Our History | Key Events (Our 25 year history) | IDI Chairmen of The Board

Key Events (Our 25 year history)

• 1981
  
  • IDI created by 4 founding members:
    (i) B & M Bearings & Power Transmission Co. Ltd, Brantford
    (ii) B.G.S. Bearings & Equipment Limited, Toronto
    (iii) Marshall Industrial Supply Limited, Stratford
    (iv) Oshawa Bearing Service Limited, Oshawa
    
  • Buy/sell and business services programs launched
  
  
• 1982
  
  • Benchmarking program started with first financial survey
  
  
  
• 1983
  
  • Membership expanded to include 2 charter members:
    (i) CBS Equipment Ltd. London
    (ii) The Hardin Group Inc. Barrie
    
  • Don Knowles hired as an outside consultant to develop a long range plan
  
  
• 1985
  
  • Industrial Supplies vertical launched
  
  
  
• 1990
  
  • Membership increased to 30 shareholder members
  
  
  
• 1991
  
  • Don Knowles hired as full time Executive Director
  
  
  
  
  
• 1994
  
  • Membership increased to 50 shareholder members
  
  
  
• 1995
  
  • $1 million in rebates earned
  
  
  
• 1997
  
  • Distribution centre opened in Mississauga
    
  • $2 million rebates earned
  
  
  
• 1999
  
  • John Morrison hired as Director Sales & Marketing
    
  • Brad Harper hired as Director Finance & Operations
  
  
  
• 2000
  
  • National accounts program launched
    
  • Robert Webb hired as Director National Accounts
    
  • E-business website launched
  
  
  
• 2001
  
  • 1st edition of IDI’s IS Catalogue launched (1400 pages)
    
  • Membership increased to 75 shareholder members
  
  
  
• 2002
  
  • Vendor council created
    
  • $3 million rebates earned
    
  • idisupply magazine first issue
    
  • Launched Safety Supplies verticals
    
  • Launched Fluid Power verticals
  
  
  
• 2003
  
  • Marketing department launched at distribution centre
    
  • Additional space added to accommodate national accounts and training centre
  
  
  
• 2004
  
  • idinational interactive CD launched
  
  
  
• 2005
  
  • Quebec Membership Drive
    
  • $4 million rebates earned
  
  
  
• 2006
  
  • Don Knowles retirement
    
  • Scott Bebenek hired as IDI’s new President
    
  • 1st Supplier Summit held in Montréal
    
  • 2nd edition of IDI’s IS Catalogue launched (1900 pages)
  
  
  
• 2007
  
  • Membership increased to 87 shareholder members