New Year is Good Time to Assess
Your Company's Member Involvement

Is your company deriving the maximum benefit from its AHFA membership? January provides an opportune time for Supplier Division members to explore new ways of maximizing their membership dollars. Here are three key areas to consider:

Value-added programs. Machinery and equipment suppliers are well aware of the discount they will receive on their exhibit space at the International Woodworking Fair in Atlanta this summer, but other supplier members may not realize there are AHFA discount programs for them, as well. Nearly 30 supplier members are signed up on AHFA’s Federal Express discount program, which offers reduced rates on Express, Ground and International shipments. Some suppliers using the program are saving $100 to $200 per quarter. “For a service company paying $750 in annual dues, those types of savings can quickly add up and eventually completely offset the dues expense,” Brent Burton, executive director of the Suppliers Division points out. If your company is not signed up to receive Federal Express discounts, contact Burton at 336/884-5000, ext. 111.

PR and Marketing Support. Suppliers on Demand is an online newsletter created to facilitate communication and business relationships between suppliers and manufacturer members. Does your company have a new product or service announcement in this edition? Every Supplier Member receives four invitations each year to submit company news or details on new product or service offerings. If you have questions about how your company can take advantage of this free marketing assistance, contact Pat Bowling, AHFA’s director of communications, at 336/884-5000, ext. 106, or pbowling@ahfa.us.

Networking Opportunities. AHFA has greatly reduced the number of educational programs offered in recent years. That makes participating in the annual meetings crucial for supplier members who still consider face-to-face networking a key component in their business development. Upcoming opportunities include the Flammability Workshop March 2-7, the All-Industry Convention March 11-13, the finance annual meeting in June and the Marketing/PR annual meeting in August. (Watch for more details soon on these last two events.)

Suppliers Division Elects 2006 Officers

Bill Richardson of Blue Ridge Solvents & Coatings, Henry, Va., has been elected 2006 president of AHFA’s Suppliers Division.

Buster Mann, Hickory Springs Manufacturing Co., Hickory, N.C., is first vice president, and Trela Hendrix, Supreme Foam, is second vice president.

Clint Wright, Carpenter Company, Conover, N.C., moves to chairman of the Suppliers Division Board of Directors.

Serving on the division’s board for a one-year term are: Keith Dillon, Barnhardt Manufacturing, Mt. Airy, N.C.; Lanny Jarrell, Wright of Thomasville, Thomasville, N.C.; Philip Martin, Hafele America Co., Archdale, N.C.; and Bill Morgan, Foamex International, Tupelo, Miss.

Serving two-year terms are: Howard Armistead, Mann, Armistead & Epperson, Richmond, Va.; Randy Ford, Leggett & Platt, Carthage, Mo.; Cathie Huber, Adhesives Research Inc., Glen Rock, Pa.; and Edwin Messer, Valspar Corporation, High Point, N.C.

Serving three-year terms are: Dan Fouratt, Hi-Tex Inc., West Bloomfield, Mich.; Jack Hicks, Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice, Greensboro, N.C.; Ben Keller, MGM Transport, High Point, N.C.; Jim McClellan, Franklin Adhesives, Columbus, Ohio; and Eddie Wilson, Snyder Paper Corporation, Hickory, N.C.

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