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Valmont (VMI) Unveils New Customer Communication Platform

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Valmont Industries, Inc. (VMI - Free Report) has launched Valmont Coatings Connector, a first-to-market customer communication solution that provides industrial coatings customers with real-time visibility of their products from any device at any place along with the ability to schedule deliveries and product pick-ups.

Notably, Valmont Coatings Connector meets customers’ demand for current information by sending notifications via text and/or email regarding movement of products through each step of the coating process. Additionally, it features a GPS-enabled facility locator and product fit calculator. The solution is available for all coating applications including coatings, galvanizing and anodizing services.
 
The Valmont Coatings Connector lends users with quick and accurate order status information plus exact completion time as well as allows clients to know the product’s position in the system.
 
The new solution is a revolutionary technology and is unique to the industry that differentiates the company’s offering and hence, strengthens its leadership status. Further, this technology will deliver a new industry benchmark to customer service levels, according to the company. The new technology platform will be implemented across most North America and Australia Coatings locations by the end of this year.
 
In a year’s time, shares of Valmont have underperformed the industry it belongs to. The stock has declined around 9% against the industry’s growth of 9.3%.



Valmont remains optimistic about its markets and businesses for the rest of 2018. As a result of pricing actions and improved demand in the lighting and traffic business, Valmont anticipates favorable revenues and profit comparisons in the Engineered Support Structures segment.

However, results in the Irrigation segment are expected to deteriorate from last year due to challenging end-market conditions. Owing to strong industrial demand, the Coatings segment is expected to perform in line with first-half results.

Valmont Industries, Inc. Price and Consensus

Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider

Valmont is a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock. Some better-ranked companies in the basic materials space are Ingevity Corporation (NGVT - Free Report) , Celanese Corporation (CE - Free Report) and Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (APD - Free Report) .

Ingevity has an expected long-term earnings growth rate of 12% and a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). The company’s shares have soared 68.8% in a year. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Celanese has an expected long-term earnings growth rate of 10% and a Zacks Rank of 1. The stock has gained 12.2% in a year.

Air Products has an expected long-term earnings growth rate of 16.2% and a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Shares of the company have rallied 13.4% in a year’s time.

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