8 minute read
Courtesy of NDC
from Repertoire June 22
NDC Exhibition ignites “SIMPOW LIVE”
Courtesy of NDC
Over 700 attendees gathered for the two-and-a-half-day NDC Exhibition in Nashville, Tennessee, April 11-13,
2022. The SIMPOW LIVE theme captured the industry excitement of returning to fully live, in-person events after two years of virtual/hybrid meetings.
The Coag-Sense team meets with distributors during the new vendor roundtable format in the manufacturer hall.
Throughout the exhibition, medical and physical rehab distributors and manufacturers enjoyed educational and networking events – taking the much-needed opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, friends and industry family.
During his opening remarks to kick-off the event, NDC President & CEO, Mark Seitz, announced the expansion of the NDC executive leadership team, including NDC’s first Chief Supply Chain Officer, David Mintz, and NDC’s first Chief Transformation Officer, Bruce Horka. Seitz also discussed NDC’s current technology investment underway focused on integrated systems to deliver improved data management and a superior distributor ecommerce experience. These investments aim to position NDC with increased operational competency at every business intersection to better serve distribution partners.
New format facilitates strategic conversations
This year, NDC introduced a new “vendor roundtable” format, replacing the traditional exhibit floor. Allowing for both pre-scheduled and walk-up meetings, the exclusive vendor-hosted tables provided an enhanced setting to foster strategic business conversations. The manufacturer hall also showcased exhibitor booths for manufacturers who opted for the traditional format, providing product training and demonstrations for distributor attendees.
Making a Difference Together
NDC partnered with the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) to honor military, law enforcement and first responders over multiple events to reinforce military appreciation. The NDC Golf Tournament benefiting
Guests enjoy line dancing lessons to kick off the closing celebration at the Wildhorse Saloon.
Gerry LoDuca performs with his band, The Defribrillators, with special guest, Matt Rowan.
the WWP brought over 100 golfers out on the greens at the Gaylord Springs Golf Links. Despite the weather, golfers enjoyed networking and coming together for a great cause with great company.
NDC attendees collectively raised over $25,000 to advance the WWP mission through charitable events including the golf tournament, silent auction and Military Appreciation Night at Redneck Riviera thanks to gracious sponsors GOJO and B. Braun. The entertainment for the evening featured Dukal President and Owner Gerry LoDuca and his band, The Defibrillators, with surprise guest, Matt Rowan, president & CEO of HIDA, for a memorable performance.
Recognizing Exceptional Partnerships
The annual awards presentation recognized the achievements of NDC’s 2021 top-performing partners. WWP highly decorated soldier Dan Nevins emceed the awards event to honor and congratulate the 2021 NDC Award Winners.
Supplier Awards: Outstanding Performance Awards ʯ Exel Corporation ʯ Clarity Diagnostics ʯ Mölnlycke Health Care ʯ SteriCare Solutions ʯ Symmetry Surgical ʯ Quidel Corporation
NDC Medical Distributor Awards: NDC Fast Track Awards ʯ Smart Medical Solutions ʯ Logic Medical
NDC Trendsetter Award ʯ Allied Medical Products ʯ Thomas Scientific
Medical Member of the Year ʯ Federated Healthcare Supply ʯ Dealmed Medical Supplies
NDC Physical Rehab Distributor Awards: NDC Outstanding Warehouse Performance Award ʯ Cornish Medical
NDC Equipment Trendsetter ʯ MedQuip
NDC Pro Advantage Award ʯ Electro Medical Equipment
NDC Physical Rehab Manufacturer of the Year ʯ HawkGrips
NDC Physical Rehab Member of the Year Award ʯ Advanced Rehab Systems
Powerful Education and Events
Presented by Midmark Corporation, Peter Sheahan delivered the keynote address and unpacked how to balance the need for prompt action with the need to maintain the capacity, capability and engagement required
Michael Einhorn accepts Dealmed’s NDC Medical Member of the Year award with John Cook and Mark Remaley.
Bob Stengele and Bob Stengele Jr. receive the NDC Physical Rehab Member of the Year award, presented by Lori Paulson and Suzanne Swan.
Patrick Thomes enjoys a day on the course with the Clorox foursome.
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Ian Fardy hosted industry panelists for a session on “Building Better Partnerships”, presented by Mölnlycke, to showcase the acceleration of manufacturer and distributor relationships in today’s environment. Addressing various aspects of sales collaboration – including rep group partnerships – panelists shared ways to bridge gaps to ensure success is delivered through alignment and partnerships in the post-pandemic environment.
Gary Corless, Wounded Warrior Project®, in his “Failing Forward” presentation shared real-time experiences on how to drive success through pioneering business growth and transformation even when you fail … as long as you learn and advance forward from that lesson. Karson L. Carpenter presented proven ways distributors and their sales teams are attracting customers to grow their business by offering OSHA, HIPAA and Infection Control Training
B. Braun’s Don Lovre and Jim Oliver and Craig Dudash from 613 Med golf with Wounded Warrior, Jessie Fox.
Building Better Partnerships: Chris Fagnani, Rob Saron, Lori Lanning and Bill Sparks.
HemaSource’s Michael Lischka and Michelle Autry enjoy catching up with Rich Baldocchi Ian Fardy and Natalie Martin from NDC with Gary Corless and the Wounded Warrior Project team.
Products. Breakfast speaker and American singer and media personality, Janine Stange took attendees on a journey across the nation that culminated with her historic singing accomplishment in all 50 states.
Physical rehab manufacturers presented highly interactive rehabfocused rotations to connect rehab attendees with products and services as well as valuable strategies to keep their bottom line strong.
The exhibition concluded with NDC’s hometown tradition, hosting the Closing Party at the Wildhorse Saloon in downtown Nashville. Guests enjoyed dinner, line dancing and a performance by Nashville Broadway entertainer, Chris Weaver Band, sponsored by BD and Dukal.
Next year, NDC Exhibition will hit the road to Dallas, Texas May 15-17, 2023 at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center.
How the International Labour Organization is Addressing Human Rights Issues Around the World
Would you want to know if the companies you’ve partnered with are responsible for human rights violations?
The International Labour Organization is working to identify violations of human rights in the workplace throughout the world, especially in countries like Malaysia where foreign workers are recruited and exploited.
Billy Harris, CEO of Sri Trang USA, recently spoke to Repertoire about how the International Labour Organization is addressing the ongoing human rights issues workers are facing all over the world. In the last few years, six glove manufacturers have been issued withhold release orders by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Harris uses his insights to discuss what this means for the industry and the workers, and how we can move forward.
What is a withhold release order?
A withhold release order (WRO) is used to put a hold on products or services coming out of factories where U.S. Customs and Border Protection believes the worker’s rights are being exploited. Harris explained, “Today, there have been six glove companies subject to Withhold Release Orders. All of them since September 2019. Only two of those companies have worked through the process to have the WRO lifted. Right now, there are four WROs still in place, and we believe there’s a chance that there will be others to be issued in the coming weeks and months.”
The International Labour Organization (ILO) represents labor forces across the world, working to identify labor violations and worker exploita- tion. The ILO has 11 indicators of Forced Labor: deception, restriction of movement, isolation, physical and sexual violence, intimidation and threats, retention of identity documents, with holding of wages, debt bondage, abusive work and living conditions, abuse of vulnerability, and excessive overtime. Once the WRO is issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the company must go through an appeals process to get a release. If the WRO is moved to findings, it means the CBP has substantial evidence to sup- port its assertion that forced labor is being used and uphold the WRO.
– Billy Harris, CEO of Sri Trang USA
How should distributors respond?
From an ethical standpoint, Harris argues that it should be easy to not offer any brands with WROs. While distancing your organization from those brands may cause a disruption in supply, it could save the integrity of your business in the eyes of your customers.
Harris says, “One of the large distribution companies made a very bold statement and with one of the companies that they were doing business with that was subject to a WRO. The day after, they returned 100% of their inventory to the company and said, ‘We’re not going to do business with you until you have all of these things corrected.’”
Making decisions like this won’t be easy, but conducting business with moral integrity can require difficult decisions. The ILO will continue to investigate potential human rights violations, and more WROs will be issued in the coming months and years. What will you do if one of the organizations you partner with is in violation of international labor laws?
To hear the full episode, visit repertoiremag.com/resources/ podcasts.
