BACKGROUNDER: XIAMETERTM DELIVERS NEW WEB-BASED BUSINESS MODEL TO SPECIALTY CHEMICALS MARKETPLACE

For the serious buyer of silicon-based materials, this new web-enabled Xiameter business model offers dynamic, lowest-base pricing; reliable, guaranteed shipping dates; clear order and payment requirements; and real time order entry for commonly used silicone fluids, resins, adhesives/sealants, anti-foams and emulsions – all with unique value, simplicity, and Dow Corning reliability.

Designed with the experienced customer in mind, the Xiameter value proposition eliminates unnecessary sales, service, and transaction costs for commonly used silicone products via web-enabled transactions and straightforward business rules for purchase. Here’s what you can expect from Xiameter:

• Transparent, dynamic, and "real time" lowest-base pricing available for commonly used silicon-based materials around defined shipping units. Benchmark pricing is available to customers on the www.Xiameter.com homepage. Products are priced for payment in a variety of currencies, including U.S. dollars, euros, yen, won, pound sterling, and RMB, exclusive of local taxes, with pricing based on available global supply and demand.

• Reliable, guaranteed shipping dates based on standard production lead times.

• Straightforward order requirements, with minimum and maximum order sizes. Minimum order quantities include truckloads, tank-carloads, or pallets, depending on the product purchased.

• "Real time" order, inventory, and shipment confirmation through the Xiameter website or by facsimile in selected geographies as required by the customer.

• Clear and practical payment terms of 30 days net from date of invoice. Payments may be made through bank drafts, wire transfers, electronic funds transfers (EFTs), or Letters of Credit, which are payable only in U.S. dollars or euros. Visa® and Mastercard® are also accepted.

The XIAMETERTM brand launch represents a new measure of value from Dow Corning and a dramatic transformation for the way silicones and specialty-chemicals are sold in the marketplace. By unbundling unwanted and unneeded support services for customers in the most competitive market segments, we are better able to meet customer needs in challenging economic situations. This change will allow customers to explore new applications where previously silicones were too costly.

“Xiameter provides customers a new measure of value on the basis of price, product and ease of doing business,” Dow Corning Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Gary Anderson said. “Compared with current competitive silicones or organic solutions, we believe Xiameter now makes silicone performance a true option at the right price for a broader cross-section of customers, including those who don't currently use silicones. At the same time, the DOW CORNING® brand provides the value-added technical innovation, application, and service expertise many other customers have come to depend on to invent new products and meet the most challenging applications of the future."

In recent years, Dow Corning's investments in global manufacturing capacity, synergistic global business processes and IT platforms, as well as e-business infrastructure powered by SAP® and HAHT® platforms, have positioned the company to offer distinct value propositions based on customer needs.

” Xiameter represents part of the new Dow Corning, focused to deliver historic change to the silicones marketplace based on customer needs,” Anderson added. “We're truly giving customers a clear choice based on the products and services they require to succeed.”

The Xiameter global team is led by General Manager Donald Sheets. A 20-year veteran of the company, Sheets has served in a variety of management and professional positions.

K. Michael Lanham serves as Global Commercial Director for Xiameter, with responsibility for global marketing and sales, Internet commercial operations, and brand positioning.

Rounding out the Xiameter team is Randall Rozin, Global Brand Marketing Communications Manager.

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XIAMETERTM is a Trademark of Dow Corning Corporat

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