SUPPLY CHAIN for this product turning the overall balance to positive .”
The challenge for Covestro now consists in following up on a record year , and it is one that Kaatze says it will take on with relish .
“ To stay on this track to success we continuously focus on innovation and collaboration . It goes back to our core pillars : optimisation and efficiency combined with an offering that provides a broad level of products and services in a cost and time friendly manner . Both require strong and open innovation with our network of partners . Our relationship with Mitsui and Co . in Asia Pacific has been a good example of working closely and effectively with a partner helping us being agile at supply chain level for our customers . This means that when we see an upturn in demand for example , we are
capable of meeting this demand . “ Similarly , as the world ’ s biggest buyer of phenol , we work consistently with on-site or near-site partners on pipeline supply to ensure that we receive the product as efficiently as possible . Our suppliers in Thailand , PTT , are located in close proximity to our facility so we can benefit from a pipeline which cuts costs and improves efficiency . That might sound simple but a lot of companies haven ’ t managed to take that step yet .”
Following a successful first quarter , Covestro is optimistic for the current year . For 2017 , the company anticipates core volume growth in the low-to-mid-singledigit percentage range . It will continue to work closely with its partners to bring their innovative applications to life with the goal to ‘ make the world a better place ’.
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