We had a frank conversation with Steve Ruane, Vice President of Marketing and Member Services for IMARK Electrical, about the role co-ops and marketing groups play in helping independent distributors compete in today’s fast-changing market. IMARK Group is a multi-vertical member-owned and member-governed group of independent distributors that bills itself as the “most progressive distribution group,” providing rebate income, facilitating enhanced relationships with manufacturers and service providers, employee training, meetings, benchmarking, webstore development support, sales solutions for national accounts and global networking opportunities.