Getting the right gases and equipment quickly and efficiently to international construction sites
20/09/2021
Air Liquide's Benelux Construction Yards Team
Gases are not the first things that spring to mind when you think of a construction site. Nevertheless, gases are indispensable for welding or cutting up reinforcement nets and steel beams, among other things. For larger construction companies operating internationally, it’s often quite a challenge to get the right gases to the right place at the right time. Air Liquide's new Construction Yards Team is changing all that.
William Wittewrongel, Benelux Construction Yards Account Manager, sets out the problem:
"The larger construction companies often operate internationally and they also work a lot with foreign subcontractors. Especially on sites abroad, site managers have their hands full organising everything on time and within budget. Gases are just one of the many things that are needed."
Complex organisation
"These gases are not in themselves very complicated, but nevertheless they often present a significant organisational challenge. This is because you want the right gases in the right place at the right time and you also have to take into account safety requirements, legal restrictions - which are different in every country - and practical things, such as the availability of the right couplings, manometers, and so on."
Air Liquide's Construction Yards Team aims to have an answer for all that. "We want to connect site managers with a set multilingual contact person. That way, they only have to contact one person when they need gases or equipment. It makes things a lot simpler. Site managers or purchasing managers can also access myGAS 24/7. There they can place orders for gases and accessories, ask for invoices and delivery notes, add new delivery addresses, and so on."
The faster the better
The situation where a site has to be shut down, even for just a few hours, due to a lack of the right equipment or raw materials is highly undesirable, because it’s expensive. "myGAS is a great help here, because it allows to place last-minute orders at any time. Air Liquide also has the benefit of a large number of service points in the Benelux. After all, if an extra gas cylinder is needed unexpectedly on site, of course it will arrive faster if there’s a service point in the area. Because Air Liquide has hundreds of service points in the Benelux, we can act rapidly."
One stop shop
Air Liquide supplies high-quality gases for every possible welding procedure. These revolve around argon-based gases, such as Arcal Prime, Arcal Force, Arcal Speed and Arcal Acetylene. Gases are delivered in the new Exeltop cylinders, which are designed to maximise safety and productivity. "The Exeltop cylinder gas valve is securely enclosed and is even protected if the cylinder falls over. The cylinder is also equipped with an emergency stop button and the gas flow can be opened and shut off with a handy lever. The Exeltop is also very easy to use. This is due, among other things, to the built-in reducer valve and the quick coupling that makes separate connectors unnecessary." In addition to cylinder gases, Air Liquide also stocks a wide range of accessories, such as reducer valves, fittings for specific applications, and so on.
"An interesting addition to the range that’s also proving its worth on construction sites is the Advanced Multiple Cylinder Box (AMCB).This is a system in which cylinders can be stored safely outside, protected against theft and vandalism. AMCBs are also fire-resistant for 60 minutes (EI60)."
Technical expertise and safety
"Of course it’s good business to be able to provide a high quality and complete product range, but it’s just as important to offer the right technical advice when necessary. That’s why we have welding experts on our team, who can answer every possible question by email or telephone and visit the site if necessary."
The Benelux Construction Yards Team also provides safety training - on-site at the yard or remotely - tailored to the client's needs.