I have spent the past two days in Scott Brass’s former Mishawaka Plant reviewing and bidding on equipment. It was a poignant reminder of the difficult environment in which US Manufacturing finds itself. Not more than a year ago, I walked the aisles of that once bustling location, watching material being rolled, tinned, slit and shipped. Then what I observed yesterday were empty spaces, save the opportunistic buyers present to bid. I was particularly saddened to see two Bell Annealing Furnaces with peripheral equipment sold for less than $3K. What a waste- as they surely are headed for the scrap heap. Still there are lessens to be learned here. Remain proudly independent, Manage Your Risk, Protect Your Cash, and thus remain the Boss- don’t let the bank run your business.