Cooper Industries -Case Study Essay Example for Free

Cooper Industries -Case Study Essay Cooper Industries was organized in 1919 as a manufacturer of heavy machinery and equipment. By the mid-1950s it was a leading producer of engines and massive compressors used to force naturalgas through pipelines and oil out of wells. Management was concerned, however, over its heavy dependence on sales to the oil and gas industries and the violent fluctuation of earnings caused bythe cyclical nature of heavy machinery and equipment sales. Although the companys long-term salesand earnings growth had been above average, its cyclical nature had dampened Wall Streets interestin the stock substantially. (Coopers historical operating results and financial condition aresummarized in Exhibits 1 and 2.) Initial efforts to lessen the earnings volatility were not successful. Between 1959 and 1966, Cooperacquired (1) a supplier of portable industrial power tools, (2) a manufacturer of small industrial airand process compressors, (3) a maker of small pumps and compressors for oil field applications, and(1) a producer of tire-changing tools for the automotive market. The acquisitions broadened Coopersmarkets but left it still highly sensitive to general economic conditions. In 1966 Cooper began a full review of its acquisition strategy. After several months of study, threecriteria were established for all acquisitions. First, the industry should be one in which Cooper couldbecome a major factor. This requirement was in line with managements goal of leadership within afew distinct areas of business. Second, the industry should be fairly stable, with a broad market forthe products and a product line of small ticket items. This product definition was intended toeliminate any company that had undue profit dependence on a single customer or several large salesper year. Finally, it was decided to acquire only leading companies in their respective marketsegments. This new strategy was initially implemented with the acquisition in 1967 of the Lufkin RuleCompany, the worlds largest manufacturer of measuring rules and tapes. Cooper acquired a qualityproduct line, an established distribution system of 35,000 retail hardware stores throughout theUnited Slates, and plants in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It also gained the services  ofWilliam Rector, president of Lufkin, and Hal Stevens, vice president of sales. Both were extremely knowledgeable in the hand tool business and had worked together effectively for years. Their goalwas to build through acquisition a hand tool company with a full product line that would use acommon sales and distribution system and joint advertising. To do this they needed Coopersfinancial strength. Lufkin provided a solid base to which two other companies were added. In 1969 the CrescentNiagara Corporation was acquired. The company had been highly profitable in the early 1960s butsuffered in recent years under the mismanagement of some investor-entrepreneurs who gainedcontrol in 1963. A series of acquisitions of weak companies with poor product lines eroded Crescentsoverall profitability until, in 1967, a small loss was reported. Discouraged, the investors wanted to getout, and Cooper—eager to add Crescents well-known and high-quality wrenches, pliers, andscrewdrivers to its line—was interested. It was clear that some of Crescents lines would have to bedropped and inefficient plants would have to be closed, but the wrenches, pliers, and screwdriverswould play an important part of Coopers product policy. In 1970, Cooper further expanded into hand tools with the acquisition of the Weller ElectricCorporation. Weller was the worlds leading supplier of soldering tools to the industrial, electronic,and consumer markets. It provided Cooper with a new, high-quality product line and productioncapacity in England, West Germany, and Mexico. (Information on the three acquisitions is providedin Exhibit 3.) Cooper was less successful in its approach to a fourth company in the hand tool business, theNicholson File Company. Nicholson was on the original shopping list of acceptable acquisitioncandidates that Mr. Cizik and Mr. Rector had developed, but several attempts to interest Nicholson inexploring merger possibilities had failed. The Nicholson family had controlled and managed thecompany since its founding in 1864, and Paul Nicholson, chairman of the board, had no interest injoining forces with anyone.

African American History in America Essay -- History Blacks African Am

In From Slavery to Freedom (2007), it was said that â€Å"the transition from slavery to freedom represents one of the major themes in the history of African Diaspora in the Americas† (para. 1). African American history plays an important role in American history not only because the Civil Rights Movement, but because of the strength and courage of Afro-Americans struggling to live a good life in America. Afro-Americans have been present in this country since the early 1600’s, and have been making history since. We as Americans have studied American history all throughout school, and took one Month out of the year to studied African American history. Of course we learn some things about the important people and events in African American history, but some of the most important things remain untold which will take more than a month to learn about. The Fight for Freedom and Rights When Afro-American’s came to America in hopes of having a better and easier way of life, and after they arrived it was a totally opposite of what they expected. The following are a couple events that took place in different locations for the fight for freedom and right. The first is Bloody Sunday; which took place in Selma, Alabama. This particular event was the march of black activists from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. Thomas-Samuel (1996) stated that â€Å"In 1965, Alabama state troopers and local deputies stopped and clubbed black activists as they marched peacefully†¦.† (para. 1). These people just wanted to make a point by marching from one city to another and they got beating just for it. Next is the fight for... ...7, 2007 from Web site: http://www.who2.com/denmarkvessey From Slavery to Freedom: African in the Americas. (2007). Association for the Study of African American Life and History. Retrieved October 7, 2007 from Web site: http://www.asalh.org/ Harlem Renaissance (1997-2007) Microsoft ® Encarta ® Online Encyclopedia 2007. Retrieved October 7, 2007 from Web site: http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761566483/Harlem_Renaissance.html/ Harlem Renaissance. (2007) The Columbia Eletronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Retrieved October 7, 2007 from Web site: http://www.factmonster.com./ce6/ent/A0822748.html History of Little Rock Nine. (1999) Little Rock Nine Foundation. Retrieved October 7, 2007 from the Web site: http://www.littlerock9.com/

The Train Station ( Creative Writing )

It was the cold seemingly endless winter of 1947 in Paris , Latin Quarter. . Sheets of snow put the rest of the district in almost complete obscurity; all but steeples and tall spires were invisible, on such a bleak day as this. The railway station was a vast cavity made to look smaller by the hoards of hagglers, travellers, tourists, natives and locals. Beggar boys being whisked from sight and hidden by wardens with preying eyes and superstition written all over them. The wonderful smell of the patisserie on the opposite side of the benches wafted around.Although it was only a railway station it held a certain grandeur, however it was not so now, for that was it in its former glory. A truly different sight beholds me now,creepers and vines reach upward, like the boney fingers of a witch. Corridors with cracked flagstones out of which weeds protrude and moss lingers. Must hangs in the air. Rust continues to corrode the tracks, graffiti encapsulates and engulfs the far wall. Tattered posters show a glimpse of what used to be of the place. Old newspaper flutters in the wind, floating on a cushion of wind. Alcoves show the remains of where shops used to trade.Like a black and white movie no colour was really visible. Some were,vaguely, but most not. Something strange hung in the air: an almost haunted aura. Only smashed windows provided light. The old wooden sleepers lay decaying, riddled with termites and millipedes. Forty years of decline and decay, decisions made, money paid,much to be gained as restoration is to begin, windows replaced, rusty tracks turned shiny again, wood turned concrete as the sleepers were replaced, graffiti became mosaic tiles, must became fragrance and dull became vibrance, grit became shine, and disused became used and indeed much was regained.

Chapter filipino

This chapter presents the research design, the respondents of the study, the research instruments and the statistical treatment to be used in the presentation and analysis of the data. Methods of Research used The descriptive method of research was used in this study. Descriptive method of research Is a fact finding study with adequate interpretation of the findings. It describes what Is. It describes with emphasis what actually exist such as current conditions, practices, situations, or any phenomena. Since the present study orInvestigation was concerned with the level of difficulty between algebra and geometry to sophomore of Santa Rosa Science and Technology High School during school year 2012-2013, the descriptive method of research was the most appropriate method to use. Sampling Technique This research uses the random sampling in determining the number of respondents. The researchers will assess the difficulty level of algebra and geometry of 56 sophomore students In Santa Rosa Science and Technology High School during school year 2012-2013. Description of Respondents The respondent were the sophomores students in Santa Rosa Science andTechnology High School in school year 2012-2013 that includes six sections namely: Pasteur, Linnaeus, Mendel, Darwin, Watson and Hook. Distribution of Respondents Section Number of Students Pasteur 41 10 Linnaeus Mendel 37 9 Darwin Watson Hook Table 1: This table shows that two of the six sections contain 10 respondents while the remaining four had only 9 respondents. All of the six sections have near range of Research Instrument 1 . Questionnaire. This is a researcher-made questionnaire which is composed of 2 parts. Part I is the general information of the respondents that include the age and sex of the respondents.Part II is the questionnaire for the assessment of the level of difficulty between Algebra and Geometry to sophomore students of Santa Rosa Science and Technology High School during school year 2012-2013. Data G athering Procedure Development of the instrument, after reading and studying samples of questionnaire from related studies, the researchers prepared their own questionnaire. The researchers also consulted some knowledgeable people about how to prepare one. The researchers saw to it that there were enough items to collect data to cover all aspects of the problem and to answer all the specific questions under the statement of the problem.Then the researchers submitted the questionnaire to their adviser, Dry. Scorer B. Escape for correction after which it was finalized. The copies of the questionnaire were then distributed personally by the researcher by the researcher to the respondents. After few days, all the copies Statistical Treatment of the Data The researcher will use the Weighted Mean, and the Relative Frequency. 1. Mean (x). This is to determine the average scores of some variables subject for study. X Where: x – the median n – the number of respondents 2. Relat ive Frequency.This will be used in the presentation and analysis of data gathered for problems using the formula: % = fin x 100 Where: f – frequency n – total number of respondents % – relative frequency Cover Letter Dear Respondents, Please be informed that we are conducting a study on the level of difficulty between Algebra and Geometry to sophomores of Santa Rosa Science and Technology High School in school year 2012-2013. In this connection, we have constructed a questionnaire to gather adequate information to know the level of difficulty between Algebra and Geometry. In fact, our research teacher, Dry.Scorer B. Escape has encouraged us to conduct the survey and promised to help us get your cooperation. Your participation in the study by way of answering the questionnaire is very important. Without it, our study wouldn't be successful as it should be. Kindly fill up the questionnaire and return it to us. Please feel assured that your anonymity and the inform ation you will give will be treated with the strictest confidentiality. Thank you very much for your very kind response to our request and if you are interested, we will supply you with the results of the study. Very sincerely yours,

The great Depression and the World Wars essays

The great Depression and the World Wars essays A Look at the Great Depression of 1936 After reading through the article, I gained very good information of what really happened during the era of 1930s in USA. Whereas I think the main cause for the Great depression was the huge stock market crash that occurred in October 1929 other than the Dust Bowl. The great Depression affected almost every nation. It caused a sharp decrease in world trade because each country tried to help its own industries by raising tariffs on imported goods. Everyone blamed the President Herbert Hoover at that time and people were very upset about his decisions involving the economy. They dealt with anger and elected President Franklin D. Roosevelt. He was the one who helped get the economy back in shape by creating a program called the New Deal. I think the Great Depression is one of the most misunderstood events in American history. It is routinely cited, as proof that unregulated capitalism is not the best in the world, and other interventions can save capitalism from itself. Among the man y myths surrounding the Great Depression are that Hoover was a laissez faire president and that FDR brought us out of the depression. What caused the Great Depression? To get a handle on that, its necessary to look at previous depressions and compare. The Great Depression was by no means the first depression this country ever had, but it was clearly the worst. What made it different that the rest? At the time of the Great Depression, government intervention in the economy was higher than it had ever been and a special government agency had been set up specifically to prevent depressions and their associated problems, such as bank panics. One agency was the Federal Reserve Board and it was to have been the loaner of last resorts for banks in order to prevent collapses as it happened before. I think the most dynamic fiasco, ever recorded which affected life in eve...

In the Words of Frank Lloyd Wright

In the Words of Frank Lloyd Wright American architect  Frank Lloyd Wright was known for his Prairie Style house designs, his tempestuous person life, and his prolific writings, including speeches and magazine articles. His long life (91 years) gave him time to fill volumes. Here are some of Frank Lloyd Wrights most notable quotations- and our favorites: On Simplicity In contrast to his tumultuous personal life, Wright spent his architectural life expressing beauty through simple, natural forms and designs. How does an architect create beautiful yet functional forms? Five lines where three are enough is always stupidity. Nine pounds where three are sufficient is obesity....To know what to leave out and what to put in, just where and just how, ah, that is to have been educated in knowledge of simplicity- toward ultimate freedom of expression.The Natural House, 1954 Form and function are one. Some Aspects of the Future of Architecture (1937), The Future of Architecture, 1953 Simplicity and repose are qualities that measure the true value of any work of art....An excessive love of detail has ruined more fine things from the standpoint of fine art or fine living than any one human shortcoming; it is hopelessly vulgar. In the Cause of Architecture I   (1908) Organic Architecture Before there was Earth Day and LEED certification, Wright promoted an ecology and naturalness in architectural design. The home should not be on a plot of land but be of the land- an organic part of the environment. Much of Wrights writings describes the philosophy of organic architecture: ...it is in the nature of any organic building to grow from its site, come out of the ground into the light- the ground itself held always as a component basic part of the building itself. The Natural House (1954) A building should appear to grow easily from its site and be shaped to harmonize with its surroundings if nature is manifest there, and if not try to make it as quiet, substantial, and organic as she would have been were the opportunity hers. In the Cause of Architecture I   (1908) Where does the garden leave off and the house begin? The Natural House, 1954 This Architecture we call organic is an architecture upon which true American society will eventually be based if we survive at all. The Natural House, 1954 True architecture...is poetry. A good building is the greatest of poems when it is organic architecture. An Organic Architecture, The London Lectures (1939), The Future of Architecture So here I stand before you preaching organic architecture: declaring organic architecture to be the modern ideal... An Organic Architecture, The London Lectures (1939), The Future of Architecture Nature and Natural Forms Some of the most famous architects were born in June, including Wright, born in Wisconsin on June 8, 1867. His youth on the prairie lands of Wisconsin, especially the times he spent on his uncles farm, shaped the way this future architect incorporated natural elements into his designs: Nature is the great teacher- man can only receive and respond to her teaching. The Natural House, 1954 The land is the simplest form of architecture. Some Aspects of the Past and Present in Architecture (1937), The Future of Architecture, 1953 The prairie has a beauty of its own.... In the Cause of Architecture I   (1908) Primarily, nature furnished the materials for architectural motifs...her wealth of suggestion is inexhaustible; her riches greater than any mans desire. In the Cause of Architecture I   (1908) ...go to the woods and fields for color schemes. In the Cause of Architecture I   (1908) I have never been fond of paints or of wallpaper or anything which must be applied to other things as a surface....Wood is wood, concrete is concrete, stone is stone. The Natural House (1954) The Nature of Man Frank Lloyd Wright had a way of seeing the world as one whole, not differentiating between the living, breathing home or of the human being. Human houses should not be like boxes, he lectured in 1930. Wright continued: Any house is a far too complicated , clumsy, fussy, mechanical counterfeit of the human body. Electric wiring for nervous system, plumbing for bowels, heating system and fireplaces for arteries and heart, and windows for eyes, nose, and lungs generally. The Cardboard House, the Princeton Lectures, 1930, The Future of Architecture What a man does- that he has. The Natural House, 1954 A house that has character stands a good chance of growing more valuable as it grows older...Buildings like people must first be sincere, must be true.... In the Cause of Architecture I   (1908) Plaster houses were then new. Casement windows were new....Nearly everything was new but the law of gravity and the idiosyncrasy of the client. The Natural House, 1954 On Style Although realtors and developers have embraced the Prairie style home, Wright designed each home for the land it was on and the people who would occupy it. He said: There should be as many kinds (styles) of houses as there are kinds (styles) of people and as many differentiations as there are different individuals. A man who has individuality (and what man lacks it?) has a right to its expression in his own environment. In the Cause of Architecture I   (1908) Style is a byproduct of the process....To adopt a style as a motive is to put the cart before the horse.... In the Cause of Architecture II   (1914) On Architecture As an architect, Frank Lloyd Wright never wavered in his beliefs about architecture and the use of space inside and out. Homes as different as Fallingwater and Taliesin have the same natural, organic elements he learned about as a boy in Wisconsin. ...every house...should begin on the ground, not in it.... The Natural House (1954) Form follows function is mere dogma until you realize the higher truth that form and function are one. The Natural House (1954) The house of moderate cost is not only Americas major architectural problem but the problem most difficult for her major architects. The Natural House (1954) Had steel, concrete, and glass existed in the ancient order we could have had nothing like our ponderous, senseless classic architecture. The Natural House, 1954 ...architecture is life; or at least it is life itself taking form and therefore it is the truest record of life as it was lived in the world yesterday, as it is lived today or ever will be lived. So architecture I know to be a Great Spirit. The Future: Valedictory (1939) What is needed most in architecture today is the very thing that is most needed in life- integrity. The Natural House (1954) ...architectural values are human values, or they are not valuable....Human values are life giving, not life taking. The Disappearing City (1932) Advice To The Young Architect From the Chicago Art Institute Lecture (1931), The Future of Architecture The influences of the old master, architect Louis Sullivan, stayed with Wright all of his life, even as Wright was more famous and became the master himself. Think simples, as my old master used to say- meaning to reduce the whole to its parts in simplest terms, getting back to first principles. Take time to prepare....Then go as far away as possible from home to build your first buildings. The physician can bury his mistakes, but the architect can only advise his clients to plant vines. ...form the habit of thinking why....get the habit of analysis.... Regard it as just as desirable to build a chicken house as to build a cathedral. The size of the project means little in art, beyond the money matter. So, architecture speaks as poetry to the soul. In this machine age to utter this poetry that is architecture, as in all other ages, you must learn the organic language of the natural which is ever the language of the new. Every great architect is- necessarily- a great poet. He must be a great original interpreter of his time, his day, his age. An Organic Architecture, The London Lectures (1939), The Future of Architecture Quotations Popularly Attributed to Frank Lloyd Wright Frank Lloyd Wright quotes are as abundant as the number of buildings he completed. Many quotations have been repeated so many time, its difficult to accurately source when they were said, or, even, if they are accurate quotes from Wright himself. Here are some that often appear in collections of quotations: I hate intellectuals. They are from the top down. I am from the bottom up. TV is chewing gum for the eyes. Early in life I had to choose between honest arrogance and hypocritical humility. I chose honest arrogance and have seen no occasion to change. The thing always happens that you really believe in; and the belief in a thing makes it happen. The truth is more important than the facts. Youth is a quality, not a matter of circumstances. An idea is salvation by imagination. Get the habit of analysis- analysis will in time enable synthesis to become your habit of mind. I feel coming on a strange disease- humility. If it keeps up, man will atrophy all his limbs but the push-button finger. The scientist has marched in and taken the place of the poet. But one day somebody will find the solution to the problems of the world and remember, it will be a poet, not a scientist. No stream rises higher than its source. What ever man might build could never express or reflect more than he was. He could record neither more nor less than he had learned of life when the buildings were built. The longer I live the more beautiful life becomes. If you foolishly ignore beauty, you will soon find yourself without it. Your life will be impoverished. But if you invest in beauty, it will remain with you all the days of your life. The present is the ever moving shadow that divides yesterday from tomorrow. In that lies hope. I find it hard to believe that the machine would go into the creative artists hand even were that magic hand in true place. It has been too far exploited by industrialism and science at expense to art and true religion. The screech and mechanical uproar of the big city turns the citified head, fills citified ears- as the song of birds, wind in the trees, animal cries, or as the voices and songs of his loved ones once filled his heart. He is sidewalk-happy. Note: Frank Lloyd Wright ® and Taliesin ® are registered trademarks of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation.

China's business model Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

China's business model - Essay Example This number has quickly increased to now stand at about 5.8 million workers with Africa playing host to an estimated over 1 million Chinese workers (Djik, 2009). China has experienced rapid growth that has seen the country quickly grow to become the world’s second largest luxury market in the year 2009. The attainment of a 27.5% global luxury market share caused the country to effectively surpass the United States and was able to come second only to Japan. This massive growth has been seen to be quite remarkable especially in light of the country’s market consumption in in luxury products has only been in existence for a time period of approximately 20 years (Zhang and Stening, 2009). So as to be able to critically analyze the advantages and disadvantages of the business model in use in China, it is possible to individually analyze several key aspects of the model so as to gain a better understanding of the whole model in general one of these key aspects is the business model’s private economy. ... sses in the country, others classified as being part of the private economy include the various enterprises that happen to have investments from Taiwan, Macau and Hong Kong. This definition of private economies is seen to essentially leave out foreign-invested enterprises in the definition. Advantages Attributed to the China Business Model as a Result of its Private Economy Attribute The country’s private economy helped provide a ready labor market for country’s growing rural labor force. According to various government statistics, the country’s over 250 thousand enterprises that happened to be privately owned as at 1988, were able to successfully absorb over an estimated 4 million labors. This private economy was able to make better use of various resources such as available surplus expertise and labor, and funds that were not being properly utilized by the country’s state government (Chen, 1995). The Chinese business model also advocates for preference o f Chinese workers over workers of other nationalities. This is highlighted by the approach taken by the country in regards to the various contracts obtained by its companies in other countries. An illustration of this factor being that, during the recent economic crisis that severely crippled the economies of several markets around the world, China was seen to be relatively unaffected as it continued to invest in several countries ranging from the Bahamas across to various countries in Africa. In a recent deal portraying the effectiveness of the Chinese business model, one of the country’s construction companies was able to sign a deal in Bahamas that was it get contracted to build a $3 billion gambling project (Dean, 2011). China was able to capitalize on this deal by insisting on bringing in its own