DISTRIBUTOR, VENDOR EXECS CONVENE FOR ANNUAL PLANNING MEETING

Carlsbad, California, November 2006 - Distributors representing the Charlotte-based Distribution America and Denver-based PRO Group, Inc. gathered with manufacturers November 12-14 at the Executive Planning Conference.

The event at the La Costa Resort in Carlsbad, Calif. drew approximately 480 home improvement industry executives. Thirty-three independent distributor companies were represented at the event, along with 145 key manufacturer companies.

Doug Laird, director, Hardware Sales for the Apex, North Carolina-based Cooper Hand Tools, said, "The Executive Planning Conference is one of the best ways available to personally meet with many of our most important wholesalers face-to-face. Because DA and PRO hold their conference at the same time and location, it is also the most cost efficient way to meet with their members. Each year we believe that this conference provides us with a roadmap for future growth with this important group of wholesalers."

According to Steve Synnott, PRO Group president and chief operating officer and Dave Christmas, president of Distribution America, more than 1,800 one-on-one meetings between executives at distributors and manufacturers took place during the annual event.

Kenny Beauvais, president & CEO of the Shreveport, La-based HDW, Inc. and Distribution America's current Chairman of the Board, said the conference allows distributors to set tentative planning goals with the vendors and some follow-up milestones and deadlines to plan promotions for the upcoming year. "We can see many, many vendors in a short time and hear some of their ideas for the next year as well as express our plans," Beauvais said. "It allows us to set some tentative planning goals with the vendors and some follow-up milestones and deadlines to plan promotions for the upcoming year. It is very important and time efficient."

Bruce Fischer, vice president, sales of Werner Ladder, said, "The meetings are well prepared and brief - creating an atmosphere where a lot is accomplished in a short period of time. Our goal is to leave each meeting with an understanding of the current issues, opportunities and strategic direction from each distributor's point of view."

Ken Marble, president of the Yakima, Washington-based Horizon Distribution, added, "We want to hear what is new from our key suppliers and challenge them to help us grow. The conference also allows us exposure to new vendors we may not be aware of otherwise. Another important benefit of attending the conference is the chance to share ideas with our peers."

Chuck Short, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Amarillo Hardware and California Hardware said the conference is, "by far the best event for us the entire year. On many occasions, this meeting has proven to be the best factor for success we have found."

Don Robison, vice president, sales for the Indianapolis-based The CISCO Companies, a distributor focusing on seed, agricultural, lawn and garden, landscape/erosion and growers supplies, said CISCO is able to meet face-to-face with industry executives and create a plan for the upcoming year. "We do this in a well managed format that creates an atmosphere of cooperation and forward thinking."

Tom Wissink, a tool buyer for Jensen Distribution Services said the timing of this year's conference is perfect for the Hand and Power Tool Departments. "It gives us the opportunity to evaluate much of what is new and to discuss what will be introduced in the first and second quarter of 2007. This gives us a jump start on the placement of new product." Wissink said the Conference is a vital link when it comes to improving communication between the distributor and the vendor.

Glenn Crawford, vice president, dealer sales for the Toledo, Ohio-based The Bostwick-Braun Company, said, "This is a great opportunity to have executives from many companies discuss situations that are important to each other and to develop plans that will help all parties achieve profitable growth."

Jeff Kovarsky, president for the Chicago based B.E. Atlas, said, "Face-to-face contact with national sales managers and sales directors can be very valuable. Each year my goal is always to find something that may set my company apart from the competition and to make sure I am getting all the information I should be from my sales reps."

Wholesale buyers attending the Distribution America/PRO Executive Planning Conference November 12-14 in Carlsbad, Calif. honored products showcased by attending manufacturers with New Product Awards, rating the best new products and presented awards for the Overall Best New Product and the Best New Products by category, as determined by conference attendees.

The New Product Winners included an overall award to Shop-Vac Corporation for the 14 Gal. 5.5 HP Vac'n Vac Wet/Dry Vac. Category winners included: Energizer Battery Co.'s Self Contained Portable Instant Cell Phone Charger; Stanley Tools for the Stanley FatMax Xtreme FUBAR; Aearo Company (AOSafety) for the RaceTunes AM/FM Hearing Protector; Positec USA, Inc.'s Worx 18 Volt Cordless String Trimmer; Werner Ladder Co.'s Equalizer – Type II Aluminum Extension Ladder w/Leveler; Cash Acme's SharkBite ½" Slip Coupling, and Robert Bosch Tool Corp's 10.8 Volt Litheon Pocket Driver Cordless Drill Kit.

During separate membership meetings, both Distribution America and PRO Group, Inc. presented honors to distributors and manufacturers for 2006 achievements.

Distribution America Vendor Awards:

• Overall Vendor Partnership Award – Cooper Tools
• Cooper Tools – Hand & Power Tools
• Coleman Cable – Electrical
• Gilmour Group – Lawn & Garden
• Midwest Fastener – Hardware
• Red Devil – Paint & Paint Sundries
• LDR Industries & William H. Harvey – Co-Winners in the Plumbing category

Distribution America Member Distributor Awards

• Diamond Award to HDW, Inc. for Outstanding Sales Growth
• Diamond Award to Amarillo Hardware for Outstanding Asset Management (5th time)
• Diamond Award to Emery Waterhouse for Outstanding Service Performance (5th time)
• Diamond Award to Emery Waterhouse for Outstanding Inventory Management (4th time)
• Soaring Eagle Award for Outstanding Program Leadership to House Hasson Hardware

Distribution America also presented HDW, Inc. CEO Kenny Beauvais with an appreciation of service award for his term as Chairman of the Board 2005-2006

PRO Group, Inc. Key Supplier of the Year Awards

• Tools – Magna Industries, Inc.
• Plumbing – LDR Industries
• Hardware – Stanley Tools
• Paint Sundries – Great American Marketing, Inc.
• Seasonal – DeWitt Company
• Electrical – The Designers Edge
• Overall Key Supplier – Genova Products, Inc.

PRO Group, Inc. Distributor Awards

• Best Percentage Increase PRO Group, Group Purchases 2006 – The CISCO Companies
• FARM MART Distributor of the Year – Horizon Distribution, Inc.
• Merchandising Distributor of the Year – Buttery Hardware Company, Inc.
• Best Target Vendor Support – The Bostwick-Braun Company
• PRO Hardware Distributor of the Year – Wallace Hardware Company, Inc.

PRO Group Top Gun Awards

• Robert Bosch Tool Corp. – Jim Wilson
• Great American Marketing – Paul Michalowski
• Stanley / National Hardware – Jim Hegner

Photos:

Wallace Hardware Company, Inc. – PRO Hardware Distributor of the Year. From Left to Right: Steve Synnott and Shari Kalbach of PRO Group, Inc., Lynn Dawson, Richard Snowden & Stanley Snowden of Wallace Hardware Company, Inc. & Richard Paige of PRO Group, Inc. (click to enlarge)		Genova Products, Inc. – 2006 Overall Key Supplier of the Year. From Left to Right: Steve Synnott and Bob Reiling of PRO Group, Inc., Dwight Van Steenkiste, Jeanette Kellogg, Scott Orr and Brian Morey of Genova Products, Inc. & Richard Paige of PRO Group, Inc. (click to enlarge)
Shop-Vac Corporation – Best New Product Overall – 14 Gal. 5.5 HP Vac’n Vac Wet/Dry Vac – Tom McDermott (click to enlarge)		New Product Winners (click to enlarge)
Robert Bosch Tool Corp. – PRO Group Top Gun Award – Jim Wilson (click to enlarge)		Great American Marketing – PRO Group Top Gun Award – Paul Michalowski (click to enlarge)
Stanley / National Hardware – PRO Group Top Gun Award – Jim Hegner (click to enlarge)		One-on-One Appointments - Right: Lou Oleksy, Hyde Tools, Inc.; Left: Bill Bollin, The Bostwick-Braun Company (click to enlarge)
One-on-One Appointments (click to enlarge)		One-on-One Appointments - Right: Michael Parr, Cascade Wholesale Hardware, Inc.; Left: Richard Narehood, MK Diamond Products (click to enlarge)
Golf Tournament - Left to Right: Left to right, Robert Hardee, Watters & Martin Inc. Robert Brady, Robert Bosch Tool Corp., Dick Frame, PRO Group, Inc., Kurt Hennelly Coleman Cable, Inc. (click to enlarge)		Golf Tournament - Left to Right: Left to right, James Savarese, Osram Sylvania, Jim Wilson, Robert Bosch Tool Corp., Shari Kalbach, PRO Group, Inc., George Cobelens, Tomkins (Ideal/Plews) (click to enlarge)

 

The Des Plaines, Illinois-based Distribution America www.daonline.com is a $1.2 billion plus buying and marketing organization, covering all 50 states with over 15,000 retail customers.

Headquartered in Denver, PRO Group, Inc. www.pro-group.com is a merchandising and marketing organization with purchasing power exceeding $3 billion through its 40 Member Distributors.

For More Information Contact:
Dave Christmas, Distribution America
(704) 940-4801
dave.christmas@daonline.com
OR
Steve Synnott, PRO Group, Inc.
(303) 792-3000
steve.synnott@pro-group.com

Additional media contact:
Ruth Furman, ImageWords
(702) 255-8288
ruth@ruthfurman.com