QUOTE AND NEWS
Sydney Morning Herald  May 16  Comment 
Scientists are making strides in growing so-called in vitro meat in the laboratory.     
Forbes  May 14  Comment 
A Team of Researchers in Japan have been reprogramming cells from patients with Alzheimer's into neurons to model the progress of the disease and develop potential therapies that can aid at least a subset of patients suffering from it.
New York Times  May 12  Comment 
A researcher in the Netherlands wants to show the world — including potential donors — that in-vitro meat is a reality.     
Benzinga  Apr 17  Comment 
PharmAthene, Inc. (NYSE: PIP), a biodefense company developing medical countermeasures against biological and chemical threats, announced today that the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense has completed initial in vitro...
MedPage Today  Apr 10  Comment 
(MedPage Today) -- Children born after in vitro fertilization or other fertility treatments appear to be at modestly elevated risk of cancer, although causality still isn't clear, a meta-analysis showed.
New York Times  Apr 10  Comment 
Dr. Edwards, a physiologist working out of the University of Cambridge in England, changed the prospects for infertile couples and forged a brand-new industry.     
Benzinga  Apr 8  Comment 
Celldex Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: CLDX) today reported the results of an in vitro study analyzing the activation of human T cells with CDX-1127. CDX-1127 is a monoclonal antibody that binds CD27 and is designed to activate patients' immune cells...
New York Times  Mar 5  Comment 
The Mexican tycoon David Martinez helped Vitro, a big Mexican glass maker, reach a deal with American bondholders after a dispute over repayment.
MedPage Today  Feb 15  Comment 
SAN FRANCISCO (MedPage Today) -- Frozen embryos yielded better birth outcomes on some measures compared with fresh embryos in vitro fertilization, but there were some concerning signals, a population-based study indicated.





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One of the largest glass manufacturers in the world, Vitro S.A. de C.V. (VTO) produces, processes, distributes and sells a wide range of glass products to a variety of industries. With a special focus on quality and continuous improvement Vitro has implemented a variety of cost-cutting and optimization programs in order to improve its financial situation after the economic downturn. Based out of Monterrey, Mexico, and operating in 10 countries in Latin America, the U.S. and Europe, Vitro has 93% of its debt in USD.

Company Overview

With a 100 year history, Vitro produces, processes, distributes and sells a wide range of glass products to industries like wine and liquor, beer, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, and the automotive and construction industry. In 2008 the CEO Federico Sada G. was replaced by Hugo A. Lara Garcia. Over the last two year Vitro has taken steps to improve it financial position such as divesting non-strategic assets, simplifying the work force and eliminating activities determined to have a non-priority nature.[1]

Business and Financial Metrics

  • A $34MM reduction of capital expenditures and a $30MM reduction in working capital are aimed at maximizing liquidity and improving Vitro’s cash position for the first half of 2010 – usually the lowest earning half of the year in accordance to the glass industry’s seasonal troughs and peaks. [2]
  • Cash flow at the end of 2009 was $41MM. This was an increase from the same date in $27MM. This was a result of the previously mention recovery of $30MM in working capital, a reduced capital expenditures of $13MM and no dividend payment as compared to the previous year’s $10MM dividend payment.[3]
  • Consolidated Sales in 2008 were $2.6BB and increase of 2.6% but the operating cash flow decreased 15.6% to $62MM [4]
  • Income Taxes increased from a gain of $60MM to a decrease of $1MM due to lower deferred income taxes derived from the peso devaluation. [5]
  • 2008 consolidated net sales had significant growth. The negative effects on the cash flows came from high energy costs derived from record high prices of natural gas and nationally the demand for glass bottles directly stemming from a smaller order from Grupo Modelo affected the market in Mexico. Positive effects/events that affected cash flow: the transfer of container producing plants from Mexico city to the Toluca Industrial Zone, the major repairs done to furnaces and Vitro winning many prestigious awards for the quality and innovation of products and services.[6]
  • Secured $100MM in 2008 from a Mexican Development and only had to offer non-productive assets as collateral [7]

Business Segments

  • Glass containers (53.200% as a percentage of Consolidated Net Sales) : dedicated mainly to servicing the beverage, food, wine and liquor and pharmaceutical industry. The glass container business unit is the leading manufacturer and supplier in Mexico and Central America and is the most important exporter to the U.S.
  • Flat glass(46.800% as a percentage of Consolidate Net Sales) (Q309): focuses on the manufacture, processing and sale of float glass for the construction and automotive industry. The principal player in Mexico and Latin America, through Vitro America the flat glass business segment is making inroads in the US market. The European market share continues to grow as well.

Sales declined 40% in Glass Containers and 32% in Flat glass. This decrease reflects the high depreciation of the Mexican peso. The cost cutting and productivity programs that Vitro has in place as well as strict cash management control both aim to sustain operations in the long-term. [8]

Operations in Countries

  • US: leading processor and distributor of flat glass and customized added value glass
  • Mexico: largest producer, distributor, trader of glass containers and flat glass
  • France: main glass producer for the central European construction market
  • Spain: Leading processor of flat glass for the construction industry
  • Colombia: processor of laminated and tempered glass products for the construction and auto industries
  • Portugal: flat glass producer for the Portuguese construction industry
  • Bolivia: producer of glass containers for soft drink, beer, food, liquor and pharmaceutical industry
  • Costa Rica, Guatemala and Panama: leading producer and trader of glass containers for Central America and the Caribbean
==Key Trends and Forces==

Depreciation of the Mexican Peso vs. the USD and Euro

The Central Bank of Mexico has been increasingly more concerned witht eh devaluation of the peso fearing consumer price increases and eventually inflation. Though the central bank has cut the lending rate, it has been cautious not to allow an inflationary disaster. Some think that this cautious approach will have a negative effect and eventually weaken the peso further. This has had an effect on the individual in Mexico and the companies in it. [9]

High volatility of energy prices (gas and oil)

Especially for the glass industry, rising energy costs have a serious effect on the bottom line.

Mexican Development Banks=

In an effort to counteract the economic downturn Mexican Development Banks have been in charge of providing liquidity to companies in need of cash.

Growing demand for energy efficient glass

Coated glass (Low E. glass) and other such energy efficient glasses have a growing demand in North America and Europe. This is especially true in the construction business. [10]

Growing demand in laminated glass

There has been a significant growth of niche markets: impact resistance for hurricane zones, bomb/blast resistance, new decorative products and acoustic control.[11]

Competitors

  • Saint Gobain
  • O-I

The container industry is mostly dominated by the two above and Saint Gobain has a strong presence in Mexico [12]

  • Global Fuentes, S.A. de C.V. (México)
  • Vidriera Monterrey, S.A. de C.V.

These two are the next largest glass makers in Mexico.[13]

  1. Company 10k, 2008
  2. Company Q309,2009
  3. Company Q309,2009
  4. Company 10k, 2008
  5. Company Q309,2009
  6. Company 10k, 2008
  7. CNNExpansion Negocios, http://www.cnnexpansion.com/negocios/2008/11/05/vitro-toma-100-mdd-por-venta-de-activos, November 5, 2008
  8. Company Q309, 2009
  9. Allbusiness, http://www.allbusiness.com/economy-economic-indicators/economic-indicators/11862610-1.html, February 23, 2009
  10. Allbusiness,http://www.allbusiness.com/nonmetallic-mineral/glass-glass-manufacturing/156213-1.html,2004
  11. IDEM
  12. www.salusbury.info/uploads/gasworld-Mar-08.pdf
  13. http://www.conexionejecutiva.com/Oficinas/Lista/Spa/10/0/Producción%20de%20Vidrio%20y%20Productos%20de%20Vidrio/0/0/644
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