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From: Lance (Things Which Affect Us All in the Cleaning Industry)
Remote Name: 66.82.54.200
Date: 30 Jan 2004
Time: 03:55:22
Storm Water, Trucking, RFID, Regulations and Taxi Cabs The Control and Treatment of Industrial and Municipal Stormwater has been progressing since the early 90’s, The EPA's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting program was expanded in 1990 to include stormwater discharges and non-point source discharges. Stormwatr drains are exactly what is says, they are for storm water only. The broader NPDES regulation mandates that municipal drainage operations, industrial plants, construction sites and even surface cleaners such as concrete cleaners, truck washers and mobile car detailers in large urban areas must do the following: 1) identify potential sources of pollution resulting from their activity; 2) develop site maps to detail possible stormwater runoff areas; 3) take preventive measures to control pollutants from entering waterways; 4) monitor runoff; and 5) record these procedures to ensure compliance. With the expanded program phasing in over a number of years currently in phase two, even cities with 100,000 population are effected and smaller cities are starting their permitting processes. This means of course that no matter where you go in the country, storm water is being monitored unlike other nations where the water you drink could have just about any possible chemical or contaminant in it. Including raw sewage. This might be of interest to explain what we do in the states. http://www.wateronline.com/nl/70321/1682320 The flow of water is serious and we must respect the need for an abundant supply of safe drinking water and clean rivers, lakes, streams and underground water supplies. http://www.parthe.net/_cwg1003/00000014.htm We see so many of our competitors not following the rules and the reason is they either find it too burdensome to put out flow restriction devises or storm blocks to cover the drains. Either way this is an issue. Here are some competitors polluting the storm drains: http://www.carwashguys.com/080902_4.shtml . What is so interesting about the EPA or any government agency, that rather than reality they are more interested in paper work and forms, not what is really happening. The are file checkers not actual enforcers. As long as the files are in order and you have paper work saying you are not polluting then you aren’t, forget what is happening out in the field. When as OSHA inspector shows up they are looking to make sure you have documentation, not looking around the facilities like a fire inspector would. This is dumb logic, but typical of government. We are over regulated to death really and none of it makes any legitimate sense when you look at the reality of things. http://www.parthe.net/_cwg0703/0000004b.htm and http://www.parthe.net/_cwg1003/00000032.htm . For instance there is actually a law that you need an MSDS for liquid paper used in the office if you have more than so many ounces, yet name a business which documents this, and if you ever do find one, they are obviously over staffed and not turning a profit and probably never will. Not to mention the fact that such an anal compliance person much cost the company millions of dollars a year checking every little detail. So who do you shoot? Wouldn’t help because the people who work for such agencies are not the problem, the problem is the run away blob. Well anyway we need a reality based environmental agency. I recently heard Kerry say that increased regulation did not hurt jobs it increased jobs? What planet is he on? Increased regulation means less private sector jobs, more harassment, less investment, more money leaving for foreign investment and greener pastures. Adding more government jobs to get in the way of free enterprise is why we are losing all of our jobs to China, India, Malaysia, Singapore, etc. Both sides of the isle agree the job losses are not good and we need jobs back: White House Fact Sheet on Jobs for the 21st Century Initiative . In his State of the Union speech, President Bush called for more investments to help low-skilled and young workers get training for better jobs. The White House fact sheet details the President's Jobs for the 21st Century proposal. http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/01/20040121.html . Between this dumb thought process of over regulations that John Kerry, the Vietnam Metal Thrower and the increased fuel costs from natural gas which is killing factories and costs and screwing over consumers with budgets as so many American’s are out of work is not good. Why are costs so high for natural gas? Over regulation for drilling new wells and crazy lawsuits by the Sierra Club. Speaking of Oil prices which went over $35.00 per barrel recently, this effects everything in the transportation sector. The flow of transportation being very critical to a healthy economy. http://www.parthe.net/_cwg0703/0000005c.htm and http://www.parthe.net/_cwg1003/00000020.htm . Diesel Prices are hiking up, not a good sign, already getting calls from Major Carriers asking for Best Price options for cleaning? http://www.ttnews.com/members/topNews/0011071.html . Got to cut costs somewhere? Average diesel price increased to $1.59. Last month increase was 3.2 cents per gallon to $1.551, the fourth straight increase, the Department of Energy reported Monday. Thank you DOE, but we already knew that thank you very much. Unfortunately this is bad for first quarter profits as trucking companies are rebounding after a strong fourth quarter in 2003. For instance Swift trucking reports 65% gain in profits on Tuesday reported a 65 percent in fourth-quarter profits over the same period last year: http://www.azcentral.com/business/articles/0128swift28.html . And like we all know this has been done in the face of increased workmen’s comp insurance rates, a trust that provided workers compensation insurance for 53 trucking companies is insolvent and owes $7.3 million in claims for injured employees. Certainly not good, but again thank the trial lawyers and doctors for this one as legal and medical costs sky rocket. Another reason that associated plans for small business is about the only way the little guy has a chance, considering even the medium sized guys are barely able to work in th current systems with all the outrageous litigation from trial lawyers like Edwards and the doctors like Dean. Commercial vehicle sales are good now for a change, this means factory out put will increase and jobs will recover a bit. Landstar Says Demand Strong Thus Far in 2004, J.B. Hunt's Earnings Set Record in 2003, Swift Reports Higher Profits; Says Rating Still Satisfactory, Covenant's Net Income Increases 20% as we mentioned talking to them the other day, Bandag's Net Income Rises Despite Lower Sales, Winter Storms Cancel Flights, Delay Trains meaning ground transportation by truck has to be used and expediters doing well with trucking and keeping things busy. UPS Profits Rise As Revenues Surge, Jobless Claims Fall by 1,000 in Latest Week, Old Dominion Reports Higher 4Q Profits and it is about time for them. But alas some of the cities and states want to attack trucking in the middle of recovery again, freight increases more trucks on the road thus more complainers about traffic. Chicago to Overhaul Truck Program. Yet even sot trucking companies big and small report increased numbers each day. Arkansas Best Increases Dividend, Revenues for Patriot's Transportation Units Increase 15%. And yes we are getting some overseas competition, which will hurt our exports as Renault to Produce Trucks in China. Another manufacturer in Japan: Truck maker Hino returns to profit. After a big deal by Penske Leasing to buy many units and a big loss for GM-Isuzu. Hino was back in profit in the April-December period from a loss a year earlier, as sales soared in Japan and abroad, Dow Jones Newswires said. http://just-auto.com/nd.asp?art=43378&dm=yes . Much of this was hoped for by current US Truck Builders, but with Unions being hostile and over regulation truck manufacturing for export, I think not, no can do, we have tied our companies up with undue paper work and rules, no way they can compete. And the crazies abound for instance this idiot: Criminal Defends Placing Stickers on School Buses as Free Speech, read this in the Washington Post, a man from Sterling who put stickers of burning American flags on school buses told a Loudoun County judge Tuesday that they were a legitimate form of free speech; http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A54713-2004Jan27.html . Yah sure and who has to clean this stuff off? The Bus Wash Guys; http://www.BusWashGuys.com . Well then I guess this is vandalizing graffiti same as on subways, rail cars, walls and public buildings? So obviously that is okay too. Meanwhile he is looking for the help of the ACLU? Meanwhile looks as if the Brits have figured out a good use for RFID: RFID-based taxi management arrives at Heathrow Airport. It is a good idea and so what if they thought of it first, we ought to implement this too. After all how many foreign nationals are taxi cab drivers? The UK airport operator, BAA, is to introduce a new taxi management system from IT services provider, Steria, for London's Heathrow Airport. The solution aims to improve BAA's ability to monitor and manage taxis and is based on wireless RFID technology with mobile devices, replacing an existing PC-based system. Steria has previously developed car park management systems for airports in Frankfurt, Paris (Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports), Lyon St Exupéry, and Geneva... http://www.usingRFID.com/news/rad.asp?1c=i23655cx83zi Hey maybe this can solve our problem here in the US and our taxi cab wars? Taxi Cab Wars. Taxi Cab business in Las Vegas, Reno, SF and other Westerly cities is seeing an increase in competitive forces from other than taxi cab companies. Many are competing illegally. Non registered livery companies, town car type vehicles are trying to stay busy picking up customers since their industry has been hurt by lack of business travelers from the .com crash. Also in Las Vegas and NV due to smaller gambling crowds due to fuel prices, airline traffic down and Indian Casinos in CA, there are more cabs than necessary and they are competing fiercely for the customers who are fewer. All in all it is a war. So we are lowering prices for these industries to give them the competitive advantage in price. It is working and we have picked up a few new clients this way and we are feeling good about expanding into this market sector with more units and more resources. These vehicles must be washed and we can do it much more inexpensive than our fixed site carwash counterparts. We understand this battle of the taxi cabs is also happening in NYC, but nearly coming to blows and it is being investigated by the city who issues the permits to the cabs. You have to wonder if Taxi Drivers will start using SUVs more like they do in some markets. A low cost SUV solution means safer rides and more people per load too: Smart SUV Named Formore New Smart Formore CUV will launch in U.S. in 2006. This is all for Today. Any comments on these events or how they effect our team give me a call: Lance@carwashguys.com
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