries,” said Murphy. He added, “MFGmatch can help companies sourcing for top brands such as Norton®, Saint Gobain®, Osborn®, Dynabrade®, Metabo®, Walter®, Merit®, Weiler® and other well known brands.” Murphy went on to say recent products added to the directory include abrasive belt machines, cutting wheels, mounted & unmounted flap wheels, surface conditioning belt, PSA cloth discs and quick change mini sanding disc. For additional information interested parties are asked to visit IndustrialSAVER.com, where the marketplace is currently being hosted.
As a division of Industrial Leaders Group (ILG), MFGmatch, according to Murphy is able to offer a steady stream of new high performance engineered grinding and sanding products for international and domestic markets. Murphy said the abrasive products directory presents primarily U.S. manufacturers and distributors of sandpaper sheets, hand pads, floor sanding, diamond wheels, cut-off tools, carbide tools, I.D., O.D. & centerless grinding machines, Blanchard grinders, resin and cotton-bonded products, surface preparation, polishing & conditioning supplies as well as bi-metal & carbon steel cutting blades, discs, stones, belts, wheels and allied products.
“The idea of the coated, bonded and superabrasives marketplace and directory is to help companies find and compare U.S. and international manufacturers and distributors of abrasive products for virtually all grinding, sanding and finishing applications as required for metalworking, woodworking, automotive, precision machining and other industries,” said Murphy. He added, “MFGmatch can help companies sourcing for top brands such as Norton®, Saint Gobain®, Osborn®, Dynabrade®, Metabo®, Walter®, Merit®, Weiler® and other well known brands.” Murphy went on to say recent products added to the directory include abrasive belt machines, cutting wheels, mounted & unmounted flap wheels, surface conditioning belt, PSA cloth discs and quick change mini sanding disc. For additional information interested parties are asked to visit IndustrialSAVER.com, where the marketplace is currently being hosted.
2011年5月15日星期日
Carborundum Universal: Buy
Carborundum Universal (CUMI) is among the few mid-cap companies to have also emerged as a market leader in its sector. Successful backward integration, strategically located production units in some of the low cost destinations globally and efforts to improve realisations through moving up the value chain all buttress strong earnings growth over the next couple of years.
Investors with at least a two-year perspective can consider exposure to the stock of CUMI. At the current market price of Rs 260, the stock trades at 11.3 times its estimated consolidated per share earnings for FY-13.
CUMI made a breakthrough in securing raw material for itself and significantly diversifying its geographic presence when it made two significant acquisitions in 2007 and 2008 in Russia and South Africa respectively. This gave the company access to key and scarce raw materials – silicon carbide and zirconia used in high-end abrasives and ceramics. While much of these products are currently sold, the company has ensured that its future plans are secure given the access to key inputs at a time when the global thirst for control of raw materials is on the rise.
Successful integration is beginning to show on CUMI”s EBITDA margins, which improved by close to 3 percentage points to over 20 per cent in the March 2011 quarter over a year ago; despite increase in raw material prices.Clearly superior realisation from value-added products has helped. The company focus on high-end ceramic products such as metallised cylinders and attempts to improve products in the coated abrasive segment could all help improve overall realisations.
CUMI's electro minerals division, although not the largest in terms of sales, was the highest contributor to operating profits. However, to this extent, this segment may behave more like a commodity and hence can witness volatility during price declines.
The business as a whole though, does not suffer from cycles/downturns as abrasives and ceramics are bought as part of a plant's capex plan as well as during recurring operating expenses.
CUMI ended FY-11 with a 25 per cent growth in consolidated sales to Rs 1601 crore while net profits expanded 68 per cent to Rs 171 crore. The earnings growth for the standalone unit was higher. Though the company was never been high on debt, it reduced its debt levels further to bring debt equity ratio to 0.3. While expansion and debottlenecking operations are on, growth from some of the segments such as abrasives may be limited for the next one year until capacities are up.
Investors with at least a two-year perspective can consider exposure to the stock of CUMI. At the current market price of Rs 260, the stock trades at 11.3 times its estimated consolidated per share earnings for FY-13.
CUMI made a breakthrough in securing raw material for itself and significantly diversifying its geographic presence when it made two significant acquisitions in 2007 and 2008 in Russia and South Africa respectively. This gave the company access to key and scarce raw materials – silicon carbide and zirconia used in high-end abrasives and ceramics. While much of these products are currently sold, the company has ensured that its future plans are secure given the access to key inputs at a time when the global thirst for control of raw materials is on the rise.
Successful integration is beginning to show on CUMI”s EBITDA margins, which improved by close to 3 percentage points to over 20 per cent in the March 2011 quarter over a year ago; despite increase in raw material prices.Clearly superior realisation from value-added products has helped. The company focus on high-end ceramic products such as metallised cylinders and attempts to improve products in the coated abrasive segment could all help improve overall realisations.
CUMI's electro minerals division, although not the largest in terms of sales, was the highest contributor to operating profits. However, to this extent, this segment may behave more like a commodity and hence can witness volatility during price declines.
The business as a whole though, does not suffer from cycles/downturns as abrasives and ceramics are bought as part of a plant's capex plan as well as during recurring operating expenses.
CUMI ended FY-11 with a 25 per cent growth in consolidated sales to Rs 1601 crore while net profits expanded 68 per cent to Rs 171 crore. The earnings growth for the standalone unit was higher. Though the company was never been high on debt, it reduced its debt levels further to bring debt equity ratio to 0.3. While expansion and debottlenecking operations are on, growth from some of the segments such as abrasives may be limited for the next one year until capacities are up.
FOR KIDS: Ash blast
NASA’s Terra satellite captured this image of the brown, ashy volcanic plume mixing with weather clouds on May 13, 2010.NASA/Goddard/MODIS Rapid Response Team
In April 2010, a volcano erupted in Iceland and blasted ash more than 6 miles into the air. The event didn’t impact only people in Iceland: The cloud of debris polluted skies all over Europe. Officials were worried that the ash would scratch airplane windows and clog jet engines, so air traffic was grounded for seven days to keep everyone as safe as possible. Newspapers reported that the delays cost billions of dollars and affected more than 10 million people.
“Aviation authorities made the right decision,” Susan Stipp told Science News. She should know: Stipp, a geoscientist at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, recently led a study of the volcanic ash that ended up in the sky. The study shows that the ash was extremely dangerous, made of sharp and abrasive particles that could have caused serious damage. Plus, small particles might have stuck to larger ones and later broken off — which means the risk of breathing polluted air might be higher than was previously thought.
Geoscientists investigate natural phenomena on Earth using a wide variety of scientific tools. Stipp and her colleagues conducted intensive physics and chemistry experiments on the debris from the volcano, called Eyjafjallajökull (for help with this tricky pronunciation, see the link under “Further Reading”). The team wanted to know the health and safety risks that ash posed to people — such as poisoned drinking water or polluted air.
Stipp received the ash samples from two volcanologists, Sigurdur Gíslason and Helgi Alfredsson, who work at the University of Iceland in Reykjavík. (Volcanologists, as you might expect, study volcanoes.) After the eruption, while most people were fleeing for safety, Alfredsson and Gíslason raced to the smoky scene to get fresh ash. Twelve days later, the volcanologists collected more ash. They sent their samples to Stipp.
At her lab, Stipp and her colleagues performed a number of tests on the samples. They found that fresh ash, which had been collected right after the explosion, was more powdery and more abrasive than ash collected 12 days later. An abrasive material can grind or scratch other materials.
access
The sharp edges of the ash ejected from Eyjafjallajökull volcano are revealed in this picture taken with a powerful microscope.S. Gislason et al/PNAS 2011
The scientists also found that when they dropped the ash in water, small amounts of salts washed off. This wasn’t salt like you’d find on a dinner table. The word salt can refer to a wide variety of chemical compounds. In this case, the salts came from chlorine, fluorine and arsenic. These chemicals were present in the volcano, probably as high-pressure gases, and coated the ash on its way out.
The scientists can estimate the amount of these chemicals in drinking water by studying how fast they wash off the ash. If researchers know the amount of chemicals in the water, they can estimate the health risks and warn people. Though chlorine, fluorine and arsenic all occur in nature, too much of these chemicals can be a bad thing for people.
The work by Stipp and her team is more than just a study of an historical event. She told Science News that other laboratories can run the same tests after other eruptions — and quickly gain valuable information about the health risks that might show up in the wake of such an event.
POWER WORDS (adapted from the New Oxford American Dictionary)
volcanology The scientific study of volcanoes.
physics The scientific study of energy and matter. Physics includes the areas of mechanics, heat, light and other radiation, sound, electricity, magnetism and the structure of atoms.
chemistry The scientific study of the substances of which matter is composed, including the investigation of the ways these substances combine and change.
debris Scattered fragments, typically of something wrecked or destroyed.
salt Any chemical compound formed from the reaction of an acid with a base.
In April 2010, a volcano erupted in Iceland and blasted ash more than 6 miles into the air. The event didn’t impact only people in Iceland: The cloud of debris polluted skies all over Europe. Officials were worried that the ash would scratch airplane windows and clog jet engines, so air traffic was grounded for seven days to keep everyone as safe as possible. Newspapers reported that the delays cost billions of dollars and affected more than 10 million people.
“Aviation authorities made the right decision,” Susan Stipp told Science News. She should know: Stipp, a geoscientist at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, recently led a study of the volcanic ash that ended up in the sky. The study shows that the ash was extremely dangerous, made of sharp and abrasive particles that could have caused serious damage. Plus, small particles might have stuck to larger ones and later broken off — which means the risk of breathing polluted air might be higher than was previously thought.
Geoscientists investigate natural phenomena on Earth using a wide variety of scientific tools. Stipp and her colleagues conducted intensive physics and chemistry experiments on the debris from the volcano, called Eyjafjallajökull (for help with this tricky pronunciation, see the link under “Further Reading”). The team wanted to know the health and safety risks that ash posed to people — such as poisoned drinking water or polluted air.
Stipp received the ash samples from two volcanologists, Sigurdur Gíslason and Helgi Alfredsson, who work at the University of Iceland in Reykjavík. (Volcanologists, as you might expect, study volcanoes.) After the eruption, while most people were fleeing for safety, Alfredsson and Gíslason raced to the smoky scene to get fresh ash. Twelve days later, the volcanologists collected more ash. They sent their samples to Stipp.
At her lab, Stipp and her colleagues performed a number of tests on the samples. They found that fresh ash, which had been collected right after the explosion, was more powdery and more abrasive than ash collected 12 days later. An abrasive material can grind or scratch other materials.
access
The sharp edges of the ash ejected from Eyjafjallajökull volcano are revealed in this picture taken with a powerful microscope.S. Gislason et al/PNAS 2011
The scientists also found that when they dropped the ash in water, small amounts of salts washed off. This wasn’t salt like you’d find on a dinner table. The word salt can refer to a wide variety of chemical compounds. In this case, the salts came from chlorine, fluorine and arsenic. These chemicals were present in the volcano, probably as high-pressure gases, and coated the ash on its way out.
The scientists can estimate the amount of these chemicals in drinking water by studying how fast they wash off the ash. If researchers know the amount of chemicals in the water, they can estimate the health risks and warn people. Though chlorine, fluorine and arsenic all occur in nature, too much of these chemicals can be a bad thing for people.
The work by Stipp and her team is more than just a study of an historical event. She told Science News that other laboratories can run the same tests after other eruptions — and quickly gain valuable information about the health risks that might show up in the wake of such an event.
POWER WORDS (adapted from the New Oxford American Dictionary)
volcanology The scientific study of volcanoes.
physics The scientific study of energy and matter. Physics includes the areas of mechanics, heat, light and other radiation, sound, electricity, magnetism and the structure of atoms.
chemistry The scientific study of the substances of which matter is composed, including the investigation of the ways these substances combine and change.
debris Scattered fragments, typically of something wrecked or destroyed.
salt Any chemical compound formed from the reaction of an acid with a base.
2011年5月10日星期二
The tongue doesn't have to be coated for breath to be bad
Almost anyone knows that the main symptom of halitosis is the smell, which can vary in intensity and aroma but is always unpleasant. However, researchers in Brazil recently explored the idea that bad breath can be detected with the eyes, by looking for tongues with a white coating.
Almost anyone knows that the main symptom of halitosis is the smell, which can vary in intensity and aroma but is always unpleasant. However, researchers in Brazil recently explored the idea that bad breath can be detected with the eyes, by looking for tongues with a white coating.
Did their results pan out? The short answer is no, they didn't. Their report, which appears in the journal Revista Gaucha de Odontologia, found that there is no relationship between a white color at the back of the tongue and bad breath.
After analyzing the tongues of 80 people, the group determined that a white tongue coating is not a good indicator of oral odor, but not because people with white tongues don't have bad breath. No, instead the team found that people with white tongues and people without them both tend to have halitosis.
Using an oral care probiotic kit can help minimize bad breath in either case, since most funky breath is caused by bacteria on the tongue. Apparently, not all of these microbial colonies can be seen with the naked eye.
Almost anyone knows that the main symptom of halitosis is the smell, which can vary in intensity and aroma but is always unpleasant. However, researchers in Brazil recently explored the idea that bad breath can be detected with the eyes, by looking for tongues with a white coating.
Did their results pan out? The short answer is no, they didn't. Their report, which appears in the journal Revista Gaucha de Odontologia, found that there is no relationship between a white color at the back of the tongue and bad breath.
After analyzing the tongues of 80 people, the group determined that a white tongue coating is not a good indicator of oral odor, but not because people with white tongues don't have bad breath. No, instead the team found that people with white tongues and people without them both tend to have halitosis.
Using an oral care probiotic kit can help minimize bad breath in either case, since most funky breath is caused by bacteria on the tongue. Apparently, not all of these microbial colonies can be seen with the naked eye.
Abacon snapped up by Bibielle
Bibielle (UK), based in Leicester, has bought coated abrasives business Abacon. Italy-headquartered Bibielle also specialises in abrasives.
The corporate team of law firm Taylor&Emmet advised Sheffield-based Abacon on the disposal.
Established in 1986, Abacon supplies both the metal working and woodworking industries with its finishing products.
Bibielle, a research and development-driven business, was established in 1965.
The legal work by Taylor&Emmet was led by Peter Crawford and Lisa Wallis, with support from Taylor&Emmet's commercial property and employment teams.
Crawford said: "Abacon is an important player within its industry sector. Their knowledge, experience and customer base ensued that they were an ideal acquisition target and I am certain that the business will go from strength to strength as part of the Bibielle group."
The corporate team of law firm Taylor&Emmet advised Sheffield-based Abacon on the disposal.
Established in 1986, Abacon supplies both the metal working and woodworking industries with its finishing products.
Bibielle, a research and development-driven business, was established in 1965.
The legal work by Taylor&Emmet was led by Peter Crawford and Lisa Wallis, with support from Taylor&Emmet's commercial property and employment teams.
Crawford said: "Abacon is an important player within its industry sector. Their knowledge, experience and customer base ensued that they were an ideal acquisition target and I am certain that the business will go from strength to strength as part of the Bibielle group."
2011年5月8日星期日
A growing economy provides fresh means of illegal gain
Tihar jail today has the largest collection of charged or convicted top officials, a powerful ex-minister, sundry politicians and officials. Maharashtra had a teflon-coated chief minister who was ‘sacked’ to a cabinet post in Delhi after being long untouched by many scandals. Another just exited. A former Jharkhand chief minister is in jail on charges of looting his state treasury and accumulating funds abroad. The powerful founder of the Nationalist Congress Party has now been repeatedly named in connection with major corruption — the real estate firm connected with the 2G scam, the horse breeder charged with being the biggest conduit to overseas bank accounts, the ills of the aviation sector including poor pilot training, the collapse of the nationalized airlines and so on. There is a sea change in public attitudes to high-level corruption in government and therefore to how at least some are punished.
A wave of disgust at the sleaze and shamelessness of government officials including politicians has swept the public. Anna Hazare tapped into this wave of revulsion. The Lok Pal was his first answer to dealing with such corrupt officials and their political bosses. Many other actions are necessary and the National Advisory Council seems seized with them. But this revulsion may not influence elections because of the presence of corrupt politicians in all parties.
Indira Gandhi famously excused corruption, saying it is a global phenomenon. Some of our corrupt achievements: the purchase of aeroplanes; the transfer of Air India and Indian Airlines routes to foreign and domestic private airlines for personal consideration; the purchase of defence equipment; other public sector purchases of machinery and materials; the blatant Commonwealth Games thefts; the suspicion of organized diversion of government funds in the many social sector programmes like the public distribution system, the national rural employment guarantee scheme and so on, which miss many of the deserving, or from commissions on infrastructure contracts.
State governments are the breeding grounds for lessons on ways to accumulate illegal wealth. Spending on many government purchases and contracts, ongoing scandals for many years in both the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam governments, unresolved issues relating to the Lalu Prasad animal husbandry scandal, the decades-long deprivation of development expenditure in the north-eastern states because of the diversion of Central development funds for the purchase of private real estate in Delhi and elsewhere by ruling politicians, the amassing of huge rupee and foreign currency fortunes by a Jharkhand chief minister during a brief time in office, the land scandals when Nariman Point was reclaimed and the recent land grab for special economic zones are a few examples.
In the command and control economy till 1985, industrial success depended on who you knew in government and how much you were willing to pay. Payment was for industrial licences to start factories, import licences for forbidden materials, export licences to allow exports of items scarce in India, and contracts to do things for governments or supply goods and services. At lower levels of the administration, there were and continue to be, permits to build, violate building norms, pollute the neighbourhood without fear, employ child labour and for excessive hours, change contractual government terms and so on.
Liberalization and the spread of information technology closed some sources of corruption (like railway and air tickets), but new ones emerged or old ones became much bigger (for example, small payoffs for industrial licences versus huge ones for telecommunications spectrum sales). With economic growth and increased government revenues, there is huge spending on infrastructure and social schemes to encourage “inclusive growth”. There are now larger opportunities to divert government funds meant for benefiting society and the poor and vulnerable. Corruption in all political parties for funds to fight elections, maintain ‘volunteers’ in normal times, and create extra incomes and wealth for politicians is blatant and shameless. None of it is possible without bureaucrats assisting and benefiting from it.
The weakness of our governance — its institutions, systems and rules — is reflected in the loot of funds for services meant for the poor, martyrs and infrastructure. The Global Financial Integrity report in the latest estimate of such funds abroad says that between 1948 and 2008, $462 billion from drug and human trafficking, corruption, fraud and currency counterfeiting was sent out by private companies and individuals.
The rule of law in India is slow and weak. Every government creates the environment for black money. Weak penal powers are rarely exercised. The good news is that some exposures are leading to action because of competitive media, growing middle-class awareness, the Right to Information Act and the recent activism of the Supreme Court.
These, and a Lok Pal with prosecuting powers, are only touching different aspects of the elephant that is corruption. The system has to reform as in the 1990s when extortionate personal and corporate income tax rates were reduced, foreign exchange allowances and remittances made generous, imports opened up with much lower duties. But under-invoicing of exports and over-invoicing of imports continue, with illegal drugs and arms trades. Illegal pickings are large in a growing economy. Politicians and the bureaucracy have created a further enabler by emphasizing foreign institutional investment over direct investment. The continuation of anonymous investments in the stock market through participatory notes and exempting FIIs from short-term capital-gains tax are government-created enablers for money to enter India by hawala, be invested, make a profit and go back overseas as ‘clean’ money.
The government owns many scarce resources like land, mineral, air waves and spectrum worth huge amounts; these are sources of large illegal earnings. The acquisition and allocation of resources, price determination of valuable resources like oil and gas, the exploitation of valuable minerals in forest and tribal lands, allocation of spectrum are new and massive opportunities for corruption. So is the procurement of defence equipment, railway engines, aeroplanes and so on. Government spending on physical and social infrastructures and social welfare schemes are new sources for politicians and bureaucrats to divert funds for personal use.
These thefts occur despite the many investigatory agencies — police, the Central Vigilance Commission, the comptroller and auditor general, the Central Bureau of Investigation, Serious Fraud Office, enforcement directorate, Lok Ayuktas in some states, apart from the judiciary and the media. They have not halted or rolled back this flood of corruption and theft. There are many reasons — a lack of talent for investigation, poor follow-up and no support after initial investigatory enthusiasm, the slow and cumbersome process of framing charges, getting government permission to prosecute bureaucrats and ministers, bringing people to trial, the slow judicial process with time-consuming appellate processes, and the absence of severe punishment for anyone found guilty.
A wave of disgust at the sleaze and shamelessness of government officials including politicians has swept the public. Anna Hazare tapped into this wave of revulsion. The Lok Pal was his first answer to dealing with such corrupt officials and their political bosses. Many other actions are necessary and the National Advisory Council seems seized with them. But this revulsion may not influence elections because of the presence of corrupt politicians in all parties.
Indira Gandhi famously excused corruption, saying it is a global phenomenon. Some of our corrupt achievements: the purchase of aeroplanes; the transfer of Air India and Indian Airlines routes to foreign and domestic private airlines for personal consideration; the purchase of defence equipment; other public sector purchases of machinery and materials; the blatant Commonwealth Games thefts; the suspicion of organized diversion of government funds in the many social sector programmes like the public distribution system, the national rural employment guarantee scheme and so on, which miss many of the deserving, or from commissions on infrastructure contracts.
State governments are the breeding grounds for lessons on ways to accumulate illegal wealth. Spending on many government purchases and contracts, ongoing scandals for many years in both the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam governments, unresolved issues relating to the Lalu Prasad animal husbandry scandal, the decades-long deprivation of development expenditure in the north-eastern states because of the diversion of Central development funds for the purchase of private real estate in Delhi and elsewhere by ruling politicians, the amassing of huge rupee and foreign currency fortunes by a Jharkhand chief minister during a brief time in office, the land scandals when Nariman Point was reclaimed and the recent land grab for special economic zones are a few examples.
In the command and control economy till 1985, industrial success depended on who you knew in government and how much you were willing to pay. Payment was for industrial licences to start factories, import licences for forbidden materials, export licences to allow exports of items scarce in India, and contracts to do things for governments or supply goods and services. At lower levels of the administration, there were and continue to be, permits to build, violate building norms, pollute the neighbourhood without fear, employ child labour and for excessive hours, change contractual government terms and so on.
Liberalization and the spread of information technology closed some sources of corruption (like railway and air tickets), but new ones emerged or old ones became much bigger (for example, small payoffs for industrial licences versus huge ones for telecommunications spectrum sales). With economic growth and increased government revenues, there is huge spending on infrastructure and social schemes to encourage “inclusive growth”. There are now larger opportunities to divert government funds meant for benefiting society and the poor and vulnerable. Corruption in all political parties for funds to fight elections, maintain ‘volunteers’ in normal times, and create extra incomes and wealth for politicians is blatant and shameless. None of it is possible without bureaucrats assisting and benefiting from it.
The weakness of our governance — its institutions, systems and rules — is reflected in the loot of funds for services meant for the poor, martyrs and infrastructure. The Global Financial Integrity report in the latest estimate of such funds abroad says that between 1948 and 2008, $462 billion from drug and human trafficking, corruption, fraud and currency counterfeiting was sent out by private companies and individuals.
The rule of law in India is slow and weak. Every government creates the environment for black money. Weak penal powers are rarely exercised. The good news is that some exposures are leading to action because of competitive media, growing middle-class awareness, the Right to Information Act and the recent activism of the Supreme Court.
These, and a Lok Pal with prosecuting powers, are only touching different aspects of the elephant that is corruption. The system has to reform as in the 1990s when extortionate personal and corporate income tax rates were reduced, foreign exchange allowances and remittances made generous, imports opened up with much lower duties. But under-invoicing of exports and over-invoicing of imports continue, with illegal drugs and arms trades. Illegal pickings are large in a growing economy. Politicians and the bureaucracy have created a further enabler by emphasizing foreign institutional investment over direct investment. The continuation of anonymous investments in the stock market through participatory notes and exempting FIIs from short-term capital-gains tax are government-created enablers for money to enter India by hawala, be invested, make a profit and go back overseas as ‘clean’ money.
The government owns many scarce resources like land, mineral, air waves and spectrum worth huge amounts; these are sources of large illegal earnings. The acquisition and allocation of resources, price determination of valuable resources like oil and gas, the exploitation of valuable minerals in forest and tribal lands, allocation of spectrum are new and massive opportunities for corruption. So is the procurement of defence equipment, railway engines, aeroplanes and so on. Government spending on physical and social infrastructures and social welfare schemes are new sources for politicians and bureaucrats to divert funds for personal use.
These thefts occur despite the many investigatory agencies — police, the Central Vigilance Commission, the comptroller and auditor general, the Central Bureau of Investigation, Serious Fraud Office, enforcement directorate, Lok Ayuktas in some states, apart from the judiciary and the media. They have not halted or rolled back this flood of corruption and theft. There are many reasons — a lack of talent for investigation, poor follow-up and no support after initial investigatory enthusiasm, the slow and cumbersome process of framing charges, getting government permission to prosecute bureaucrats and ministers, bringing people to trial, the slow judicial process with time-consuming appellate processes, and the absence of severe punishment for anyone found guilty.
2011年5月5日星期四
Off-Roading
Every few years, the Western stirs and lets out a muffled croak, although the sound could just as easily be gas escaping from its bloated corpse. The wagon-train movie, however, is well and truly dead, its bones bleached by the sun and coated with exhaust fumes. Who can imagine a time at which it might take weeks to effect a river crossing, months to traverse an expanse a jet can fly over in minutes?
The rap on Kelly Reichardt's Meek's Cutoff, inspired by an ill-fated episode in the history of the Oregon Trail, is that it's pointlessly distended and narratively slight — in other words, slow and boring. And while it's positively zippy compared to the events it depicts, it's clear that Reichardt and her screenwriter, Jon Raymond, mean to convey something of the endless drudgery of a desert crossing, made worse by the dubious navigational skills of Stephen Meek (Bruce Greenwood), a self-mythologizing mountain man with a Buffalo Bill beard and a twang as thick as tar. Large stretches pass without dialogue, and shots of the wagons rolling across the parched ground are a constant refrain.
The scope of the real 1845 expedition is drastically reduced, from 200 wagons to three, a move in keeping not only with the budgetary restrictions of an independent film, but also with Reichardt's desire to whittle the settlers' ordeal down to its core. Details of place and origin are shaved away, leaving only the present tense. We glean little about the three couples undertaking the journey, apart from their immediate responses: the Gatelys (Zoe Kazan and Paul Dano) grow hysterical; the Whites (Shirley Henderson and Neal Huff), anxious; the Tetherows (Michelle Williams and Will Patton), resolute. Their abstracted journey inevitably lends itself to allegorical readings about a nation adrift in the desert, especially once the settlers capture an Indian (Rod Rondeaux) and try to persuade him to lead them out. But though Reichardt and Raymond both point out the story's contemporary echoes in interviews, it cripples the film's resonance to reduce it to a parable of Bush-era folly.
More than a political tract, Meek's Cutoff functions as a sculpture in time, a careful stock-taking of the settlers' progress, both forward and back. When the Indian first appears in the landscape, Reichardt uses the loading of a flintlock rifle to generate almost unbearable tension. In a long shot that reduces her to a hazy figure in the midst of open space, Williams fires a shot into the air, and then reloads, a process that takes a half-dozen steps and what feels like several minutes. Then, she abruptly cuts away on the sound of the second shot, increasing its impact and incidentally demonstrating that the film's "real time" is nothing of the sort. Reichardt and Raymond don't use conventional tools to propel their story forward, but it moves at its own calculated pace.
The rap on Kelly Reichardt's Meek's Cutoff, inspired by an ill-fated episode in the history of the Oregon Trail, is that it's pointlessly distended and narratively slight — in other words, slow and boring. And while it's positively zippy compared to the events it depicts, it's clear that Reichardt and her screenwriter, Jon Raymond, mean to convey something of the endless drudgery of a desert crossing, made worse by the dubious navigational skills of Stephen Meek (Bruce Greenwood), a self-mythologizing mountain man with a Buffalo Bill beard and a twang as thick as tar. Large stretches pass without dialogue, and shots of the wagons rolling across the parched ground are a constant refrain.
The scope of the real 1845 expedition is drastically reduced, from 200 wagons to three, a move in keeping not only with the budgetary restrictions of an independent film, but also with Reichardt's desire to whittle the settlers' ordeal down to its core. Details of place and origin are shaved away, leaving only the present tense. We glean little about the three couples undertaking the journey, apart from their immediate responses: the Gatelys (Zoe Kazan and Paul Dano) grow hysterical; the Whites (Shirley Henderson and Neal Huff), anxious; the Tetherows (Michelle Williams and Will Patton), resolute. Their abstracted journey inevitably lends itself to allegorical readings about a nation adrift in the desert, especially once the settlers capture an Indian (Rod Rondeaux) and try to persuade him to lead them out. But though Reichardt and Raymond both point out the story's contemporary echoes in interviews, it cripples the film's resonance to reduce it to a parable of Bush-era folly.
More than a political tract, Meek's Cutoff functions as a sculpture in time, a careful stock-taking of the settlers' progress, both forward and back. When the Indian first appears in the landscape, Reichardt uses the loading of a flintlock rifle to generate almost unbearable tension. In a long shot that reduces her to a hazy figure in the midst of open space, Williams fires a shot into the air, and then reloads, a process that takes a half-dozen steps and what feels like several minutes. Then, she abruptly cuts away on the sound of the second shot, increasing its impact and incidentally demonstrating that the film's "real time" is nothing of the sort. Reichardt and Raymond don't use conventional tools to propel their story forward, but it moves at its own calculated pace.
Magnolia Solar Demonstrates Ultra-High Transmittance Through Nanostructure-Coated Glass
Magnolia Solar Corporation (OTCBB: MGLT) ("Magnolia Solar") announced today that its wholly owned subsidiary, Magnolia Solar, Inc., has demonstrated ultra-high transmittance through glass employing a nanostructured antireflection coating. These exciting technical results were presented by Magnolia's Chief Technical Officer, Dr. Roger E. Welser, at the SPIE Defense, Security, and Sensing Conference in Orlando, FL on April 26, 2011. The presentation was part of a special session on Advanced Harvesting Devices, and summarizes work done in collaboration with Prof. Fred Schubert's group at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). Dr. Welser also presented a second paper in this session highlighting the importance of quantum well and quantum dot structures for defense-related energy harvesting applications.
"Ultra-high, broadband transmittance through coated glass windows has been demonstrated over a wide range of incident angles," noted Dr. Welser. "Near perfect 100% transmittance through a glass substrate has been achieved over select spectral bands, and the overall average transmittance dramatically increased for simulated sunlight. The measured improvements in transmittance result from coating the windows with a new class of materials consisting of porous silicon dioxide nanorods."
Dr. Ashok K. Sood, President and CEO of Magnolia Solar Corporation, stated, "The antireflection technology described at the SPIE-sponsored conference could benefit crystalline silicon and thin film photovoltaic systems that employ either a top cover glass or a glass superstrate. Fixed, flat-plate solar cell modules typically generate electrical power throughout the day, but suffer from large reflection losses early in morning and late in the afternoon when the sun is lower in the horizon and the sunlight is incident upon the solar panels at large angles. Nanostructured optical coatings can reduce the reflection losses of fixed, flat-plate modules throughout the day, but especially in the early morning and late afternoon. This patent-pending technology can also benefit a wide variety of specialized military and commercial optical window applications."
About Magnolia Solar Corporation: Based in Woburn, MA and Albany, NY, Magnolia Solar was founded in 2008 to develop and commercialize revolutionary new thin film solar cell technologies that employ nanostructured materials and designs. Both higher current and voltage outputs are expected from thin film solar cells that combine Magnolia's exclusive material structures with advanced optical coatings. Magnolia's technology has the ability to capture a larger part of the solar spectrum to produce high efficiency solar cells, and incorporates a unique nanostructure-based antireflection coating technology to further increase the solar cell's efficiency, thereby reducing the cost per watt. Magnolia Solar technology targets electrical power generation applications, such as power for electrical grids and distributed power applications ranging from commercial and residential lighting to specialized military applications.
"Ultra-high, broadband transmittance through coated glass windows has been demonstrated over a wide range of incident angles," noted Dr. Welser. "Near perfect 100% transmittance through a glass substrate has been achieved over select spectral bands, and the overall average transmittance dramatically increased for simulated sunlight. The measured improvements in transmittance result from coating the windows with a new class of materials consisting of porous silicon dioxide nanorods."
Dr. Ashok K. Sood, President and CEO of Magnolia Solar Corporation, stated, "The antireflection technology described at the SPIE-sponsored conference could benefit crystalline silicon and thin film photovoltaic systems that employ either a top cover glass or a glass superstrate. Fixed, flat-plate solar cell modules typically generate electrical power throughout the day, but suffer from large reflection losses early in morning and late in the afternoon when the sun is lower in the horizon and the sunlight is incident upon the solar panels at large angles. Nanostructured optical coatings can reduce the reflection losses of fixed, flat-plate modules throughout the day, but especially in the early morning and late afternoon. This patent-pending technology can also benefit a wide variety of specialized military and commercial optical window applications."
About Magnolia Solar Corporation: Based in Woburn, MA and Albany, NY, Magnolia Solar was founded in 2008 to develop and commercialize revolutionary new thin film solar cell technologies that employ nanostructured materials and designs. Both higher current and voltage outputs are expected from thin film solar cells that combine Magnolia's exclusive material structures with advanced optical coatings. Magnolia's technology has the ability to capture a larger part of the solar spectrum to produce high efficiency solar cells, and incorporates a unique nanostructure-based antireflection coating technology to further increase the solar cell's efficiency, thereby reducing the cost per watt. Magnolia Solar technology targets electrical power generation applications, such as power for electrical grids and distributed power applications ranging from commercial and residential lighting to specialized military applications.
Keeping your car free of pollen, inside and out
Spring is here, and unfortunately for some of us, that means airborne tree pollen is, too. The powdery green stuff wreaks havoc with those who are allergic to it, but it can also make a mess of your car, both inside and out. Here are a few tips to hopefully help you breathe easier, and to protect yourself and your car from pollen.
Clean your cabin air filter
Most cars built since around the year 2000 have an air filter for the interior that can screen out not just pollen and other airborne pollutants. Cabin filters also prevent your heater core and air conditioner from becoming clogged, thereby reducing efficiency. But it's an easy filter to ignore, especially if you don't know your car has one. Mechanics we spoke with said they have seen vehicles that were equipped to house a filter, but did not come from the factory with one—presumably this was on lower-trim level models. In these cases, the filtration could be added by simply installing a filter. (Not sure if youre vehicle is equipped with a filter?
The good news is that in the world of particulate matter, pollen bits are relatively large and easy for the filter to trap. Cabin filters are usually relatively easy to locate and change yourself. They're normally located under the hood, often near the base of the windshield, or behind the glove compartment. Your owner's manual should tell you how to do it and how often it needs to be changed. Most manufacturers recommend changing the filter at least once a year and more often in dusty conditions. If you can recall the last time it was changed, right about now would probably be a great time. Replacements can be found at auto parts stores, and you can save if you do it yourself. Expect to spend $10-35 for the filter, although some higher end models might cost more. If you have a dealer do the job, it might cost as much as $100 or more.
Keep the outside clean
Pollen may not look abrasive, but wiping it off the car or even leaning on a pollen-coated fender can cause scratches. The best bet is to start with a freshly washed car, and apply a good coat of wax. Then, you can just rinse the pollen off weekly, or more often if you like. And by keeping it off the outside, less is likely to end up inside where it can coat the interior, as well as get into your eyes and lungs.
Check pollen at the door
Keeping your car windows closed—whether you're in it or it's parked—will help keep the green stuff on the outside, especially in the early morning or at dusk. Those are prime times for pollen. And set the fan to recirculate when possible.
If you're still bothered by pollen in the car, a shop vacuum or better yet, a household canister vac with an upholstery attachment should help. Plus, you can clean out a winter's worth of other debris while you're at it. If your allergies are really bad, wear a particle mask while vacuuming. A damp cloth can remove much of the dust on the dashboard, around gauges, and in many hard-to-reach places.
Clean your cabin air filter
Most cars built since around the year 2000 have an air filter for the interior that can screen out not just pollen and other airborne pollutants. Cabin filters also prevent your heater core and air conditioner from becoming clogged, thereby reducing efficiency. But it's an easy filter to ignore, especially if you don't know your car has one. Mechanics we spoke with said they have seen vehicles that were equipped to house a filter, but did not come from the factory with one—presumably this was on lower-trim level models. In these cases, the filtration could be added by simply installing a filter. (Not sure if youre vehicle is equipped with a filter?
The good news is that in the world of particulate matter, pollen bits are relatively large and easy for the filter to trap. Cabin filters are usually relatively easy to locate and change yourself. They're normally located under the hood, often near the base of the windshield, or behind the glove compartment. Your owner's manual should tell you how to do it and how often it needs to be changed. Most manufacturers recommend changing the filter at least once a year and more often in dusty conditions. If you can recall the last time it was changed, right about now would probably be a great time. Replacements can be found at auto parts stores, and you can save if you do it yourself. Expect to spend $10-35 for the filter, although some higher end models might cost more. If you have a dealer do the job, it might cost as much as $100 or more.
Keep the outside clean
Pollen may not look abrasive, but wiping it off the car or even leaning on a pollen-coated fender can cause scratches. The best bet is to start with a freshly washed car, and apply a good coat of wax. Then, you can just rinse the pollen off weekly, or more often if you like. And by keeping it off the outside, less is likely to end up inside where it can coat the interior, as well as get into your eyes and lungs.
Check pollen at the door
Keeping your car windows closed—whether you're in it or it's parked—will help keep the green stuff on the outside, especially in the early morning or at dusk. Those are prime times for pollen. And set the fan to recirculate when possible.
If you're still bothered by pollen in the car, a shop vacuum or better yet, a household canister vac with an upholstery attachment should help. Plus, you can clean out a winter's worth of other debris while you're at it. If your allergies are really bad, wear a particle mask while vacuuming. A damp cloth can remove much of the dust on the dashboard, around gauges, and in many hard-to-reach places.
2011年5月2日星期一
Carborundum grows net by 68 percent in 2010-11
Chennai, May 2 (IANS) Abrasives major Carborundum Universal (CUMI) closed fiscal 2010-11 with sales and net profit growth of 25 percent and 68 percent, respectively, over the previous year, the company said Monday.
Last year, CUMI registered a consolidated turnover and net profit of Rs.1,601 crore and Rs.171 crore, respectively, up from Rs.1,280 crore and Rs.102 crore, respectively, earned during 2009-10.
The company board, approving the results Monday, has recommended a final dividend of Re.1 per equity share of Rs.2 each, the company said in a statement.
In February this year an interim dividend of Rs.1.50 has been paid, making a total of Rs.2.50 for the year.
Owing to the buoyancy in the Indian and Russian markets and the revival of the US and Canadian markets, the company's abrasive sales totalled Rs.699 crore.
According to CUMI, the Chinese operations stabilised since the de-merger last year from a joint venture to an independent subsidiary with focus on thin wheel and combination stone requirement of the Indian and Russian markets.
CUMI's second major business segment - electro minerals - contributed Rs.598 crore to the topline last fiscal while that of ceramics division was Rs.348 crore.
Silicon carbide sales of Volzhsky Abrasive Works in Russia recorded a jump of 21 percent.
The revival in certain segments of the European markets helped to perk up demand, particularly from overseas customers, the statement added.
According to CUMI, both the high alumina ceramics business and the super refractories businesses performed well during the quarter.
CUMI, with a view to rationalise the holding structure, transferred its holdings in its subsidiaries in the US, Canada and Middle East to its wholly-owned subsidiary in Cyprus.
Last year, CUMI registered a consolidated turnover and net profit of Rs.1,601 crore and Rs.171 crore, respectively, up from Rs.1,280 crore and Rs.102 crore, respectively, earned during 2009-10.
The company board, approving the results Monday, has recommended a final dividend of Re.1 per equity share of Rs.2 each, the company said in a statement.
In February this year an interim dividend of Rs.1.50 has been paid, making a total of Rs.2.50 for the year.
Owing to the buoyancy in the Indian and Russian markets and the revival of the US and Canadian markets, the company's abrasive sales totalled Rs.699 crore.
According to CUMI, the Chinese operations stabilised since the de-merger last year from a joint venture to an independent subsidiary with focus on thin wheel and combination stone requirement of the Indian and Russian markets.
CUMI's second major business segment - electro minerals - contributed Rs.598 crore to the topline last fiscal while that of ceramics division was Rs.348 crore.
Silicon carbide sales of Volzhsky Abrasive Works in Russia recorded a jump of 21 percent.
The revival in certain segments of the European markets helped to perk up demand, particularly from overseas customers, the statement added.
According to CUMI, both the high alumina ceramics business and the super refractories businesses performed well during the quarter.
CUMI, with a view to rationalise the holding structure, transferred its holdings in its subsidiaries in the US, Canada and Middle East to its wholly-owned subsidiary in Cyprus.
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