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Home Improvement Execs Convene for Planning Meeting

Carlsbad, CA (PRWeb) November 21, 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, N.C.-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


Media Contact: Ruth Furman, ImageWords (702) 615-2244

Related websites:
daonline.com
pro-group.com
executiveplanningconference.com

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