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The Nigerian Palm Oil Industry: What Went Wrong and the Way Forward

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Nigeria’s once-thriving palm oil industry is often cited as one of the most miserably failed economic opportunities in Africa.

Use of the oil palm fruit to extract edible oil has been in practice across the continent for centuries, and it remains an essential ingredient in much of West African cuisine. Farmers in the region, who inter-cropped palm oil with other food crops like yam and maize, started the first export trade early in the nineteenth century. Before its close, the industrial revolution in Britain had created a huge demand for palm oil, which by then had found its way to use in candle making and as an industrial lubricant. The economic importance of palm oil grew steadily because of its high yield, leading European colonists to start plantations in Central Africa by 1900. As palm oil found wider use in food-processing and industry, global demand for the commodity surged. By 1982, worldwide palm oil exports had grown to a staggering 2,400,000 million tonnes per annum1.

For most of this period, Nigeria held centre stage as one of the largest producers and exporters of palm oil, accounting for more than 40% of global output in the 1950s. At the time of the country’s independence from British colonial rule in 1960, palm oil contributed 82% of national export revenue. However, the oil boom of the mid-seventies and the subsequent decline of farming proved catastrophic to the sector. By the end of the twentieth century, the Nigerian palm oil harvest had dwindled to just 7% of global production. More embarrassingly, the once-largest exporter had turned into a net importer of palm oil, sourcing 180,000 MT of the commodity from international markets to meet local demand2.

The fundamental flaw with the palm oil sector lies in Nigeria’s colonial origins, when British trade necessities dictated economic policy. Because of its primary export orientation at that time, planned expansion of the industry was slow in coming through and its future competitiveness had been compromised. As a result, the bulk of Nigerian palm oil comes from dispersed and semi-wild groves, and through the use of highly outdated manual processing techniques. Several attempts to establish large-scale plantations since the 1960s – including the Cross River State plan and the Oil Palm Belt Rural Development Programme – ended in miserable failure. Currently, 80% of production comes from scattered smallholdings spread over an estimated 1.6 million hectares of land. In contrast, plantations occupy only about 300,000 hectares – most of it coming up over the last decade with private sector investment.

Economic reforms initiated since the reinstatement of democracy in 1999 succeeded somewhat in nudging the sector out of stagnation. Between 2001 and 2005, palm oil production grew rapidly from 760 MT to 800 MT, while recording a corresponding rise in local consumption. Much of this movement can be owed to a ban that Nigeria imposed in 2002 on the import of palm oil and related products. However, the government of Late President UM Yar’Adua reversed the ban in January this year, prompting grave misgivings about the fate of the industry and impact on local production. The Plantation Owners Forum has gone so far as to say the move would severely threaten Nigeria’s Vision 2020 goals for accelerated economic development. Inconsistent policies like this are largely to blame for the fact that Nigeria’s palm oil industry continues to flounder despite the marked resurgence of agriculture through the last decade.

Palm oil owes its significance in the Nigerian scheme of things to several reasons. Besides conventional uses in food-processing, every part of the tree has economic value that can be employed in a variety of low-cost activities like roofing and wickerwork. Moreover, palm oil is a source of raw material for a whole range of industries; for instance, those involved in the manufacture of detergents, pomades, confectionary fat and margarine. By virtue of this alone it offers massive scope for employment generation and income distribution, to say nothing of other diversified products like palm kernel oil. The industry has therefore been widely regarded as a high-growth business by the private sector. In countries like Malaysia and Indonesia, which together account for 90% of current global exports, palm oil has proved to be a cornerstone of industrial growth.

For Nigeria, this dynamic crop represents an economic asset of incredible potential. It also represents huge opportunities for rapid SME development as a means to economic diversification, poverty alleviation and employment generation. The palm oil industry is unquestionably vital in Nigeria’s plans for accelerated growth and the establishment of a sustainable and closely interdependent economy. Reinvigorating the industry can very well spark off the enterprise revolution that the country need to turn its fortunes around. Government intervention in this sector must hence be guided by a number of critical considerations:

* Maximising productivity in existing plantations so that scattered smallholdings can be converted into viable agricultural ecosystems.

* Minimising cost of production by developing high-yield varieties and improving efficiency in basic processing and refining activities.

* Creating effective backward and forward linkages for palm oil production and processing activities with focus on the larger domestic economy.

* Directing investment at marginal farmers and cooperatives that rely on wild groves or practice mixed farming on small plantations.

* Facilitating research and development, promoting public-private joint ventures and encouraging foreign investment with tax breaks and financial incentives.

* Revamping distribution and marketing networks to export-orientated standards; entering bilateral counter-trade agreements to avoid high tariffs and import restrictions.

* Ensuring compliance with international regulations on safety and quality of palm oil and processed products through wider use of technology.

* Implementing policies to address negative social development issues; for instance, promoting backward migration from urban areas to plantations.

In 2008, the United Nations Organisation for Industrial Development (UNIDO) launched a $5 million programme to boost sustainable production of palm oil in Nigeria and Cameroon. Although relatively small in terms of initial outlay, the project aims to train farmers on more efficient methods of production and processing. Conservative estimates by UNIDO say at least a thousand news jobs will be created by the end of the four-year project.

Considering the extent of its resources and human capital, Nigeria stands to reap much larger economic benefits from an optimally-expanded palm oil industry. Before that happens, however, the government must realise that where overdependence on fossil fuels caused most of Nigeria’s woes, another kind of oil holds the cure!

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Source by Peter O Osalor

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Do You Understand Emotional Intelligence?

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Emotional intelligence is a valuable skill, because it means you know how to work with all kinds of people, understand them and get along with them. Once you understand emotional intelligence, you can see the people around you who have it, and those who don’t: at work, in politics, in the media and in your neighborhood. The media use both EI and EQ (like IQ) as shortcuts for emotional intelligence.

Emotional intelligence is akin to empathy. It’s the ability to “read” other people’s feelings, and respond in an appropriate way. Emotionally intelligent people succeed because they form good connections with others, are trusted and liked. When you understand how and when to be sympathetic, supportive, direct, and trustworthy or gentle with people, they trust you and learn to rely on you. This creates a framework for business and personal interactions that form lasting, productive relationships.

To develop emotional intelligence, you must learn to focus not only on your own wants and needs, but the wants and needs of others. This requires learning delayed gratification, patience, and concern for more than just the bottom line. Emotional Intelligence is also essentially emotional maturity, which means your mind can manage your emotions. According to Goleman, the five characteristics of emotional intelligence are: Self-Awareness, Self-Regulation, Motivation, Empathy and Social Skills.

• Self-Awareness: People with high EI understand their emotions, and because of this, they don’t let their feelings rule them. They know the difference between feeling and thinking, and can use thinking to moderate feelings, without ignoring them or quashing them. They’re confident-because they trust their intuition and their good judgment, which is a result of using feelings and intelligent thought to assess situations. People who have emotional intelligence are willing to take an honest look at themselves, see themselves realistically. They know their strengths and weaknesses, and they work on these areas so they can perform better. They have realistic positive self-regard, which means they have reasonable standards for their own good behavior. They care about others, but are not co-dependent. They can set boundaries for their own self-protection. This self-awareness is an essential foundation of EI.

• Self-Regulation: Also known as self-control and impulse control, this is the ability to control emotions and impulses. People who self-regulate typically don’t allow themselves to become too angry or jealous; they don’t have temper tantrums or hysterical outbursts and they don’t make impulsive, careless decisions. They think before they act or react. Characteristics of self-regulation are thoughtfulness, comfort with change, integrity, and the ability to say no. They are good at delayed gratification, understanding that waiting for what they want may bring better results. They operate on an internal code of ethics rather than a standard of behavior which is imposed from without.

• Motivation: People with a high degree of EI are usually motivated. They’re willing to defer immediate results for long-term success. They’re highly productive, love a challenge, and are very effective in whatever they do. They understand that motivation comes from celebration and appreciation, and are willing to motivate themselves and others when appropriate.

• Empathy: This is the ability to identify with and understand the wants, needs, and viewpoints of those around you. Empathetic people are good at recognizing the feelings of others, even when those feelings may not be obvious. As a result, empathetic people are usually excellent at managing relationships, listening to, and relating to others. They avoid stereotyping and judging too quickly, and they live their lives in a very open, honest way. They exhibit generosity and benevolence, and a positive attitude towards others.

• Social Skills: Good social skills are another sign of high EI. They know how to cooperate, to be team players. Rather than focus on their own success first, they understand that success comes through helping others develop and shine. They can manage disputes, are excellent communicators, and are masters at building and maintaining relationships. In addition to the empathy on which these social skills are based, people with high EI also are good at patience, generosity, trustworthiness, gratitude, sympathy and they’re emotionally responsive.

Here is how to recognize emotional intelligence in yourself and others:

1. What’s one indication a person has no EQ whatsoever?

He or she has no idea what to respond to a statement or question about emotions. “How do you feel about… ” only elicits what he or she thinks, if anything.

2. What’s the downside of relating to someone with little or no emotional intelligence? It’s not very satisfying, because we all like to have emotional understanding and empathy. It also means the person will not be good at listening or sympathizing with your experience.

3. If we can’t detect any emotional intelligence, should we distance ourselves from the person?

If the relationship is going well, it’s going well. This question won’t matter. If you are frustrated by a lack of emotional intelligence, and everything else is OK, you could try to teach it, draw it out of your friend, relative or partner, but it takes a lot of patience. It’s like explaining feelings to a three-year-old.

4. What if the person has some EQ? What can you do to help them develop more EQ?

Be very responsive and supportive when his or her EQ is on display. If he or she does something thoughtful, be sure and express your gratitude. If she or he listens sympathetically to you or someone else, praise him or her for it.

5. What’s one way we can encourage others to continue being emotionally present and intelligent?

Be emotionally responsive to him or her. Give him or her room to respond emotionally and thoughtfully to you; don’t be impatient, it’s not very emotionally intelligent.

6. Why are people with good EQ desirable?

High emotional intelligence creates closeness, comforting, empathy and affection in your relationship. It’s easy to have fun or share feelings with someone with high EQ. You can count on a high EQ person to be kind and considerate.

To develop emotional intelligence:

Before embarking on any new encounter or activity, do the following steps:

1. Make a mental note of the possibilities: Can you learn something there? Can you meet a new friend? Will just getting out of the house and around new people feel good?

2. Remind yourself of your goals: You’re going there to enjoy the people there and to have fun.

3. Review your positive personal qualities: What do your friends like about you? What do you like about you? Your intelligence, your sense of humor, your style, your conversation skills? Are you a kind and caring person? Reminding yourself of these qualities means you will radiate that positive energy.

4. Have a positive outlook: Research shows that people who have a positive outlook have better lives, partly because a positive attitude is attractive and charming, and people are drawn to it. As a result, you make friends. When you are positive you are supportive of yourself and others, you notice the good things more than the bad things, which makes it easier to connect to others. In addition, you feel much better about yourself, which means you feel more deserving of friends. It’s a positive spiral, and goes up and up.

5. Be interesting: Wear attractive, but interesting, clothing-something that reflects who you are. If you like travel, for example, wear a shirt, scarf, tie or jewelry from another country, or wear something that reflects your ethnic background, or a hobby (sports, the outdoors, a Hawaiian-type shirt with surfboards, gardening implements or an animal print). It will help start conversations. Match your energy to the energy of the people around you. Obviously, if you’re dancing or eating barbecue poolside, the energy level will be pretty high. If you’re having quiet conversations at a cocktail party, discussing books, taking a class, or sitting down to dinner, the energy will be more mellow and focused.

6. Pay attention: Look around you, and seek to make friends. Notice who’s around you and what’s interesting or attractive about them, find an interesting thing about what they’re wearing, and complement it. “Excuse me, but I couldn’t help noticing that gorgeous color; it looks great on you.” or, “What an interesting watch! Does it have a story?”

7. Prepare in advance: Read up on some fascinating topics to talk about-the background doings of a hit movie, some new technology advance, or a cool new trend. Then, when someone wants to talk to you, you’ll have something to say.

8. Find a way to help: What needs doing that you might enjoy? If you’re in a new environment, I recommend finding a “job” to do. Don’t just say “what can I do to help?” Instead, volunteer for something specific: to greet people and show them around, or keep the food table replenished, or refill drinks. It will give you a feeling of belonging, a great excuse to meet everyone, and you’ll be busy enough to keep your nervousness at bay. The host or hostess will be grateful and remember you later.

9. Follow through: If you do meet someone you’d like to know better, follow the event or meeting with an invitation for coffee. The best friendships begin in these social situations.

Emotionally Intelligent conversations are like tennis matches. That is, the other person “serves” he or she asks a question or makes a statement. Then, you “volley” back you answer the question with the kind of answer that invites a response. For example:

He: “How do you know our hostess?”

You: “We went to school together. I like Pam’s friendliness, don’t you?”

This invites your companion to respond, and keeps the “volley” going. If the conversational thread ends, the next “serve” is yours. If you have to re-start the conversation too often, excuse yourself and move on. That person is not interested enough. If you force the other person to do all the conversational “work” he or she will move on pretty quickly. One-syllable answers are a pretty clear indication of lack of interest, even if you didn’t mean it to be that way. Instead, turn on your charm, and the other person will want more time with you.

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Source by Tina Tessina

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Warning: Your Home Can Be Your Place of Doom

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When you think of home, what comes to mind is a place of rest, comfort, peace, serenity, and joy.

Is it? But do you know that your home may have more than a dozen hidden hazards that can turn it into a place of doom at the blink of an eye?

And seniors, especially those 65+, are more often hapless victims because of failing eyesight, poor balance, and diminished cognitive functions.

To prove the point, here are some startling figures that can make you give your home a second look:

o In 2009 in England and Wales, alone, 7,475 people aged 65 and over died from home accidents, with 49% of those were due to falls. – rospa.com;

o According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), millions of people 65 +, or one out of three elderly, suffer from falls. – cdc.gov.

Home accidents involving elderly people have become a great concern for government institutions, and regulators because some of these are preventable. But because of complacency, carelessness, or ignorance, they end up in emergency rooms, or meet untimely death.

To avoid becoming a figure in home accident statistics, these tips are very useful to you or your love ones.

1. List down all emergency numbers:

Have all the contact numbers of your children, close relatives, 911, poison control, fire department, your personal doctor, or a suicide help center.

Put the list in your wallet or a secure and easily accessible place, or in your phone’s Contact list.

If you are hi-tech savvy, load Apps in your phone so you can get in touch with them fast and easy.

2. Check for possible sources of falls:

Check for frayed floor carpets, power cords, lamp stands, wobbly dining table chairs, stepladders, porch welcome rug, high cabinets or cupboards, living room extension wires, foot stools, etc.

Don’t take them lightly. Even if you can move around your home with eyes

close, these can easily make you trip and fall.

In addition to the above, add these to your precautionary list:

o Sleep in the ground floor, if possible;

o Have handholds along the walls of your home – from the living room, kitchen, to your bedroom;

o Secure the carpet edges to the floor, or remove it;

o Put shoes and books where they should;

o Keep food items on kitchen counter tops so you won’t have to reach up when you need them.

3. Identify possible sources of fire:

In 2010, 143 people died in the U.K. due to fire-related accidents.

Home fires are normally caused by faulty electrical wiring, overloaded electrical outlets, using inferior plugs and sockets, unplugged electric appliances, smoldering cigarette butts, oily rugs thrown near a hot source, failure to turn off the gas, etc;

To remove these potential hazards:

o Use certified wires, sockets, plugs and outlets;

o Turn off appliances before going out or going to bed; properly store flammable items, don’t overload sockets;

o Install smoke alarms in your home and make sure they are functional;

o Have fire extinguishers in your bedroom, living room and dining room And be sure you know how to use them or that they are always fully charged;

o Don’t attempt to douse a fire if it has already started. Get out and call 911.

4. Burns and scalds:

Burns and scalds can come from radiators, cookers, kettles, hot bath, or even a cup of hot chocolate you drink before going to bed at night.

Don’t take this lightly. Contact burns among people over 65 can be fatal if they get infected.

To avoid this risk,

o Do not take hot drinks more than you need to;

o Arrange your tea or coffee utensils as near to each other as possible.

o Handle your cooking utensils with extreme care;

o Use gloves all the time when working around hot items in the kitchen;

o When taking a shower, always turn on the cold water first, before slowly turning on the hot water knob to prevent burning.

5. Is your bathroom safe?

Bathrooms, as small as they are, are big when it comes to home accidents.

Accidents happen around the toilets, shower stalls, and bathtubs.

To avoid these risks, be sure to:

o Use non-skid mats;

o Have grab bars installed;

o Set the thermostat no higher than 1200F to minimize the risk of scalding;

o Use special chairs if you have difficulty getting in and out of toilets and bathtubs;

o Have your cell phone nearby to dial an emergency number should you need to.

6. Get rid of toxic substances:

Seniors are especially prone to poisoning because of weaker immune system and lower metabolism.

Accidental poisoning or drug overdose happens if you have no adequate knowledge of your prescription drugs, or taking drugs not meant for you.

Storing partially opened canned goods too long in the ref can also cause food poisoning.

Don’t’ stretch your food budget too thin to eat stale or moldy foods. This can give you food poisoning, too.

To help avoid this home risk:

o Always wash hands before working around food;

o Avoid recycling food that has been in the ref for more than two days;

o When buying canned goods, always check their expiry dates;

o Don’t store canned goods in partially opened cans;

o Throw away moldy fruits and other food stuff;

Regarding your medications:

o Always buy from credible and reputable pharmacies;

o When asking for prescriptions, ask your doctor possible adverse reactions with other medications you are talking;

o Never experiment with drugs. Be sure you are taking what is prescribed by a doctor, not suggested by a friend;

o Don’t take medications of others just because you have the same illness. Different people react to medications differently.

Last year I ate something at dinner that gave me a severe case of food poising. I had diarrhea starting 5am in the morning, until late in the afternoon. Every hour on the hour, I had to rush to the toilet to discharge.

It subsided when my daughter and son-in-law, both doctors, IV-fed me with saline solution.

Last night, while attending the wake of an aunt who died four days ago from a bad fall, I met a young girl who was also attending the wake of a neighbor.

She was already in her 60s, alone at home, and died from a fall while using the bathroom.

When relatives found her she was already bluish, with a large gash on her head.

No matter how safe you feel at home, accidents can happen at the most unexpected time and circumstances.

The safety of home can easily turn into a disaster; your retirement days can easily be cut short by a sudden fall, a stale food, or a smoldering cigarette butt on your mattress as you slowly drift into sleep.

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Source by Joseph Dabon

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St. Patrick’s Day: It’s Paddy, Not Patty!

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It’s been maybe 10 and a half years since I last celebrated St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland and through travelling around this fine world, I’ve had this conversation too many times to count:

Someone: ‘Where are you from?’

Me: ‘Ireland.’

Someone: ‘Oh, you’re Irish! Me too.’

Me: ‘Really? What part of Ireland are you from?’

Someone: ‘Oh, I’ve never actually been to Ireland. My great-grandmother was Irish.’

Me: ‘So where in America are you from?’

There’s no day in the whole year that this conversation happens more than on March 17th… or the Saturday after if it falls on a weekday. There’s also the whole rigmarole of me also having to prove I’m Irish on occasion due the fact that six years in England and four in Korea has led to my accent being a bit askew. Also living with a Canadian boy I’ve pick up little bits of twang… although he doesn’t say ‘aboot’ or ‘ey’ nearly as much as I would have hoped.

Just while I’m on the subject of words said differently, please please Americans (and all other people in the world who do it) stop calling it St. Patty’s Day. It’s St. Patrick’s Day, St. Paddy’s Day or just Paddy’s Day. Under NO circumstances should it be called St. Patty’s Day.

Ever.

At all.

Paddy: Short for Patrick.

Patty: Short for Patricia, the name of Marge’s sister in The Simpsons and the name of a small, round serving of meat usually found on a burger. Can be used to cover everything from the dubious stuff that goes on a McDonald’s Cheeseburger to the gourmet homemade thingys my boyfriend makes.

If you don’t believe me, go to Ireland, call a fella ‘Patty’ and see what happens, I dare ya. It’s worth knowing, Ireland’s healthcare costs are astronomical so ye may want to pick a guy you’ve got a fightin’ chance with.

Moving on. Now, not a lot is known about old St. Paddy himself. What is known is that he wasn’t Irish. At all. Not one little bit. He’s British.

Just to recap our geography, before anyone writes and says, ‘it’s the saaaaame’, Britain = England, Scotland and Wales. Not Ireland.

St. Patrick, presumably back when he was just plain Patrick (or Paddy to his friends), at age sixteen was kidnapped by Irish raiders and brought to Ireland to work as a shepard. I kid you not, we properly snatched and grabbed him.Then we kept him for 6 years until he escaped and fled back to his family in Britain.

The story goes, as stories do, that while alone and secluded from other people working on the mountains in Ireland, God spoke to him. God told him he’d soon be free and it was time to leave Ireland. Upon his return to his homeland, he entered the church where he stayed for 15 years (approx, who really knows) and then he returned to Ireland. Seriously, he came back to the people that kidnapped him in the first place.

Now widely (blamed for?) credited with bringing Christianity to our small little island (was it really necessary?), we celebrate St. Patrick’s death in the form of drinking, parades with floats, green beer, dying our rivers green (with orange dye no less) and wearing silly hats.

Do you think this is what he had in mind when he brought us religion? Floats and alcohol? One can only hope!

So where does the shamrock come into all this?, I hear you wondering.

Well, St. Patrick used the shamrock (a three-leafed clover, NOT four, three… THREE) to explain the Holy Trinity to the people of Ireland and naturally, we adopted as our national flower.

Ah, tell me about the snakes.

Apparently St. Patrick, in his spare time between praying, talking to God, explaining the Holy Trinity to people and spreading the Christian word, also got rid of all the snakes in Ireland. Every single one of them. No snakes in Ireland no more. And why? Cos St. Paddy got rid of them all. True story. Probably. Again, who really knows?

And what about the leprechauns?

They don’t come into this story so we’ll have to deal with them at a different time.

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Source by Jenny Maxwell

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History of Bankruptcy

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Bankruptcy is defined as “a legally declared inability or impairment of ability of an individual or organization to pay its creditors”. Though a less-than-pleasant experience, it is often an unavoidable step that enables the debtor to make a fresh start and the creditor to recoup at least part of the debt. Bankruptcy has got a lot of coverage in recent times, especially with the worst recession since the Great Depression of 1929 assailing world economy. However, the history of bankruptcy dates back at least 500 years to medieval England.

Before we embark on a journey through time to trace bankruptcy’s roots, its important to know the origin of the word. The word “bankrupt” originates from the ancient Latin bancus (a bench or table), and ruptus (broken). Ancient bankers used to conduct their business at a bench in public places like marketplaces and fairs. When a banker failed, his bench (bancus) was broken (ruptus) to advertise to the public that he was no longer in a condition to do business. Even today, the word “bankrupt” means the inability of an individual or company to do business.

The first bankruptcy law was enacted in England in 1542 during the reign of Henry VIII, and was heavily biased against the debtor where he could be jailed and all his assets seized. With time, the law was relaxed to allow debtors out of prison, many of whom promptly fled to the debtors colonies in Georgia and Texas. Even as imprisonment became rarer in the 1800s, collusive bankruptcy (agreed upon by creditor and debtor) became legal in 1825. Voluntary bankruptcy was authorized in England in 1849.

When the United States Constitution was adopted in 1789, bankruptcy was specifically mentioned as being subject to federal law. The first US bankruptcy law was passed in 1800 and provided only for involuntary proceedings. Voluntary bankruptcy was legalized in 1841 and its scope expanded by subsequent legislation in 1898 and 1938. The Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978, commonly known as the Bankruptcy Code, made major changes to bankruptcy law.

There was considerable confusion on the overlapping and conflicting jurisdictions of the new court structure, and an “Emergency Rule” had to adopt by the courts. This rule remained in effect until enactment of the 1984 legislation on July 10, 1984 when the Bankruptcy Amendments and Federal Judgeship Act was implemented. Consequently, new bankruptcy courts were allowed to exercise the entire subject matter jurisdiction of the district courts, subject to certain limitations.

In 1986, the Bankruptcy Judges, United States Trustees, and Family Farmer Bankruptcy Act made considerable changes relating to family farmers and established a permanent trustee system. In recent years, the Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1994 has enacted changes that affect the mortgage banking industry. At present, there exist six types of bankruptcy under the Bankruptcy Code, located at Title 11 of the United States Code:

1. Chapter 7 – straight bankruptcy for basic liquidation.

2. Chapter 9 – municipal bankruptcy to resolve municipal debts.

3. Chapter 11 – corporate bankruptcy for restructuring.

4. Chapter 12 – family farmers and fishermen bankruptcy.

5. Chapter 13 – wage earner bankruptcy for regular income earners.

6. Chapter 15 – international bankruptcy to allow foreign debtors to clear debts.

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Source by Jimm Knight

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UK Fencing – Keeping Us In and Out, Perimeter Fences are a Way of Life

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Fencing in Britain – keeping us in or out?

UK fences, Electric perimeter fencing, gates, barriers and walls.

British Playground Fences Punished More Than UK Prison Fences!

Playground fences often take more punishment than prison fencing ! A fence surrounding a play area has many jobs, we need to see clearly inside, it needs to withstand children of all ages … and sizes climbing upon it.

A playground fence needs to keep children in and animals out, it has to withstand fouling too.

Chestnut fencing for example is usually hand made with wood from sustainable woodland management and is a versatile timber that can be used for rustic appearances such as chestnut post and rail fences, trellis, paling and lattice fencing including pergolas, gates arbours.

Kissing gates and Stiles:

However, whilst we need to protect livestock, we need to look at who will be using the stiles and gates. Saving money could end the landowner with the wrong style of stile. Sparing a few bits of timber can greatly slow down a group of ramblers when in reality progress should be speeded because of ‘very active’ horses in the field.

The absence of any handholds make it quite difficult for most people to negotiate . So would the absence of a post to lean against. The step might be too narrow. This type of stile could unlawful and a fine could soon cost more than the money saved.

A timber-kissing gate is particularly useful in districts populated by elderly people where a stile is unsuitable. It serves two purposes, keeping the animals in (stockproofness) and allowing pedestrian entry, there may also be a third purpose in the restrictions of motorcycles.

British Standard for gates and stiles.

BS5709:2001, (ISBN 0 580 33287 X) is available. The publication is endorsed by the Countryside Agency and the National Farmers’ Union and the Country Landowners’ Association all of which were involved in the publication. It states that stiles should not be used for new structures except in exceptional circumstances and that where a structure is needed on a path a Gap should be the first choice, a Gate the second choice and a Kissing Gate a third choice. The new standard makes it clear that the least restrictive option will do – in this order; Gap, Gate, Kissing Gate, Stile and the first one capable of performing the required stockproofness must be used, afterall the priority is to secure animals.

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Source by Digby Farquart

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What Is Contract Packing?

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Contract Packing is actually used for a wide variety of commercially available products. When an item is manufactured or imported in bulk it may require further refinement to make it acceptable for retail sale. For example batteries can be imported in bulk and then repackaged into smaller retail size packs. This produces a considerable saving on freight costs as wasted space in containers is an expense that everyone tries to avoid. To repack the batteries you will need a backing card, a blister and a sealing machine. Also you will need staff to manually assemble the items.

You may have an item you have made but need to pack it in sachets or blister packs for commercial sale. It may be an item has obsolete or incorrect packaging when it arrives from the manufacturer and it would in most cases not be economically viable to send the items back.

This is where the Contract Packager comes in. They will have ready access to printers, plastic formers and a labour force that is used to this kind of work. They will also have various sealers to accommodate the processes needed. This allows the customer to concentrate on the more profitable areas of their business.

Contract Packaging companies can vary greatly from providing very basic collation to complicated and/or specialized assembly work. They may also supply warehousing facilities and the ability to pick, pack and despatch orders for the customer.

They will also vary in the type of work that they can handle. Some of the specializations are pharmaceuticals, food stuffs, poster and document collation, chemicals, electronics, industrial and cleaning products.

Contract Packing should achieve a result that will save the customer money by being more efficient than what the customer could achieve themselves. As there is no need for specialised packing equipment this also represents a cost saving.

When selecting a contract packager make sure that they have done similar work before and be sure to set some performance KPI’s in place. Clearly define the time frames that are required and the standard that needs to be achieved. It is also essential that the goals are defined and the end product has been sighted and approved. This will mean careful checking of printed material, (both backing cards and any inserted information), any blister materials and the final packing of the item. It is no good approving it and then finding the barcode is wrong.

Overall a contract packer should be able to provide the customer with a cost saving and an improvement in productivity.

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Source by Gary J French

/ By edd / spiral-freezers/ / 0 Comments

What Is a Polyurethane Duct Board?

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Ducts are widely used today in HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning). Their main purpose is to serve as a passage for air. They are important in maintaining ideal indoor air temperature and quality. For this reason, ducts should be able to resist external temperatures to maintain the air flowing through them at a constant temperature. In order to do this, ducts are made from or coated with insulation materials. Aluminum and galvanized steel are the most commonly used materials for creating ductwork because of their availability. However, these can be heavy, especially in the case of galvanized mild steel. That is why some manufacturers use polyurethane.

Polyurethane (PU) is a type of plastic resin. It can be made flexible or rigid. It is very versatile and is used not only for industrial products but also in many end-user products such as mattresses, shoes, and tires. Polyurethane is commonly used because of its insulative properties. In your home, polyurethane duct boards are present in your refrigerator and freezers. If you have a relatively modern home, then the walls could have been lined with polyurethane duct boards or panels in order to prevent heat loss during colder months and to keep the air inside your home cool during the summer or warmer months. The common house and commercial building areas that are lined with polyurethane duct boards are cavity walls, floors, roofs, pipe and boiler areas, and large air ducts.

Advantages of Using Polyurethane Duct Boards

Insulation is not just for comfort. The act of keeping cold and hot air in certain conditions has a long term effect. In the EU, private households contribute about 35% to total CO2 emissions. Using polyurethane duct boards and other insulative materials will lessen the CO2 emissions of refrigerators, heaters, and air conditioners. Having a properly insulated space will lessen their electricity consumption. Lining target areas with polyurethane panels would be expensive at first but this will, in turn, help home owners and business owners to save money in the long run.

Commercial buildings also need less maintenance if they are properly lined with polyurethane panels. Unlike aluminum and galvanized steel, polyurethane panels are easier to work with and are more efficient in terms of space saving. These panels can be efficiently used without disrupting the interior and exterior design of a house or building. Overall, polyurethane panels are gradually becoming a necessity in both homes and offices.

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Source by Allan Esposo

/ By edd / spiral-freezers/ / 0 Comments

Cleaning Your Colon Leads to Better Sex Drive and Sex Performance?

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If you are not feeling healthy, you will lose interest on sex. Most unhealthy person loses their sex drive. To remain maintain a healthy body; cleaning your colon is a great option. In this article, we are going to discuss why cleaning your colon can lead to better sex performance and get your love life back. There are a lot of things going on inside your colon and digestive system that you may be no idea of. If you are constipated, you colon will quickly build up toxic waste. Those toxic wastes will get absorbed into your blood circulation system through the colon walls. As the toxin goes into your blood system, they will get distributed to all cells in your system.

They will do a lot of harm to your organs in the long run. Your liver and immune system will be fighting the toxin so hard that other functions just cannot be handled. When you have a low immune system, you sex drive will suffer. Various researches tell that most individuals with Irritable Bowel Syndrome have sexual health problems. Woman was reported experiencing pain during intercourse. Statistics shows people with Irritable Bowel Syndrome has lower sex desire comparing to diarrhea patients. The worst the constipation, the lower the sex desire gets.

Cleaning your colon is a good option to get your sex drive back. Cleaning a constipated colon can get rid of all the clutter and waste. Averagely, an adult has accumulated around 20 pounds of waste in the colon. For many years the waste just sits in our colon and creating toxin to our system. Just imagine how much better your will feel if all those 20 pounds of junk is flushed out of your colon.

You will experience a huge difference on both your sex drive and sex performance after cleaning your colon. You will feel you are healthier, have more energy. You will be more active and vibrant that leads to better sex performance. So, if you are still suffering from low energy, constipation, low sex drive and under average sex performance, clean your colon. With the right colon cleanse product, you will see results in a very short period of time.

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Source by David W Jeremiah

/ By edd / spiral-freezers/ / 0 Comments

Timber and Its Use in Commercial Truck Construction

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Many types of timber are used in commercial truck bodywork today, and it is used in a variety of different forms ranging from sections for framing, chipboard for partitions, to faced plywood for decorative panels. Manufactured timber panels are also used in conjunction with other materials such as aluminum and plastics to produce panels for special purposes which include heat and sound insulation and to improve resistance to general wear and the weather.

Some timbers are more suitable for vehicle bodywork than others because of their superior strength, resistance to wear, decay and fire, or appearance.

Although timber is used in many forms, it is all obtained from either soft wood trees or temperate or tropical hardwoods.

Softwoods.

There are a large number of softwood trees, which include many varieties of pine, fur, and spruce which make up about 90 per cent of all timbers used generally in the U.S.A and Europe. These trees are normally found in the northern hemisphere; most of them are cone bearing and evergreen, but there are some exceptions. In fact some types of softwoods are harder than hardwoods.

There is a good supply of softwoods and since less time is required to mature and they are easier to work they are generally cheaper than hardwoods. Softwoods are uses for the sides and floors of mineral carrying vehicles, since it is cheaper and easier to replace. It is also used for manufactured panels for other commercial vehicle bodies.

Hardwoods.

These are obtained from broad leaf trees, and there are over 2000 varieties including such well known types as oak, ash, teak and mahogany. All basal wood, which is much softer than softwoods, is in fact a hardwood, since it is the structure that decides the group not the texture.

Because the hardwoods take much longer to mature, are more difficult to obtain and work, and take much longer to season they are considerably more expensive. However, they are generally much stronger, more durable and have far more uses than softwoods.

Hardwoods are divided into two groups:-

1. Tropical. These are from trees found in Central Africa, India and South America and include the many different types of teak, mahogany and ebony.

2. Temperate. The varieties found in this group are oak, walnut, and ash are some of the temperate hardwoods found in U.S.A, Europe, Japan and Australia.

Hardwoods are used for framing and in some forms of veneer on panels for interior finishing. Also hardwoods such as ash are very suitable for curved framing members.

Manufactured Panels.

Plywood, block-board, chipboard, MDF and hardboard panels are often used instead of solid timber panels, and have many advantages. They can be obtained in larger sizes, are often stronger and are more stable, which means labor costs can be reduced when compared with other methods of covering large areas with equivalent tongue and groove jointed timber.

Plywood.

Plywood is made by gluing layers of veneer together at right angles to each other. This prevents splitting and greatly increases the strength of the panel. Curved members can also be produced by laying the veneers on a suitable mold or form before gluing.

Birch, ash, pine and fir are used in the manufacture of plywood but many other varieties are used for the face side of decorative panels. Plywood is obtainable in several thicknesses and sizes from which vehicle body floors can be made in one piece.

Block board.

There are a number of manufactured boards making use of solid timber core stock. One of these is block board and this consists of softwood glued together and faced with veneers of timber such as birch and mahogany. Large panels up to about 2 inches in thickness are produced and used in flooring and partitions.

Chipboard.

Chipboard is made from graded wood chips which are bonded together under pressure with synthetic resins and adhesives to form large strong panels 0.5 inch to 1 inch thick. These can be faced with many different materials to give painted, plastic or veneered surfaces. It has replaced solid timber for many purposes and because of the sizes manufactured it is a useful vehicle building material.

Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF).

MDF is manufactured by bonding wooden fibers together using glue, heat and pressure. It is a very adaptable material, but can only be used for interior bodywork. It must be sealed / painted as it gradually emits urea formaldehyde which is a known carcinogen and eye, throat and lung irritant. Proper safety procedures should always be used when working with this material in any way.

Hardboard.

This is another useful material which, because of its smaller thicknesses is very suitable for interior paneling. It is made from compressed timber fibers and usually has a smooth side with the reverse side having a rough or mesh finish.

Identification of timbers.

Since many types of timber are used in vehicle body work, it is possible to identify the more common ones such as oak and teak. Most types have distinct features and properties, and when samples are carefully examined it is often possible to identify a particular type. The following features should be considered:-

1. The general appearance.

  • i) Color – red, brown, yellow, white.
  • ii) Grain – close or open, straight or twisted.
  • iii) Texture – hard or soft, rough or smooth.
  • iv) Figure – shape of grain

2. Weight.

Weighing a sample is not a reliable test since the weight will depend on the moisture content and even the weights of samples may vary.

3. Use a hand lens.

Examination of the surface and end grain may reveal distinctive features.

4. Use a microscope.

The use of a microscope will enable a much closer examination of a thin section.

5. Dissolving a sample.

This will allow a microscopic examination of the shape and size of cells and fibers.

It should be remembered that features and color may be affected by the origin, rate of growth, and treatment since felling and many other factors.

Timber Defects.

One of the main disadvantages with timber is that defects may be present or may develop later. Some of these can be treated satisfactorily but others may require the component to be replaced. Some defects can be avoided completely by careful felling, conversion and seasoning, but a knowledge of the defects will enable you to make the best possible use of the timber that may be somewhat inferior.

Knots.

These are not always a serious defect since in many cases timber is covered with paint, panels or other disguises and in timbers such as knotty pine they are treated so as to improve the appearance. On the other hand knots should not be present in framing timbers, some decorative panels or other situations where strength or appearance may be affected. Knots are nearly always present and timber is often graded by the distribution and number of knots present. Some timbers have more than others, so careful selection is usually worthwhile.

Splits and shakes.

Shakes appear in various forms and are not always apparent until the tree is felled and sawn into logs. Heart and cup shakes may not present much of a problem but other types such as the ring and star shakes can result in valuable timber being unusable. During the drying out or seasoning the moisture leaves the timber more quickly from the ends than the sides. If this is too rapid other splits may occur.

Woodworm.

Many types of timber are affected by various insects, and chemical treatment may be effective. The alternative is to remove and burn the infected part and fit a new piece.

Dry rot.

Timber, which is stored in conditions which are damp or lack ventilation will lose its strength and become soft and spongy. If this happens timbers should be destroyed.

Warping.

This is a common defect and is caused by uneven shrinkage during seasoning. Softwoods are more prone to this, since softwoods contain more moisture than hardwoods. Warping can be reduced by sawing the logs radially instead of tangently. If you examine the end grain of planks it is possible to decide which way they have been cut from the log.

Causes of timber defects.

  • i) Storm damage.
  • ii) Exposed growing conditions.
  • iii) Inexperienced felling.
  • iv) Incorrect conversion.
  • v) Poor seasoning.
  • vi) Bad storage conditions.
  • vii) Careless selection and use.

Seasoning timbers.

Living trees may have a moisture content of between 50% and 100% and since this is too high the trees, when felled have to be seasoned or dried until the moisture content is reduced. Timber for vehicle body work should have a moisture content of 12 %- 15%. If the moisture content is too high the timber will dry out further and shrink after use. If it is too low the timber will absorb moisture from the atmosphere and possibly swell. To find the moisture content a sample of timber is weighed in its normal condition and then weighed again after it has been carefully dried out. The moisture content is then calculated as follows:-

The moisture Content of the timber (M.C. %) is calculated by taking the wet weight, subtracting the dry weight, and dividing the answer by the dry weight and multiplying by one hundred.

The method of drying out a piece of timber to obtain its moisture content is unnecessary in practice, because electrical instruments are used to give instant readings There are a number of reasons why timber should be properly treated (seasoned):-

  • I) It is much stronger than unseasoned timber.
  • II) There is less risk of decay and attack by insects.
  • III) Painting, staining and other finishing processes can be carried out successfully on seasoned timber.

We should remember that the cells in a piece of timber are like wooden buckets. Large amounts of water in the cavities and the walls, so it is essential for timber to be properly seasoned. After the trees have been felled, the logs are taken to the saw mill where they are converted or sawn into planks or other sections. Since this exposes a greater surface area to the atmosphere seasoning time is reduced. The method used to saw or convert the logs will also affect the shrinkage, warping or other timber defects discussed previously.

Air Drying.

The sawn timber is piled in stacks with sticks or wooden strips separating each layer. This allows the air to circulate freely around each piece. The top of the stack should be protected from the sun and the rain, and since moisture will dry out more quickly from the ends of the planks, these are sometimes protected to prevent end splits. The air drying method is cheap and often leads to better quality timber, but it is a slow method, taking up to several years. The timber is liable to staining and insect attack and the moisture content is very rarely less than the surrounding area.

Kiln Drying.

This is a much quicker method, which results in timber with a more closely controlled moisture content. The timber is placed on trolleys and put in a kiln where the temperature and humidity are controlled. Air circulation may be by natural draft or forced by electric fans. Artificially seasoned timbers may be more brittle and other defects may occur, but the reduced time required is big advantage. Some timbers are air dried for a period before being kiln dried.

Timber Storage.

Seasoning timber processes may take several years and the timber may be stored for a further period before it is used. In order to keep it in good condition certain precautions must be observed:-

  • i) To prevent staining the timber should be protected from chemicals and other foreign matter, e.g. soot.
  • ii) Excessive rain and heat should be avoided and if stored indoors sufficient ventilation should be provided.
  • iii) It should be stacked in a proper manner to prevent boards becoming twisted or warped. The supporting blocks should be directly under each other otherwise the timber will begin to bend.

Wood preservatives suitable for use prior to painting.

This type of preservative is usually of a low viscosity and can normally be used prior to the application of coach or decorative enamels and their painting process. It can be applied by brush, spray or dipping and is normally allowed overnight to dry before application of the above mentioned paint systems. This promotes good adhesion and helps to reduce the problems of timber disease and rot.

Before using this type of product it is essential to make sure that it does not contain any waxes or silicone additives.

Priming of timbers.

Before the priming of any timber it is important to check that the timber is clean, dry and free from any oil residues. The timber should be thoroughly flatted with a suitable grade of glass paper and degreased with a ‘lint-free’ cloth which has been dampened with white spirits or a suitable solvent.

Priming should then be carried out using a suitable primer. It is essential when priming that all areas are adequately primed. This includes timber ends and tongue and grooves, where areas are to be covered with metal fitments or body sections. The reason for this is to prevent the ingress of moisture which would result in paint flaking.

Timbers containing knots should be treated in the following manner, prior to priming:-

I) The knots should be burnt with a blowtorch to extract surplus resin.

II) The timber should be thoroughly rubbed down and degreased as above.

III) Each knot should be treated with one or two coats of shellac, and allowed sufficient time to dry.

IV) Prime the timber as above.

Wood finishes.

These are non-pigmented finishes. Among those available are wax polishes, sealer coats, long and short oil varnishes, alkyd varnishes, yacht varnishes, single pack polyurethanes and teak oil. All these are suitable for brush application. For spray application only, use the following – cellulose lacquers, two pack polyurethanes, two pack catalyzed lacquers and single and two pack epoxies. The requirements of a wood finish are:-

  • i) Color flexibility.
  • ii) Build.
  • iii) Life expectancies.
  • iv) Acid or alkali resistance.

Sealers and wax polishes.

Sealers – These are cellulose based.

Waxes – These are petroleum based. One example is chilled wax which is fairly quick drying, gives little discoloration to the wood, and produces a good average finish.

Waxes – Silicone based. These waxes are very quick drying and produce a hard waterproof finish. The wood needs to be sealed before use, and it tends to give it a cloudy appearance.

Waxes – Beeswax. This is a natural product from honeycomb which has been rendered down with white spirits. It can be applied by brush or rag and produces a good finish that can be re-polished.

Long oil varnishes.

These contain more oil than resin in its formulation. The resin used is usually an alkyd or fossil resin. Long oil varnishes are flexible, due to the amount of oil and have good durability, making it ideal for exterior usage. It also has a fairly clear finish. Polyurethanes are used for wood which is left in exposed conditions, but tends to be rather soft for interior use. The life expectancy is two to two and a half years, and a four coat system is recommended, i.e. apply one very thin (diluted) coat followed by three full coats.

Short oil Varnishes.

These varnishes are quick drying but tend to be rather brittle. They dry to a hard finish and are more suitable for interior use, as they do not have the flexibility for exterior use.

Alkyd varnishes.

These are clear quick drying varnishes which are suitable for indoor and outdoor use. They are popular as a varnish for vehicle bodies, and are also applied as a four-coat system.

Teak oil.

This oil is easy to apply, but liberal coatings are required to restore the natural color of the timber.

French polishing.

This is based on shellac and methylated spirits. It is quick drying and causes the timber to darken. It is applied using a pad, made of a packed piece of wool or gauze, covered by a piece of cotton cloth. It is however, brittle and easily damaged by water and white spirits. It is mainly used in antique furniture.

Nitrocellulose lacquers.

These lacquers come in two types, the pre-catalyzed and the nitro-urethanes. These contain amino and polyurethane resins respectively.

Conclusion.

There is no doubt of the advantages of using timber in commercial truck bodywork today. Certainly other materials have and will come along to try and replace it, but for its versatility and availability it is still unrivalled and will be for a long time to come.

Knowing your timbers and how to look after them will ensure the maximum life expectancy from your truck or commercial vehicle.

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Source by Nigel Le Monnier