Mr. Gene Plavnik

GLG News by Mr. Gene Plavnik, President

While Most Politicians Speak One Thing and Do Another, The Alternative Energy Is Still in Need

March 2, 2009

Analysis of:Capital power plant dims clean energy hopes | news.yahoo.com

Alternative Energy is expensive today and needs serious attention. New standards to be enforced by the federal government could create the alternative energy industry, require alternative energy to be present at new and renovated commercial and residential dwellings, where it is economically viable. New dwellings, warehouses need to be equipped with some form of alterntative energy to begin with.

Oil and Gas Exploration - It Is Not So Bad, After All

December 10, 2008

Analysis of:ABB Wins Offshore Contracts Worth $150M | www.oilandgasonline.com

1. There is global economic slowdown. 2. During the growth period a very strong equipment upgrade push/momentum was created. 3. This momentum eventually will be reduced, but it may take a while.

Prepare to Drive Electric Soon(er)

September 19, 2008

Analysis of:GM Centennial: How the Chevy Volt might affect the electric grid | www.autobloggreen.com

1. High Gasoline Price 2. Low MPG standard of Internal Combustion Engine based  cars 3. Electric Utilities Support of Battery Powered Devices 4. Assurance from the electric utilities that they are ready to install charging stations in every house 5. Rising demand for electric energy in general - all of these factors point at electrically powered cars showing on the roads sooner than we expect.

Ethanol Complaints Are Only Temporary

July 31, 2008

Analysis of:In Gas-Powered World, Ethanol Stirs Complaints | www.nytimes.com

Today's condition of the production of ethanol looks as it is not cost effective. Ethanol itself has some problems in the process of combustion in the internal combustion engine (ICE). But this is today. When the ethanol producers start providing market with desireable volumes of the fuel, the situation will be improved. Needless to say the USA and the rest of the world urgently need new sources of energy.

More and More Visible Changes are on the Horizon

April 18, 2008

Analysis of:Spectrolab wins 350MW CPV order from Australia’s Solar Systems | www.semiconductor-today.com

Emerging economies demanding more and more natural resources such as oil, metal on one hand, and global climate change on the other hand demand diverisfied approach to the generation of energy, more advanced utilization of its natural sources. Several countries not only changed its standards of design and construction in regard to the utilization of alternative sources of energy, but proceed with utilization of solar energy on national scale by constructing solar power plants.

Interesting Development in Food Equipment Manufacturing World

April 16, 2008

Analysis of:Enodis accepts £950m Manitowoc offer | www.ft.com

Food equipment manufacturing is a growing market that several years ago was very fragmented. It is getting to be more consolidated now. Initially, a UK group Enodis was very carefully and successfully acuiring various European, UK, US and Asian based food equipment manufacturers. Now it is being purchased by a US based Manitowoc Company, part of which is manufacture commercial ice making machines and beverage systems. This fact is very interesting and deserves special analysis.

Carrier Strenghtens its Position in Advancing LEED

March 10, 2008

Analysis of:Carrier Corp. Acquires Environmental Market Solutions, Inc. | www.foxbusiness.com

There are several major companies in commercial HVAC that take the lead in utilization of natural resources and advancing the automation and control. Apparently, along with major OEMs of HVAC, companies with strong background in controls also take serious postion in market place. Recent acquisition of EMSI shows that Carries has to be stronger to preserve its market share.    

Hopefully More Good News about Solar Systems Yet To Come

March 6, 2008

Analysis of:Applied Materials in $1.9bn solar coup | www.ft.com

There are very few countries in the world that require mandatory utilization of solar energy in the form of solar water heating and electricity. Apparently, in our fractured times, when energy prices, especially oil, skyrocket, changes in governental regulations of energy efficiency become nrecessary. It is remarkable that emerging economies, such as economy of China take its time, attention and monetary resources to reduce its dependance on fossil fuels.

Johnson Controls Is Not Only Best Shareholder Friendly Company

February 25, 2008

Analysis of:Johnson Controls wins India mall work, magazine honor | www.bizjournals.com

There is a fierce competition between major OEMs of HVAC.  JCI has positioned itself differently after acuiring York International. Its position strenghtened by offering to an end user a complete package of the equipment and controls. In addition, new, more advanced AC units came out as a product of synergy of advanced chemistry from traditinally strong part of JCI combined with knowledge in mechanical design of York.

It looks like SPX Corporation made the right choice by purchasing APV

February 19, 2008

Analysis of:SPX sees 2008 profit up on global energy demand | www.reuters.com

There are several major players in the field of heat exchangers: Alfa Laval, Global Engineering Alliance (GEA), Hisaka, SWEP. Most comprehensive range of heat exchangers is offered by Alfa Laval, GEA, and APV. Hisaka offers more industrial type of heat exchangers, while SWEP specializes in the brazed ones for most of the HVAC applications. Market in China, India and Middle East demand increase of heat exchanger relevant equipment for food and HVAC application at a rate of 12-20% per year. There is an issue of violating of intellectual property rights by some Chinese OEMs, but this is not a severe threat for the whole industry.

SPX Acquires APV: This Acquisition Could be Mutually Beneficial

January 4, 2008

Analysis of:SPX completes APV acquisition | www.bizjournals.com

In late 90's Invensys PLC, a UK based group, that specializes in providing control, automation for process industries, and control systems for rail type transportation network, had acquired APV, also a UK based company, that specializes in manufacturing of various type of technological equipment for dairies, breweries, wineries, and so on. While it was exciting to see the change, it looked like APV was not exactly a good fit in the Invensys's portfolio.

New ownership will mean more advanced equipment

December 17, 2007

Analysis of:Ingersoll in $10 Billion Deal for Trane | dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com

Today's HVAC equipment experiences unprecedent need for delivering more efficient and original solutions for residential and commercial applications due to the sharp increase of energy costs, even though, all of the eqiupment sold in North America is guided by standards set and enforced by the US Department of Energy. There are three most known names to the commerical and residential HVAC users: Carrier, a division of United Technologies, Corp., (UTX), Lennox International, Inc. (LII) and Trane (TT) former American Standard Company. Right behind them go  Goodman Global, and York International, a division of JOhnson Controls, Inc. In order to make a leap in the market share, one must market the equipment which will make a consumer happy, will exceed current standards, and manufacture it efficiently cost wise.

One May Expect a Noticeable Change in the HVAC Segment of Water Heaters

December 14, 2007

Analysis of:Steel Partners Presses Noritz to Improve | www.ft.com

As of last ten years, HVAC industry has proven to be very dynamic. Water heaters segment of the industry experiences changes that go along with industry major drivers and real estate trends. In the segment of water heaters it is tank type and tankless type units. Noritz is known in North America as an OEM of tankless type water heaters, but it is market position could be improved.

Competition between two leading companies heats up

November 14, 2007

Analysis of:Sweden's Alfa Laval To Acquire Finnish Industrial Cooling Applications Maker For SEK 425 Mln | www.rttnews.com

It is known that there are two major comprehensive competitors in the world of processing industries: Global Engineering Alliance (GEA) based in Germany, and Swedish based Alfa Laval. While GEA is stronger, more comprehensive, and rolls out red carpet to its prospect, Alfa Laval uses different leverages to compete successfully.

Turbotec Products:We Will Proceed with Caution

November 9, 2007

Analysis of:Turbotec Cautions on Second Half | www.ft.com

Deteriorating situation with subprime rate and loans that are based on it created a precedent when both segments of residential real estate market (new and existing sales) are deteriorating. That, in turns affect markets of HVAC and major appliances. However, when company products are marketed to the crosscut of the industry ( t hat is residential and commercial HVAC), total performance is still in good shape.

Regal Beloit Surely Shows its Goals in Emerging Markets

November 7, 2007

Analysis of:Regal Beloit buys Alstom's motors and fans business in India | www.reuters.com

 There are few major players in the world of electric motors for household appliances and HVAC(commercial and residential) systems. The market in Asia growth at an average rate of 15%. This creates an opportunity for components OEM to provide appliances with electrical motors and that is where recent acquisitions of Regal Beloit perfectly fit in.

Focusing on the right segment of the market is important

October 29, 2007

Analysis of:Johnson Controls 4Q Profit Up 29 Percent | www.cnbc.com

Staggering conditions of residential real estate market somewhat take its toll on the manufacturers of HVAC equipment. On the other side, conditions of the commercial real estate are good, and, in addition, necessity to deal with contininiously rising costs of energy forces facilities management to look at new available high efficient technologies (so-called green technologies), which creates healthy demand for retrofits in the operations of commercial HVAC.

Need in New Environmentally Frendly Technologies Is Quite Acute and Strong

October 23, 2007

Analysis of:In many countries, cement is crucial for growth but an enemy of green | www.iht.com

1) Cement manufacturing is one of the most fuel consuming industrial processes. 2) Fuel is one of the major operating expenses in the production of cement. 3) Most of the cement thermal reactors (rotary kilns or vertical cacliners) use whether refuse fuels or low cost fossil fuels. 4) As a result, additional emissions of NOx and CO2 are derived. 5)The latter creates urgent need whether: a) in having more efficient post production environmental equipment or b) new environementally friendly methods of production.

Who is going to be #1?

October 17, 2007

Analysis of:Regal-Beloit Buys Morrill Motors | www.mdm.com

It is not a big secret that today there are two major HVAC related electric motor manufacturers in North America: Regal Beloit and AO Smith Electrical Products (AO Smith Corporation).   There are also several competitors from SE Asia, such as Chinese Broad Ocean Motor and Shenzen Power Motor Ltd, and German EBM-PAPST. Current standards of HVAC require OEM to reconsider efficiency of its components in order to manufacture appropriately SEER rated residential, light commercial HVAC equipment, that needs to actually exceed current SEER to stay on the market longer. It is also important not to forget economical (cost) factor to be competitive. Last but not least: the rate of growth and demand of HVAC equipment in SE Asia exceeds 10% annually, comparing to fluctuating 3-6% in North America, and average 10% in Europe. 

Normal Motion , Still Lucrative

September 7, 2007

Analysis of:HD Supply Deal Closes | www.mdm.com

Sales of PVF products to commercial contractors at HD were considerable to noitice that PVF distribution business deserves a good look. As a result chain of acquisition was made by major Do-It-Yourself Warehouses. In turn, specifics of the PFV and relevant HVAC distributing showed that it could deviate the business of retail Do-It-Youself warehouse into the commercial PVF - HVAC distributing, and as a result started showing on the revenues. It was normal to sell these good assets timely and everybody has benefited from that, both buyers and sellers. It is also normal retain some ownership of sold business as a proof that the business is profitable.

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