Document pmov73Z0yEkdRd6pmK3qykv5D

METALS DIVISION MEMORANDUM May 4, 1978 TO: Mr. F.C. Kroft, Jr. CC: Mr. R. L. Folkman This memorandum amplifies out discussion of May 1, 1978 on the RG-244 sales picture. For the first four months of 1978, RG-244/SX-24 sales volume was 140% of that for the same period in 1977 due entirely to strong exports. While below budget, Forecast U sales for the full year 1978 are estimated to be about 4% ahead of 1977. The strong exports early in 1978 are not predicted to continue at current rates into the second half, since some of the buying has been a hedge against a possible West Coast dock strike in June. The attached Table summarizes sales of these products since 1972. While we have a technically superior product to Cab-o-sil and Aerosil, and one which is attractively priced, it is not obvious to me that sales volume will grow much above the 1, 200 tons per year level first achieved in 1976 due to regulations and related health hysteria. WCT:gh Attachment |ac: Mr. J. L. Myers W.C. Thurber UCC 010685 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978* RG-244/SX-24 SALES HISTORY Domestic Tons M$ 528 689 602 795 511 712 474 788 547 965 526 1059 550 1122 * Forecast II Export Tons M$ 116 136 324 370 486 552 240 308 681 917 623 1051 650 973 Total Tons 644 825 926 1165 997 1264 714 1096 1228 1882 1149 1976 1200 2095 UCC 010686