Friday, May 31, 2013

When you hear Smithfield Ham, do you think moo shu pork?

I just got back from a wonderful blogging conference, BlogPaws.  Although most attendees at BlogPaws blog about pets and the conference focuses on pet bloggers, I learned a lot at BlogPaws.  

Attending the conference, has motivated me to get HelitzerBlouseGirl back on her mannequin or should it be girlaquin or womanquin!  

This summer, I plan to write about some wonderful businesses and maybe even do an "eye witness" small business blog (helping my friend with some work at her wonderful business).  I also will write about my business law students' reaction to a discussion of labor unions.  

Today, to kick off some summer writing, let's talk about the potential "sale" "merger" or really takeover of Smithfield Foods by Chinese company, Shuanghui International.  Here's the link the Smithfield's May 30 press release:  http://investors.smithfieldfoods.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=767743.  The deal is currently being reviewed by the United States Justice Department.  The press release indicates that current collective bargaining agreements will remain in place and that there will be no closures and Smithfield's facilities and locations.  

This news comes at the same time as the announcement that Motorolla will be producing the new Moto X smartphone at Texas plant -- hopefully creating thousands of new jobs in Texas.  

Growing up as a Jewish girl on Long Island, I didn't have much exposure to ham.  That changed after I moved to Virginia, in the 1980s.  There's nothing quite as tasty as a Smithfield ham biscuit or sandwich -- something I've had the pleasure of eating while in Williamsburg, Virginia. 

Not sure what the acquisition of Smithfield will bring, but I have to say that I'm sad to see a billion dollar American enterprise becoming a fully owned subsidiary of a foreign corporate giant.  

Think I might be happier checking out the new Moto X smart phone, than biting into a Smithfield ham sandwich.