Applied revamps rubber channel

By Staff -- Industrial Distribution, 10/1/2000

Cleveland, Ohio-Applied Industrial Technologies restructured its rubber products channel over the summer to improve the value-added services it offers customers.

The fabricated rubber and elastomer services program provides customers with conveyor belting, vulcanizing, hose assemblies and conveyor inspection at its 17 rubber service facilities and 40 super hose centers nationwide.

Don Chargin, Applied's vice president-unit president for industrial products, said the program's goal is to create a nationwide network of rubber services with standard operating procedures in areas like systems, inventory, pricing and service efficiencies.

"This national rubber platform will support our customers and their products and service requirements consistently across North America," Chargin said.

Jeff Raymer, product manager-conveyor belting & industrial hose, said the program integrates many of the company's capabilities in a systemized way, which in turn helps reduce the costs borne by customers.

"Instead of operating as 17 independent companies, we're now taking advantage of enhanced communication and standardized inventories and operating procedures," Raymer said.