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A few words about the Chemical Industry

The Chemical Industry is operating within a landscape of uncertainty—not only from pandemic-related disruption but also from the opposing forces that are battering the industry. Environmental issues, ineffective plastics recycling, climate change and decarbonization threaten industry growth yet the need for lightweight materials in automotive production, and the demand from rising economies in the East accelerate prospects for increased opportunities. Thriving in today’s changing and contradictory landscape is difficult and perplexing.

Kepner-Tregoe’s consulting and training programs help chemical companies operate more effectively and securely in times of uncertainty and change. As companies seek greater stability and efficiency with digitalization, AI, and advanced monitoring capabilities—when problems do occur, they are increasingly complex requiring advanced troubleshooting capabilities.

In our client organizations, we transfer structured analytic processes for using data effectively to solve problems, make decisions, and manage risk. Our methodologies are used at all organizational levels to improve quality, increase stability and throughput, build solid supplier relationships, reduce costs, and plan more effectively.

Manufacturing leaders in the global chemical industry have incorporated KT’s troubleshooting processes into their operations. The structured critical thinking tools from Kepner-Tregoe have been credited with improving maintenance, quality, costs, productivity, and other measures at clients in all major chemical industry hotspots.

To learn more about Kepner-Tregoe consulting and training in the Chemical Industry, contact Kepner-Tregoe.

Success stories

Challenge

The Sherwin-Williams Company is the largest producer of paints and coatings in the United States. A valued, long-term customer who is a leading manufacturer of healthcare equipment reported that test samples had failed a critical chemical resistance test. The customer uses external job shops to paint equipment parts and was puzzled when the exact same batch of paint passed the testing on parts painted by some job shops, while failing when painted at others. Paint retained at the Sherwin-Williams laboratory was tested for chemical resistance and passed. The problem remained unresolved for over a year.

$1M

saved in coating sales

100%

effective in confirming solution

Results

Sherwin-Williams reformulated the paint to work at lower temperatures and now includes quality control testing at lower cure temperatures. The solution has been 100% effective. The customer was impressed and reassured by the solution and by the speed and effectiveness of the problem-solving process.

Project

When Uniroyal Chemical Co., Inc. wanted to gain an extra edge over the competition, they employed Kepner-Tregoe (KT), as always.

$753,092

gained due to extra production capacity

Zero

rejection of "bagged bales" due to poor appearance

Results

By using KT Problem Solving & Decision Making tools to gain an extra edge, Uniroyal increased production capacity and customer satisfaction and eliminated the costs of reworked and scrapped bales.

Insights

Asset-intensive organizations are increasingly relying on Asset Performance Management and predictive analytics to maximize asset performance that run their business. While technologies offer real benefits in the form of data-driven insights, dependable and consistent success will result only when people are a main driver of your strategy.

The quest for operational excellence is never-ending. But when continuous improvement programs fall short, disappointing results usually circle back to the fact that the changes were not owned by the frontline. Give them the floor and watch what happens.

Identifying and using the right data is at the heart of effective problem solving and decision making. To stay afloat in the vast ocean of available data that can support complex problem solving, consider these three foundational actions.

Beginning and sustaining an improvement journey can often mean fighting naysayers, inertia and reluctance to change work routines, even the bad ones. Yet, the perfect marriage of a continuous improvement culture and effective production management creates consistent, world-class performance.

Testimonials

Our Experts
in Chemical Industry

Phillip Thompson
VP of Global Growth, Client Services & Marketing
North America
Marven Röll
Consultant
Europe
George Ng
Regional Managing Director - Asia Pacific
Asia
Masahiro Fushida
Business Solutions Consultant
Japan
Yoshihiro Isowa
Business Solutions Consultant
Japan

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For inquiries, details, or a proposal!