Expedited Product Development in a Time of Crisis
Challenge
A major rigid PVC injection molder was informed by a competitor of Rheogistics that the specialty lubricant system it was using would be discontinued in six weeks. A key molecule in its lubricant system was being discontinued by an upstream supplier.
A major rigid PVC injection molder was informed by a competitor of Rheogistics that the specialty lubricant system it was using would be discontinued in six weeks.
The customer had carefully built its formulation around this key molecule and had developed a PVC compound that provided outstanding processing performance over the entire range of machinery in its plant. It did not want to change; the thought of replacing the complex lubricant system in less than three months—as the busy season was approaching—was extremely distressing. The injection molder was in full crisis.
Solution
Rheogistics offered to help identify a replacement, and promised to deliver results as quickly as possible. As soon as Rheogistics received test samples, its development laboratory focused exclusively on this project for a week and, in less than five days, created a suitable replacement lubricant system based on our product technology.
As soon as Rheogistics received test samples... in less than five days, (it) created a suitable replacement lubricant system based on our product technology.
A laboratory sample was provided to the customer the next day. The laboratory sample was approved by the customer and Rheogistics delivered 2,000 pounds of test material less than a week later. Plant trials were successful, and Rheogistics immediately started producing and shipping truckloads of the new product, which was all of 3 weeks old.
Result
The customer changed to Rheogistics’ product seamlessly without any interruptions to its operations, and reported a year later that it was “enjoying fantastic production” with the new lubricant. Through Rheogistics rapid problem-solving approach, it was able to provide rheological data on a suitable replacement and commercial samples all within less than two weeks. The new lubricant was a roaring success, helping the customer continue using its high-efficiency processing while yielding further cost savings.