Dow Corning Corp. (Midland, MI), a provider of silicon-based technology, has launched a partnering approach specifically designed to help electronics industry customers solve business problems and seize emerging opportunities. The Electronic Solutions initiative expands the company's value proposition beyond materials and signals a significant shift in the company's business strategy.

Drawing on its 60 years as a materials manufacturer and the capabilities of its partners throughout the electronics industry, Dow Corning can now help customers meet many business challenges, including product and application development; materials, process and equipment integration; facilities design and engineering; and supply chain management (including environmental, health and safety capabilities).

The company has also tapped Arthur Hanlon to lead the solutions strategy. In this role, Hanlon oversees the development of customer-centered solutions across Dow Corning's semiconductor, packaging, systems assembly and subsystems assembly market segments, including emerging business programs.

To date, Dow Corning has helped many companies throughout the electronics industry overcome specific business challenges, including factory and geographic expansions, supply chain optimization, equipment procurement and product research and development.

"Where we once had limited points of contact with customers, typically between our sales person and the company's procurement department, we now interface with companies on multiple levels," said Tom Cook, executive director. "Our engineers work with customers' engineers to troubleshoot process problems on their manufacturing lines, our scientists support customers' scientists in creating new formulations, R&D teams help customers' brand managers create new markets and our business development leaders work with our customer's business owners to outline and develop proposals to meet their significant business challenges."

www.dowcorning.com/electronics