ASMMA/I.D.A. turnout nears 2,600

By Staff -- Industrial Distribution, 6/1/2000

Dallas-Nearly 2,600 people turned out for the Spring Convention of the American Supply & Machinery Manufacturers' Assn. and the Industrial Distribution Assn., held May 6-8 at the Wyndham Anatole Hotel.

Highlights of the 2000 convention included the annual Business & Technology Solutions Showcase, two afternoons of management workshops, a keynote address by former President George Bush, and the presentation of ASMMA's American Eagle Awards.

The associations used a futuristic, millennial theme to present their Opening Session, held Sunday morning. Taking their cue from the movie "Star Wars," ASMMA and I.D.A. illustrated the many changes ahead for the distribution industry. The presentation came complete with a laser show and skits featuring Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Darth Vader.

In his speech to the joint membership, I.D.A. president Bud Pritchard continued that theme of change-something he's focused on during the past year.

"We had better stop talking about change and start doing something about it," said Pritchard, who is president of the Carolina division of Integra, Ross-Willoughby Division.

Pritchard pointed to global business and e-commerce as evidence of the need for industry change. He also pointed to the recent online purchasing initiative by Ford, GM and Daimler-Chrysler as further proof of a changing business world. To refuse to "adopt and adapt" will be detrimental to the industry, he said.

ASMMA president Terry Piper continued in a similar vein, telling audience members that, "we no longer have the luxury of just talking about the future. The future is now."

He focused his remarks on the Internet and e-commerce, noting that neither is a fad that will eventually pass, as many in the industry may have thought a few years ago. But he also noted that nothing can replace personal contact and face-to-face interaction. The challenge for companies in today's industrial channel is to combine both elements.

Along those lines, Piper gave a plug to ASMMA's Value Added Partner program, a marketing initiative launched last year to promote selling through the industrial distribution channel. He asked for manufacturer and distributor support of the program.

"I'm proud to be a value-added partner and you should be too," said Piper.

Also during the Opening Session, Phil Hanson of C.H. Hanson Co. announced the winners of the American Eagle awards. The winners were recognized for corporate and individual contributions to the free enterprise system.

The winners for overall company efforts were Cameron & Barkley Co. of Charleston, S.C., cited for its corporate education, quality initiatives and community service; and abrasives and brushes manufacturer Weiler Corp. of Cresco, Pa. Weiler was recognized for its commitment to community and corporate education, including the Weiler University for employees, and its open book management and gainsharing programs.

Distributor Herb Haggard, CEO of Haggard & Stocking Associates Inc. in Indianapolis, Ind., won an individual achievement award for encouraging employee suggestions to improve the company, and for his volunteer efforts to build homes in Appalachia.

The manufacturer's individual achievement award went to Jack Haag, CEO of SGS Tool Co. in Munroe Falls, Ohio, for establishing an employee empowerment program in 1996.

Distributors recognized included Shamrock Supply Co., Inc., of Santa Ana, Calif., for local community involvement; Haggard & Stocking Associates for employee programs; and W.P. & R.S. Mars Co. of Bloomington, Minn., and Ramclif Supply Co. of Lancaster, Pa., both for their corporate and community education programs.

Manufacturers recognized for community and corporate education include Arc Abrasives of Troy, Ohio, and Norton Co. of Worcester, Mass. Community service recipients included Danaher Tool Group, Lancaster, Pa., and Elk River, Inc., of Cullman, Ala. Environmental awards went to Jergens, Inc., of Cleveland and Lexington Cutter, Inc., of Bradenton, Fla. The Brady Corp. of Milwaukee, Wis., and Rock River Tool Co. in Bradenton, Fla., were recognized for their employee initiatives.

The annual Distributor of the Year Award, presented by Industrial Distribution, was also announced at the convention. During I.D.A.'s membership meeting Sunday morning, ID's Associate Publisher/Editor Jack Keough presented this year's award to Alan Gilbert, president of Quality Mill Supply, Columbus, Ind.