Alpha Technologies streamlines European operations

ERJ staff report (RD)

Akron, Ohio - Alpha Technologies, a US-based provider of testing equipment for the rubber industry, is centralising its customer service and parts-distribution activities in Heilbronn, Germany by assembling new team of representatives, with fluency in eight languages, to provide support to rubber manufacturers and processors across Europe.

The move is part of a “global rapid-response initiative that involves not only the European site, but also operations in Asia and North America,” Alpha said in a 27 Oct statement. The programme has reduced new equipment lead times by 30 percent, the company added.

Alpha will now share the Heilbronn facility with its parent company, Dynisco, which manufactures and sells pressure and temperature measurement and control products for plastics extrusion and injection molding. An older distribution centre in Swindon, Wiltshire, in southern England will be closed, the statement said. An existing team of three technicians will continue to provide technical support and calibration services to customers from new offices in nearby Oxford, Alpha said.

“We recognise that the vast majority of our customers are in continental Europe, and this move will allow us to serve them better than ever before,” explained Greg Clark, vice president, segment leader. “We are simplifying logistics management. All of this is good for Alpha Technologies, but it also is great for our customers, who can now expect more rapid response and more personal, focused regional service and support,” he added.

Under its previous structure, products and components destined for continental Europe would be shipped first from Alpha's manufacturing plant in the USA to the UK before being redirected to their final destination. The new model takes advantage of the global supply chain services of an international shipping company, which will provide air, ocean and ground transportation, customs clearance and direct delivery to the customer's door, with all duty and delivery prepaid, Alpha said. A supply of frequently used spare parts will be maintained in Heilbronn.

Alpha's testing equipment includes curemeters (process analysers and rheometers), viscometers and universal testers, which measure the dynamic, physical and processing characteristics of rubber and polymers.