Albemarle Corp. is the first company to benefit from cold-water outsourcing and productivity programs launched by Marley Cooling Technologies.

Albemarle Corp., Richmond, Va., is the first company to benefit from cold-water outsourcing and productivity programs launched by Marley Cooling Technologies, a unit of SPX Corp., Overland Park, Kan. Albemarle, a supplier of chemicals and chemical intermediates, signed with Marley to evaluate the process cooling needs of its Pasadena, Texas, plant, and selected its cold-water outsourcing option.

Marley's cold-water outsourcing program offers an alternative to tower ownership, whereby Marley owns and maintains the cooling tower as well as meets the cold-water specifications of its customer by delivering the necessary amount of cold water at a predetermined temperature. Pricing options include a flat fee or a variable rate based on actual usage and economic impact.

"It was clear that our existing cooling tower was not operating at optimum capacity, but given capital budget constraints, purchasing a new tower was not an option for us," said Jim Chapman, purchasing representative from Albemarle.

Instead, Albemarle chose cold-water outsourcing. As a result, Marley will construct, own, operate and maintain a new cooling tower at the Albemarle plant. The outsourcing option is expected to generate positive cash flow and optimum thermal performance for Albemarle.

"Marley's cold-water outsourcing program afforded us the ability to increase our output, reduce energy costs and improve overall plant performance from a new cooling tower without having to absorb the capital expense," Chapman said.

Marley also has developed a productivity outsourcing program to assist customers in evaluating their process cooling needs. The productivity program is staffed by a 15-employee cross-functional team, composed of business, financial and industry professionals, that will provide direct support to customers.