fluid Performance evaluations


  Not all fluids are created equal and often price per gallon is more a function of marketing than performance!!  Unfortunately price per gallon and uncontrolled field trials are the only means for most plants to evaluate the potential impact of product change.  

 

  Zimmark's FPE process runs products head to head in a controlled lab environment using site conditions to compare relative performance.  Most products perform well out of the drum, it's predicting their robustness in an operating environment that truly determines the life-time cost of one product vs another.  By focusing on and evaluating the KPI's that drive cost and performance, we develop a relative life cycle costing model of the incumbent product vs up to 5 competitive products.    


KPI's Some of the costing & performance characteristics evaluated:


  • Recyclability
  • Carry out
  • Sump life
  • Compatibility with current product
  • Compatibility with down-stream processes
  • Compatibility with Waste Treatment Processes
  • Tramp Oil rejection
  • Bacterial resistance
  • Fungal resistance
  • Mold resistance
  • pH stability
  • Emulsion stability
  • Compatibility with site water
  • Dump triggers
  • Compliance to HS&E requirements
  • Staining risk, etc.

FPE's are customized to site conditions and often specific tests (ie tooling performance) are defined based on the unique requirements of the facility.  


When should you consider using an FPE process to evaluate A POTENTIAL PRODUCT CHANGE?


  • Tired of promises and assurances from sales people that their new product will save $X
  • Concerned that purchasing's focus on low $/G is actually costing you time and money
  • Unsure whether your current product is the most cost effective solution for you
  • You are considering making a change, but want to be sure the new product will result in net savings 
  • you do not have the time or resources to do the detailed product evaluation
  • You do not want to tie up production resources running field trials and you are unsure of the accuracy of the data being collected
  • You want to evaluate more that just one or two alternatives to your current product
  • You want to understand what is actually the limiter that's driving cost with your current product
  •  Corporate is mandating product change but you want to be sure it will be worth the risk of change
  • etc.

 


If you are looking to identify which product or combination of products will deliver a sustainable total cost reduction strategy,  do it with ESE!


Technical process management


·  We identify the performance KPI's that drive total process costs

·  We bring the elements from your site that drive cost and impact performance to see how each product can handle it

·  Using both Virgin and stressed data from the trial our content experts evaluate the relative strengths and weaknesses of each product, predicting operational improvement opportunities as well as expected challenges

·  Reviewing the performance data collected over a 6-8 week period, we develop a detailed costing model outlining the annualized costs as well as any pass/fails associated with the products evaluated.  


 

·   Specific protocols and procedures are followed to ensure controlled trials 

·   All products are blind in the lab to minimize bias risk

·   Data is only shared with the client, vendors are not included unless the evaluation is to determine which product from a single vendor is being evaluated 


 

·   Strict Time-lines are followed

·   Weekly touch points with technical team to adjust any parameters based on observations 

 



When its all working together using a sustainable process you get:

  • A proven method for evaluating relative product performance 
  • Confidence that the risk of product change is mitigated both by understanding ahead of time the expected challenges and opportunities as well as the potential savings warrant the risk of change   
  • Plant resources are required only after the pre- qualification process has been completed.  
  • A low risk opportunity to increase the number of products being considered and potential impact of new technologies on the facility 


We optimize and maintain your technical process with ESE, ensuring that your time and resources can stay focused on optimizing the core aspects of your business that generate revenue and keep your plant competitive and world class.


TOOL EXAMPLES


Performance KPI's Evaluated during the IFE Process

  • Specific KPI's need to be evaluated in a controlled lab environment to truly understand relative  product performance variability
  • The FPE process pre-qualifies products before moving to an expensive and time consuming field trial


Vendor Recommendations is just the starting point:

  • FPE confirms whether or not the product can actually be sustained at its defined target concentration
  • All products are blind to the lab to ensure unbiased evaluation
  • The purpose of the FPE is to predict relative rates of product consumption based on measuring key performance metrics.  The $/Gallon is used to determine the annualized costing projections based on the usages determined


Relative Performance Reporting

  • Understanding all the strengths and weaknesses associated with the products being evaluated lets our clients assess the net impact of a product change


Case studies


Download
Coolant Evaluation Case Study
This site found they had to keep increasing the concentration of the the product in their system to ensure they were getting the level of rust protection required. Testing confirmed that an alternative product could be maintained at a significantly lower concentration and provide the level of protection they were looking for. Even though the $/G was 24% higher than the incumbent, the net annualized savings was 41% due to a 52% reduction in the rate of product consumption.
CI-214- Coolant Consumption Reduction (I
Adobe Acrobat Document 157.7 KB

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If you would like to arrange for an on-line demonstration of all that goes into an IFE process and find out how it can benefit your facility, please fill out the form below and you will contacted to arrange a mutually convenient time for a web meeting.  

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Related Non-core Processes