2nd Bauerfeind Branch Forum on October 17&18, 2007
Election of Quality Partner Advisory Council Announced, 10/23/2007
One year after the introduction of the Quality Partner Program for medical aid manufacturers in Germany, the Thuringia-based family business Bauerfeind intensifies cooperation with the retail trade. Board Chairman Hans B. Bauerfeind announced the nomination of a Partner Advisory Council at the 2nd Bauerfeind Business Forum in Düsseldorf.
The Advisory Council will be elected early in 2008 and represent the interests of over 1000 specialized medical aid retailers who joined the Quality Partner Program of Bauerfeind AG. „They will elect from their midst the persons who will speak for them, bring their creative ideas to bear and also voice constructive criticism“, Hans B. Bauerfeind told the 400 attendees of the Branch Forum.
The Advisory Council will consist of 17 elected Quality Partners: one partner from each federal state, except two from North Rhine Westphalia – in line with the organization of AOK state associations in Rhineland and Westphalia. The representatives of the quality partners will be elected for four years by secret written ballot. The entire procedure will be handled by a trustee. Only quality partners are entitled to take part in the voting. Eligible for election is every quality partner who is active as owner or managing director of a medical aid business and does not see a conflict of interest with another office. „We need your competence if we want to carry the quality concept to every corner of this country“, Hans B. Bauerfeind invited the retailers to intensify their cooperation even more.
The Quality Partner Advisory Council will meet three times a year and discuss the implementation and continuation of the Bauerfeind Quality Partner Program. „The Advisory Council will be your representation in our company, your mouthpiece, but it will also spread our common message“, Hans B. Bauerfeind added.
Taking part in the meetings on the part of Bauerfeind AG will be the Board Chairman, the four Chief Executives, the Marketing Central Division Manager and employees on an as-needed basis as contacts for specific matters.
The Partner Program had had a successful start, the Board Chairman said at a meeting with quality partners at Altes Kesselhaus in Düsseldorf on the evening before the Branch Forum. Bauerfeind AG organized more than 4000 product and sales training courses with quality partners during the last twelve months. Together, about 3500 communication activities for improved customer loyalty and the winning of new customers as well as network activities were undertaken. In addition to this, over 650 Bauerfeind product presentation systems had been installed as a direct sales approach in retail shops.
Hans B. Bauerfeind promised that the intensive work for the implementation of the Quality Partner Program would continue in 2008. There would be no fundamental changes because the program as it was still had a lot of potential, which should be tapped. The common target was the strengthening of the quality leadership – for the benefit of the patients. The quality partners received everything they required to be successful. The recommended retail price system which Bauerfeind AG had adopted for some orthopaedic products this year was a tool of active market patterns. „Total supply on prescription is clearly a phase-out model. We will see the day when entire product ranges will no longer be eligible for refund“, Hans B. Bauerfeind is convinced. He said the recommended retail price system was „a survival program for medical aid retailers“ and called on them to reflect on the separation of prescription and product in time.
Hans B. Bauerfeind identifies a competitive edge for medical aid retailers who are certified by an independent, accredited institute in all areas. This was the reason why Bauerfeind AG had initiated the project TÜV seal „attested customer satisfaction“. Twelve medical aid retail firms with 55 integrated stores were taking part in this pilot project.
„We together have achieved a lot together in the first year. We will continue with the same drive in the second year of our quality partnership. Whatever we do, we will make it better“, Hans B. Bauerfeind stressed, notably with the Quality Partner Advisory Council in mind, which will meet for the first time in March next year.
