READ: Dr. Paul Kent and Co-Author Examine Supply Chain Problems and Possible Remedies

In their editorial “Perfect storm or imperfect supply chain? The U.S. supply chain crisis”, Monument’s Dr. Paul Kent and co-author Dr. Hercules Haralambides examine the current supply chain problems and their possible remedies. The surge in e-commerce has exposed weaknesses with the just-in-time logistics paradigm where maximizing capacity utilization is viewed as being efficient; as a result, logistics asset owners strive to minimize slack capacity, even going beyond industry maximum utilization standards, thereby creating supply chain bottlenecks. In addition to problems with slack capacity, the authors identify other issues related to dominant market players, including liner shipping alliances and international chassis service providers.

The authors outline recommendations that address a seeming lack of preparedness for disruptions, capacity management issues, and weaknesses in regulation. The open-source editorial can be accessed using the below link via the Maritime Economics and Logistics.

Read Full Article

Monument Economics Group makes a donation to the Red Cross to support the relief efforts for Hurricane Harvey

As Texas recovers from one of the worst hurricanes to hit the United States in recent history, Monument Economics Group is announcing a $1,000 donation to the American Red Cross to support relief efforts. Monument Economics Group is making this donation on behalf of our affiliates working in the Houston metropolitan area.

Catastrophic flooding from Hurricane Harvey has caused officials to declare a federal state of disaster.  The American Red Cross will provide assistance in the form of shelter, food, clean water and other life-saving essentials to those impacted by the storm.

Judge Cites Dr. Lamb’s Analysis in Certifying Class of Direct Purchasers of Gypsum Wallboard

In 2013, Plaintiffs filed a Consolidated Amended Complaint on behalf of a proposed class of direct purchasers of gypsum wallboard alleging price-fixing by Defendants. Counsel for the Plaintiffs retained Dr. Russell Lamb to analyze whether the co-conspirators engaged in a conspiracy to fix, maintain, or stabilize prices of gypsum wallboard; whether prices of gypsum wallboard were artificially inflated due to the alleged cartel; whether there was widespread payment of overcharges across the proposed class; and whether aggregate damages to the proposed class as a whole could be reliably computed using standard economic methods and analyses. Dr. Lamb filed two Expert Reports concerning class certification issues, two Expert Reports concerning liability and damages issues,* and one Supplemental Expert Report responding to a report submitted by a technical advisor retained by the Court. Dr. Lamb also testified at deposition twice concerning class certification and at an extensive evidentiary hearing on the issue of class certification.

Delaware Slashes Clearwire Value; Favors Management Projections

Observers expecting another decision from Delaware Chancery Court favorable to petitioners got a big surprise last month, as the string of above merger price appraisals came to an end. On July 21, 2017, Vice Chancellor Laster ruled in the Clearwire Corp appraisal proceeding that the fair value of Clearwire’s stock at the time of its merger with Sprint was $2.13 per share, some 57 percent below the merger price of $5.00 per share.  This comes on the heels of two recent Chancery Court appraisal decisions, Dell, Inc. and ISN Software Corporation, where fair value was determined to be 27 percent and 158 percent higher than the buyout prices, respectively, rewarding petitioners for pursuing the costly process of seeking an appraisal.

Monument Economics Group partners with Energy Litigation Services Group

Monument Economics Group and Energy Litigation Services Group are pleased to announce their new affiliation.  Pairing Monument’s consulting expertise with Energy Litigation Services Group’s focus on energy-related matters in litigation and consulting will enrich both firms and provide a more comprehensive suite of economic expertise for their clients.