Casting Specialists

 
Unicast Blog

Raw Material Prices Continue to Rise

December 15th, 2010

Unicast works hard to keep costs down via spot buys, advance volume buys, and early payment discounts.  However forces outside of our control do impact our ability to keep costs in check. Recently our Coke supplier informed us that the price of Foundry Coke will be going up $30/net ton on January 1,and another $30/net ton again on April 1, 2011.  This is an overall increase of 12.46% in the first quarter of 2011 alone.  

We do not expect that these will be the final cost increase for coke in 2011. The price and availability of coking coal is driving the cost to produce the coke upward, and is even beyond the control of the coke producers themselves.

Unicast will keep customers informed as we get the market data.  As always, we stand ready to answer any questions and/or concerns you may have.

Thoughts on Taxes

March 29th, 2010

Tax his land

Tax his bed

Tax the table,

At which he’s fed

 

Tax his tractor,

Tax his mule,

Teach him taxes

Are the rule

Tax his work,

Tax his pay,

He works for peanuts

Anyway!

 

Tax his cow,

Tax his goat,

Tax his pants,

Tax his coat.

 

Tax his ties,

Tax his shirt,

Tax his work,

Tax his dirt.

 

Tax his tobacco,

Tax his drink,

Tax him if he

Tries to think.

 

Tax his cigars,

Tax his beers,

If he cries

Tax his tears.

 

Tax his car,

Tax his gas,

Find other ways

To tax his ass.

 

Tax all he has

Then let him know

That you won’t be done

Till he has no dough.

 

When he screams and hollers;

Then tax him some more,

Tax him till

He’s good and sore.

Then tax his coffin,

Tax his grave,

Tax the sod in

Which he’s laid…

 

Put these words

Upon his tomb,

Taxes drove me

To my doom…’

 

When he’s gone,

Do not relax,

It’s time to apply

The inheritance tax…

Accounts Receivable Tax

Building Permit Tax

CDL License Tax

Cigarette Tax

Corporate Income Tax

Dog License Tax

Excise Tax

Federal Income Tax

Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)

Fishing License Tax

Food License Tax

Fuel Permit Tax

Gasoline Tax (Currently 44.75 cents per gallon)

Gross Receipts Tax

Hunting License Tax

Inheritance Tax

Inventory Tax

IRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)

Liquor Tax

Luxury Tax

Marriage License Tax

Medicare Tax

Personal Property Tax

Property Tax

Real Estate Tax

Service Charge Tax

Social Security Tax

Road Usage Tax

Recreational Vehicle Tax

Sales Tax

School Tax

State Income Tax

State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)

Telephone Federal Excise Tax

Telephone Federal Universal

Service Fee Tax

Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes

Telephone Recurring and Nonrecurring Charges Tax

Telephone State and Local Tax

Telephone Usage Charge Tax

Utility Charge Tax

Vehicle License Registration Tax

Vehicle Sales Tax

Watercraft Registration Tax

Well Permit Tax

Workers Compensation Tax
STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?

Not one of these taxes existed 100

Years ago, & our nation was the most prosperous  in the world.  We had absolutely no national debt, has the largest middle class in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.

Unicast Monthly – September 18th, 2009

September 28th, 2009

CONTINUED CLOSURES & CAPACITY REDUCTION

As foundries such as Grede close plants and Intermet liquidates, they place their customer’s supply line at risk.  Now more then ever buyers need to look at their suppliers, and honestly evaluate their longevity.  Suppliers continue to consolidate, which can lead to transferred tooling, resubmitting samples, additional freight costs, and other costly delays. UNICAST STANDS READY.

UNICAST UPDATES WEBSITE

Unicast is pleased to announce that we will be launching our new website by next Friday, September 25th 2009.  We have added content, updated information about our capabilities, and plan on using our website as a spring-board to open communication and share vital information with our customers 24 hours a day.

The initial update next week is only the beginning.  We are working with our design team and software vendor on establishing unique customer login screens, where customers can get current pricing, check inventory, and print a current statement to see the status of credits and invoices.  We look forward to any feedback you may have on how we can continue to help you get the information you need in a timely manner.

COMMODITIES & CRB INDEX

While many commodities hit an all time high in 2008, as the current economic slowdown spread throughout manufacturing commodity pricing slipped, reaching a low this past April.  Unfortunately many commodities have begun to move back up, causing the CRB index to increase by 23.8% in the last 5 months.

Unicast has worked hard and continually reduced our surcharge throughout the year, at a time when all other foundries are increasing their surcharge. In addition, as surcharges bottom and begin to head back up you should consult your suppliers and ask that they embed the remnants of the remaining surcharge, establishing a new base year.  This will allow you to closely monitor any moves upward against an index of surcharge components such as what Unicast can provide in our surcharge primer.  If consultations are ineffective you should demand a new base year.

chart_sept09