Indigenous People And The Media - 1499 Words

Indigenous Studies is a very interesting unit as I am able to learn and discover more in depth about Indigenous People. However, the lecture that got me into deep thoughts was on Indigenous People and the Media. I kept asking myself; why do we view people that way? Why is it we change impressions when it’s a different race to ours? Now thinking back, I’ve come to realise that media has a big influence to our everyday lives. Indigenous Australians in media are not highly recognised for positive news. The way the media interprets sources of information about the Indigenous Peoples has change the views on what we think of them. Now this has become a huge effect on the Indigenous Peoples as it lead to stereotyping, racism and discrimination.†¦show more content†¦Mainstream media tends to focus on the negative side about Indigenous Peoples like the ‘problems’ and the relationship between the Indigenous Peoples and the public (McCallum, Waller, 2013). E ducational systems are the same, as the students learn more on the negative history of the Indigenous Peoples instead of the contemporary arts and performances of Aboriginal history. This leads to the view of many Indigenous children feeling outcast as people stereotype on their race when they don’t (Salote Bovoro, 2008, citied in Korff, 2016). We cannot deny that everyone stereotypes, including myself but I have become more aware that I should think before I do or say something. I was taught in previous years that I should ask myself, what if someone said that to you, how would you feel? That’s the same with Indigenous Peoples, they don’t want to be treated that way because yes, everyone is different, but we don’t need to point it out and criticise about it. RACISM/DISCRIMINATION As the unit is about Indigenous Peoples, people thinks that this is the most sensitive topic as people tend to think before they say something, unlike how they describe people who are the same as them. During the lecture on ‘People and Media’, it was a discussion where we were to describe the picture that is shown to us. For the first half, it showed pictures of the everyday lifestyle of ordinary Non-Indigenous People, whilst the other half were the IndigenousShow MoreRelatedThe Media Of Indigenous Australians1474 Words   |  6 PagesPart A – Media Analysis There is a populace of 18 million in Australia with Indigenous Australians making up roughly one percent of the Australian population. Due to this, the closest that a non-Indigenous Australians will come to have contact with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person is through representation in the Australian media. Most media stories are viewed as one sided or racist with even the Prime Minster Tony Abbott making comments that it is a ‘lifestyle choice’ for the IndigenousRead MoreLegal And Ethical Issues Of The Media1430 Words   |  6 PagesThe media is a large, diverse means of mass communication. Many legal and ethical concerns arise when representing specific cultural demographics and the complex nature in which they exist. When representing indigenous Australians in the media, a deep understanding of cultural practices, beliefs, consent and privacy are critical in producing content that is both legally and ethically appropriate. Communication practitioners ho ld a specific responsibility to adopt legal and ethical frameworks thatRead MoreThe Impact Of Media On Indigenous Collective Action1725 Words   |  7 Pagesarmed indigenous man leaning over the smaller soldier before a moment of apparent confrontation. On one level, the image itself is colonial portraying the soldier as keeping the peace against the unknowable â€Å"other.† Thereby in many parts this image misrepresents the complex reality of the situation and the history surrounding the Oka confrontation. But this image represents more then merely the Oka crisis, but rather the often one sided portrayal of Indigenous people within the media. The media hasRead MoreMental Health Community Development984 Words   |  4 Pagespolicy so that resources are allocated on the basis of indigenous health. The development of the campaign and the various tactics employed have enabled the issues of indigenous health rights to come to light as a serious matter amongst the general publi c, political parties, organisations, media etc. The campaign and the information kits readily available are a practical way of promoting the indigenous health issue to a wide variety of people. The development of this campaign has enabled the widerRead MoreIndigenous And Non Indigenous Of The Baseball Team, The Cleveland Indians1657 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction Media, in its many forms, controls how individuals learn about different issues going on around the world. 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They not only inflicted systematic physical and mental abuse but they fenced Indigenous Australians out ofRead MoreNew Media Influence in Indegenous Communities945 Words   |  4 PagesIndigenous people groups over the world have been influenced by the presentation of advances of remote societies for several years. Some have not incredibly changed their lifestyles, while others have totally changed identities toward one self, whole social orders and perspectives. Current advances, particularly telecommunication and machine innovations, permit indigenous assemblies to partake in the bigger social orders and economies around them. These innovations likewise, empower them to saveRead MoreAnalysis Of Stan Grant s Speech Racism And The Australian Dream 1280 Words   |  6 Pag esAustralian Dream’ (2015) effectively reminds the Australian population of the racism and harsh inequalities indigenous Australians have faced in the past and still face today. In reminding us of this reality, Grant engages us to discover issues of civic participation in Aboriginal people and in doing so perpetuates a need for social change. More? (topic SENTENCE). Stan Grant is a 52-year-old Indigenous-Australian activist, journalist and author from Griffith, New South Wales. Grant over the past three decadesRead MoreThe Importance Of A Culturally Competent Framework1672 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction Indigenous social advancement has been a top political issue since the 1960’s. Today Indigenous youth can expect much more support and opportunity within education from pre-school through to University, which can be witnessed from enrolment statistics. This social advancement was made possible through the achievements of Indigenous Elders who overcame disadvantage to provide a pathway forwards for their people. Charles Nelson Perkins (1936-2000), was one such man. He was the first IndigenousRead MoreRedfern Riot Shouldnt Be Prosecuted805 Words   |  4 Pagesof Waterloo must signal the end of society and media depictions that has created an inability to deem the residents’ constant claim of police harassment and violence. It is time we should accept the grim fact that many existing attitudes towards the most disadvantaged people, Indigenous Australians, are part of this mayhem-like problem. The public intensely curved its attention toward what happened in NSW on February 15. A 17-year-old Indigenous boy, Thomas Hickey – the most common being â€Å"TJ†

Frederick Engels Impact on the Conditions of Laborers...

Life can at times seem bad, even in the lives of some of the most prestigious, rich, popular people in the world. Bad hair, lack of sleep, abundance of homework, and an absence of money have the tendency to put a damper on some peoples days, among other things. Too many times, though, in todays society things are taken for granted. Imagine not having a place to sleep, having no means of education, or having all hard-earned funds taken by the government, not even leaving enough to feed the family. This is how it was for Englanders in the 1800s. The condition of the working-class in 19thcentury England was, without a doubt, disgusting and miserable. The circumstances were spiraling out of control and the working class was†¦show more content†¦These rigorous studies lead to Engels writing of The Condition of the Working-Class in England in 1844, an important work bringing more attentions to the struggles and problems of the working-class and raising ideas on how to bring reform . Engels friend and life-long work partner Karl Marx in 1844 in Paris, France. Together, Marx and Engel, while establishing modern Communism and Socialism, crafted the Communist Manifesto, among other things. The Communist Manifesto, published in February of 1848, attempts to explain the goals of Communism, Marxs and Engels solution to the struggles and exploitations of each class by the other classes. This work is undoubtedly the most influential piece produced by these two revolutionists. Another collaboration by Engels with Marx include the development of the International Workingmens Association. Frederick Engels produced a few other revolutionary pieces including the major works Anti-Dyriring in 1878 and The Origin of the Family, Private Property, and the State in 1884. After Marxs death in March of 1883, Engels devoted the rest of his life to translating and working with Marxs writing and ideas. Engels died on August 5, 1895 in London. The condition of the working class in the 19th century was ridiculously out of control. Due to the instant explosion of industrialization throughout Europe, the environment suffered. The rise of mass production happened so quickly and itsShow MoreRelatedMarx and Weber: Conflicting Conflict Theories1903 Words   |  8 Pagesbetween the capitalist bourgeoisie who own the means of production and the proletariat that is the labor force behind production. In Marxs Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844, he begins to draw the line between the capitalist owner and the laborer class. As a result of the competition that is necessary for capitalist interests, society divides itself into two classes: the owners of property and the workers without property. 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Management Decision and Control Systems Free Essays

CSC 546: MANAGEMENT DECISION CONTROL SYSTEMS SPRING 2007 METTLER TOLEDO INTERNATIONAL INC. PAPER 1: COMPANY PROSPECTUS Due March 2, 2007 Submitted by: SUDEEPTHI MOGALLA DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER SCIENCE NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERISTY Email: smogall@ncsu. edu INTRODUCTION Mettler-Toledo International Inc. We will write a custom essay sample on Management Decision and Control Systems or any similar topic only for you Order Now , headquartered in Greifensee, Switzerland is the world’s largest manufacturer of weighing solutions for laboratory, industrial and retail applications. With manufacturing facilities in USA, Switzerland, Germany, United Kingdom, and China, and sales service operations in over 35 countries, it is also a leading global provider of precision instruments and services. It is a market leader in balances and pipettes, and a top provider of automated chemistry systems. It also holds leading market positions in several analytical instruments and process analytics applications. Its industrial product line includes weighing sensors for production and quality, and inspection systems for packaged goods. It also provides weighing solutions for transportation, and food retail industries. It supports its products through a comprehensive global service network assisting customers from calibration to compliance with regulations. It also provides retail software for fresh food management. Mettler-Toledo’s North American headquarters is located in Columbus, Ohio. In 2006, the company generated net sales of $1,595 million, a 7% annual growth with an operating income of $234 million, a 13% increase from 2005. The company is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker MTD. Mettler-Toledo International Inc. Page 2 of 23 COMPANY HISTORY The company Mettler Instrumente AG was started in 1945 by Dr. Erhard Mettler, a Swiss engineer, in Kusnacht, Switzerland. He developed weighing balances that used single pans for laboratory applications. By 1973, the company entered the electronic precision industry by producing the award winning electronic precision balance, the PT1200. With innovations applying microprocessor technology, new products like automated titrators, and thermal analyzers were added to the laboratory product lines. In 1980, the company was bought by Ciba-Geigy AG, which entered the retail scale market and produced weighing solutions to manufacturing companies. The company increased its sales and service network to various global locations. Toledo Scale Corporation founded in 1901 and headquartered in Columbus, Ohio was the largest scale manufacturer in US for industrial and retail markets. In 1989, it was acquired by Mettler to form Mettler-Toledo International Inc. In 1997, the company went public and started trading on the New York Stock Exchange. Over the years, the company undertook some major acquisitions thus adding some major brands to the Mettler-Toledo group of companies. Mettler-Toledo International Inc. Page 3 of 23 GROWTH BY ACQUISITIONS Mettler-Toledo started its Product Inspection Division by acquiring HI-SPEED Checkweigher Systems, a custom designer and manufacturer of checkweigher and product handling equipment in Ithaca, NY in 1981. In 1987, GARVENS based in Europe was purchased for its capabilities to produce checkweighing solutions for moving products. The Product Inspection Division was completed by the acquisition of SAFELINE, a leading metal detection manufacturer with facilities in UK and Tampa, Florida in 1997. The Process Analytics Division is started by the acquisition of INGOLD in 1986. INGOLD provides pH and conductivity solutions for process measurements in chemical processes and sterile applications. THORNTON, a provider of industrial water monitoring based in Bedford, Massachusetts was added to the group in 2000. Some of the markets leaders that operate under their own brands are BERGER Instruments that uses high performance technology to analyze and purify chemical compounds for drug discovery, CARGOSCAN that provides cargo space optimization solutions, LASENTEC that provides solutions for in-process particle size and population analysis and is part f the Automated Chemistry Division, and the California based manufacturer of pipetting solutions, RAININ Instruments. RAININ Mettler-Toledo International Inc. Page 4 of 23 holds a broad range of patents in the pipetting technologies and serves pharmaceutical, biotech, and research applications. Most recently, Mettler-Toledo acquired SOFTECHNICS INC. a provider of software solutions for food retailing applications in 2002. MANAGEMENT TEAM The management team at Mettler-Toledo is led by the President CEO, Robert F. Spoerry who is also the Chairman of Board of Directors. Mr. Spoerry has served in the positions of Head of Industrial Retail divisions for Mettler-Toledo in the past. He is supported by the CFO, William P. Donnelly who was the Head of Product Inspection, the CIO, Jean-Lucien Gloor, and the Head of Human Resources, Peter Burker. Table 1 lists the management team. Table 1: Mettler-Toledo Management Team Name Robert F. Spoerry Current Position President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of Board of Directors William P. Donnelly Jean-Lucien Gloor Peter Burker Olivier A. Filliol Chief Financial Officer Chief Information Officer Head of Human Resources Head of Global Sales, Service Marketing, and Head of Process Analytics Mettler-Toledo International Inc. Page 5 of 23 Ken Peters Karl M. Lang Beat E. Luthi Urs Widmer Joakim Weidemanis Hans-Peter von Arb General Manager – North America Marketing General Manager – Asia/Pacific Marketing Head of Laboratory Division Head of Industrial Division Head of Product Inspection Division Head of Retail Division CORE COMPETENCIES Mettler-Toledo was able to maintain its market leadership in numerous product lines primarily due to its ability to constantly develop new products and embrace new technologies. It has gained a reputation as a global innovator by successfully launching new products in various product lines each year. Research Development has been its core competency from the beginning, and the company has increased its investment in RD each year over the last few years. In 2005, its RD spending was over $80 million, which is 5. 5% of its net sales. Mettler-Toledo holds more than 1700 patents and trademarks in USA, Switzerland, Germany, UK, France, Japan, and China. They developed strong knowledge base in automation, robotics, laser optical applications, and industrial software development. Over the years, RD at Mettler-Toledo has contributed through application of advanced technologies, feature-based enhancements on its products, increasing their products Mettler-Toledo International Inc. Page 6 of 23 reliability accuracy, and developing new software capabilities for its products. With an RD force of about 800 employees, the company was able to focus on multiple development efforts simultaneously. As more and more products from the company started including advancements in user-interface through touch screen and LCD technologies, a significant RD effort went into developing its products’ user-interfaces, the supporting software, and information systems for data management. The significance of software development as a key RD effort can be understood from the fact that almost half of Mettler-Toledo’s RD personnel are software engineers. Beyond RD efforts, Mettler-Toledo has also made deep inroads in managing its cost structure. The company has developed a strong base of cost reduction functions through its Global Supply Chain Group, which includes the Global Procurement, Global Electronics, and Global Logistics teams. These teams work closely with all the manufacturing facilities and marketing teams on regional and global initiatives to reduce manufacturing costs, internal process costs, total cost of procurement, and logistics costs. They also work with the Information Technology groups to implement new automation tools that enhance internal process efficiencies, and provide effective data analysis solutions. Key initiatives like supplier category management, corporate procurement card, and field Mettler-Toledo International Inc. Page 7 of 23 employee automation have enabled Mettler-Toledo to reduce their operating costs significantly. Members from Marketing, Purchasing, and Logistics work closely with RD and Engineering in product development re-engineering to ensure that efforts are being made to reduce manufacturing costs. Another aspect of Mettler-Toledo that makes it unique and reduces its risk is its ability to operate profitably in diverse markets. They have developed innovative products in most of the markets they serve and have maintained a strong cross-segment knowledge-sharing that enabled them to use a technology in different segments. Key business functions like Finance, Supply Chain, Service, Human Resources, and Legal are centralized. They assist the decentralized business units to coordinate their RD, marketing, and customer support functions in product development and customer service. PRODUCTS SERVICES The products and services of Mettler-Toledo can be broadly categorized into Laboratory Instruments, Industrial Instruments and Retail Solutions. Process Analytics and Product Inspection are sub-categories within Lab and Industrial groups. The make up of its 2005 net sales between these business segments is shown in Figure 1. Mettler-Toledo International Inc. Page 8 of 23 Figure 1: 2005 Sales ($ in millions) Retail Solutions, $193, 13% Laboratory Instruments, $667, 45% Industrial Instruments, $622, 42% Laboratory Instruments Laboratory balances are the primary product group in this business segment and are used in research development, drug discovery, and process quality control. They are capable of weighing from one ten-millionth of a gram to 32 kilograms. Other products offered in this segment include pipettes, analytical instruments, and automated chemistry solutions. Titrators, thermal analysis systems, and pH meters form the analytical instrument group. The data capture, analysis and management are facilitated by their Lab Software known as LabX. Within this segment, Process Analytics forms a major subgroup of products that are used in pharmaceutical, biotech, beverage, microelectronics and chemical applications. They offer Mettler-Toledo International Inc. Page 9 of 23 sensor technology for pH, dissolved oxygen, carbon dioxide, conductivity and turbidity. They also include calibration and cleaning systems. Industrial Instruments This segment primarily includes industrial scales and balances for varying weighing needs and ranges. They are used in measuring, counting, ingredient mixing, and mail sorting applications. Products in this segment also offer in-process and in-motion measurement, dimensioning and identification technologies. Weighing scales for trucks and railcars form the heavy equipment products. All these products are supported by proprietary software like FreeWeigh. Net for statistical quality control, and Formweigh. net for formulation batching. Product Inspection is a key product group in this segment that the company has invested increasingly in the past few years. The products are used in food processing packaging, pharmaceutical, and manufacturing industries. They are made up of metal detection systems, X-ray visioning equipment, and checkweigher systems. Retail Solutions Retail segment is the smallest of Mettler-Toledo businesses in terms of sales. These are scales used in supermarkets, and Mettler-Toledo International Inc. Page 10 of 23 food retail businesses for weighing and labelling applications. With Mettler-Toledo entering the various emerging markets like India, this business segment is expected to grow significantly. Mettler-Toledo also provides software solutions for its retail products through its Softechnics division. The software provides capabilities for retail inventory management for fresh foods, and integrated data management. The various products offered by Mettler-Toledo are listed in Table 2. Table 2: Products Service Offerings Product Categories Laboratory Weighing Products Solutions Micro and ultra-micro balances, analytical balances, precision high-capacity precision balances, mass comparators, weighing modules, halogen moisture analyzer, pipette calibration workstation, and support software. Analytical Instruments Thermal values, thermal analysis, titrators, pH-/cond-/ISE-meters, density meters, refractometers, and electrodes for laboratory and field. Pipettes Tips Single channel pipettes (manual electronic), multi channel pipettes, tips for Mettler-Toledo International Inc. Page 11 of 23 LTS traditional pipettes – bio clean, positive displacement pipettes tips, and repetitive pipettes. Automated Chemistry Solutions Lab automation, chemical synthesis, chromatography, particle system characterization, reaction calorimeters, automated lab reactors, and informatics workflow management. Process Analytics Transmitters Meters, pH Redox sensors, dissolved oxygen sensors, total organic carbon instruments, conductivity/resistivity sensors, dissolved ozone sensors, dissolved carbon dioxide sensors, flow sensors, and cleaning calibration systems. Industrial Weighing Automotive refinish scales, material transfer controllers, bench, compact and counting scales, overhead/monorail scales, postal solutions, weigh modules load cells, software, statistical process control, , and weighing terminals. Product Inspection Transportation Logistics Checkweighing, metal detection, and X-ray. Air cargo scales, dimensioners, forklift scales, post/mail solutions, rail scales, and Mettler-Toledo International Inc. Page 12 of 23 weighbridges truck scales. Food Retail Scales (basic, retail counter, self service, retail hanging, checking receiving), wrapping machines, auto labelling security tags, and retail software. CUSTOMERS The customer base of Mettler-Toledo is spread across numerous industries like chemical, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, food beverage, raw materials, pulp paper, jewellery, transportation logistics, OEM, machinery automotive, and retail. Most customers are serviced through their three business segment groups, Lab, Industrial and Retail. Certain key accounts with which the company has developed strategic relationships over the years are serviced and supported by their Strategic Accounts group. The customer base of Mettler-Toledo is also highly diversified with sales from each of their top customers accounting for less than 3% of total net sales. MANUFACTURING Mettler-Toledo’s manufacturing facilities known as Producing Organizations (POs) are located primarily in USA, UK, Switzerland, Germany, and China. Each PO dedicates its product Mettler-Toledo International Inc. Page 13 of 23 development and manufacturing efforts to a certain group of product lines and serves the global needs of those products. This enables Mettler-Toledo to reduce RD costs, maintain a customer focus, and to develop product leadership by a PO in its line of business. The POs work with each other in their product development, manufacturing, and procurement efforts, and with the marketing groups in understanding customer needs. Safeline, Garvens, and Hi-Speed, which serve the Product Inspection markets, work very closely in coordinating their efforts. Depending on the manufacturing capability and capacity constraints, certain POs act as internal suppliers to other POs who may use their manufacturing resources. MARKETING, SALES SERVICE Unlike the Producing Organizations, the Marketing Organizations (MOs) at Mettler-Toledo are segmented based on their geographic focus. The MOs are located all over the world, with the largest groups in USA and Europe. This enables them to understand the specific local needs of the customers, and develop close relationships with their entire customer base. The sales and service efforts parallel that of the marketing thus maintaining a close loop for the customer relationship. MettlerToledo maintains a large employee base of 5000 employees that is Mettler-Toledo International Inc. Page 14 of 23 spread over 35 countries in the form of marketing, service technicians and customer service professionals. Mettler-Toledo also offers numerous services in the form of repair service maintenance, and value-added services for regulatory compliance. These are offered across the globe based on local regulations. Their global service network has expanded over the years as they explore numerous emerging markets. In 2005, revenues from service agreements, repair, and spare parts constituted 23% of the company’s net sales. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY MIS The company’s IT operations are lead by their corporate team in Switzerland, which maintains the globally used operating systems, providing regular updates and support. Their global contracts with key hardware and software vendors ensure product standardization and concurrent upgrades. They have however decentralized most of the locally operated systems, like their MRP and ERP solutions at the manufacturing facilities and marketing organizations. Being a highly decentralized organization, except for some global software systems, most IT infrastructure is maintained regionally. The regional IT groups also handle the telecommunications, mobile phone, and data networks for their region. The company has continuously made significant investments to standardize the IT operations where Mettler-Toledo International Inc. Page 15 of 23 necessary, and provided the flexibility to local units when higher efficiencies could be gained through local optimization. The company uses ERP packages from well known providers like Baan and Oracle, and also from smaller companies like Fourth Shift, and MAPICS. The company uses numerous enterprise software for various sales and service operations, as well as hosted solutions for e-procurement and e-commerce applications. EMPLOYEES CULTURE Mettler-Toledo follows a highly decentralized organization structure providing high levels of autonomy to the business units, encouraging entrepreneurial responsibility and accountability for growth and success. The product development and manufacturing activities are performed by the producing organizations, where the marketing, sales and support functions are the responsibility of the marketing organizations. All POs and MOs are supported by corporate global functions. Mettler-Toledo employs more than 9000 fulltime employees across the globe with more than 4000 in Europe, over 3000 in the Americas, and about 1000 in Asia. About 50% of the workforce is part of their global sales and support network. RD with over 800 employees is also a key function in the company. The company provides various employee benefits including a pension post-retirement savings plan that cost them $1. 5 Mettler-Toledo International Inc. Page 16 of 23 million in 2005. Their health care benefits cost over $10 million each year. Employee Purchase Programs through corporate agreements are provided for products like personal computers, office supplies, consumer technology, mobile services, and home mortgage. Mettler-Toledo is an equal opportunity company and hires employees from diverse cultural backgrounds and geographic locations. Due to their line of business, they mostly hire engineering graduates from well known institutions in Switzerland, USA, and China. Most of their senior management has a strong analytical background with engineering, mathematics, or finance focus and many middle management and senior management employees hold advanced degrees in engineering or business. In USA, they recruit new graduates into their Initial Career Experience program (ICE) which is a rotational program for undergraduate degree holders. They also provide internship opportunities in IT, marketing, and supply chain management, and offer fulltime opportunities upon their graduation. Mettler-Toledo maintains a core set of cultural values it expects its employees to follow in their day to day operations. It includes maintaining a strong focus on quality in both its products services, and its internal processes. It stresses the importance of being aggressive in exploring new markets, and embracing new technologies. There is also a strong need to be Mettler-Toledo International Inc. Page 17 of 23 cost-conscious so that it can maintain its competitiveness against larger players and unsuitable market forces. It expects employees to show initiative and leadership qualities. Employees should also be innovative and be ready to face the hurdles in executing their ideas. With a global market in place, the company should be agile allowing it to quickly react to changes. A semi-formal work environment is maintained to develop closer employee relationships. The company restricts itself in the use of titles to its management and in fact doesn’t use â€Å"Vice President† as a title. Except for division heads, who are either known as a Head of division or General Manager, all the others are known as Managers, Engineers, or Analysts. A business casual dress code is maintained at all of its locations. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE The markets Mettler-Toledo operates in are highly competitive, and fragmented by location and application. In most markets, they face stiff competition from companies that are focussed and specialized in their offerings. In many cases, the focussed competitors are smaller divisions of very large multinational companies with extensive resources. These factors further signify the necessity for Mettler-Toledo to develop efficient RD and manufacturing processes to maintain its cost structure. Mettler-Toledo International Inc. Page 18 of 23 The major competitors of Mettler-Toledo are Beckman Coulter Inc. with $2. 5 billion in annual revenues, Siemens AG with $117 billion in annual revenues, and finally Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. with $3. 8 billion in annual revenues. Among these Siemens AG operate in many other markets and businesses that MettlerToledo does not involve in. Due to its cost structure advantage, Mettler-Toledo was able to maintain operating margins of over 13%, when their competitors have recorded them at below 10%. RISK FACTORS Mettler-Toledo notes that since it operates in numerous countries, its operating income can be affected by currency fluctuations. Its international operations also face risks in the form of trade barriers, employee retention in growing markets, lack of protection for its intellectual property, nationalization, and economic and political stability in some countries. Some of the markets are highly competitive and hence may be difficult to continuously maintain market leadership in multiple product lines. As Mettler-Toledo grows via acquisitions, it has the risk of assimilation challenges, lack of focus on key initiatives, and loss of key employees. As Mettler-Toledo operate in many markets subject to regulations, they have the risk of not meeting some of the regulations in time. Exposure to additional income taxes and unanticipated tax Mettler-Toledo International Inc. Page 19 of 23 laws are also some of the perceived risks faced by MettlerToledo. FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE Mettler-Toledo International Inc. has been delivering strong financial results over the years. It generated net sales of $1,596 million in 2006, a 7. 6% increase from its 2005 sales revenue of $1,482 million. Figure 2 shows 2006 sales by geographic region. Figure 2: 2006 Sales ($ in millions) by region Asia Rest of the World, $287, 18% Europe, $670, 42% North South Americas, $638, 40% The chart in Figure 3 shows Mettler-Toledo’s financial performance since 2001. It shows that net sales have increased at an average of 7% year over year. The operating cash flow increased to $192 million in 2006, an 8. 5% increase from $177 Mettler-Toledo International Inc. Page 20 of 23 million in 2005. The adjusted operating income (gross profit less RD and SGA expenses) increased by 13% to $234 million in 2006 from $207 million in 2005. Figure 3: Financial Data (2001-2006) Net Sales $1,800 Operating Cash Flow Adjusted Operating Income $1,595 $1,600 $1,482 $1,404 $1,304 $1,214 $1,148 $1,400 $ in millions $1,200 $1,000 $800 $600 $165 $179 $167 $102 $115 $165 $200 $0 2001 2002 2003 Years $117 2004 $166 2005 $177 2006 The company reported Earnings per Share (EPS) of $3. 86 for 2006, which is a 29% growth from $2. 52 in 2005. Through these results the company has demonstrated a strong balance sheet and a substantial cash flow generation. POSITIONING FOR 2007 AND BEYOND The company exceeded expectations in 2006 with strong financial results, and is expected to perform well in 2007 and beyond. With rising cost pressures due to price increases for oil, steel, paper pulp, and other raw materials, the company Mettler-Toledo International Inc. Page 21 of 23 $192 $400 $207 $234 needs to continue to improve its cost structure through efficient and effective processes. Some of the key customercentric marketing initiatives undertaken by the company like â€Å"Spinnaker† have been successful in generating new customer leads and improving existing customer relationships. Its new product launches have been successful in 2006, and the company continues to develop new products in many of its business segments. In 2006, the company was very successful in increasing its market share in emerging markets like Russia and India. With the acquisition of distribution channels in these countries, its market share is expected to grow at significant rates in 2007 and beyond. The analysts estimate that revenues for Mettler-Toledo would grow to $1. 69 billion in 2007 and to $1. 78 billion for 2008. It represents an annual increase of 6. 3% for 2007 and 5. 3% for 2008. In the short term, the company aims to consolidate all its existing market positions in the various product lines it now holds the top positions, especially industrial and laboratory instruments. It aims to increase its market share in retail weighing market by focusing on emerging markets, which offer the greatest potential for untapped markets. In the long-term, the company will look to be the industry leader in all product segments ranging from laboratory Mettler-Toledo International Inc. Page 22 of 23 instruments, industrial instruments, process analytics, product inspection, and chemistry solutions. It also plans to consolidate its retail market share through partnerships with global retailers. The strong values developed by its employees, its continued investment in developing innovative products, diversified customer base, and global service network should ensure that Mettler-Toledo is in a strong position to fulfil both its short-term and long-term objectives. REFERENCES 1. Mettler-Toledo website (http://us. mt. com) 2. Yahoo Finance (http://finance. yahoo. com) 3. Hoovers (www. hoovers. com) 4. The Wall Street Journal Online (http://online. wsj. com) Mettler-Toledo International Inc. Page 23 of 23 How to cite Management Decision and Control Systems, Essays

Lab Report/Mealworms free essay sample

Introduction The purpose of this experiment was to study the effects of ethanol on the cellular respiration of mealworms. Cellular respiration is the process by which cells harvest the energy stored in food. It is the intake of oxygen and energy in the form of glucose, and the cells ability to break it down into carbon dioxide, water, and energy required for the body to function. More scientifically, it is a three-step pathway that produces ATP (adenosine triphosphate. ) The three stages of cellular respiration are: glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and electron transport. Ethanol is a volatile, colorless liquid and is considered a psychoactive drug. Ethanol is generally known to have depressant effects on the central nervous system. If you subject mealworms to a 95% ethanol solution, then the rate of cellular respiration will decrease. Materials and Methods The materials used in this experiment were: 12 beetle larvae (mealworms), 1 – 250 ml Erlenmeyer flask, a ring stand and clasp, a Data logger, an AC power adapter for the data logger, forceps, filter paper, 95% ethanol solution and a dropper. We will write a custom essay sample on Lab Report/Mealworms or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The experiment began by adding 12 live mealworms to the flask.The data logger was then calibrated and used to take an initial CO2 output reading. Readings were again taken every minute for a total of 15 minutes. These readings were recorded and used as the control. Next, the dropper was used to add 7 drops of the 95% ethanol solution to the filter paper. The filter paper was inserted into the flask with the mealworms. The data logger was again used to take CO2 output readings at one-minute intervals for 15 minutes. Results This experiment showed the effects of ethanol on the cellular respiration of mealworms.Respiration rates were recorded in both the control group (no ethanol) and the experimental group (ethanol. ) The initial readings in the two groups were very different, with the control group starting out with a much higher rate than the experimental group. Both groups showed progressively increased rates as time elapsed. Overall, the CO2 output in the control group, with no ethanol, increased by 690 ppm over the 15 minutes, producing an 81. 18% change. The experimental group, with the 95% ethanol solution, increased by 857 ppm, producing a 125. 11% change.