It was just one year ago that Strata Group Purchasing Organization rebranded. But in that time, it has transformed in many ways, all to better serve its dealer members and vendor partners.
Led by CEO Mike Jewett, Strata has streamlined its operations, increased access to industry-leading suppliers, invested in technology, and built a team of subject matter experts who are accessible and ready to help.
Here, Mike, along with Alyssa Auerbach, vice president of member services at Strata, chat about how the GPO is positively disrupting the buying group space.
How is Strata different from other GPOs?
Mike: For one, we welcome dealers of all sizes, with our dealer base ranging from $500K to $100M in volume. Today’s small dealer could very well be tomorrow’s industry leader. Everyone starts somewhere and for the larger dealers, they likely had someone guiding them on their journey. We are here to provide that guidance.
Alyssa: We take a hands-on approach. Our team speaks FE&S language; many of them have either earned or will soon earn CFSP certification. And we show up. Our business development team is always traveling to meet with dealers, in person, at their place of business. And when we’re not in the field, we are answering emails, phone calls, and text messages to support needs.
Mike: That’s right. We don’t wait for the phone to ring. We call and ask how things are going. We love what we do and we love to serve. Collectively, our staff brings decades of experience in the FE&S industry.
Alyssa: We’re also different in that we’re privately owned, and this approach helps balance democracy with efficiency. One way it benefits members is how we’re able to provide additional incentives, above and beyond vendor rebates, funded by Strata.
Further, the investments we make in AI and technology are financed by our private equity sponsor, rather than members.
Our new portal offers dealers and vendors unprecedented access to real-time data and interactive tools, unlike anything previously available in the FE&S buying group space.
What are some lesser-known facts about Strata?
Mike: Vendors will want to know that we have a diverse dealer base that insulates us from certain pitfalls that exist with a one-type-of-dealer business model. Not all our members are traditional brick-and-mortar, so they are not all subject to the same economic variables and impact. We also have members focused on e-commerce or design-build, as well as distributors/broadliners.
Alyssa: It’s also important to know that our program economics are on par with other buying groups’ economics and sometimes, even superior. Plus, dealers should know that once they’re here, they’re home. We’re not a stepping stone to another buying group.
Why are you excited about the future of Strata and the industry overall?
Alyssa: We’re changing the buying group experience. We understand that a one-size-fits-all solution doesn’t work. Our new service model is to meet members at their current stage of business and help them get to where they want to be, to achieve their goals. We offer guidance, advocacy and, of course, tools and resources to elevate their businesses to new heights. Our members are not only well supported for the future, but they are destined to lead it.
Mike: Dealers or vendors interested in joining Strata can contact me on my cell (940-765-1055) or by email: [email protected]. Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.
