Chemical Outlook - Independent Industry Information for Chemicals Makers and Users
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New management team reveal troubles at Bluegate
BRUSSELS (June 14, 2001) -- The new management of Bluegate, an e-business software provider, has discovered accounting irregularities, product delays and a pending lawsuit that put the company's future viability in doubt.
The new management revealed that:

  • They have established a provisional amount of 500 million Euro for ongoing projects on the basis of the caution principal. During the second trimester of 2001, the company said, it experienced delays in making important decisions on several projects, which will have a negative affect on the company's revenues.
  • Revealed that the previous management had achieved lower revenues than previously reported. The new management described previous reports of secured revenues, which had been the main pillar of the former management team's restructuring plan, as "incorrect, if not highly exaggerated."
  • That the sales pipeline described by the former management also was overly optimistic. It is unlikely the company will acquire as many new projects as projected, the company said, putting its future revenue forecasts in question.
  • That Bluegate SA and its subsidiary, Topas, are being sued by Q8 Italia for an amount large enough to challenge the future survival of the company. The current management is working to determine the size of the reserve that should be set aside to cover the claim.

Based on this information, the Board of Directors has declared that the additional financial resources made available to Bluegate on April 4, 2001 are not sufficient to put the company on a firm financial footing. The board has requested the new management to stay in place to continue its assessment of the company and seek ways to guarantee its continued operation.




IBM provides expertise to CIDX cyber-security effort
SOMERS, New York (January 30, 2003) -- IBM has signed on to help the Chemicals Sector Cyber-Security Information Sharing Forum by supporting CIDX's efforts to establish a chemical industry benchmark for cyber-security. CIDX (Chemical Industry Data Exchange) is responsible for implementing the standards and practices component of the Chemicals Sector Cyber-Security program.
Need for corporate accountability driving EPM
In the wake of massive corporate breakdowns at Enron, Worldcom and dozens of other prominent companies, accountability has become the watchword for corporate executives. Everyone - from the CEO on down - is in search of measurements to justify the decisions they made and to measure progress against goals.
Cyber-security: It's time to play tough with the board
In survey after survey, CIOs and IT executives claim that they are taking the threat of cyber-security attacks very seriously in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks. But the fact that the Slammer worm was able to cripple the Internet last weekend proves otherwise.
SAP named market leader by META Group for Energy Utility Work Management Systems
WALLDORF, Germany (March 11, 2003) – SAP, provider of integrated business software solutions, has been ranked as the market leader in META Group's recently released report, METAspectrum for Energy Utility Work Management Systems.
Elite International OK'd for automated U.S. Customs filings
HOUSTON, Texas (January 31, 2003) -- The non-vessel operating common carrier (NVOCC) of Elite International Transportation, a logistics provider serving the chemical, petrochemical, and food industries, has been approved by the U.S. Customs Service to submit advance cargo manifest information via the Automated Manifest System (AMS).
Airgas 3Q earnings per share increase 35%
RADNOR, Pennsylvania (January 29, 2003) --Airgas Inc., (NYSE: ARG) today reported earnings for its third quarter ended December 31, 2002. Net earnings for the quarter were $16.7 million, or $0.23 per diluted share, compared to $11.8 million, or $0.17 per diluted share, in the same period a year ago.
Praxair reports 4Q earnings per share of 85 cents
DANBURY, Connecticut (January 29, 2003) --Praxair Inc. (NYSE:PX) reported fourth-quarter 2002 net income of $140 million and diluted earnings per share of 85 cents, up from $118 million and 72 cents per share in the prior-year quarter.
e-epoxy.com celebrates two years in business
MIDLAND, Michigan (January 29, 2002) -- e-epoxy.com, a no-frills sales channel for epoxy products started by Dow Chemical, celebrated the second anniversary of its launch today.
HAHT announces demand chain management software
RALEIGH, North Carolina (January 29, 2003) -- HAHT Commerce has announced general availability of HAHT Commerce Suite 7.1 with three new bundling options for chemical, consumer products and discrete manufacturers.
DuPont declares quarterly stock dividend
WILMINGTON, Delaware (January 29, 2003) -- DuPont (NYSE: DD) today declared a first quarter common stock dividend of 35 cents per share, payable March 14, 2003 to stockholders of record Feb. 15, 2003.
SPI Dynamics releases enterprise-wide web application security assessment product, WebInspect 3.0
ATLANTA (March 10, 2003) - SPI Dynamics, provider of web application security assessment solutions, has released WebInspect 3.0, a web application assessment product specifically designed to address the needs of four groups within the organization, namely application developers, quality assurance professionals, security auditors and security operations professionals.
CorrFlex Graphics, LLC to Acquire Chesapeake's U.S. Display Business
RICHMOND, Va.--April 23, 2001--Chesapeake Corporation (NYSE: CSK) today announced the signing of an agreement by which CorrFlex Graphics, LLC, a leading provider of corrugated packaging and displays in the Eastern United States based in Statesville, N.C., will acquire the assets of the U.S. Display business of Chesapeake Display and Packaging Company, a subsidiary of Chesapeake Corporation. The transaction is scheduled to close in June 2001, subject to regulatory approvals, CorrFlex's financing and the other customary closing conditions. Chesapeake expects to use the proceeds of the divestiture to reduce its long-term debt.
Eastman to utilize ProAct Technologies' Web-based HR software for business-to-employee operations
WHITE PLAINS, New York (April 23, 2001) – Eastman Chemical Company (eastman.com has formed a strategic agreement with ProAct Technologies (proacttechnologies.com/home), a developer of enterprise-wide software for Employee Relationship Management, to implement ProAct's Knowledge Management solution to drive business-to-employee efficiencies and increase productivity.
Direct ERP connection now available from Elemica
PHILADELPHIA (April 23, 2001) – Elemica (elemica.com), an e-marketplace serving the chemicals industry, has announced that its Connected Solution (ERP-to-ERP network) is available to its 22 investors and will soon be expanded to include companies outside Elemica's investor base.
Praxair Introduces Bulk Ammonia Delivery System With Industry Leading Flow Rates
DANBURY, Conn.--April 23, 2001--Praxair, Inc. announced today it has developed and commissioned a high flow bulk ammonia system with flow rates up to 3 times higher than current semiconductor industry capabilities.
National Iranian Oil Company -- NIOC -- Moves for Better Asset Utilization & Reduction of Operating Costs With Hyprotech
BARCELONA, Spain--April 24, 2001-- Exclusive Contract Will Implement a Comprehensive, Company-Wide Engineering Software Frame Including State-of-the-Art Steady State & Dynamic Simulation, Equipment Design, Process Improvement and Optimization
New IT outsourcing model to integrate local and offshore resources
PARIS (March 12, 2003) – Cap Gemini Ernst & Young (CGE&Y), Spain, a global leader in management consulting and IT services, has been selected by GE as a European Global Development Center (GDC) for IT services to a number of GE businesses.
Air Products acquires Ashland's Electronic Chemicals business
LEHIGH VALLEY, Pennsylvania (September 02, 2003) - Air Products, materials and services solution provider to the semiconductor industry, has acquired the Electronic Chemicals business of Ashland, in a cash transaction valued at approximately USD $300 million. The acquisition has received the necessary regulatory approvals.
Michigan Attorney General acts in Consumers Energy cases to fend off higher gas prices for ratepayers
LANSING, Michigan (March 12, 2003) - Attorney General, Mike Cox, is taking action in two Consumers Energy cases before the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) in order to reduce out-of-pocket costs to Michigan ratepayers.
BASF selects EasyAsk to simplify and improve access to critical business information
LITTLETON, Massachusetts (March 11, 2003) – BASF, North American affiliate of BASF AG, has selected EasyAsk's technology to power a corporate portal effectively enabling employees to easily and quickly locate and retrieve business information and reports.
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