To all playground fans,
We all have lost loved ones in our lives, so as we ramp up our business for the spring season, please take time to hug your kids, your spouses, your parents and other loved ones. It is a great reminder to them and to yourselves on how important they are to our lives.
My reflection this month regarding human resources is on the rising cost of healthcare. I am sure it does not matter how big our small your business is you have noticed the significant increase in health insurance premiums over the past several years.
Some reasons given to me:
1) Medical costs in general have increased dramatically and so insurance costs have followed
2) Some insurance companies are hedging their bets against legislation that will hurt their profits
3) Some insurance companies are concerned about competing with a government run health program
4) The presumption that patient/doctor/insurance company, with no regard to fiscal considerations, are making medical decisions
5) I am sure there a few other arguments here, with these and others having a point and counter-point..too many to mention
As small business what can we do? I wish I had the answer, as this is the question ALL businesses are asking. How do we remain competitive and "in business" with the booming costs of healthcare.
Some options are:
1) Increasing employee sharing of rising medical costs, high deductible plans are increasing for small business
2) Changing percent coverage of in network and out of network coverage
3) Another option is to make changes or renegotiate the details of your health plan or soliciting quote from other providers
4) Increase employees monthly contribution to their premium - this is difficult to ask when trying to retain key employees but must be done
5) Joining a group like a local Chamber of Commerce that offers additional discount with health insurance providers
If you have any other suggestions for how to manage the ever increasing health care costs please send them my way.
Now that we are well into 2012, the NPCAI is improving our member benefits but is always looking for feedback from members. Please send any and all feedback to myself or other board members so that we may consider it. As always, we welcome anyone's interest in joining our board in order to help our mission as playground contractors.
Thanks,
Jamey
Playground Fan
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
BCI Burke partners with State of Ohio Department of Administrative Services
BCI Burke, leading manufacturer of commercial playground equipment with headquarters in Fond du Lac, Wisc., was selected to the Ohio Office of Procurement Services contract which makes purchasing Burke products more efficient for governmental entities. Burke’s professional representative firm, Snider & Associates, Inc. will administer the contract through the process of procuring playground equipment using the Ohio State Term Schedule.
“We are thrilled with this partnership as it will enable us to assist our Ohio communities to save time, paperwork and money on playground equipment purchases,” said James Snider, Snider & Associates’ Vice President. “Children, fitness and play are vital to our mission and we look forward to providing straightforward recreation opportunities through collaboration,” he said.
This Cooperative Purchasing Program provides members leverage to spend to provide deeper volume discounts. Membership in the program, which is administered by the Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS), is voluntary and open to all counties, cities, villages, townships, state colleges and institutions of higher education, public school districts, chartered non-public schools, public libraries, transit authorities, parks, airport authorities, ambulance and fire districts, metropolitan housing authorities and other governmental entities through the enactment of the Cooperative Purchasing Act of 1986.
“Along with the highest quality in innovative playground and recreation options, this alliance allows Burke and Snider & Associates to provide our Ohio customers with additional value-added resources such as free site evaluations, discounts, a playground curriculum for Burke’s Intensity® fitness play complex as well as a safety training program from the National Program for Playground Safety,” said Tim Ahern, BCI Burke CEO/owner.
BCI Burke, with headquarters in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, showcases continual improvement and premium commitment to their customers, as well as designing, building, delivering and servicing the highest quality playground products, backed by the best warranty in the industry. For more information, visit www.bciburke.com.
Snider & Associates, Inc., with corporate headquarters in North Royalton, Ohio, has been providing playground, park and recreation resources to Indiana, Ohio, Western Pennsylvania and Michigan communities since 1989. For more information, visit www.cvsnider.com.
“We are thrilled with this partnership as it will enable us to assist our Ohio communities to save time, paperwork and money on playground equipment purchases,” said James Snider, Snider & Associates’ Vice President. “Children, fitness and play are vital to our mission and we look forward to providing straightforward recreation opportunities through collaboration,” he said.
This Cooperative Purchasing Program provides members leverage to spend to provide deeper volume discounts. Membership in the program, which is administered by the Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS), is voluntary and open to all counties, cities, villages, townships, state colleges and institutions of higher education, public school districts, chartered non-public schools, public libraries, transit authorities, parks, airport authorities, ambulance and fire districts, metropolitan housing authorities and other governmental entities through the enactment of the Cooperative Purchasing Act of 1986.
“Along with the highest quality in innovative playground and recreation options, this alliance allows Burke and Snider & Associates to provide our Ohio customers with additional value-added resources such as free site evaluations, discounts, a playground curriculum for Burke’s Intensity® fitness play complex as well as a safety training program from the National Program for Playground Safety,” said Tim Ahern, BCI Burke CEO/owner.
BCI Burke, with headquarters in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, showcases continual improvement and premium commitment to their customers, as well as designing, building, delivering and servicing the highest quality playground products, backed by the best warranty in the industry. For more information, visit www.bciburke.com.
Snider & Associates, Inc., with corporate headquarters in North Royalton, Ohio, has been providing playground, park and recreation resources to Indiana, Ohio, Western Pennsylvania and Michigan communities since 1989. For more information, visit www.cvsnider.com.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Jeff Snider Earns National Playground Safety Certification
Jeff Snider of Snider & Associates, Inc. was recently certified as a Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA).
The CPSI program is designed to ensure all certified individuals are qualified to inspect playgrounds for safety issues and make certain that the playgrounds meet the current national standards for safety, developed by the American Society for Testing and Materials and the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
To become a certified CPSI, individuals must pass a nationally-administered examination, which tests individuals’ knowledge in the following areas: Playground Safety Milieu (evolution of playground safety and involved U.S. organizations and government agencies); Role of Child Development; Foundations of Playground Safety Surfacing; Playground Infrastructure (Equipment); Playground Layout and Design; and, Playground Safety Practices/Management.
Jeff has been in the playground industry since he was a kid. His father, Chuck Snider, started Snider & Assoc. in the late 80’s. Snider & Assoc. is a full service playground provider. They can design, sell, install, and service/maintain your playground equipment. Jeff can be reached at 800-888-2889 or http://www.cvsnider.com/.
The CPSI program is offered by the National Certification Board in coordination with NRPA and the National Playground Safety Institute. CPSI certifications are valid for a period of three years.
About Snider and Associates, Inc.
Snider and Associates, with service in Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania and Michigan, has been providing top quality park, athletic and commercial playground equipment to the school, early education, parks and recreation industry since the 80's. Additional information can be found at http://www.cvsnider.com/
About the National Recreation and Park Association
The National Recreation and Park Association is a national, not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing park, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance quality of life for all people. Through its network of 20,000 recreation and park professionals and citizens, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy lifestyles, recreation initiatives, and conservation of natural and cultural resources.
The CPSI program is designed to ensure all certified individuals are qualified to inspect playgrounds for safety issues and make certain that the playgrounds meet the current national standards for safety, developed by the American Society for Testing and Materials and the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
To become a certified CPSI, individuals must pass a nationally-administered examination, which tests individuals’ knowledge in the following areas: Playground Safety Milieu (evolution of playground safety and involved U.S. organizations and government agencies); Role of Child Development; Foundations of Playground Safety Surfacing; Playground Infrastructure (Equipment); Playground Layout and Design; and, Playground Safety Practices/Management.
Jeff has been in the playground industry since he was a kid. His father, Chuck Snider, started Snider & Assoc. in the late 80’s. Snider & Assoc. is a full service playground provider. They can design, sell, install, and service/maintain your playground equipment. Jeff can be reached at 800-888-2889 or http://www.cvsnider.com/.
The CPSI program is offered by the National Certification Board in coordination with NRPA and the National Playground Safety Institute. CPSI certifications are valid for a period of three years.
About Snider and Associates, Inc.
Snider and Associates, with service in Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania and Michigan, has been providing top quality park, athletic and commercial playground equipment to the school, early education, parks and recreation industry since the 80's. Additional information can be found at http://www.cvsnider.com/
About the National Recreation and Park Association
The National Recreation and Park Association is a national, not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing park, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance quality of life for all people. Through its network of 20,000 recreation and park professionals and citizens, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy lifestyles, recreation initiatives, and conservation of natural and cultural resources.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Matching Funds Playground Grant Program
Matching Funds Playground Grant Program
For a limited time, BCI Burke Company, one of the nation's leadingcommercial playground manufacturers, is offering a Matching Funds Playground Grant Program*!
Reinvent your playground with grants towards Burke's innovative play structures including Nucleus™, Intensity®, Nucleus-Intensity 'fusion', Voltage™ and NaturePlay®! Grants will be provided in the form of a discount off of list price on Burke play structures.
Click HERE and enter your information to inquire about the playground grant!
Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted, with awards occurring from October 19th through December 12th, 2011. All orders must be received by December 16th, 2011.
*Grants will be provided as discount off of list price of Burke play structures (Nucleus, Intensity, Nucleus-Intensity 'fusion', Voltage and NaturePlay).
Customers must purchase a Burke play structure to receive the grant. The "Matching Funds Playground Grant Program" cannot be used in conjunction with any other discounts.
Friday, October 21, 2011
CHAMPS’ Agreement Offers Snider and Associates Playground Equipment
CLEVELAND – CHAMPS Group Purchasing announces an agreement with Snider and Associates, Inc. to provide CHAMPS members discounted pricing for playground equipment and site furnishings for sports, recreation and more.
This agreement with Snider and Associates (Snider), an Ohio based vendor, can provide service to any member in Indiana, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio, along with several other states. The agreement offering playground equipment and site furnishings gives members discounted pricing off of the manufacturers’ list price. CHAMPS’ Snider agreement includes products from a wide array of manufacturers.
Jan Elder, CHAMPS contracting director, said, "We are very pleased to offer this new contract with Snider. Many members have asked for an agreement tailored to sports, playground and other equipment for outdoor installation."
James Snider, sales representative at Snider, said, "We are excited to be part of the CHAMPS group and their excellent network of providers. We look forward to contributing to their existing high quality standard product lines and adding some fun with our playground equipment."
About CHAMPS Group Purchasing
As healthcare group purchasing experts, CHAMPS helps the healthcare industry save money and lightens the contracting burden for purchasing managers. For nearly 19 years, CHAMPS Group Purchasing has been an affiliate of Premier, Inc., one of the largest healthcare buying groups in the country, with over $36 billion in volume and more than 1,750 contracts.
As healthcare group purchasing experts, CHAMPS helps the healthcare industry save money and lightens the contracting burden for purchasing managers. For nearly 19 years, CHAMPS Group Purchasing has been an affiliate of Premier, Inc., one of the largest healthcare buying groups in the country, with over $36 billion in volume and more than 1,750 contracts.
With more than 4,000 clients nationwide, CHAMPS is one of Premier’s largest healthcare group purchasing affiliate programs and has been working in the healthcare arena since 1916. Choosing to partner with CHAMPS enables healthcare facilities access to Premier agreements, while benefiting from CHAMPS’ personal and expert service, aggregated contract portfolio and custom contract offerings – making utilization of the program as seamless as possible. For more, visit http://www.champsgpo.com/.
About Snider and Associates, Inc.
Snider and Associates, Inc. (Snider) has been in the recreation market since 1985 and has grown from about five people in the late 1980s to up to thirty people in peak season. Snider represents several quality manufacturers in the playground equipment, recreational and site furnishings fields. Snider provides their products as a "turn-key" service from design through installation as well as ongoing service and maintenance.
Strongsville's New Playground Installed
NORTH ROYALTON, OH (October 10, 2011) – A state-of-the-art playground recently installed in the City of Strongsville, OH, is fully operational and getting maximum use. The City of Strongsville was the lucky winner of a playground contest held earlier this year by BCI Burke, commercial playground manufacturer with corporate headquarters in Fond du Lac, WI.
“Anyone I have talked to is ecstatic with the addition of the playground,” said Bryan Bogre, Strongsville Director of Parks, Recreation and Senior Services. “It is great to see something like this play area making people so happy,” he added.
“The playground has received much praise through our city council and our Mayor, and has been the topic of conversation on the council floor multiple times recently focusing on how great it is to finally have a playground in the Strongsville Youth Sports Park for our kids,” Bogre said.
Thousands of entries registered for the contest announced at the start of 2011, with only one honored person getting the exciting winning call. The playground is from Burke’s new Voltage™ line, which combines the durability and flexibility of a 3 ½” O.D. post system with the advanced design of both the exclusive KoreKonnect® direct-bolt clamp system and EZKonnect® self-leveling deck system. Other monthly prize winners in the Voltage playground contest received VISA gift cards and Apple iPods and will continue to be selected each month through December 31, 2011.
“We are always energized when we hear how thrilled our customers—both kids and adults--are with a new playground,” said Tim Ahern, BCI Burke CEO/owner.
“The partnership with Snider & Associates, our Burke Rep in Ohio, made this project seamless and successful,” Ahern said.
Snider and Associates, with service in Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania and Michigan, has been providing top quality park, athletic and commercial playground equipment to the school, early education, parks and recreation industry since the 80's. Additional information can be found at http://www.cvsnider.com/
BCI Burke is a premier manufacturer of commercial playground, park, and recreation equipment and an avid advocate of safe, healthy play for kids. More information about Burke and the contest is available at http://www.bciburke.com/.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Snider - Winner of the Playground Strongsville, Ohio
Strongsville, Ohio wins BCI Burke Voltage playground contest
FOND DU LAC, Wis. (August 22, 2011) – A new playground will be installed later this year in
conjunction with grand prize contest announcement by BCI Burke recently. The City of Strongsville,
OH, was the lucky winner of the contest held by the playground manufacturer, with corporate
headquarters in Fond du Lac, WI.
“I was amazed when I received the call that we won the playground. All of our parks have playgrounds,
except this one, so the timing to receive this is perfect,” said Bryan Bogre, Strongsville Director of Parks,
Recreation and Senior Services.
Thousands of entries registered for the contest announced at the start of 2011, with only one honored
person getting the exciting winning call. The playground is from Burke’s new Voltage™ line, which
combines the durability and flexibility of a 3 ½” O.D. post system with the advanced design of both the
exclusive KoreKonnect® direct-bolt clamp system and EZKonnect® self-leveling deck system. Other
monthly prize winners in the Voltage playground contest received VISA gift cards and Apple iPods and
will continue to be selected each month through December 31, 2011.
“We are in the business of getting kids outside playing and moving. Voltage provides the ultimate in
high-energy fun and extreme value in playgrounds, and we are proud to provide this prize to the
Strongsville community,” said Tim Ahern, BCI Burke CEO/owner.
“We are continually focused on providing innovative ways for kids to be active and lead healthy
lifestyles. This helps us fulfill our mission,” he said.
The Voltage design features 8 play events with a capacity for 48 kids ages 5 – 12 and is valued at more
than $21,000. In partnership with BCI Burke specially trained playground consultants, Snider &
Associates, Inc., the playground, including freight, will be provided at no charge. It will be installed in
the Strongsville Youth Sports Park designed two years ago that features three little league baseball fields,
a full size football field, a practice football field and a pavilion.
Snider and Associates, with service in Ohio, Indiana, Western Pennsylvania and Michigan, has been
providing top quality park, athletic and commercial playground equipment to the school, early education,
parks and recreation industry since the 80's. Additional information can be found at www.cvsnider.com
BCI Burke is a premier manufacturer of commercial playground, park, and recreation equipment and an
avid advocate of safe play for kids. More information about Burke and the contest is available at
http://www.cvsnider.com/
FOND DU LAC, Wis. (August 22, 2011) – A new playground will be installed later this year in
conjunction with grand prize contest announcement by BCI Burke recently. The City of Strongsville,
OH, was the lucky winner of the contest held by the playground manufacturer, with corporate
headquarters in Fond du Lac, WI.
“I was amazed when I received the call that we won the playground. All of our parks have playgrounds,
except this one, so the timing to receive this is perfect,” said Bryan Bogre, Strongsville Director of Parks,
Recreation and Senior Services.
Thousands of entries registered for the contest announced at the start of 2011, with only one honored
person getting the exciting winning call. The playground is from Burke’s new Voltage™ line, which
combines the durability and flexibility of a 3 ½” O.D. post system with the advanced design of both the
exclusive KoreKonnect® direct-bolt clamp system and EZKonnect® self-leveling deck system. Other
monthly prize winners in the Voltage playground contest received VISA gift cards and Apple iPods and
will continue to be selected each month through December 31, 2011.
“We are in the business of getting kids outside playing and moving. Voltage provides the ultimate in
high-energy fun and extreme value in playgrounds, and we are proud to provide this prize to the
Strongsville community,” said Tim Ahern, BCI Burke CEO/owner.
“We are continually focused on providing innovative ways for kids to be active and lead healthy
lifestyles. This helps us fulfill our mission,” he said.
The Voltage design features 8 play events with a capacity for 48 kids ages 5 – 12 and is valued at more
than $21,000. In partnership with BCI Burke specially trained playground consultants, Snider &
Associates, Inc., the playground, including freight, will be provided at no charge. It will be installed in
the Strongsville Youth Sports Park designed two years ago that features three little league baseball fields,
a full size football field, a practice football field and a pavilion.
Snider and Associates, with service in Ohio, Indiana, Western Pennsylvania and Michigan, has been
providing top quality park, athletic and commercial playground equipment to the school, early education,
parks and recreation industry since the 80's. Additional information can be found at www.cvsnider.com
BCI Burke is a premier manufacturer of commercial playground, park, and recreation equipment and an
avid advocate of safe play for kids. More information about Burke and the contest is available at
http://www.cvsnider.com/
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