Custodial outsourcing is at an all-time high as of late and when large, national building service contractors come in and take over an in-house account, independent distributors often find themselves cut out of the business equation.

Those distributors who are affiliated with a buying group, however, have been able to keep the business. In fact, when national BSCs come in and take over an account, buying groups will step in and use their power to negotiate a contract with the BSC that states that the BSC will agree to purchase from the group’s distributor members.

Buying groups help look out for the best interests of distributors, who may otherwise get cut out in certain instances when facilities outsource their custodial operations and cleaning supplies to national BSCs. In some instances, being affiliated with a buying group has actually rewarded distributors with more business.


posted on 2/10/2011