The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) has signed a Joint Memorandum of Understanding Collaboration Agreement with the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) in the US to enhance manufacturer-retailer engagement, achieve improved supply chain efficiency, improve ways to serve consumers and develop a more efficient use of association and member resources, according to a GMA press statement.
The pact calls for increased collaboration on public policy, scientific and regulatory affairs activity. In addition, both organizations have agreed to hold at least one joint board of directors meeting annually and seek greater synergies with regard to meetings and conferences that benefit the food, beverage and consumer packaged goods industry.
“FMI will leverage the strengths of our organization with those of GMA to find innovative ways to collaborate, eliminate duplication and provide all our members with more robust programs and services,” Leslie Sarasin, FMI president and chief executive officer, said in a statement.
“Collaboration is the key to success when it comes to confronting the challenges and opportunities facing our industry, and GMA has no more important ally than FMI,” added Pamela Bailey, GMA president and CEO.
As part of the agreement, the associations will create a joint industry affairs-industry relations leadership group known as The Trading Partner Alliance (TPA) to develop a common agenda on supply chain efficiency issues, the application of information technology, the adoption of environmentally-friendly business practices and other issues.
The term of the agreement is from January 2009 to December 2010.
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