By Brian Cruickshank, AAP
Editor, Counterman magazine

The IWD event was held at the JW Marriott in Tucson, AZ.

TUSCON, AZ -- In an era of dramatic change in the distribution landscape, survival often depends more on the differences among program groups, as they fight for market share and strong membership. As the industry has demonstrated over the last two years, the loss of a major member can have huge ramifications for a program group.

But for the close-knit IWD membership, there is a unifying theme that separates the group from others – independence -- a characteristic that members and IWD staff take very seriously.

“Our philosophy has been one of independence,” said IWD Executive Director Bill Burns. “Our shareholders see us as an independent organization that brings them the benefits of group membership, while allowing them to maintain their business autonomy.”

Burns said that as the market has matured, groups have needed to decide what kind of group they are, now and in the future. This, of course, makes long-range planning essential.

“We certainly have discussions about the future,” said Burns. “What [does the group] want to be in two to five years? What do we need to provide our members so we can look back and say that we’ve spent our resources well to benefit our members?”

As a member-driven organization, IWD discusses these topics at great length at meetings, such was the case at the group’s recent annual convention held last month at the J.W. Marriott in Tucson, AZ. Among the crowds of vendors, there were the IWD members, for whom independence is a defining characteristic of their businesses, and by extension, their chosen program group.

“So long as the North American marketplace provides a place for the independent (warehouse) to exist, we believe we have a menu of services and will continue to develop them.”

Currently, compliance is not one of those “menu” items. And since IWD is a no-compliance group, it looks to other areas, such as technology, to bring value. The group, for example, is in the process of helping its members become more Electronic Data Interchange-, or EDI-, enabled. Six years ago, IWD introduced its EDI Link ordering system. While this was primarily for the heavy-duty side of the business, it is currently being brought over to the automotive side. IWD also changed its website into an Information Management System where members can get a variety of reports to better manage their businesses.

IWD members enjoy a Southwest-themed reception and dinner.

IWD’s three-day, Southwest-themed convention allowed time for members to discuss issues, meet other members and vendors and forge the kind of member dynamics for which the group is well known. Besides the usual suspects of program group meetings — a booth show, golf, receptions and networking events — the group hosted its member roundtable.

The group’s next annual convention will be held in California next April.

_______________________________________

Click here to view the rest of today's headlines.