SHOOTOUT AT THE CIRCLE BAR (W) CORRAL (Blanco's Dragon Tails)

The SHOOTOUT AT THE CIRCLE BAR (W) CORRAL involves two major US corporations, Combustion Engineering (CE) and Westinghouse Electric. The relationship between these firms was unique, necessitating the role of being fierce competitors, as well as genteel and cooperative business partners. Both firms were pursuing a booming electrical generating utility market, selling Nuclear Steam Supply Systems, commonly referred to as NSSSs. CE had the manufacturing capabilities to produce all of the components for the NSSSs. Westinghouse lacked the manufacturing capabilities for the reactor pressure vessel, therefore having to procure this item on the open market. When CE was unsuccessful in obtaining the NSSS from the utility, and Westinghouse was successful, then Westinghouse would most often procure the reactor pressure vessel from CE. The status of a utility’s procurement process for a new NSSS therefore established the general business feelings between the two firms. Hence, the question always existed: What are we today, competitors or partners? This book is a true story regarding this unique relationship between the two firms and has been humorously documented by one of CE’s prime gunslingers, Bob Armstrong. The story documents Armstrong’s progression through CE, relating to both the business events as well as to the key players involved. Actual names, places, and events have been recounted, as accurately as remembered. An improved vocabulary, than actually existed, is utilized, thus being suitable for publication.