Whitesell Vendor Strikes Back

Whitesell is known as an acquisitive company, because acquisitions are a key part of our unique business model. Whitesell’s primary strategic business objective is to continually offer our customers better total value. Key to this is regularly completing strategic acquisitions. Through these acquisitions, Whitesell gains the ability to add (or “bolt on”) newly acquired product and process capabilities to our existing core competencies and market penetration.

The company has grown dramatically since 1985, now with nine-figure revenues and a global footprint. This rapid expansion is the result of both robust organic growth and its vigorous approach to acquisitions ─ 20 in all so far. Each acquisition, which average one to two a year, is strategically selected to expand the product and process capability Whitesell is able to offer to its customers. Continually adding new product and process capabilities to an established logistic infrastructure is one of the key ways Whitesell is able to offer new cost savings to the market on an ongoing basis. - Whitesell website

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The MKM Company in Jeffersonville, Indiana, had problems...big financial problems. Among the company's vendors was the Acme Widget Company, and Acme was obviously worried about being paid for its products. Then along came the Whitesell Corp.

A representative of Whitesell informed Acme and other vendors that they would be purchasing MKM. The deal wouldn't be finalized over night, but it was in progress. A Whitesell employee began to sign the checks from MKM to vendors, and Acme Widget was reassured that MKM was once more a responsible company that paid for its purchases.

Yet something didn't seem quite right. Each month's check to Acme left a larger and larger balance. Acme decided to cut MKM off, but a representative from Whitesell called the widget manufacturer and asked for an emergency delivery of several parts. The Whitesell employee stated that the acquisition was almost complete and that they would be paid in full at that time.

The deal was completed just as the Whitesell representative had promised, but instead of payment in full, all MKM vendors received a letter that the Whitesell Corp. had purchased the assets of MKM only; MKM would be paying secured creditors, whomever they might be. The Acme Widget Company lost 200K dollars. The total loss of all MKM vendors reached the millions.

Surely the Acme Widget Company could sue? No, 'fraid not. Acme's attorneys informed the company that Whitesell would be fighting them with the very money they had made from Acme's products. It was a lost cause. Now Acme still sells widgets to Whitesell, but strictly on a COD basis.

An employee of Acme has been so concerned over this event that he has launched a website:

whitesellcorpinfo

It should prove extremely interesting to see how many companies may respond to the Acme employee's blog.

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From a reader concerning Crystal Huddleston: According to her Facebook page, she has been approved for a gastric sleeve to help her lose weight. Maybe she should take the money that operation costs and pay back Colbert 911.

Shoalanda

Comments welcome. No profanity, vulgarity, or libelous statements...

Two New Whitesell Corp. Lawsuits

Two new lawsuits have been filed against Whitesell Corp., both involving the company's Washington, Iowa, plant. Since these suits involve the unionization of the Iowa facility, they might be of particular interest to union organizers in this area.

National Labor Relations Board v. Whitesell Corp.

Osthus v. Whitesell Corp.

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Of sources and a rumor we hope isn't true: When friends and contacts send us news, they usually do so on the condition it be anonymous. This is why we often use the term "source" or "sources." We understand that in every area of public service there will be those who disagree with their supervisor's actions...or perhaps just wish for certain news items to be released before they are officially signed off on. We can think of very few instances when these sources were misinformed--a guesstimate would be not more than 5%. When this is the case, it usually involves names or titles, and we attempt to correct any error as soon as possible.

We frequently receive critical reports concerning one police chief, but today we have only praise for him. We understand he was at the forefront helping those in his county who lost homes and family Wednesday. Kudos to this officer.

Sadly, we have heard a rumor concerning another law enforcement head who did just the opposite. On Thursday, did one of our Shoals law enforcement leaders refuse a desperate plea for aid to another county? How is this possible? Does this not go against the premise of mutual aid?

We have little knowledge of how this concept works in today's world of law enforcement or how often such a request is made. A quick Internet search shows that such aid is mandatory in some states, but apparently not in Alabama; however, our source tells us the officer's refusal is grounds for censure at least and could conceivably result in his removal from office.

Props to everyone out there who are assisting Franklin, Marion, Lawrence, and other hard hit counties. Our prayers are with you.



Shoalanda

Kill Your Wife & Do Five Years

Terry Ewell Hall's wife died on September 7, 2008. Exactly two years later, Hall agreed to plead guilty to manslaughter in exchange for a sentence of only 15 years. Manslaughter in Alabama may bring as much as 20 years, but as with any sentence of 15 years or under, Hall is now eligible for Correctional Incentive Time, aka Good Time. The evidence against Hall was circumstantial, and Charlene Hall's family agreed to the sentence--a bird in hand and quicker closure.

However, Hall will serve less than five years, assuming he behaves himself. The Cloverdale resident has requested to begin his sentence on September 14th. Assuming he's processed by the State immediately, he will be released at the end of June 2015. If the State Department of Corrections is running behind in their pickup and processing of new prisoners, Hall may not complete his sentence until the end of July 2015. That equals a total sentence of four and three-quarter years--that is if Terry Hall is not paroled.

Yes, Hall could be eligible for parole long before he ends his sentence. It's not unusual to see inmates serving a 15 year sentence leave prison in as little as 20 months. Most who are paroled have not been convicted of violent crimes, and we hope Hall will never see his name on parole papers. Charlene Hall doesn't deserve any less.

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Speaking of prison sentences, one reason for the crowding of Alabama prisons is the incarceration of those guilty of white collar crimes. For our purposes, a white collar crime involves no violence and can usually be said to fall under the umbrella of theft. Currently, between three and six other states demand the same, depending on the exact nature of the crime.

Not all white collar theft is equal, and we don't oppose the sentence fitting the crime. It's when the State of Alabama demands a stiff prison sentence for the white collar first offender and allows the Terry Halls of the world to serve less than five years for murder/manslaughter that we question both the intelligence and the morality of the system.

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It seems Whitesell Mfg. isn't the only company to face the wrath of OSHA inspectors recently. Pilgrim's Pride in Russellville has been charged with 29 safety and health violations. On a totally unrelated topic, Hispanic workers report an on-the-job injury rate that is almost double that of their co-workers.

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Can't get enough Whitesell? Buy a souvenir on eBay--it's only five dollars: Link

 Shoalanda



Get Connected in September!

Should Our News Be Censored?

All the news that fits? Well, the TimesDaily isn't the Rolling Stone, and we're glad it isn't. We prefer to read the local news sans strings of profanity. Yet, just what should be censored?

Perhaps no two reporters or editors will find the same facts important, but we do wonder at much of what is omitted from the TimesDaily. Here's a few recent examples:

Teresa Lannahan arrest: While the TD did eventually report the arrest of the Leighton Town Council member, it failed to mention that Lannahan is the police commissioner of that Colbert County town.

Whitesell Mfg.: The TD did hit the highlights of the OSHA investigation into cost-cutting measures at Whitesell's two local facilities, but failed to report one of the most salient points. From WAFF...

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration called the inspection of Whitesell Corporation in Colbert County the worst inspection they have done on an Alabama organization in a decade.

Cherokee: Okay, we'll give them a pass on this one. If they printed all the shenanigans in that unfair city, it would cause a world shortage of ink.

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Have you read Osborne Ink's most recent blog? If not, be sure to check it out. Matt tells it like it is concerning UNA's proposed move to Division I athletics: Link

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The Lauderdale District Court Race: So far, both Carole Coil Medley and James Hall have run super clean campaigns. We've heard Florence Deputy Chief Tim Shaddix has placed signs supporting Medley at many of his rental properties, while much of the Florence Police Department is supporting Hall. We call it neck and neck at this point.

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Planning on getting connected? You can start by becoming a fan of The Connection here: Link

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It's Labor Day; let's go to Tuscumbia: Link




Shoalanda



Get Connected in September!

The Word is Repulsive

Cherokee Turning Again: The Word is Repulsive

A Guest Commentary By

J. J. Ray

Today I had the misfortune of reading the venomous blog regarding the Town of Cherokee and some of its council members. It is one thing to criticize the town council for their nonsensical ways of governing but quite another to level unsubstantiated charges against a person's fidelity regarding their marriage. I cannot imagine the emotions Melinda Malone feels seeing such allegations in print on the World Wide Web for all to read. The other council member in question is accused of committing a felony of robbery at some point in his life and yet another person is accused of being gay. There are no appropriate words to describe this person although despicable or repugnant does come to mind.

Given their fervor for spreading non-supported rumors and untruths, he/she quite possibly must have a form of fertilizer in his/her cranial cavity instead of a brain. If I were the parties in question, I would consider finding competent legal advice regarding this matter. The constitution protects our freedom of speech but this is downright libel and slander.

Where is the proof positive to support these slanderous allegations? Do you have certified criminal records plus witness accounts and pictures supporting the adultery charge? On the other hand, are you just a frustrated voyeur that is so miserable you have nothing else better to do than tell partial truths or downright fabrications?

Surely, the person that hides behind that Blog cannot understand the meaning of the words used in this short piece. However, most do know what repulsive means. Some, I am sure know this person and should tell him/her exactly what most feel about this Blog. Rude, crude and socially unacceptable behavior, Mr. Phantom blogger, is not an appropriate way to live. You have reached the pinnacle of infamy for penning this piece of yellow journalism and true character assassination. Perhaps a vacation would help. How about six months all expenses paid at “The Bryce Resort” in Tuscaloosa?

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How do they keep their costs down?

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The Sherwin-Williams Police have again raided a Shoals business. The SK Package Store on Huntsville Road has been charged with illegally using Traffic Cone Yellow for off-road purposes, creating a traffic hazard, and frightening small children.

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Did you miss the Human Bat when he was in Sheffield in 1936? Well, here's your second chance at a souvenir: Link




Shoalanda



Get Connected in September!

Special Report: Where Does Whitesell Money Go?

For some time, we have received questions about an OSHA investigation into Whitesell Industries located in Muscle Shoals. Until now, we had no information that could be substantiated. That changed yesterday when OSHA announced it was fining the multimillionaire industrialist Neil Loftin Whitesell's company three million dollars for tens of safety and health violations.

U. S.Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Soils addressed the matter in a prepared statement: “Whitesell willfully tampered with the safety mechanisms of its hydraulic forging presses at its Tuscumbia plant to speed up production, resulting in the amputation of a worker’s hand,” Solis said. “Companies like Whitesell that value short-term gain over their workers’ safety will be held responsible for their reckless actions.”

Many may remember that before Dr. David Bronner and the RSA stepped in, Whitesell was close to purchasing the Renaissance Tower for pennies on the dollar. His intentions? He thought it would make a great "giant screw."

Puns are so tempting here, but taking the higher road we'll end our report with a photograph. Below is the Naples, Florida, home (32K square foot mega-mansion) currently being built by the industrialist while at least one of his employees lost a hand due to cost-cutting measures at Whitesell's local plants.

Sources say that Whitesell and his wife Tracy Crump, daughter of Gene Crump, now permanently reside in Naples, Florida. Let's all look closely at the photo of the Whitesell's mansion--was it worth an employee's hand?