Last year it came to light that the PHCC National Association had negotiated a discount program for its contractor members with one of its supplier members, Home Depot/HD Supply. Since then, ASA and HARDI members have worked closely with the PHCC chapter and national leadership to express the wholesale distributor community’s concerns and issues with any national trade association prioritizing one supplier member over others. In June, ASA and HARDI announced that PHCC agreed to end the discount program. ASA and HARDI applaud PHCC for its decision to discontinue this discount program, and thank the PHCC chapter and national leadership for listening to industry partners and changing course. This is a commendable example of good governance and industry relations, and for this PHCC is to be commended. 

 Here is PHCC’s statement on their decision: 

 "As part of our commitment to continuous improvement in how PHCC serves its members, chapters, industry, and communities at large, we regularly reevaluate our structure, benefits, and programs. After a careful review of our current affinity and partner programs, we have decided to discontinue our discount programs with Home Depot Pro and HD Supply at the end of this year. This action has been taken to further strengthen industry unity and collaboration, ensuring a unified front in addressing challenges and pursuing opportunities. We appreciate the support that Home Depot Pro and HD Supply provides to PHCC members and its state and local chapters. With the expiration of the discount programs, we plan to explore other ways we can work together to benefit the industry." 

 ASA and HARDI have consistently communicated that our objections to this discontinued program were not Home Depot-centric, but rather focused on the importance of fairness among all suppliers who support their association(s). Every supplier works each day to earn the business of their contractor customers and organizations such as PHCC should, and will continue to be, an excellent venue for building and growing those relationships. Suppliers are encouraged to enhance their support for customer associations with sponsorships and advertising, and now all distributor and manufacturer members can do so on a level playing field within PHCC. 

 ASA CEO Mike Adelizzi and HARDI CEO Talbot Gee thank ASA and HARDI members for their individual outreach to local chapters and the national association, and a special thank you to counterpart Cindy Sheridan of PHCC.