Air Products' Skychain Inventory Monitoring Technology Helps Customers Offset Soaring Delivery Costs
August 20 2008 - 2:01PM
PR Newswire (US)
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. DATASOURCE: Air Products CONTACT: Media, Debbie
Bauer, +1-610-481-8061, ; or Investors, Nelson Squires,
+1-610-481-7461, , both of Air Products Web site:
http://www.airproducts.com/ http://www.skychain.com/
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