#therepublic

[therepublicblogs]

Owners of Columbus Components have closed at least 10 plants in 10 years

By Kirk Johannesen and Boris Ladwig, The Republic

johannesen@therepublic.com; bladwig@therepublic.com

THE owners of Columbus Components Group have closed at least 10 manufacturing plants in North America in the last decade and eliminated at least 1,500 jobs.

A former CCG executive said many of the companies did not generate a profit - but produced enough revenues to pay the owners a management fee. 

Cleveland, Ohio-area businessmen Patrick K. James, Jay L. Schabel and Michael D. Klinginsmith bought the former Arvin-Meritor Inc. plant on 17th Street in 2004. 

In the last decade, James, now CCG's sole owner, has owned at least 16 automotive-related companies in five states and two countries. At least 10 of those have closed. 

One of the companies, Cleveland-based Dickey-Grabler, had operated for 125 years when James bought it in March 2007. Ten months later, it folded. 

An 11th company, Pennsylvania-based Hood & Co., was closed and the employees let go before assets were sold to another company, which reopened the facility and rehired the employees. 

Four companies are still operating: Cleveland area-based Hawthorn Manufacturing LLC, Detroit-based International Specialty Tube LLC, Columbus Components Group LLC and Madison-based Century Tube LLC, which James bought in February. 

Columbus Components Group sent a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification notice to Indiana Department of Workforce Development on March 23, stating that the withdrawal of sales orders by clients would result in layoffs and possible closure. 

James, who often purchases other companies through his principal companies, Hawthorn and Viking, could not be reached despite repeated attempts. 

James, Schabel and Klinginsmith formed Hawthorn Manufacturing Corp. in 2006 and Hawthorn Manufacturing LLC in 2007. 

Schabel, who lives in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, said he left Hawthorn about 1½ years ago. 

He now runs a farm with his wife and is chief operating officer of Polyflow Corp., an Akron, Ohio-based Clean Technology startup. 

Klinginsmith also has left the company, according to Rick Bohn, Hawthorn's former chief operating officer. Klinginsmith also could not be reached. 

Local CCG officials repeatedly have declined to be interviewed.

Employment decline 

Employment at CCG has fallen from 520 in 2004, when Schabel, Klinginsmith and James bought it, to about 140. On April 9, the company laid off 123. 

Bohn said that James, Schabel and Klinginsmith, bought the former Arvin-Meritor plant because it fit a profile of companies they desired. 

"Their strategy was to ... try to purchase businesses that were stressed," Bohn said. 

That allowed the purchasers to obtain the companies with relatively low startup costs, Bohn said. 

Some of the companies that Viking/Hawthorn bought had just gone through bankruptcy or changed ownership or were struggling like many other companies in the automotive business, Bohn said. 

"Every one was a challenge," he said. 

Bohn, who lives in Ohio and said that he left the company under good terms, said that the Viking/Hawthorn principals tried to acquire related businesses to give them more of a strategic foothold. For example, if they acquired an exhaust system supplier, they would try to acquire other similar suppliers. 

Bohn said James' strength in marketing and business development allowed the company to establish a sizable network through which it would find out about possible acquisitions. 

Sometimes the customers of a business that was being sold or about to close asked the Viking/Hawthorne principals to take over, because the customers did not want to lose their suppliers, Bohn said. 

"I don't think there was any other strategy than that," he said. 

While Bohn was with the company, it owned auto suppliers in locations including New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Ontario, Canada.

"During my (tenure) ... something happened to every one of them," Bohn said. 

All of the companies had struggled previously, though, he said, and capital was limited. 

"The shining star actually was CCG," he said.

The former ArvinMeritor plant had good equipment and was relatively healthy and therefore did not require a substantial capital infusion, Bohn said.

ArvinMeritor sold the plant, which stamped exhaust systems components, as part of a larger strategy to shed operations that it did not consider its main focus.

Breaking even 

Bohn also said that the companies bought by Hawthorn and Viking often generated no profit. 

At fiscal year's end, sometime the income was zero or negative, he said. 

However, the businesses generated enough revenues to make bank loan payments and pay utility bills, suppliers and employees.

And, Bohn said, "There (was) enough revenue to draw some kind of management fee or salary (for the principals)." 

Typically the new owners would try to secure commitments from existing customers and then find new customers to keep the business going, Bohn said. 

"Unfortunately, in almost every case it required things that weren't necessarily controllable," he said. 

Schabel said Hawthorn was a private, entrepreneurial company that was fairly diversified and that its business strategy evolved over the years. Schabel said he worked for the company four years. 

He said he could not discuss details about the business because he signed a non-disclosure agreement when he left. 

He said he has not had contact with James for about 10 months. 

James was born in 1965, according to a Data Universal Numbering System report, which provides background information on companies. The DUNS report stated that James has been employed in the automotive industry since 1986.

© 2024 The Republic

[thxnews]

The Republic: Plato's Timeless Masterpiece of Philosophy

  The Republic is one of the most influential works in the history of Western philosophy. Written over two thousand years ago, it still holds immense relevance today. If you are a student of philosophy or literature, you really should read this masterpiece. In this areicle, we will explore the main ideas of The Republic and why it is a must-read for every student.  

Original quote by Plato. Photo by QuotesEverlasting. Flickr.  

Overview of Plato's Philosophy and Background

Plato was born around 427 BC in Athens, Greece, and was a student of Socrates. He founded the Academy in Athens in 387 BC, which was one of the first institutions of higher learning in the Western world. Plato was known for his writings, where he developed his own philosophical ideas through dialogues. His most famous work was ‘The Republic,’ a dialogue that explains Plato’s theory of a just society. In this book, he introduced the famous concept of the ‘Allegory of the Cave’ which explained his ideas on knowledge and perception.   Metaphysics, Epistemology, and Ethics Plato's philosophy was based on metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics. His metaphysical theories revolved around the existence of the soul and the theory of forms. According to Plato, a form is an eternal and unchanging concept that represents an idea or a concept that exists in the abstract. For instance, the perfect circle or triangle exists as a perfect form in the world of forms. On the other hand, the material world that we live in is nothing but a reflection of these perfect forms. When it comes to epistemology, Plato believed that knowledge could be gained through reason and intuition rather than through experience. He believed that knowledge was innate and that we could not learn anything new but could ‘remember’ things that we already knew from the world of forms. Plato argued that the ultimate goal of human existence was to reach the ultimate truth and knowledge. Lastly, Plato's ethical theory centered around the idea of justice and the concept of the ‘good life.’ He believed that a just society is one that is governed by philosopher-kings who are knowledgeable and virtuous. Plato argued that the good life is the one that is lived in accordance with reason and virtue, which ultimately led to happiness and fulfillment.  

Platos Allegory of the Cave. Photo by Carter Watkins. Flickr.  

The Allegory of the Cave: Meaning and Interpretation

Perception vs. Reality: A Profound Theme At the core of 'The Allegory of the Cave' lies the theme of perception versus reality. The prisoners in the cave perceive shadows on the wall as reality, but they are mere representations. Plato likened people to prisoners in a cave, with the world as the cave and our senses as the shadows. To him, individuals had to transcend their limited experiences and seek truth beyond these illusions. A Political Interpretation Plato's allegory also finds political implications. He compared those in power to puppeteers manipulating the masses through illusions. True democracy, he argued, required educated rulers with a clear understanding of reality. Modern Relevance The allegory's interpretation extends to modern times, with some seeing it as a commentary on technology. People's increasing dependence on gadgets and screens, preventing them from experiencing the true world, draws parallels to the cave's prisoners. Enlightenment and Liberation The allegory also represents enlightenment, where a freed prisoner gains knowledge and endeavors to inspire others. Plato asserts that once enlightened, a person cannot revert to their previous limited understanding of the world.  

Nebraska State Capitol sculpture. Photo by Ammodramus. Wikimedia.  

The Ideal State: Plato's Vision for a Perfect Society

One of the key features of Plato's ideal state is a belief that it should be run by the most competent and wise individuals. Plato suggested that only the intellectuals had a clear understanding of the needs of the society and how best to govern it. Therefore, he suggested that the ideal state should be an aristocracy where the rulers were knowledgeable and just. This way, the government will be free from corruption, self-interest, and power struggles.   Rolls and Responsibilities Plato's ideal state was also one where everyone had a specific role to play in the community. The society was divided into different classes; the guardian class, the philosopher-kings, the auxiliary class, and the commoners. According to Plato, each class had a particular skill set and responsibilities, and they should work in harmony to achieve the common good. The commoners, for instance, were the laborers, and they produced goods and services; the philosophers, on the other hand, were the thinkers and decision-makers.   The Education System Another critical element of Plato's ideal state was the education system. Plato believed that education should be designed to bring out the best in each person and to equip them with the necessary skills to contribute meaningfully to the society. Plato's education system is unique in that it aimed to produce well-rounded individuals who could apply their knowledge in different aspects of the community. Also, education was what determined the class a person belonged to.   Vision for an Ideal Society Plato envisioned an ideal society where the citizens worked together to promote the common good. He believed that human society was similar to a body, where every part has a specific role to play, and they work in harmony to achieve a common goal. His ideal state aimed to achieve this by promoting the values of equality, justice, and fairness. In such a society, every citizen was expected to contribute positively to the community and uphold moral values.  

The statue of Plato in front of the Academy of Athens. Original Work by Leonidas Drosis. died 1880. Photo by Leonidas Drosis. Wikimedia.  

Philosopher-Kings: Role and Importance in the Republic

The Ideal Ruler The philosopher-king is the embodiment of Plato's idea of the ideal ruler. Unlike other leaders who might act out of self-interest or political expediency, the philosopher-kings sole motivation is to promote the greater good of society. Plato believed that only those who have a deep understanding of truth and knowledge can rule effectively, as they are not beholden to the opinions of the masses or swayed by their own biases and desires.   The Importance of Wisdom In Plato's Republic, wisdom is the key virtue that sets philosopher-kings apart from other rulers. A true philosopher is someone who seeks knowledge for its own sake, rather than for any practical or utilitarian purpose. By cultivating wisdom, philosopher-kings can make informed decisions that are based on reason rather than emotion and are thus more likely to create a just and harmonious society.   The Limits of Democracy Plato was deeply skeptical of democracy, viewing it as a flawed system that was prone to corruption and instability. In his view, the democratic process was characterized by a lack of order and coherence, with decisions often made based on the whims of the majority rather than careful consideration of the facts. Philosopher-kings, on the other hand, are not swayed by such forces and are instead able to rule with an impartial and objective mindset.   The Importance of Virtue Although wisdom is key, it is not sufficient on its own for a ruler to govern effectively. Philosopher-kings must also possess other moral virtues such as courage, justice, and temperance. These virtues ensure that the ruler is not only wise but also has the ethical foundation necessary to make decisions that are in line with the greater good. Without such virtues, a philosopher-king could become just as corrupt and self-interested as any other ruler.   The Relevance Today While Plato's concept of philosopher-kings may seem idealistic and impractical, it has relevance in today's world. We are living in an age of increased division and polarization, with many leaders making decisions that cater primarily to their own interests or to narrow interest groups. By emphasizing the importance of wisdom, virtue, and a commitment to the greater good, Plato's philosophy offers a way to counteract these divisive tendencies and promote a more just and harmonious society.  

Plato in a cave with his followers bringing their self-portraits for examination, Walters Manuscript. Flickr.  

Criticisms and Controversies: Debates Surrounding Plato's Ideas

Criticism of Plato's Theory of Forms One of the most criticized aspects of Plato's philosophy is his theory of Forms, also known as the theory of Ideas. According to Plato, there is an eternal and unchanging realm of Forms that exist beyond the physical world. The Forms are perfect and unchanging, while the physical objects we see around us are merely imperfect copies of these Forms. Critics argue that this theory is unproven and difficult to understand. Some claim that the Forms are too abstract and cannot be connected to reality, while others argue that the Forms are simply an unnecessary addition to Plato's philosophy.   Controversies around Plato's Views on Women Plato's views on women have been another point of controversy. In his famous work The Republic, Plato argues that women should be educated and included in society, but he also insists that women are inferior to men and should not hold political power. This contradiction has led to debates about whether Plato was a feminist or a sexist. Some argue that Plato's ideas were revolutionary for his time and that he should be recognized as a feminist thinker. Others claim that his views on women were no different from the prevailing attitudes of his society.   Debates about Plato's Views on Democracy Plato's views on democracy have also been a subject of intense debate. In The Republic, he argues that democracy is a flawed system of government that is prone to chaos and instability. According to Plato, the only way to achieve true justice and virtue is through a philosopher-king who rules with wisdom and reason. Critics of Plato's views on democracy argue that this position is undemocratic and elitist. They claim that Plato's philosophy does not account for the diversity of human experience and that his ideal of a philosopher-king is unrealistic and impossible to achieve.   The Disputed Authorship of Some of Plato's Works Another controversy surrounding Plato's ideas concerns the authorship of some of his works. Some scholars argue that not all of the dialogues attributed to Plato were written by him. They point to differences in style and content among the works and suggest that some may have been written by his students or even by other philosophers. This controversy has led to debates about how to interpret and understand Plato's philosophy. Some argue that we should focus only on the works that we can be sure were written by Plato, while others claim that his influence extends beyond the texts that are traditionally attributed to him.  

Plato quoe on Music. Photo by QuotesEverlasting. Flickr.  

Legacy and Influence: Impact on Western Philosophy and Politics

The first and most significant influence of Western philosophy on politics is the idea of natural law. Natural law is a concept that describes the laws and principles that govern human behavior and the universe, which are independent of human rules and regulations. This concept finds its roots in ancient Greek philosophy, particularly in the works of Aristotle. Aristotle believed that the natural world had its own laws that humans could discern and use to create just and virtuous societies. The concept of natural law has played a crucial role in the development of modern Western democracies, such as the United States, where the belief in unalienable rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, is enshrined in the Constitution.   The Social Contract Theory The second influence of Western philosophy on politics is the concept of the social contract. The social contract theory is based on the idea that humans agree to give up some of their individual freedom and rights in exchange for protection and security provided by the state. This theory has its roots in the works of English philosophers such as John Locke and Thomas Hobbes. Hobbes argued that without the state, life would be "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short." Therefore, individuals should enter into a contract with the state to establish social and political order. The social contract theory has played a crucial role in the development of modern Western democracies as it provides citizens with a framework to understand their rights and responsibilities within the state.   The Just State Thirdly, the concept of a just state is another significant contribution of Western philosophy to politics. Ancient Greek philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle developed the concept of a just state, which centers around the idea that the government has a moral obligation to provide citizens with what they need. The idea was expanded upon by Enlightenment thinkers, who believed that the government's primary role was to protect individual rights and ensure the greatest good for the greatest number of people. This concept has had a significant impact on modern Western democracy, which places a high value on individual freedoms and rights.   Political Philosophy Finally, the idea of political philosophy as a discipline has had a lasting impact on Western politics. Political philosophy seeks to answer questions about how society should be organized and governed, including who should rule, what their authority should be, and what role they should play in society. Political philosophy has played a critical role in the development of Western democracies, providing new ideas and theories that have shaped governance systems and provided leadership guidance.  

Sacred wisdom - Plato's Republic. Photo by Quinn Dombrowski. Flickr.  

Importance of studying the Republic today

In conclusion, 'The Republic' remains a timeless masterpiece of philosophy that explores profound ideas about perception, reality, justice, governance, and education. Plato's vision of an ideal state, with philosopher-kings at the helm, challenges readers to critically examine the nature of society and the role of individuals within it. Despite the passage of time, the ideas presented in 'The Republic' continue to inspire and provoke thoughtful reflection on the fundamental questions of human existence and the pursuit of a just society.   Sources: THX News & IEP.   Read the full article

[comingoutofmycave]

Reading the republic and being scolded by my professor for not reading fast enough is a vibe

[actionfigures118]

Columbia Reveals New Star Wars Collection for The Clone Wars

[sourapplesauces]

OK fuck acrylic paint

[politikwatch]

#CDU, #CSU, #EVP, #AFD, #FDP, #BILD, #NIUS, #WELT, #Cicero, #TheRepublic

#MITSCHULDIG ❗️ ❗️ 🤬⬇️

[naturesfallengrace]

Gromit reading The Republic by Pluto while eating Korn Flakes, and Crime and Punishment by Fido Dogstoyevsky in prison.

[artbyklr]

Finished my commission! I had a blast #drawing this! #art #starwars #themandalorian #mando #disney #dindjarin #bountyhunter #beskararmor #thechild #theempire #jedi #stormtrooper #darthvader #therepublic #coloredpencil #scifi #realism #portrait #artfido #instaart #artsy #art_empire #art_spotlight #art_collective #pedropascal #fanartfriday #fineart #fabercastell #prismacolor https://www.instagram.com/p/CIY2yc_lIJM/?igshid=4dzytsu4rmdj

[thebookhowl]

Opinion is really the lowest form of human knowledge. It requires no accountability, no understanding. The highest form of knowledge is empathy, for it requires us to suspend our egos and live in another’s world. It requires profound purpose larger than the self kind of understanding.

Plato, The Republic 

[teamwopo]

Truth #🇲🇦 #democracy #never #therepublic #nevergiveup #moors #muurs #moabite #moslem #muslim #morocco #almorocans #america #aseerthedukeoftiers #moabitelifeclothing https://www.instagram.com/p/CBwaQ94FPnl/?igshid=s979dejzyanq

[aufwiedersehenmonty]

[urbanunkindness]

Most people either #love or #hate #coldplay ! Just like #U2 😬. So they say. But, for me, right now, #whiteshadows ! Of late, i listened to #TheRepublic - #Plato, and, all my benevolent philosophy, esp. to my dear @andreastultiens , seems derived from there! Given that that those in the picture are eyes of #Clausewitz and i have read; #MaoZedong, #Machiavelli, #PaulGreen, #YankLevy #SelousScouts, #SunTzu, ... a little #Vegetius, and i am struck onto #Koutilya a.k.a #Chanakya, maybe i am onto something you will really need! 👁‍🗨👀⏳ https://www.instagram.com/p/B0FS5m9Fwp3/?igshid=1g1y30gh65n8i

[austinrusp15]

Supreme Chancellor of my Republic, representative to the true crown, Her Majesty, Queen Lilly, of the RUSP! - All Hail Her Majesty!!!! - I don’t know how I feel about the first pic, but the second pic is glorious without a doubt! - #HerMajesty #Lilly ##OfTheRepublic #Royalty #SupremeChancellor #TheRUSP #TheRepublic #Pug #Gamer #Gaymer #GayBoy #Xbox #XboxOne #XboxLive #GamerTag #assassinRUSP15 #SnapChat #austinRUSP15 https://www.instagram.com/p/BspWgd7gX1p/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ftftt7r0lq2

[politikwatch]

Wer sich über NIUS & Springer wie BILD,WELT TheRepoblik etc informiert, bekommt nur Halbwahrheiten, Lügen und Hetze präsentiert ❗🧠

Sollte langsam jeder begriffen haben⤵️

#TheRepublic von #CDU #CSU #FDP 🤬

»The Republic« sei »#AfD-affiner #Ramsch und hat mit der bürgerlich-liberalen Christdemokratie, der ich seit einem Vierteljahrhundert anhänge, nichts zu tun«.

[frankjs]

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[thechasefiles]

The following was written by my friend @iamcoreyworrell1 and I know he is quite upset by this new development. Peter Wickham and the Humanist movement must be wukking up like it’s a mini Jouvert reading this new protocol. 🤣 All jokes aside I’m on the fence here. I can see the pros and the cons. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. Either which way i know MY GOD IS REAL! They can take him out of the schools but not out of my heart! Read what Corey has to say below 👇🏾 “What madness is this? What the hell is mindefulness? So you can have group teaching class with participation but you can’t even have form prayers? Even though it doesn’t say “no form prayers”, the introduction of “mindfulness sessions” implies that form prayers are prohibited. Furthermore, if form prayers is prohibited, they could have easily said that given they used school, year group and house prayers the sentence before. To introduce “mindefulness” a term not common within the context of morning prayers or devotions is to invite some aspect of confusion. So not only the Lord or God is out the Character but now He is removed from our schools in His “traditional form”. The foundation on which our people have built this country is quickly being eroded. Barbados is not a Christian state, however, the significant majority of this country identify with the Christian faith. Language is very important. “Prayers” being replaced with “mindfulness” is very strategic. Language (words) INFLUENCES mindset and behavior. It often starts with words. As our leaders continue to push for an apostate state, I hope they are mindful and prepared for the fruits such a state produces. I await to see how the many non-vocal and publicly timid leaders in the church address this as a body. Just now we will have people arguing a case for male children who identify as another “gender” being able to use female toilets. (And vice versa). It’s happening elsewhere. Yuh best believe it will reach here.” Do you think the removal of PRAYERS is warranted?? #thechasefiles #protocols #nogod #godlessstate #welikeitso #therepublic https://www.instagram.com/p/CaFDr5Frxtay2PbJA_jmexhl3zR-BxVAxKiuxY0/?utm_medium=tumblr