Birmingham,, ALA.—There were 213 distribution and manufacturing employees from across North America and around the world at the spring session of the University of Industrial Distribution. The session was held at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, March 25-28.

"We have built a strong track record of excellence since we started in 1994," said Joseph Thompson, executive vice president of the National Assn. of Hose & Accessories Distributors and registrar for the program. "It has now become a major part of training for many distributors and manufacturers."

Topics for sessions included keeping customers for life and becoming a critical part of their supply chain, documenting your value to customers, sales planning, leadership, inventory management, e-commerce and many more.

Thompson said there was a significant number of manufacturers in attendance this session, adding that much of what is taught at UID is applicable to them.

"It is a great tool for manufacturers to get insight into distribution," said Thompson. "It is also particularly useful for a manufacturer's sales force."

Michael Vargo, North American sales manager for DynaQuip Controls, said that's why he attended.

"I'm trying to understand distributors and how to better serve them," said Vargo. "We, as manufacturers, need to know more about distributors to better enhance the distribution network."

UID is, of course, still useful to distributors, said Barnes Distribution purchasing manager Dave Cooper.

"I learned a lot that will help me in my job," said Cooper. "I don't know where else you can get four days of training so appropriate and useful."

Cooper said he attended sessions on integrated supply, which he found particularly useful to his own position.

"There are degree programs [available]," said Thompson. "But for the time and money, this is the best ongoing training for mid-upper level management."

The next session will be held in the fall at Perdue University in Indianapolis, Ind., from Oct. 21-24.