Industry Expertise

The chemicals sector today must contend with the 'old' realities of managing the business cycle and protecting margins through excellent production and operations management. However, this 'business as usual' management alone may not be enough to ensure competitiveness. Changing world demand, with growth in BRIC economies in particular, brings new urgency to aligning supply chains and operations. Stronger in-country competition is also driving the need to rethink goals and target market positioning, as well as changing how and with which companies partnerships and alliances are formed. After decades of boosting financial performance through operational improvement and growth, companies are finding that new levers of value creation must be sought and are looking to improve their approach to customers and market responsiveness. These changes must be undertaken while maintaining regulatory compliance, and dedicating additional resources to health safety and environmental records management.

Kaiser Experience

Kaiser's experience spans clients operating in base chemicals, specialties (including paints, inks, and crop protection), and fine chemicals. Working across this variety of clients, each with different portfolio breadth and levels of vertical integration, we have assisted each of our clients to better understand their positioning and take significant actions to enhance value creation. Our recent work for clients in the chemicals industry includes projects focused on:

• New Product Positioning Strategy:  Assisted a leading specialty inks client to position its next generation digital printer vs. alternative technologies based on technology trends, take-up, and business model implications
• Growth Strategy:  Identified most attractive markets based on demand and supply analysis and synergies with client's existing operational and execution capabilities
• Inventory Optimization:  Aided a diversified global chemicals company in cutting inventory in its agrochemicals division while maintaining service levels based on detailed assessment of the competition, considering geography and supply chain configuration