Sometimes two is better than one. This was the case for two associations serving different segments of the supply chain industry that decided to join forces earlier this week.

In order to better support the industry marketplace, it was announced that APICS, an individual membership association for supply chain and operations management professionals, will integrate into its operations the Supply Chain Council, which serves a corporate membership base.

“APICS and SCC both focus on providing programs that advance supply chain excellence, innovation, and resilience,” said Abe Eshkenazi, CAE, APICS CEO, who will remain at the head of the organization, in a statement. “Together we are a powerhouse poised to quickly realize the benefits of this combination, and offer greater value to our members, volunteers, partners, customers, and employees.”

The impetus for the merger began last spring when the two organizations, which had always had a working relationship, realized that by joining together they could offer more resources to their respective memberships.

“The marketplace was demanding a more comprehensive and consistent delivery of education, certification, and training and opportunities, so that’s where the conversation started between the board members as well as the senior staff last year,” Eshkenazi said.

It’s a combination of two complementary organizations—in fact there is very little if any redundancy in the services offered by the two associations, he added. With the merger, members of each organization will now have access to a wider range of membership benefits, training, and certification programs to augment their professional development and business performance.

“It really meets the customers based on their needs,” Eshkenazi said. “Too often associations take an inside-out approach—here’s our products, here’s our services, take them they’re good for you. This is a merger of two companies that are being responsive to what the market is looking for and combining their resources to address the market opportunity or market demand.”

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