tED
the ELEC TRICAL DISTRIBU TOR
INNOVATION AND COLLABORATION have been hot topics in business for a number of years. But while many want to treat these ideas as though they are two separate con- cepts, two facts are evident: Innova- tion happens through collaboration, and the most innovative companies gain innovation not only from their team members, but also from other sources—like suppliers.In recent years, the electrical dis- tribution industry has battled the issue of counterfeit products. In addi- tion to the real concern for end-user safety, counterfeits also pose a major threat to the entire channel: manufac- turers, distributors, and contractors.Th is is a topic tED is taking a deeper look into. Last month, in the first of a three-part series about the problem of counterfeit electrical prod- ucts (find it in the April issue under the “Digital Edition” tab at tEDmag.com ), there was a sidebar article about a pilot program in which Omni Cable has worked out deals with both Eaton and Schneider Electric to serve as an authorized source of Eaton and Square DTM molded-case circuit breakers (MCCBs). The purpose of the program is to reduce the chance of distributors ob- taining products from unauthorized sources. Because of these agreements, Omni Cable can provide distribu- tors with safe MCCBs. Right now, the program is only available in select Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states, but if it is successful, there are plans to expand. We need to look past innovation for the sake of innovation and in- stead look at innovation and col- laboration together so that we can address the changes and challenges within the industry. The collabora- tive effort among Eaton, Schneider Electric, and Omni Cable is such a huge step in the right direction that I wanted to highlight the effort. It is through this type of thinking and collaboration—companies working together to make the industry better for everyone—that the electrical dis- tribution industry will continue to be successful in the future.Fi nd part two of our series on counterfeit products on page 82. ; Naber is president and CEO of NAED. He can be reached at tnaber@naed.org.
GETTING
BETTER,
TOGETHER by Tom Naber
READ TOM NABER’S “VOICES OF THE INDUSTRY” BLOG AT NAED.ORG.
Copyright © 2017 by National Association
of Electrical Distributors, Inc. All rights
reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part
without written permission is strictly
prohibited.
Vol. 54, No. 5
2009
Award Winner
PUBLISHER Scott Costa
scosta@naed.org
EDITOR Misty Byers
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ART DIRECTOR Randi Vincent
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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Susan Bloom, Craig DiLouie, Carolyn Heinze,
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Kevin Reed, Jim Romeo, Ken Simonson, Ken Stier,
Joseph Sullivan, Gary Thomas, Ken Wax
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