Rohm and Haas Company today said that, while its own facilities in the Houston area fared reasonably well through the effects of Hurricane Ike, multiple disruptions among suppliers and distributors along the Ship Channel have prevented the company from bringing its Bayport and Deer Park plants back on line. Due to events beyond its control, the company is declaring force majeure on the acrylate, methacrylate and specialty monomer products made at these two sites. This will apply equally to both internal and external customers.
The company noted that minor repairs and cleanup efforts are underway in both Bayport and Deer Park. However, restarting the plants is dependent upon being able to get needed raw material and energy resources.
The Deer Park and Bayport facilities supply the external market and downstream Rohm and Haas businesses with monomers which ultimately are used to make consumer products such as architectural and industrial paints, varnishes, adhesives, floor polishes, paper coatings, textiles, and a range of other products.
The company said it is unable to provide an estimate of the possible implication these actions might have on its financial performance at this time, but will continue to provide regular updates on its progress in restarting these facilities and restoring full product supply.
Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. announced today the start of the EA SPORTS™ NCAA® Football Challenge presented by Coca-Cola Zero. The NCAA Football Challenge kicked off its fourth season on September 1 at University of California, Los Angeles, beginning a 16-city, two-month tour of college towns across the nation culminating in the finals tournament held at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, with the winner taking home a grand prize of $10,000.
The NCAA Football Challenge is a high-intensity competition that reflects the gridiron battles that occur every Saturday, providing an official tournament for the gamers of all types, from hard-core to casual, to compete for prizes and claim bragging rights for their favorite schools. This is the second year of the EA SPORTS Challenge Series events of its most popular games. This year’s NCAA Football Challenge features an online component, as EA SPORTS has partnered with Microsoft to run a dedicated online program on Xbox LIVE that will bring the Challenge Series to hundreds of thousands of potential participants.
“The EA SPORTS NCAA Football Challenge presented by Coca-Cola Zero brings the competition and excitement college football players feel every week to gamers in college towns across the nation,” said Brian Movalson, EA SPORTS Marketing Director. “EA SPORTS NCAA Football 09 brings college fans closer to the experience of a college football game than ever before, and the NCAA Football Challenge provides the ultimate venue for gamers to defend the pride of their favorite college football teams, show their skills and compete for prizes at the same time!”
“We are thrilled to be affiliated with an event such as the NCAA Football Challenge that’s focused around such a relevant passion for our Coca-Cola Zero drinkers,” said Russell Baker, Coca-Cola Zero Brand Manager, Coca-Cola North America.
“Since the inception of the NCAA Football video game franchise, EA SPORTS has been a fantastic partner,” said David Bertram, Executive Director and GM of NCAA Football. “We are pleased to support the EA SPORTS NCAA Football Challenge presented by Coca-Cola Zero as it represents yet one more way fans can experience the thrills of college football.”
The NCAA Football Challenge will touch down at 16 college towns around the nation with the winners from each of the campus tournaments advancing to EA SPORTS own version of the college football championship game - the NCAA Football Challenge finals on January 1, 2009. The finals will be held at the historic Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Dates and locations for challenge venues are:
Date
School
Location
9/1/08
UCLA
Los Angeles, CA
9/5/08
ArizonaStateUniversity
Tempe, AZ
9/9/08
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ
9/12/08
USC
Los Angeles, CA
9/17/08
OklahomaStateUniversity
Stillwater, OK
9/19/08
University of Texas
Austin, TX
9/24/08
TexasA&MUniversity
College Station, TX
9/25/08
LouisianaStateUniversity
Baton Rouge, LA
10/1/08
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS
10/3/08
Wisconsin
Madison, WI
10/8/08
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY
10/10/08
Georgia Tech
Atlanta, GA
10/15/08
North CarolinaState
Raleigh, NC
10/17/08
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN
10/22/08
BostonCollege
Chestnut Hill, MA
10/24/08
University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT
EA SPORTS will travel around the country to host events where participants can register, enter and play in a tournament. Participants in the NCAA Football Challenge will compete playing the game on Xbox 360® video game and entertainment systems from Microsoft. The winner of the NCAA Football Challenge will receive a grand prize of $10,000. For more information on rules, registration and regulations, go to www.easportschallengeseries.com.
GulfIsland Fabrication
Gulf Island Fabrication, Inc. today reported its assessment of damages to its facilities. The majority of the damage was caused primarily by rising waters from Hurricane Ike that moved through the GulfCoast beginning late Friday, September 12, 2008, and was sustained by administrative office buildings in Louisiana. When flood waters began to recede Monday, September 15, 2008, office and essential yard personnel began performing various tasks to return the Company’s corporate headquarters and all the Company’s operating facilities (GulfIsland, L.L.C., Dolphin Services, L.L.C. and Southport, L.L.C.) to operating status. All Louisiana facilities’ employees were allowed to return to work Wednesday, September 17, 2008, and the Company anticipates three of its four Louisiana yards fully operational by early next week. The Company’s Louisiana West Yard will take an additional week to complete post hurricane clean-up and yard restoration.
The Company’s Texas facilities received no storm related damage associated with Hurricane Ike, but had five days of loss productivity due to shut-down related to the storm.
Although all hurricane related damage is covered by insurance, the Company will experience three, possibly four, weeks of loss productivity at its Louisiana facilities. The Company has not determined the financial impact of this loss of productivity, but the majority of the affect will be realized in the third quarter.
Gulf Island Fabrication, Inc., based in Houma, Louisiana,
JC Penney
J. C. Penney Company, Inc., one of the nation’s largest department store retailers, is offering shoppers an easy and exciting way to experience style and quality at smart prices with the grand opening of the JCPenney store at Hammond Square, located at 501 C M Fagan Drive in Hammond, La.
The official grand opening for the new JCPenney will take place on Friday, Oct. 3, marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the store’s main entrance at 8:30 a.m. The store is among 12 JCPenney stores celebrating grand openings on the same day nationwide.
“Hammond Square provides an exceptional location to showcase all that JCPenney has to offer,” said Store Manager Kevin Daigler. “We are extremely pleased that JCPenney has returned to Hammond, and the community’s support has been tremendous. Our entire store team is focused on putting the customer first and providing an outstanding shopping experience. We invite everyone to come celebrate our opening with us.”
JCPenney, celebrating 106 years of serving America, has served Louisiana shoppers since 1922. The new store will contribute approximately 110 jobs to the local economy. JCPenney at Hammond Square will operate Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Digital Government
Utah topped the Center for Digital Government's 2008 Digital States Survey.Following Utah were the following states:
Effective yesterday, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality will accept e-checks or credit cards for payment of invoices billed to the regulated community.
Those needing to pay their invoices may now initiate payment by accessing the web link at: http://www.deq.louisiana.gov/epay and entering their payment information. Under this administration, the electronic payment method has been carefully planned and tested with input from all stakeholders.
The system accepts payment by e-check as well as from Master Card, Discover and American Express. When paying by credit card, a 2.25-percent service charge will be added to the total payment. E-checks will include a flat $1.95 service charge added to the total payment. These additional service charges are fees charged by the vendor providing this service.
“With the availability of the e-pay system, invoices can be paid in an expeditious fashion, without the hassle of mailing or delivering a check,” said DEQ Undersecretary Vince Sagnibene. “This will allow both industry and the DEQ to utilize resources in other areas, while providing a convenient payment option. This tool is designed to further the department’s goals for efficiency, customer service and use of the best available technology.”
The payment option requires full payment of the balance due, plus any applicable late fee that is due.
For questions or comments about the system, please email DEQInvoice@la.gov or call (225) 219-3863.
Man am I glad J.C. Penny is offering all those savings!!!!!! What could this article possibly have been without mention of that bizzare fact? Sorry to hear about the plight of Gulf Island Fabricators in Houma...... I suppose they wouldn't have minded if there had been some barrier island fabrication in the past... Might have helped a little, ehhhh, who really knows? Ahhhh, perhaps the shadow knows!!!!!! Written by
on 9/18/2008
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