Category: Industry

Summary

-UK Foodservice Industry Outlook to 2010- is a new report in association with ICD Research that analyzes how profit and cost foodservice operator and caterer companies spend, procurement strategies & practices and business are being affected by the recession. In an uncertain economic climate this report gives you access to the category-level spending outlooks, buyer budgets, supplier selection criteria, business challenges and investment opportunities of leading purchase decision makers. The report also identifies buyers and suppliers future growth, M&A and investment expectations. The research is based on an extensive survey of senior and C-level industry executives from our market leading panels.

Scope

– The opinions and forward looking statements of over 300 industry executives have been captured in our in-depth survey, of which over 90% represent Owner or C-level, Directorial & Managerial respondents – This report covers data and analysis on buyer spend, procurement and industry developments by foodservice owners, operators, caterers, wholesalers and suppliers across the UK – The report examines current practices and provides future expectations over the next 12-24 months – The research is based on primary survey research conducted by Global Markets Direct in association with ICD Research accessing its B2B panels comprised of senior purchase decision makers and leading supplier organizations – Key topics covered include buyer spend activity, procurement behaviors & strategies and how these have been affected by the recession, threats & opportunities for the foodservice industry, economic outlook and business confidence. – In the report buyers identify what suppliers need to do to maintain their business and the key actions being taken by industry players to overcome the leading business threats – The report provides qualitative analysis of the key industry threats and opportunities and contains full survey results – The geographical scope of the research is UK-wide – drawing on the activity and expectations of leading industry players across the UK

Highlights

– In a positive statement for the UK foodservice industry 56% of foodservice owners/operators expect to increase their procurement spending over the next 12 months – 29% of industry buyers are seeking to engage in partnerships to optimize working capital and reduce costs – closer cooperation between suppliers and buyers is being sought during this time of market uncertainty – Only 9% of industry buyers do not regularly evaluate suppliers to ensure they meet high ethical and environmental standards

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The transport industry is facing up to wide spread problems all the way across the board, from same day courier services through to heavy goods haulage firms. How the industry deals with these problems is a vital question in how we can move forwards beyond the difficulties posed by rising fuel prices, environmental concerns being levied on the industry and also the potential prospect of winters as harsh as the one that the UK recently experienced.

The recent cold snap has a massive effect on the transport industry, and continues to do so, as it presented multiple problems that courier services and those in the industry had to work around and deal with. First and foremost amongst these problems was the over-abundance of ice on the roads during this period. Many local councils were woefully unprepared for a winter as harsh as the one we had last, leading to salt supplies being much too low. This in turn led to many roads simply becoming unusable, especially in smaller suburbs or urban areas. Needless to say this had the potential to strike a crippling blow to the transport industry and, for many, it did just that. The industry, and Britain as a whole, was simply caught unawares by the difficulties posed by such a nasty winter, and this led to major problems for many businesses, however the transport industry was amongst the most prominently affected. Vehicles were forced off the roads and many companies simply had to shut up shop for a number of weeks, drastically affecting income.

This is something to we simply can’t afford to happen again, especially due to the potentially catastrophic effect it can have on smaller businesses and urgent courier services, who rely on their ability to get from A to B quickly. As such we need to ensure that local councils all over the country have adequate salt supplies should we face the same issues in the future. Not only this, but salt supplies need to evenly spread around. We, as an industry, simply can’t afford another winter like the one we just experienced and knowing that supplies could have been available in places that needed them simply rubbed salt into the wounds.

Some are attempting to take measures to minimize the impact of this problem. The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has already recommended a number of potential solutions to the problems that the industry faces from a harsh winter. Amongst these are the obvious, such as ensuring there are larger salt supplies available to reduce the time queuing at salt production sites.

Another, less obvious recommendation is to provide drivers with a little more leeway when it comes to their hours. The FTA calls for a greater flexibility in the handling of a drivers time on the road, as well as calling for a modest increase in the amount of time they can spend driving when they are able, to compensate for the periods during winter when they may be forced off the road.

This call, however, comes into direct conflict with recent rulings by the European Parliament (EP). An attempt to permanently exempt owner drivers from the 48 hour week imposed by the EP failed, meaning that soon self-employed courier drivers will now have to limit themselves to 48 hours of working per week, alongside the workforce that they may employ.

Alkala, the agriculture minister of The Philippines, said recently that the government would pay special attention to the garlic recovery industry next year and was planning to expand the garlic planting areas in the Mindanao Island and the Mindoro Island. Besides, the government would fund 2.5 million peso on agriculture and fishery industry, which would boost the garlic’s production in Ilocos Norte. The data from Agricultural Statistics Service show that the garlic production in Philippine in 2011 decreased by 5.23%, amount to 9060 tons.

Some detailed information of chinese garlic is available at the website http://www.hcgarlic.com/

In the perspective of lingerie’s, men are only left to wonder, ‘boxers or briefs’ whereas; a woman’s physique being sculpted and adorned in a unique way of its own, offer a wide assortment of choices. The market for women’s wear lingerie is being manipulated by the advent of modern technologies and fabrics that make new designs, and innovative intimate wears. These products have a higher profit margin than any other regular apparel. New trends in lingerie and fabric emerge exclusively from Europe and predominantly from France and Italy. France is at the forefront of fashion lingerie’s. Designers in France give more focus on rich looking fabrics, vibrant hues, laces, and embroideries. Just as their fashion, French lingerie’s also exhibit richness and elaborate embellishments that are preferred worldwide.

French Lingerie Industry Overview

France contributes to the origin of the word ‘lingerie’ which in French means ‘washables’. French lingerie’s come in sophisticated different lines; basic, sexy, and flirty, fitting every season. The designs are akin to both classical and modern look, and make a woman fit in line with the trend, while rendering her to ‘stand out’. They are available in a wide range of materials, tailored efficiently in different cuts and types, styles and colors. Their lingerie making techniques are based on centuries of expertise.

Current lingerie industry in France is valued to be $3.1 billion USD, and is further expected to increase by 0.8% consecutively for the next five years. French consumers spend about 13 billion euros a year on the purchase of lingerie’s. A lingerie industry survey states that French women spend 20 percent of their fashion budget on lingerie’s. Sale of lingerie’s account to 18% of total sales of women’s wear apparels in France. On an average, a French woman buys five lingerie’s in a year and one night gown every 19 months. Women in the age group of 15-34 purchase more lingerie items than women of other ages spending $92.4 annually on the purchase of intimate wears. Women in the age group 50-64 have a bigger budget and spend more than $100 a year for the purchase of lingerie. Much contribution to the lingerie industry comes from the women of this age group. Comfort is the prime consideration behind their purchase. French women are sensitive towards tones, textures, and prefer practical fabrics that are easy to care and non allergic. They like soft fabrics with micro fibers. Corsets, especially brassieres comprise the largest segment in the lingerie market.

Exquisite Brands from the Fashion Capital

Over the past decade market trends have changed offering creative products. Brands like Dolce, Gucci, Dior, and Gabana have expanded their market through these types of products. Several stores and boutiques in France specialize in unique items of French intimate apparels. Agent Provocateur is a classic and couture lingerie brand. US companies have good opportunities in this sector, and have superior brands that appeal to the preferences of the French consumers. Warnaco’s Lejaby, Calvin Klein, & Warner’s, Sara Lees’s Playtex, Dim, & Wonderbra, and VF Diffusion’s Bestform, Lou, Variance, Bolero, & Vassarette, enjoy a good market in France. US are predicted to have a promising market in France as French consumers are becoming more receptive to American fashions.

However, domestic brands do have a strong hold in the French market. The top five intimate apparel brands in France are Lejaby, Simone Perele, Chantelle, Aubade, and Barbara. Domestic brands like Lise Charmel, Ravage, Rien, have a reputed market. Brands of Swear and Audrey have a sales figure three times more than imported lingerie’s. Brands like Pour Moi and Chantelle have achieved good revenues. Sold in more than 50 countries, Chantelle is the top French brand in the world.

What is Hot in the French Lingerie Market

France offers a fashion fiesta of lingerie’s for the fashion savvy women of today. Brassieres with cut seams, molded shape and nave embroideries, transparent body suits, classic demi-cups with underwire, intimate wears in ultra simple shapes with decorated graphics, camisoles with transparency and layering are a few items that sell in the market like hot cakes. Lingerie’s made from fabrics of fine opaque knits, voile knits, organza, blended woven stretch products, and fine tulle fill the stores in France. Cotton, linen, microfibres, laces, and tiny mesh fabrics also have their share in the making of these garments. Appealing intimate apparels in shades of indigo, cobalt lavender, tone-on-tone colors with hues of pink, red, and orange, opaque & translucent white and pastel tones of parma and blue are the shades most sought after by ‘French mademoiselles’. There is a resurgence of fashion of the early 40’s and 50’s among the French designers. Sensual fabrics with subtle lines in complementing hues have made their appearance. Aubade lingerie’s exhibit the grace of the geisha in soft, feminine intimate apparels. Flower motifs supplemented by leavers lace demonstrate an intimate feel.

Ive been following this company since 1997 and it has been interesting to watch it grow from an idea to an internationally respected corporation, a leader in the industry.

Management notwithstanding the publicly traded status of the company has always managed to keep itself below the radar, that is, until late last year faced with an unfriendly bid for control, it could no longer do so.

It amazes me how stock traders of todays chat rooms and message boards can display such incredible disregard for the basics, foremost among these, the short term acumen and patience necessary to a great winner. In the case of FLKI, you could smell the sizzle for the last year. Everything was obvious, but like a baby wanting it now, they let the golden egg dissipate out of their avaricious pockets to fill those of the more patient of their acolytes. Its the beauty of this game of course that theyll or at least some of them will have a chance to get back in, late but in time for a worthwhile return.

I concluded long ago, that for these folks, money doesnt seem to be the primary motive, most lose money all of the time; its the adrenaline rush of a quick in and out that does it for them. I have written a number of articles on the subject.

The current tale will undoubtedly remind you of another tale, that of the hare and the turtle, how much plotting however does a stock investor need when the news is good, the earnings and prospects growing, the fundamentals scream yes and the charts rate the stock buy buy buy. Let the stock stand still a while, let it go back and forth, give it the time to rise to its proper level. Well for these amazing traders, you guessed it, if its not now, and I mean now, they dump it, feeding volatility, lavishing commission income upon the brokers, and perpetuating a syndrome that ensures extravagant losses.
Stocks like people need time to rest and consolidate.

Well there were and remain plenty of astute investors with their pockets wide open to purchase the stock at half the price these impatient traders laid out for the privilege of ownership. Theyre there buying of course because of whats to come and it takes no investment genius to figure it out.

FLKIs decision to commence the process for up-listing to a more senior market is fueled by the well reported rapid progress in its portfolio of high end product development, by the rapid expansion of its global distribution network, and by time and again witnessed, the growing world-wide interest in its Eco Pledge Standard for a Green, earth friendly production of biodegradable products. And yes let me say it now ahead of the naysayers, possibly as a management defensive technique against an unwanted bid for control even at the hefty price of $ 1;50 for newly issued shares (diluted value about 55 cents by my best count). But so what the end result is a massive improvement in the value of the stock whichever way it goes, and as for me let me stay with tested and enthused management any day.

As any good due diligence will prove, Falken Industries Ltd (OTC:FLKI) stands for solid gains in global implantations of its product conceptions and for growing global interest in the Company’s exceptional biodegradable product mixes, including products, notably wipes for disinfection and degreasing, designed for rescue teams, the military, and general utilities. Moreover it is apparent to all who take the time, and management shares the opinion, that FLKI substantially meets the requirements to up-list to a more senior U.S. stock exchange.

In fact, FLKIs Advisory Board approved steps that would initiate a reverse stock split as early as this year, if needed, to meet minimum stock price requirements of the senior U.S. stock exchanges and is establishing audit, compensation and nominating committees in advance of a planned up-listing. Nothing light about that news.

It makes sense, moving to a senior U.S. exchange should be a high priority for the company given the progress of its business interest, the demand upon its product conceptions, the major expansion of its distribution network, and its industry leadership and growing global interest in its Eco Pledge unique standard for ensuring Green products. Listing on a more senior U.S. exchange will assuredly in my view help increase visibility for the company and help attract a broader class of institutional investors. That stands for value building for shareholders.

I remember reporting on the vociferous shareholder demands presented at last years shareholder meeting. The company took the hint and direction of its 4,200+ shareholders. For the first time in a decade it initiated an effort to devote resources to investor awareness. That also will translate to value building for shareholders.

Clean Plus products, FLKIs most popular branded line of 160+ product conceptions, include disinfection and cleansing wipes tailored to crisis and disaster rescue teams, and notably to military applications, and products to purify brackish water. Custom wipes allow military and rescue personnel to ensure health and cleanliness while essentially eliminating the need for water in parts of the world devastated by intense drought conditions Iraq, Afghanistan any one?

So lets call it a spade, FLKI is not a sub-penny stocks that may trade on the hype of the morning call only to crash (there is a reason for the statistic that day traders loses on more than 88% of their trades). Lets give a hoorah for the short and intermediate term investors that have the stamina, the intelligence and the good sense to make an investment and stick to it for at least as long as the news and performance is positive ; as for me, front and center my example herein, Im buying up to 13 cents and riding happy for the rest.

Falken Industries Ltd OTC : FLKI is a diversified industrial conglomerate that operates in Chemicals, Wet Wipe and Biodegradable Technology. Falken Industries Ltd is the concept behind more than 160 products distributed through a network of global platforms and the recipient of trade awards for innovations, biodegradability and environmental and health quality standards.