The BIC Alliance & Ind-Viro Search.. a winning combination

The story of the BIC Alliance is a story of success. Not only the success of BIC itself, but that of the many BIC Alliance members and readers who have attained their level of success through their efforts in conjunction with those of BIC.

From somewhat humble beginnings, the BIC Alliance has grown to become one of the nations' premier marketing and matchmaking firms, boasting a nationwide clientele and an international readership.

The BIC Alliance was the brainchild of Earl Heard, who drew upon 17 years of industrial and construction experience. Heard was intensely aware of the fact that industrial suppliers were in desperate need of an avenue through which to deliver their messages on their products and services to industry buyers.

Thus, the idea for the BIC Alliance and its publication, the Business and Industry Connection (BIC) was born in 1983 and the first issue came to fruition in April 1984.

BIC was conceived as a vehicle by which to not only deliver suppliers' messages to industry, but one by which those in industry could obtain information on their counterparts not only in other industries, but within their own.

BIC was unique in its design in that it was created to appeal to the broadest spectrum of industry possible, including engineering, construction, maintenance and operations, safety, purchasing, and environmental personnel.

A BIC Alliance marketing campaign includes:
  • Tailoring advertising design and editorial copy to the client's corporate image and the use of the client's satisfied customers for case histories and testimonials.
  • One of the most comprehensive mailing lists of any industrial publication, counting corporate executives, plant managers, industry personnel and government officials among its recipients.
  • Active trade show participation. BIC Alliance staff members take part in numerous events each year, at which BIC is distributed to attendees to further enhance exposure for BIC Alliance clients.
  • Networking events designed to bring together BIC Alliance members and BIC readers in relaxed social settings during trade shows and conferences.
BIC's sister company, Ind-Viro Marketing (IVM), was introduced in 1994 as an avenue through which a more expansive complement of services could be offered, including:
  • Acquisition and merger matchmaking. With the rate of consolidation prevalent in industry today, IVM has found that these type of coordination services are invaluable to both buyers and sellers.
  • Ind-ViroSearch, Through IVM's executive search division, companies gain access to the top people in industry and readers are able to access top employment opportunities.
  • Used and surplus equipment. Ind-Viro Marketing helps clients and readers locate new or used equipment or sell surplus equipment through personal referrals as well as listings in the Business and Industry Connection and on the Internet.
  • Financial partnering. Even the most successful companies need access to capital for expansion, equipment or projects. Ind-Viro Marketing was created to help those companies.
  • Independent agents and manufacturer's representatives. For noncompeting companies, Ind-Viro Marketing will contract to perform independent agent and manufacturer's representative services, acting as a third party sales force. This includes referring business opportunities as they arise.