In our Q1 newsletter, I mentioned that ‘product availability’ and ‘lead times’ were top of mind for our customer satisfaction survey respondents. I also shared supply chain strategies we are employing such as our forecasting and proactive ordering of stainless-steel tubing. In this issue I’d like to share Swagelok Company's revised approach to inventory management.

Historically, Swagelok’s core markets have followed a cyclical business pattern of growth and contraction. In turn, Swagelok, while still planning forward, would typically ramp up production during times of expansion and pull back when markets began to slow.

Then came the pandemic.

Fortunately, Swagelok’s forward planning ensured we could continue to support our customers while other companies struggled to deliver products. Instead of slowing production during the pandemic, Swagelok continued to build inventory in preparation for the inevitable demand for products once the pandemic threat passed. And Swagelok maintains that strategy today.

Steady State Strategy

Swagelok is committed to continuing what it terms a steady state strategy. Instead of chasing the peaks and valleys of the market, we will continue building inventory at a steady rate. The long run health of our core markets enables us to invest through the cycles. Investments continue to be made in larger platform, higher volume equipment.

Local Impact

The investments at the factory level will provide more product availability for Swagelok’s local sales and service centers. That allows us (Swagelok Western NY) to make long-term investments in inventory, equipment and services:

• We continue to purchase tubing months in advance to ensure sufficient stock in our Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse warehouses.
• 4 SWNY associates are currently enrolled in Swagelok’s Field Engineering certification program to expand our onsite service offerings.
• Investments continue to be made in new equipment for our fabrication and assembly team.

This approach better positions Swagelok Western NY to work strategically with our customers through blanket ordering, inventory management, MRO planning and other customer inventory support initiatives. Let us know where you need help planning for your future growth.

Thank you for your business.....

~Pete

Pete Jobling

President – Swagelok Western NY

[email protected]

Cost constraints and supply chain challenges have increased the importance of creating and maintaining a preventative maintenance program across your manufacturing operations. Specific to fluid systems, regulators, valves and hoses all require regular attention and inspection. In many cases, maintenance or repairs on these components can be performed at a low cost, and the payoff is enormous in terms of extended life.

A preventive maintenance plan can help supplement standard operating procedures by providing information on each individual fluid system component in your plant. This means:



• Tracking the life and performance of the components
• Inspecting them frequently
• Replacing them proactively
• Identifying key replacements to have at your facility

Keeping records of your preventive maintenance program will help you determine whether particular components are being replaced too often. In such cases, an analysis of the component can help you understand the frequency of replacement. Perhaps another component would be better suited to that application — allowing it to last longer and cost less over time.

Our field engineer, Derrick DiCesare, can perform evaluation and advisory services in your facility and help develop a custom maintenance plan for your systems.

Derrick will review specific systems along with all associated cables, fittings, and connections, then map out those systems. He will identify opportunities to change or enhance them and offer insights and reporting to customers focused on custom solutions and assembly recommendations.

Optimally, if the evaluation is conducted prior to a scheduled maintenance shutdown or outage, we can work with you to prioritize the new or replacement products identified and ensure they are delivered so your team can optimize their maintenance time.



Consider these tips for improving fluid system performance and let us know how we can assist with your next planned maintenance.

~Jeff

Jeff Namy

Vice President, Sales & Marketing

[email protected]

Around the world, the race is on to harness hydrogen as a fuel. It is widely viewed as a promising alternative to fossil fuels, but it can be challenging to contain and control.

AVL, the world's largest independent customer for testing and simulation in the automotive industry, has been helping customers around the world to validate and certify hydrogen fuel systems. Learn how they're working with Swagelok Austria | AA-Solutions GmbH to find the expertise and support they need to build advanced testing equipment that is both reliable and leak-tight.

Measuring and Controlling Hydrogen Flow

At Swagelok WNY we’ve assisted numerous customers in support of a variety of hydrogen related projects from supplying Swagelok products to designing and building custom assemblies. This experience means we can assist with any hydrogen project including:

• Electrolyzers
• Micro-grids
• Fuel Cells
• Virtual Pipelines (tube trailers)
• Refueling Stations (infrastructure)
• FCEV Fuel Systems
• Dispensers and Priority Panels

Clean Energy Fluid System Solutions