In November 2021, Master Fluid Solutions® celebrated its 70th anniversary as an innovator in the metalworking fluid industry. Within those seven decades, the company grew from a small family business in Toledo, Ohio, into a global industry leader with a U.S. based headquarters and facilities in Europe, India, China, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Operating as an international manufacturer creates a number of opportunities for innovation in the marketplace, all of which benefit customers and end users. These are the three biggest lessons Master Fluid Solutions has learned from going global:
1. International Collaboration Enhances Research and Development
When Master Fluid Solutions originally expanded to Europe in the 1990s, the company continued manufacturing most of its signature TRIM® cutting fluid in the United States. Over time, however, formulas had to adhere to ever-changing sustainability trends and legislation in Europe and the United States. Master Fluid Solutions formulators developed innovative products and created new TRIM formulas with improved sustainability profiles, reducing negative environmental impact.
For example, the aerospace industry has come to reject certain chemicals in cutting fluids because of the negative effects they can have on materials. The formulations Master Fluid Solutions developed as a result of European market requirements directly helped the company gain a foothold in this global industry, as well as formulate new and advanced products, such as TRIM® HyperSol™ 888NXT.
2. Global Manufacturing Enhances Product and Service Offerings
In 2019, Master Fluid Solutions acquired Wilhelm Dietz GmbH & Co. KG, a chemical manufacturer that primarily served the tube and pipe industry. Their signature WEDOLiT catalog was recognized as one of the most advanced collections of forming, stamping, and corrosion protection fluids in the world. Bringing the skilled staff and institutional knowledge of these two companies together created a number of opportunities for both partners and customers.
First, it increased the availability of TRIM fluids in the European market and the capabilities it will bring to those manufacturers. Master Fluid Solutions has also been able to introduce WEDOLiT products to the North American market, which will help secure supply chains as manufacturing reshores to prevent future disruptions at the scale of COVID-19. The research and expertise developed by both companies over the past 70 years is now joining together and influencing how future TRIM and WEDOLiT products will be formulated.
3. Strategic Locations Improve Lead Times
Placing fluid production facilities close to global manufacturing hubs drastically reduces lead times for materials and prevents costly delays. Customers in Europe and Asia have seen similar benefits when located near a Master Fluid Solutions production facility. Global research and development with knowledge of local markets continues to benefit manufacturers worldwide.
As the global manufacturing sector recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain resilience is becoming increasingly important. Localizing production is proving to be one of the best ways to prevent disruption and keep the industry moving smoothly.
Companies originally went global to maximize profit from wider market penetration and streamlined production. Now, decentralized production is key to avoiding profit loss and delays, and knowledge sharing from experts across the globe continues to transform what manufacturing is capable of. To learn more about Master Fluid Solutions’ global operation, call +1 800-537-3365 or email [email protected].
