Questions for Alloy Steel International Management
I don't know if all of these questions will get answered, but here they are:
How did you come up with the idea for Arcoplate?
What made you decide to start a company to manufacture it yourself, as opposed to trying to license the technology to a large company?
What sources of inspiration have motivated you in inventing this technology and building your company?
How did you decide which application of the technology to focus on first?
When dealing with a multinational company such as BHP, are procurement decisions made separately by region? I.e., would you need to start from scratch in presenting your product to, say, the unit that runs iron mines in Brazil?
Often it seems that in technology and business having a better product does not guarantee success in the marketplace – what, in addition to the quality of your product, has enabled you to achieve your current success?
What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced so far in presenting your product in the marketplace? How did you (or how do you plan to) overcome them?
Do you have any plans to list on the NASDAQ?
What is the status of the Mongolian Joint Venture?
What kind of revenue is expected from the new mill at full capacity? Is it anticipated that both mills will be at full capacity for the rest of the year? Are plans still on track for 4 mills sometime in 2010?
What is the capacity of mill 3 and 4 compared to mill 2?
Will the recent AUD strength have any effects on overseas sales?
Funding for expansion has traditionally been from operations. Since expansion seems to be ramping pretty fast, can we expect anything other than funding from operations for the new mills, etc?
Will you need additional real estate for the planned new mills?
What is your planned capacity by the end of 2010?
Is Super Arcoplate expected to carry higher margins?
When do you plan to begin and complete construction on the new mills?
Is the plan to build 2 additional mills based on known interest for orders that can fill that capacity or is it based on speculation about future demand?
Is the company seeking any additional patents?
What was the total cost for construction and testing of Mill #2? Are 3 and 4 expected to be comparable in cost?
Are there any plans for additional JV?
Will the new mills be only for Super Acroplate wear plates, or are there plans to use them for the 3-D cladding process for pipes and chutes as well?
Are there any succession or contingency plans in place for the CEO and CFO positions? How long do you want to stay at the helm of the company? What about the buildup of a bit a broader management structure to digest the anticipated growth of the company and to enable each key person to focus on his/hers core capabilities?
What are your longer term plans for the company? Would you consider being acquired by a large public company or by a private equity firm or do you envision Alloy Steel International remaining growing as an independent firm over the long term?
A shareholder from Washington State in the northwestern corner of the United States asks what kind of fishing you do in Western Australia, and if you are familiar with an author from his state named Patrick F. McManus. He says if you have time to read for pleasure during your business flights you might enjoy this author’s books.
AI
