This is a response from Klein Steel with their reasons for not using SI units. My letter to them is underneath their response.
Mike ----- Original Message ----- From: "Shirley Atkins" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Mike Joy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, October 23, 2002 8:51 PM Subject: RE: NIST meeting Dear Mr. Joy, I have not deleted your message as all communication is very important to us. However, we are a small company servicing Western New York State only. As such, to include metric sizes in our stock list would add an additional expense and our customer base does not require metric conversions. I understand that in a global market using the metric system would be imperative and those companies that do business globally would most certainly benefit. Thank you for your interest in Klein Steel Service. Shirley Atkins -----Original Message----- From: Mike Joy [mailto:mjoy@;iinet.net.au] Sent: Tuesday, October 22, 2002 7:26 AM To: Shirley Atkins Subject: NIST meeting Ms. Atkins, I'm sorry to hear that Klein Steel has no plans at all to use the metric system on any literature for it's products. That is much like the Taliban preventing the whole of Afghanistan from hearing any news that is of non-Muslim origin. While the rest of the world is enjoying the 21st century, we shake our heads in disbelief that the only excuse you and the US has to stay with the old system of measures is "that your customers purchase in imperial measurements". It hasn't occurred to you that they don't have a choice! If your company (particularly as it has a German name) had any initiative, it would show the US that it is a forward-thinking company and uses the metric system predominantly. Please do not hit the delete button on this suggestion - I AM making a lot of sense. When customers around the world have a choice to use the old or new system of measures when buying products, they MUCH prefer to use metric values for the sake of ease of use and ease of making comparisons. There is a public meeting re product labelling at the Dept of Commerce Auditorium, Herbert C Hoover Bldg, Washington DC on November 7 hosted by NIST which I strongly suggest someone from your company attends. It might do your company a lot of good - it certainly won't harm it. All the best for Klein Steel. Regards Mike Joy Perth, Australia
