Clean Burn, Inc.

Larry Nissley, Director of Supply Chain Management, Clean Burn, Inc, in Leola, PA, is ahead of other busy executives in finding a way to remedy the sleep deprivation we keep hearing about in our nation.

More than two years ago, Clean Burn and its subsidiary, Millcreek Manufacturing, decided to use the Vendor Management Inventory system through Cubbison Company in Youngstown, Ohio, to stay on top of metal and overlaminated mylar labels used in product identification. Clean Burn and Millcreek produce more than 40 products, including used-oil furnaces, burners, boilers, spreaders, mulchers and aerators sold in more than 40 countries. They require more than 300 different labels in English and Russian.

Although there were some lower bids, Nissley looked beyond the bottom line to determine "whom we thought could truly service Clean Burn so we could go to sleep at night knowing this is going to be taken care of from both a quality and a service standpoint."

Initially, he was concerned that Cubbison was six hours away, but they have a local salesperson that can be on site fast if he needs to be, and they use a team of inventory specialists who come in weekly. "Whatever Cubbison decides we need to order, we order. Somebody comes in and stocks our shelves for us. And then we just put an order through. It's real quick," says Nissley.

In the past, "we used to have line outages because of a label," he adds. And when a line goes down, "You can't ship to customers. Containers can't go out. It can affect the entire shipment. You quickly have thousands of dollars impacted."

Nissley gives Cubbison a monthly forecast, so Cubbison knows what's been projected for the next five months.

Clean Burn and Millcreek typically need runs of 100 to 200 labels. But some larger equipment, such as that for spreading in orchards and vineyards, is in limited production–and may need only a dozen labels a year.

Cubbison can respond whether there's a need for 10 labels or 1,000.

"We were so restricted before," Nissley says. "The previous supplier wasn't interested in making small runs. If they did do one, the prices were astronomical."

Now, "we have what we need when we need it. And quality is so consistent." Before, if there was a change in the material, labels for furnaces, which might have to stand up to minimum temperatures of 200, could yellow, fade or crinkle. Cubbison uses computer-controlled, dust-free HP equipment to turn out labels to exacting specifications.

Cubbison service has been personal and includes attention from the top. "Another thing that impressed me," adds Nissley, "is that Tim Merrifield, the owner of the company, has been there from the get go. He visits occasionally. You can just tell that, from his attention to detail on our account, it filters down. They really seem to care, and that's rare in this day and age. I have nothing but good to say about the company; they're just world-class."

Larry J. Nissley, Director of Supply Chain Management
Clean Burn, Inc.
Leola, PA