Glenview, Ill. — Members of the North American Retail Dealers Association (NARDA) have unanimously approved the trade group’s merger with the United Servicers Association (USA). Under terms of the merger, announced in February, USA will become NARDA’s new service division.
NARDA chairman Leon Barbachano, CEO of Anchorage-based retailer Allen & Peterson Cooking & Appliance Center, said in accordance with the vote, NARDA will now revise its by-laws, complete the merger agreement, announce new NARDA/USA board and officers, and introduce an overall reorganization plan by the end of April.
Under the plan,USA will assume one of seven seats on NARDA’s board of directors and Barbachano will remain chairman.
“USA members are well known for being among the best of the best servicers,” Barbachano said in February, “and will bring NARDA additional expertise in the service arena, further demonstrating NARDA’s commitment to the service segment of the business.”
USA was created by and for repair businesses 15 years ago to help fellow servicers compete in the marketplace through financial services, government relations, and educational, management and marketing programs.
For the past two Februarys, NARDA, USA and the Electronics Technicians Association have combined their conventions and educational institutes into one larger event called the Service & Retail Convention. That partnership, said USA board president Paul MacDonald, “laid the foundation for one cohesive association that can bring greater value to our members and better address challenges and opportunities. Industry consolidation is here to stay. We are not only better off as one organization, but are excited about the many potential opportunities ahead.”
NARDA, headquartered in Glenview, Ill., is a not-for-profit educational trade association for independent CE, majap and furniture retailers and now servicers. Its members account for more than 3,500 storefronts and $11 billion in annual sales.
