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The International Association of Plastics Distributors, founded in 1956, is an international trade association comprised of companies engaged in the distribution and manufacture of plastics materials. Represented are materials in semi-finished stock shapes, such as sheet, rod, tube, pipe, valves, fittings, film and related products. Members' materials are produced and distributed for a wide variety of engineering and high performance applications, in such industries as food processing and packaging, OEM parts and equipment, chemical processing, waste and water treatment, construction, MRO parts, agriculture, automotive, medical, pharmaceutical, aerospace, electronics, marine, signs and displays, and many more.
The association provides its members opportunities for business development, forums for networking and exchange of ideas among those with common interests, and numerous opportunities for education. It also provides other specific services, such as drafting industry standards, maintaining a standard product number database to facilitate the use of electronic data interchange (EDI), collecting and analyzing industry statistics, and promoting the use of plastics in general. These efforts are guided by the association's volunteer leaders and committees, working collaboratively with IAPD staff to pursue IAPD's goals and achieve its objectives.
"The mission of the International Association of Plastics Distributors (IAPD) is to grow the plastics distribution industry through collection, production and dissemination of quality information and education; by offering meaningful business and social interactions; and, by being a catalyst in assuring proactive representation in the governmental and public arenas."
The vision of the IAPD is to be the recognized provider of quality products and services. The organization is now composed of members and common interest groups which contribute to the IAPD informational and educational resources. New products and services are not only member driven; they are also the primary source of non-dues income, reducing reliance on member dues.
- To increase the prestige of the plastics distribution industry.
- To promote our members as superior sources of distribution.
- To speak of our problems and aspirations in a unified, authoritative, respected voice.
- To constitute a valid sounding board for the policy considerations of manufacturers.
- To improve communications and cooperation with manufacturers.
- To study and develop efficient business systems as a guide for our members.
- To analyze markets for the identification of profit potentials.
- To compile details on common business costs and practices and to disseminate resulting data, with appropriate confidence, as a guide to informed management decisions.
- To influence and develop industry standards for the benefit of the producer, the distributor and the buyer.
- To establish systems and tools for effective sales training.
- To retain qualified legal counsel to watch, interpret and advise on matters of legislation and business practices which affect our industry.
- To establish a communications network for members to convey information valuable to informed management.
- To refine our skills and competence as businessmen and businesswomen.
Inasmuch as the plastics industry is a unique and special industry within the international plastics industry, and whereas the distributors, manufacturers and manufacturers' representatives of plastic materials are the liaison between the plastics distribution industry and industry and commerce in general, therefore, to foster mutual trust between ourselves, our industry and the general public, we are resolved to abide by the following code of ethics:
- We shall promote and support the distribution channel as a means to bring product to market.
- We shall refer to all products by their trademark, generic name or chemical formulation as solicited, and clarify the differences in either or all three of the classifications as the case arises.
- We shall substitute competitive brands from a trademark solicited, only upon approval of the buyer.
- We shall educate the buyer on our products without misrepresenting their advantages or disadvantages, and promote the use of the various products for the physical, chemical and electrical properties for which they excel.
- We will accurately represent and advertise our merchandise and services.
- In the ever-changing conditions in the plastics field, we will always be alert to new products which will benefit our customers.
- We shall comply fully with international standards and laws in all association activities.
ASI (Association Services International) — Publisher of The IAPD Magazine, ASI offers publishing and management services to IAPD and its members. ASI specializes in meetings management, publishing and communications, and web site design and maintenance.
IAPD Charitable Foundation — The foundation is a non-profit tax exempt subsidiary of the IAPD that is dedicated to administering the scholarship and educational programs.
European Plastics Distributors Association (EPDA) — Established in 1975, the EPDA has grown considerably, and today, almost all European countries are represented. It is comprised of companies engaged in the distribution and manufacture of plastic sheet, rod, tube, pipe, valves, fittings and film, and whose goal is to establish a leadership role within the plastics industry. EPDA is a member of the IAPD, and its members are listed in this directory.
It is, of course, the policy and intention of the IAPD (International Association of Plastics Distributors) to comply with all laws. The antitrust laws are of particular concern, since IAPD is, by its nature, a group of competitors joined together for a common business purpose.
Therefore, the following guidelines are adopted, and each officer, director, committee chair and vice chair, committee member, member of the association, staff member and any other representative or agent of the association is urged to comply with such guidelines.
Since members of the association derive an economic benefit from their membership, the bylaw requirements and qualifications for membership will be strictly adhered.
- Each and every applicant for membership, who is qualified under the bylaws, will be promptly processed and admitted to membership.
- Any applicant not qualified for membership under the bylaws will be promptly notified of the specific reason for non-qualification.
- Rejected IAPD membership applicants and any members threatened with expulsion because of failure to comply with the bylaws membership requirements will, upon request, be afforded the opportunity for a hearing before the association’s board of directors or executive committee.
Since an agreement among competitors (including members of the association) to divide customers or establish territorial rights is a criminal act, any such agreement, therefore, formal or informal, is not to be considered or discussed.
Voluntary industry standards which favor some competitors and discriminate against others create antitrust problems. The association will not consider or adopt standardization or certification activities which further the interests of certain groups of members to the exclusion of others, since such activities may result in antitrust problems.
The association will not establish or enforce a code of ethics for its members under circumstances where such code of ethics would result in economic injury to certain groups of members.
Prices charged by its members and the establishment of such prices is an inappropriate and illegal subject for association action and discussion, and the fixing of prices by individual members is declared to be outside the scope of the association’s activities.
The following subjects will not be discussed at association-sponsored meetings, whether such meetings be of the executive committee, board of directors, committees or the general membership:
- Current or future prices. (Great care must be taken in discussing past prices.)
- A “fair” profit level.
- Possible increases or decreases in prices.
- Standardization or stabilization of prices.
- Pricing procedures.
- Cash discounts.
- Credit terms.
- Control of sales.
- Allocation of markets.
- Refusal to deal with a corporation because of its pricing or distribution policies.
- Whether the pricing practices of any industry member are unethical or constitute an unfair trade practice.
Adopted on February 19, 1985, by IAPD’s Board of Directors.
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