The National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) and the American Supply Association (ASA) are partnering with UnleashWD to promote innovation in the wholesale distribution industry.
The NAED and the ASA invite members to attend the UnleashWD 2013 innovation summit, Oct. 29-30 in Chicago and to access free resources on introducing Innovation to distribution.
“The core value of UnleashWD is that Distributors need to find new ways to create value,” Dirk Beveridge, UnleashWD Founder, said. “We are excited that the NAED and the ASA share this vision with us, and that they will provide their members with guidance on how to introduce the best ideas from other industries to drive innovation within their businesses.
The partnership between UnleashWD and the associations includes: preferred attendance for NAED and ASA members at the UnleashWD innovation summit, collaborating on the production of resources including webinars and eBooks, and the introduction of innovation awards to recognize the efforts of distribution companies that successfully create value through new initiatives.
Beveridge, a consultant with more than 25 years of experience serving clients in the wholesale distribution industry, founded UnleashWD in 2012 in an attempt to introduce fresh solutions to the wholesale distribution industry.
“Technology and nontraditional competitors are disrupting the way that distribution companies do business,” Beveridge said. “For distribution businesses to remain relevant they will need to embrace change. With the help of the NAED and the ASA more distribution companies will realize the emerging threats and pioneer new ways of creating, delivering and capturing value.”
NAED President and CEO Tom Naber joined the UnleashWD Advisory Council this year. Naber’s partnership with UnleashWD continues a trend of embracing innovation. As president, his initiatives include expanded training opportunities such as the online NAED Learning Center with more than 400 courses, webinars, and teleseminars.
Since 1908, the NAED has worked to keep electric distribution as the channel of choice for electrical supplies. Through tED Magazine, the NAED also provides the voice of the $72 billion electric distribution industry.
On June 27, UnleashWD and the NAED partnered to offer a webinar titled: “Preparing for Google’s Entry into Distribution.” The webinar expanded on the reporting of tED Magazine contributing editor Jack Keough’s article “Google Joins the B2B Marketplace,” which was tEDMag.com’s most read piece in June.
Since 1969, the ASA has served wholesale distributors and their suppliers in the plumbing, heating, cooling and industrial and mechanical pipe, valves and fittings industries. The ASA provides a forum for trading partners from around the country to discuss critical issues.
“Unleash provides a unique and meaningful opportunity for ASA member leadership” Michael Adelizzi, ASA Executive Vice President, said. “The focus on stories of innovation from outside PHCP and PVF distribution is certain to catalyze a wave of innovation and help our members drive change for a sustainable and profitable future.”
ASA members include: distributors, manufacturers, master distributors, independent manufacturers’ representatives and service vendors. Over 20,000 industry professionals read the ASA’s official publication, Supply House Times.
Founded in 2012, UnleashWD is the first and only conference dedicated to bringing innovation to wholesale distribution and manufacturing. The summit gathers only once a year, but do not wait to start innovating. Visit UnleashWD.com for updates on future webinars, eBooks and other valuable information on how to innovate.
About the UnleashWD founder: Dirk Beveridge is an expert in how wholesale distributors and manufacturers increase market share through examining and improving their relationships with customers.
For the last 25 years Beveridge has worked with more than 3,000 firms as a leadership consultant, trainer and speaker. His clients include: Time Warner, IBM, Andersen Windows, Graybar and Berlin Packaging.
He is available for press interviews, corporate speaking or consulting. To contact Beveridge, call 847-381-7797 or email info@unleashwd.com.
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