NAWIC Guam Chapter #381 Joins Annual Women in Construction Week Celebrations

On the eve of the Proclamation signing of 2017 Women in Construction Week in Guam by the Office of the Governor of Guam, GET, LLC wanted to take this opportunity with all the members of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Guam Chapter #381 to get out the word on this annual celebration of the success of women in the construction industry.

“The National Association of Women in Construction is committed to enhancing the success of all women in construction - not just those who are NAWIC members,” said Immediate Past-President of NAWIC Sandy Field. “We accomplish this through educational opportunities, networking, and community/industry service projects.  If you are a woman employed in any area of the construction industry, we welcome you to join us!" 

It is important to note that the focus of WIC Week is to highlight women as a visible component of the construction industry. It is also a time for local chapters, including the Guam Chapter, to give back to their respective communities. WIC Week provides an occasion for NAWIC’s thousands of members across the country to raise awareness of the opportunities available for women in the construction industry and to emphasize the growing role of women in the industry.

“'Women in Construction Week' is simply a time set aside to thank those women for all their efforts toward successful construction projects.  WIC Week will also bring attention to the industry and encourage others to realize that construction is a viable, profitable career field,” said NAWIC Guam President Shierly Caceres. 

Among the NAWIC Guam Chapter Activities this week: a Foundations for Safety Leadership Education Program hosted at the Guam Contractors Association and the annual NAWIC Builds Event at the GCA Trades Academy in Barrigada. 

WIC Week comes as we enter the 35th annual National Women's History Month.  The 2017 theme for National Women’s History Month honors women who have successfully challenged the role of women in both business and the paid labor force.  We can all agree that women have always worked, but often their work has been undervalued and unpaid. GET, LLC thanks all women for their role in building Guam and America and their role in maintaining our great society.

GET, LLC is proud to be a member of NAWIC and the Guam Chapter-one of 150 chapters with a network of 4,500 members nationwide.  We hold NAWIC's core values close to our business- Believe.  Persevere.  Dare. 

Check out the NAWIC Guam Chapter page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/nawicguam381 for more details about this year's WIC Week Guam activities. Also check out our website at www.get-guam.com or drop us a line to help us do our part to grow this important industry. 

Report: Nationwide Construction Job Losses Worst in Three Years

It is hard not to pay attention to job numbers these days.  But just as Guam is seeing some traction on the Guam Buildup front, news out of the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) late last week is paining a bleak picture of the days and months to come in relation to construction jobs.  

Citing a U.S. Bureau of Statistics report, an ABC analysis has found that America's. construction industry lost 15,000 net jobs in May. The monthly number is the worst for the industry since December 2013.  During the period, just shy of three years ago, payroll shrank by 15,000 jobs. The ABC says that the construction industry has lost jobs over the last two consecutive months-the first time this has happened in four years. 

"Today's jobs report was earth-shattering," said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu on the June 3, 2016-dated report. "This signals the worsening of the industry-wide skilled labor shortage."

Basu notes that the job losses will spark discussions across the Country of a  recession after staving off such for the past three months. 

"Without question, the U.S. economy is associated with significant weakness," said Basu. "Still, contractors should be on guard."

The construction industry unemployment rate fell to 5.2 percent in May, its lowest level since October 2006. The nonresidential construction sector lost 2,100 jobs in May after adding 4,700 jobs in April.  Nonresidential specialty trade contractors added 3,000 jobs for the month, and employment in that category is up by 67,500 jobs or 2.9 percent from the same time one year ago. The heavy and civil engineering construction segment lost 8,200 jobs in May but is up by 7,000 positions or 0.8 percent on a year-over-year basis. 

To find out more about how GET, LLC, through our construction equipment and materials partners can help your next project, give us a call at 671-483-0789 or check out our website at www.get-guam.com for more information. GET, LLC is a proud member of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) and stand in support of enhancing the success of women in the construction industry.

2015-US LED Lighting Market to Reach $5 Billion

Who says that America is behind the rest of the world in using Light-Emitting Diode (LED) lighting.

A recent report by Canada-based Tech Sci Research found that the US LED lighting market is expected to touch an estimated USD $5.2 billion in 2015. 

The report entitled "United States LED Lighting Market Forecast & Opportunities, 2020", notes that key factors boosting the demand for LED's include continuously declining LED prices due to decreasing production cost coupled with initiatives taken by the US government such as Energy Policy Act of 2005 and increasing consumer inclination towards adoption of green technologies.

"Continuing innovation in LED lighting technology along with recovering construction and automobile industry and favorable government initiatives to promote the use of LED technology are expected to positively influence the US LED lighting market over the next five years," said TechSci Research Director  Karan Chechi.  "The ban on use of incandescent lamps and sharply declining LED prices are expected to further boost the demand for LED lighting products in the country."

The global market research and consulting company evaluated the future growth potential of the US LED lighting market and provided statistics and information on market structure and American consumer behavior trends. The report includes LED lighting projections and demand forecasting for the coming decade.

In a company news release, TechSci cites the US government's increased focus this past decade to replace traditional and less efficient lighting systems with highly energy efficient, environment friendly and cost effective LED technology . Though the operating cost of LED lighting systems is quite low, the company notes higher per unit prices were initially restricting their adoption among consumers. Nevertheless, the adoption of LED lighting products has been robustly increasing over the last five years as researchers have been continuously focusing on reducing the cost of production, thereby resulting in significantly lower product prices.

Case in point, our friends at Deco Lighting have announced that they have developed a new wireless-enabled LED driver in collaboration with Daintree Networks for use in ceiling troffer applications. The Watt Controls driver will allow Deco to supply ZigBee-enabled luminaires without having to integrate separate LED driver and ZigBee modules in a fixture, thereby lowering the bill-of-materials cost of wireless functionality.

The 35W LED driver is intended for troffer applications up to 2×4 ft and specifically for use with the Deco Cloud troffer luminaires. Deco Lighting President Ben Pouladian says features such as 10-kV protection set its driver apart from others on the market and offer the advantage that the LED light engine does not have to be isolated. The Deco Lighting President told LEDs Magazine recently that Deco designs its drivers for 100,000 hours of operation, although the datasheet for the Watt Controls product does not specify such a rated lifetime.

The Watt Controls LED driver measures 14.17×1.18×1.02 in. Power factor is greater than 0.9. The product can work with 0–10V dimming controls. And Pouladian said Deco Lighting would ultimately support other wireless options such as mesh versions of Bluetooth that industry groups are pursuing.

"At Deco Lighting, we are adamantly committed to delivering intelligence to the entire building envelope, and we’re excited about instituting the enterprise Internet of Things [IoT] with our smart lighting products,” said Pouladian.

With the technology emerging, expect more LED's to be sold and more energy efficient solutions to emerge.

For more information on bringing an LED lighting solution to your facility, please contact us at GET, LLC at 671-483-0789 or see our website at www.get-guam.com for details of the technologies that can be of significant value to all building owners-All Made in America!!!

Wireless LED Controls-Making the "Switch"

There is a groundswell of support for switching to wireless control units for light-emitting diode (LED) lighting systems.  Now there may be some manufacturers out there that tout the effectiveness of their particular lighting control systems, but many rely on partnerships from major controls manufacturers to ensure that their collective efficiencies are achieved in tandem with saving energy.

Lighting is important to every operation of any organization. There is no question that lighting affects the productivity of employees, the impression of customers and clients, as well as energy expenditures.

Upgrading from a traditional lighting setup to a wireless controlled LED configuration will give you greater control over your lights, the aesthetics they generate, and the energy they use.

While traditional lighting solutions give you a one-size-fits all application for your entire facility, there are technologies in the market place that allow you to adjust light levels in different areas so that employees have exactly the light they need for their given tasks. 

Customization is key to any successful commercial LED lighting application, and with the right wireless controls for your facility, property managers and business owners alike don’t have to worry about too much or too little lighting in any one part of their space.

For instance, our friends at Deco Lighting have their DHBX multipurpose LED fixture that features integrated wireless controls that allow you to customize your lighting based on department and task, improving your organization’s overall efficiency and workflow.

The Commerce, California based company notes that if the sun is shining through your windows and your office is naturally bright, you may not need the full power of your lights, and while traditional lighting setups allow you to choose only “on” or “off,” Deco Lighting’s Linea Series of retrofit kits include wireless controls that make it easy to add and remove light depending on the time of day or outside lighting conditions. Also, Deco Lighting's commercial wireless LED solutions, allow you to adjust your lights according to your facility’s current natural light level.

GET, LLC and Deco Lighting agree that everyone is unique, and different people may have specific lighting preferences. For offices and other isolated workspaces, Deco’s wireless LED controls put lighting conditions in the control of employees, making it easy for them to adjust lighting scenarios based on shift time or personal comfort. Giving your employees a more enjoyable work environment is always a productivity booster.

The unique properties of Deco’s LED lights make them more attractive and more durable, but also more flexible and efficient.  Deco Lighting makes is easy for maintenance teams and operations managers to take charge of their lighting, offering several wireless LED lighting controls systems, such as the Deco Digital LED Cloud fixture.

For more information on bringing an LED lighting solution to your facility, please contact us at GET, LLC at 671-483-0789 or see our website at www.get-guam.com for details of the technologies that can be of significant value to all building owners-All Made in America!!!

Next Ten Years-94% of Street Lighting Sales will be LED

Boulder, Colorado-based Navigant Research recently published a report that the market share of Light-Emitting Diode (LEDs) lighting in street lighting worldwide will grow from 53.3% in 2014 to 93.8% in 2023, as falling prices for LED street lights are spurring a global transition from older lamp technologies to newer, more efficient, and more controllable LEDs.  

The  report, entitled ‘Smart Street Lighting: LEDs, Communications Equipment, and Network Management Software for Roadway and Highway Lighting: Global Market Analysis and Forecasts’, said that the whiter light of LED street lights offers city residents improved nighttime visibility, while the greater energy efficiency and longevity offer city managers cost savings from reductions in both energy consumption and maintenance costs.

The report notes that as LED prices continue to erode and the long lifespan of LED lamps results in fewer replacements, overall revenue from street lighting will begin to fall. Navigant forecasts that global street lighting revenue will decline from $2.5 Billion in 2014 to $2.3 Billion in 2023.

“The increase in sales of LED street lights has been surprisingly swift, with some companies reporting that more than half their sales are LEDs and others already planning to discontinue their non-LED product lines,” said Navigant Senior Research Analyst Jesse Foote. “At the same time, a rising number of cities are deploying networked control systems along with their new LED street lights, and the range of features available from those systems is expanding.”

Although LED street lights appear to be on track for a nearly complete takeover of the market, the adoption of networked control systems for street lights has followed a somewhat slower path. Navigant Research points out that one critical challenge for the networked control industry is a lack of standardization and the large number of diverse players competing in this space.

Closer to home, the Guam Power Authority appears to fall farther behind with integration of the modern street light technology.  Earlier this year, GPA bid out a small quantity of LED lighting while simultaneously bidding the inefficient and aging High Pressure Sodium  (HPS) Luminaires.  While expected to award the HPS contract, the island utility decided to issue another bid for an LED IDIQ with brand, technology and warranty specifications that have not kept up with the market-some three years following a pilot project that has shown significant failures across the island. 

Maybe GPA should take a read of this Navigant Report-and as soon as possible.

The report analyzes the global market for roadway and highway lighting. It provides an analysis of the market issues, including drivers and trends, barriers, and ownership models, associated with lamps, luminaires, and lighting controls in these street lighting applications. Global market forecasts for unit sales and revenue, segmented by region, application, and equipment and construction type, extend through 2023. The report also examines the key codes, standards, and technologies related to street lighting, as well as the competitive landscape.

Such due diligence would have been a better use of government resources and time.

To learn more about the lighting products that GET,LLC provides, including the LED lines of our partners, Independence LED Lighting and Deco Lighting Inc., please check out our website at www.get-guam.com or call us at 671-483-0789 to discuss solutions for your important lighting needs-All Made in America!!!

Styling Your Furniture Strategy on Campus

Attracting students while walking the budget tightrope is a true balancing act. As a University Adjunct Professor and vendor to the same University, I know that very well.  Providing storage, a workspace, seating, and most importantly somewhere to sleep, doesn't have to be an exercise in compromise for university or college facilities managers and buying teams.

Furniture replacement is an opportunity to fully develop your strategy for attracting and retaining students. The most successful plans are, at some point, evaluated from the viewpoint of the student. Here are some simple, cost effective ways to get your residence halls to stand out.

1.  Gadgets-Your students have tons of them. Give them somewhere to plug-in.

2.  Cushion-A soft seat goes a long way. If their room isn't comfortable, they'll look for one that is.

3.  Denim-Consider providing at least one or two deep drawers. Jeans can take up a lot of precious storage space.

4.  Color-Express your campus's personality with color. Fabrics and wood finishes can ooze personality and good vibes.

Things that make their life easier, more comfortable, and let's not forget fun, don't have to be complicated or expensive.

For more on how GET, LLC through our friends at Savoy Contract Furniture and teaming partner American Hotel Register can assist you with your specific furniture needs- please check out our website at www.get-guam.com or give us a call at 671-483-0789 to discuss the best solution for your facility.  All the solutions are Made in America!!!

Independence LED-"More Efficient" say DOE

When the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) talks about energy efficiency, America listens.  Our friends at Independence LED Lighting have won accolades recently from DOE and continue to outclass the Light-Emitting Diode (LED) Tube Lighting marketplace.

According to U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) report data, Independence LED tubes are 15% more efficient in lumens per watt than the average from the field of over 30 LED manufacturers, including tubes from major competitors Philips, Cree, and Osram Sylvania.

In the report, the DOE found that LEDs are more efficient than ever. The CALiPER Summary Report 21: Linear (T8) LED Lamps concludes: “Compared to previous CALiPER testing of the same product type, there have been notable performance gains. With the efficacy (lumens/watt) of many lamps now equivalent to or exceeding that of fluorescent lamps.” 

Independence LED has stayed well ahead of the curve. As the below chart indicates, the U.S.-made Independence LED tube is 15 lumens per watt more efficient than the average of the tested field (15.95%) and over 10% more efficient than global lighting companies like Philips, Osram Sylvania, and Cree.

“We could not be more proud of how our American-manufactured LED lights squared up in the 2014 Department of Energy CALiPER Report," said Independence LED Lighting CEO Charlie Szoradi. "Independence LED tubes are substantially more efficient than competitors, yielding extraordinary energy savings, particularly when retrofitting existing light fixtures. Safety is a paramount concern, and Independence LED’s external-driver system ensures that switching the lights won’t be shocking anything but your electric bill. And because we manufacture right here in America, Independence LED tubes and fixtures are supremely reliable, allowing us to offer an industry-leading 10 year warranty.“

Also, the 2014 report indicates that, based on their design, Independence LED tubes are potentially safer than competitor products. Typical fluorescent fixtures bring line voltage into the fixture via Alternating Current (AC), and then convert it through the ballast to lower-voltage Direct Current (DC). Internal driver LED tubes – like most of Independence LED’s competitors -- override the ballast, creating a potential safety issue. 

Additionally, the Report did elaborate on how the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) approved clamp system for Independence LED provides safety and the ultimate flexibility to either use, or not use, the existing fixture sockets. This flexibility is important for de-lamping to center new tubes in two to one retrofits.

What does this all mean?  

The cost and performance of an individual LED tube is only a subset of the fixture performance, so end users should look at the LED efficacy, warranty, and cost to determine the technology and manufacturer that is most appropriate for their facility.

Keep up the great work Independence LED Lighting!  

To learn more about the lighting products that GET, LLC provides, including the LED lines of our partners, Independence LED Lighting and Deco Lighting Inc., please check out our website at www.get-guam.com or call us at 671-483-0789 to discuss solutions for your important lighting needs-All Made in America!!!

Benefits of LED Lighting at Fast Food Restaurants-A Case Study

Independence LED Lighting has done much over the past year to be the number one choice in the LED Tube Lighting marketplace.  With a 10 year warranty that is second to none, GET, LLC is so very proud and excited to be their partner in Guam and the Western Pacific.  Recently the Independence LED Lighting team put out a case study on a busy New Jersey Franchise Restaurant-the results of which will surprise you.

Lighting consumes a significant  amount of electricity for Quick Serve Restaurants (QSRs), especially for ones running 24/7 such as a sample Burger King location in Carteret, New Jersey. Like many similar Burger Kings across the country and Guam that are about 2,400 sq. ft., this one has 35 troffer fixtures that are 2’x4’ with four 32 watt fluorescent tubes, totaling 128 watts per fixture. At 8,760 h/year the fixtures each used 1,121 kWh/year. With an electricity rate of $.083/kWh, the lighting cost was $93  per fixture per year and $3,257 for all 35 fixtures.  

Independence LED provided a 44 watt LED Retrofit Kit solution that saves 84 watts per fixture for over 65% savings. 

Each fixture delivers 4,400 directional lumens, at bright white 5000K for the kitchen areas and 4000K warmer lights to enhance the dining areas.  Independence LED also provided Smart Control enabled external drivers, to automatically dim the lights on bright sunny days, if Burger King chooses to activate the system.  

By reducing the fixture wattage from 128 to 44, the annual savings is 735 kWh and $61 per fixture. With 35 fixtures, the annual savings is $2,137. Over the 60,000 hour 7 year life of the LEDs at 24/7, the lifetime energy savings is almost $15,000. With historical 3% average annual increases in energy cost and reduced bulb replacement and maintenance labor, the savings is over $18,000 per location. With 46 locations, the lifetime savings for this franchise owner exceeds $828,000.  This project set the QSR efficiency benchmark in 2014.

Does the energy savings and the kit costs have your attention?

To learn more about the lighting products that GET, LLC provides, including the LED lines of our partners, Independence LED Lighting and Deco Lighting Inc., please check out our website at www.get-guam.com or call us at 671-483-0789 to discuss solutions for your important lighting needs-All Made in America!!!

Mattress Market to See Spike Soon

It appears that Memorial Day cannot come soon enough for bed companies.  Furniture Today is reporting that the bedding market is off and running ahead of the May 26, 2014 weekend.  The Greensboro, North Carolina based on-line and multi-media publication noted the industry should benefit from what retailers are calling "pent-up" demand for mattresses stemming from winter sales losses and warmer weather translating into significant traffic in mattress stores across the USA.

Klaussner’s Enso Sleep Systems says they are entertaining major customers and that their new gel bedding line, which features a Total Surface Coverage (TSC) design, is resonating with retailers.  Enso Sleep Systems is offering a Labor Day power buy that features a 10-inch, gel-infused memory foam mattress.  Classic Brands is banking on their Revo reticulated foam line and its new Sleep Trends line of compressed mattresses aimed at E-Commerce retailers to yield great sales numbers this Spring.  Interest in Simmons’ new ComforPedic iQ line of self-adjusting memory foam mattresses remains high.  These examples and the roll-outs of the many independent mattress retailers from across the country will certainly spell good things in the industry this quarter.  

This time last year, the bedding industry saw $19.2 billion in third-quarter 2013 sales growing just 1.9 percent from the previous year.  Will sales be flat this quarter? 

Specialty mattresses are expected to continue increasing in popularity and market share by most accounts. According to International Sleep Products Association reports, the specialty mattress industry has grown from 22% of revenues in 2009 to 33% of revenues in 2012 and increased units by 18% from 2011 to 2012. UK-based Research and Markets forecasts US growth of 12% for memory foam mattresses alone from 2012-2016. The increases in specialty mattresses are attributed to several factors by the reporting agencies including greater durability, higher owner satisfaction in consumer surveys and online reviews, increase of sleep disorders and awareness, as well as lower prices in the last couple years which have made the products more accessible to consumers and contributed to specialty mattress trends.

For more on how GET, LLC through our friends at Savoy Contract Furniture and teaming partner American Hotel Register can assist you with your specific furniture needs- please check out our website at www.get-guam.com or give us a call at 671-483-0789 to discuss the best solution for your facility.  All the solutions are Made in America!

Terex "I Make America" Initiative Roll Out

GET, LLC is proud to be a partner with Terex.  And while, we are unable to attend the CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2014 Show in Las Vegas next week due to other obligations, we wanted to continue sharing with you more of the great news about the happenings at Gold Lot Booth #1047.  This blogger has focused on the new equipment that will be showcased at the annual industry show in recent weeks, and now Terex will be taking the show up a notch come March 4, 2014.

Every day, millions of hard-working American contractors put their fingerprint on America’s infrastructure. They build the roads, bridges, public transport systems and port facilities that fuel the powerful American economic engine.

In 2010, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) started the I Make America campaign, an advocacy program designed, in part, to make Congressional leaders more aware of the importance infrastructure plays in the economic strength of the United States. On a typical day, about 43 million tons of goods valued at $29 billion move on the nation’s interconnected transportation network. The lack of investment in surface transportation infrastructure has broad implications for the ability of U.S. equipment manufacturers to stay economically competitive with other countries, given today’s global marketplace.

Terex is a longstanding supporter of I Make America. To raise awareness and funds for this program, Terex will encourage team members and attendees at CONEXPO to put their fingerprint on the Terex I Make America work of art at their Booth.

“We invite all show attendees to stop by our booth in the Gold Lot and help us create this I Make America masterpiece," said Terex Chairman and  CEO Ron DeFeo,

Over 40 Terex machines will be featured in the company’s 50,000 square foot display including the Terex tapestry as part of the I Make America Project.

People can follow the progress made daily on the artwork by liking the Terex Corporation Facebook page – facebook.com/TerexCorporation.

You know, we at GET, LLC have already done that-see our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/getguam. We all should get behind the I Make America effort.

We understand that at the end of the show, Terex will hand over the infrastructure  artwork to AEM in order to further support the I Make America program. Good stuff, huh? If you are going to CONEXPO, put the Terex Booth and the top of your list of places to see there.

If you have any aerial lift needs and would like to discuss potential solutions, please drop GET, LLC a line via our website at www.get-guam.com or give us a call at 671-797-0789-your authorized Terex/Genie Representative for Guam and Micronesia.

New Orders on the Rise in U.S. Furniture Factories

The High Point, North Carolina-based Smith Leonard reported that American furniture factory orders in October were 6% higher than in October 2012 as the industry continued to show gradual improvement. The manufacturing and distribution consultants reported in their monthly industry survey of the furniture industry that October shipments at U.S. residential furniture factories were 9% higher than in the same month a year earlier, while order backlogs were up 11%.

Smith Leonard Managing Partner Ken Smith wrote in his Furniture Insights newsletter that most of the economic news in the industry continues to be positive. 

"If we can keep this momentum going," said Smith.  "Then whenever consumer confidence shakes loose, we should see even more positive results."

For the first 10 months of 2013, Smith Leonard reports that new orders were 6% ahead of the same period in 2012, while 10-month shipment figures were 5% ahead.

They added that October increases in new orders and shipments marked the seventh consecutive month that those figures were higher than the comparable month in 2012.

Smith says that the largest single monthly increase was in July, when orders were up 13% from a year earlier adding that existing home sales slowed a bit in November, but the revised GDP showed a 4.1% increase in the third quarter.

For more on how GET,LLC through our friends at Savoy Contract Furniture and teaming partner American Hotel Register can assist you with your specific furniture needs- please check out our website at www.get-guam.com or give us a call at 671-483-0789 to discuss the best solution for your facility.  All the solutions are Made in America!

Price of Electricity Up By Nearly Half Over the Last Decade

Virginia-based on-line news organization CNSNews.com reported late last week that the price of electricity hit a record for the month of October, according to data released a week ago by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. For the eleventh straight month, the average price of electricity hit or matched the record level for that month.

The average price of electricity in America last month was 13.2 cents per kilowatt hour (KWH), up from 12.8 cents per KWH in October 2012—and up from 9.3 cents per KWH in October 2003.

Americans now pay 42 percent more for electricity than they did a decade ago.

Put Guam's numbers in perspective.  Costs per KWH on island back in 2003 was $0.18. In 1995 it was just a dime per KWF.  Today that number is $0.26 and about to rise following recent bond issuances poised to pump in over $500 Million for the next couple of years.

The 15-year old journal, led by parent-company Media Research Center, reported that the 13.7 cents per KWH price of electricity of June through September 2013 was the most expensive electricity has ever been in the United States since BLS started tracking electricity prices in November 1978.

Did I say Guam's costs for electricity is a hair over a quarter dollar? Guam Power Authority has reported that customers consumed on average 11, 985 KWH.

In November 2012, electricity Nationwide was 12.7 cents per KWH, which was down from the 12.8 cents per KWH price of November 2011. But, in December 2012, the price of electricity stayed at 12.7 cents per KWH, matching the record monthly price of 12.7 cents per KWH that had been reached in December 2011.

In each of the ten months since December 2012, the price of electricity in the U.S. hit record levels for that month. Although the average price of electricity hit the all-time October record this year, the price in October actually dropped in the States from September, when it was 13.7 cents per KWH.

Give GET, LLC a call or drop us an email to learn about the lines we represent-specifcally our lighting products including Independence LED and our newest partner-Deco Lighting! More to come on that.

A Perspective from Where America's GOVERNMENT SHUT DOWN Begins!

I write this blog post while sitting along East Agana Bay in Guam and looking out upon a calm Pacific evening.  This blogger has spent the past couple of hours contemplating the impacts of the U.S. Congress inability to pass a budget for the federal government for this fiscal year.  The waves hitting our shores tonight are reflecting somewhat of the image of lawmakers of the U.S Government-in that they are making waves of their own that have people across our country upset. 

While there are much to ponder on how America got to this point, it points to the direction the U.S. is headed.  

Americans on this side of the International Date Line are concerned on how the next couple of days, weeks and months may progress.  We just turned the corner with great booms in our tourism industry this year and the federal spend was looking optomistic headed into the first quarter of FY 2014. 

So what does our fragile island economy have left to contend with?

270 civilian employees working for Joint Region Marianas in any capacity were furloughed hours ago with the remaining 500 told to report to work with no clear idea on when they will get paid for their public service.  6,000 military personnel on Guam will be required to show up to work at Andersen Air Force Base and U.S. Naval Base Guam, but they too won't get paid unless Congress can pass a budget or Continuing Resolution. 140 Guam National Guardsmen and women are temporarily furloughed. Federally funded programs with Guam's Behavioral Wellness Center and Department of Public Health and Social Services-closed. Scores of our friends and family at the USDA, NASA, CDC and TSA-also impacted.

I was thinking this blog post would be partisan to some extent, but the blame really must come from both sides of the political aisle in Washington DC.  Tickers about how long government has been closed and the various news stories about what government agency is open and not open really has not helped frame this issue well across America. 

Be concerned-Asian markets rose and fell fast after it became clear Congress flopped in their 11th hour deal to avert a shutdown of the federal government. Stocks lost what would have been gains after weeks of growth and the dollar slid modestly against the yen-our tourists were hoping for more I'm sure. Volumes in the currency markets surged once European trading started-it's gonna be a long day indeed.  A government shutdown could cost the U.S. economy roughly $1 billion a week in pay lost by furloughed federal workers-surely thousands of dollars here.

I encourage everyone reading this blog to follow this shutdown closely. The impacts will be hard felt.  We are living Where America's Government Shutdown Begins! 

21 days?  We'll see if this version of the shutdown-the last in 1996-outlasts or has more long term negative impacts for Americans in Guam and across our Country moving forward.  

GUASA-A Preview of the Security Roundtable In Guam

Last month, I spent a bit of time writing on the importance of a security conference on Guam.  

Later today, this event hosted by the Guam U.S. Asia Security Alliance (GUASA) expects to challenge us to think about the role of America in this part of the world and how our Nation's intelligence community has viewed the geo-political activities of an area that is growing with each setting sun and rising tide.  With Japan, the Koreas, China and Southeast Asia at the doorsteps of the Western Pacific it is clear that much interest is being paid to what is happening here and the respective growth plans in the near future-economically and militarily.

This two-day event is featuring America's premier experts on U.S.-Asia relations and foreign policy.   I am anxious to hear from career intelligence expert Carl Ford Jr. , Rand Corporation experts Stacie Pettyjohn and Alan Vick, Global Strategies and Transformation thought leader and Office of the Secretary of Defense US-Japan Alliance veteran Paul Giarra, former 7th Fleet Commander VADM Tim Wright, former State Department Senior Policy Adviser and Asia Expert Robin Sakoda, China Defense Expert and Consultant Timothy Walton, Center for a New American Security Senior Director Patrick Cronin, East West Center Director Satu Limaye, former-U.S. Senate Staffer and intelligence analyst training professional Robert Mihalik, former-Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Randy Schriver and Retired U.S. Marine Lt. General Wallace "Chip" Gregson.

The last two names are familiar to many in this part of the world for many reasons.

 I had the privilege of working closely with Randy while working for the Office of the Governor of Guam.  His role as advocate for the Islands in the State Department was key to advancing America's message across the Pacific during his tenure at State.  His team was diligent in their work to understand their role to support the ever growing needs of the U.S. Territories  and the U.S. Affiliated Islands of the Pacific-the U.S. Department of the Interior and the White House is primarily was tasked with this important oversight.  Randy's input at the GUASA event will come with much experience on the impacts of US-Asia foreign policy on the current and future development of the communities from just West of Hawaii to the Indian Ocean. 

One thing is for certain, I can call "Chip" a friend.  For just over 15 years the Colorado-native has had his finger on the pulse of the expansion of America's role in this area.  He began his advocacy for the Pacific as Defense Department Director of Asia-Pacific Policy in 1998.  Chip's leadership led him to the region where he excelled as Commanding General of Marine Corps Forces Pacific and his storied efforts led him back to the Pentagon as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs where he was DOD point-man on the region for the Obama Administration until April 2011.  When Marines talk about security in this region, everyone listens.  His humor and expertise will certainly contribute much to this important round table discussion.

We can expect two days of straight talk from these experts on US-Asia affairs. Throw in some anecdotes from local leaders and thoughtful analysis of the issues facing every member of the Pacific community and you will have a recipe for what will could be an annual must attend event. 

GET, LLC will follow the event over the course of the next couple of days and offer our perspective of these important talks in Guam.

Savoy Furniture says "American Made – It Matters!"

GET, LLC is proud to be a partner with Montoursville, Pennsylvania-based Savoy Furniture.  What we like about their Government Sales and Marketing Manager Jason Saylor and the rest of the team at Savoy Furniture is that they are a women-owned business focused on serving the needs of their customers-first and foremost.  

And even more importantly, that they manufacture products that are made in the heartland of America.

Does this fact really matter?

Just one look at the Company's website and you will find this tidbit that explains this pretty well:

"Often, one of the first things noticed when entering a building is the seating.  That first impression reinforces the image of the school.  Students expect their lounges and community rooms to provide comfort, versatility and function – all wrapped up in a stylish design.

What they see when they walk in the door also includes the wear and tear of daily student life.  The best way to minimize this is to make sure your furniture is constructed in a way that withstands the real test – the student test.

Savoy Contract Furniture is 100% American Made right in the heart of Pennsylvania. Our design team and engineers work together to construct furniture with lasting beauty.  Beginning with raw materials,  and finishing with ready-to-ship furniture, quality checks occur at each stage of the process.  In many cases, Savoy even manages the installation of new furniture and packaged rooms, ensuring that the entire process runs smoothly.

We provide value-driven solutions that will save your department, and your school, money for years to come.  Reduced maintenance and replacement costs are always great to look forward to – but the value you’ve created by having a lasting GOOD first impression – as they say, priceless."

In a day where value is becoming more and more important to our customer's bottom line, it is this drive of a company like Savoy Furniture that is a reminder that such top notch customer service is not dead in America.  They are some of the most responsive professionals in the business today.  You gotta like their attitude.

Give us a call or drop us a line today to find out more about the Savoy solution that is best for your respective organization.