One side of an Athletic Trainer’s job responsibility is the procurement of equipment and supplies.

While the treatment of the athletes under your authority is a paramount responsibility, having
the proper supplies on hand is essential - that's why MEDCO is so important to you and your career!

Distributor Partnership
Developing a partnership with a distributor is important to an Athletic
Trainer because a qualified distributor can assist you with your workload
as far as having products on-hand and limiting unnecessary paperwork.

What to look for in a Distributor
A “one-stop shop” that would offer you the complete product line available. Available products should include not only the staple athletic training
supplies, but equipment, physical therapy supplies and products for
rehabilitation.

The “One-Stop Shop” Distributor
The “One-stop shop” distributor would offer you the opportunity to
purchase your products from a single source. This would eliminate the
need for researching where you ordered a product if it is on backorder
or who to re-order a specific product from.

Purchasing from One Source
Purchasing from one source you will simplify the paperwork you must track.
All supplies can be ordered on one purchase order to one vendor,
eliminating your need to make multiple purchase requisitions for different
suppliers. Also, you will only have to deal with one invoice, as opposed to
multiple invoices if different vendors were utilized.

Building a Partnership with a Single Distributor
You can establish a relationship where you have a representative you
can easily contact regarding:

• Ordering
• Billing
• New Product availability
• RUSH delivery for an athlete

Budgetary Responsibility
As an athletic trainer you have a budgetary responsibility to your employer. Most employers/schools will order products for a full year (Fall, Winter & Spring sports).

• To help you work within your monetary constraints, there are benefits
  to consolidating all your ordering with a “one-stop shop” distributor.
• Obtain a “Best Price” situation because of the large volume
  of products you are purchasing.
• You will have a partner who will help you with budget and inventory preparation. They will have information regarding the history of items
  and quantities you have ordered.
  

Bidding
Many schools/clinics prefer a bid situation when ordering. While this may
assure a good price, it will force you to order from multiple vendors and
diminish the ATC / Vendor relationship.

The Order Process
Be involved in the order process. If the Business Office or Purchasing Department at your employer is responsible for placing orders, be sure you
are clear in what you want ordered. Due to the depth of product lines and
the similarity in many items, it is important to be accurate in your ordering
so that you receive the correct products you need.

Multi-year Commitment to One Source
A national company, like Medco Supply, will provide a Best or Bid price to any customer who will make a multi-year commitment. This would eliminate the need for the time-consuming bid process and ensure a single-source relationship.

Reliability
By developing a partnership with a proven industry leader, the ATC and employer can rely on: Timely delivery -Limited backorders (Based on a large commitment to inventory) -Receive only the products you requested - No substituting of products without your knowledge

Be specific as to product description
so that you receive the brand you prefer.

Example: You should order:

• 1½” J&J Coach Tape
• 1”x 3” BSN Coverlet Bandages
  

Not generic descriptions:

• 1½” Athletic Tape
• 1”x 3” Adhesive Strips

When your order arrives, be sure to check it thoroughly for any discrepancies. * A company like Medco will not substitute.

Order early:
If you can obtain your purchase order early (May-June), you can avoid the
high volume of orders that are being processed for the start of Fall sports.

By ordering early, a national supplier, like Medco, is able to produce the order then hold it until your requested delivery. This will limit backorders and insure
a complete delivery.

• Gold Partner of the N.A.T.A.
• Approved Provider of Free CEU’s
  Available on our website – www.medco-athletics.com
• Supporter of N.A.T.A. District and State Association meetings
• Well-established, National “One-stop shop” supplier since 1955
  – Largest in the nation
• Customer service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Employs over 20 sales reps throughout the U.S. Many
  of which are also Athletic Trainers

Your local sales rep can be your partner for:

• Rush orders
• Order preparation
• Explanation of new products, etc.
• A Resource For You
• Provides the most complete Sports Medicine
  catalog in the industry

Other Catalogs provided by Medco include:

• A full-line School Nurse catalog
• The Performance Plus catalog which contains a complete line
  of functional rehabilitation and physical therapy products.