UPA achieves phenomenal success by betting on industry growth during recession

 

BY MORRIS R. BESCHLOSS

PVF and economic analyst emeritus

 

While many phcp organizations have been pulling in their horns during the current all-encompassing recession, the United Purchasing Affiliates is focusing on expansion and intensive growth.

 

As a 31 year-old buying and marketing group, comprised of hundreds of financially strong industry manufacturers and distributors, UPA has created a logistically effective bond between producers and industry wholesalers to optimize more effective service at a time of severe inventory reduction.

 

Owners Doug and Bill Corp did not get involved with our $75-billion industry by accident. Their father, William Corp, an industry leader whom I knew well, served for years as director of purchasing for Grinnell Corporation’s dozens of branches. This distribution group was paramount in pipe-valve-fitting distribution for decades until its ultimate dissolution after Grinnell merged into Tyco International.

 

Being well-schooled in all aspects of manufacturer/distributor relationships, the Corps have built a nationwide distribution/marketing network supported by a central distribution center in Orlando, Fla., with a large inventory. UPA has additional satellite warehousing space throughout the U.S., equipped with state-of-the-art logistics management to streamline the supply chain. This is proving of particular value to the nation’s wholesalers, beset by the need for inventory reduction in these trying times of limited credit. This is particularly significant, as distributors are faced with the need for giving maximum service to contractors, builders, new commercial industrial projects and maintenance, as well as original equipment manufacturers. More and more manufacturers are being added to the Central Distribution program. The product categories range from plumbing and hvac to pvf and lighting. Some of the items that occupy the UPA cd are tankless water heaters, faucets, garbage disposers, bathroom fans, lighting fixtures, plumbing fixtures and a host of additional products.

 

UPA’s reactive service capability has garnered the respect of the company’s growing affiliate network and prospects. This has allowed for phenomenal growth as the need for such service has become increasingly indispensable.

 

However, an ongoing understanding of the phcp industry’s changing needs has not been restricted to coordination between manufacturing suppliers and distributors, who have become increasingly dependent on the expertise supplied by UPA.

 

This need has been requited by the development of a cadre of inside service specialists, as well as intensive marketing efforts to effectuate this unique effort. UPA president and seasoned pvf veteran Roy Jacobs heads this effort, which has led to a growing affiliate network and strong relationships between headquarters and its members. Such a process anticipates problems and minimizes glitches at a time when the industry as a whole is attempting to work its way through the worst recession since the end of World War II.

 

UPA claims not to stint when ordering in truckload and container load quantities on a monthly basis. UPA prides itself on dealing with the most quality-oriented manufacturers within the phcp industry. These are constantly reviewed for continuing relevance to the ultimate cost-effective needs of the marketing affiliates dependent on UPA’s purchasing capabilities.

 

As a fervent believer in ongoing communication, UPA sponsors periodic meetings. By inviting manufacturing partners and distributor affiliates, the group establishes face-to-face relationships between industry influentials. UPA is committed to continuing these more intimate get-togethers within the context of its meeting concept.

 

The group claims that the exchange of ideas between non-competing members and the development of stronger relationships have strengthened UPA in its effort to facilitate communication between its affiliates and manufacturers. It provides greater understanding as to what makes our worldwide industry tick at a particular time.

 

When it comes to developing the latest technology in communications, inventory optimization and distributor service, UPA claims to be unstinting and ongoing.

 

With a track record that has surpassed even the owners’ most optimistic expectations, the developing success story of UPA within a slowly recovering economy speaks for itself.      

 

For more information, visit www.UPAonline.com, or call 407/323-6250.