Responsible Reflections Blog

Have you ever considered what goes into making the sunscreen that protects us in the summer months?

Chances are, you've applied sunscreen at least once since summer began. But have you ever considered the work and effort behind producing these essential creams and lotions? Chemical supply chain experts, like ACD member Coast Southwest, play a crucial role in making sure these products are available to keep you protected.

With summer in full swing, few things can beat having a swimming pool during July’s record-breaking heat waves. But one product is indispensable to treating them: chlorine.   

Just as our industry is continuously changing, so are we. As the next step in our evolution since changing our name last fall, ACD is redefining its membership categories.

Traditionally, ACD’s membership has consisted of Distributor Members and several different Affiliate categories. After much consideration, we've decided to combine our Chemical Handler Affiliates and Distributor Members into one category.

The chemical distribution industry is constantly changing. From regulatory updates to complex supply chain challenges, and even new sustainability requirements our customers are now requiring, it’s clear that resources and connections are more important than ever.

Throughout the year, the NACD team heads across the country to attend a number of key industry events hosted either by other trade associations or chemical companies themselves.

Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, businesses are working hard to reopen their doors and encourage employees back to the workplace as they seek some semblance of normalcy. As an essential industry that has continued operating throughout the crisis, chemical distributors and their employees may find this transition a little less distressing than other industries, suggests Trevor Shylock, Senior Consultant at talent management specialist PSI Services LLC.

The chemical distribution industry is a major economic engine. Businesses in this industry deliver valuable products safely and securely every day to a variety of market segments. Within these businesses are chemistry professionals who bring integrity, ingenuity, and research methods to the products chemical distributors sell, or even what they buy.

During our recent industry forum, a distribution sales leader mentioned that his sales team is not achieving sales goals consistently. He went on to say that when they do, profitability takes a hit. Another executive in the group asked if they provide growth playbooks, and the distribution sales leader emphatically said yes. The follow-up question brought the conversation to a long, thoughtful pause: “Are those playbooks seller-specific and customer-data driven?” The answer was no. This incident represents many sales organizations that under-utilize one of their most valuable assets: customer data.