Category Archives: jobs

Profit Sharing for Profit Making

Posted on October 20, 2011 by

[This article is also posted on Plastics Today.] Last time, we learned that Poly Wise is attempting to structure a deal with a polypropylene supplier utilizing the new resins pricing paradigm. They offer to buy polypropylene on a long-term contract … Continue reading →

Posted in competitors, crude oil, employees, Energy prices, Futures, jobs, manufacturing, new resins prices, plastics manufacturers, profit margin, Strategies | Tagged

New Pricing Paradigm for Higher Margins and a Secure Future

Posted on October 4, 2011 by

[This article is also posted on Plastics Today.] A recent study (Plastics Today, 27-June-11) indicates plastics manufacturers are happy with an 8% return on sales (gross profit margin) because the historical average is 5% to 7%. If you’re happy with … Continue reading →

Posted in competitors, crude oil, customers, Futures, hedging, jobs, manufacturing, margin risk, new resins prices, plastics manufacturers, profit margin, Strategies

Pricing Choices for Sales and Profits

Posted on July 11, 2011 by

[This article is also posted on Plastics Today.] As discussed in Pricing Choices, reliability, quality, and service have gone from being ‘game changers’ to ‘admission tickets’ for manufacturers to compete for new business — and hold on to what they … Continue reading →

Posted in commodity prices, competitors, customers, hedging, hedging instruments, jobs, manufacturing, plastics manufacturers, profit margin, sales, Strategies

Smart Chocolate

Posted on June 8, 2011 by

[This article is also posted on Plastics Today.] In the post below, I discuss how big banks made small fortunes by capitalizing on rising commodity prices while non-hedging manufacturers took a hit. Ironically, the big banks did the very things … Continue reading →

Posted in commodity prices, Futures, hedging, hedging instruments, jobs, manufacturing, plastics manufacturers, profit margin, Strategies | Tagged , , , ,

Manufacturers Take a Hit, Big Banks Cash In

Posted on June 6, 2011 by

[This article is also posted on Plastics Today.] High Commodity Prices Slow Manufacturers (WSJ, 1-June-11) “U.S. manufacturing growth slowed substantially in May, as the ISM index fell to 53.5, the lowest level since September 2009. … higher commodity prices and a sharp … Continue reading →

Posted in commodity prices, Energy prices, hedging, jobs, manufacturing, plastics manufacturers, profit margin, rules | Tagged ,