March/April 2009
ReMA's convention provides an arsenal of tools to manage today's recycling market. Challenges, opportunities, and change have a way of playing off each other. Challenges provide opportunities, and opportunities lead to change. Making the most of the challenges facing the recycling industry today requires taking advantage of opportunities to make positive changes. The ReMA 2009 convention and exposition, which has adopted this theme, is one more valuable tool for handling today's economy.
The five-day event, April 26-30 at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, provides a multitude of opportunities to gather news and information about the recycling industry that you can take back home and apply to your business. Networking opportunities abound—both official and unofficial. Come expand your business connections, explore new equipment and services, and get expert analysis of industry and economic trends.
The convention starts with a Recycling Research Foundation meeting Saturday, April 25, and continues with two more days of ReMA governance, encompassing the association's divisions, councils, committees, task forces, and board of directors. These meetings provide a great opportunity to learn the issues of interest to different segments of the recycling industry and help shape the association's response to them. ReMA governance meetings are open only to ReMA members, except for specification hearings in ReMA commodity divisions, which are open to the public.
The convention officially kicks off Monday, April 27, with the exhibit hall gala opening reception, which will be the debut of ReMA's largest trade expo ever. The world's largest scrap recycling trade show is 10 percent larger than last year's record-setting expo. See new and innovative products, services, and technology that can save you time and money. Come explore the wares of more than 255 exhibitors serving the entire scrap recycling industry and make hands-on comparisons of major scrap processing, handling, and analyzing equipment.
Expand Your Networking Web
Beyond the opening night gala, the convention offers many other opportunities to meet and mingle with other members of the industry, from plant owners to suppliers to industry experts. Exhibit hall luncheons throughout the week provide chances to speak with vendors and colleagues about products and services on display while enjoying an informal meal. Scrap sellers can learn more about their customers' needs at a consumers reception, which presents a unique opportunity to meet with representatives of industries that purchase scrap materials. The ReMA Women's Council meeting will focus on issues of mutual concern and encourage networking among women—and men—in the industry. A first timer's orientation will help those who are new to the convention make the most of their experience.
All of this is in addition to the workshops and seminars that offer even more chances to expand your networking web. And attendees need not worry about how they will stay in touch with the boss, with colleagues, or with family while they're making new connections. The ReMA Cyber Café fills that niche.
Scintillating Speakers
As always, the convention brings big-name speakers to address the scrap industry audience about timely topics. On Tuesday, April 28, the Chair's Breakfast keynote speaker is Michael Josephson, president and founder of the Josephson Institute (Los Angeles), who will share his expertise in the practical application of ethics. His nonprofit organization works to improve society's ethical quality by changing personal decisionmaking and behavior. Josephson has led more than 1,000 ethics programs for more than 100,000 leaders in business, government, the media, law enforcement, and education. In 1995, Josephson received the America's Award from President Ronald Reagan. Josephson speaks to listeners daily through his radio spots syndicated across the globe.
Former President Bill Clinton, founder of the William J. Clinton Foundation, will share his insights and observations at the Chair-Elect's Breakfast on Thursday, April 30. His talk, "Embracing Our Common Humanity," will describe the challenges of globalization, emphasize our growing interdependence, and point the way toward a common future based on shared goals and values.
| Sidebar: Building Your Foundation for Success
(Kendig Kneen, Chair, ReMA Convention Committee)
Several years ago, during a peak in the scrap market's price cycle, a few folks were standing around talking at an ReMA meeting. One of the newer guys in the group remarked that the strong attendance was a sign of the good times. "When times are good, anybody can sell scrap," commented the wise veteran in the group, "but come back to this meeting when times are not so good, and you'll see who the really smart folks are. They're the ones who recognize the importance of knowledge and connections in this business." The record peaks in the industry last year took us to places we thought we'd never see. Recent markets have taken us to places we hoped we'd never see again. And the cycle continues. Those who join us in Las Vegas realize that if you want to drink from the fountain of success, the first thing you must do is show up. It has been my experience that out of challenging economic times, the best-run companies emerge stronger, with their foundations for success enhanced. Practices that were so successful a few months ago may not work as well on this new playing field. As the business cycle meets change, so must our methods. Your company's managers, investors, and consumers must make decisions today with the most current information available. In our industry, there is no better place to get this essential input than the 2009 ReMA convention. In my almost 40 years of attending conventions in various industries, I've found none other that can deliver the top-level decisionmakers who regularly attend ReMA events. During the convention you will have the opportunity to challenge industry leaders who, like you, are seeking new opportunities in our markets. ReMA has put together an impressive lineup of commodity spotlights, workshops, and discussion groups that will give you the most current information available upon which you can set the foundation for your company’s future. I encourage you to attend some programs that are outside your company’s scope of business. What you consider your core competency today may well evolve into new opportunities as we emerge from our current point in the cycle. One of our predecessor associations, the Institute of Scrap Iron and Steel, celebrated its golden anniversary in 1978. In his opening remarks, convention chair Arnold Plant expressed the feelings of the board of directors and the convention committee: "There was a deep concern as to the response we would receive for this annual meeting given the conditions we have been facing. You, the institute membership, responded in a way that demonstrates why our association has achieved its success. The institute and this convention have succeeded because you are interested—because you are involved—because you want to share what you have learned and help shape what is yet to come.” Sharing the past and sharing the future was not only the theme for the golden anniversary, it was the foundation of our industry, both then and now. To those who are coming to the convention, I applaud your involvement and your commitment to the success of your business and our industry. The truly successful in our industry know that success comes from decisions based on rational criteria and accurate information. You’ll get all that and much more at the 2009 ReMA convention and exposition. Thank you for helping shape what is to come. |
Commodities and the Economy
As much as people want to understand the trends affecting any single commodity, this year everyone wants to know the depths of the current global recession and the outlook for economic growth. Though first readings on the U.S. fourth quarter 2008 GDP were better than expected, domestic and global economies still face enormous pressures due to faltering financial institutions that are teetering on insolvency. A once-synchronized global economic expansion over the past six years has turned into a global economic contraction. To provide convention attendees with a big-picture look at economic trends, ReMA is offering a special Spotlight on the Economy. This workshop, led by an all-star team of economists, considers what it will take to restore confidence and health to the leading global economies in general and the U.S. economy in particular.
Of course ReMA will still offer the commodity spotlight sessions, which are some of the convention's most popular programming, so arrive early to claim your seat. Find out what's driving the commodities markets and where the experts think they're going. Learn about the challenges and opportunities facing each segment of the industry from respected analysts and industry veterans. Due to their popularity, many of the sessions will be held in the general session ballroom. Here's a breakdown of each spotlight and the speakers confirmed at press time:
Spotlight on Ferrous. In 2008, steel production fell globally for the first time in a decade. Will 2009 see a recovery, or a continued decline? And which part of the world will rebound first? The ferrous spotlight will explore global and North American fundamentals and their effect on the raw material inputs needed to produce and deliver finished steel to end users. Speakers include Randy Ehret of The Timken Co. (Canton, Ohio); Charles Bradford of Bradford Research (New York); Gavin Montgomery of CRU Group (London); Joe Curtin of Tube City IMS (Glassport, Pa.); and moderator John Harris of ArcelorMittal (Innisfil, Ontario).
Spotlight on Copper. After averaging $3.15 a pound last year, early 2009 forecasts for copper point to much lower prices, weak consumption, and rising inventories. This program considers whether lower average prices are inevitable this year and what it will take to bring the global market back to a more balanced picture. Speakers include John Gross of J.E. Gross & Co. (Newport, R.I.); Daniel Edelstein of U.S. Geological Survey (Reston, Va.); and moderator Brian Shine of Manitoba Corp. (Lancaster, N.Y.).
Spotlight on Lead/Zinc. Analysts don't expect lead and zinc to show significant upward price movement in 2009. Zinc's dependence on the sluggish construction and housing sectors led to its weak outlook. Lead's fundamental picture appears better positioned than zinc's—or is it? The program, with moderator Chris Lewon of Utah Metal Works (Salt Lake City), will explore the market dynamics for both metals to see what may be in store in the months ahead.
Spotlight on Aluminum. With nearly 60 percent of aluminum producers operating at a loss in the first quarter of 2009, any meaningful recovery for the metal seems a long way off. This program considers whether it's up to the supply side to restore a more balanced picture—and how long it will take before fresh consumption and higher prices return to the marketplace. Speakers include John Tumazos of Very Independent Research (Holmdel, N.J.); Rich Markiewicz of Alcoa (Knoxville, Tenn.); William Adams of Base Metals (London); David Rosenblum of OmniSource (Fort Wayne, Ind.); and moderator Jay Sherwood of Schupan & Sons (Kalamazoo, Mich.).
Spotlight on Nickel/Stainless. Significant Asian production curtailments have not been enough to lift the depressed markets for stainless steel products. Although the market for nickel and stainless steel saw early 2009 price support, the near-term outlook remains gloomy through the first half of 2009. Spotlight panelists will talk about whether more cutbacks are needed or if demand will return following destocking along the supply chain. Speakers include Mark Parr of KeyBanc Capital Markets (Cleveland); Denver Staller of Wilkoff & Sons (Cleveland), Jason Schenker of McKinsey & Co. (Houston), and moderator Alasdair Gledhill of ELG Metals (McKeesport, Pa.).
Spotlight on Electronics. The electronics program will address how electronics recycling companies can use environmental strategies to innovate, create value, and build competitive advantage in current and future markets. Speakers include Dan?Esty of Esty Environmental Partners (Waltham, Mass.).
Spotlight on Industrial and Electronics Plastics. The program on industrial and e-plastics brings together leaders in the field who will discuss impediments to creating markets for these materials and analysts who will talk about what the future holds for this recycling niche.
Spotlight on Paper. For more information on the paper spotlight, visit www.isricovention.org.
| Sidebar: Tracking Metals
The ReMA convention also will feature a condensed, one-day, four-part metals identification track of workshops on Thursday, April 30. The program provides an overview of metals identification techniques from experts as well as a discussion of electronic spectroscopic analyzers available to the industry. Unlike the conference's other workshops, the metals ID track is open to attendees with trade show only badges. The track features individual sessions on copper and brass, aluminum, nickel/stainless alloys, and analyzers and metals ID technology. Each session will cover standard procedures and technologies available for identifying materials coming to the yard. |
Electronics Programming
ISRI will once again host a variety of electronics recycling educational programs as well as the Electronics Recycling Summit® and the Electronics Recycling Collaboration Network Meeting. Two special classes scheduled for April 27 are outside the scope of the ReMA convention. They are free to fully registered convention attendees; others may attend these sessions for a fee. Seating for both sessions is limited, and preregistration is required. Go to www.isriconvention.org for more information or to register for these classes:
RIOS & R2: Implementing Electronics Recycling. This short course provides instruction and materials for recyclers interested in or preparing for RIOS certification, including training on the details of RIOS and the U.S. Environmetal Protection Agency's responsible recycling practices, known as R2. The session also will address best practices for export, downstream controls, and legal requirements for the export of CRTs.
Marketing and Media Training for Electronics Recyclers. The second electronics short course helps recyclers develop and enhance their marketing skills and techniques. Pointers include how to find media opportunities and lessons learned from others in this field.
The Electronics Recycling Summit programming kicks off Tuesday, April 28, with the electronics spotlight and the following workshops:
United States/China Recycling Summit. This panel will bring together U.S. and Chinese government officials and industry experts to discuss the opportunities available and the challenges facing the electronics recycling trade between the two countries, including the current status of trade, technological challenges, defining sustainable trade practices, and locating responsible strategic partners. This session may run longer than scheduled.
How to Make Money in a Down Market. Electronics recyclers offer a variety of services in addition to scrap processing and recycling. This session will present examples, experiences, and potential markets in service areas such as reuse, asset management, and data security, as well as how to increase value in precious metals recovery.
Panel of Industry Executives. A moderated panel of executives from a cross section of the electronics recycling industry will address a variety of issues, challenges, and myths, including hot topics such as exports, commodity prices, and certification.
State Issues and Challenges. Electronics recyclers from several states with statewide electronics recycling programs will address how these programs affect the electronics recycling industry in terms of financing, export, certification, and competitiveness.
Understanding Plastics
Last year's convention saw the launch of ReMA's Plastics Recycling Council. This year, the convention offers more content for this growing segment of the recycling industry. Plastics programming kicks off with the Spotlight on Industrial and E-Plastics April 28 and continues with the following sessions:
Postconsumer Plastics: Understanding the Issues and Overcoming the Challenges. Collection of postconsumer plastics such as PET is growing primarily through municipal curbside recycling programs. But is such material marketable? Plastics recyclers take a look at the obstacles facing this market.
Plastics Identification. This hands-on training session helps plastics recyclers recognize the best practices for handling and sorting the material.
The Business of Tire Recycling
This year, the Tire Recycling Business Summit officially becomes part of the ReMA convention and exposition. Tire and rubber recycling workshops will begin Wednesday, April 29, and are open to fully registered convention attendees. A special registration is available for those interested only in the tire and rubber program, which contains these sessions:
Fire Safety and the Operation of a Scrap Tire Recycling Facility. Tire fires can be potentially devastating for processing facilities. Hear about proper fire safety techniques from industry leaders, insurance professionals, and firefighters who have battled these blazes.
Tire Recycling and North American Border Issues. Whether as a finished product or a feedstock, scrap tires and tire-derived products are finding markets in the United States and abroad. This seminar will explore the current and potential issues that can arise as scrap tires cross borders between Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Molded Products—An Overview of Current Trends. Manufacturers can make a wide range of molded products using crumb rubber, from picnic tables to floor mats, while adding valuable properties to the product. As the market expands into new and innovative products, the need for recycled rubber continues to grow. Learn more about the state of this rapidly changing industry.
New Trends in Shredder Design. Tire recyclers are only as good as their equipment. To improve their productivity and profitability, manufacturers are coming out with new designs for tire shredding equipment. Hear from them what's new today and what's on the drawing board.
Tire Wire—Overcoming Hurdles in a Weakened Economy. Last year, tire recyclers sold tire wire at a phenomenal rate. Now, with a weakened economy and commodity market drops, the demand for tire wire has softened. Hear about current market conditions and what analysts expect for the future.
Government Regulation and Crumb Rubber Applications. Recently, California and the federal government enacted laws that affect how a tire recycler can market crumb rubber to an end user. Learn how California's Proposition 65, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act might affect a tire recycler's operation.
A Global Look
The lineup of convention workshops includes several that look at today's economy worldwide. In addition to the Spotlight on the Economy, big-picture sessions include the following:
Markets and Economies of China and Southeast Asia. In recent years, China and other Southeast Asian countries have become essential players in the markets for many scrap commodities. Their impact continues even in today's weakened economic climate. This workshop will look at how this part of the world is faring and the conditions that will play a part in its future economic growth.
World Financial Crises Affecting the Secondary Metal Industry. The Chinese Metal Recycling Association will sponsor this session on how the global recession, the collapse of major banks and securities firms, and the credit crunch affect scrap processors and consumers.
Structured Trade and International Commercial Relationships. Canceled orders and broken contracts disrupt businesses as well as cost them money. This session explains ways to structure international contracts and commercial relationships to avoid these losses and provides practical alternatives for dealing with disputes when they arise.
| Sidebar: Bid on Something Wonderful
Attendees have an opportunity to support recycling research and treat themselves to something special at this year’s convention. The Recycling Research Foundation, an ISRI-affiliated charitable organization, will hold a silent auction in the exhibit hall. Some of the items available to bid on include a Big Mac car crusher service kit and visit; a full-page, four-color advertisement in Scrap; magnet chains to fit one magnet in the buyer’s yard; a photograph with former President Bill Clinton; and a Los Angeles vacation package that includes two tickets to the 2009 Emmy Awards or the 2010 Grammy Awards. A complete list of auction items and donors will appear in the on-site convention program. |
Taking Care of Business
Many of the 2009 workshop offerings are geared toward helping scrap businesses work more efficiently, safely, ethically, and profitably.
Human Resources: Keeping Employees in the Loop. Open communication with employees is always important. During tough economic times, however, it is essential to lower workers' stress and increase their productivity. This workshop explores both theories of and strategies for good employee communication.
RIOS: Recycling Industry Operating Standard. When ReMA began developing RIOS—the Recycling Industry Operating Standard—its goal was to create a quality, environmental, health, and safety management system for the recycling industry. Today, as the first companies become RIOS certified, it could become an essential tool for a profitable recycling business. Learn more about RIOS and how it can help your operations and your bottom line.
Ethics in Business. ReMA general session speaker Michael Josephson returns for a workshop session expanding on his topic of ethics in business. This workshop will apply general ethical principles to the scrap recycling industry.
Obtaining Competitive Bids on Property and Casualty Insurance. Learn how to compare apples to apples when seeking bids for insurance coverage. Even those with minimal insurance knowledge will benefit from this overview. The seminar could save you money as you consider ways to trim this overhead item while preserving coverage.
Price Risk Management: The Ups and Downs of Hedging. This workshop explores hedging as a risk-management tool from the perspective of a scrap metal processor, a metal consumer, and a market speculator. Easy-to-understand examples will help scrap companies assess the risks associated with not hedging. The session provides a hands-on lesson in the mechanics of hedging as well as pragmatic buying and selling strategies for commodities traded on the LME and Comex.
Stormwater Management. Nearly all scrapyards need to be prepared for a rainy day with systems to ensure that their stormwater runoff does not contain substances in amounts that exceed permissible limits. This workshop will provide an overview of stormwater management in the industry, explore the practical implications for a scrapyard, and suggest ways to prepare for them.
Shipping and Transportation. Ups and downs in the economy and in fuel prices have caused seismic shifts in shipping and transportation prices and availability. This workshop focuses on the outlook today for truck, rail, and ocean shipping and what the future may bring.
Creditors' Rights, Restructuring, and Bankruptcy. This session will provide an inside look at bankruptcy from the creditor's and the debtor's perspectives. Topics include doing business with a debtor in possession, who gets critical vendor status, the impact of bankruptcy on existing contracts, reclamation, defending preference actions, prebankruptcy steps when dealing with customers and suppliers in financial distress, and much more.
Recyclers and Law Enforcement: Developing Cooperative Relationships. Recyclers and law enforcement officials are finding that the most effective methods for reducing material theft involve developing trust and cooperation with each other. Learn from those who have succeeded in reducing crime through collaboration.
Radiation in the Scrap Stream. Radioactive materials routinely make their way into the scrap stream. The difference between a minor inconvenience and a multimillion-dollar cleanup could be a casual glance at a suspicious item by your newest employee. Do your workers know what to look for? Do you know what the hazards are? ReMA's panel of experts will help you understand this very difficult and important problem.
Assessing Truck Driver Qualifications—Hiring the Right Drivers. The road to hiring the right driver is filled with potholes. Learn the secrets—from recruitment to interviews, record checks, and testing.
DOT Driver Records—How to Stay in Compliance. Complete and up-to-date driver records are an essential part of DOT compliance. Learn from experienced fleet managers what it takes to stay on top of this and avoid fines.
Getting Your Message Out
Does the thought of a reporter showing up at your office unannounced send cold shivers down your spine? Are you prepared to say everything you would want the public to know about your company in two or three sentences? Would you know what to do if a reporter started asking questions about subjects you would rather not address? This year's convention offers several workshops to make you more media-savvy.
Communications: Managing the Media—Getting Your Point Across. This seminar will give you the tools you need to feel comfortable and in control when talking with the media. You'll learn how "blocking" and "bridging" techniques can ensure that you get your messages across in an interview no matter what the questions. Take home meaningful media-relations tactics that will serve your company's reputation and bottom line.
Communications: On-Camera Interviews—The Red Light Is On...and So Are You. Learn firsthand, with the camera rolling, tactics that effective media spokespeople and politicians use daily to ensure that their messages and talking points make it through the media editing process. The workshop will address important points such as how body language, sound bites, and bringing a reporter's questions back to your talking points make an effective media interview.
Communications: Crisis Communications—Your One and Only Chance. Do you know how to handle the media during a crisis at one of your facilities? How you would report unexpected, negative financial news? Learn how successful companies incorporate crisis communications planning into their overall corporate strategies. Help ensure that your company is prepared to weather any crisis situation and come out with its reputation and community standing intact.
Communications: Being a Part of the Solution by Building Community Coalitions. Turn a negative situation, such as materials theft, into a winning proposition by working with your community. Learn how scrap recycling companies have "turned the tables" from being the target of accusations and finger-pointing to being part of the solution by reaching out to local law enforcement and other stakeholders to build local coalitions that are addressing the issues. See how companies, including yours, can demonstrate their positive role by joining with others to tackle problems.
Just for Fun
The 2009 ReMA convention and exposition will include programming that's not all about business, including a luncheon of interest to spouses and others. Spouses who register for the full convention program are welcome at all public parties and receptions, general session breakfasts, exhibit hall luncheons, as well as workshops and "Just for Fun" programs. Attendees who reserve hotel rooms in the ReMA room block also receive free access to the spa in their hotel. Spa services, available for an additional fee, can be reserved at ReMA's hospitality desk or through the hotel.
The Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino consists of two hotels, both centrally located off the 135,000-square-foot casino and a short walk through the property to the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. In addition to the casino and on-site entertainment venues, this all-inclusive resort has 16 restaurants, an 11-acre tropical lagoon with a lazy river ride and five pools, a shopping mall, and the full-service luxury spa.
Registration
ReMA's online registration system is faster and simpler than ever—just visit www.isriconvention.org/register. This year's system allows registration of multiple attendees at once and sends confirmation via e-mail. If paying by check or money order, mail the registration form with payment to ReMA Convention, 1615 L St. NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20036-5610. If you are paying by credit card and not registering online, fax the registration form with payment to 202/624-9257. Printed forms and payment must be postmarked or faxed by March 25. ReMA will process printed registrations received after that date on site. Register only one individual per form.
Full conference registration includes admission to the opening night gala reception, general sessions, hospitality areas, workshops, spotlights, "Just for Fun" programs, the exhibit hall, and the closing reception.
Trade Show Only. ReMA offers a trade show only registration for those only interested in visiting the exhibit hall. The badge provides entrance to the exhibit hall April 28-29 and includes lunch and other hospitality offered on the expo floor. ReMA will offer a set of four metals identification sessions on April 30, which trade show only attendees can attend.
Registration Deadline. Preregistration costs less and saves you time when you get to the convention. To preregister, ReMA must receive your registration and payment no later than March 25. ReMA will process registrations received after March 25 on site. Convention registration will open at 7 a.m. April 26. ReMA encourages preregistered guests to pick up their badges early, as lines can get long during peak periods prior to the opening gala reception and the general sessions. If you plan to register on site, allow a minimum of 20 minutes (longer during peak periods) to process your registration and prepare your badge at the registration desk.
Registration Confirmation. ReMA will issue a confirmation e-mail to paid registrants or send confirmation by mail if e-mail is not practical. ReMA's confirmation letter applies only to the convention registration. ReMA does not confirm hotel reservations. To confirm lodging reservations, contact your hotel directly.
Hotel Accommodations. Making your reservations in the ReMA room block provides a discount off the standard room rates at the official convention hotels. It also helps ReMA meet its hotel commitment, avoiding penalties and keeping registration fees down.
Rooms at the Mandalay Bay are available for $129 single or double, plus tax; THEhotel rooms cost $159 single or double, plus tax. Guests reserved in the ReMA block of rooms will receive free in-room Internet access, free admission to the hotel spa—services are additional—and a $500 "fly back" coupon for airfare on your next stay at Mandalay Bay (restrictions apply).
ReMA's block of rooms is limited. To reserve a room, visit www.isriconvention.org/hotels or call 877/632-7000 and indicate that your reservation is for the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries room block. The reservation cut-off date is March 26. This block of rooms is for registered ReMA convention attendees and exhibitors only.
If the room block is sold out, visit www.isriconvention.org for additional options. The Web site also contains the latest schedule information, an interactive look at the exposition floor, and other exciting convention news. •
ReMA's convention provides an arsenal of tools to manage today's recycling market.