Message-ID: <12496757.1075863701944.JavaMail.evans@thyme> Date: Tue, 20 Jun 2000 09:24:00 -0700 (PDT) From: vince.kaminski@enron.com To: mark.tawney@enron.com, mike.roberts@enron.com Subject: Introduction Cc: vince.kaminski@enron.com, shirley.crenshaw@enron.com Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Bcc: vince.kaminski@enron.com, shirley.crenshaw@enron.com X-From: Vince J Kaminski X-To: Mark Tawney, Mike A Roberts X-cc: Vince J Kaminski, Shirley Crenshaw X-bcc: X-Folder: \Vincent_Kaminski_Jun2001_3\Notes Folders\Sent X-Origin: Kaminski-V X-FileName: vkamins.nsf Mark, Mike, I have scheduled a video conference with this gentleman on Thursday this week at 3:30 p.m. Can you join me for this conversation? Vince ---------------------- Forwarded by Vince J Kaminski/HOU/ECT on 06/20/2000 04:16 PM --------------------------- on 06/20/2000 03:12:53 PM To: "Vince J Kaminski" cc: richard.larsen@effem.com Subject: Introduction Vince: As way of introduction, I wanted to write a bit about Mars inc. and then about CDS, the unit I head. Mars is a private company, considered to be the largest privately owned manufacturing company in the world. Mars is not in the habit of disclosing its finances, so the best I could do is refer to Forbes' estimate of $15 Billion annual revenue and to the profit margins of similar companies between 5-12%. Mars is in the business of manufacturing confectionery (m&m, Dove bar, skittles, twix, - all (R)) food (Uncle Ben rice (R)) pet food (Pedigree, Whiskas Waltham (R)) and other products. Mars has prospered during the years because of a unique philosophy that emphasizes the long term goals of the company. Part of the philosophy is to look for win-win solutions with its suppliers, customers and partners. As can be understood from the nature of the company, a large chunk of its expenses goes towards purchasing commodity like products, and hence the history of researching those commodities and the weather that influences their supply and the demand (people eat less ice cream in the winter and less chocolate in the summer). CDS has a history of few decades in forecasting weather and has been very successful, with an envious track record, in helping Mars get a competitive advantage in these arenas. CDS is a global group (in 4 countries across two continents) which supports the purchasing function and the corporate at large in these and other arenas. It is a multidiscipline and multinational team with a lot to offer. Not having a ready access to the energy markets, and with a risk profile based on manufacturing expertise, Mars has decided to look for potential partners in this area. Enron presence in the market place certainly makes it an interesting party to talk to. In talking to Enron, we are careful to suggest that Mars is not committing to anything at this point, and all we are after is to find out if there is an interest to pursue the opportunity we discussed in the future. I am looking forward to our video conference call. Kind regards, Avi --------------------------------------- Avi I. Hauser PhD MBA CDS Director 100 International Drive Mt Olive NJ 07828-1383 + 1 973 691 3664 (office) + 1 973 347 8189 (fax) + 1 973 727 3622 (car + slow paging) hauser@cdsusa.com