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LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa., Aug. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- As gasoline prices
continue to challenge everyone, Skychain -- a wholly-owned subsidiary of Air
Products (NYSE: APD) -- offers a way for chemical and lubricant manufacturers
and distributors to offset some of those costs. Skychain's web-based
inventory monitoring technology accesses real-time data so users can automate
forecasting, optimize production and delivery, and reduce the risk of
inventory depletion to lower distribution costs through a more effectively
managed supply chain.
"As gas prices continue to soar, users can reap even greater value through
Skychain's ability to provide them with the right data at the right time so
they can schedule fewer, more timely deliveries to customers," says Patrick
Kuchevar, vice president at Skychain. "With little to no upfront equipment
fees and user-friendly tools for remote electronic management of customer
inventory levels, Skychain technology is one key way to drive costs from the
supply chain and improve revenue."
Based on telemetry that Air Products has been successfully using within
its liquid gas bulk supply business for more than 12 years, Skychain is now
making this technology available to the chemical industry. The technology
uses a sensor to monitor product levels in a customer's tank or other
container, taking readings every hour and transferring information to the user
twice a day. Skychain provides, installs, and supports the equipment,
including sensors, computer software, communications tools, and the
information technology infrastructure that allows users to go on-line -- or
into their own Enterprise Resource Planning systems -- to review inventory and
production operations data.
Skychain's remote monitoring solution has provided Rowell Chemical
Corporation, based in Hinsdale, Ill., a means to achieve significant cost
reductions in the distribution of its products. "Skychain has enabled us to
evolve our ability to manage our inventories from being a reactive supplier to
a proactive partner," said Kip K. Coco, marketing manager at Rowell. "By
having an extra set of eyes on our customers' storage, we have been able to
reduce freight costs, eliminate emergency shipments, and execute our customer
focus objectives."
Skychain's forecasting modules predict future needs based on actual usage
patterns and proven mathematical algorithms. With this knowledge, users can
more effectively manage the replenishment process for customers by arriving at
the optimum time when the most product can be delivered. The forecasting
modules also enable users to make better decisions around purchasing raw
materials and planning production at their own facilities based on actual
customer use.
"Skychain gives Rowell a sustainable advantage in the chemical marketplace
and provides another instance where we can differentiate ourselves from
competitors," Coco adds. "It's clear and concise. It's simple, yet adaptable
to our customers. Skychain has taken the complexities out of inventory
management and created applicable solutions to a demanding market."
For more information about Skychain, visit http://www.skychain.com.
Air Products (NYSE: APD) serves customers in industrial, energy,
technology and healthcare markets worldwide with a unique portfolio of
atmospheric gases, process and specialty gases, performance materials, and
equipment and services. Founded in 1940, Air Products has built leading
positions in key growth markets such as semiconductor materials, refinery
hydrogen, home healthcare services, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced
coatings and adhesives. The company is recognized for its innovative culture,
operational excellence and commitment to safety and the environment. Air
Products has annual revenues of $10 billion, operations in over 40 countries,
and 22,000 employees around the globe. For more information, visit
http://www.airproducts.com.
***NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements. Actual
results could vary materially, due to changes in current expectations.
SOURCE Air Products
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