SEPTEMBER 2019
In this issue
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CEO’S MESSAGE TO BLUE HAWK STAKEHOLDERS
IMARK GROUP UPDATE – Answers to frequently asked questions
BLUE DATA POWERED BY TRADE SERVICE – Driving down both the costs and the complexity to consume the data
BLUECOMMERCE POWERED BY SECOND PHASE – A turnkey eCommerce solution
BENCHMARK BLUE – What are we seeing the in data
BLUE HAWK RETIREMENT – The Long View
2019 VENDOR PARTNER SCORECARD RESULTS – See who scored in the Top 10 for 2019
INCENTIVE TRACKING REPORTS – Individual Incentives accounted for 68% of Overall Incentive Rebates
2020 WINTER SUMMIT – Join us in Snowmass, Colorado
BLUE HAWK UNIVERSITY TRAINING TRACKS – Got Curriculum?
NEW BLUE HAWK MEMBERS – Four New Members
NEW BLUE HAWK VENDOR PARTNERS – Two New Vendor Partners
NEW BLUE HAWK SOLUTION PARTNERS – Eleven New Solution Partners
BLUE HAWK GIVES BACK – Co-ops for Kindness
CEO’s Message to BLUE HAWK Stakeholders
Lance Rantala
As we approach the end of another decade (2010 – 2019), it reminds us how quickly time passes and the need to make the most of every moment. We can no longer stand idly by and wait for opportunities to present themselves. If BLUE HAWK and its Member-Owners want to be relevant in today’s world, we have to be proactive and work together to create new opportunities. This is why BLUE HAWK has invested so much time, energy, and money into various strategic initiatives, such as but not limited to the following Alliance Partner Programs:
BLUE HAWK Retirement: BLUE HAWK Retirement is a Multiple Employer Plan, or MEP, is a retirement plan for businesses that have a common interest but are not commonly owned or affiliated. Businesses that adopt the plan, called Adopting Employers, pool retirement assets together as one plan and realize substantial benefits when compared to operating individual plans.
Benchmark BLUE: Benchmark BLUE helps Members harness the power of data to improve efficiencies and ensure the success of their business. Benchmarking metrics help independent businesses set goals grounded in the performance by comparing to top performing peers…
IMARK Group Update
On May 8, 2019, BLUE HAWK announced we had become a founding member-owner of IMARK Group along with IMARK Electrical and IMARK Plumbing. IMARK Group is a multi-vertical member-owned, member-governed and financially transparent group with volume exceeding $28 billion in support of the HVACR, plumbing and electrical supply chains.
Over the summer, the cooperatives’ management teams rolled up our sleeves and got to work. Aside from sharing best practices, we began to evaluate our back-office synergies and cost-saving efficiencies. As an example, in January 2020, BLUE HAWK will launch a new purchasing and rebate analytics dashboard, which was developed by IMARK Plumbing. This dashboard is already being used by our dual Members and Vendor Partners who participate in IMARK Plumbing as well as BLUE HAWK. It would have taken a substantial amount of time and money to develop a comparable web-based platform. Because of IMARK Group, our customized dashboard will be delivered to BLUE HAWK community within a few months.
What is more, IMARK Electrical has negotiated numerous cost-saving programs for its 850+ electrical wholesalers with over 3000+ locations. As an owner of IMARK Group, we are able to offer these great value-add service providers along with our existing Solution Partner Programs. Please take a look at our newest Solution Partners in this edition of the Aerial View.
In the face of all this great news, we recognize that many of our Members, Vendor Partners, Solution Partners and Alliance Partners are still confused about BLUE HAWK’s decision to become an owner of IMARK Group.
Here are some FAQs that hopefully will clear up some of the misconceptions…
BLUE DATA POWERED BY TRADE SERVICE
The goal of the BLUE data project is to maximize our Members’ ability to include Vendor Partner product SKUs in their eCommerce webstores and product catalogs. Using the scale of the group, we are able to drive down both the costs and the complexity to consume the data.
The response from both Members and Vendor Partners has been fantastic. We are very excited to be able to deliver this opportunity to our Members and Vendor Partners.
Members wanting more information, please contact:
Bob Stone, Trade Service, robert_stone@tradeservice.com
Vendor Partners
Participating in BLUE data makes it exceptionally easy for our Members to quickly add your product SKUs to their solutions and we will provide all support needed to get them set up to consume the SKU data within their environment. By providing your data once to BLUE data, we will support our Members in using the data, cross-referencing within their systems, etc.
We are currently offering a free pilot project for all interested BLUE HAWK Vendor Partners. There is no commitment to participate in the BLUE HAWK Vendor Partner Free Pilot Project. To get started, we just need an Excel file with 25 products that you choose. For each product, provide your part number, UPC code if available and a short description.
Vendor Partners wanting more information, please contact:
Justin Nichols, Trade Service, justin_nichols@tradeservice.com
BLUECOMMERCE BY SECOND PHASE
The Second Phase BLUeCommerce platform offers a turnkey eCommerce solution with pricing reductions based on the number of BLUE HAWK Members who sign on. BLUeCommerce provides you with an agile, scalable HVAC webstore integrated with your ERP so that you can provide your customers with online ordering, order history and one-click reordering, account management, intelligent search, custom pricing, product catalogs, related products and more.
More than 20 BLUE HAWK Members have implemented this solution and started lowering costs and increasing profit margins.
Members can use BLUE data with other eCommerce Webstore solutions as well. However, using the BLUeCommerce Solution makes it exceptionally easy to get product SKU updates as additional data is added to BLUE data.
Members Wanting More information, please contact:
Second Phase Sales Team, sales@secondphase.net
Benchmark BLUE
Two thirds (67.3%) of Benchmark BLUE participants experienced performance declines in the first half of 2019 as compared to the first half of 2018. As you can see in the CoMetrics’ CoScore, more dots (BLUE HAWK Members) are below the middle line vs. above:
BLUE HAWK Retirement
The Long View
Information for BLUE HAWK Retirement Investors
Our financial lives are a lot like walking through an unfamiliar forest: We may have an idea of where we want to go, but the exact path is unknown. There can be twists and turns, hills to climb and valleys to descend, with false paths that take you in the wrong direction. There might be predatory animals lurking in the shadows. With so much unseen risk and danger, how do we get out unscathed?
It helps to have the right tools. Perhaps a map to help us find our bearings, a compass to show us the way, and a first-aid kit for when things go wrong. We can add layers of protection with proper clothing. Checking the forecast and listening to experts will help us prepare. Every tool helps.
We recognize the limitations of a newsletter in terms of giving you all the tools necessary to navigate your financial lives, but we hope this at least gets you thinking. When questions arise or you’re unsure of the path forward, we hope that you’ll reach out. Together we can find a way.
TAP TO BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION
Strategies, Planning Documents, Scams and More
- Market Strategies: Three Ways to Play Defense in Your Stock Portfolio
One of these defensive strategies may help you manage risk while maintaining a robust equity portfolio. - Key Estate Planning Documents
Here are some key estate planning documents you should know about. - Should You Invest Internationally?
Investing in foreign stocks may help boost returns and manage risk in your portfolio, but be sure to understand the unique risk/return characteristics before sending money abroad. - What are the warning signs of financial scams targeting older individuals?
If you or someone you know has been targeted by a scam artist who is trying to steal money or personal information, you’re not alone. - How can you avoid falling for the Social Security imposter scam?
The Social Security imposter scam has been around for years, but recently more and more people have been targeted.
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES Andrew Thompson and Andrew Seaborg are registered representatives of Lincoln Financial Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker-dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. The Capital Group® is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. CRN-2120260-051418
If you do not wish to recieve future emails, please call me at 608-268-5100, email me at andrew.thompson2@lfg.com, or write me at 406 Science Dr., Suite 310, Madison, WI 53711. We will reply with your request within 30 days.
Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances.
Please do not send any trading or transaction instructions through this e-mail. They will not be honored or executed. Should you require immediate assistance, please call the Lincoln Financial Advisors Trade Desk at 1-800-237-3815.
This communication is strictly intended for individuals residing in the state(s) of AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, NE, NJ, NM, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI and WY. No offers may be made or accepted from any resident outside the specific states referenced.
Prepared by Broadridge Advisor Solutions Copyright 2019.
2019 VENDOR PARTNER SCORECARD RESULTS
The 2019 Vendor Partner Scorecard rankings have been finalized and the results are in. Below are the Top 10 in Overall Satisfaction and five other categories.
Our Members rank participating Vendor Partners on a scale of 1 – 10 for various metrics. These rankings are aggregated and individual ranking data remains anonymous, ensuring that Members are free to provide honest feedback.
64 Vendor Partners choose to participate in the 2019 VP Scorecard and our Members provided feedback on 4,712 relationships with those Vendor Partners.
One of the questions on the survey asks each member to rate their Vendor Partner Relationship relative to other suppliers in the product category. 69% of the Vendor Partner relationships were rated as an Above Average or Superior Performer.
TAP BELOW TO OPEN TOP TEN VENDOR PARTNER SCORECARD RESULTS
Overall Satisfaction
- Gray Metal South
- Southwark Metal Mfg. Co.
- Nu-Calgon
- Gray Metal Products, Inc.
- TRUaire
- Snap-Rite Mfg
- Gastite
- Johns Manville
- Aire Force
- Velocity Boiler Works
Sales Rep Performance
- Southwark Metal Mfg. Co.
- Nu-Calgon
- Arkema
- Johns Manville
- Aire Force
- Lochinvar, LLC
- DiversiTech
- Snap-Rite Mfg
- Gray Metal South
- MA-Line Specialty Products
Product Quality, Mfg Capabilities
- TRUaire
- Snap-Rite Mfg
- Gastite
- Gray Metal Products, Inc.
- Southwark Metal Mfg. Co.
- Nu-Calgon
- Aeroflex
- Legend Valve & Fitting
- Genesis
- Air Products and Controls
Service, Communication, Product Training
- Gray Metal South
- Gray Metal Products, Inc.
- Nu-Calgon
- Southwark Metal Mfg. Co.
- Nidec/U.S. Motors
- Johns Manville
- Snap-Rite Mfg
- Malco Products
- Arkema
- Gastite
Deliveries, Lead Times, Fill Rates, Errors
- TRUaire
- Snap-Rite Mfg
- Gastite
- Gray Metal Products, Inc.
- Southwark Metal Mfg. Co.
- Nu-Calgon
- Aeroflex
- Legend Valve & Fitting
- Genesis
- Air Products and Controls
Pricing, Terms & Conditions, Profitability
- TRUaire
- Gray Metal South
- Aire Force
- Sealed Unit Parts Co. (SUPCO)
- UEi Test Instruments
- Gray Metal Products, Inc.
- Southwark Metal Mfg. Co.
- Genesis
- Hardcast
- Nu-Calgon
INCENTIVE TRACKING REPORTS
Last year, Individual Member Incentives accounted for 68% of our Overall Incentive Rebate revenue. Please review your Individual Incentive Tracking reports and pay attention to your company’s Individual Incentive opportunities.
Incentive Tracking reports are delivered quarterly through your company folder in the BLUE HAWK Online Community. This folder contains confidential information and access is limited. Email Michelle Phillips if you need access to your company folder. Email Colleen Leppert if you would like her to walk through the report with you over the phone.
2020 WINTER SUMMIT
Join BLUE HAWK at The Westin Snowmass in Snowmass, Colorado for the 8th Annual Winter Summit. The Winter Summit meeting will be held on Monday afternoon, January 13. In addition to business, enjoy skiing/snowboarding, snowmobiling and fly fishing.
Snowmass is a giant of a mountain, with terrain that spans the spectrum from gentle to pure adrenaline -from beginner slopes to terrain parks, and from cliff jumps to the longest run in North America. With 3,000 skiable acres, you’ll have two to yourself. To top it off, the extensive lift and gondola system can get you to the good stuff quickly, without the lines. The Westin is ski-in/ski-out, and when you’re skied-out, enjoy the après scene that ranges from s’mores to shot skis… or both. On and off the slopes, there’s something for everyone at Snowmass.
Snowmass is by far the largest of the four mountains in the Aspen Snowmass collection. Snowmass offers the greatest options for terrain, winter activities and on-mountain dining. Create winter memories with your fellow BLUE HAWK Members, Vendor Partners and Solution Partners at the amazing networking opportunity.
This trip is suitable for first-time skiers through advanced and everyone in between.
Not a skier? Not a problem! There is plenty to do for non-skiers.
BLUE HAWK University Training Tracks
Got Curriculum?
Now is the time to set up your next set of Training Tracks. If you haven’t set up Training Tracks yet, it’s time to get started. Training Tracks give you the ability to focus your employees training on what you would like them to learn.
The new “Your BHU Essentials” already helps focus your employees on the Vendor Partners you buy from, now take it one step further and set curriculum so that they are taking the modules that you would like them to take, on your time frames.
We now have a webinar under the BLUE HAWK section in BHU to show you how to set Training Tracks up.
Set up Curriculum
What modules would you like your employees to take?
Set Time Frames
Setting Training Tracks allows you to make sure your employees are staying on top of their training.
Sell More
Employees sell what they know. We heard it directly from them in our user survey. They sell what they are knowledgeable on. Train them and they sell more.
For more information:
Tina Schicchi
BlueVolt
503-764-2054
tina.schicchi@bluevolt.com
TAP TO OPEN
New Courses this Quarter
- Berry Global, Inc: Nashua Tapes For Flex Duct
- Berry Global, Inc: Polyken Tapes for Flex Duct
- Broan Nu-Tone LLC: QT DC & LoPro DC
- Intermatic Inc.: NATE AG3000 & Compressor Defender™ Protect Against Power Surge Events, Brown Outs and Short Cycling
- Resideo: Heat Pump Defrost Control
- Resideo: T10 Pro Smart Thermostat with RedLINK™ Room Sensor
- Tecumseh: ARGUS Condensing Unit
- US Motors/Nidec Motors Corp.: RESCUE EZ13™ Product Overview
- US Motors/Nidec Motors Corp.: RESCUE EZ16™ Aftermarket 16-Pin ECM Product Overview
- US Motors/Nidec Motors Corp.: RESCUE Select Pro™ Programmable Constant Torque ECM Product Overview
BLUE HAWK University
BHU Member Recognition is based upon the total number of Vendor Partner product training modules completed during the previous three months.
TAP TO OPEN
Way to go! Top BHU Participants
- Tina Mitchell, AnderSons, Inc., ID
- Jose Fuentes, Century A/C Supply, TX
- Aaron Rambo, Century A/C Supply, TX
- Peter Berger, Temperature Equip. Corp. (TEC), IL
- Jesse Christiansen, A/C Supply Inc, LA
- Kaitlyn Lettow, Contractors Heating and Cooling Supply (Mountain Contractors), UT
- Jonathan Nunez, Contractors Heating and Cooling Supply (Mountain Contractors), UT
- Javier Gallegos III, Century A/C Supply, TX
- Andy Luttinen, Benoist Bros. Supply Co, IL
- Morgan Dickerson, Contractors Heating and Cooling Supply (Mountain Contractors), UT
- Jorge Ramirez, Victor Distributing Co., FL
- Cody Moore, HVAC Sales & Supply Co., TN
- Tim Danze, Thrifty and Blacks Wholesale, WA
- Arthur Doucette, Distributor Corp of New England (DCNE), MA
- Ashly Bourne, Gorman Industries, NM
- Chandler Knight, Southern Refrigeration, VA
- Lloyd Thornton, AnderSons, Inc., ID
- Kayla Miller, Holmes Supply, NE
- Jeff Holden, Contractors Heating and Cooling Supply (Mountain Contractors), UT
- Alex Fossen, Stevens Equipment Supply, MN
New Courses this Quarter
- Berry Global, Inc: Nashua Tapes For Flex Duct
- Berry Global, Inc: Polyken Tapes for Flex Duct
- Broan Nu-Tone LLC: QT DC & LoPro DC
- Intermatic Inc.: NATE AG3000 & Compressor Defender™ Protect Against Power Surge Events, Brown Outs and Short Cycling
- Resideo: Heat Pump Defrost Control
- Resideo: T10 Pro Smart Thermostat with RedLINK™ Room Sensor
- Tecumseh: ARGUS Condensing Unit
- US Motors/Nidec Motors Corp.: RESCUE EZ13™ Product Overview
- US Motors/Nidec Motors Corp.: RESCUE EZ16™ Aftermarket 16-Pin ECM Product Overview
- US Motors/Nidec Motors Corp.: RESCUE Select Pro™ Programmable Constant Torque ECM Product Overview
If you would like to get started with BLUE HAWK University Vendor Partner Product Training, email Teri Ditsch at tditsch@bluehawkcooperative.com.
NEW BLUE HAWK MEMBERS
Republic Plumbing Supply
890 Providence Hwy
Norwood, MA 02062
P: (781) 762-3900
www.republicsupplyco.com
Edmondson Plumbing & Heating Supply
106 Hilltop Drive
Lawrenceberg, KY 40342
P: (502) 839-5187
www.edmondsonsupply.com
Green Art Plumbing Supply
65 S. Columbus Avenue
Freeport, NY 11520
P: (516) 379-0449
www.greenartplumbing.com
S.J. Perry Company, Inc.
712 S. Arizona Avenue
Butte, MT 59701
P: (406) 782-9148
www.sjperryco.com
219 BLUE HAWK Member-Owners with 1470 locations.
NEW BLUE HAWK VENDOR PARTNERS
Dow/Lentus
Effective July 1, 2019
Primary Contact: Fred Hoffman
P: (317) 853-6737
www.Lentusllc.com
DOWSIL Silcone & DOWFROST Heat Transfer Fluid (Glycol), Dupont Great Stuff and FROTH-PAK Urethene Insulating Foam Sealants, LENTEK Gloves, and Lucas Oil Products
HTP
Effective October 1, 2019
Primary Contact: Todd Romig
P: (508) 8542-4074
www.htproducts.com
Residential and commercial stainless steel high efficiency boilers, both space heating and water heating.
For information regarding our Vendor Partner Program Details, visit our password protected BLUE HAWK Online Community. Enter your User Name and Password and click on the BH Vendor Partner Tab.
New BLUE HAWK Solution Partners
TAP BELOW TO OPEN LIST
New Solution Partners
Billtrust: Billtrust saves you time and money by outsourcing your invoices and statements.
Budget Car Rental: IMARK has a negotiated discount program with Budget Car Rental. See the Budget Car Rental listing in the Online Community for the code that can be used at Budget.com or your favorite travel site.
Budget Truck Rental: Budget Truck Rental has provided special pricing for IMARK members for short term rentals of Cargo Vans, 16′ and 24′ Trucks with or without lift gates. See the Online Community for more details.
Cintas: Uniforms and apparel, mats, first and safety, restroom and facility services.
Ford Motor Company: Ford provides IMARK members fleet pricing on all Ford products. Utilize IMARK Group Fleet numbers with your local Ford dealer to receive the IMARK fleet pricing. Special pricing for your employees is available through www.fordpartner.com. See the Online Community for more details.
Hertz Car Rental: Access to IMARK negotiated free Gold Club membership and rental discounts.
On Hold Media Group: web based on-hold messaging program with custom scripts for your company in addition to hundreds of pre-written spots from manufacturers.
Phocas: Business Intelligence software that helps companies make better and more informed business decisions – driving efficiency and increased profitability.
Proline Products: Bottled water by the pallet and truck load.
Scantron Technology Services: Managed Print Services and Technology Hardware Services.
SMP: Customer Resource Management and Analytics software to proactively manage your sales and marketing efforts.
BLUE HAWK Gives Back
BLUE HAWK Gives Back has logged more than 2,989 volunteer hours since May 2012, including Father Joe’s Village, Durso Park Playground Project, Joshua Station, Christopher Reeve Foundation, The Ulman Cancer Fund, Surf Rider Foundation Beach Clean-up, Habitat for Humanity, The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, The National Parkinson’s Foundation, Boys and Girls Clubs, Girls on the Run, Arizona Basset Hound Rescue, The Tiffany Foundation, The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, The Kori May Memorial Endowment Fund, Mountain Girl Rescue, Fund Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, United Way of Genesse County, and American Red Cross Midwest Division.
