Not too long ago, the majority of product training that distributors received came from their manufacturers. Some of these companies had excellent training classes at their facilities for both distributors and manufacturers' representatives. Many still do. In fact, we've attended some of those sessions and were impressed by the in-depth training that was provided. Today, distributors have other options, and training seems to have taken on more importance in the distribution business. That's good news for industrial distributors and their customers.

Miller Bearing & Motion Systems in Orlando, Fla., our cover story this month (p. 38), has established Miller University, a training program for both new and existing employees.

A newcomer to Miller University spends 30 days in the classroom learning about sprockets, motors, pulleys and gearboxes before they're assigned to Miller branches where they spend the first two weeks in shipping and receiving. They then move on to other areas, such as inside sales and a program of "observing-then-doing."

Miller takes advantage of information provided by the Bearings Specialists Assn., the Power Transmission Distributors Assn. and its key suppliers in compiling the training program. PTDA, for example, offers an excellent handbook on power transmission, and BSA has developed an outstanding bearing certification program.

Other groups have established similar programs. The Evergreen Marketing Group, whose members include construction distributors, has a certification program for members and built a training center in Texas. Independent Distributors, Inc. in Canada has launched a series of cost-savings training courses for members and customers at its new training facility in Mississauga, Ontario. Various other associations are providing online training in a number of product areas.

Jack Schron, Jr., president of Jergens, Inc. and a partner at Tooling University, recently wrote in an INDUSTRIAL DISTRIBUTION column that his company has found that even some of the most experienced people in a distributorship can benefit from training. Tooling University provides online training, with 140 classes on a variety of products.

Training is critical to the success of a company and its employees. It's nice to see that its importance is finally being recognized.

jkeough@reedbusiness.com