March 2004

How do your core competencies compare with what you think and what they actually are? "It's critical in today's hyper-competitive marketplace to define a short list of core competencies that really do set your company apart in your customers' minds and hearts and identify that number one thing you do better than anyone else. . . . Unless everyone in your organization . . . knows what are fundamentally the most important things to focus on, you can't achieve the almost single-minded, laser beam focus required to maintain and build on the core competency that sets you apart and can continually provide your competitive advantage. . . . Core competencies are sustainable . . . over time, throughout your organization and as the marketplace changes. Companies need to do all things well to continue existing, but there are certain things that they need to do exceptionally well to be leaders and maintain their ompetitive edge and position." (Greenhouse Product News, March 2004)

Domestic Production and Use of Perlite for 2003 is reported on the website of the U.S. Geological Survey (http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/perlite/perlimcs04.pdf). "The estimated value (f.o.b. mine) of processed perlite produced in 2003 was $19.2 million. Crude ore production came from 10 mines operated by 8 companies in 7 Western States. New Mexico continued to be the major producing state. Processed ore was expanded at 63 plants in 30 states. The principal end uses were building construction products, 64%; horticultural aggregate, 13%; fillers 9%; filter aid, 9%; and other, 5%.

Events, Trends, and Issues relative to perlite in 2003 are reported on the website of the U.S. Geological urvey (http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/perlite/perlimcs04.pdf). "Production of domestic perlite decreased about 2% compared with that of 2002. Domestic production decreased for the fourth year in a row and has dropped nearly 28% since 1999. Imports increased about 7% compared with 2002, setting a record for a second consecutive year. The cost of rail transportation from the mines in the Western United States to some areas of the Eastern United States continued to burden domestic perlite with strong cost disadvantages compared with Greek imports. However, U.S. perlite exports to Canada partially offset losses from competition with imports in Eastern U.S. markets.

Perlite and the Environment is discussed on the website of the U.S. Geological Survey (http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/perlite/perlimcs04.pdf) Perlite mining generally takesplace in remote areas, and its environmental impact is not severe. The overburden reject ore and mineral fines produced during ore mining and processing are used to reclaim the mined-out areas, and therefore, little waste remains. Airborne dust is captured by baghouses, and there is practically no runoff that contributes to water pollution.

World Review in the most recent U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Yearbook(2002) reported "the United States was estimated to be the largest producer and consumer of crude and expanded perlite . . . " Other leading producers of processed crude perlite, in descending order, were Greece, Japan, Hungary, and Turkey. In 2002, 13 countries produced 1.65 million metric tons of perlite. Owing to a lack of reliable figures, however, this total does not include several producing countries, such as China, which was probably the largest or second largest producer in the world.

Outlook in the most recent U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Yearbook(2002) predicted the total consumption of expanded perlite and processed perlite in the United States would increase slightly . . . Growth in imports of processed perlite was expected to slow the growth of domestic processed perlite sales. The growth in Canadian horticultural perlite demand might result in increased exports of domestic processed perlite. The newer mines opened during the past 5 years, and continued growth in imports was expected to continue to restrain price increases for many grades of processed perlite." Read the complete report at
http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/perlite/perlmyb02.pdf

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