Gary K. Cross

"Controlled growth has been the pattern of this company," says Gary K Cross, president and chief executive officer.
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"Product comes in by rail, is transferred to tank trailers, and then to the holding tanks," says Cross.
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"The decision to establish the Las Vegas intermodal terminal was really customer spawned," says Cross.
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"It was a logical step in our growth," says Cross.
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Having enough of the right equipment available when a customer calls is critical to providing service, says Cross.

"This acquisition enabled us to broaden our service capabilities," says Cross.

The result, says IBM executive Gary Cross, is that specific types of steel products can be made with minimal waste.

IBM is already using the system to help South Korean steel maker Posco fill client orders more efficiently.One benefit of the effort: Posco can now prepare for multiple customer orders using a single slab of steel prepared at its mill.

Cross spoke with IBD recently about IBM's new steel industry product.

IBD: How does IBM's software work?

Cross: It matches the complexity that's inherent in large integrated steel manufacturing operations against all the complexity of customer demand.
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Cross: Many companies used spreadsheets or rules of thumb in matching customer orders to manufacturing production capacity.
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Cross: We use more so-called optimization algorithms.This helps us get as close to the optimal answer as possible (rather than hunting for one).

IBD: Why is it so hard to match steel production with customer orders?

Cross: It's easy to deal with blocks of large orders.
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Cross: Studies show humans can deal with nine variables effectively.Once they go past this, they really start to fall off.This is where the power of algorithms and massive computing comes in.

IBD: How does IBM's product cut waste at steel plants?

Cross: Our technology helps lower operating costs by reducing scrap.
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Cross: IBM's product isn't a process-control program, but it does interact with process-control programs used at steel plants around the world.

IBD: How easy is it for a customer to use an IBM product like this?

Cross: There's a lot of process change and education that has to take place in order for a client to effectively use a solution like this.One of the things we do is build a benchmark (model) for clients.This shows them how this technology can give them a much better system over their current methods.

IBD: How much does IBM's product cost?

Cross: When you include the services wrapped around the software set of capabilities at the core, you're into the low single-digit millions.

IBD: Does IBM's product have uses outside the steel industry?

Cross: We started out in the steel industry, and we're moving into aluminum and other metal industries.

Gary K. Cross

Director

Gary K. Cross
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Gary K. Cross

Director

Gary is the President/CEO, CFO and Board member of Bulk Transportation, a Walnut, CA-based company involved in transportation of bulk and liquid commodities. He is also a Partner and General Manager of DTI Associates, LLC, a trucking company based in Compton. He has had 35 years on-the-job training at Bulk and DTI, including Diesel Engine Mechanic, Professional Truck Driver, Dispatcher, Terminal Manager, Operations Manager, General Manager, Corporate Secretary/Treasurer and Board Member, President/CEO and Trustee to the 401k and other Trusts. He has also served on the Board of Directors of National Tank Truck Carriers in Washington D.C.

Gary K. Cross California Business Bank - Gary Cross
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Gary K. Cross

Director

Gary is the President/CEO, CFO and Board member of Bulk Transportation, a Walnut, CA-based company involved in transportation of bulk and liquid commodities. He is also a Partner and General Manager of DTI Associates, LLC, a trucking company based in Compton. He has had 35 years on-the-job training at Bulk and DTI, including Diesel Engine Mechanic, Professional Truck Driver, Dispatcher, Terminal Manager, Operations Manager, General Manager, Corporate Secretary/Treasurer and Board Member, President/CEO and Trustee to the 401k and other Trusts. He has also served on the Board of Directors of National Tank Truck Carriers in Washington D.C.

Gary K. Cross, President & Chief Operations Officer Gary is the President/CEO, CFO and Board member of Bulk Transportation, a Walnut, CA-based company involved in transportation of Bulk and liquid commodities. He is also a partner and General Manager of DTI Associates, LLC, a trucking company based in Compton. He has had 35years on-the-job training at Bulk and DTI, including Diesel Engine Mechanic, Professional Truck Driver, Dispatcher, Terminal Manager, Operations Manager, General Manager, Corporate Secretary/Treasurer and Board Member, President/CEO and Trustee to the 401k and other trusts. He has also served on the Board of Directors of National Tank Truck Carriers in Washington, DC.