Friday, November 4, 2011
Naples, Fla., November 4, 2011, Manufacturers and distributors from two home-improvement groups strategized business development plans during the annual Executive Planning Conference at the Naples Grande Beach Resort in Naples, Florida November 2-4.
The Charlotte-based Distribution America and Denver-based PRO Group, Inc. began conducting their annual conferences jointly in 2003 as an effort to bring together a diversity of outlooks while also reducing cost and increasing value for manufacturers and wholesalers. Together, Distribution America and PRO Group member distributors achieve a multi-billion dollar annual sales volume. The conference also provides considerable networking opportunities within the industry.
More than 350 distributors and manufacturers attended the Executive Planning Conference, and in three days they took part in 2,693 one-on-one sessions. During those sessions, distributors and manufacturers discussed topics ranging from new product and program launches, prior year fill-rates, order turn-around time, promotional effectiveness, return on asset performance, new business opportunities and how to gain market share with key customers in 2012.
Gary Drake, who is vice president of sales with Easy Gardener, a manufacturer based in Waco, Texas, says that the conference couldn't come at a better time. Drake says that with the competitive market and tough economy, manufacturers and distributors are all facing the same challenges. The annual conference allows them to all come together and devise the best strategies. "A conference like this not only allows us the opportunity to introduce products, but also to discuss challenges we faced in 2011 and plans for the year to follow," said Drake. "It's always a great chance to meet and grow partnerships between manufacturers and distributors."
Timothy Brown, vice president of sales with Intertape Polymer Group, a manufacturer based in Bradenton, Florida, said the company launched a number of new products at the conference, including the new Nova Flash series of window and door flashing tapes, an expansion to the Mossy Oak line of Duct Tapes and a new automotive masking tape program. Brown said what he most enjoyed about the conference was the opportunity to network and find ways to improve the business. "We are proud to be associated with both DA and PRO. The membership support, business relationships and friendships have been an important part of our success as a company," said Brown.
On November 2, the 36th Annual Wallace Leadership Prayer Breakfast featured guest speaker Steve Silver, who leads the Men's Golf Fellowship of Naples, Fla. Founded in 2003, the organization works to fulfill the spiritual needs of the men who participate in the sport. Later that morning, Herb Meyer shared a global briefing for corporate leaders, called "What in the World is Going On?" Meyer is host and producer of "The Siege of Western Civilization," an international best-selling DVD outlining the threats to our security, our economy and our culture. He shared insights gleaned from his experiences as an editor, author and the former special assistant to the director of Central Intelligence and vice chairman of the CIA's National Intelligence, where he served under Ronald Reagan. A golf tournament followed at Naples Grand Golf Club, complete with beverage cart and hole-in-one contest sponsored by the North American Retail Hardware Association. On Thursday evening, attendees enjoyed a reception themed "Celebrating the Independents," sponsored by The National Hardware Show.
A number of vendors were recognized during an awards ceremony, including the following:
Best New Product Awards:
Electrical: Blackbeam – Clamplight Mini Flashlight
Hand Tools: Century Drill & Tool Co. – 25' Tape Measure with Compass Guide
Housewares and Seasonal: Boss Manufacturing Company – Arctik Xtreme Dipped Nitrile Glove
Hardware – Master Lock Company – SafeSpace Portable Personal Safe
Lawn & Garden and Pet – H.D. Hudson Manufacturing Company - Jet Stream Power Washer
Paint: Intertape Polymer Group – 30-piece Mossy Oak Duct Tape PowerWing
Plumbing: LDR Industries – Triple Head Shower with Jet Sprays
Tools: Robert Bosch Tool Corporation – Dremel Saw Max
Overall Winner: Shop-Vac Corporation – Wet/Dry Vac with Removable Toolbox
Distribution America Vendor Award Winners:
Lawn & Garden: H.D. Hudson Manufacturing Company
Paint and Paint Sundries: Red Devil, Inc.
Tools: Stanley Black & Decker
Hardware: Midwest Fastener Corporation
Electrical: GE Lighting
Plumbing: Genova Products, Inc.
Soaring Eagle Vendor Partnership Award: Genova Products, Inc.
PRO Group, Inc. Key Suppliers of the Year:
Tools: Shop-Vac Corporation
Plumbing: LDR Industries
Hardware: Master Lock Company
Paint Sundries: Intertape Polymer Group
Electrical: Coleman Cable, Inc.
Seasonal: Ames True Temper
Key Supplier of the Year (all product categories): DAP, Inc.
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The Charlotte, North Carolina-based Distribution America (www.daonline.com) is a multi-billion dollar buying and marketing organization, covering 50 states and international markets assisting retailers and distributors with merchandising and marketing programs including Priced Right Everyday®, Sentry, Trustworthy Hardware and Golden Rule.
PRO Group, Inc. (www.pro-group.com) is a multi-divisional, international merchandising and marketing organization with corporate headquarters in Denver, Colorado. Its operating units include PRO Hardware, GardenMaster, FARM MART and GOLDEN-LINK. The company's purchasing power exceeds $3 billion through its member distributors.