Group
Profile:
Founded in August 1998 by midsize distributors
that wanted a buying group that truly works for
the benefit of its members. We currently have
125 members and over 350 suppliers encompassing
all the products needed for broad line sales.
We add new members and suppliers on a regular
basis.
Label:
Our own private brand label is SMI Signature Quality.
We have a red label for "A" grade quality and
a blue label for "B" quality. We have a green
label for bid merchandise. We have approximately
50 canned vignette labels with bilingual and UPC
and nutritional designations. We also represent
most of the major Branded labels in the U.S.,
such as Kraft, Heinz, Tyson, Nabisco, Armour Eckrich,
Pillsbury, etc.
Supplier
Programs:
One of
our guiding principles is total disclosure of supplier
programs. All the details of the programs are outlined
in our supplier guide book. You keep your current
local programs, 100% of your growth monies, and
the portion of your headquarters monies returned
to you monthly from Select Marketing Inc. As mentioned
earlier, we have over 350 programs including a centralized
boxed beef / pork program with Center of Plate Procurement
Specialist, and a national non foods / paper program
with Bunzl, Inc. We also have programs with Dot
Foods, Foodservice Center, and Twelve Baskets consolidation
centers. The percentage returned of headquarters
allowances is based upon a schedule of dollar purchases
through the group. The percentage returned ranges
from 50% to 80% of all program monies.
Financials:
Our monthly financial reporting to our members
includes the invoice date, invoice number, the
total dollars,( pounds if applicable), the program
percentage or cents per pound, the total monies
created by the invoice, and the total returned
to the distributor by invoice. We start off divulging
the total program and then finish with the same
information tied to the invoice and dollars earned.
Buying
Shows:
We have two buying shows per year where we bring
together our suppliers and distributors for two
days of interface. Our Fall show is usually scheduled
in August and a Spring show in February. We provide
one room and all meals during the show. You only
pay for travel expenses to the show. We also have
a trip incentive. All purchases from participating
suppliers January through December contribute
$.10 cents per case (1 point) toward a trip goal
of 36,000 points ($3,600.00)
Services:
We service our members from a regional manager
perspective. We keep you abreast of the markets,
shop for the best pricing on products, bring new
items to you, work bids, and place and trace orders,
etc. Most importantly, we answer the phones and
try to help with whatever you need. We pride ourselves
on our service to the members. Your
order placement and normal business practices
do not change. Your cost of goods does not increase
to support the group allowances.
There
are no fees to join our group, no assessments,
no coop liabilities, and no penalties if you should
ever decide to leave the group
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