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PRO GROUP, INC. & DISTRIBUTION AMERICA COMBINE CONFERENCES IN FLORIDA

The two distribution groups created a blueprint for growing business in 2010 during the annual Executive Planning Conference at the Marco Island Marriott Resort in Marco Island, Florida.
 
By conducting the conference jointly the Charlotte-based Distribution America and Denver-based PRO Group, Inc. reduce costs while increasing value for both manufacturers and wholesalers in attendance at the event, held November 2-4. The combined annual sales volume of Distribution America and PRO Group member distributors exceed $5 billion.
 
The Executive Planning Conference enabled 30 distributors from both companies to brainstorm and strategize during 3,010 one-on-one meetings with 147 manufacturing companies.
 
During one-on-one sessions distributors and manufacturers discuss topics such as 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 2010.
 
According to PRO Group CEO Steve Synnott, distributors are highly optimistic that good times are around the corner and they are ready for top line growth. He said the conference serves as a platform for determining how to gain greater market share in the coming year. “PRO member distributors are utilizing the Executive Planning Conference to discuss 2010 growth strategies with key suppliers,” said Synnott. “PRO Group has enhanced a number of long-standing marketing programs to propel implementation in the coming year. PRO Group is also introducing a powerful new e-mail marketing program that better positions PRO Hardware retailers to maximize the impact of promotions. This conference is well-timed for PRO member wholesalers to refine and finalize their plans for steady 2010 expansion in regionally targeted markets.”
 
Dave Christmas, president, Distribution America, said this is a crucial time for taking advantage of the slowly recovering economy. “The overall attitude among the DA membership going into the Executive Planning Conference is one of guarded optimism. They feel that the bottom has been reached and things will get better when the employment picture improves. They believe this will not be a quick recovery,” said Christmas. "All of the DA members are well positioned to take advantage of the recovery.” Christmas added that 2010 will be a prime time for being a regional distributor because familiarity with the market will be an invaluable asset in coming months. “In times like these the value of regional distribution, operated by people who understand the marketplace, is proving to be crucial to the success of local hardware stores, lumberyards and home centers,” he said.
 
Distributors also ranked products in a new product awards area and visited with executives from the North American Retail Hardware Association and National Hardware Show. The conference also offered attendees many opportunities to mix and mingle and recognize vendors and members. Both distribution groups used the conference format to reward and recognize distributors and manufacturers. 

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Best New Product Awards:

(as judged by both PRO Group, Inc. and Distribution America Distributors)

Electrical: Cooper Lighting - Handheld LED 80 Rechargeable Folding Worklight

Hand Tools: Ames True Temper - Pulverizer Multi-Purpose Demolition Tool

Housewares/Seasonal:  Jack Links Beef Jerky - Original Sasquatch Big Stick Beef Jerky

Hardware: Master Lock Company - Speed Dial Resettable Combination Lock

Lawn & Garden: Coleman Cable, Inc. - MOONRAYS Solar Garden Accents

Paint:  DAP, Inc. - Professional Caulk Finishing Tool

Plumbing: LDR Industries - “Exquisite Green” Single Handle Kitchen Faucet

Power Tools: Generac Power Systems - Digital Inverter Portable Generator

Overall Winner:  Shop·Vac Brand® - 8-Gal. SS 4HP Wet/Dry Vac

Cooper Lighting: Bob Reiling (PRO Group), Lou Diaz & David Shea, Jim Sobota (D.A.)		Ames True Temper: Bob Reiling (PRO Group), Mike Coyne & Gary Varney, Jim Sobota (D.A.)
Jack Links Beef Jerky (photograph unavailable)
		Master Lock Company : Bob Reiling (PRO Group), Al Gustafson & John Spade, Jim Sobota (D.A.)
Coleman Cable Inc. : Bob Reiling (PRO Group), John Pappas, Jim Sobota (D.A.)		DAP, Inc.: Bob Reiling (PRO Group), Greg Ballein & Mike Baryski, Jim Sobota (D.A.)
LDR Industries : Bob Reiling (PRO Group), John Watkins & Mark Marotto, Jim Sobota (D.A.)		Generac Power Systems : Bob Reiling (PRO Group), Sean Stults & Kevin Ryan, Jim Sobota (D.A.)

	Shop-Vac Brand: Bob Reiling (PRO Group), Matt Heiney, Jim Sobota (D.A.)

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PRO Group, Inc. Key Suppliers of the Year: 

Tools: Cooper Hand Tools

Plumbing: Genova Products, Inc.

Hardware: Master Lock Company

Paint Sundries: DAP, Inc.

Electrical: Coleman Cable, Inc.

Seasonal:  Gilmour Group

Key Supplier of the Year (all product categories): Ames True Temper

Cooper Hand Tools: Doug Laird & Lynne Wallis  Brendan Sullivan & Steve Synnott - PRO Group		Genova: Steve Synnott (PRO Group), Scott Orr, Brian Morey, Tom Palmer and Jeanette Kellogg, Bob Reiling -PRO Group

Master Lock Company: Brendan Sullivan (PRO Group) Al Gustafson & John Spade Steve Synnott - PRO Group		DAP, Inc: Greg Ballein (center) Bob Reiling (left) and Steve Synnott (right) - PRO Group

		(photograph unavailable)
Coleman Cable / Woods Wire: Todd Hermon – (center), John Pappas (right) & Rick Brambley, PRO Group -Brendan Sullivan (far left) & Steve Synnott (far right)

	Ames True Temper: Brendan Sullivan (PRO Group), Geoff Brownrigg, Michael Coyne, Joy Smith (PRO Group), Gary Varney, and Steve Synnott (PRO Group)

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2009 PRO Group, Inc. Member Awards:

PRO Hardware Distributor of the Year: The Bostwick-Braun Company

Merchandising Distributor of the Year: Southern Hardware Company

FARM*MART Distributor of the Year: Wallace Hardware Company

Best Target Vendor Support:  Blackstone Supply Company

The Bostwick-Braun Company: Dave Davis, Shari Kalbach (PRO Group), Bill Bollin, Chris Beach, Steve Synnott (PRO Group)		Southern Hardware Company:Shari Kalbach (PRO Group), Mark Rogers, Deb Lewis, Steve Synnott (PRO Group)
Wallace Hardware Company: Richard Snowden, Steve Synnott (PRO Group), Doyle Wallace, Lynn Dawson, Shari Kalbach (PRO Group)		Blackstone Supply Company: Steve Synnott (PRO Group), Paul Silva, Al Desrochers, Shari Kalbach (PRO Group), George Hebert