SUPPLYFORCE Announces 2008 Commitment to Excellence Awards

supplyFORCE, delivering National MRO solutions with the largest network of MRO suppliers in North America, held its Commitment to Excellence Awards ceremony for the Electrical Supply Division, Industrial Supply Division and Pipe, Valves & Fittings Division on February 4, 2009.

Held in conjunction with supplyFORCE's 2009 National Meeting, the Commitment to Excellence Awards recognizes Owner-Members who have contributed significantly to the success of supplyFORCE agreements. Three specific categories were presented by supplyFORCE's President and CEO, John Eggleton: Excellence in Sales Leadership (by division), Owner-Member of the Year (by division) and Best Conversion Award (by division).

At the opening of the awards ceremony, Eggleton stated "for a business that represents the best distributors in North America - recognizing a select few was a very difficult process...I believe the 'Best of the Best' accurately characterizes the business relationships that we manage. Bringing together the 'Best of the Best' is what we do at supplyFORCE. We represent the best independent distributors in North America, we select and retain the best people in our industry and we form relationships only with North America's best MRO customers. What makes our business successful? The high levels of service and commitment that all of our Owner-Members consistently deliver. The characteristics and examples of great service that tonight's winners have displayed are common throughout our membership."

Congratulations to the winners of the 2008 supplyFORCE Commitment to Excellence Awards:

Electrical Supply Division:

Excellence in Sales Leadership: Kendall Electric (Battlecreek, MI) 

Kendall Electric plays a significant role with 11 supplyFORCE agreements. They consistently exceed expectations when working to support supplyFORCE sales and account management processes. Their areas of support range from lead generation, contract development teams and working with key supplier partners. They were instrumental in the development and implementation of two new strategic customers on 2008. Their attention to detail is excellent and information requests are always met with a prompt response. They approach every supplyFORCE opportunity with the same passion and intensity - focused on the overall supplyFORCE program benefit to the customer. Kendall's support of supplyFORCE and our customers is evident from the top of their organization throughout their management team and their branches. They have dedicated resources to national account programs and are committed to maximizing their results. Their unselfish approach towards every supplyFORCE opportunity brings great benefit to our customers and fellow Owner-Members.

KENDALL ELECTRIC PHOTO: (from left to right)
John Eggleton, President and CEO, supplyFORCE
Jack Robertson, Director, Integrated Solutions, Kendall Electric
Dave Duco, VP, Electrical Division, supplyFORCE

Electrical Supply Division:

Owner-Member of the Year: Kriz-Davis Company (Grand Island, NE) 

Kriz-Davis plays a significant role with seven supplyFORCE agreements. They have taken a leadership role in delivering and documenting Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) savings with all of their customers and have exceeded their cost savings commitments. By introducing innovative solutions, they have benefited not only their customer locations, but the overall supplyFORCE programs. They are proactive on contract development teams and in working with supplyFORCE supplier partners to improve contract price points. Kriz-Davis also utilizes supplier partner resources and programs to maximize TCO savings for our customers. They set out to earn every order, whether they are servicing a million dollar facility or a smaller, out of the way site. They are quick to respond to any customer concerns or opportunities that supplyFORCE presents. supplyFORCE contracts and their requirements are prioritized and communicated effectively across their entire organization by their management team. Their strong focus on national accounts continues to surface new opportunities for supplyFORCE and other Owner-Members. In January, Kriz-Davis held their A-D Field Marketing Summit which incorporated supplyFORCE. supplyFORCE representatives met with eight of their branches that service 16 supplyFORCE customer locations - on seven supplyFORCE contracts with combined sales in excess of $2.7 million.

KRIZ-DAVIS PHOTO: (from left to right)
John Eggleton, President and CEO, supplyFORCE
Ralph Knobbe, Vice President, Kriz-Davis
Dave Duco, VP, Electrical Division, supplyFORCE

Best Conversion Award: Horizon Solutions (Rochester, NY)

In 2008, Horizon Solutions accepted the challenge of converting business from a chain with a new strategic supplyFORCE customer. The competitor was entrenched in the plant and enjoyed all the electrical business.
The change management challenges were significant. Their management team committed on-site resources to the plant and a strong service plan was developed and executed. Due to their focus and commitment towards "earning" the customer's business, they were successful in converting more than $2M in electrical. While converting the business, they are also documenting significant savings over the previous supplier. They continue to work with the key stakeholders in the plant to ensure the program delivers long term benefits. In addition to their award winning work with the electrical program, this multi-divisional member recently completed the implementation for Industrial Supplies and Safety.

HORIZON SOLUTIONS PHOTO: (from left to right)
John Eggleton, President and CEO, supplyFORCE
Scott Wilson, Supply Chain Manager, Horizon Solutions
Phil Day, Director of Procurement, Novelis Corporation (supplyFORCE Customer)
Julie Newton, Supply Chain Manager, Horizon Solutions
Dave Duco, VP, Electrical Division, supplyFORCE

Industrial Supply Division:

Excellence in Sales Leadership: T & A Industrial Distributors (Brookfield, WI) 

Since the inception of A-D national accounts and supplyFORCE, T&A has been committed to the success of supplyFORCE and our customer programs. Over the past year, they have been exceptional in their support of multiple contract implementations. Their management team has been personally involved in the execution and follow-up on the new opportunities. They have exemplified what makes the supplyFORCE model work - an unwavering commitment to servicing supplyFORCE plants regardless of size, distance and potential change management issues. To provide coverage to a supplyFORCE customer, T&A accepted the challenge of servicing a plant 50 miles outside their defined geographic market. Since accepting the challenge, their overall performance has been strong and their sales are up significantly. By consistently providing training and product specification services to their sites, they showcase their professionalism and technical expertise. Their work with supplyFORCE and key suppliers on standardization and cost savings programs has generated significant cost savings for our customers. Since the beginning, T&A Industrial has been a resource on strategic pricing and market basket initiatives - even when an existing or prospective customer did not have a plant in their trading area.

T&A INDUSTRIAL PHOTO: (from left to right)
John Eggleton, President and CEO, supplyFORCE
Jim Ketter, President, T&A Industrial
Tom Simonson, VP, Sales, T&A Industrial
Dave Duco, VP, Industrial Supply Division, supplyFORCE

Owner-Member of the Year: Arkansas Mill Supply Company (Pine Bluff, AR)

Since joining supplyFORCE through the ID One merger with A-D, Arkansas Mill Supply Company has made many contributions to supplyFORCE and our customers. They have been a driving force with supplyFORCE national account contracts by communicating early and often on new opportunities. They do an excellent job of communicating contract terms and requirements throughout their organization - and then empower their people to achieve the results. They have been the ultimate team player - whether it is participation on a Contract Development Team or traveling to represent a contract service team at a national customer meeting. Sr. management has served on the Industrial steering committee providing direction and expertise across many areas. For two years, this award winner has gone above and beyond our expectation towards converting a major $1M facility for a strategic supplyFORCE customer. While corporate fully supports the conversion, this site continues to put up road blocks. Although most of the objections have been unjustified, they continue to professionally address the concerns and document their value. While the local customer has yet to fully participate, the pressure from lost savings is beginning to mount. This supplyFORCE member's commitment to excellence and "customer centric" approach contributed significantly to their selection as ISD Owner-Member of the year. Simply put, Arkansas Mill Supply Company embraces what makes the supplyFORCE solution unmatched in the industry - national programs combined with superior local and regional distributors.

ARKANSAS MILL PHOTO: (from left to right)
John Eggleton, President and CEO, supplyFORCE
Bobby Wade, VP, Sales, Arkansas Mill
Dave Duco, VP, Industrial Supply Division, supplyFORCE

Industrial Supply Division:

Best Conversion Award: AMC Tool & Carbide Supply, Inc. (Pensacola, FL)

AMC Tool & Carbide Supply, Inc. was instrumental in the development and implementation of a new strategic national account customer last year. They displayed tremendous commitment, expertise and patience towards converting $600K in cutting tools & abrasives. Although there were difficult challenges to overcome, they worked closely with the supplyFORCE Account Manager and the customer to develop a conversion plan. They committed key resources throughout their organization and remained laser focused on the execution of their plan. Their leadership team set the tone towards "earning" the business and made significant commitments to the program; including a $1M inventory commitment for the three plants they converted and now service. Since the conversion was completed, they have continued to provide outstanding service and support to all three customer sites.

AMC TOOL & CARBIDE PHOTO: (from left to right)
John Eggleton, President and CEO, supplyFORCE
Dot Christine, President, AMC Tool & Carbide
Stephen Britigan, Regional Procurement Leader, Biomet, Inc. (supplyFORCE Customer)
Pat Perkins, General Manager, AMC Tool & Carbide
Teri Rose, National Account Manager, supplyFORCE

Pipe, Valves & Fittings Division:

Excellence in Sales Leadership: Coyle Supply, Inc. (Granite City, IL)

Over the past year, Coyle Supply, Inc. has been exceptional in their support of supplyFORCE and the growth of a strategic PVF customer. They have supported challenging implementations by focusing on the plant's needs and overall satisfaction. Their Sr. management has been active with the program which has resulted in improved relationships and program expansion. Their team has dedicated resources for implementation and account management to achieve their goal of pleasing the customer. Coyle Supply has proven to be the ultimate team player by supporting our customer's facilities regardless of size and distance; and has demonstrated the commitment to open up locations to support new supplyFORCE customers and to expand with existing contracts. They have also made inventory investments to ensure that they have the right product to meet their customer's needs. By prioritizing the Total Cost of Ownership process, they consistently distinguish themselves as one of the highest contributors of documented cost savings.

COYLE SUPPLY PHOTO: (from left to right)
John Eggleton, President and CEO, supplyFORCE
Pat Coyle, President, Coyle Supply
Mike Vita, Director, PVF Division, supplyFORCE

Pipe, Valves & Fittings Division:

Owner-Member of the Year: JF Good Company (Akron, OH)

JF Good Company has delivered consistently for supplyFORCE since our inception. Their management team and their branches work proactively and enthusiastically towards securing, implementing and servicing supplyFORCE contracts. They are always present for supplyFORCE Contract Development and Contract Service Team meetings and consistently deliver high service levels by working with their assigned plants to address any issues or customer needs. As the lead PVF distributor on a new supplyFORCE program, they committed the necessary resources to insure customer satisfaction; and effectively executed corrective action plans when necessary. Their team was in the plants at least three times a week. This Owner-Member provides competitive intelligence for new opportunities and can always be counted on to contribute to pricing strategy and development. They have worked diligently with supplyFORCE to improve manufacturer pricing and they seize every opportunity to expand product offerings on supplyFORCE contracts. As their customer needs expand, they are responsive to providing and supporting products beyond traditional PVF. JF Good Company knows what it takes to service large customers.

JF GOOD PHOTO #1: (from left to right)
Jack Benjamin, Director, Business Development, JF Good
John Eggleton, President and CEO, supplyFORCE

JF GOOD PHOTO #2: (from left to right)
John Eggleton, President and CEO, supplyFORCE
Jack Benjamin, Director, Business Development, JF Good
Mike Vita, Director, PVF Division, supplyFORCE
Rick Wank, District Sales Manager, JF Good

Best Conversion Award: Collins Pipe & Supply Company, Inc. (East Windsor, CT)

In 2008, Collins Pipe worked with the supplyFORCE National Account Manager and the customer to develop an effective transition plan just days after the contract was signed. By quickly committing their key people and local inventory, they were able to fully convert this $300K site in just 90 days. The customer described their work as "swift and professional." They replaced a long term supplier while receiving very favorable service and savings reviews. They had everything up and running in a very rapid timeframe with no interruptions to the customer. Along with their great conversion work, Collins Pipe makes many other contributions to supplyFORCE. Collins Pipe has clearly positioned supplyFORCE as a strategic part of their business.

COLLINS PIPE & SUPPLY COMPANY PHOTO #1:
Paul Andruszkiewicz, Sales Manager, Collins Pipe

COLLINS PIPE & SUPPLY COMPANY PHOTO #2:
John Eggleton, President and CEO, supplyFORCE
Paul Andruszkiewicz, Sales Manager, Collins Pipe
Phil Day, Director of Procurement, Novelis Corporation (supplyFORCE Customer)
Mike Vita, Director, PVF Division, supplyFORCE

ABOUT supplyFORCE's National Meeting:

supplyFORCE held its 2009 National Meeting for its Owner-Members on February 4-5, 2009 in Phoenix. The meeting was well attended. The theme of this year's meeting was geared around supplyFORCE's 10 Year Anniversary "Celebrating 10 Years of MRO Excellence Together," and provided a combination of Contract Service Team Meetings, Division Meetings, supplyFORCE Workshops and Industry related sessions.

The highlight of the meeting was the Commitment to Excellence awards ceremony where supplyFORCE's President and CEO, John Eggleton recognized superior performance across their membership.