Skolnik

As much as everyone enjoys the Skolnik website, we put our heads together and just launched a "NEW AND IMPROVE" edition with resource information like you have never seen on the web. Of course you can peruse our container products, but we‘ve added a Resource Center with a Glossary of Drum-Terms, a Dictionary of the Skolnik UN products, Frequently Asked Questions, and charts to even help you calculate the number of drums that fit into just about any container. We’ve added paint color charts, a Newsletter archive, and a list of your friends at Skolnik…with pictures. Take a minute, visit, www.skolnik.com and let me know if there is anything extremely helpful or possibly missing.

Still a major pain for the steel drum industry and the US economy, the Steel Tariff imposed by President Bush continues to cause problems for industry and end users. Being the third largest users of steel in the US, the steel drum industry has approached Congress with requests for exemptions and termination of the Tariff. With all requests being denied, it appears that the Tariff is here to stay, and that end users can look for rising costs to continue. While this has probably been the easiest price increase to justify to customers, it has certainly been the largest percentage increase we have ever seen, and there is still no relief in sight. Looking to 2003, we hope to see prices level, but there are no guarantees as the steel industry continues to retool and adjust to the vast wave of new business. In this market, our first priority is to have the raw materials on hand so that our customers are protected from product shortages.

In today‘s global business environment, choosing a freight carrier shouldn’t be left to chance. The sheer volume of freight traversing highways is enormous and the possibility for errors or unnecessary expenditure is great. Wise business owners or CEO‘s should be involved in the process of choosing a carrier. A shipping clerk or logistics manager may not be in the best position to make the most efficient and cost-effective decision for the company. Logistics, supply-chain management, just-in-time delivery and outsourcing are examples of the complicated network of shipping options confronting the business operator today. At Skolnik, we are familiar with many transit options, but we highly encourage our customers to use their preferred carrier to haul their drums. While we have a good working relationship with a host of carriers, each individual customer is much better suited to identify their specific transportation needs, negotiate their rates, and establish an individual relationship with a carrier. The business owner, purchasing agent or CEO or trusted logistics manager who invests time in developing an individual relationship with a specific carrier will save time, money and headache over the ’long haul.‘