`Dynamix` alliance targets wiper users

If you`ve ever wondered whether the wiper you`re using is truly effective you`re not alone. “The majority of cleanroom users have no idea if the wipers they are using are effective. They can`t measure cost/benefit because they can`t measure whether the wipers actually work,” says Keith Beddingfield, director at DuPont Sontara Wiping Products (Old Hickory, TN).

For this reason, DuPont has partnered with cleanroom products supplier Berkshire Corp. (Great Barrington, MA) to form Dynamix, which will work with users in the development, testing, selection and application of wipers. The alliance involves “intensive research and testing,” according to company officials, directed at “market customization” of wiper products. The alliance will not develop wiper products that compete with those already in the DuPont and Berkshire lines; rather, the emphasis will be on developing products and technologies to meet the emerging requirements of the cleanrooms industry.

Products are expected to be available beginning the second quarter of 1999. — GM

Filter industry veterans form employee-friendly distributorship

Two air filter veterans are playing a part in the consolidation of cleanroom-related industries. And they`re doing it in a way that provides ownership opportunities to employees and value-added programs to end users.

Dale A. Posthumus, president of Air Filter & Equipment, recently expanded the 10-year-old company into an independent filtration distributorship operating under the banner, Exfil. Posthumus serves as CEO; Todd T. McKinney, formerly of air filter manufacturer Farr Co. and Johns-Manville Corp., is the president. Corporate headquarters are in Kalamazoo, MI, with a satellite office in Indianapolis.

According to McKinney, Exfil was conceived as an alternative to distributors who want to stay in the air filtration industry, but no longer want to manage all aspects of the business. “We have the methodologies and

support services in place that allow us to do more than smaller `mom and pop` shops,” McKinney adds, citing an intensive 17-week training course; advanced purchasing and inventory control technologies; and capital as examples.

Exfil`s strategy includes acquiring controlling interest in a company and keeping its principal(s) on board to help continue to grow the business. In return, they become owners of the Exfil distributorship through a shareholder stock distribution plan.

“Exfil is not a corporate raider at all,” McKinney emphasizes. “We understand that the principal who started the business is the person people often identify as `the company.` By combining our resources with theirs, everyone wins and we build a stronger company. We believe our model is a pioneering approach that will revitalize the industry, which is fragmented, and benefit contractors and end users alike. It results in a more efficient and responsive organization.”

At present, McKinney says Exfil is in negotiations with companies “on a number of fronts.” He won`t disclose who may be joining its ranks. But, he did say Exfil currently represents Farr Co., Parker Filtration/Process Filtration, Fiberbond Corp., Clestra Cleanroom Components and Research Products Corp.

Exfil executives plan to expand nationally by penetrating strategic markets with these business partnerships and some start-up operations.