Prudential, Swisher Make GPO Deals

Two TRSA operator members recently announced agreements with group purchasing operations (GPOs): Prudential Overall Supply (POS), with National IPA, to build the launderer’s revenues across product lines; and Swisher Hygiene, for dishwashing and cleaning products, with Axis Purchasing.

Dedicated to the advancement of the public procurement profession, National IPA serves municipal and state government, public and private educational institutions, special districts, government-education healthcare entities and nonprofits.

POS’ promotional content on the coop’s website notes that it is the largest industrial laundry chain worldwide to have earned TRSA's Clean Green certification. The site notes the company’s significant efforts to accomplish Clean Green’s resource conservation and pollutant reduction goals and the knowledge gained from this initiative will help customers achieve their environmental as well as business objectives.

Axis Purchasing is a multi-billion dollar GPO that specializes in low-cost pricing on products from hundreds of leading foodservice manufacturers and service providers. The organization serves multi-unit restaurants, franchises, hotels, casinos and other foodservice businesses with food product and supply expertise, distribution management and communication tools.

Axis President John C. Krebs noted that Swisher’s coverage is national, a great match for the coop’s geographically diverse clientele. The agreement simplifies purchasing in an area that can be challenging and confusing for Axis operators to navigate on their own, he said.

The Swisher agreement brings them “great pricing and excellent service from the country’s fastest growing provider of sanitizing solutions,” Krebs said. “Not only do they provide all the chemicals the foodservice operations might need, they also sell and lease quality dish machines and provide 24/7 support from trained technicians.”

Mike Dolan, Swisher corporate accounts VP, said the new agreement is a natural for his company. “You might think that the most important consideration for people when they choose a restaurant is the quality of the food. But, in fact, studies show that cleanliness tops the list,” he noted.