>

>select distinct SUPPL_FK ;
>       from ITEMS
>

Hi Gregory,
I've flipped the select using your idea.. the select is lighting fast now! :)
Thank you.

select SUPPL_PK,SUPPL_NME from SUPPLIERS where SUPPL_PK in ;
	(select DISTINCT SUPPL_FK FROM ITEMS) ORDER BY SUPPL_NME