How nexAir is Helping Startups and Small Businesses Grow with Tailored Gas Solutions
Small businesses and startups face unique challenges in today’s manufacturing landscape. Limited budgets, restricted space, and the need for flexibility can make industrial gas management particularly difficult. At nexAir, we’ve developed approaches specifically for these growing companies that turn gas supply from a potential obstacle into a competitive advantage.
Starting Small Without Compromising Quality
Many small fabrication shops and manufacturing startups begin with basic cylinder deliveries, assuming more sophisticated gas systems are beyond their reach. This misconception often leads to inefficiencies that can stunt growth.
We work with small businesses to find the sweet spot between their current needs and future potential. For example:
- Scalable microbulk solutions that eliminate cylinder handling while fitting into limited spaces
- Partial equipment financing options that make advanced gas systems accessible on startup budgets
- Flexible delivery schedules that adjust to fluctuating production without penalties
- Entry-level mixers that provide precision blending without enterprise-scale investments
A craft brewing equipment manufacturer learned this firsthand when they began producing stainless steel fermentation tanks. Their initial cylinder-based setup couldn’t maintain consistent quality as orders increased. We designed a right-sized solution that improved their weld quality and reduced gas costs by 23% — all while fitting within their existing shop layout.
Small doesn’t have to mean settling for less. The right gas system creates room for growth from day one.
Training and Knowledge Transfer
For many startups, especially those founded by skilled tradespeople making the jump to business ownership, technical knowledge isn’t the issue — business efficiency is. Our approach goes beyond gas delivery to include knowledge transfer that helps these businesses maximize their investment.
Our expert KnowHow™ becomes an extension of their team through:
- Hands-on training sessions for new employees
- Process optimization consultations that improve gas usage efficiency
- Documentation designed specifically for small teams without specialized gas management staff
- Technical guidance that helps small shops compete for larger contracts
A two-person custom furniture maker specializing in metal and wood pieces leveraged this support to bid successfully on a hotel project that required consistent, high-quality welding work. The technical guidance they received helped them deliver results typically associated with much larger operations.
Small businesses often succeed through personal expertise and dedication. We simply provide the tools and knowledge that help them apply these strengths more effectively.
Adapting to Fast-Changing Needs
Perhaps the greatest challenge for growing businesses is managing rapid change. A small manufacturer might double production in months rather than years, making traditional gas supply agreements problematic.
We help our clients Forge Forward through these growth phases with:
- Supply agreements designed to evolve with changing needs
- Equipment that can be upgraded rather than replaced
- Monitoring systems that provide early indicators of changing requirements
- Regular consultations that align gas supply with business growth plans
A specialty medical device startup experienced this flexibility when they rapidly scaled production after receiving FDA approval. Their gas requirements increased tenfold in just 90 days. Our adaptive approach ensured uninterrupted supply throughout this critical growth period, allowing them to focus on production rather than input management.
Growth shouldn’t be constrained by infrastructure limitations. Our solutions expand in step with our customers’ success.
Right-Sized Technology Access
Many small businesses assume that advanced gas technologies are only viable for large operations. We’ve changed this equation by making sophisticated solutions accessible and practical at smaller scales.
Some examples include:
- Simplified versions of enterprise-level monitoring systems
- Gas blending technology scaled for smaller production volumes
- Specialized gas mixtures that were once only economical for large orders
- Advanced delivery systems that work in limited spaces
A specialty food producer with just eight employees implemented modified atmosphere packaging technology typically used by national brands. This access to right-sized technology allowed them to extend product shelf life, open new distribution channels, and compete with much larger competitors.
Technology access should be determined by business needs, not business size. Our approach puts sophisticated gas solutions within reach of companies at every stage of growth.
Reach out to our small business specialists to explore how custom gas solutions can support your company’s growth journey.
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Manufacturing downtime costs American companies billions annually. When production lines halt due to gas supply issues, every minute translates to lost revenue, missed deadlines, and frustrated customers. At nexAir, we've spent decades developing solutions that keep manufacturing operations running smoothly.
The Hidden Costs of Gas-Related Downtime
When manufacturers calculate downtime costs, they typically focus on labor and lost production. However, gas supply disruptions create cascading effects that multiply these losses:
- Production rescheduling that disrupts carefully optimized sequences
- Rush shipping fees to meet customer deadlines despite delays
- Quality inconsistencies when processes restart after interruptions
- Overtime costs to catch up after unplanned stoppages
- Reputation damage when delivery commitments are missed
For a typical mid-sized manufacturer, each hour of downtime represents $5,000-$10,000 in direct and indirect costs. Our analysis shows that gas-related issues cause 7-12% of total manufacturing downtime - a substantial opportunity for improvement.
From Reactive to Proactive: The Supply Continuum
Most facilities follow a predictable pattern in their gas management evolution:
Stage 1: Reactive Management At this stage, facilities order gas when they notice supplies running low or, worse, after running out. Emergencies are common, and disruptions are accepted as "part of doing business." One automotive parts supplier operating this way experienced 14 production interruptions in a single quarter.
Stage 2: Calendar-Based Management Facilities advance to scheduled deliveries based on estimated usage. While better than the reactive approach, this method still results in either excess inventory (tying up capital and space) or shortages when usage spikes occur. A plastics manufacturer following this model maintained 40% more cylinder inventory than necessary while still experiencing occasional stockouts.
Stage 3: Consumption-Based Management Our telemetry systems monitor actual gas consumption, automatically triggering orders based on usage patterns rather than calendar dates. This approach virtually eliminates both stockouts and excess inventory.
Stage 4: Integrated Supply Management The most advanced approach connects gas management directly to production planning systems. Upcoming production requirements automatically adjust supply parameters, ensuring resources are precisely aligned with needs. A medical device manufacturer using this approach reports zero gas-related downtime for 27 consecutive months while operating with minimal inventory buffers.
Our expert KnowHow™ in industrial gas applications allows us to guide customers through this evolution at a pace that makes sense for their operations.
Customizing Solutions for Maximum Uptime
Manufacturing environments vary dramatically in their gas requirements and operational constraints. We've developed flexible approaches that address these differences:
- For high-volume, consistent usage operations, our bulk systems eliminate the cylinder handling that frequently causes supply disruptions. Bulk installations include telemetry monitoring and automated ordering to prevent outages.
- For variable-demand environments, our microbulk delivery systems provide the benefits of bulk supply with lower volume commitments. These systems reduce handling requirements while maintaining the flexibility needed for changing production schedules.
- For specialized applications requiring multiple gas types, our gas management programs combine cylinder tracking, usage monitoring, and automated replenishment. This comprehensive approach ensures that specialty gases are always available when needed, regardless of how infrequently they might be used.
- For multi-site operations, our enterprise supply programs coordinate deliveries and optimize inventory across locations. By treating the organization's gas requirements holistically, we minimize both stockouts and excess inventory across the network.
This consultative approach ensures that manufacturers receive solutions aligned with their specific operational patterns rather than generic "one-size-fits-all" systems.
Beyond Traditional Supply: Integrated Services for Total Reliability
Maximum uptime requires more than just reliable gas delivery. Our integrated services address the full spectrum of gas-related reliability factors:
Equipment maintenance programs that prevent system failures before they impact production Technical gas specialists who resolve application issues that could otherwise cause production problems Safety training that prevents accidents leading to downtime events Emergency response capabilities that minimize impacts when unexpected events occur Supply chain redundancy that ensures continuity despite regional disruptions
These services complement our supply solutions to form a comprehensive reliability strategy. By addressing both everyday operations and exceptional circumstances, we help manufacturers Forge Forward with confidence that gas-related disruptions won't derail their production targets.
Measuring Success: The Results That Matter
The ultimate measure of any downtime reduction strategy is its impact on production metrics. Our manufacturing customers consistently report significant improvements after implementing our comprehensive gas management solutions:
Downtime reductions of 85-95% for gas-related issues Inventory cost decreases of 20-30% through optimized supply management Administrative time savings of 5-10 hours weekly through automated ordering and tracking Production schedule adherence improvements of 3-7% due to improved supply reliability
These performance gains translate directly to bottom-line benefits that typically deliver ROI within months rather than years. More importantly, they allow manufacturers to confidently make delivery commitments, knowing that gas supply issues won't compromise their ability to perform.
Don't let gas supply issues impact your productivity. Contact us today to explore our tailored solutions.
Looking out for your future
Get your career going on the right track with nexAir
Find out how nexAir KnowHow has impacted businesses all over the Southeast
Our expertise makes us more than a valuable partner, it makes us headlines
