Let Us Prove Our Worth...
As I write this editorial, it's been almost four months since the
merger of the Southwest Hardware & Implement Association and the Western Retail
Implement & Hardware Association was officially completed. This past year has been
very hectic - getting all details finalized so the merger proposal could be approved by
members of both associations, determining the legal and accounting issues that needed to
be addressed and simply dealing with the myriad of issues that make up a consolidation of
two organizations that were both over 100 years old and that had achieved success with
much great history….
If I thought the period prior to the merger was hectic, it turned out
that was just a precursor to the past four months! We have been on a very fast track with
visits to key manufacturers and wholesalers, restructuring and amending all of our vendor
relationships, getting our staff familiar with our new territory and our members in the
old SWHIA territory, changing our logo and all of the accompanying documents and marketing
materials - signage, letterhead, etc. Since October 1, 2002 (the official date of the
merger), the time has simply flown by!
My major concern during this period of transition is that we don't
forget that our only purpose as an organization is to serve members. Our mission is to
assist our dealers to become the best they can be - more profitable, more successful and
with the least amount of “pain” as possible.
Your association and staff have taken the opportunity during this
transition to redefine our mission and our commitment to our members and the industries we
serve. My hope is that all of our members will use the association and the services and
programs we have to offer. Our belief is that if you use what we have to offer - you will
be better prepared to win the retail battle for customers and increased
profitability.
As many of you have heard from me before - I am most pleased that the
merger of our two organizations has been so warmly accepted by dealers, manufacturers,
wholesalers and most everyone in the industries we serve. What that tells me is that the
merger was the right thing for our organizations and for our members and that as the
“consolidation trend” gains momentum in most every industry, it can work and it
does make sense. I also believe that everyone we have come into contact with knows that in
today's economic environment, dealers and your suppliers want to do business with
associations/ organizations that have the necessary resources to be a true partner with
the dealer. The only way that was going to continue to happen in our eight-state territory
was for the merger between Southwest and Western to happen.
We hope that as many of our
equipment members as possible will attend the Conference and find out a little more about
your new organization, meet your staff and interact with the suppliers and “partners”
endorsed by the SouthWestern Association. Obviously, the major benefit of attending a
dealer meeting is the chance to interact with your fellow dealers…
We will also be conducting a number of area meetings throughout our
eight-state territory. We will hold meetings in the spring and again in the fall. These
half-day meetings will be designed to bring members needed information about association
resources, education on issues that are key to operating your business in accordance with
all state and federal laws, etc. Finally, we will have Specialty Workshops conducted at
various locations throughout the SouthWestern area. Please look for information on these
meeting dates and locations soon.
If we can prove to you that we can deliver the information and
assistance that you need in order to successfully operate your business, then you will
continue to participate as a member of your association and the cycle is never broken -
success breeds success and that's what we are after.
I hope that you take the opportunity to attend our first Equipment
Conference, but if you are not able, please consider attending one of the area meetings
that will be held near your business, or one of the workshops that will be conducted
throughout 2003. If you use the Association, our programs and services I guarantee you,
your staff and your entire operation will benefit.
Also, don't forget to utilize our Hotline. Call us for any reason and
on any subject. If we don't have the answer, we'll find it for you and we guarantee you a
response within 24 hours! Thanks for your support and for the confidence you have placed
in us! We will not fail you and we will become an integral part of your dealership and
stores - thanks for giving us a chance to prove our worth to you!
