December 2003      AVDA News l Profit Planning

AVDA 2004 Annual Conference to Promote Channel Interdependence

The animal health products channel is comprised of independent businesses that are mutually dependent on each other – or INTERDEPENDENT. Product suppliers, manufacturers, manufacturers’ representatives and wholesaler-distributors all rely on the particular expertise of their channel partners to maintain the efficiency that exists in the animal health market. The 2004 conference will be a celebration of our Interdependence. DETAILS

There's Still Time to Register for the University of Industrial Distribution

AVDA’s co-sponsorship of the University of Industrial Distribution 2004 means that, as an AVDA member, you can save $470 per person or registration. Take advantage of this great AVDA membership benefit and the opportunity to network with your wholesale-distributor peers in other industries by registering for UID 2004, March 7-10, at Indiana University/Purdue University. DETAILS

AVDA Supports Petition to Continue Stay in Action Filed by Pharmaceutical Distributors Association

The AVDA Board recently lent support to a petition for continuation of the stay of action filed on November 30, 2003 by the Pharmaceutical Distributors Association (PDA) with respect to final regulations regarding certain Prescription Drug Marketing Act (PDMA) regulations. DETAILS

AVDA Members Invited to NAW Summit

Through its affiliation with the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW), AVDA extends its members the opportunity to attend NAW’s Executive Summit each year in Washington, DC. The upcoming meeting is being held January 26-28, 2004 and registration is now open. DETAILS

Distributors Outlook Survey for Third Quarter 2003

AVDA’s Distributor Members were recently surveyed for the third quarter ending September 30, 2003 on their outlook for the veterinary distribution industry. Thirty percent of distributor members responded to the survey. DETAILS

AVDA Receives Circle of Excellence Award

AVDA was recently honored with a Circle of Excellence Award by the Maryland Society of Association Executives (MSAE) for a membership/marketing brochure that it developed this past summer.  DETAILS

AVDA Welcomes Miltex, Inc.

The Board of Directors of AVDA is pleased to welcome Miltex, Inc., our newest Associate Member to the association. Miltex, Inc. of York, Pennsylvania manufactures hand-held surgical instruments, disposables, insulated electrosurgical instruments, dental instruments and supplies. Bill McKinley is the Vice President of Corporate Accounts and is the primary contact. He can be reached by email at bmckinley@miltex.com. The corporate office phone is 717-840-9335 and the fax is 717-840-9347. Their web site is www.miltex.com.

Two New NAW Publications for Wholesaler Distributors

A new edition of NAW's Facing the Forces of Change will be available in March 2004. The group has also added What's Your Plan?
Smart Salesforce Compensation in Wholesale Distribution to its bookstore. AVDA members qualify for discount prices. DETAILS

PROFIT PLANNING

Where Will You Be in Five Years?

From a profitability perspective, 2002 was the worst year in memory for most distribution organizations.  AVDA members were not exempt from the profitability challenges. DETAILS

Time to Get Serious About Profit

These continue to be challenging financial times for most business organizations. With sales soft and margins under intensive pricing pressure, many management groups are struggling to make the right decisions to ensure the firm’s financial stability. At times like these, financial benchmarks are especially important. DETAILS