The Distribution Research and Education Foundation of the National Assn. of Wholesaler-Distributors released a new book on pricing and margin management for wholesaler-distributors, entitled Price for Success: A Practical Guide for Improving Margins in Wholesale Distribution. The book, written by Anthony Pericle, founder and principal of Advanous in Richmond, Va., is a resource guide on pricing for distributors interested in driving higher margins, and is drawn from survey responses from 200 executives, in-depth interviews, and Advanous member experiences.

"We developed this book for distributors who want to strengthen margins by adopting better and smarter pricing strategies," says Pericle.

For more information, visit www.nawpubs.org.

The ISSA Foundation, the charitable arm of the International Sanitary Supply Assn., announced the continuation of its University of Industrial Distribution scholarship program, where the foundation pays the full individual tuition of up to five candidates to attend the four-day intensive program. Scholarships are awarded based on merit, individual accomplishment, and evidence of leadership in the industry and in the community at large. Financial need and other special circumstances may also be considered. For an application, visit www.issafoundation.org.

ISSA also announced a new alliance with the Assn. of Higher Education Facilities Officers. The new partnership is designed to further the sharing of information within the cleaning and facility management industries.

For more information, visit www.issa.com.

At its September meeting, the Los Angeles Fastener Assn. installed Adam Wallerstein of Askew Hardware Products as LAFA's 2004-05 president; John Gaudette of Metric & Multistandard Components as vice president; and Kevin Chavis of Porteous Fastener Co. as secretary/treasurer.

Three new graduates of LAFA's Certified Fastener Specialist advanced technical training program, Brandi Agronovitz, CFS, and Ted Rodriguez, CFS, both of Askew Hardware Products, and Aaron Dollenmeyer, CFS, of Long-Lok Fasteners, also were honored at the meeting.

For more information, visit www.lafa.net.

The American Supply Assn. and the Plumbing, Heating, Cooling Contractors-National Assn. announced a collaboration for 2005, called "Network '05," to be held Sept. 7–10, 2005, in Orlando, Fla.

Network '05 will be one consolidated industry program that will include the annual meetings of both ASA and PHCC, as well as a brand-new combined series of programs that will bring together the manufacturers, wholesalers and contractors in a collaborative setting. The highlight of Network '05 will be the "Channel Marketplace," a one-day table-top event that will offer manufacturer executives the opportunity to have more intimate discussions with their distributor and contractor customers.

The new program was conceived by the leaders of ASA and PHCC in answer to the desire by the manufacturing community to continue to consolidate industry events.

For more information, visit www.asa.net.

kgriffiths@reedbusiness.com