Global Technologies Group, Inc. (GTGP)

[Copious]

Here's a late night distraction for you night owls:

Rafael Weddle reported that Ash Grove is just starting a $26.8 million
project to keep in compliance that will bring many contractors to town. Ash Grove has also
budgeted an additional $3.2 million in capital improvements.

compliance project?

the money man

AG is looking to become ISO14001 compliant according to the website link on sustainable development. This doesn't designate a system (MBS or otherwise) but is process related. So, ideally you want process consistency at all points including multiple locations. So it would seem that this just might be our test location, or is at least very involved in setting standards for ISO compliance relating to this at all locations.

AG ISO Interesting parts of that:

Ash Grove Cement is in the process of creating and implementing ISO 14001-compliant systems at all of its manufacturing facilities around the country. "For both its neighbors and employees, Ash Grove Cement is committed to environmentally responsible operation, and we launched this effort early in 2005," says Corporate Environmental Manager Bob Vantuyl. "We're implementing this on an aggressive schedule, and we're making sure that each new effort takes advantage of our experience at previous plants. For example, when we formally launched the system at Louisville recently, representatives from Durkee and Chanute were on hand to gain insight for program implementation and to participate in the gap assessment. The result of this coordinated implementation strategy is speed-we're aiming to have all of our facilities running with ISO 14001-compliant systems in less than three years total."

The company's Louisville plant is currently in the final stages of system implementation. "Fundamentally," says the plant's Environmental Manager Roger Behrns, "this initiative involves a thorough review of our operations to evaluate the potential environmental impacts, followed by a plan to identify and control the aspects of our operations that will minimize those impacts. When we're done, we'll have an EMS that is robust, well-documented, and one that we will work to improve on a continuous basis."

Here's the abstract of ISO 14001 from the ISO site: ISO abstract

Abstract
ISO 14001:2004 specifies requirements for an environmental management system to enable an organization to develop and implement a policy and objectives which take into account legal requirements and other requirements to which the organization subscribes, and information about significant environmental aspects. It applies to those environmental aspects that the organization identifies as those which it can control and those which it can influence. It does not itself state specific environmental performance criteria.

ISO 14001:2004 is applicable to any organization that wishes to establish, implement, maintain and improve an environmental management system, to assure itself of conformity with its stated environmental policy, and to demonstrate conformity with ISO 14001:2004 by

a) making a self-determination and self-declaration, or

b) seeking confirmation of its conformance by parties having an interest in the organization, such as customers, or

c) seeking confirmation of its self-declaration by a party external to the organization, or

d) seeking certification/registration of its environmental management system by an external organization.

All the requirements in ISO 14001:2004 are intended to be incorporated into any environmental management system. The extent of the application will depend on factors such as the environmental policy of the organization, the nature of its activities, products and services and the location where and the conditions in which it functions.

ISO 14001:2004 also provides, in Annex A, informative guidance on its use.

Even 2432num2354nuts232 isn't arguing we have cement. And that alone is pretty lucrative. Don't ya think?