| Industries |
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| Automobiles and Components |
| Electrical Components and Equipment |
| Health Care Facilities |
| Exposures |
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| Military |
| Political reform |
| Event Codes |
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| Solicit support |
| Adjust |
| Yield to order |
| Warn |
| Acknowledge responsibility |
| Host meeting |
| Wiki | Wiki Summary |
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| 2000s energy crisis | From the mid-1980s to September 2003, the inflation-adjusted price of a barrel of crude oil on NYMEX was generally under US$25/barrel in 2008 dollars. During 2003, the price rose above $30, reached $60 by 11 August 2005, and peaked at $147.30 in July 2008. |
| Pricing strategies | A business can use a variety of pricing strategies when selling a product or service. To determine the most effective pricing strategy for a company, senior executives need to first identify the company's pricing position, pricing segment, pricing capability and their competitive pricing reaction strategy. |
| Significant figures | Significant figures (also known as the significant digits, precision or resolution) of a number in positional notation are digits in the number that are reliable and necessary to indicate the quantity of something.\nIf a number expressing the result of a measurement (e.g., length, pressure, volume, or mass) has more digits than the number of digits allowed by the measurement resolution, then only as many digits as allowed by the measurement resolution are reliable, and so only these can be significant figures. |
| Arithmetic | Arithmetic (from Ancient Greek ἀριθμός (arithmós) 'number', and τική [τέχνη] (tikḗ [tékhnē]) 'art, craft') is an elementary part of mathematics that consists of the study of the properties of the traditional operations on numbers—addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, exponentiation, and extraction of roots. In the 19th century, Italian mathematician Giuseppe Peano formalized arithmetic with his Peano axioms, which are highly important to the field of mathematical logic today. |
| Operations management | Operations management is an area of management concerned with designing and controlling the process of production and redesigning business operations in the production of goods or services. It involves the responsibility of ensuring that business operations are efficient in terms of using as few resources as needed and effective in meeting customer requirements. |
| Emergency operations center | An emergency operations center (EOC) is a central command and control facility responsible for carrying out the principles of emergency preparedness and emergency management, or disaster management functions at a strategic level during an emergency, and ensuring the continuity of operation of a company, political subdivision or other organization.\nAn EOC is responsible for strategic direction and operational decisions and does not normally directly control field assets, instead leaving tactical decisions to lower commands. |
| Operation (mathematics) | In mathematics, an operation is a function which takes zero or more input values (called operands) to a well-defined output value. The number of operands (also known as arguments) is the arity of the operation. |
| Operations director | The role of operations director generally encompasses the oversight of operational aspects of company strategy with responsibilities to ensure operation information is supplied to the chief executive and the board of directors as well as external parties.\n\n\n== Description ==\nThe role of operations director can vary according to the size of a company, and at some companies many even encompass some or all the functions of a chief operating officer.The Institute of Directors of the United Kingdom defines the role as overseeing "all operational aspects of company strategy" and "responsible for the flow of operations information to the chief executive, the board and, where necessary, external parties such as investors or financial institutions". |
| Cost of electricity by source | Different methods of electricity generation can incur a variety of different costs, which can be divided into three general categories: 1) wholesale costs, or all costs paid by utilities associated with acquiring and distributing electricity to consumers, 2) retail costs paid by consumers, and 3) external costs, or externalities, imposed on society.\nWholesale costs include initial capital, operations & maintenance (O&M), transmission, and costs of decommissioning. |
| RS Components | RS Components is a trading brand of RS Group. The company supplies industrial products, electronic components; electrical, automation and control, and test and measurement equipment; and engineering tools, and consumables via e-commerce, telephone and RS Local stores. |
| Symmetrical components | In electrical engineering, the method of symmetrical components simplifies analysis of unbalanced three-phase power systems under both normal and abnormal conditions. The basic idea is that an asymmetrical set of N phasors can be expressed as a linear combination of N symmetrical sets of phasors by means of a complex linear transformation. |
| Principal component analysis | The principal components of a collection of points in a real coordinate space are a sequence of \n \n \n \n p\n \n \n {\displaystyle p}\n unit vectors, where the \n \n \n \n i\n \n \n {\displaystyle i}\n -th vector is the direction of a line that best fits the data while being orthogonal to the first \n \n \n \n i\n −\n 1\n \n \n {\displaystyle i-1}\n vectors. Here, a best-fitting line is defined as one that minimizes the average squared distance from the points to the line. |
| List of S&P 500 companies | The S&P 500 stock market index is maintained by S&P Dow Jones Indices. It comprises 504 common stocks which are issued by 500 large-cap companies traded on American stock exchanges (including the 30 companies that compose the Dow Jones Industrial Average). |
| Cellular component | The cell (from the Latin word cellula meaning 'small room') is the basic structural and functional unit of life forms. Every cell consists of a cytoplasm enclosed within a membrane, which contains many biomolecules such as proteins and nucleic acids.Cells can acquire specified function and carry out various tasks within the cell such as replication, DNA repair, protein synthesis, and motility. |
| Mergers and acquisitions | In corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are transactions in which the ownership of companies, other business organizations, or their operating units are transferred or consolidated with other entities. As an aspect of strategic management, M&A can allow enterprises to grow or downsize, and change the nature of their business or competitive position. |
| Language acquisition | Language acquisition is the process by which humans acquire the capacity to perceive and comprehend language (in other words, gain the ability to be aware of language and to understand it), as well as to produce and use words and sentences to communicate.\nLanguage acquisition involves structures, rules and representation. |
| Restructuring | Restructuring is the corporate management term for the act of reorganizing the legal, ownership, operational, or other structures of a company for the purpose of making it more profitable, or better organized for its present needs. Other reasons for restructuring include a change of ownership or ownership structure, demerger, or a response to a crisis or major change in the business such as bankruptcy, repositioning, or buyout. |
| Debt restructuring | Debt restructuring is a process that allows a private or public company or a sovereign entity facing cash flow problems and financial distress to reduce and renegotiate its delinquent debts to improve or restore liquidity so that it can continue its operations.\nReplacement of old debt by new debt when not under financial distress is called "refinancing". |
| TOT Public Company Limited | TOT Public Company Limited (Thai: ทีโอที) is a Thai state-owned telecommunications company. Originally established in 1954 and corporatized in 2002, TOT used to be known as the Telephone Organization of Thailand and TOT Corporation Public Company Limited. |
| Presidential Task Force on the Auto Industry | The Presidential Task Force on the Auto Industry was an ad hoc group of United States cabinet-level and other officials that was formed by President Obama to deal with the financial bailout of automakers Chrysler and General Motors.\nBased on an assessment that automobile manufacturing was a critical sector of the economy providing 3 to 4 million jobs for Americans, that liquidation was imminent for two of the three major U.S. automakers, and that the break ups would devastate the U.S. economy, the U.S. government became involved in the day-to-day management decisions of Chrysler and General Motors through the Task Force.The Presidential Task Force formed and started holding meetings in February 2009. |
| Battalion tactical group | A battalion tactical group (Russian: Батальонная тактическая группа, batal'onnaya takticheskaya gruppa), abbreviated as BTG, is a combined-arms manoeuvre unit deployed by the Russian Army that is kept at a high level of readiness. A BTG typically comprises a battalion (typically mechanised infantry) of two to four companies reinforced with air-defence, artillery, engineering, and logistical support units, formed from a garrisoned army brigade. |
| List of mergers and acquisitions by Meta Platforms | Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook, Inc.) is a technology company that has acquired 91 other companies, including WhatsApp. The WhatsApp acquisition closed at a steep $16 billion; more than $40 per user of the platform. |
| List of mergers and acquisitions by Alphabet | Google is a computer software and a web search engine company that acquired, on average, more than one company per week in 2010 and 2011. The table below is an incomplete list of acquisitions, with each acquisition listed being for the respective company in its entirety, unless otherwise specified. |
| Ben Ashkenazy | Ben Ashkenazy (born 1968/69) is an American billionaire real estate developer. He is the founder, CEO, and majority owner of Ashkenazy Acquisition Corporation, which has a $12 billion property portfolio. |
| Bolt-on acquisition | Bolt-on acquisition refers to the acquisition of smaller companies, usually in the same line of business, that presents strategic value. This is in contrast to primary acquisitions of other companies which are generally in different industries, require larger investments, or are of similar size to the acquiring company. |
| Library acquisitions | Library acquisitions is the department of a library responsible for the selection and purchase of materials or resources. The department may select vendors, negotiate consortium pricing, arrange for standing orders, and select individual titles or resources.Libraries, both physical and digital, usually have four common broad goals that help dictate these responsibilities. |
| Bit numbering | In computing, bit numbering is the convention used to identify the bit positions in a binary number.\n\n\n== Bit significance and indexing ==\n\nIn computing, the least significant bit (LSB) is the bit position in a binary integer representing the binary 1s place of the integer. |
| Statistical significance | In statistical hypothesis testing, a result has statistical significance when it is very unlikely to have occurred given the null hypothesis. More precisely, a study's defined significance level, denoted by \n \n \n \n α\n \n \n {\displaystyle \alpha }\n , is the probability of the study rejecting the null hypothesis, given that the null hypothesis is true; and the p-value of a result, \n \n \n \n p\n \n \n {\displaystyle p}\n , is the probability of obtaining a result at least as extreme, given that the null hypothesis is true. |
| The Simpsons | The Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical depiction of American life, epitomized by the Simpson family, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie. |
| Physical disability | A physical disability is a limitation on a person's physical functioning, mobility, dexterity or stamina. Other physical disabilities include impairments which limit other facets of daily living, such as respiratory disorders, blindness, epilepsy and sleep disorders. |
| Psychomotor retardation | Psychomotor impairment involves a slowing down of thought and a reduction of physical movements in an individual. Psychomotor impairment can cause a visible slowing of physical and emotional reactions, including speech and affect.Psychomotor impairment is most commonly seen in people with major depression and in the depressed phase of bipolar disorder; it is also associated with the adverse effects of certain drugs, such as benzodiazepines. |
| Risk Factors |
|---|
| Set forth below and elsewhere in this report are risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results contemplated by the forward-looking and other statements contained in this report |
| We may amend or supplement these risk factors from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC in the future |
| Costs of raw materials could adversely affect our operating results |
| Raw material cost increases (and our ability to respond to cost increases through selling price increases) can significantly impact our earnings |
| Steel is our largest raw material |
| During 2004 the price of certain types of steel nearly doubled |
| In 2005, market prices for most types of steel were slightly lower at the end of the year than at the beginning of the year |
| Although we anticipate the costs for steel to stabilize, the future pricing of steel is uncertain and could increase in 2006 even beyond current levels |
| 17 ______________________________________________________________________ [46]Table of Contents The price increases in the steel market during 2004 led to an above average spread between scrap costs and rod prices |
| This spread continued throughout 2005, enhancing the earnings of our rod mill |
| If this occurs, it will negatively impact our results of operations |
| Our operations can also be impacted by other raw materials, including those affected by changes in oil prices, such as chemicals, fibers and resins, as well as aluminum and lumber |
| Throughout 2005, but particularly in the last half of the year, we experienced higher costs associated with the oil based raw materials |
| We may not be able to pass along future cost increases through selling price increases |
| In 2005, higher raw material costs led some of our customers to modify their product designs, changing the quantity and mix of our components in their finished goods |
| In some cases, our higher cost components were replaced with lower cost components |
| This has impacted our Residential Furnishings product mix and decreased profit margins |
| We expect this to continue to be an issue in 2006 and could negatively impact our results of operations |
| Our Fixture & Display group has experienced deterioration in profitability in recent years |
| We were hampered in our efforts to improve operating margins in 2005 by new program start-up costs and integration inefficiencies associated with the RHC Spacemaster acquisition |
| In September 2005, we announced a Restructuring Plan where eight facilities in the Fixture & Display group have been or will be consolidated, sold, or closed |
| We have estimated that our Fixture & Display group productive capacity will be reduced by approximately dlra100 million pursuant to the Restructuring Plan |
| If margins do not improve in the Fixture & Display group, we may incur further charges as we pursue additional restructuring activities in this group |
| For further information on our Restructuring Plan, see Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation beginning on page 28 |
| Asian competition could adversely affect our operating results |
| We operate in markets that are highly competitive |
| Depending on the particular product, we experience competition based on a number of factors, including quality, performance, price and availability |
| We face increasing pressure from foreign competitors as some of our customers source a portion of their components and finished product from Asia |
| If we are unable to purchase key raw materials, such as steel, aluminum and chemicals, at prices competitive with those of foreign suppliers, our ability to maintain market share and profit margins could likewise be harmed |
| Also, if our customers move production of their finished products overseas, we believe that our operations must be located nearby to supply them efficiently, which is particularly true in China |
| At the end of 2005, we operated 11 facilities in China |
| If demand in China (and other foreign countries) increases at a more rapid rate than we are able to establish operations in these countries, our market share and results of operations could be negatively impacted |
| We may fail to meet our acquisition growth goals |
| One of our growth strategies is to increase our sales and earnings and expand our markets through acquisitions |
| In 2005 the Company acquired 12 businesses, including the third largest acquisition in our history in terms of revenue |
| We expect these acquisitions to add approximately dlra320 million in annual revenue |
| 18 ______________________________________________________________________ [47]Table of Contents Furthermore, we expect to continue to make acquisitions in the future when appropriate opportunities arise |
| However, we may not be able to identify and successfully negotiate suitable acquisitions that are sufficient to meet our goals |
| Further, our acquired companies may encounter unforeseen operating difficulties and may require significant financial and managerial resources, which would otherwise be available for the ongoing development or expansion of our existing operations |
| Our operating results may be adversely affected if we do not achieve our acquisition growth goals |
| Higher energy costs could adversely affect our operating results |
| Higher prices for natural gas, electricity and fuel increase our production and delivery costs |
| Many of our large manufacturing operations are heavy users of natural gas and electricity |
| In addition, certain of our sales are made with terms such that we incur the fuel cost associated with delivering the product to our customer’s facility |
| Energy costs increased throughout 2005 but especially in the last half of the year, in part due to supply disruptions caused by hurricanes |
| Our inability to respond to these cost increases (by raising selling prices) could negatively affect our operating results |
| We have exposure to economic factors that may affect market demand for our products |
| As a supplier of products to a variety of industries, we are adversely affected by general economic downturns |
| Our operating performance is heavily influenced by market demand for our components and products |
| This market demand is impacted by many broad economic factors, including consumer confidence, employment levels, housing turnover, energy costs and interest rates |
| These factors influence consumer spending on durable goods, and therefore drive demand for our components and products |
| Some of these factors also influence the level of business spending on facilities and equipment, which impacts approximately one quarter of our sales |
| Significant changes in these economic factors may negatively impact the demand for our products and our results of operations |
| Our assets are subject to potential goodwill impairment |
| A significant portion of our assets consists of goodwill and other intangible assets, the carrying value of which may be reduced if we determine that those assets are impaired |
| As of December 31, 2005, goodwill and other intangible assets represented approximately dlra1dtta2 billion, or 30prca of our total assets |
| We test goodwill and other assets for impairment annually and whenever events or circumstances indicate an impairment may exist |
| We could be required to recognize reductions in our net income caused by the impairment of goodwill and other intangibles, which, if significant, could materially and adversely affect our results of operations |
| As disclosed above, our Fixture & Display group has experienced deterioration in profitability compared to historical levels |
| We expect that the Restructuring Plan will lead to improved earnings in the Fixture & Display group |
| About dlra300 million of goodwill is associated with the Fixture & Display group |
| If our earnings in this group do not improve, a goodwill impairment charge against earnings may be required |
| We are exposed to foreign currency risk |
| We expect that international sales will continue to represent a significant percentage of our total sales, which exposes us to currency exchange rate fluctuations |
| In 2005, 21prca of our sales were generated by international operations |
| The revenues and expenses of our foreign operations are generally denominated in local currencies; however, certain of our operations experience currency-related gains and losses where sales or purchases are denominated in currencies other than their local currency |
| We currently engage in limited currency hedging transactions |
| Further, our competitive position may be affected by the relative strength of the currencies in countries where our products are sold |
| We cannot predict whether foreign currency exchange risks inherent in doing business in foreign countries will have a material adverse effect on our future operations and financial results |