acd-chem.com

2023
Annual Report

as of August 31, 2023

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We’re now proud to be ACD

In fall of 2023, the National Association of Chemical Distributors officially
updated its name to the Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD).

As the Alliance for Chemical Distribution, our organization will support a
broader base of companies in the chemical distribution supply chain.

MEMBERSHIP

  • 228Distributor Members
    56%
  • 52Chemical Producer Affiliates
    13%
  • 39Chemical Handler Affiliates
    10%
  • 82Service Provider Affiliates
    20%
  • 3Global Distribution Partners
    1%

Total 408

Learn about each of our members and Affiliates.

ACD Membership
Market Engagement

The following percentages represent the market presence
of ACD members engaged in selling their product/services
across various industries.
Read more about the industry's economic impact across the U.S.

61%

Paint & Coatings

61%

General Manufacturing

56%

Cleaners & Compounding:
Soaps Detergents

55%

Personal Care / Cosmetics

52%

Water Treatment

50%

Metal Finishing

50%

Petroleum & Lubricants

49%

Automotive

49%

CASE
Adhesives & Sealants

47%

Energy: Oil & Natural Gas

46%

Construction

44%

Plastics

Superfund Tax
Government Affairs Achievement of the Year

The Government Affairs team worked throughout the year to bring issues concerning Superfund Taxes on Chemicals to the top of mind for members of Congress and leaders at the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Our Legislative Affairs team worked with members of the U.S. House of Representatives to draft a letter to the IRS highlighting compliance challenges faced by industry and asking for an extension to penalty relief until issues were resolved. Our Regulatory Affairs team maintained a line of communication with the IRS Counsel’s office and worked with Superfund Tax experts to make recommendations to ease the burden of compliance for those affected by the tax. The IRS published a proposed rule that would implement many of ACD’s recommendations if finalized. Additionally, the IRS extended the penalty relief for semi-monthly deposits through the end of 2023. The following highlights showcase our accomplishments:

  • ACD lobby efforts led to 40 members of Congress signing or sending letters to the IRS.

  • ACD held two exclusive meetings with the IRS.

  • ACD sent five comment letters to the IRS, including robust comments in response to the proposed rule.

  • 12 ACD member companies sent individual letters to the IRS.

Rail
Primary Issue of the Year

ACD continued to support the U.S. Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) efforts to improve rail service. Staff also supported two ACD members on the STB Railroad-Shipper Transportation Advisory Council (RSTAC), conducting member surveys and providing economic reports to assist them in their work. The ACD Legislative Affairs team also worked closely with Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH) to advance the Railway Safety Act of 2023. An amended version of the bill was passed out of committee in early May, which addressed many of ACD’s concerns and is awaiting a floor vote in the U.S. Senate.

Additionally, in February, ACD joined Senators Mike Braun (R-IN) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) in a press conference to call on freight rail companies to address basic quality-of-life benefits for rail workers. The bipartisan call to action led several railroads to independently add this provision to their contracts. As of August 3, 2023, a majority of the unions at the National Carriers’ Conference Committee (NCCC), representing 78% of all craft employees, now have individual paid sick leave days in addition to pre-existing short- and long-term paid sickness benefits already in effect across the industry.

Other Top Government Affairs Issues

  • Security
    plusminus

    Despite monumental efforts from the ACD team and overwhelming support in the U.S. House of Representatives, a clean, two-year Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards reauthorization bill was blocked from passage in the Senate by a single Senator after passing the House of Representatives with historic support, by a vote of 409-1. This led to the program expiring on July 28, 2023. The ACD team is continuing to work with congressional staff to explore pathways to re-establish the program.

    ACD also worked closely with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations to prevent and expose fraudulent activities targeted toward the chemical sector.

  • Ocean Shipping
    plusminus

    ACD provided several comments on various U.S. Federal Maritime Commission initiatives. These included a proposal to outline new detention and demurrage billing requirements, a proposal to define unreasonable refusal to deal or negotiate with respect to vessel space and a subsequent revision of that proposal, and an information request on World Shipping Council Agreement 201349-003, regarding dangerous goods shipments. The team continuously worked with the ACD Shipping Task Force to solicit their input, share information, and navigate new and emerging issues, such as the ongoing West Coast Port Labor situation.

  • Chemicals Management (TSCA, PFAS, etc.)
    plusminus

    The ACD Regulatory Affairs team drafted and submitted several comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding proposed rules to ban or limit the use of substances under the Toxic Substances Control Act. Of particular note were comments on EPA’s proposed risk management of Methylene Chloride rulemaking. Experts believe this rule will be a template used for future TSCA rulemakings.

  • Trade
    plusminus

    ACD continued to push for full retroactive renewal of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) and the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB) on Capitol Hill to decrease the cost of imports for members on products not available in the U.S.

  • Appropriations/Federal Assistance
    plusminus

    ACD staff advocated to members of the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee for federal assistance for companies forced to refit their aqueous firefighting foam suppression systems.

Washington Fly-In Advocacy

  • Over 100 Attendees

  • Over 140 Meetings with Congress

  • LinkedIn Outreach: 3,456 Impressions and 178 Engagements

  • Twitter Outreach: 2,608 Impressions and 135 Engagements

Government Affairs Advocacy

  • Over 332 Meetings with Congress

  • 125 Meetings with over 470 Regulators

  • 27 Site Visits

PAC Contributions

  • PAC Receipts in 2022: $81,100

  • PAC Disbursement in 2022: $108,500

  • PAC Contributors in 2022: 38

Communications & Media Outreach

These communication highlights showcase ACD's commitment to bring valuable content to and stay
connected with all ACD audiences, our members and Affiliates, Capitol Hill, and our local communities.

Click to flip card

Top Press Releases

Top Responsible
Reflections Blogs

Stay in the know with ACD

Over the past year, ACD made significant contributions to the industry. ACD President and CEO, Eric R. Byer,
shared valued insights about the supply chain crisis, received congressional mentions for his expertise in
chemical distribution, made notable appearances on television, and participated in industry podcasts and radio,
further establishing ACD as a key voice in the chemical distribution sector.

Bylined Perspectives
by President and CEO Eric R. Byer

A Year of Earned
Media Success

Building Connections

ACD Social Media Growth Highlights

Twitter Icon

@ACD_chem
Expanded to 2,053 followers
Increase:

+43.27%
Linkedin Icon

LinkedIn Network
Grew from 1,852
to 2,053 followers
Increase:

+10.9%

ACD’s Podcast Debut Chemline:
Inside the Chemical Distribution Industry Chemline Podcast

This year, ACD proudly launched Chemline: Inside the Chemical Distribution Industry, an insightful podcast series aimed at shedding a light on challenges faced by the chemical distribution sector. This series offers first-hand insights from experts in the field, addressing a wide range of topics that significantly impact our industry.

Chemline Podcast Series Highlights

  • Episode 1, 2, & 3: The Impact of Fraud on the Globe's Most Vulnerable Industry

  • Episode 4: Return of the Superfund Tax: What Are the Implications?

  • Episode 5: Off the Rails: Urgent Freight Rail Reform and Safety Improvements Needed

  • Episode 6: Unraveling PFAS: A Realistic Approach to Forever Chemicals

Key Podcast Metrics:

  • Launched in February 2023

  • Earned 1,198 streams and growing

  • Season 1 now available

  • Available on Apple, Google, iHeart Radio,
    Pandora, Simplecast aka Stitcher, and Spotify.

Responsible Distribution 2023
Key Changes & Transformation

  • With the introduction of the new Responsible Distribution 2023 program, this year has marked a significant step forward in our commitment to responsible practices, sustainability, and continuous improvement within the chemical distribution industry.

  • New standalone Sustainability Code was introduced, encompassing aspects of corporate social responsibility, environment, recycling, waste, and more.

  • A shift away from the previous cycle model. Companies now conduct verifications based on their own individual timeline, while still subject to 20% site sampling rate and maintaining a verification every three years.

  • Five new ACD U Responsible Distribution 2023 Courses were launched.

  • Five previous ACD U Responsible Distribution Code-specific courses were updated to reflect the updated Responsible Distribution 2023 program.

Other Measurable Achievements

  • 43 site verifications have been conducted.

  • 25 companies passed verification.

  • 3 verification models were implemented: On-site, Virtual, and Admin Documentation.

  • 2 Responsible Distribution Adviser companies support implementation needs.

  • 2 workshops were held this year, with 70 attendees in the March session and 105 attendees in the August session.

  • Commencing this year, a series of virtual Candidacy training sessions “Tuesday Talks” were introduced. A total of 4 sessions were conducted with 9 different companies. Additionally, an in-person Candidacy Class was held in August with 20 attendees.

Enhancing Regulatory Knowledge and Compliance

ACD's Newest Regulatory Compliance Resource
ACD partnered with our Strategic Regulatory Partner, Environment & Safety Solutions, to develop RegClear, a series of guided videos designed to help members navigate the ever-changing regulatory compliance landscape. These resources, which include foundational videos, have been included in the ACD's Regulatory Compliance Resource Guide. They are also accessible through ACD's learning management system, ACD U, providing members with the framework and guidance required to meet federal standards.

Cultivating the Next Generation
of Industry Leaders

The program continued its mission to nurture the future leaders with the active participation of 50 individuals

Over the year, the program successfully
conducted four meeting sessions

Only being in the program for a few months, I do feel that I have gained knowledge in a couple of different areas pertaining to leadership and different leadership styles. I’m sure as I continue the program, I will gain even more.
— Christine Jones, Senior Customer Service Representative,
    TLC Ingredients, Inc.

The best benefit I’ve received from the program is a wider industry network. I know I have several industry leaders, now friends, that I can reach out to for help with not only industry questions, but leadership issues and concerns, as well.
— Brittney Wells, Regulatory and Quality Manager,
    Essential Ingredients, Inc.

A Year of Digital Learning
ACD Webinar and Online Training Highlights

The following stats reflect our commitment to ensure that our members and Affiliates have access to ongoing learning and professional growth within the ever-changing chemical distribution industry.

Webinar Engagement

  • Conducted 25 webinars, covering a diverse range of topics

  • Attracted more than 1.3K participants

Online Training Session

  • Organized 10 Online Training sessions

  • Attracted 108 participants

Measuring Success Year Over Year
ACD Yearly Events Highlights

November 8-10, 2022
2022 Annual Meeting

  • 8 Distinct Topics Covered

  • 18 Exhibitors

  • 444 Mobile App Users

  • 676 Attendees

  • 73 First-Time Attendees

August 16-18, 2023
2023 ChemEdge

  • 15 Distinct Topics Covered

  • 56 Exhibitors

  • 403 Mobile App Users

  • A Record 587 Attendees

  • 81 First-Time Attendees

Financial

Highlights

FY23 Total Revenue $8,018,623

FY23 Total Expense $7,981,767

2023 Responsible Distribution
Excellence Award

CITCO Water
Huntington, WV

ACD Community Service Highlights

ACD Community Service Highlights

  • In June 2023, ACD joined hands with the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC). Our team lent a helping hand to support this vital organization in its mission to feed community in need.

  • During the 2022 holiday season, ACD collaborated with The Salvation Army Angel Tree program. Our staff generously supplied Christmas gifts to fulfill the wishes of children in need.

  • During 2022 Annual Meeting hosted by ACD, we gathered ACD members and attendees to support local children's hospitals and orphanages.

ACD has been actively involved in a range of initiatives over the past year. Through a variety of projects, we were able to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need.

ACD works toward expanding DEIA efforts
In 2023, ACD joined the effort to support the Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI), a program aimed at increasing diversity in the STEM workforce by providing scholarship to students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Learn more.

2023 Executive Committee

  • Edward Boss – Chair

    President and CEO
    Riteks, Inc

  • Megan Gluth-Bohan, Esq.
    Vice Chair

    CEO
    TRInternational, Inc.

  • Matthew Fridley - Treasurer

    Director of Security and Safety
    Brenntag North America, Inc.

  • Eric R. Byer

    President and CEO
    ACD

  • Kurt A. Hettinga
    Immediate Past Chair

    President
    Superior Industrial Solutions, Inc.

2022 Directors-at-Large

  • Randall J. Eppli

    President and CEO
    Columbus Chemical Industries, Inc

  • Jessica Fegan

    Senior Director of Quality & Operations
    Connection Chemical LP

  • Jason Jacobus

    COO
    First Hyperion LLC

  • Scott Leibowitz

    Regional President
    Brenntag North America, Inc.

  • Neil Morgan

    Chief Operating Officer
    Brainerd Chemical Company, Inc.

  • Andrea Nagle

    CEO
    Chem/Serv, Inc.

2023 Regional
Directors-at-Large

  • C.J. Diamond, Jr.

    Northeast Region
    Partner
    Astro Chemicals, Inc.

  • Thomas B. Turriff

    Central Region
    President
    TLC Ingredients, Inc.

  • Julie Van Brunt

    Southern Region
    CEO
    Lintech International

  • Stephen M. Halpin

    Western Region
    President
    Norman, Fox & Co.

See Full Staff List