Did you know that you are eligible for significant discounts on needed products and services through NTRA Purchasing as a member of the THP? For example, you can enjoy savings on average from 20% to 40% off list pricing at your local Sherwin-Williams retail outlet. Also, when you use NTRA Purchasing vendors such as Sherwin-Williams, a portion of your purchase price goes to support the Thoroughbred industry. Below, the NTRA answers some questions about this benefit to its members:

Q: What is NTRA Purchasing?

A: An NTRA subsidiary formed in January 2002 to deliver cost savings and value-added services to NTRA members through contracts with major national suppliers. NTRA Purchasing was created through the acquisition of EquiSource, a group purchasing entity formed by UniStar and Churchill Downs Investment Corporation. A portion of revenue generated by NTRA Purchasing supports NTRA programs.

Q: Who runs NTRA Purchasing?

A: Executive Director Joe Morris, former John Deere national account manager for EquiSource. NTRA Purchasing is based at the NTRA in Lexington, with four field representatives.

Q: Who are the suppliers with whom NTRA Purchasing has contracts?

A: John Deere, Penske Auto Centers, Sherwin-Williams Paints, IKON Office Solutions, Boise Cascade Office Products, Kimberly-Clark, Hallway Feeds, and Kentucky Buying Cooperative.

Q: What makes these contracts better than what members can negotiate?

A: Price. With NTRA members' collective purchasing power, we negotiate contracts with very competitive pricing.

Value-added services (VAS). Our vendors' special services could result in additional savings of 5-15%. Examples of VAS include employee training in equipment operations or on-site surveys to build a customized program for purchases

Industry rewards. Using products from NTRA Purchasing results in more dollars flowing into NTRA programs for marketing, advertising, television, lobbying and regulatory advocacy

Q: Who can use NTRA Purchasing?

A: Members or employees of NTRA dues-paying organizations, participants in the NTRA's voluntary programs and cash contributors to the NTRA through any NTRA-sanctioned dues program.

For more information on the benefits of NTRA Purchasing, contact Heather Brown at (866) 678-4289.