10/29/2010 -  New Advantage Toolkit for Flooring Distributors

 NAFCD to Release Distributor Toolkit at 2010 Distributor Marketplace

The North American Association of Floor Covering Distributors (NAFCD) announced the release of the Competitive Advantage Toolkit: Establish, Build, Sustain, a new resource for NAFCD members in the flooring industry, available to attendees at the 2010 Distributor Marketplace conference in November.

The toolkit, based on three industry studies from 2008-2010, presents data, analysis, and recommendations to help distributors establish and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and dealers within the flooring channel.  In addition to providing a big-picture understanding of the supply chain, the toolkit features presentation slides, practical worksheets, next steps, and templates for strategic sales and business planning.

“Many changes have taken place in the flooring supply chain over the last 18-24 months,” said Michelle Miller, NAFCD Executive Vice President. “We are excited to offer the Competitive Advantage toolkit to our members, giving them tools and resources to understand current conditions and providing a clear direction on how to grow by establishing, building, and sustaining relationships both up and downstream.”

Research and recommendations within the Competitive Advantage toolkit were compiled by Jason Bader of The Distribution Team, a leading supply chain consultant specializing in inventory management, vendor relations, pricing, and customer service relations.

“The recommendations in this toolkit are based on our extensive research conducted among floor covering manufacturers, distributors, and dealers,” said Jason Bader, Managing Partner of The Distribution Team. “It offers a comprehensive view of what is taking place in the industry, and gives tips on how distributors can modify their business and sales tactics to navigate through the economic recovery for long-term success.”

NAFCD members can come to the NAFCD booth to pick up their copy of the Competitive Advantage toolkit at the 2010 Distributor Marketplace (www.distributormarketplace.org), taking place November 16-18, at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, CO. This event, co-sponsored by NAFCD and the North American Building Materials Distribution Association (NBMDA), will bring together manufacturers and distributors from both organizations for the first time for industry-specific education, networking, and business connections. Following the Distributor Marketplace, Competitive Advantage will become available for purchase.  

In addition to the Competitive Advantage toolkit, members will be able to pick up NAFCD’s recent white paper on Leadership. This white paper highlights the personal and professional value of taking leadership roles within the industry. Leadership is one of the four pillars of value that NAFCD offers to its members, which are Leadership, Networking, Education, and Trends. The Competitive Advantage toolkit fulfills the last two pillars. 

For more information contact: 

Michelle Miller                                                                                  312.673.5701

info@nafcd.org