Tri-County Welding Supplies is a privately owned welding
supply distributor that has been servicing the Waterloo region for
over 40 years. We represent a number of suppliers for welding supplies
and equipment. Tri-County is part of the Air Liquide world-wide family.
Air Liquide is in 64 countries of the world and does over $9 billion
in business. It is the largest supplier of industrial, medical and
specialty gases in the world. As such, Tri-County is able to capitalize
on Air Liquide's expertise and strength in the industry. Tri-County
and its customers benefit from their world-class research and development
facilities of which there are three in North America .
Tri-County is now into the second generation of family members.
There are three in number: Robert Filiatrault, B.A., C.I.M., President
and C.O.O. John Filiatrault , B.Sc., Vice-president, Sales and Marketing
and Paul Filiatrault Jr., B.Sc., Vice-President, Warehouse, Distribution
and Filling Operations.
Tri-County utilizes the concept of " Commodity Bucket Management ".
It involves the total commitment of both parties to co-operate in
the management of the inventory in areas such as:
Our objectives are no different than that of our customers and that's
to serve the customer efficiently, hold down increased costs where
possible and ensure that they reap the benefits of this policy. Tri-County
practices J.I.T. delivery to complete orders fully. Invoices can
be compiled monthly to reduce processing costs to the end user. System
Contracting has been successfully implemented to major users with
increased cost savings.
QUALITY SUPPLIER, RELIABLE DELIVERIES
It is an expectation that once an order is issued it will be delivered
in the quantities requested and in the time frame expected.
COST COMPETITIVE
Paying a premium for products today is not an acceptable practice.
Globalization means that companies, who are exporting, are expected
to be cost-competitive which relates back to the beginning of the
process where the incumbent supplier has to be cost-competitive.
TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE
Selling a product or a service without the technical competence
to set-up the product and explain how it works lacks fulfillment
of the contract between vendor and user. At Tri-County our people
are trained to set-up the product, install the product, train the
operators and trouble-shoot after the product has been put into
use.
STABLE LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIPS
For a relationship to survive long-term, the parties have to agree
on some kind of formula that is practical and workable. Clear-cut
policies are important in ensuring customer satisfaction with inventory
selection, inventory levels and delivery expectations. Adjusting
and adapting to new demands guarantees that Tri-County changes
and develops relative to industry advances.
FEWER SUPPLIERS
Tri-County recognizes that many of our major customers have embraced
the trend to reduce suppliers, invoices, and purchase orders. We
will do everything in our power to meet and exceed these new demands
by way of increased use of technology and more effective use of
existing systems.
ULTIMATELY LOWER PROCUREMENT COSTS
Tri-County is committed to helping customers achieve the objective
of lowering procurement costs.
BLUESHIELD CONSULTANT
A computer-driven program evaluates the welding procedures now
used (products, gases. etc.) and the time taken to weld certain
products versus a different solution that achieves the same results
faster and at less cost. This program is delivered to the customer
in hard copy form so that the "new" solutions may be
implemented based on reduced cost justification. This program is
provided free of charge.
CAP* This is a more extended computer program involving a complete review
of the customer's method of manufacturing, plant layout, movement of materials,
choice of materials and gases, etc. It would take a few weeks to accomplish
and would involve a high-level presentation of the results and expectations.
This program is charged for based on a specially developed fee schedule.
Cost Calculation
Audit & Analysis
Performance Measurement
INVENTORY MANAGEMENT
Our system of Inventory Management and Control has been designed
in-house. It is the result of recognizing the practical needs of
our customers who for the most part rely on us to provide the physical
inventory when needed and in the quantities demanded.
Beginning with the receiving of an order, which is entered into the Direct
Order Entry System, all incoming orders are immediately passed along to the
warehouse for completion. To avoid duplicate shipments, lost orders, or other
confusion, inventory is "reserved" and removed from "stock
available" until shipped.
The Customer Service Department, therefore, can rely on their
computer information by accurately advising customers on availability
of stock.
Our replenishment procedure is also an in-house designed system set-up to
take into consideration trend lines of consumption, based on actual usage
(turnover), lead times from suppliers and reasonable expectations of R.O.I.
for Tri-County. The whole system can be overridden manually if necessary.
Insofar as actual customer use is concerned, Tri-County can and does provide
for replacement of materials consumed by having the Business Development
Representative visit the customer's stock room and arrange for re-supply
of materials consumed as well as the addition of any new items required.
This is a service that is provided at no cost to the customer and can be
made to function as often or as little as the demand calls for.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Once Tri-County has introduced a new product or process, it is
incumbent upon Tri-County to provide the necessary application
training and technical expertise. This is an on-going service that
we provide at no cost to the customer.
Tri-County also provides services on a more formalized basis and
it remains company policy that this service be free-of-charge with
customer purchases.
The company believes strongly in supplying this support and as a consequence
our Representatives are provided with sufficient and on-going factory training.
In addition, in-house training and up-dating is also provided during the
fall, winter and spring months of the year whereby manufacturers' representatives
are invited to our premises to give lectures on the proper application of
their products or processes. The in-house training program is carried on
once a week and our field representatives are joined by customer service
and warehouse personnel. These sessions are mandatory.
