Holiday Survey Results

Thanks to the more than 150 of you who responded to our holiday closing survey last week. While the results are unscientific, we're confident they're more accurate than the recent exit polls and we hope the results help you if you're still working on your holiday schedule.

Free calculator download from Microsoft...
Performs conversions and exchange rates

We found a very handy free application from Microsoft - the Microsoft Calculator Plus has an improved interface over the standard Calculator that comes with Windows XP and also boasts some great features, including the ability to perform exchange-rate calculations and various types of conversions, such as currency and weight. Note: requires Windows XP Operating System.

Click here for the download link from Microsoft.

Win a Swingmaster Classic Pro Jump Rope - $60 Retail Value
Click Jump Rope To Enter>>>		NOVEMBER 2004 WINNER John Masek Bearing Service Livonia, MI Previous Winners

China Update
A monthly look at news from China that impacts all of us
Click the title to read the story

$215,000 for lucky phone number
A Beijing man has paid $215,000 for the ultimate in lucky cell phone numbers -- 1, followed by a string of 3s.

Private sector drives Beijing's development
The private sector now produces 41.87 percent of Beijing's total GDP (gross domestic product), playing an increasingly important role in pushing forward local economic development, according to Beijing's Municipal Statistics Bureau.

China pressures U.S. companies for union branches
China’s official Communist Party-controlled trade union is threatening to sue foreign companies such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Dell Inc. and Eastman Kodak Co. if they don’t set up union branches in their China operations.

China may resist currency pressure
Beijing could maintain stable money policy and has no timetable for yuan adjustment, officials say.

Wal-Mart's China inventory to hit US $18b this year
The world's largest retailer, Wal-Mart Stores Inc, says its inventory of stock produced in China is expected to hit US$18 billion this year, keeping the annual growth rate of over 20 per cent consistent over two years.

Is this bearing really stainless steel?
by Mike Mortensen - Director of Engineering RBI-USA

Some bearing customers will use a magnet to determine if a bearing is made of stainless steel. Their understanding is based on the belief that magnets are attracted to stainless steel. When they used this test on a stainless steel bearing and find the magnet is not attracted to the bearing they suspect the bearing is not made of stainless steel. It is at this point I need to explain that this is a valid test but only for certain stainless steels.

Stainless steels can be divided into three basic groups based on their metallurgical structure: Austenitic, Ferritic, and Martensitic (and precipitation hardenable stainless steel).

All Austenitic stainless steels are nonmagnetic although cold working of these steels can result in some magnetic properties.

Examples of austenitic stainless steels are Type 302, 304, and 316.

Ferritic, Martensitic and most precipitation hardenable stainless steels are magnetic.

Examples of these stainless steels are Type 430F, 446, 420 and 440C.

RBI stainless steel bearings use 440C stainless steel (magnetic) for the inner rings, outer rings and balls. Cages and shields typically use 302 or 304 stainless steel (non-magnetic).

Have a question or topic you would like to see covered? Click here to let Mike know!

Final Word
Christmas facts

In 1996, Christmas caroling was banned at two major malls in Pensacola, Florida. Apparently, shoppers and merchants complained the carolers were too loud and took up too much space.

It is estimated that 400,000 people become sick each year from eating tainted Christmas leftovers.

The best selling Christmas trees are Scotch pine, Douglas fir, Noble fir, Fraser fir, Virginia pine, Balsam fir and white pine.

Theodore Roosevelt, a staunch conservationist, banned Christmas trees in his home, even when he lived in the White House. His children, however, smuggled them into their bedrooms.

Want more? Click here for the list to end all lists.

Happy Holidays from all of us at RBI Bearing.

We Get It Done.

RBI Connections is a publication of RBI Bearing, Inc and is intended to provide useful company and/or industry news and information. We understand and respect your need for privacy. Email addresses in our files are from our customers or published materials. Please accept our apologies if you believe this email to be unsolicited. We are sorry for the inconvenience. Any personal information provided to us will be stored in a secure environment and will not be misused. RBI Bearing, Inc. does not make email addresses available to third parties for their use. RBI Bearing would like to send news releases and special promotions to you from time to time. If you would not like to receive these emails from us, please click this link and type the word "unsubscribe" in the subject. © 2004 RBI Bearing, Inc.