IPA
Consulting for Distributors

IPA provides specialized consulting services for distributors throughout North America. We have guided many clients in the wholesale/distribution industry through effective application of cash management systems, advertising techniques, cost control, organization, communication, financial planning and performance.

More than 170,000 businesses in the United States and Canada have looked to IPA to help them accelerate growth, control spending, maintain positive cash flow and become profitable. IPA can help build and grow your distribution company. Below we have compiled a list focusing on key business elements, such as sales, purchasing, inventory, warehousing, delivery and administration that are key variables in distribution companies.

IPA DESIRED ELEMENTS FOR DISTRIBUTORS:

SALES:

• Sound sales policies in selection, compensation, training, territorial assignment and supervision
• Knowledge of gross margin and profitability by account, product line, product, salesperson and in some cases, individual order
• Scheduled periodic reviews of results with present products, product lines and research into potentially profitable additions to present lines.

PURCHASING:

• Clear cut policies of authority and responsibility of those involved in purchasing to prevent duplications and omissions
• Maximum coordination starting with sales forecasting back through purchasing and inventory control to assure optimum inventory turn, minimum dollar inventory investment and good client service
• Exposure to all vendors to assure stocking most saleable items at lowest costs

INVENTORY:

• Inventory levels established properly to take seasonal variations into consideration
• Procedures established to prevent capital tie up by accumulation of obsolete and slow moving items

WAREHOUSE:

• Layout designed to achieve straight line flow from receipt of order to the shipment ready for the dock
• Security measures followed to reduce pilferage
• Proper training and tools supplied to warehouse supervision

DELIVERY:

• Routes studied and scheduled to assure maximum time spent servicing clients and obtaining new accounts and minimum time wasting activities
• Controlled maintenance and repair costs
• Careful check of loading and unloading to prevent pilferage and shrinkage

ADMINISTRATION:

• Authority and responsibility of key employees clearly defined
• Management information available to measure and control key personnel performance
• Office procedures and paperwork sufficiently automated to accomplish objectives
• Sound credit and collection policies