The Member Stockholders (independent distributors) of THE UNITED GROUP own and direct the group. They are comprised of:
- 350 independent distributor locations
- Closely held or family businesses
- Idea exchange with peers facing similar issues
The Member Stockholders, who choose to belong to THE UNITED GROUP’s market-segment committees, review and select outstanding vendors from the following markets:
- Janitorial/sanitary
- Foodservice
- Industrial-packaging
- Safety equipment and products
The collected buying power of the 350 independent distributors who own and direct THE UNITED GROUP® enhances their profitability due to the following advantages:
- Marketing allowances and optional growth incentives on each purchase from 150 selected vendors known as Preferred Suppliers
- Right to read the contracts with the Preferred Suppliers, which leads to transparency and openness
- The ability to purchase from Preferred Suppliers whose minimum-order requirements might otherwise be an obstacle
- Access to thousands of products in the janitorial/sanitary, foodservice, industrial-packaging and safety equipment and products markets
- Idea exchange at meetings and on the secure Forum of the group’s website among non-competing business owners with similar concerns, but different region of service
- Eligibility to run for and be elected to THE UNITED GROUP’s fiduciary Board of Directors and its non-fiduciary advisory board comprised of four executive vice presidents for each of the four market segments: Janitorial/Sanitary, Foodservice, Industrial-Packaging and Safety Equipment and Products
- Strengthened relationships with Preferred Suppliers based on meetings and social events at the annual National Conference
- Marketing-trend analysis from the market-segment committees of THE UNITED GROUP
- News, idea exchange and new-product information from the group’s quarterly news-and-marketing magazine United Connects
- Visits and coordination from THE UNITED GROUP’s member-services personnel
