Locker Associates Inc.

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Locker Associates is a New York City based business-consulting firm that specializes in enhancing the competitiveness of businesses and industries on behalf of corporate, union and government clients. By combining expert business and financial analysis with a sensitivity to labor issues, the firm is uniquely qualified to help clients manage change by:

Leading joint labor/management business improvement initiatives

Facilitating ownership transitions to secure the long-term viability of a business

Conducting strategic industry studies to identify future challenges and opportunities

Representing unions in strategic planning and workplace reorganization

Formulating business plans for turnaround situations

Performing due diligence for equity and debt investors

Over the last nineteen years, the firm has directed over 200 projects spanning manufacturing, transportation, distribution and mining industries. Typical projects involve in-depth analysis of a firm's market, financial and operating performance on behalf of a cooperative labor-management effort. Locker Associates also publishes a widely read newsletter, Steel Industry Update, that circulates extensively throughout the steel industry.

IBT-Tribune (2007): consulting with the Teamsters on Sam Zell's takeover of the Tribune Company to help preserve IBT jobs and benefits

IBT-Interstate Bakeries Corp (IBC) (2006-2007): investment advisor to the Teamster on new contract structure, identifying and securing a potential buyer for one of the lagest U.S. bakeries

Allied Holdings (2007): nominated by the Teamsters to be a Board of Director's observer with a leading US car-hauler

ISU-Weirton (2006-2007): financial advisor to independent union in the sale of Weirton Steel by Mittal Steel, working with buyers and other stakeholders on transaction and financial issues, review of financial data and business strategy, identifying financing sources and management candidates

IUE-Pitt Brewing (2006-2007): advising IUE on Chapter 11 reorganization of brewery, including analysis of financial and operating issues and negotiations with other stakeholders

Transportation Company (2006): performed major study of U.S. iron ore and steel indus-tries, including ten year forecast for steel demand and production, for major transportation company; provide ongoing advisory services on steel industry

UAW Steel Council (2005-2007): Periodic presentations on steel industry trends and develop-ments, with special focus on industries and companies employing UAW members

IBT-Allied Holdings (2005-2007): advising Teamsters on Chapter 11 reorganization of largest U.S. car-hauler, including assessing company plans, financial viability and restructuring

Wilcox Steel (2005-2007): served as investment advisor to the Boilermakers in developing a busi-ness plan, securing financing and closing a sale of the former Fort Howard Steel Green Bay cold-drawn bar plant. Mr. Locker now serves on the Board of the Directors of the re-opened company

MediaTEK Consulting (2004-2007): providing ongoing management consulting services to a computer technology firm specializing in websites, product development and systems admin

AEIF-IAM (2003-2007): analyze company operations, competitive position and financial conditions for AK Steel’s Middletown local and offer insights into the company’s ongoing viability

Liberia-Iron Ore Negotiations (2006): Advised Liberian government in its iron ore negotiations with Mittal Steel; helped to obtain a $100 million improvement in contract value

CSEA-NYSARC (2006): reviewed NYSARC financials and bond offering and raised financial and disclosure issues with the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York, on behalf of CSEA

Special Metals (2004-2006): nominated to the Board of Directors by the United Steelworkers after this flat and long specialty steel producer emerged from bankruptcy

Stelco (2004-2005): advising USWA Locals on restructuring efforts and contract negotiations, in-cluding operating improvements, capital plans, cost reductions and transaction due-diligence

UNITE-Angelica (2004): presentation to major investors on cost and benefits of a company-wide union contract verses a long-term union organizing campaign

IBT-Ports (2003-2004): working with Teamsters and a major trucking company to develop a new business model for seaport trucking operations to improve productivity, safety, security and efficiency

USWA-WCI (2003): retained by labor and management in a joint effort to analyze company’s business plan and restructuring strategy

USWA-Copperweld (2003): assessed company restructuring plan on behalf of USWA to review economics of plant closure and to explore cost-effective alternatives

AK Steel (2003): analyze company operations, competitive position and financial conditions for various AK Steel unions and offer insights into the company's ongoing viability

IUE-Fridgidaire (2003): explored alternatives to air-conditioner plant shutdown through review of marketing opportunities, production capability and potential cost savings

USWA-Wheeling-Pitt (2003): review of company plans for the installation of a new EAF to be fed by a combination of scrap and liquid iron

Massillon Stainless (2002-2003): prepared sale offering memorandum for potential buyers in conjunction with union, management and government officials in Ohio

Beldon Fund (2002): evaluation of the corporate campaign strategy for environmental advocates; included recommendations on resource use and coalition building

Hunts Point NYC Terminal Produce Market (2001-2002): developed and presented a marketing and development plan to the Teamsters and Hunts Point Cooperative Market owners to explore fund raising for modernization, marketing and other viability needs

GalvPro (2001): prepared sale offering memorandum in conjunction with a team of financial and engineering experts and identified potential buyers for a successful sale of the company

Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (2002): Presented a status report on the U.S. Steel Market before the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries Commodities roundtable

Co-Steel Lasco (2002): USWA initiated review of major operating problems; supported by management and included recommendations for improvement

Trico Marine (2001-2002): as part of an union organizing campaign, retained by various maritime unions to conduct an extensive review of the offshore transportation industry, as well as Trico, a company that transports construction materials, crews and supplies to offshore oil and gas-drilling facilities

USWA-CSC, Ltd. (2001): working with management, USWA and community leaders, performed a pre-feasibility assessment of an employee-led buyout of an SBQ producer in Ohio. Offered recommendations and determined that majority ESOP was not feasible for this critical niche producer.

USWA-LTV Cleveland West (2001): assessed the current technology and investigated the alternative of installing new EAFs at LTV's Cleveland West facility

George Tice Co., Inc. (2001-2002): developed a business plan, financial pro forma and assisted with securing equity and debt financing for ownership transition of export services company.