Why NAPM wants a name change

By Staff -- Purchasing, 2/8/2001

Editor: All of us at NAPM appreciate the support and coverage your publication gives NAPM 's potential name change that appeared in the Dec. 22, 2000, issue.

The discussion regarding changing NAPM 's name has been going on for several years. Different committees have debated the very issues raised in the article, all of which have merit. The decision was made to proceed with a proposed name change because we believe the time has come.

As we speak with members, it is clear one overwhelming desire is to gain greater respect for what they do every day for their organization. Today, perhaps as never before, they do a great deal more than purchase.

We believe they are managing the supply of goods and services that their organizations require to achieve success. Recognition that supply management includes purchasing, negotiation, managing the flow of goods and services, and the contracting and contract management all underlies how value is obtained and added. This strategic contribution is where lies recognition for the job being done by thousands of professionals worldwide.

"International" was deliberately left out of what is a boundaryless name. There are at least 45 other national associations that look upon NAPM as a colleague. Including "international" in our name implies that NAPM is not a colleague but rather has designs on those other associations and their members.

Institute was selected to portray the national level of the association as it is. We conduct research and education and disseminate leading-edge information. Our many affiliates do other activities, better carried out at the local level, as well as some of what is done at the national level. They may not wish to change their names as NAPM may better describe what they do. It is not necessary for them to change their names. Indeed, we were called NAPM for over 20 years before affiliates began adopting that name.

We are in a golden age for supply management. In organization after organization, the role and expectation is increasing. The word "purchasing" simply carries too much baggage related to the tactical paper-pushing function.

We believe the term "supply chain" has met its apex. Once you go beyond the first tier of suppliers, there is no longer a lineal relationship. It is, in fact, better described as a web of suppliers. Non-manufacturing organizations frequently see supply chain management as relating to manufacturing only.

Whatever the members decide when they each vote in March, we will strive to be the organization that prepares purchasing and supply professionals for the future.

Again, thank you on behalf of all of us at NAPM for your interest. We found your "Techlines" article balanced and thoughtful.

Richard V. Bradshaw, C.P.M.

President, NAPM

Editor: I wanted to express my appreciation for accepting Remedy's nomination for "best places to work."

The Committee responsible for our selection exhibited a sense of fairness in considering a company with a modest-sized purchasing organization, particularly compared with the other two selected companies. This action confirms my belief that PURCHASING Magazine represents every strata of purchasing organizations from large to small, production purchasing to MRO, private to public companies and commercial to government organizations.

I have always enjoyed working with your staff, particularly Susan Avery, on articles which are of interest to the general purchasing community. I look forward to continuing this relationship, perhaps we will meet again at the NAPM -sponsored International Purchasing Conference in April.

Dennis Bennett C.P.M.

Director, Purchasing and Strategic Sourcing, Remedy Corp.

Editor: I am writing to you in regard to your article "Foam buyers brace for shortages, price hikes" from the Nov. 2 issue (page 44).

My name is David Leitner and I work for Dorel Industries. We subscribe to your magazine and are very pleased with the information that it provides. This article was of key interest to us as we are large users of foam, which we use to manufacture car seats and futons, which are two of many items that we produce.

My question to you is if there has been any further developments on this subject since the article came out. Being a very large user of foam, we would appreciate any further input that you can provide on this subject. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

David Leitner

Doral Industries

Editor's Note: The Environmental Protection Agency was deluged with objections from buyers and is reconsidering its decision to move up the phaseout of HCFC -141b, a blowing agent used to make polyurethane foam. We'll keep an eye on the situation and keep you posted. In a related development, The EPA is expected to post supplier HCFC allocations very soon in the Federal Register. Best advice: Stay in close contact with your supplier to see where they stand in the allocation derby and make sure the EPA knows of any problems you will be facing. The contact at the EPA is Anhar Karimjee and she can be reached at karimjee.anhar@epa.gov.