WCSA
Since 1923, the Western Cotton Shippers Association has played an important part in the cotton industry, continually striving to better communications with every area of the cotton community. Understanding the needs of the grower, working with gins and compresses, constant contact with the transportation industry are all of vital importance to getting a quality crop to the buyer and obtaining the best price for the seller.
The WCSA’s success is largely attributable to the high level of participation by its members. The members of the Western Cotton Shippers Association have a long record of integrity, honesty and dependability as suppliers to both domestic and world cotton markets.
OUR MISSION
The demands for better performance and service have become increasingly exacting as the cotton industry continues to change and expand. We at WCSA are constantly adapting to change in order to meet each and every challenge.
WCSA members are engaged in a great enterprise; the purchasing, storing, transporting, and merchandising of the Western United States’ most valuable cash crop and its most abundant natural fiber. Our objective, our challenges, our vital mission requires us to:
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Encourage the production of an adequate and diverse supply of cotton at competitive prices to meet the needs of our domestic and foreign mill customers.
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Educate producer and mill customers on the prudent and appropriate use of the available risk management instruments that will enable them to maximize their profit potential in the market.
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Contract for the forward purchase and sale of cotton to lock in a market price for each of our customers.
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Facilitate the prompt harvesting, processing, shipment and timely delivery of cotton to our mill customers.
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Provide an environment of fair trade through established rules and industry practices that encourage the favorable resolution of all disputes.
WCSA PRESIDENT
Kevin McDermott
Mr. Kevin McDermott started his career in the cotton industry in 1977 at Calcot, where he spent fifteen years and rose to the position of Vice President of Economic Research. During this time, he also served as Chief Economist for Amcot and played a significant role in formulating farm legislation, including the three-step competitiveness program. McDermott later transitioned to politics, running for the California State Senate. He was actively involved in organizing campaign activities for Representative William Marshall “Bill” Thomas, who chaired the House Ways and Means Committee from 2001 to 2007, and Representative Kevin McCarthy, who later became Speaker of the House of Representatives.
In 2005, McDermott returned to the cotton industry as senior vice president at Jess Smith and Sons Cotton. He has held leadership positions for two terms in the Western Cotton Shippers Association and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the American Cotton Shippers Association. McDermott is also dedicated to community service through the Lions Club, where he previously served as president of the Buttonwillow Lions Club and now serves as regional chairman for the Southern San Joaquin Valley.
He resides in Bakersfield, California, with his wife Nancy. They have four children and nine grandchildren.
WCSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
- Kevin McDermott, President, Jess Smith & Sons Cotton, Inc.
- John Romines, Vice President, Olam Agri Americas, Inc.
- Leigh Pell, Immediate Past President, Louis Dreyfus Company
- Brady Raindl, ECOM USA, LLC
- Steve Williams, Jess Smith & Sons Cotton, Inc.
- Anthony Wills, Cargill Cotton
WCSA MERCHANT MEMBERS
- Allbright Cotton
- Cargill Cotton
- ECOM USA, LLC
- Louis Dreyfus Company
- Jess Smith & Sons Cotton, Inc.
- Olam Agri Americas, Inc.
- Old Blue Cotton Company, Inc.
- Toyo Cotton Company
- Toyoshima International America, Inc.
WCSA NON-MERCHANT HANDLERS
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J. G. Boswell Company
WCSA ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
- California Cotton Ginners and Growers Association
- DSL Logistics, Inc.
- Intertek
- LOGIC Advisors, LLC
- Loadsmith, Inc.
- Port of Long Beach
- Port of Los Angeles
- Rekerdres & Sons Insurance Agency, Inc.
- Southwest Ag Sourcing, LLC
- Supima
- TransGlobal Inspections, LLC
- Wakefield Inspection Services, Inc.
WCSA RULES
Section I – Trading Rules
SECTION I TRADING RULES OF THE WESTERN COTTON SHIPPERS ASSOCIATION RULE 1 CONTRACTS CONTRACTS FINAL: CLAUSE 1 – A contract for the purchase and/or sale of cotton shall be deemed final at the time when the price, quality, quantity, time and place or places of delivery and all conditions and terms affecting the transaction have been agreed upon […]
Section II – General Rules
SECTION II GENERAL RULES RULE 1 GUARANTEED THROUGH TERMS CLAUSE 1 – Under “Guaranteed Through” terms the seller assumes all the terms of the contract under the rules and regulations of the market or landing port to which the cotton is destined, as defined in the contracts. This Rule shall not prejudice any contract terms […]
Section III – Rules Governing Arbitrations
SECTION III RULES GOVERNING ARBITRATIONS RULE 1 ARBITRATIONS: Should disagreement arise in matters of grade, quality, weights or fulfillment of contracts, and no satisfactory settlement be arrived at, then the matter in dispute shall be referred to the Arbitration Committee of this Association for adjustment. The following time limits for referring disagreements between contracting parties […]
Section IV – Non Merchant Handler Rules
SECTION IV NON-MERCHANT HANDLER RULES RULE 1 RESPONSIBILITY: CLAUSE 1 – Non-merchant handlers, whether members or not, if they trade under the Association rules, shall be subject to these Rules, Arbitrations and Appeals. CLAUSE 2 – Non-merchant handlers shall be held responsible for their mistakes. When trading, they shall keep both parties to the contract […]
Rules & Regulations
WESTERN COTTON SHIPPERS ASSOCIATION REVISED RULES AND REGULATIONS As Amended – August 31, 2004 RULE A ANNUAL DUES: CLAUSE 1 – The membership dues for all classes of memberships in the Association shall be levied or assessed by its members in annual meetings or by its Board of Directors between annual meetings. Annual dues shall be […]
By-Laws
ARTICLE I NAME AND PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS SECTION 1. The name of this Association is and shall be known as WESTERN COTTON SHIPPERS ASSOCIATION. SECTION 2. The principal place of business of the Association will be […]
