PTDA releases study results. The Power Transmission Distributors Assn. Educational & Scholastic Foundation released results of a study on working relationships in the power transmission/motion control industry. The study, done by the Industrial Performance Group, Inc., of Northfield, Ill., focused on distributors' and manufacturers' satisfaction with their inter-relationships. It also identified areas of tension in those relationships.

Robert Nadeau, managing principal of IPG, presented the results at the PTDA 2001 convention in Atlanta, Ga., in October.

When asked to "assess the overall performance of their channel partners":

• 35 percent of distributors rated their manufacturers as above average
• 40 percent rated performance as average
• 25 percent rated the relationship below average

When asked to rate distributors:

• 37 percent of manufacturers rated partners as above average
• 44 percent rated distributors as average
• 19 percent rated performance as below average.

For more information, contact PTDA at (312) 876-9461.

NAW/DREF seeks nominations. The National Assn. of Wholesaler/Distributors seeks nominations for "Profiles in Wholesale Distribution Leadership." Nominations of distribution executives are accepted at www.dref.ircg.com.

DREF is branching out by creating "oral histories" with a select group of industry executives to learn about people through personal points of view.

Michael Marks, principal of Indian River Consulting Group of Melbourne, Fla., will conduct interviews, which will be professionally recorded and shared with the industry.

For more information, contact NAW at (202) 872-0885.

NEDA offers Distributor Productivity Report. The National Electronic Distributors Assn.'s has 2001 Distributor Productivity Report (DPR) is now available. Industry-specific information in the report helps distributors evaluate their financial and operating performance in comparison to similar firms.

The DPR is conducted annually and is free for member companies. Several factors in this year's report help distributors identify areas in which they can improve.

For more information, contact NEDA at (678) 393-9990.

AMTDA hosts teleconference series, predicts slower sales. The American Machine Tool Distributors' Assn. hosts the third annual sales teleconferences with sessions Dec. 10, 2001 and Feb. 4, 2002. Sales Strategies Across the economic Cycle features J. Michael Marks, research fellow at the Distribution Research and Education Foundation. This session focuses on sales in an economic downturn and recovery.

Selling in the New Economy features Dr. Michael Workman, an industry consultant. The session focuses on understanding the changing rules of sales and offering value at a profit.

AMTDA noted in its recent newsletter that a National Assn. of Purchasing Management survey showed that half of purchasing executives expect their 2001 capital expenditures to be down by an average of 32 percent — a fact that bodes poorly for machine tool sales results for the year.

For information, contact AMTDA at (301) 738-1200.

NAED names new president. The National Assn. of Electrical Distributors announced the appointment of Thomas Naber as president. Naber joined NAED in 1997 as publisher of TED magazine. He has 17 years of association experience, and was previously editor of Electrical Contractor magazine. In many ways, Tom combines the best of many worlds: he knows the industry, magazine publishing and association management," said Jim Morlan, NAED chairman.

NAPM offers services in Canada. The National Assn. of Purchasing Management offers its products and services in Canada for the first time, through the Canadian Institute for Supply Management. CISM will now address the specific issues of Canadian supply management professionals.

"With this venture we hope to expand the view of supply management as a strategic player in the success of the organizations that employ our members," said Paul Novak, NAPM's CEO. "...We plan to be a leader in building the knowledge base of the ... profession so that supply managers can perform at levels that encompass purchasing, but much more."

Send Association News to associate editor Al Tuttle, 275 Washington St., Newton, Mass., 02458; call (617) 558-4770; fax to (617) 558-4327; or e-mail to atuttle@cahners.com.