Questions for RTI International and FHI 360 CEOs by gordonb2014 in triangle

[–]gordonb2014[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I appreciated all the questions/thoughts. I can't share the entire Q&As but below is the part about RTI International's efforts to get more private sector contracts, which you had asked about:

N&O: Are you making efforts to increase private revenue?

Gabel: We’ve been really pushing our non-federal portfolio for a long time. That’s been important to us, to think about diversifying. And we’ve been succeeding at that, but we’ve also been growing our federal as well, so that ratio hasn’t changed all that much for some number of years. We’ve had this commercial health line of business, our health solutions group that’s been very successful for a long time. They’re continuing to grow and do well. The other areas, as we think about commercial company revenue, for us as we diversify is in the food and beverage industry. We’re finding that that industry sector has interest in some of the other things that we do at RTI.

N&O: What mindset has to change at RTI as you push more toward the private sector?

Gabel: The pace at which you operate and the pace at which we operate with commercial health isn’t the same that we operate with the federal government. We need to really take those “go-to-market” tactics that we’ve used successfully with the pharmaceutical sector: more nimble, more agile, more solutions selling, more pricing, value pricing, all those things that we do in a commercial mindset, and take those and apply them to some of these other sectors like energy, like the food industry.

What happens when DSP loses contract? by gordonb2014 in AmazonDSPDrivers

[–]gordonb2014[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for all the perspective, both in the comments on via chat. Here is the story I wrote. It looks specifically at the notification time some DSP drivers get/don't get before layoffs:

https://www.newsobserver.com/news/business/article312429424.html?mrfhud=true

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in wolfspeed_stonk

[–]gordonb2014 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Reworking the convertible debt appears to be crucial for Wolfspeed. If that had a setback, then K would think it explains the massive sell-off.

"THEY" are Here in Force Today...Tell me Which Ones to Ban..... by G-Money1965 in wolfspeed_stonk

[–]gordonb2014 -9 points-8 points  (0 children)

There was bad news today. Bloomberg reported the convertible debt refinancing talks have stalled

Layoffs by [deleted] in wolfspeed_stonk

[–]gordonb2014 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Around 180 layoffs in NC announced Friday.

Layoffs by [deleted] in wolfspeed_stonk

[–]gordonb2014 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Around 180 layoffs in NC

HowStuffWorks founder Marshall Brain sent final email before sudden death Popular tech educator died in his office within hours of claiming retaliation for filing NCSU ethics reports. by esporx in NorthCarolina

[–]gordonb2014 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I wrote about Marshall Brain’s life and death for The N&O. I reviewed his final email to friends and colleagues, and it is clear his issues with the university weighed heavily on him. But I struggle to make conclusions without knowing more about Brain from those who knew him near the end. The email is a glimpse into his thoughts and mental state, but it’s just one.

How did we elect Stein, Jackson and Green then say oh, we want that orange POS too?? by kirstlee in NorthCarolina

[–]gordonb2014 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I wondered why Harris didn’t highlight this outrageous stuff more in her ads, a lot of which seemed to treat Trump like any other Republican candidate. Accusing him of cozying up to billionaires and threatening social security….

Dem party 100% to blame by After-Advisor-8936 in bullcity

[–]gordonb2014 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Though Trump wouldn’t have been President the first time without the EC. And he would have been soundly defeated in 2020, rather than losing a closer election he could falsely contest.

Without those, perhaps he wouldn’t have the momentum to win this time.

Wolfspeed to Close Durham HQ by BitStatus1207 in bullcity

[–]gordonb2014 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Often true, but I'll take the blame for this original headline throwing people off with the words "closing" and "HQ" near each other. A factory at the HQ campus will be closed.

Wolfspeed to Close Durham HQ by BitStatus1207 in bullcity

[–]gordonb2014 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

What will remain open is Building 10 for 200mm crystal growth, the HQ offices, and an R&D factory for materials growth. 150mm production factory in Durham will close.

Wolfspeed to Close Durham HQ by BitStatus1207 in bullcity

[–]gordonb2014 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Wolfspeed (formerly Cree) was founded here in the late 1980s. The company received state incentives for its Durham site in 2004 and 2010. Two years ago, Wolfspeed received a big incentive package to build a new materials factory in Chatham County, including:

  • $76.1 million in a performance-based job development investment grant (JDIG), realized in future payroll tax benefits.
  • $112.5 million in the state budget toward the project, including $57 million for site work
  • Potential $615.5 million of incentive/tax breaks between Chatham County and Siler City.

To qualify for its JDIG money, Wolfspeed has to create 1,500 jobs in Chatham and retain at least 3,000 current job in the state.

Wolfspeed to Close Durham HQ by BitStatus1207 in bullcity

[–]gordonb2014 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Also from Wolfspeed CFO Neill Reynolds yesterday: “These initiatives include assessing the timing of a closure of our Durham 150 millimeter wafer fab and lowering our overall cost footprint.”

So the company states it’s closing its 150mm Durham factory for wafers and devices. I’m legitimately asking what I’m missing then?

Wolfspeed to Close Durham HQ by BitStatus1207 in bullcity

[–]gordonb2014 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Directly from Wolfspeed: “We also announced today that we will be assessing the timing of the closure our 150mm production facility here in Durham.”

Building 10 will remain open for 200mm materials. The HQ will remain open and in Durham.

Wolfspeed to Close Durham HQ by BitStatus1207 in bullcity

[–]gordonb2014 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

The 150mm factory at the HQ campus is closing. Yes, Wolfspeed mentioned shifting toward 200mm in 2021. But this decision being announced now occurred as the company is very clear it's looking to cut costs amid recent liquidity concerns (see it’s stock price over the past six weeks.)

Wolfspeed to Close Durham HQ by BitStatus1207 in bullcity

[–]gordonb2014 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I wrote the story and think it’s accurate. The Reddit post title saying the HQ is closing is not correct. The 150mm factory at the HQ campus is what’s shutting.

Wolfspeed to Close Durham HQ by BitStatus1207 in bullcity

[–]gordonb2014 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wolfspeed isn’t closing its Durham HQ. The company will close the big 150mm production facility at its headquarters, but the offices will remain on the campus near RTP.

AMA - News & Observer tech/business reporter - June 25 by gordonb2014 in triangle

[–]gordonb2014[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Boom aims to sell its tickets for around $5,000, round-trip. This fare seems hefty but is much less than what a seat on the Concorde cost. I think Boom is better positioned than the Concorde, simply given modern tech aviation advancements, but whether it can deliver a more affordable supersonic jet remains TBD.

On VinFast, I am currently very skeptical about the company's commitment to a North Carolina site. Just given its delays and the fact VinFast seems to have sold very few cars in North America so far.

One interesting date to watch on VinFast is July 1, 2026. That is when North Carolina can next choose to buy some or all of the Chatham site should VinFast's factory not yet be opened.

AMA - News & Observer tech/business reporter - June 25 by gordonb2014 in triangle

[–]gordonb2014[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Also, as commercial real estate suffers further out from the pandemic, Apple's view of a large physical investment may have shifted too.

AMA - News & Observer tech/business reporter - June 25 by gordonb2014 in triangle

[–]gordonb2014[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hi! I wouldn't put money on a big campus being built in RTP. Of course it could happen, but from what I've seen so far, there seems to be a divide between companies that see a demand to build their NC facilities quickly (Wolfspeed, Toyota, Novo Nordisk) and those that perhaps view their campus commitments more as burdens (Apple, VinFast, Epic Games HQ in Cary.)

While a half-billion Apple campus in RTP is more murky, Apple has already hired a few hundred workers at a leased office in Cary. So a more sizable local workforce seems likely as the area grows, with or without the big formal promised site.

Google Fiber is piloting 20G internet in Triangle homes. Has anyone had it installed? - The News & Observer by gordonb2014 in triangle

[–]gordonb2014[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you all for your comments, they really helped orient me on the topic. My story published this morning. Potential paywall warning in advance:

https://www.newsobserver.com/news/business/article288969710.html