Study Group: Metal Packaging Experts

GLG News^SM Analyses by this Study Group's Leading Experts(?)

FEMSA, ASSESSING STRATEGIC VALUES IN GLOBAL BEER CONSOLIDATION.

October 1, 2009

Analysis by:Tom Pirko, President,

Analysis of:Mexico's FEMSA SEEN EYEING $9 BILLION BEER MERGER | reuters.com

FEMSA remains a misunderstood asset in the global consolidation of the beer industry.   A transaction will involve numerous strategic considerations andwill depend upon several key factors involving acquirers' balance sheets and plans for development.

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

March 2, 2009

Analysis by:Gene Plavnik, President,

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.

The Acquisition of Rio's Packaging Group Will Test Amcor's Flexibility

February 10, 2009

Analysis by:Gary Crutchfield, Principal,

Analysis of:Australia's Amcor eyes part of Rio packaging unit | www.reuters.com

The former Alcan flexibles business is clearly an orphan in Rio's  portfolio. However, the absorption of this business into Amcor's flexible's unit creates another set of issues for its current and anticipated customer base. Corporate culture will play into an effective assimilation and strain the prospective value of this marriage. Too often overlooked in favor of the immediate financial ramifications, the ability to strategically mesh two businesses and create real value for the customer is the key to longer term value.

The Real Challenge at Smurfit-Stone: A New Business Model

February 3, 2009

Analysis by:Gary Crutchfield, Principal,

Analysis of:Smurfit-Stone Files For Chapter 11 Bankruptcy | www.paperage.com

Building a sustainable container board and packaging business, capable of delivering value to stakeholders in the long run, requires more than an acquisition strategy and the leverage of low cost  funding.   More important is the management accumen to coalesce a corporate culture that understands how value is created with the commitment to cascade that throughout the organization. The Smurfit-Stone model has been fraught with nepotism and a short term willingness to exploit pricing for volume to mask outdated operations and unenlightened acquisitions.  Today, the real challenge of Chapter 11 is to demostrate to stakeholders they understand those realities and are committed to driving forward with a new business paradigm.

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

December 10, 2008

Analysis by:Gene Plavnik, President,

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.

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