Whatever Happened to Win-Win?

For years, manufacturers and distributors have recited the mantra that the key to happiness is found in win-win relationships. Achieve win-win, and all your problems will be solved. A new book published by the Distribution Research and Education Foundation (DREF) of the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors argues that win-win is a dead concept, replaced by the Law of Legitimate Cross-Purposes. DETAILS

Savannah to Host AVDA Annual Meeting & Election of Officers

AVDA will be holding its Annual Meeting on Tuesday, May 1, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort and Spa in Savannah, Georgia, in conjunction with its Annual Conference. DETAILS

Third Annual AVDA Supplier Awards Program

The 2006 AVDA Supplier Awards marks the third anniversary for the recognition program. Our awards acknowledge animal health product manufacturers who excel at helping distributors service veterinarians and animal health clinics. This program continues to be a popular success among our AVDA members. DETAILS

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

AVDA Continues Lobbying Effort in Florida

AVDA, through the lobbying firm of Capital Ideas, has introduced SB 2122 in the Florida Senate. This “glitch’ bill is necessary to fix an unintended conflict in the veterinary prescription drug wholesaler permit statute that was passed by the legislature last year and was known as CS/SB 1540. DETAILS

Sign Up for the AVDA Government Affairs Listserv

The AVDA Government Affairs listserv updates members on various issues relating to the PDMA Pedigree Requirements. Be the first to receive lobbyist updates or post a question to begin new discussions.
If you would like to subscribe to our discussion listserv, contact Kaymie Thompson Owen at AVDA Headquarters via kaymie@ksgroup.org and note AVDA listserv in the subject line of your message. All AVDA member company employees are invited to subscribe to the listserv.

If you have suggestions for additional listerv topics, please forward your suggestions to kaymie@ksgroup.org.

AVDA Welcomes Two New Associate Members

AVDA welcomes Bracco Diagnostics, Inc. and Summit Vet Pharm as its newest associate members.  DETAILS

TRAINING

AVDA Co-Sponsors Educational Events

AVDA is proud to co-sponsor several events this year with the Association Education Alliance (AEA). Events for this year include a mix of webinars as well as live programs. DETAILS

2007 UID Maintains Stellar Reputation

The 2007 session of UID (University of Industrial Distribution) held this past March 4-7 in Indianapolis, IN received rave reviews from all involved. Hosted at the state of the art conference center at Indiana University / Purdue University, the session has sold out for four consecutive years. DETAILS

FINANCIAL NEWS

Improving Margin with Product Mix:

Mission Impossible

Most AVDA members are acutely aware of the need for improved gross margin performance. The challenge is how to produce higher margins in a highly price competitive-world. Very high on almost everybody’s list is to change the sales mix to sell more of the high-margin items.  DETAILS

AVDA 2007 Profit Survey Review Open to All Members

AVDA members are invited to attend the 2007 Annual Profit Report Review at this year's Annual Conference. John Mackay of Mackay Research Group will review the results of the AVDA 2007 Profitability Study and give you an understanding of the key factors that influence distributor profitability and the reasons why high profit firms have become more successful. DETAILS

LEGAL UPDATE

Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Vertical Minimum Resale Price Maintenance Case

On December 7, 2006 the United States Supreme Court agreed to hear a challenge to the long established principle that vertical minimum price maintenance agreements are illegal per se. DETAILS

NAW PUBLICATIONS

All-New Wholesale Distribution Industry Trends Report Released

The NAW Institute for Distribution Excellence and Pembroke Consulting released their flagship industry report titled Facing the Forces of Change®: Lead the Way in the Supply Chain. The report draws upon a broad set of data, including in-depth interviews with senior distribution executives, manufacturers, customers, analysts, professors, and association executives. It also includes survey data on nearly 1,300 wholesale distribution and manufacturing companies. DETAILS