Pandion Optimization Alliance Celebrates a Century of Collective Strength and Member Value

This month, Pandion Optimization Alliance celebrates 100 years of bringing organizations together, marking an extraordinary journey that began as a rural hospital project in 1925. What started as the Central Purchasing Committee under The Rochester Regional Hospital Council has evolved into a multi-billion-dollar marketplace that democratizes access to cost savings and spend management solutions for organizations across the nation.

When asked about the organization's enduring success, Pandion's President and CEO Travis Heider points to a foundational belief that has guided the organization since day one: there's strength in numbers.

"For a century, Pandion has understood that when organizations come together, they can achieve far more than they could alone," said Heider. "From our humble beginnings serving rural hospitals to becoming a national force that leverages billions in buying power, our commitment to collective strength has never wavered. As we celebrate our centennial, we're proud that our original mission of pursuing value through combined power remains just as relevant and impactful today as it was in 1925."

The organization's growth trajectory tells a compelling story of strategic evolution and expansion. After establishing itself as RRHA Joint Ventures Corporation in 1982, Pandion reached a pivotal moment in 1994 by aligning with Premier Inc., a national GPO partnership that set the stage for decades of growth. Under Heider's leadership since 2016, the company has grown from $236 million in purchasing volume to surpassing their first major strategic objective of a billion in 2022 and reaching $1.9 billion in 2024 through both robust organic growth and strategic acquisitions.

"What makes Pandion's centennial particularly meaningful is that our success is intrinsically tied to our customers' success," Heider explained. "Every cost savings we've negotiated, every partnership we've forged, and every innovation we've introduced has been in service of strengthening our customers' bottom lines. This celebration is as much about their achievements as it is about ours."

With over 40,000 customer sites and customers all along the health care continuum and a fast-growing non-healthcare market, Pandion remains focused on its strategic vision of reaching $3 billion in volume by 2027, strengthening strategic vendor relationships, and driving organic growth to better serve customers. The organization continues to pursue strategic acquisitions that will enhance its ability to deliver value while maintaining its commitment to sustainability and community impact.

Throughout 2025, Pandion will commemorate this historic milestone through a series of events, bringing together members, partners, and employees to honor the organization's legacy of collaboration and innovation.

"A century ago, our founders recognized that by bringing organizations together, we could create something extraordinary," reflected Heider. "Today, that vision has grown into a nationwide alliance that continues to prove that unified power yields remarkable results. As we begin our next century, we're more committed than ever to relentlessly pursuing value for our customers."

About Pandion Optimization Alliance

Pandion Optimization Alliance is a leading group purchasing organization that leverages billions in buying power to provide members with access to cost savings and spend management solutions. Throughout its 100-year history, Pandion has maintained a steadfast commitment to bringing organizations together and harnessing their collective power for the benefit of all.

By partnering with the nation's best suppliers and maintaining a diverse contract portfolio, Pandion helps businesses optimize their direct and indirect procurement spend categories. The organization serves members nationwide through its cooperative purchasing programs, spend aggregation initiatives, and trusted partner networks.

For more information, visit www.pandionalliance.com.

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