NACD members release less

ASSOCIATION Working hard for its members, NACD’s initiatives are also helping industry improve its safety performance

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) newly published 2009 Toxics Release Inventory, the country’s chemical distribution industry had the third lowest total releases of any reporting industry, behind only the apparel and leather industries (both of which had far fewer reporting facilities). Furthermore, the report found that the average release of companies belonging to the National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD) was 47.6 per cent lower than non-member companies.

“EPA’s report clearly demonstrates the success of Responsible Distribution, the Association’s mandatory health, safety, security and environmental management practice,” says NACD president Chris Jahn. “NACD members practicing Responsible Distribution continue to set themselves apart as leaders in the industry.”

In other news, NACD has entered into a strategic partnership with Argo Turboserve Corporation (ATC) to provide members with an integrated supplier programme for the purchase and fulfilment of materials and supplies. “This partnership will allow our member companies to take advantage of ATC’s expertise in strategic sourcing, purchasing and fulfilment execution. ATC will provide discounted prices and a means to track and monitor purchasing activity to our member companies. NACD is committed to providing cost effective solutions to its members and this partnership has great potential for our member companies,” says Jahn.

Under the terms of the new agreement, ATC will provide a web-based system for the procurement of materials and supplies, ranging from personal protection equipment and packagings to laboratory supplies and sorbents. ATC consolidates all of these items into an easy- to-use website that integrates all of the suppliers of such items into one place. Members can even develop a ‘my catalogue’ for the ease of reordering frequently needed items. “We reduce the number of vendors that need to be managed by members and leverage our buying power to bring competitive prices to NACD members,” explains Steve Kinnard, ATC’s senior vice-president, industrial sales and marketing.

New face in town

Elizabeth Holcomb has been named as NACD’s new manager, grassroots and political programmes. Her new responsibilities will include managing the annual Washington Fly-In, the Responsible Distribution PAC, the Congressional Site Visit programme and all other grassroots outreach activities. She will also represent NACD on coalitions addressing general business issues, such as labour and health care. “Elizabeth brings new fundraising and outreach programme experience to the NACD government affairs department. She will be working with our member companies to better engage in the political process in their home states and here in Washington, DC,” Jahn says.

Holcomb holds a BA in political science from Baylor University, is a 2011 public affairs master’s degree candidate from the University of Texas at Dallas and has nearly 10 years’ experience in public policy and legislative affairs. She comes to NACD from the Society for Neuroscience and has worked for Congressman Ralph Hall (R-TX) and Senator John Cornyn (R-TX). Holcomb will report to Jennifer Gibson, the Association’s vice-president, government affairs.

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