INDUSTRY NEWS POLARTECH ADDITIVES


During a recent holiday to Canada I called in to see a subsidiary of one of our UK Member Companies, Polartech Additives Inc.


Polartech has been represented in North America since 1991 and in September 1996 formed Polartech Additives Inc. together with John Dixon who is President of the new company, based near Toronto in Dundas, Ontario.


The facility now consists of warehousing and offices, and services a wide range of Trade customers in Canada and the USA. Recent modifications have added a Conference Room, often used to run Customer Training, an improved loading bay and a larger warehouse to handle the increasing level of business, a necessity according to Warehouse Supervisor, Allan Magson.


John Dixon, Sandra Dixon and Alan Magson


"We started business in North America as the traditional Metalworking Fluid business of high volume, lower cost fluids began to change to more sophisticated European-style products", said Dixon. "The catalyst for this change was a concerted attack on the American market by a number of international companies who have now become prominent players. Obviously helped by this change, the products which Polartech had promoted in Europe began to gain favour in North America."


"Another significant factor has been the emphasis on Health and Safety and conditions in the metalworking workplace and having been involved heavily in markets such as Scandinavia this experience has been applied in North America."


Asking Dixon what the prospects were for Polartech as we approach the millennium the answer was bullish . "North America has been Polartech's fastest growing business area in the last two years and continuing the work with our local and international customers and continuing to invest in the business we feel confident that Polartech Additives Inc. will expand significantly in the near future"


Polartech is an ILMA Member now in N. America as well as an active UK Member of the BLF and it was a pleasure to visit one of our companies doing well "over there"!


Rod Parker


BP RESPONSE


BP's new customer care service, BP Response has proved a huge success since its introduction in August with customers reporting a new and highly personal level of support.


Designed to offer users a single point of contact for all their lubrication needs, BP Response has gained the backing of customers both large and small.


Piers Dickinson, BP Marketing Communications Manager said: "This new mode of direct and regular communication has speeded up the whole ordering process and ensures that all aspects of a customer's lubrication needs are dealt with swiftly on a one to one basis."


In addition to individual business managers customers are also supported by BP's technical helpdesk. Manned by engineers, they provide specialist advice and support for the business managers and are able to answer questions direct from customers.


BP Response was introduced following extensive market research and time spent talking to individual customers about their needs.


Piers Dickinson added: "Each business manager is responsible for organising all commercial, technical and administrative matters. It is clear from the reaction of customers that they welcome this development and is already forging strong working relationships with their individual business managers.


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