Global sourcing buying group saves small biz big bucks

Why buy alone? This is the question any small business owner needs to ask.

In answer, Industries United formed to connect thousands of small businesses into industry groups who purchase material and operational supplies, together. IU recently launched a national buying program with Fastenal.

Fastenal is a global sourcing company with local, one-stop stores worldwide offering a spectrum of original equipment manufacturer (OEM); manufacturing, repair and operations (MRO); and construction supplies.

This program allows any business to buy supplies from Fastenal at “National Account” pricing. Due to the size of the group and its unparalleled buying power, everyone saves.

Now IU has partnered with xTuple, global open source developer of business management software solutions. Thanks to this partnership, any U.S.-based xTuple user has access to the program.

A few important details:

• It’s completely FREE to participate. No hidden fees. No credit cards required. 100% free.

• Group discounts are structured as pricing “caps.” If you participate in this program, discounts are considered minimums, and you are free to negotiate better pricing on items, if you wish. Because of this freedom, the program acts like “pricing insurance” where you are guaranteed to not pay more than the caps. Currently, discount caps are:
• 45% off of wholesale on all Fastener products
• 15% off of wholesale on all Power Tools
• 20% off of most everything else they sell

Unless you have your own national account with Fastenal or you spend less than $1 per year with Fastenal, there’s no reason not to participate.

• Consistent pricing is guaranteed with this program, regardless of which U.S. Fastenal location you use. If you travel to different job sites or have multiple locations, this program allows you to standardize your pricing nationally. There is no other program like this available through Fastenal for small- to mid-sized businesses.

• Industries United continues to negotiate with Fastenal, today and into the future. As the group grows, so will its buying power, only your participation will help make this grow.

Find Fastenal on Facebook and on Twitter @FastenalCompany.

Adam Alphin, founder of Industries United in 2011, has 10 years of experience in the procurement consulting and software industry. He strongly believes that today's connected world can lead to greater purchasing efficiency for tens of thousands of small- to mid-sized businesses around the world. He resides in Suffolk, Virginia, with his wife Meredith and two children where they enjoy life's adventures surrounded by family. Adam holds a B.S. in Industrial & Systems Engineering from Virginia Tech. Photo of Adam, who started his subscription-based office supply service at The Hatch accelerator on Granby Street in Norfolk. Photo by Amanda Lucier | The Virginian-Pilot.