Inventory
A major factor in UPA's warehouse/central distribution center concept is the importance of inventory. Our fast and accurate shipping combined with a full line of products has created phenomenal growth for our company. It has also created a high degree of good will from members and those manufacturers whose products occupy our warehouse. We even carry some of those hard to find items and have them readily available for the convenience of our members. We have just purchased two of our own trucks to facilitate quicker shipments. This also allows for less freight handling which minimizes freight damage. Our inventory is significant and we pride ourselves on how fast it moves.
Purchasing
Utilizing a third party logistics company, also owned by the Corp family, UPA Members have the ability to place orders and have them consolidated into a Central Distribution Center. This not only provides us with a more competitive price but it lowers the manufacturers shipping and handling costs and translates into bottom line improvement for everyone in the supply chain. We pride ourselves in the fact that our purchase orders go to the most quality oriented manufacturers within our industry, thus allowing our members phenomenal opportunities to improve their inventory carrying costs on key product categories.
Sales
UPA's National Account Program is standing by with one of the largest commercial, industrial and construction supply networks in North America. We are dedicated to providing single source, single invoice, single price integrated supply solutions for national accounts as well as spot buys on larger jobs.
Meetings
Meetings are vital for management and communication. Properly run meetings save time, increase motivation, productivity and solve problems. They also create new ideas and initiatives. Meetings achieve "buy in".
UPA feels that all forms of communication are vital, but we have a high degree of favoritism for the face to face meetings. The enthusiasm and effectiveness of the story can only be attained through this format. It is our members and manufacturer partners who continue to enjoy the opportunity to develop strong, long term relationships at each UPA function.
UPA held 14 meetings in 2006 with groups of distributors and manufacturers ranging from 10 to 25 companies at a time. Our focused meeting approach has accomplished significant substantive benefits for all involved. UPA intends to continue our smaller, focused meeting approach combined with the National Meeting concept for years to come.
The introduction of new programs, the exchange of ideas between non competing members and the development of stronger relationships have made UPA stronger with each consecutive gathering.
Wholesale America
In today’s world, major retail chains and large wholesale conglomerates are buying up more and more independent distributors. This phenomenon doesn’t help anyone except the shareholders of these enormous companies.
Manufacturers are competing for an ever shrinking customer base. Distributors are finding it more difficult to compete against these chains who are sourcing an ever increasing number of products overseas.
UPA has implemented a plan to expand the wholesale marketplace across the country. We call it "Wholesale America". The formula gives UPA members the opportunity to open a branch or branches that would not otherwise be possible.
Backed by UPA these owners are supported with inventory, technology, systems, and procedures to reduce overhead and increase profits.
UPA feels strongly that it is in the best interest of the wholesale industry, to work proactively to increase the manufacturer's customer base, and to assist the wholesale distributor to grow in a highly competitive environment.
Together we can all benefit by working toward this goal.
Features
Recent News
- Increase in copper prices
- 5/1/2009 Copper prices rise based on falling inventories and increased production in Asia ...more
- Premier lines occupy the UPA Warehouse
- 3/24/2009 Watts, Panasonic, Insinkerator, Broan, Nutone, QC (Quality Certified Valve Company) and Rheem Tankless are some of the premier lines that occupy the UPA Warehouse. Many more companies are slated for an inventory position in 2009. ...more
- UPA final numbers for 2008
- 3/22/2009 UPA final numbers for 2008 indicate a 9% growth in dollar terms for the UPA group. The comparison does not take into effect the growth of the group in terms of new membership. ...more