Richter has identified BASF as one of its top three customers. Recently, the German chemical giant responded in kind by naming Richter as its Global Supplier for lined process pumps. Thousands of Richter chemical process pumps - and many more of its valves - are already in place at BASF factories around the world, conveying aggressive or high-purity chemicals. In the market for lined process pumps, Richter is certainly the number one vendor for the world's number one chemical company. But the Global Supplier designation is a further boon to Richter's already thriving business at BASF. "It doesn't mean we automatically receive all the orders, but we will receive inquiries on all worldwide projects that call for lined process pumps, and BASF engineering vendors are requested to cooperate closely with Global Suppliers like us," explains Gerhard Springer, manager of Sales and Applications for Richter. To qualify as a Global Supplier, Richter had to undergo a long-lasting and detailed evaluation by teams of BASF engineers and purchasing personnel. Only those vendors whose products had performed well for years at BASF were even considered for the designation. BASF puts heavy demands on its process pumps. They need to operate under the most extreme conditions, and Richter's sealless magnetic drive pumps have proven themselves time and time again in their ability to withstand the most corrosive and dangerous chemicals, high temperatures and high levels of solids. BASF was also impressed with Richter's innovativeness, and was one of the first companies to adopt Richter's SAFEGLIDE dry-run pump technology. Customer service was also a consideration. Richter has sales and service sites located near every BASF factory worldwide, including two on-site representatives at BASF's German headquarters. With a presence in seven countries in Asia-Pacific, Richter can support BASF's current expansion into this region. "Wherever BASF is, Richter sales and service is there, too," says Springer. "Right now, the BASF factories in North America, South America and Asia do not see as much red (the color of Richter pumps and valves) as the ones in Europe. But that means there is a lot of potential left, and we expect that our Global Supplier status will help turn that potential into real business."			Gerhard Springer, Richter's manager of Sales and Applications; one of Richter's numerous BASF installations.