Platinum Elite
As success travels quickly, many new IPW members are taking the Platinum Elite pledge. The program dynamics are unique in that as membership and corresponding procurement volumes grow, the bonus pool grows exponentially. Strict confidentiality throughout the process gives suppliers the latitude they need to reward our new level of supplier and brand loyalty. For this Executive Summary, I wanted to share a few personal comments and testimonies direct from IPW Platinum Elite members. Peer endorsements fuel momentum and excitement as the word quickly spreads.
Certainly IPW’s strategic alignment to the NetPrint group of paper merchants is critical to the momentum and success of our IPW Platinum Elite program and process. As an IPW Platinum Elite (PE) partner, NetPrint merchants (Lindenmeyr Munroe, Athens, Midland, Millcraft, Spicers Paper, and Olmstead-Kirk) have been extremely successful in converting IPW Platinum Elite members to a supply chain model where the NetPrint merchant in their region supplies the vast majority of their paper. In the first full year of this program, NetPrint grew 44% with IPW PE members.
When coupled with IPW PE mill programs, the incentives are greatly increased for PE members who combine the right merchant with the right mills.
IPW PE Members are enjoying not only the additional financial benefits of PE participation with paper, but also the world-class solutions, products, and performance in all areas of spend. Plates, pressroom consumables, freight and small parcel shipments, capital equipment, and other spend categories have IPW Platinum Elite Suppliers who have stepped up to help IPW PE members stay competitive within the markets they serve.
Testimonials:
IPW Board Member
“As someone that has been engaged with IPW for over a decade & a Board Member, I am very pleased with the successful launch of our Platinum Elite strategy. The direct feedback from several Platinum Elite suppliers confirms that our strict use of confidentiality throughout the process was critical. Now, as the Platinum Elite bonus pool is broadened with new members and with strategic new vendor programs, IPW is meeting the challenge of competing with the Leaders in the industry.”
-Ken Winterhalter, President, Twin Rivers Paper Company, past President, Unisource
