IKF Convention Big Success

The recent IKF convention in Antwerp, Belgium has been declared a big success by senior IKF officials like Hordon L. Gortense. "We had a lot of issues resolved and a lot of compromises made." he said. Gortense was on the Kumquat Fungal Disease Prevention Committee. We asked analyst Carlene Aberswarthy on key accomplishment at the convention. "We saw a lot get done on regulating environmentally harmful fertilizers. There was also a decision made to make this convention occur more often. A special committee will meet in March to discuss how often the convention should be."

A recent report from national kumquat sources is that storage closets full of PaleGrapefruit Kumquats (Owned by Tobango) in Oahu, Hawaii were ransacked, vandalized and crates have reportedly been stolen. Tobango is yet to confirm this.

Next Post: Joe Harbrahcka was sick this week so we will have our interview with him.

Ferkington's financial woes continue, Swensington's trial postponed

As the new year begins Ferkington Kumquats needs a resolution. According to Sander Dukeen, Assistant Deputy Director of Ferkington's advertising department, the company will attempt a new marketing and advertising scheme while possibly looking for "better" leadership. Ferkington's loss of profits surprises many however some like Hubit Shpeiper say "The situations over there just aren't handled properly."

Also Philipe Swensington's trial date originally set for Dec. 19 2010 was postponed due to harsh weather conditions. Swensington, Surpassa Fika's former Chairman of the Board was arrested by IKF agents in March for insider trading and false advertising.

In other news many experts say that at the IKF convention in Antwerp, Belgium in early December, many things were accomplished. One big thing was a vote against having a separate convention to rewrite the IKF rulebook. More next post.

IKF Convention to be held in Belgium

Early this December the International Kumquat Federation will hold its hexannual convention in Antwerp, Belgium. Invited are over 1,200 representatives of kumquat companies, government trade officials, IKF agents and Board members, industry analysts, and many others. They will form into committees on many different issues like Trade Regulation and Fair Treatment of Kumquat Plantation Workers. At the end of the conferences they will vote on whether or not to have another convention to make a new set of rules for the IKF. We asked Solomon H. A. Arkanstonias what he thought was a hot issue this year.

"I think there will be a big dispute over what to do about Djiboutian pirates threatening trade routes from kumquat plantations in Africa and the East to Rotterdam, Helsinki and Montreal. Some propositions include using IKF money to build a small escort fleet, lobbying governments to hunt them down, and simply letting the shipping companies deal with it."

At the convention will be Aroldis Reynie Shapiro who we did a bio on in January. Shapiro, a longtime IKF agent, convinced enough IKF board members last March to pursue the investigation of Philipe Swensington. Suspicion arose rather quickly after Swensington abruptly left his position as Chairman of the Board for Surpassa Fika, and Shapiro accuses him of insider trading and false advertising. Swensington who was the Chair of the Board of Surpassa Fika for 6 years was arrested at his home in Tucson, AZ in March. Swensington's trial date has been set for December 19, 2010 and rumor has it that Swensington will not be hiring a lawyer and will be defending himself. However, records show he did attend law school for two years. Both Mr. Swensington and Mr. Shapiro have declined to comment.

Next Post: An interview with Joe Harbrahcka, owner of the last pure bred Gerard Trees

Season Preview

As you know, the main kumquat season is just gearing up. Here's the inside scoop on all the major companies.

Ferkington - Ferkington has consistently been the most popular kumquat available despite the death of late owner F. Franzmuten Ferkington. A Ferkington kumquat's outrageously sweet flesh makes very popular juice. In fact Ferkington juice sector enlarged this year when they bought Catan Juices. How we think they'll do this year: While recently they have been plagued by losses, their sales remain strong and an advertising push will drive customers to their low prices.

Saccelberry-Gerard - Saccelberry-Gerards may not win in taste, but these nutrient packed health bombs are constantly recommended for a host of different illnesses. With the health craze, and the recent endorsement by world renowned food writer Wilemena C. Fink, author of Snarf: An Eater's Guide to Health in 58 Simple Steps, their popularity is soaring. How we think they'll do this year: Expect major growth in variety, distribution and profits.

Kilimanjaro -Dormington- In December Kilimanjaro and Dormington agreed to a merger. Although there have been rough stretches of time between board members their advertising campaign has done well and increased their popularity greatly. How we think they'll do this year: They won't beat Saccelberry-Gerard and Ferkington in sales, but kilimanjaro will inch up as a good quality but low priced kumquat.

Tobango - Tobango has long been known for extremely high quality and prices. For this reason, they were hit hard by the recession when people turned away from expensive gourmet kumquats and turned toward the cheaper options like Kilimanjaro-Dormington. How we think they will do: Armed with a new type of kumquat (see May 3), they set out to increase profits. However, Don't be surprised if they stumble.

Surpassa Fika - If any company is down, it's Surpassa Fika. With Philipé Swensington arrested for insider trading and their infamous commercial (Vegan Vinegar Substitute) ruined, their profits are in the dumps. But under new leadership, many see hope. Watch this company for a surprise comeback.

Bladl caught embezzling, Barnstoiler in motorcycle accident

This week's skirmish between Kilimanjaro-Dormington board members ended with chairs flying, coffee mugs banging and the company wondering. Although this was not a fight specifically between board members from Kilimanjaro and ones from Dormington, the company would still like to even out the board which has many more Kilimanjaro members.

Shockingly, Saccelberry-Gerard says they will "move on" without Chief Executive Officer Nathaniel Xackley (Pronounced Zaklee) who was with the company for two and a half years. The company which is currently in a tough stretch addressed the media Friday saying they have other plans without Xackley. Although, they did not speak about the decision coming so suddenly. Also Barry Bo Barnstoiler, VP of Marketing and Research Relations for Saccelberry-Gerard was injured in a motorcycle accident also involving Melgatroid Gurbystout's (See June 1) brother. Both are primarily okay except for Barnstoiler who has a fractured left arm.

Ferkington's President Ervin Bladl recently tried to switch the company from making their best-selling Tangelo-Orangequat juice to producing Guava scented Limequat juice. This was all before Bladl was caught embezzling money earlier this week. We asked Turner Tobiasen, Kumquat enthuiast in Chicken, Alaska about the subject. "I honestly think this unecessary behavior and poor leadership are what is holding up the company right now. Ferkington just needs to rebuild and step up a little bit, but otherwise I think their doing just fine." Ferkington has made low profits recently.

Breaking News

Saccelberry-Gerard will move on without Chief Executive Officer Nathaniel Xackley. This report was recently given to us by the Obie's Kumquats Branch in Toledo, Ohio.

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Contest Winner Chosen!

Congratulations, Nick Tobier! You are the winner of our February 28 Contest! (http://kskumquats.blogspot.com/2010/02/contest.html) Nick's punchline was by far the funniest of the 3 entries and will be sent to Ebeneezer Trouttrucker, the author of the popular book, What's the Difference Between a Fish and a Kumquat?. Thank you to all the contributors. We will try to do another contest soon.