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BISBEE’S BUZZ
Print Media VS Internet
Wireville
was a blog before there were blogs. The Heard On The Street (HOTS) Monthly Column is complimentary
to the PRINT
MEDIA
Truth is, traditional print will continue to be the medium of
choice for most professional audience markets for the foreseeable future. To abandon or
deny the viability of PRINT MEDIA is folly (or much worse). To deny
print's legitimate and dominate place in the information stream is
business suicide. (Didn't we have a “dot com” bust recently?) Hasn't the
WSJ highlighted the fact that the highly touted "blogs" even on
Google etc are having real trouble gaining revenue traction??
Electronic
is great and will continue to grow in importance in the overall information and
revenue stream. It has allowed publishers to broaden their market,
exposure to it and their audience...but notice that among all the hype...they
still talk in increases in % rather than in real dollars vis a vis their total
revenue stream???. ie: You can go from $1. to $3. and claim a 300%
increase. But where's the bottom line that will pay the bills?? If
we go in print from $8M to $8.6M, guess the 11.6% seems
comparatively puny...As a publisher, which would you rather have???
Truth is, you need to sustain, grow and invest in that which "brung you to
the dance"...and not ignore the obvious profitable partner just waiting for
the next dance.
What
I believe will (needs to) happen is that various electronic info sources will
continue to proliferate, grow in sophistication and breadth of
offering...unique to their growing capabilities (beyond trying to
replicate what is already in print). They will become economically viable
as a true partner with print in delivering a complete menu of critical,
and unique information as well as reliably measurable advertising results to
their audience. Today, except in rare circumstances, the electronic media
sites simply are not profitable, and increasingly, not well
measurable. Lot of hype,
mixed with hope. If used and measured properly, traditional print
will ultimately work synergistically with electronic media to help drive
more traffic, more quickly (sales starts...not just traditional
"leads") to legitimate advertiser web sites and direct
contact than any other current vehicle.
The
real need is to establish a marketing synergism between what print
uniquely offers and the additional unique contribution of enhanced web
efforts. Too many people become enamored with "the latest" in
technology, assigning it an out of proportion influence...way too early in the
overall education process...and probably more damaging long
term...promulgating the latest as the ultimate "savior" for a medium
that up to now is not in need of a "savior". What is really needed is
intelligent dissemination of critical information to a well-defined audience
using print where appropriate, and electronic where applicable, and delineating
the differences, and utilizing the potential synergy. They are
different...not antagonistic.
Anyhow,
we continue to develop methods to deliver our information package based on
providing the most complete, diverse, and appropriate to the specific medium
capabilities possible. Our goal is to insure that our readers...using whatever
single or combination (most likely) of media resources comfortable to them, can
use PRINT MEDIA as their primary source of information critical to their
success. Jumping on current "bandwagons" and effectively
"changing horses in mid stream" is in my opinion, very risky
business. Sometimes they get "flat tires in the middle of the stream
or the parade". Not good.
That's
why PRINT MEDIA is taking time to develop the most comprehensive, easy to
use, most responsive web site to offer their customers as much
information...sometimes like...sometimes quite different from the print product
as possible based on their needs, The PRINT MEDIA’s ability to deliver whatever
is pertinent in the most efficacious way and continue to update and expand its
content to keep it viable...and profitable.
PRINT
MEDIA continues to invest serious monies and people resources to
maintain., improve and grow their market leading print products.
There
is no single answer to supplying credible, incisive, and current
information to this ever so rapidly changing $130B market. Granted,
there are cheaper ways to do it...but then, that's just not the PRINT MEDIA
style.
Anyhow,
as I often say...at least that's just my opinion.
Frank Bisbee
"Heard On The Street" Monthly Column
www.wireville.com
4949 Sunbeam Rd, Suite 16
Jacksonville, FL 32257
(904) 645-9077 office
(904) 645-9058 fax
frank@wireville.com
Industry News
The Craig Consulting Services Training Center Is Now OPEN
The Craig Consulting Services
training center, in Dallas,
Texas is up and
operational. Attached are our training schedules for both BICSI and
Belden for the first half of 2008. I have conducted classes for the BICSI
Technician certification as a night class for Able Communications of Dallas and for individuals from the Fort Worth Independent
School District this
month. In addition we have a PM125 TPMA class scheduled for March 17 –
21, 2008.
I have received a tremendous amount
of support from Distribution and Manufacturers in getting the facility equipped
with the required materials and products. We have as a result been able
to incorporate several real world scenarios for the students such as wall
mounted workstations for 66, 110, BIX, Krone, GIGABIX and S210 blocks as well
as multiple rack configurations for horizontal and backbone cabling of both
copper and optical fiber with the appropriate testing.
With the upcoming changes BICSI
plans in the Installation Program upon release of the new 5th
Edition of the Installation Transport System Installation Methods Manual
(ITSIMM) we feel that we are well positioned to provide quality training in the
ever changing ITS Industry to individuals within the South Central Region.
Utilizing our facility students can obtain BICSI Certification without
incurring expensive travel and lodging expenses. We have within walking
distance of our facility four hotels (with special rates for our students), restaurants
and easy access to major thoroughfares of North Dallas.
www.craigconsultingservices.com
BICSI
Training Schedule
March – July, 2008
Dates Class
MARCH
3/10 – 3/14 ITS
Installer 2
APRIL
4/7 – 4/11 ITS
Installer 1
4/14 – 4/25 Technician (Night Class)
4/21 -4/22 DD
100 Intro to Voice/Data
MAY
5/5 – 5/9 ITS
Installer 1
5/19 – 5/23 ITS
Installer 2
JUNE
6/2 -6/13 ITS
Installer 2 (Night Class)
6/16 – 6/20 Technician
Class
JULY
7/7 – 7/18 Technician (Night Class)
7/28 – 8/1 ITS
Installer 1
This
schedule is subject to change based upon Customer requests.
Belden
Training
March – July, 2008
Dates Class
MARCH
3/25 – 3/26 303
Design Dallas,
TX
3/27 – 3/28 700
Installation Dallas, TX
APRIL
4/1- 4/2 303 Design Little
Rock, AR
4/3 -4/4 700
Installation ` Little
Rock, AR
MAY
5/27 – 5/28 303
Design Springdale AR
5/29 – 5/30 700
Installation Springdale AR
JUNE
6/24- 6/25 727
Copper Austin,
TX
6/26 - 6/27 747
Fiber Austin,
TX
JULY
7/22 – 7/23 303
Design Kansas City, MO
7/24 – 7/25 700
Installation Kansas City, MO
This
schedule is subject to change based upon Customer requests.
James R.
(Ray) Craig RCDD/NTS Specialist
Belden
Regional Trainer
Craig Consulting Services
Tel:
972-880-6528
520 Lynn Court
Coppell, TX
75019
www.craigconsultingservices.com
*********************************
ADC To Introduce New FTTX Solutions At OFC/NFOEC 2008
ADC (NASDAQ: ADCT) (www.adc.com)
announced that it will unveil its expanded line of OmniReach fiber-to-the-x
(FTTX) solutions at the 2008 Optical Fiber Communication/National Fiber Optic
Engineers Conference & Exposition (OFC/NFOEC), held February 26-28 at the
San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, Calif.
ADC will introduce the OmniReach(R)
4x3 configuration MultiPort Service Terminal (MST) and the OmniReach
plug-and-play WDM modules at the conference. These new FTTX solutions, along
with the company's extended portfolio of fiber optic network equipment, will be
featured at booth #3538.
"Our new OmniReach 4x3 MST and
plug-and-play WDM modules are the latest innovations in our comprehensive line
of FTTX solutions," said Jaxon Lang, vice president of Global Connectivity
Solutions Americas for ADC. "As with all of our OmniReach FTTX solutions,
these new products are designed to help simplify FTTP network installation,
maintenance and management, and to provide increased flexibility to transition
to new technologies in the future."
The new OmniReach 4x3 MST continues
ADC's innovations in fiber access terminals. In providing a compact, yet
technician friendly terminal, carriers can optimize installation and customer
turn up expenses in the deployment of FTTP services. ADC's family of MST
products incorporate hardened connector technology, providing a durable,
reliable, and cost effective plug-and-play service connection in the outside
plant/drop segment of the network.
The OmniReach plug-and-play WDM
modules are designed to allow providers to deliver higher data rates and
additional services to customers. CWDM and DWDM devices in ADC's plug-and-play
package enable such applications as WDM-PON, dedicated gigabit Ethernet, fiber
to the cell site, FTTN node splitting and remote DSL applications.
Plug-and-play WDM modules can co-exist in traditional G-PON/B-PON networks to
expand services provided. The modules are easy to insert and remove without
affecting existing customers, and their rugged package is designed to protect
delicate WDM devices from mishandling and extreme outside plant environments.
Industry professionals are invited
to attend two presentations from ADC's featured speakers to learn about the
latest network solutions for multiple dwelling unit (MDU) applications:
-- Tom LeBlanc, FTTX Product
Manager: Deploying Reduced bend Radius Fiber into MDUs. LeBlanc will explain
how to deploy reduced bend radius fiber into multi-dwelling units, providing
tips for efficient network reconfigurations, troubleshooting and maintenance.
-- Robert Bachtell, ADC Principal
Systems Engineer: Multiple Solutions for Connecting MDUs. Bachtell will detail
the special considerations required when installing FTTP networks within MDU
structures. His presentation will discuss fiber cable interconnection to
terminal equipment, and the diverse structures and conditions found throughout
the country. www.adc.com
*********************************
Anixter International Inc. Announces Retirement of CEO Robert W. Grubbs and Appointment of Robert J. Eck as New President and Chief Executive Officer
Anixter
International Inc. (NYSE: AXE - News) announced that Robert W.
Grubbs will retire as President and Chief Executive Officer at the end of June
2008, following a 30-year career with the company. Mr. Grubbs, who has held
those posts since 1998, will continue to serve on the company's Board of
Directors.
Effective July 1, 2008,
Robert J. Eck will become President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Eck, age
49, has served as the company's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer since September 2007. During the last 17 years, Mr. Eck has served in a
variety of senior management positions with Anixter Inc., the company's
operating subsidiary, most recently as Executive Vice President -- Enterprise
Cabling and Security Solutions (2004-2007) and Senior Vice President --
Physical Security Products and Integrated Supply (2003).
Commenting on the
transition, Sam Zell, Chairman of the Board, said, "During Bob Grubbs'
tenure the company has seen tremendous growth in sales, profitability and
shareholder returns. Under his leadership, the company has successfully evolved
into one of the world's truly global distribution businesses. We are especially
pleased that Bob will continue to serve on our Board of Directors, allowing
Anixter to continue benefiting from his many years of company and industry
experience."
In discussing his
upcoming retirement, Mr. Grubbs said, "During my 30 years at Anixter the
company has gone through an incredible amount of change and I have a real sense
of pride in what the company's leadership team has accomplished during my
tenure as CEO. The company is well positioned for the future and I look forward
to continuing to contribute to the future success of the company as a member of
the Board of Directors."
Mr. Zell continued,
"The company has worked hard over the years to successfully develop future
leaders who could continue to drive the ongoing growth and success of our
business. Bob Eck brings many years of increasing responsibilities and
successful leadership to his new role at Anixter. The Board of Directors has
confidence that, under Bob Eck's leadership, the company can continue its consistent
track record of driving strong growth and shareholder returns."
"I am honored to
have the opportunity to lead the company and further build on its past
successes," commented Eck. "Our priorities as a company will continue
to center around building on our strategic initiatives of growing our customer
base, expanding our product and service offerings and enlarging the geographic
presence of our electrical wire & cable and OEM supply businesses. I am
very excited about the future and the opportunities that lie ahead for
Anixter."
About Anixter
Anixter International is
the world's leading distributor of communication products, electrical and
electronic wire & cable and a leading distributor of fasteners and other
small parts ("C" Class inventory components) to Original Equipment
Manufacturers. The company adds value to the distribution process by providing
its customers access to 1) innovative inventory management programs, 2) more
than 400,000 products and over $1 billion in inventory, 3) 220 warehouses with
more than 6 million square feet of space, and 4) locations in 249 cities in 49
countries. Founded in 1957 and headquartered near Chicago, Anixter trades on The New York Stock
Exchange under the symbol AXE.
Additional information
about Anixter is available on the Internet at http://www.anixter.com
*********************************
Belden Appoints Judy Brown, CFO Of Perrigo Company, To Board of Directors
The
Board of Directors of Belden (NYSE: BDC - News) has appointed Judy Brown
as a Director and member of the Audit Committee of the board. Ms. Brown, age
39, is Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting
Officer of Perrigo Company, a post she has held since July 2006. She joined
Perrigo in September 2004 as Vice President and Corporate Controller. Perrigo
(NASDAQ: PRGO; TASE) is a leading global healthcare supplier that develops,
manufactures and distributes over-the-counter and prescription pharmaceuticals,
nutritional products, active pharmaceutical ingredients and consumer products
for the store brand market. Before joining Perrigo, Ms. Brown held various
senior positions in finance and operations at Whirlpool Corporation (1998 to
August 2004) in Italy and the US and at Ernst & Young (1990-1998) in both
the US and Germany. She received a B.S. degree from the University
of Illinois and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago.
John Stroup, President
and Chief Executive Officer of Belden, said, "We are delighted to welcome
Judy Brown to Belden's Board of Directors and the Audit Committee of the board.
Her financial expertise and her background in European operations make her a
valuable addition to our board."
About Belden
Belden is a leader in
the design, manufacture, and marketing of signal transmission solutions for
data networking and a wide range of specialty electronics markets including
entertainment, industrial, security and aerospace applications. To obtain
additional information contact Investor Relations at 314-854-8054, or visit our
website at http://www.belden.com.
*********************************
Blueprint For Big Broadband’ Not Big Enough For Future
Published on 2/13/2008 at
www.MidwestBusiness.com where you always read REAL perspectives
Carlini’s
Comments, MidwestBusiness.com’s oldest column, runs every Wednesday. Its
mission is to offer the common man’s view on business and technology issues
while questioning the leadership and visions of “pseudo” experts.
CHICAGO – EDUCAUSE’s latest white paper on America’s lack
of broadband doesn’t shed light on the real issues.
After
speaking about broadband connectivity at 1 gigabit or more at several
conferences in January, one of the other speakers sent me an EDUCAUSE white
paper entitled “A Blueprint For Big Broadband,” which was written by John
Windhausen.
The
EDUCAUSE group is made up of about 2,200 colleges and universities. Its white
paper goes into detail on how the United States has failed to keep up
with other parts of the world. While it’s a good attempt at providing a
warning, their solution doesn’t get us close to where we need to be.
Setting Up a Blueprint
One of the
highlights of the report deals with issues that U.S. policymakers should be
addressing. This is from the white paper:
1. Leadership and goals: The executives of
almost every successful government initiative began by announcing a broadband
plan and setting specific broadband goals.
2. Public funding: Almost every successful
government program has included significant government funding.
3. Open broadband networks: One of the most
popular models has been to require that big broadband network providers provide
service on a wholesale basis to multiple retailers.
4. Public/Private partnerships: Another
consistently successful theme is government/private sector cooperation in
building broadband networks.
5. Unbundling: The policy of unbundling local
copper networks has been used successfully to stimulate broadband. The
application of unbundling to fiber facilities is still under consideration.
6. Fiber: Except for Japan and South Korea, which are well ahead
of the rest of the world in deploying fiber, municipalities are taking the lead
on fiber deployment.
7. States focus on low-speed broadband: Most
of the state government initiatives have focused on expanding low-speed
broadband services to unserved areas [rather than] big broadband.
Unfortunately,
the majority of state programs don’t address the need to promote big broadband
capability that will be necessary in the next few years. While these state
initiatives are certainly well intentioned, the question is whether the
low-speed services used to fill the gaps today will become the dial-up of the
future.
Most state
programs are largely designed to expand the reach of DSL and make cellular
broadband access more widely available. There remains a need for the federal
government to address the need for big broadband. The white paper goes on to
make a summary of building a blueprint for big broadband connectivity and ends
with:
U.S. broadband policy should focus on
the future. Cable modem, DSL and wireless technologies are unlikely to meet our
future needs. The United States
needs to set its sights toward the 100 Mbps speeds that are commonplace in Japan and
increasingly the focus of European countries.
They
discount wireless and DSL as not a solution, which has been discussed in this
column for several years. There’s no earth-shattering discovery there. The 100
Mbps speed, though, is not the right goal. They have set the bar too low.
100 Mbps is Already Obsolete
EDUCAUSE
focuses on getting U.S.
broadband to a higher speed, which in a way is stating the obvious. The author
says 100 Mbps is a good goal. In reality, they are still aiming too low.
If you have
ever planned a large-scale network, you have to have a very high objective
because going from planning to implementation takes a good several years. Ask
the engineers at the phone companies. They don’t plan for the next two to five
years. They look at 20 to 30 years (at least they used to). Also, if you’re
trying to plan for the future, you can’t assume the network traffic that’s here
today.
Adopting
the recommendations in this EDUCAUSE white paper will still put the U.S. behind
other countries. Some would still argue that 100 Mbps is too much bandwidth for
users. Those people don’t have a clue about new applications flooding the
Internet including social networks as well as video applications like YouTube
and its imitators. What’s on the horizon?
Though the
paper started to focus on the importance of going beyond servicing the digital
divide, they don’t discuss it enough.
Rural areas
aren’t the only areas of interest for broadband. Keeping up with a global market
means setting metropolitan areas into multiple gigabit network infrastructures.
Gigabit speeds are already a requirement if you want to attract corporate
facilities in intelligent business campuses. With 100 Mbps, you will be passed
over to the next municipality.
Incumbent Phone Companies Don’t Have
the Answers
The tired
arguments by government affairs people at the incumbent network carriers that
we don’t need that much bandwidth reminds me of the same government affairs
people saying we didn’t need fiber running to the Chicago 911 center back in
1995. Now those same entities take credit for what they tried to block 16 years
ago when the planning was taking place in 1992.
If you
leave it up to network carrier government affairs people, we will be further
behind than we are now. I always thought the incumbents would be encouraging
new services and “blinding speed” network offerings. Instead, they are playing
a protection game and choose to promote antiquated services. They’re trying to
ring the last buck out of old, copper-based technology instead of upgrading to
new infrastructure.
They also
want to stifle any entity wanting to build new network infrastructure. This is
incongruent with the way the market is headed. Either you lead, follow or get
out of the way. While the incumbents don’t want to lead, they also want to get
in the way because they don’t want to follow competition and lose market share.
In terms of
their rhetoric and arguments, any network carrier’s government affairs person
who doesn’t know the difference between gigabit and gigabytes when he’s talking
shouldn’t be listened to.
In all
marketing classes that discussed buying technology and network services from
vendors, my general rule of thumb was how can they be trusted with complex
infrastructure issues if they don’t have the basic definitions right in their
own industry? It would be like a general manager from GM not knowing the
difference between a Chevy Cobalt and a Cadillac Escalade.
You expect
the person from the industry to know the industry’s basic terms and
definitions. As for this blueprint for big broadband white paper, there are
some good points but the speed is already obsolete on paper. Potential
corporate sites have to offer multiple gigabit speeds today. For many, this
means going back to the drawing boards.
Carlinism:
Broadband should be viewed as 1 gigabit or more today if planning a network for
tomorrow.
See James
Carlini interviewed by the Strassman Report out of California.
The
30-minute video discusses the need for planning gigabit network
infrastructure
today in order to be globally competitive tomorrow.
Check out
Carlini’s blog at CarlinisComments.com.
James
Carlini is an adjunct professor at Northwestern
University. He is also
president of Carlini & Associates. Carlini can be reached at
james.carlini@sbcglobal.net or 773-370-1888.
Click here
for Carlini’s full biography.
Copyright
2008 Jim Carlini
*********************************
Coleman Cable Introduces 12 Gauge, ‘Cord Runner’ 3-Outlet Extension Cord
Coleman Cable, Inc. (Nasdaq: CCIX) introduces the Cord Runner™ extension
cord now in a heavy-duty 12 gauge STW 600V cord. Featuring three evenly spaced
outlets instead of just one outlet at the end, the new 12-gauge cord is UL
Listed and is ideal for workshops and job-sites that demand added flexibility
with multiple tasks running in different areas.
Each of the Cord Runner’s evenly spaced outlets has a power indicator light to
let you know when the power is on. Outlet covers keep water and dust out, while
the outdoor-rated cord is durable, reliable and flexible even in the coldest
weather. The 12 gauge Cord Runner is available in 6ft. and 50ft. lengths
with yellow jacket for safety and visibility.
“The Cord Runner makes it easier and safer to power multiple tasks using just
one extension cord,” said Blaine Ballard, Coleman Cable product manager. “The
new 12-gauge cord has been added to the product line to provide customers with
a wider choice of power solutions in delivering ‘power where you need it.’”
About Coleman Cable Inc.
Coleman Cable, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and innovator of electrical
and electronic wire and cable products for the security, sound,
telecommunications, electrical, commercial, industrial, and automotive
industries. With extensive design and production capabilities and a
long-standing dedication to customer service, Coleman Cable, Inc. is the
preferred choice of cable and wire users throughout the United States.
The company is located at 1530
Shields Drive, Waukegan, IL 60085.
For more information, visit: www.colemancable.com.
*********************************
CommScope Unit Lands Wireless Contract
Andrew
Wireless Solutions, a division of CommScope Inc., has been awarded a contract
to design and install an infrastructure system for wireless communications in Sydney, Australia.
The work
will be performed at the headquarters of Optus, an Australian
telecommunications company.
"With
the new campus serving more than 6,000 Optus staff, it's key for the facility
to have an effective and efficient wireless system for seamless
communications," says Jon Wilkie, director of corporate services at
Singtel Optus, parent company of Optus.
The
equipment will allow workers "to communicate, interact and work anywhere
within the campus," he adds.
Financial
terms of the agreement weren't disclosed. Hickory-based CommScope (NYSE:CTV - News) completed its $2.65
billion purchase of Andrew in December. Illinois-based Andrew makes
communications equipment and systems. The company has facilities in 35
countries.
CommScope
is the world's largest manufacturer of coaxial cable.
Published
January 31, 2008 by the Charlotte
Business Journal
*********************************
CommScope Unit Sells Satellite Business
Andrew
Corp., a division of CommScope Inc., has sold its satellite-communications
business to Resilience Capital Partners.
Resilience
Capital is a private-equity firm based in Cleveland.
The
satellite business will operate as an independent company based in Wake County
called ASC Signal Corp.
Andrew will
own a 17.9 percent share of ASC Signal and provide certain transition-support
services to the new company.
At closing,
Andrew received $8.5 million in cash and a $2.5 million note from ASC Signal
that will mature in 39 months. In addition, Andrew expects to receive $2.5
million note upon completion of manufacturing-asset transfers. The company also
may receive up to an additional $25 million in cash after three years, based
upon ASC Signal's achievement of certain financial targets.
Hickory-based
CommScope (NYSE:CTV - News) completed its $2.65
billion purchase of Andrew in December. Illinois-based Andrew makes
communications equipment and systems. The company has facilities in 35
countries.
CommScope
says it is the world's largest manufacturer of coaxial cable.
Published
February 1, 2008 by the Charlotte
Business Journal
www.commscope.com
*********************************
Verizon Purchases Corning® ClearCurve™ Cable Solution Following Successful Field Trials
Corning
Incorporated (NYSE: GLW) announced that Verizon Communications Inc. has
purchased Corning’s ClearCurve™ rugged drop cable solution as part of
the telecommunications company’s effort to roll out its FiOS services.
Corning’s
ClearCurve product suite helps overcome the installation challenges in
multiple-dwelling units (MDUs) by providing a bend-resistant fiber optimized
for the strenuous deployment conditions in apartment buildings and condominium
complexes. Verizon qualified the ClearCurve
technology as an optimal solution for MDU applications following a successful
series of field trials.
“This is
the year that Verizon moves into high gear in deploying FiOS TV and FiOS
Internet to apartment buildings, condos and similar multiple dwelling units,”
said Claire Beth Nogay, senior vice president and chief network officer for
Verizon Telecom. “Corning’s bendable optical fiber cable is
particularly valuable in the tight spaces typical of these sorts of
buildings. ClearCurve rugged drop cable
is an initial product in what promises to be a family of specialized bendable
fiber products we expect to use across our network going forward.”
The
ClearCurve fiber solution is hundreds of times more bendable than standard
single-mode fiber.
Featuring Corning’s
breakthrough nanoStructures™ technology, ClearCurve optical fiber can be bent
around very tight corners with virtually no signal loss while maintaining
backward compatibility. The robust
design of ClearCurve rugged drop cable enables it to be handled in any
way that copper communication cables are handled, such as pulling through wall
studs and stapling to wood. For detailed Corning product information, visit www.corning.com/clearcurve.
“With more than 25 million apartment
buildings in the United
States, the MDU market represents a
tremendous opportunity for telecommunications carriers,” said Peter F.
Volanakis, president and chief operating officer, Corning Incorporated. “We’re excited to associate with companies like Verizon to deliver
breakthrough solutions that enable them to provide their customers with
near-infinite bandwidth.”
Verizon was the first major carrier
certified by the Fiber-to-the-Home Council as providing all fiber-optic
services directly to the home, including the FiOS Internet and FiOS TV
services.
(www.corning.com)
*********************************
$196.2M Award Against DuPont Upheld
Judge Upholds $196.2 Million Award Against DuPont
A
circuit judge has upheld a $196.2 million punitive damages award against DuPont
in a class-action pollution case.
Harrison County Circuit
Court Chief Judge Thomas A. Bedell also adopted a nearly $130 million estimate
for a medical monitoring plan, but ordered the Wilmington, Delaware-based
chemical company to pay for those costs as they occur.
The jury had required
DuPont to provide medical monitoring for 40 years to people who were exposed to
arsenic, cadmium and lead from a former zinc-smelting plant in the small
community of Spelter.
DuPont said it believed
there were "numerous errors, both during and after trial" and it
plans to appeal to the state Supreme Court.
"The scientific
evidence simply does not warrant medical monitoring," DuPont General
Counsel Stacey J. Mobley said in a statement. "We believe the evidence ...
shows that there is no increased risk of disease to the class members as a
result of the smelter."
The company said it
found "particularly troubling" the decision to include biennial chest
CT scans in the monitoring program, saying the risks outweigh any benefits.
Mobley also said the
$130 million cost of the medical monitoring program was overestimated by
"many tens of millions of dollars."
Ten residents of Spelter
sued DuPont in 2004, claiming the company deliberately misled them about health
risks from the pollution and delayed a site cleanup for as long as possible to
maximize profits.
The lawsuit was tried
last year in four phases involving property damage claims, long-term health
screenings and corporate accountability. Jurors awarded the punitive damages in
October in the trial's fourth phase.
In the other phases, the
jury required medical monitoring and found DuPont liable for and negligent in
creating the waste site. Jurors also found DuPont had created a public and
private nuisance and that its pollution trespassed onto private property.
On Monday, Bedell
approved $127 million in attorneys fees and nearly $8 million in litigation
costs, which will be taken from the overall award of $381 million. He rejected
DuPont's motion for a new trial.
*********************************
General Cable Elects Brian J. Robinson To Executive Vice President
General
Cable Corporation (NYSE:BGC - News) announced that the Board
of Directors of the Company has elected Brian J. Robinson to the post of
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer effective
immediately. Robinson will continue to report to Gregory B. Kenny, President
and Chief Executive Officer of General Cable.
“This is a
well-deserved recognition by the Board of the value that the Company places on
Brian are operating and strategic leadership,” said Gregory B. Kenny, President
and Chief Executive Officer of General Cable. “Since January 2007, Brian has
led our Corporate Finance Team through two debt issuances totaling over $800
million, and four acquisitions, including the $1.2 billion of revenues PDIC
business. He has also been instrumental in driving improved controls and best
practices in our global finance organization.”
Robinson
has held the title of Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and
Treasurer since January 2007. Robinson became Controller for General Cable in
2000 and assumed the additional responsibility of Senior Vice President and
Treasurer in March 2006. He began his career at Deloitte & Touche LLP in
1991, and in 1997 moved from Cincinnati, Ohio to London,
England, where
he served as Audit Manager focused on accounting services for global companies.
In 1999, Robinson joined General Cable as Assistant Controller.
Robinson
holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Dayton
and received his CPA certification in 1993.
General
Cable is a global leader in the development, design, manufacture, marketing and
distribution of copper, aluminum and fiber optic wire and cable products for
the energy, industrial, and communications markets. Visit our website at www.generalcable.com.
*********************************
H.H. Robertson Floor Systems Announces Three Casino Contract Wins
H.H.
Robertson Floor Systems has been chosen to install its major in-floor wire
distribution system for three new casino projects. The projects are Kickapoo Casino in Oklahoma, Argosy® Casino in Indiana
and The Meadows Racetrack & Casino in western Pennsylvania
near Pittsburgh.
Scheduled
for completion in the fall of 2008, Kickapoo Casino is expanding into a new
37,000-square-foot facility located directly behind the current casino. H.H.
Robertson is working in tandem with Selser Schaefer, the casino’s architect,
and its contractor, Oklahoma Electrical Supply, to complete the project.
Argosy
Casino in Lawrenceburg, Ind., has tapped H.H. Robertson to work
closely with architects, Lay Pitman & Associates and Browning Day Mullins
Dierdorf to install the new flooring system. The company will work with Geiger
& Peters, Inc., to complete the installation which is scheduled for early
2009.
The Meadows
Racetrack & Casino, expected to open in early 2009, has also named H.H.
Robertson as its flooring system provider. The 350,000-square-foot casino is
owned by Las Vegas-based Cannery Casino Resorts. H.H. Robertson will partner with architect
Climans Green Liang Architects, Inc., and contractor LP Ciminelli on the $155
million casino project.
In addition
to these latest casino projects, H.H. Robertson's Cellular Floor Systems have
been used for wire and cable distribution on more than 60 prestigious casinos
worldwide. www.hhrobertson.com.
Based in Pittsburgh (Moon Township, Pa.), CENTRIA is an international company and the U.S.’s premier
supplier of architectural metal wall and roofing systems used in
commercial/industrial products. Since 1906, CENTRIA professionals have provided
quality products and services for architectural and construction firms
worldwide. For more information about CENTRIA call 412-299-8218 or visit www.centria.com.
*********************************
Electronics Maker Hitachi Profit Surges On Utility, Telecommunications Recovery; Cuts Outlook
Japanese
electronics maker Hitachi Ltd. said Tuesday its profit surged in its third
fiscal quarter as its power plant, hardware and telecommunications businesses
recovered.
But Japan's biggest
electronics conglomerate by sales slashed its outlook for net income for the
fiscal year because it plans to invest another 30 billion yen ($280.6 million)
in a liquid crystal display business to produce flat-panel TVs -- an attempt to
stay competitive in the market. It raised its projection for operating profit
and revenue, however.
Hitachi earned 12.5 billion yen ($116.9
million) during the October-December quarter, up from 1.26 billion yen in the
same period the previous year.
Group sales
rose nearly 10 percent to 2.71 trillion yen ($25.35 billion) from 2.49 trillion
yen a year ago, the company said. Operating profit rose 27 percent to 77.9
billion yen ($728.7 million) from 61.56 billion yen.
Hitachi's information and
telecommunications operations returned to profitability on booming sales of
software and hard disk drives.
"Significant
improvement" in electric power business, as well as automobile parts,
elevators and construction equipment contributed to the revenue growth during
the quarter, the company said.
But it
booked an operating loss of 15 billion yen ($140.32 million) in the consumer
electronics and digital media division, though that was narrower than the loss
of 19 billion a year earlier.
Hitachi cut its net income forecast for the
year ending March 31 to 10 billion yen ($93.5 million) from the previous
forecast of 40 billion yen.
But it
lifted its outlook for operating profit -- which excludes one-time items -- to
300 billion yen ($2.81 million) from 290 billion yen, and its sales projection
to 10.8 trillion ($101.03 billion) from 10.5 trillion yen.
Hitachi's earnings results are based on U.S. accounting standards.
Hitachi reported its results after the
close of trade on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, where its shares rose 0.9 percent
to 819 yen ($7.66).
*********************************
LEVITON’S Video Monitoring System Provides An Easy Way To Keep An Eye On Home And Property
Leviton’s
new IP Quad Module lets homeowners view high-quality color output from their
Leviton Video Monitoring System on any TV in their home or over the Internet.
The Video Monitoring System consists of an indoor and outdoor camera that
connects through a Leviton Structured Media® Center (SMC) to offer a convenient,
cost-effective way for homeowners to monitor their home and external grounds.
Leviton’s
Indoor Camera is available with both clear and tinted lens covers for mounting
in a Decora® wallplate. The Outdoor Camera and included wallplate assembly are
available in white and can be painted to match any exterior trim. They mount
easily to a single-gang exterior box.
The Video
Monitoring System operates over Cat 5e UTP cables, which interconnect with a
compact Camera Hub in the Leviton SMC. The Camera Hub provides power to up to
four cameras and outputs composite video from the cameras to the IP/Quad Module
and/or Video Modulators. Indoor and Outdoor Camera assemblies and the Camera
Hub incorporate precision video baluns to ensure clear video output over the
UTP cable. The Outdoor Camera also includes a separate power supply for
applications where cable runs exceed 328 feet (100 meters). This feature
facilitates local powering of cameras at entrance gates and other structures
that are located a long distance from the SMC.
The new
IP/Quad Module mounts in the SMC and connects to the composite video ports on
the Camera Hub and an Ethernet Switch or Residential Gateway in the SMC. The
Module includes a password protection feature to prevent unauthorized access.
It also sends an email alert, FTP JPEGs to a network drive, or TTL output
signal to an external device when motion occurs in one or more camera views.
Homeowners can then investigate the source of the alert.
The IP/Quad
provides an easy-to-use interface that lets users configure their browser or
monitor to provide a full-screen, single camera view or up to four separate
camera views in a single “quad” view. The system is easy to set up, including
camera names, sensitivity settings and brightness, contrast, and saturation
settings. The system provides an ideal solution for keeping a watchful eye on
newborns, toddlers, children or elderly parents. It also offers an easy way to
see who is ringing the doorbell after dark. With the IP/Quad Module, homeowners
have the convenience of monitoring their home’s interior and external grounds
while they are away at work or when they are out of town.
www.leviton.com
*********************************
Leviton Promotes Green Products Core Connectivity Products Are RoHS Compliant
Leviton
Network Solutions announced today that its core connectivity products are
lead-free and RoHS compliant. Leviton’s
advanced manufacturing processes were updated with leading-edge lead-free
solder technologies to ensure that all CAT 6 and CAT 5e jacks, patch panels and
patch cords meet all the requirements for RoHS compliance.
“Leviton is
pleased to offer environmentally friendly, RoHS compliant products to our
customers to help make green buildings a reality,” says Gary Bernstein,
Leviton’s Director of Product Management. “We invested in this technology more than 2 years ago and wanted to
ensure our customers were aware of our compliance.”
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