December 2004              return to the newsletter contents page

What has SEDA Done for me Lately?

As we approach the beginning of a new year, it’s a good time to look back at our accomplishments over the past twelve months. Most safety equipment distributors would probably say that business was better in 2004 than the previous year, and that 2005 holds the promise of continued sales, and profitability, growth. The SEDA Profit Survey, which will be mailed to member in February, will give us insight into business conditions throughout the industry in 2004.

SEDA had a successful year in 2004, thanks to the support of all of our members. Membership

roles stabilized after several years of decline; a reflection, no doubt, of improved economic conditions in the industry. A number of new programs were introduced, and several existing programs saw renewed interest. Did you take full advantage of your SEDA membership in 2004? Here are some of the key programs, new and old, that add value to your membership.

• The Qualified Safety Sales Professional Course (QSSP) enters its second decade of providing technical and regulatory safety and health training to safety sales professionals. More than 600 QSSP graduates are providing safety solutions to their customers, and increased sales for their employers. As one graduate of the November 2004 class put it, “the course and instructors were awesome! The best investment in safety I have ever made in one week. I highly recommend this to anyone in our business.”

• The new Fundamentals of Safety and Health training (FOSH) was introduced in 2004 and was greeted with the same level of enthusiasm as QSSP. Nearly 40 inside sales and customer service reps received two days of intense training in the fundamental aspects of their jobs. FOSH, taught by QSSP instructor Bill Simkins, is geared towards entry level employees who need grounding in safety and health fundamentals. Two more classes will be offered in 2005.

• The Advanced Inside Sales CD-Rom training program was another new offering from SEDA. For just $99.00, members could purchase a complete sales training program that allows inside salespeople to learn new concepts about their job and their potential as part of each company’s sales team. The self-study program even gives those successfully completing each module a certificate recognizing their accomplishment.

• Safety Week continues as the premier gathering place for business leaders in the safety equipment industry. Safety Week 2005 has a new, earlier time slot—May 15-17, and a convenient location at the Omni Interlocken Resort outside of Denver, CO.  The 2005 meeting has also been shortened by a half-day without losing any of the valuable, business-building seminar time offered previously.

• A new catalog and marketing service was also introduced to SEDA members in 2004. Safety Marketing Services (SMS) began working with distributors to produce high quality sell-sheets, marketing materials and full-color catalogs.  SMS has tens of thousands of product images in their database, making catalog creation a breeze.

There’s much more to come in 2005, including a new discount freight program that could shave thousands from your annual freight bills. Don’t let another year go by without taking full advantage of your SEDA membership. Complete details on these and other programs are on the SEDA website at www.safetycentral.org.

Happy Holidays to you and yours from everyone at SEDA Headquarters!