DISTRIBUTOR, VENDOR EXECS CONVENE FOR ANNUAL PLANNING MEETING
Planning for 2008 Underlying Theme of Conference

Marco Island, Fla., November 9, 2007… Distributors representing the Charlotte-based Distribution America and Denver-based PRO Group, Inc. gathered with manufacturers November 7-9 at the Executive Planning Conference (EPC) for nearly 3,500 separate one-on-one meetings.

New products and promotional programs were common themes at the joint event at the Marco Island Marriott in Marco Island, Fla., which drew approximately 500 home improvement industry executives. Thirty-two independent distributor companies were represented at the event, along with 150 key manufacturers.

Roger Hackman is vice president sales & marketing for Seymour Manufacturing of Seymour, Ind. The long-handled tool manufacturer just added a line of forged solid shanked tools and made packaging enhancements. He said he was looking forward to previewing these products with attending distributors, “We continue to add some specialized, niched products for the industrial contractor and nursery retailer.”

Distribution America and PRO Group host the conference jointly in an effort to increase efficiencies and reduce costs for attending manufacturers, who have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with distributor management teams.

Steve Synnott, president and chief operating officer for PRO Group, Inc. said the conference provides an ideal forum for addressing strategic planning, major marketing initiatives, financial performance and new product launches. “PRO Group’s goal at each EPC is to forge long-term partnerships that position the distributors’ retailers to more effectively compete with big box stores,” Synnott said.

Distribution America President, Dave Christmas said of the conference, “Once again this is proving to be one of the premier industry events. Our members have been offered more promotional buying opportunities than ever before.” Christmas added that business is picking up for Distribution America’s members. “October was a great month for us,” he said.

Prior to the conference, Doug Miller, president of the Spokane, Wash-based Jensen Distribution Services, said his company puts together business plans to help both Jensen Distribution Services and the vendor increase sales and profitability. “Our merchandise managers have specific goals in mind that differ for each vendor,” Miller said. “Two global issues we are working on with all of our vendors are increased co-op advertising funds and support of our company’s 125th anniversary in 2008.”

Doug Laird, director hardware sales, for the Apex, N.C.-based Cooper Hand Tools, said his goal going into the conference was to review mutual performance in the current year, uncover challenges or opportunities and establish a growth plan for the coming year. “This event allows us to meet key wholesaler and buying group personnel in one location and to plan future business activity,” Laird said.

Stanley Snowden, CEO of the Morristown, Tenn.-based Wallace Hardware Co., Inc. said, “Our goal is to come up with as many ideas as possible to generate profitable business for us and our vendors as well as any last minute promotional opportunities that may be available for our upcoming show at the end of November.”

William Bollin, CEO of The Bostwick-Braun Company, which is based in Toledo, Ohio, said his company’s strategy is to bring several teams to the conference in order to allow ample time to meet with both current vendors and prospective vendors. “We are able to step back from the day-to-day routine and explore broader issues that affect our business with executives from the vendor community.”

Allen Winn, vice president of merchandising of Knoxville, Tenn.-based House-Hasson said the House-Hasson buying team met prior to the conference to establish an agenda for the meetings and develop a business plan for the conference. “We would love to see more vendors participate,” Winn said. “The vendors at the EPC show they care about the success of our business and will remain in the forefront of our business.”

For distributor Lon Stephens, general manager of the Conklin, N.Y.-based Co-operative Feed Dealers, the EPC provides exposure to “products that we might not look at if we didn’t have appointments scheduled. We hope to come away with one or two opportunities to sell products that will exceed sales expectations and contribute significantly to the bottom line.”

Special conference events included the Wallace Prayer Breakfast with guest speaker Jim Lange, who authored Bleedership, Biblical First Aid for Leaders, a book that tells real stories of leadership from a business perspective, and a golf tournament pairing distributors with manufacturers.

Mike Braun and Tom Chasteen of The Hardware Industry Inc., presented information to attending distributors about a new program that provides product samples to retailers to preview, including the Library Card Program, the Market Test Program and the Request Show Specials Program. According to Chasteen, these initiatives are designed to help move product through the two-step hardware channel in an efficient, cost effective and timely manner.

Dennis MacDonald with the National Hardware Show also addressed attendees to promote the National Hardware Show’s return to Las Vegas.

The conference also features a popular new product display area.   Distributor attendees selected the best new products and presented awards to the manufacturers for the Overall Best New Product and the Best New Product by major hardline categories. 

The Overall Best New Product was awarded to Shop-Vac Corp. for the 18 Volt Cordless Handheld Vacuum. Category winners included: Coleman Cable’s Smart Strip 7 Outlet Surge Protector (electrical); the Rechargeable 1 Watt LED Flashlight from Great Neck Saw Mfg. (tools); Custom LeatherCraft’s Mossy Oak 16-inch BigMouth Bag (hardware); Ames True Temper’s Sync-it Outdoor Water Station (lawn and garden); Rust-Oleum Corporation’s Porch and Floor Coating Dove Gray (paint); Plumb Pak Corporation’s Chrome and Porcelain Faucet Styled Tank Lever (plumbing), and the JacPac Regulator Kit from Supplierpipeline Inc. (power tools).

Synnott said the new product display gives suppliers an opportunity to test new products and packaging on a distributor audience. “While it is not a primary focus of the event, the Best New Product awards are coveted by DA and PRO Group suppliers,” Synnott said.

Kenny Beauvais, president and CEO of the Shreveport, La.-based HDW, Inc., said he was particularly impressed with the improved new product area. “This format allows us as distributors an opportunity to see many new items for the first time prior to their introduction for the new year,” Beauvais said. “This year more than 95 items were evaluated by distributors, which provided a great showcase for those participating manufacturers. This is a very cost effective way for manufacturers to show and tell us about their new offerings. This conference is the best value for our time to get business done.”

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

Distribution America Vendor Awards

Overall Vendor Partnership Award – Cooper Hand Tools

Automotive: Keeper Corporation

Hand & Power Tools: Cooper Hand Tools

Electrical: Feit Electric Company

Lawn & Garden: Boss Manufacturing Co.

Hardware: Midwest Fastener Corporation

Paint & Paint Sundries: Hyde Tools, Inc.

Plumbing: Genova Products, Inc.

Distribution America Member Achievement Awards

Outstanding Sales Growth: Jensen Distribution Services

Outstanding Asset Management: House-Hasson Hardware

Outstanding Service Performance: Emery-Waterhouse Company

Outstanding Inventory Management: Jensen Distribution Services

Soaring Eagle Award: Blish-Mize

PRO Group, Inc. Key Supplier of the Year Awards

Tools: Magna Industries, Inc.

Plumbing: LDR Industries

Hardware: Thermwell Products Co.

Paint Sundries: Aearo Company

Seasonal: Chapin International Inc.

Electrical: The Designers Edge

Overall Key Supplier (all categories): Genova Products, Inc.

PRO Group, Inc. Distributor Awards

FARM MART Distributor of the Year: Wallace Hardware Company, Inc.

Best Increase in FARM MART Group Sales: Co-operative Feed Dealers, Inc.

PRO Merchandising Distributor of the Year: Blackstone Supply Company

Best Target Vendor Support: Horizon Distribution, Inc.

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

PRO Group Top Gun Awards

Chris Feather, Aearo Company

Elliot Piltzer, Great American Marketing, Inc.

Tommy Drinkard, Barker-Jennings Corporation

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The Des Plaines, Illinois-based Distribution America www.daonline.com is a $2 billion plus buying and marketing organization, covering all 50 states with over 20,000 retail customers.

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 38 Member Distributors.

Note to media:

Event photos and photos of award winners available from Jody Schulz-Maude Jody.Schulz-Maude@daonline.com  or Shari Kalbach at PRO Group, Inc. shari.kalbach@pro-group.com

For More Information Contact:
Steve Synnott, PRO Group, Inc.
(303) 792-3000

steve.synnott@pro-group.com

Dave Christmas, Distribution America

(704) 940-4801

dave.christmas@daonline.com

Additional media contact:
Ruth Furman, ImageWords

(702) 255-8288

ruth@ruthfurman.com