Jurek:

No, I am not suggesting at all that CLL does not know how to run the refinery. At least the operations side of the business. However, operations people are not too often very good marketers or business analysts either. It takes a good business planner to set the strategic and tactical direction of any business unit as they compete in the market place. It is not unusual for operations personnel to be put in charge of a processing facility such as MRC with no experience in business planning or marketing. Though, I do not know that is the case with MRC, I do not know that it is not either!

One thing I do know. Frequently in operating businesses, when the titular head of the organization comes from the operations background, it is not uncommon for that individual to surround themself with fellow operations people, at least at the manager level, to the exclusion of other disciplines. In the process, the business loses the experience and knowledge required to operate to best advantage the entirety of the business. I wonder, does Connacher have a dedicated Marketing type anywhere in the organization that did not come out of Operations? I can't remember hearing of one.

Take a look at the UTS Energy officer roster. You will find an experienced marketing individual named Howard Lutley whose title is VP Marketing. Do you recall such a title anywhere within the Connacher organization? If not, it could be an organizational weakness. Good question for RG.

Brian

Just as one doen't want a manufacturing group run soley by marketing personnel, one doesn't wish to run with no credible experienced marketing input either.