© 2010 Arbill. All rights reserved. Arbill and the Arbill logo are trademarks of Arbill. 1

Challenge At a large U.S. manufacturer of motorcycles, more than 6,000 employees need to have access to proper safety attire if they are to fabricate, paint and polish the more than 200,000 bikes the company produces annually. But because the manufacturer’s safety products supplier was part of an integrated supply chain that included more than just safety needs, it wasn’t always easy to get expert advice on critical safety questions, such as which type of eyewear would be best for protecting employees who polish chrome. In addition, it was sometimes a challenge to ensure that the necessary safety products were delivered in a timely fashion. Such challenges can leave workers more susceptible to injury and threaten productivity.

So as not to jeopardize its safety goals, the company set out to find a supplier who could not only deliver personal protective equipment in a crunch, but could also provide guidance in selecting the right types of safety equipment and answer questions about workman’s compensation, compliance, and other safety issues quickly and accurately. The motorcycle manufacturer found that and more when it turned to Arbill.

Solution Arbill now provides hundreds of different items to the manufacturer’s employees, including safety glasses, respirators, hearing protection, coveralls, and a variety of gloves. Arbill's AccessTM Inventory Management System monitors the company’s safety product levels on a daily basis and provides reporting and analysis to ensure the right products are in place for their corresponding applications and to review any opportunities that may exist. For example, if the Arbill Account Manager notices that a week's supply of gloves is only lasting a couple of days, Arbill might recommend a stronger, longer-lasting glove for the application. In addition, Arbill's advance forecasting ensures that our motorcycle manufacturer customer is prepared for any spikes in usage the company may experience.

“Since we started working with Arbill, there has been faster turnaround when we want to make sure we are using the right personal protective equipment for the application,” said the company’s Indirect Procurement Manager. “The response is quicker than before, and we can try out a whole bunch of different products at once.”

U.S. Motorcycle Manufacturer Operations

“We started working with Arbill years ago in our York, Pennsylvania location, and they have proven themselves to be an invaluable advisor as they have become our national safety partner. Their safety expertise gives me confidence that our employees are wearing the best personal protective equipment for the application. Arbill is not just supplying us with products, it is supplying us with the technical support we need. They have been a great supplier to work with – they are not product pushers.”

Indirect Procurement Manager, U.S. Motorcycle

Manufacturer

© 2010 Arbill. All rights reserved. Arbill and the Arbill logo are trademarks of Arbill. 2

Results Our motorcycle manufacturer client has noticed some significant positive changes with Arbill acting as its safety solution provider. Their Indirect Procurement Manager has been able to save on costs by purchasing products that last longer and protect employees better. Through more effective inventory management, Arbill has also helped reduce the amount of paperwork that was once required.

The company is able to get safety products quickly and efficiently, and that has had a dramatic effect on overall company morale. During a summer heat wave, for instance, our customer contacted Arbill to get samples of cooling bandanas for their employees. By the next business day, they had what they needed to give their employees some relief.

Arbill also developed a custom, cut-resistant glove for the company, after realizing that the employees’ gloves were falling apart due to repetitive handling of sharp objects. Arbill suggested that the newly developed Mission 320 glove be reinforced with DyneemaTM material to help them last longer. As a result, the manufacturer was able to reduce the number of lacerations in its press area and save on costs by using a glove that is more durable.

“Arbill is not just supplying us with products, it is supplying us with the technical support we need,” said the company’s Indirect Procurement Manager. “They have been a great supplier to work with – they are not product-pushers.”

Next Steps Over the years, Arbill has applied its manufacturing capabilities to propose and ultimately create many customized products and innovations based on this customer's unique applications. Arbill continues to work closely with the company’s own team of safety specialists to ensure that costs are contained and employees are protected.

To see how Arbill can enhance the way your company purchases safety products, contact us toll-free at 800-523-5367 or visit us online at www.arbill.com.

About Arbill Safety Arbill is a premier North American manufacturer and distributor of industrial safety products, safety-related services, and safety training programs. Arbill partners with customers to build a culture of safety across their organizations. We not only provide personal protective equipment such as gloves, goggles, footwear, and protective clothing to keep an organization’s workers safe, but we also track safety performance to provide ongoing protection to our clients. Arbill is ISO 9001 certified and is also certified by the Women’s Business Development Center as a national Women’s Business Enterprise. For more information visit Arbill.com.

ARBILL 10450 Drummond Road, Philadelphia, PA 19154 PHONE: 800.523.5367

FAX: 800.426.5808 EMAIL: info@arbill.com