During these unprecedented and challenging times the safety and viability of our members is our priority here at ISG. It is critical that we consider any and all initiatives that will assist our members to continue to operate as best as possible during this current business climate. We have and will implement the following initiatives:
- The Q4-2019 and year end true up rebate distribution scheduled for 4/16/20 was expedited to be paid out on 3/27/20. This is three weeks earlier.
- One of the unique membership benefits in ISG is the extended time you receive to pay your manufacturer invoices and still receive the early pay discount. For instance, if the standard terms for a manufacturer are 1% 10, Net 30, ISG Member terms are 1% 30, Net 31. That is a benefit exclusive to members of ISG, as the group will pay all invoices by the 10th in order to receive the discount on your behalf. Effective Immediately the NET terms for ALL invoices due will extended by 30 days. This does not apply to the early pay discount term. So as in the previous example, current terms are 1%30/Net 31, effective immediately, including all current invoices, the terms will be 1% 30, Net 60. Any invoices that run 90+days run the risk of the member being placed on credit hold because the group will lose the approved credit insurance protection.
- ISG will continue to proactively communicate all pertinent supplier issues regarding supply chain or inventory issues as well as sharing with the entire ISG community submitted dealer best practices. Please take the time to read the COVID-19 emails and share with any applicable individuals in your business.
Independent Suppliers Group is YOUR member owned cooperative, a family of likeminded businesses with a common purpose of supporting their communities, customers and employees. Our top priority is to be here to support and better enable you to provide that world-class local service that the independent dealer is known for. Please do not hesitate to contact any of the ISG staff at any time.
Continue throughout this page to find information and links to all of the COVID-19 updates and inforamtion we have received so far.
Click on the images below to visit the Back to Work Sales Playbook and Work from Home & Learn from Home Marketing materials page.
COVID-19 Update 11/20/20:
PPP Expenses Not Deductible if Reasonable Expectation of Forgiveness Exists (Regardless of Loan Forgiveness Timing) - click here to read more.
COVID-19 Update 5/22/20:
Selling Opportunities
Selling Opportunities in the RDC
- Clorox’s Germicidal Bleach
- CLO30966CT - 121 oz. / 3 carton – RDC PRICE = $14.39 / carton
- 5,000 cartons are immediately available nationwide
AMMEX Gloves
CDC Re-Opening Guidelines
COVID-19 Update 5/6/2020:
BOXPARTNERS is hosting a FREE 30 minute webinar on 5/12 to showcase the opportunities available in packaging during this health crisis. Click here for information on how to register. You can also check out some high-demand products BOX Partners offers by clicking here.
Selling Opportunities
Supply Chain Updates
- ZEBRA PEN will be reopening their Mexico facility and should be back up and running by 6/1/2020. Click here to read more.
- ESSENDANT has issued an update on what they are doing operationally during the pandemic. Click here for more info.
COVID-19 Update 4/30/2020:
Supply Chain Updates
- Domtar temporarily closing down a facility in Kentucky which should not impact our supply chain as they have sufficient inventory/production in other facilities. Click here for more info.
Selling Opportunities
- Deflecto has a new price list that is posted on the ISG website for the new PPE items offered. These prices are NON-REBATEABLE and can be found here.
- Royal Sovereign has a new product coming out to deodorize re-usable masks. Click here to read the press release.
- ACCO will have future availability on non-medical grade disposable masks, SKU number: MEA HW100000. Click here for more info.
- Eco Products has many products to facilitate take out/delivery. Click here for more info.
- Eco Products also has the cutlerease for safe dispensing of disposable cutlery. Click here to view sell sheet. Contact Michael Pusatera at Michael.Pusatera@ecoproducts.com to discuss the leasing option with the cutlerease line.
- Ironwood has developed a portable sanitation station for safety products and safety vests needed on the go. Click here for more info.
- BOX Partners has products that will help you create new opportunities to meet the demand for home delivery. Click here to read more.
DIGITAL THERMOMETERS
RJ Schinner (RJS) has about 90,000 digital thermometers available across the country. This item is available on a first come first serve basis. There are only 10,000 in each of your services areas at the start of Monday 4.27.20. RJ Schinner is taking on new dealers, contact your RJS Rep if you already do business with them. If you are new to RJS, contact
acancilla@rjschinner.com.
Click here for more info.
Disinfectants
- Lysol and Clorox wipes will be back in stock by summer, experts say, according to Business Insider, click here to read more.
- From Frank Hoard, Director, Facility Supply Channel: "Because of the recent statements released by chemical manufacturers like Reckitt-Benckiser (makers of Lysol and Clorox) concerning injecting or digesting their disinfectants, I developed this list of 12 things you should know about disinfectants during this time when misinformation is running ramped. It’s my belief that we all need to share this knowledge so that disinfectants can be used properly and responsibly." Click here to read more.
COVID-19 Update 4/21/2020:
Supply Chain Updates
- Chartpak has agreed to go back to normal credit practices and is no longer requiring prepayment on orders. Please continue to order from Chartpak through our Direct Buy program.
- Essendant's Cranbury Distribution Center reopened, servicing a limited set of customers. Click here to read more.
- XStamper has waived drop ship fees during this pandemic. The press release and notification can be found here.
Selling Opportunities
- Advantus has added non-medical grade masks to their line up and has inventory. The sell sheet can be found here and online.
- Global - offers OfficesToGo NEW Bundle and Ship promotion for WFH solutions and is ready to ship immediately. Click here for more info.
- Screenflex healthcare solutions are available with a helpful brochure to help sell their products.
- Lindenmyer Monroe has gowns and masks available, but they are not medical grade products. Click here for more info.
- Deflecto’s new line of PPE products are available now and the price list can be found on the website and via this link.
- MasterVision (Bisilque) developed marketing materials to help sell the visual display products that are very useful during the pandemic. The brochure can be found here.
- CBRE Furniture Advisory COVID 19 + The Future of Furniture | What's Your Layout? Click here for more info.
- SYNNEX and Microsoft can help your customers stay connected and productive with seamless and secure remote worker solutions. Click here to read more about the Remote Worker Bundle.
Hand Sanitizer - Alcohol Storage & Transportation
- Frank Hoard, Director, Facility Supply Channel, provides resources and government information about properly handling alcohol based hand sanitizers. Click here to read more.
ISG Member Small Business Loan Resources Survey Summary
ISG conducted a very brief Small Business Loan Resources Survey in an effort to understand our members’ efforts to gain funding through the Federal Government’s Small Business Loan Resources. Here's some summary data of the results we have received so far:
- 186 Responses
- 67.74% of Responders Applied for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan
- 2.15% of Responders Applied for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)
- 26.34% of Responders Applied for Both Loans List Above
- 3.76% of Responders Did Not Apply for a Loan
- 69.35% of Responding Dealerships Received Loan Approval
- 40.32% of Responding Dealerships have Received Funding
If you have not taken the survey yet, please
click here to do so, it should take less than 1 minute.
COVID-19 Update 4/6/2020:
Companies that are Closing Facilities:
- Zebra has shut down their plant in Mexico. Zebra is working with the Mexican government to be declared an essential business but for right now, their only distribution facility in North America is closed. Zebra will be contacting members that have open orders that might not ship. Click here to read more.
- Domtar will be shutting down 2 uncoated freesheet mills in TN and AR for 3 months. They do not envision that this will hurt their supply during this time. Click here to read more.
Counterfeit Product/Price Gouging:
Facilities Re-opening:
- Master Lock was deemed an essential business and will resume operations in Nogales, Mexico. Click here to read more.
- Crayola has reopened their distribution center and is currently trying to catch up with the demand surge on their products. Click here to read more.
Open for Business as Essential Companies:
- Alliance has issued a press release indicating they are still open for business. Click here to read more.
- Essendant has issued a release indicating that they are open for business, but did have to furlough some associates, including their sales force. Click here to read more.
Opportunity:
- An Illinois based graphic printer reached out with signs and decals that can be used in facilities that remain open to mark distance and other useful information. We will not be setting them up for central bill functions nor have we vetted this company, but if you have a need for these products please reach out to Catherine at Graphics Partners. Click here to read more.
IMPORTANT Facility Suppliers COVID-19 UPDATE
Please contact Frank Hoard, Director, Facility Supply Channel at
hoard@isg.coop with any questions.
Information & Answers About COVID-19 Relief Plans Presentation
Moore Colson CPAs and Advisors presented three webinars recently regarding COVID-19. Please click on the links below for the audio recording of the actual webinar and the presentation visuals.
- COVID-19 Actionable Insights for Businesses Series: CARES Act: Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness Update Including changes for the PPP Flexibility Act of 2020 from 6/4/20
- Follow-up Webinar on Payroll Protection Program (PPP) and Related Questions from 4/21/20
- Actionable Insights for Businesses Series: Business Strategies for COVID-19 Planning under The (FFCRA) and The CARES Act from 4/1/20
How Covid-19 is Impacting the Office Print Industry Webinar
During these uncharted times we wanted to take a moment to connect with all of you around the impact we are seeing from Covid-19 on the office print industry. We have some data that we'd like to share with you and some ideas on how other print leaders are managing through this period of time. CLICK HERE TO VIEW/LISTEN TO THE ISG COVIDE-19 UPDATE WEBINAR.
ISG COVID-19 Update Webinar
ISG hosted a webinar on Thursday, April 2 to effectively communicate additional information and to listen to your concerns so the group can continue to do whatever we can to assist you and your customers during these times.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW/LISTEN TO THE ISG COVID-19 UPDATE WEBINAR.
Click here to view the Q&A document following the ISG COVID-19 Update Webinar
Latest Legislation Information
BeachFleischman Paycheck Protection Program – Loan Forgiveness
The CARES Act includes loan forgiveness provisions for loans received under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The exact details are not yet clear, however, the Small Business Administration (SBA) has promised clarification of the forgiveness provisions at a future date. This Q&A is intended to help you understand the basics. These FAQs will be updated to address additional questions as they arise, based on further guidance from the SBA. Click here to read more.
Information & Answers About COVID-19 Relief Plans Presentation
Moore Colson CPAs and Advisors presented COVID-19 Actionable Insights for Businesses Series: Business Strategies for COVID-19 Planning under The (FFCRA) and The CARES Act from 3/31/20.
Please click on the links below for the audio recording of the actual April 1 webinar and the presentation visuals.
Below you'll find a couple of documents we received regarding the latest legislation information surrounding The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Please click on the links to open the documents and read more of the information.
We understand that everyone is trying to stay abreast of what is happening with COVID-19 and how it may affect their communities, state, and nation. With the help of Paul Miller and Miller Wenhold Capitol Strategies, IOPFDA will be hosting weekly COVID-19 Legislative update presentations to make sure our members never miss a beat!
Click here to review our COVID-19 Resource Center for tips and links on how to plan, prevent, and handle situations that may arise with employees and clients, view all past and future presentation information, helpful COVID-19 Government resources and more.
In case you missed them, you can view all past and future presentation information, as well as helpful COVID-19 Government resources on our website by
clicking here.
Click here to better understand who qualifies as Essential Business.
Support FEMA by Supporting Critical Items!
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security are looking for local vendors in all parts of the country who can provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in this time of need. A list of critical items needed can be found here.
If you are a supplier for these items and wish to be considered as a potential vendor, send an email with your capabilities statement and contact information to
covidsupplies@fema.dhs.gov.
COVID-19 Update 3/30/2020:
The following suppliers have announced closures to facilities due to COVID-19:
The following suppliers remain open for business with both manufacturing and shipping and have sent notices outlining the precautions they are taking.
The following suppliers have announced re-opening:
IMPORTANT Facility Suppliers COVID-19 UPDATE
- Nearly all suppliers of Hand Sanitizer, Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), Disinfectant Wipes and Disinfectants are now on allocation. That means if you haven’t bought a particular item from a supplier in the past, you won’t be able to get it now. If you did buy a specific product in the past from a supplier, the likelihood that you will be part of a rationing program are high. We at ISG are working hard to find alternative suppliers for you, both inside and outside the ISG Direct Supplier Network. However, during this time of unusual demand, we need you to understand that products from companies like Dial, GOJO, Clorox, and Lysol to name a few, are NOT available for general resale. As companies increase supplies, their new inventory is being sold directly to Healthcare, State and Federal agencies through traditional Healthcare Distribution channels. We understand that many of you are trying to sell these particular products to various Healthcare accounts, and while the demand is there, the inventory simply isn’t. While we try to develop alternative solutions, we ask for your patience as we are all in this together.
- Midlab Chemical - DISINFECTANTS ARE STILL AVAILABLE! Some of you may have heard of issues going on with Midlab Chemical with regards to their raw materials being rerouted by the Federal Government. Be aware that this is true, but it only affects some of their hand soaps and their Hand Sanitizer products. Midlab is still making COVID-19 effective Disinfectants for ISG members to order.
Please contact Frank Hoard, Director, Facility Supply Channel at
hoard@isg.coop with any questions.
ISG Member Message Board
The ISG Member Message Board has a COVID-19 Forum open for discussion, questions and best practices between ISG members.
Click here to read the board and interact with your fellow members now.
Important Health Guidelines and Information for COVID-19
- From Johns Hopkins Medicine: Click here to read about about protecting yourself and others, in addition to various helpful and informative links regarding COVID-19.
- From the CDC: Click here to read about prevention, cleaning your home and many other helpful and informative links regarding COVID-19.
COVID-19 Update 3/23/2020:
IMPORTANT MESSAGE REGARDING PLACING ORDERS WITH MEDLINE:
- Do not call 1-800-MEDLINE for customer service. That connects to the Acute Care side of their business. If you do use that phone number, you need to ask for Retail Customer Service.
- Contacts are as follows:
The World According to Grady
I’m Almost Speechless, But You Know Better.
Here Are Some Thoughts On What You Might Consider During These Uncertain Times
One of the most powerful tools in the ISG community is our ability to network, share best practices, and get counsel during difficult circumstances. I cannot overemphasize how much “difficult circumstances” does not meet the standard for what we are going through today. I’m 66 years old and I have never seen anything like this. The good news is that you continue to communicate with one another and below are some thoughts for you and your business that just might be helpful.
- Communicate with your customers. Bill Cross with Modern Office in Ohio sent an email with the following –
This accomplishes multiple goals including reassurance you are open for business, and another quality customer touch.
- Turn a terrible situation into an opportunity. Mark Porter with Porter’s in Idaho, realized that a large percentage of their customers are now working from their homes -
He let them know that they were ready to serve, no matter where they are.
- RIF. Reduction-In-Force is a nicer term that describes layoffs. And your business may be there now. Having lived through numerous recessions, I recall a situation where we had to reduce labor costs because top-line revenues were being crushed. Instead of RIF’ing people, we had everyone cut back their hours. So, if we were looking for a 20% reduction in overhead, we had everyone “work” a 32-hour week. It was definitely painful for employees, but better than having zero percent of your paycheck if you were RIF’ed, and it reduced payroll costs.
- Borrow Money! Now! Finally, I had a most interesting conversation earlier this week with a CEO of a major publicly-traded company. Their stock was riding an all-time high just a few weeks ago, and now it has been crushed – down 50%. He had two observations for me. First, he was glad to see that his and most other companies’ financial positions are stronger than they were back in 2008. That’s a fundamental building block that we can rely on to help build back when this virus is over. Secondly, he mentioned that they have a credit revolver and had just maxed it out [$400M] even though they had no cash needs at this moment. I asked why he had done that and his response was that they wanted the funds now BEFORE the banks potentially drew down or removed their credit line [Uncertainty 101]. In other words, he is building up his war chest/available cash before there was any retrenching from their lending institutions. So, if you have a credit line, albeit it a smaller amount of course, NOW may be the time to bring it on board and add it to your available cash. Interest costs are extremely low and having available cash as this crisis continues may indeed be what helps you survive. Smart.
I want to say that the above is certainly not all-inclusive on what you should or should not be doing during these times.And frankly, some of this just won’t apply if your city or state is on complete lockdown [California].But hopefully this will all end soon and with the fundamentals reasonably strong beforehand, we will see a quick recovery.If you have an idea you’d like to share, just reach out.In the meantime, you guys hang in there.
Grady Taylor
Please stay safe and healthy and we will continue to update you on what is happening with our suppliers during these turbulent times.
Independent Suppliers Group