BUSINESS/ORGANIZATIONAL BRIEFS

Equipment Dealer Sentenced to Prison and Fined

Floyd E. Riley, owner of TransWorld Equipment, pled guilty to two counts of wire fraud, one count of money laundering and one count of transporting stolen property. The Federal Court in St. Louis sentenced him to 21 months in prison and fined $350,000 in restitution.

Riley’s illegal activities were conducted through a number of his businesses and included non-delivery of contracted equipment and writing bad checks or stopping payment on checks used to purchase equipment. Judge Richard Webber warned Riley that a federal probation officer would watch any future dealings closely.

Allentown Company and Its President Face Charges

BEF Corp. of Allentown, Pennsylvania and Elward Brewer of Englewood, Florida, BEF’s founder and president, were each charged on September 22, in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia with allegedly violating the Clean Water Act by discharging silver-laden and acidic waste water into sewers operated by the Cities of Bethlehem and Allentown, Pennsylvania. BEF refurbishes and resells used one-hour photo-processing machines.

BEF was also charged with violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and with 12 counts of making false statements to the government.

These charges stem from BEF’s exportation of goods to Iran, and from BEF’s alleged practice of discounting the fair market value of its photo labs on Shippers’ Export Declarations to help its international customers avoid paying import duties.

The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Philadelphia.

Weyerhaeuser Reports Increased Third Quarter Net Earnings Compared to 2003

Federal Way, WA— Weyerhaeuser Company reported third quarter net earnings of $594 million, or $2.45 per diluted share, on net sales of $5.8 billion. This compares with $82 million, or 37 cents per diluted share, on net sales of $5.2 billion for the third quarter of 2003.

Third quarter 2004 earnings include the following after-tax items:

•A gain of $179 million, or 74 cents per diluted share, from a sale of timberlands in Georgia.
•A gain of $16 million, or 7 cents per diluted share, from a tenure reallocation agreement with the British Columbia government.
•A gain of $13 million, or 5 cents per diluted share, due to the reduction of the reserve for hardboard siding claims.
•A charge of $7 million, or 3 cents per diluted share, related to the sale or closure of facilities.

American Construction Company Enters Agreement to Acquire General Steel

Phoenix, AZ— American Construction Company, a Nevada corporation, entered into an agreement to acquire General Steel Investment Co., Ltd. ("General Steel"), a British Virgin Islands limited liability corporation.

American Construction Company acquired General Steel and its 70% ownership in its subsidiary, Tianjin Da Qiu Zuang Sheet Metal Co., Ltd., ("DQ") a People's Republic of China limited liability corporation, in exchange for shares of ACNS's common stock, of which 22 million shares are a new issuance by ACNS, and 7.96 million shares are from certain shareholders of ACNS, which in aggregate, constitute 96% of the total issued and outstanding shares of ACNS.

U. S. Steel Appoints New General Manager

Pittsburgh, PA— United States Steel Corporation announced that it will centralize its sheet products processing and delivery operations and has appointed Lisa A. Roudabush as general manager-processed products to oversee the new organization. In her new capacity Roudabush will be responsible for all facets of the operation, including quality control, contract administration and customer service. The appointment is effective November 1, 2004.

Prior to her appointment Roudabush served as general manager-research, with responsibility for the company’s applied research, development and technical support functions at the Research and Technology Center in Monroeville, Pennsylvania.

Wastewater Disinfection System Introduced

Pittsburgh, PA— Calgon Carbon Corporation’s UV Technologies launched a new ultra-violet light wastewater disinfection system, called the C(3)150™.

The C(3)150™ is designed to disinfect municipal wastewater and prevent the spread of waterborne pathogens to lakes, streams, rivers, and coastal waters. Calgon Carbon designed the C(3)150™ open channel, parallel flow ultraviolet disinfection system to meet the demands of treatment plant operators for simple operation and maintenance. The C(3)150™ can be built to fit virtually all open channel wastewater streams to treat the flows of small-to-medium-sized treatment plants.

Caterpillar replaces retiring VP and CFO

Peoria, IL— Caterpillar Inc. announced that vice president and chief financial officer F. Lynn McPheeters will retire February 1, 2005, after a distinguished 40-year Caterpillar career. To allow a smooth transition and 2005 planning, the Caterpillar Board elected corporate controller David B. Burritt as a Caterpillar vice president, effective December 1, 2004. Burritt will succeed McPheeters as CFO and lead Caterpillar’s Corporate Services Division. Replacing Burritt as corporate controller will be Bradley M. Halverson, currently director of Corporate Financial Reporting.

IMCO’s Navarro Resigns from Board of Directors

Irving, TX— IMCO Recycling Inc. announced that Don Navarro, a director of IMCO since 1986, has resigned from the board of directors to pursue other business opportunities.

Commenting on Mr. Navarro’s resignation, John E. Balkcom, IMCO’s chairman, noted that, “Mr. Navarro’s contributions during the past 18 years have been invaluable to the company, particularly his service recently on IMCO’s special committee formed in 2003 to investigate strategic business opportunities which led to our announced proposal to merge with Commonwealth Industries, Inc.

Federal Environmental Executive Appointed

Edwin Piñero was appointed by President George W. Bush in September 2004 to serve as the Federal Environmental Executive. Mr. Piñero had served as Deputy FEE since January 2003, and had assumed the role of Acting Federal Environmental Executive in June 2004.

Previously, Mr. Piñero was owner of Piñero Consulting, an environmental management consulting firm in Pennsylvania. He worked for then-Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge as Director of the Bureau of Environmental Sustainability in the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, as well as the State Energy Director.

Over his 22-year career, Mr. Piñero has worked for various environmental consulting firms, taught graduate courses in environmental management for Duquesne University, and was a geologist with Mobil Oil Corporation.

WASTECON 2004 Crowds Exceed Expectations

Phoenix, AZ— John H. Skinner, Ph.D., SWANA’s Executive Director and CEO, announced that attendance numbers for WASTECON 2004 exceeded expectations amidst an increase in participation across all events over last year’s conference.

Led by an over 50% increase in training program participation, WASTECON 2004, held September 21-23 in Phoenix, Arizona, showed an overall increase in attendance of more than 10%.

Rosario Marin Elected to California Waste Board

Sacramento, CA— Former U.S. Treasurer Rosario Marin has been elected to chair the California Integrated Waste Management Board, the state’s primary solid waste recycling agency.

Ms. Marin will lead the specially funded agency with an annual budget of approximately $186 million and a staff of 450 employees.

The board is responsible for helping more than 400 cities and counties improve their solid waste diversion rates to meet a 50 percent diversion State mandate; promoting and assisting the development of markets for all recyclable materials and products; permitting solid waste facilities to ensure safe and healthful operations; managing California’s annual waste tires; working with school districts around the state to adopt environmental learning curriculums; and helping clean up illegal and abandoned dumping sites.

Governor Notes ARCA’s Expansion in Connecticut

Minneapolis, MN— Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc. announced that ARCA and the Connecticut Energy Conservation and Load Management Fund, in collaboration with the conservation load management teams of the Connecticut Light & Power Company (CL&P) and the United Illuminating Company (UI), were recognized by M. Jodi Rell, Governor of Connecticut, for the grand opening of ARCA’s new Connecticut facility. Governor Rell proclaimed October 14, 2004, as Appliance Recycling Centers of America’s Connecticut Facility Day.

Earlier this year, CL&P and UI launched a statewide conservation program through which old, working, energy-inefficient household appliances are recycled. ARCA collects the appliances for the utilities and processes them to remove environmentally damaging materials before the refrigerants and metals are recycled. Nearly 10,000 refrigerators, freezers, room air conditioners and dehumidifiers in Connecticut have been retired from service through the program this year.

Weyerhaeuser Names Senior VP, Corporate Affairs

Federal Way, WA— Weyerhaeuser Company announced that Ernesta Ballard has been named senior vice president — Corporate Affairs effective October 25, 2004.

Ballard will report directly to Steven R. Rogel, chairman, president and chief executive officer and be a member of the company’s senior management team. In her new role, Ballard will lead the functions of corporate communications, corporate philanthropy, government affairs and environment, health and safety.

Ballard currently serves in the cabinet of the governor of the State of Alaska as commissioner, Department of Environmental Conservation, a position she has held since 2002. Prior to joining the governor’s cabinet, Ballard had a consulting practice specializing in regulatory strategy with an emphasis on integrated management systems for protection of the environment, health and safety.

Ballard was appointed in 1997 by President Clinton to serve on the Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service where she chaired the Audit Committee. From 1983-86, Ballard was the regional administrator of Region 10 of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Rick Mauck Confirmed as SWANA’s New President

Silver Spring, MD— Dr. John H. Skinner, executive director and CEO of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA), announced the election of Richard J. Mauck, director of streets and automotive services for the city of Santa Clara, California, as SWANA’s new president.

Working for the City of Santa Clara since 1982, Mauck has presided over solid waste management and recycling programs as well as programs for four other public works department divisions. Allocating an annual $20 million over many different public works programs, Mauck is responsible for solid waste management and maintaining the streets, storm drains and an urban runoff pollution prevention program in Santa Clara.

Mauck has seven years of experience as a consultant, and is a registered professional civil engineer. 

Alcan Adds Ruding as Director of Company

Montreal, Canada— Mr. L. Yves Fortier, chairman of the board of directors of Alcan Inc., announced the appointment of Dr. H. Onno Ruding as a director of the Company.

Dr. Ruding is a former minister of finance of the Netherlands and was an executive director of the International Monetary Fund in Washington, D.C. and a member of the board of managing directors of AMRO Bank in Amsterdam. He is the former vice chairman of Citicorp and Citibank, N.A.

Dr. Ruding serves as a director on the boards of Corning Inc., Holcim AG and RTL Group and is president of the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) in Brussels. Dr. Ruding is also a member of the international advisory committees of Robeco Group and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

CMC Division President Retires after 24 Years

Dallas, TX— The president of CMC’s Secondary Metals Processing Division, will retire effective September 30, 2004 after more than 24 years with the Company.

Heinkele, age 72, has enjoyed a long career in the metals industry. He began his career with CMC in 1980 having been previously employed by NL Industries. Heinkele was named the head of the secondary metals processing division shortly after joining CMC. Heinkele will remain a consultant to CMC following his retirement.

ISRI Membership Grows

Washington, DC— The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries has increased its membership. The scrap recycling trade association reports the 2004 increase is the second consecutive year in which membership and retention goals have been exceeded.

The association has added 149 member companies in 2004, said ISRI chairman Joel Denbo. The association’s membership now includes over 1,225 member companies.

Ameri-Kart acquires Diakon Molding, Inc.

Goddard, KS— Ameri-Kart, makers of rotational molded plastic refuse containers and material handling carts has purchased Reidsville, North Carolina-based Diakon Molding, Inc. a blow-molding operation that produces carts for residential and commercial waste handling. No details of the transaction were immediately available.

Diakon employs about 100 people, and also manufactures custom products for the lawn and garden, automotive and consumer products industries.

Biodiesel Blends Now Available Nationwide

Alamosa, CO— Blue Sun Bio-diesel® announced the nation’s first high-volume commercial biodiesel blending terminal and integrated biodiesel processing plant. High-performance biodiesel blends will be available from the terminal beginning November 2004. The production plant is scheduled for completion in May 2005.

The new Blue Sun Biodiesel processor and terminal increases availability and reduces the cost of high-performance biodiesel fuel made from virgin vegetable oil. The new facility will provide ample supplies of the Blue Sun Biodiesel fuel to the rapidly growing U.S. market.

Gigi Dennis, Colorado state director for USDA Rural Development, said, “Blue Sun’s processing facility and distribution terminal are critical-path developments in the ongoing national effort to increase agricultural income and reduce America’s dependence on foreign oil.”