GULF COAST GROUP

At GULF COAST GROUP we are committed to building our company by building relationships as long-term success in any venture-business, personal, political-requires the ability to enter and sustain relationships.

By definition, we are equally committed to values that will foster relationships. And we are dedicated to living those values in every aspect of our business.

We strive for excellence, applying the combined knowledge and experience of all our resources to deliver the best possible outcome.

GULF COAST GROUP offers a complete line of specialty, semi-commodity, and commodity chemical products. Our customer base includes major utilities, refineries, oil and gas production facilities.

Our strengths are specialty chemicals and service, including formulation, production, application and technical support. Since the group's inception, the operating philosophy of Gulf Coast Group has been engineered around these core values. We are able to maintain these strengths and competitive advantage by:

•  Hiring experienced well-trained chemists and engineers for field service.

•  Working with customers on a basis of trust and full disclosure. This includes access to full technical details on all products including proprietary technologies as well as the underlying costs of products and services provided.

•  Providing complete flexibility for un-bundling the components of our products and services. Based upon their individual requirements, some of our customers have chosen un-bundled chemical, analytical services, and professional consulting. Treatment costs have been dramatically reduced and vendor resources are directed toward high priority projects.

•  Custom blending our products to meet specific customer process needs.

•  Outsourcing advanced analytical services and specialty analysis to industry recognized laboratories. Our experience with our customers have proven that out sourcing these specialty analytical functions results in un-compromised quality and significant cost savings.

•  Implementing VMI -Vendor Managed Inventories. Gulf Coast Group performs detailed, accurate product delivery and on site inventory control for our customers.

The benefits of the relationships are diverse and unique to each of the alliances. Some common themes which are a part of each of these alliances include:

•  Establishment of a true partnership, built on trust .

•  Flexibility and responsiveness to customer needs achieved through single point contact and single chain of responsibility for vendor provided services.

•  Vendor services and alliance administration integrated into the customer's corporate structure.

Cost/Performance Management

Regardless of what vendors may say, customers will always incur the costs for all equipment, services and maintenance . For this reason, GULF COAST GROUP's philosophy is to individually evaluate all components of the price of our product. This will permit our customers to evaluate the economic impact of each and every product and service received.

An important question to ask is: How can you accurately determine the true underlying value of products and services provided by a vendor?

GULF COAST GROUP will provide the underlying value of all products and services delivered, including and an algorithm for the determination of the pricing structures of our manufactured products.

GULF COAST GROUP's primary drivers in crafting a solution are:

•  "Unbundling" the chemical, equipment, and service costs and therefore, offering a competitive price for the chemicals, equipment, and services used;

•  Reporting and documentation to accurately monitor and track performance and costs;

•  Providing technically effective treatments to enhance equipment performance and extend unit run length;

•  Value Based Pricing for all products and services.

Based on the needs of each system, product formulations will be developed and priced based on percent actives and service level for each product. A price sheet can be developed for all products and services.

Quality Assurance/Quality Control

GULF COAST GROUP policy is to continuously strive towards excellence knowing that each individual's efforts will ensure that quality products and services are delivered to our customers.

All GULF COAST GROUP products are manufactured under an ISO 9002 certified process.

Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP)

Continuous Improvement is integral with GULF COAST GROUP's Program Management Concept (PMC). PMC addresses the management of the treated systems by:

•  Formulating, producing, delivering, and applying chemical products.

•  Notifying customers of any substitutions.

•  Conducting technician services, such as sampling, testing, and report writing.

•  Integrated VMI (Vendor Managed Inventories), satisfying delivery times based on customer needs.

•  Product delivery in bulk, portafeeds, drums, bags, as specified by customer.

•  Providing technical expertise.

•  Conducting training programs.

•  Integrating our experienced personnel into your management team.

QA/QC

Trained personnel conduct tests on our manufactured product to demonstrate conformance. All resources required for these tests are provided. Trained personnel regularly check documentation to ensure that requirements have been met. Internal quality audits are conducted.

All non-conformances are documented and corrective actions are developed and implemented to prevent recurrences. A follow-up review is conducted to ensure that the corrective action was successful.

Corrective action is initiated as a result of:

•  A non conforming product or raw material report

•  Customer complaints

•  Audits

•  A non conforming material review

•  Field observations.

Should a customer be dissatisfied with a product, or service, action will be taken to prevent or reduce the risk of a recurrence. Records are maintained of customer complaints.

Personnel

The primary objective for all of our field personnel is to provide a level of in-plant performance to our customer, which merits GULF COAST GROUP maintaining that business.

We expect our personnel to serve as "engineers" or "chemists" for the customer plant by identifying and solving problems to improve the plant's profitability.

You should expect knowledgeable, professionals who:

•  Self-manage their business.

•  Work in a safe and responsible manner.

•  Demonstrate technical proficiency.

•  Solicit feedback and direction from our customer's Operations and Technical personnel.

•  Identify opportunities to improve systems and reduce real costs.

•  Provide economic alternatives when solving problems.

•  Embody the necessary interpersonal skills to interact with all levels of your personnel.

GULF COAST GROUP in-house consulting staff are recognized experts in all aspects of the treatment, design and operation of utility and industrial water/steam systems. Consulting services are provided to all of our customers. All of GULF COAST GROUP's technical staff are degreed professionals.

Analytical and Monitoring Capabilities

GULF COAST GROUP provides a complete range of best-of-class technology and services.

Automation systems to store, inject, analyze, control, and monitor the performance of these products. This equipment includes:

•  Storage tanks, tote-bins and drums of various material specifications.

•  Pumps, mixers, and injectors.

•  Analyzers, testing apparatus, and computerized data acquisition and satellite transmission equipment.

•  Corrosion monitors, and heat transfer monitors.

Complete services in support of the chemical treatment programs and equipment systems described above:

•  Technician Services for on-site testing, system performance review, equipment maintenance, and reporting.

•  Training Services for Operations, Maintenance, and Technical personnel on the application, control, and monitoring of the water treatment programs.

•  Engineering & Consulting Services for system surveys, equipment inspections, system design, and troubleshooting.

•  Standard and Special Water Analyses conducted by an independent laboratory for unbiased results.

•  Corrosion Analyses for coupons and deposits.

•  Microbiological Analyses including bio-counts and bacterial identification.

Training is an integral part of our program. GULF COAST GROUP provides training through a variety of mechanisms, including classroom training, field courses, computerized learning aids, and one-on-one consultation.

Customer Service

Customer Service is our # 1 priority. Through our toll-free customer service number, all customer calls, problems or complaints, are routed to the appropriate personnel for immediate attention.

Concerns are logged into our system, and can be posted on our secured Internet server. A contact person is assigned and is responsible for monitoring the problem(s) to resolution. All problems are brought to the attention of senior management and will be responded to within twenty-four (24) hours.All our alliance programs are based upon single chain of responsibility integrated into the customer's structure. This has the significant advantage that all complaints will be addressed directly by those empowered to act. The result is rapid response and flexibility at implementing solutions.