How is it possible that trash Companies are posting less than expected results? Trash Companies are thought of by prudish investors as some of the safest stocks to own. Ask Warren in his Buffet of Essays on Corporate America. Companies which service the needs of the people tend to stay afloat longer and respond very little to economic down turn. Most investment advisors and attorneys would agree. And anyone who has ever stopped to ponder the idea of recession proof businesses would inevitably put Trash and Refuse companies at the top of the list. What other companies? Environmental Companies, Security Companies, Cigarette makers, vice industries (gambling, drinking, risqu type businesses).

We had put together a list last year for our own company of industries during the recessions which were safest to do services for without being strung out on accounts receivables or having companies file bankruptcy on us. We are in the cleaning business and only got burned by a few such industries we had put on the list. Yes all those listed and about 23 others were on the said list in a Memo we call Letters from Lance copying the Michael Dell theory of management and personal contact to each and every member on the team, his of course discussed in his book, Dell by Dell. He called them Messages from Mike.

If you are wondering how a guy who washes cars can have so much data output, realize we do these discussions from the top of our heads, so it is merely a fact of putting into key strokes, the data is data from past experiences, knowledge and insight from reading many different and unique sources as to never be jaded by Corporate Propaganda, Media Hysteria, here say or rumors. Before you call your investment attorney to sue the trash company for their forward looking statements, think about the changes in that industry. Also understand that 23% to 40% of their business comes from commercial accounts not residential accounts, thus during a recession it may not always be the safest bet, but all in all not a bad bet. If you want further advice call; Jim Kramer on Mad Money; let him tell you. Think about it.

Lance Winslow

Currently Lance is retired at age 40 and is running an Online Think Tank Forum while traveling North America. Perhaps considering something extremely challenging to do that will exercise his mind and utilize all his experiences, observations and skills. Any ideas?