the netplus exchange feb-march 2013
DESCRIPTION
The NetPlus Exchange Newsletter Feb-March 2013TRANSCRIPT
FEB/MARCH
2013
Issue FeaturesWalterMeier- New
SuppliersPaul’sPicks
President’sColumn
Circle Tool Supply
Get SocialOr Get ForgottenP6 P7 P8P5P3 P10 P11
Newest MeMbers• MBCProductsInc. of Prospect Park, PA
• DAL-RSInc. of Somerset, KY
• OhioPowerToolof Columbus, OH
One of our core values, embrace change, is embodied in the new look and feel of your buying group newsletter; it is what we lead with in every initiative this year. This little book may be small in size, but we’ve stocked it with bigger and better content to deliver you more relevance and hopefully, a bit of fresh perspective as well. Check out the Issue Features below, including the article on member-favorite, Walter Meier; the big reveal of the location of our First Annual NetPlus meeting; and a job well done by one of our distributor members, Circle Tool.
Also for the first time ever, this issue will be offered electronically, in a digital edition that you can find on our news page at netplusalliance.com, and sent every month through our ‘Grow Together’ group update e-newsletter. We’ve added this communication at your request, to provide more information on how NetPlus works to support your business and plugged in some industry and small business article links as well. Forward this newsletter to others in your organization, so that they understand the opportunities available to you as a member distributor, or contact our office to have your team added to our communication list.
So what say you? Let’s embrace change together: try something new today in your own business and see where it takes you.
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grouP uPdates
VivaLasVegas–It’sofficial:OurFirstAnnualNetPlusAllianceAnnualMeetingEngagement.
We’ve been talking about that quite a lot this year, and now, with our first annual meeting scheduled forMarch16-18,2014 we will be able to get together and really make that happen! Gathering feedback from your survey responses, as well as from our advisory groups and several location visits, this inaugural event will take place at the MResortinLasVegas,Nevada. There was an overwhelming vote by both our distributors and suppliers for Las Vegas, and this location gives us the amenities of a full service resort with affordable pricing for everyone that attends. Opened in 2009, the M Resort has 390 guest rooms and is 10 miles from the Las Vegas Strip. But this is no ‘little sister’ to the big girl hotels on the Strip; the resort offers luxurious rooms, two pools, a fitness center and spa, several restaurants and a casino that rivals those of the Strip’s best hotels. The M Resort also delivers exceptional service, and provides a complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport, as well as an hourly round-trip service to the Las Vegas Strip at no charge for its guests. Air transportation is a snap with Southwest Airlines, with non-stop service from many gateways around the country. Details will be sent in our next quarterly mailing, so that you can start to make plans for this historic event. Shirley Weiland, your Director of Member Services, will be the point person for all of the annual meeting details, and she is excited to get information out to you very soon. Check out The M Resort now at www.themresort.com and then put March16-18,2014 in your calendar for a fantastic NetPlus Alliance distributor/supplier meeting.
SalesForcePartnerPortalSettobeLaunchedAt the beginning of this year, we moved all of our data onto the SalesForce CRM platform. Our purpose in doing this was to allow our suppliers and distributors direct access to the information they need to fully participate in NetPlus. We have been working diligently to prepare the portal that will feature secure access to all of this information. From within this portal, you will be able to view your purchases history, your account and contact information and account and contact information for other NetPlus participants with whom you are working – or could be working. Portal access will help you to find more NetPlus partners that can help you grow your business – thus enabling our suppliers to increase their market share, and our distributors to increase their annual rebate. The portal will also feature tools to help you to reconcile your supplier purchases on an on-going basis, which will help to eliminate our year-end reconciliation.We are pleased to announce that the NetPlus portal is currently being tested by our distributor and supplier advisory groups. Pending their comments and any ensuing modifications, we will be rolling out the portal to the rest of the group. Watch your email and this newsletter for additional information and instructions. We are confident that the portal access will be a strong enhancement to your relationship with NetPlus Alliance and all of our Alliance partners.RegionalPlanningSessionsTodd Washburn is busy organizing regional NetPlus member and supplier planning sessions for 2013. Our purpose for these ‘local level’ meetings is to establish and enhance relationships among our partners at the field sales level. There will be several scheduled through the year, and the first will be held in April in the Houston, Texas area. These one-day meetings will give a distributor’s sales team the opportunity to meet with select NetPlus suppliers in a one-on-one format, to establish a plan for mutual growth and gain market share together. Suppliers are encouraged to involve their local regional and territory sales reps, and will include independent manufacturer’s representatives if applicable.
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PresIdeNt’s coluMN -by Dan Judge
coNteNtsGroup Updates ....................................................2
President’s Column ..............................................3
DrillCo .................................................................4
Paul’s Picks .........................................................5
FeatureSupplier:WalterMeier ..................... 6-7
New Suppliers to NetPlus .....................................8
US Safety ............................................................9
Richlu .................................................................9
IPG ...................................................................10
Goff’s ................................................................10
NetPlus Member, Circle Tool Supply, Wins EDGE Award ..............................................10
Get Social or Get Forgotten ................................11
Stanley ................................................. Back Cover
Schrader .............................................. Back Cover
NewLook&MoreCommunication
You are getting your first look at our new newsletter layout.
We have worked with a new design firm to have a more up to date look and to bring you even more information about our manufacturers and wholesalers. The newsletters will now also be available in a new easy to use digital format.While we will be decreasing the number of printed newsletters, we will be increasing the frequency of our e-news. Both of these were recommendations from our Distributor Advisory Council. And, you have already seen an increase in our social media offerings. Be sure to follow us on Twitter,
LinkedIn, and Facebook for frequent and timely updates on what is going on at NetPlus Alliance.OurStrategy
As you recall we went through an extensive strategic planning process last summer. That activity has resulted in many changes in our goals and in the way we operate. In January, the six of us met to set our “rocks” (our goals) for 2013. The key element to those goals and to our on-going business philosophy is to gain a higher level of commitment and engagement from our distributor members. This theme will run through everything we do this year – from planning our first group meeting in March of 2014 to rewriting our rebate policy to reward growth in purchases from our supplier base.The keystone of this strategy is our conversion from an in-house operating system to the cloud based salesforce.com. Salesforce will give us not only a platform to manage our internal business system, but also a robust CRM. For our suppliers and our distributors the primary benefit will be the return of the login side of the NetPlus website. AKeyPartner
The featured supplier in this issue is a long-time supporter of NetPlus Alliance – Walter Meier Manufacturing. They joined NetPlus as Wilton Manufacturing in December 2002, two months after NetPlus was founded. I have known that brand for all of my 45 years in this industry. Walter Meier, of course, has the JET and Powermatic brands in addition to Wilton.Walter Meier sells to over 160 distributors in NetPlus and is looking to add even more—if you are not a Walter Meier distributor you are missing out on doing business with a respectable and high performing company.ISAConference
Just a quick reminder that this year’s Industrial Supply Association Product Show & Conference will be held in San Diego June 1-4, 2013. Go to isapartners.org to register and for more information.
Home of the:
13011 S. Choctaw Dr. Baton Rouge, LA 70815Ph: 800-851-3821 Fax: 800-315-9225
www.drillco-inc.com [email protected]
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Paul’s PIcks-by Paul Haber
This issue’s featured supplier, JETWilton(WalterMeier) is one of NetPlus Alliance’s top5suppliersinbothmemberparticipation
andpurchases. The product offering that JET Wilton has is one of the broadest among our suppliers.
According to JET, one of the fastest growing industries is metal forming. Metal forming equipment is sold in the industrial, HVAC, and automotive markets as well as others.
JET’s line of machines includes shears, brakes, a combination shear, brake and roll, plainishers, hand notchers, presses, rotary machines, slip rolls, pipe benders, and an English wheel.
JET’s brakes are available in both floor and bench models. The combination shear, brake and roll will do the three functions in its description. JET manufactures a foot shear, as well as a pneumatic shear. The 24” plainisher hammer smooths beads and forms on mild sheet metal up to 16 gauge or aluminum up to 1/8” thick. The bench hand notcher has a capacity of 16 gauge steel, but can pierce 18 gauge material. This notcher can notch angles greater than 90 degrees.
Arbor presses range from 1/2 ton to 5 ton. There is also a 5 ton hydraulic press available. The JET bench rotary machine is used for burring, edging, elbowing, flanging, flatting and forming. Slip rolls are available in a bench model with a stand or a power feed electric unit. JET has two pipe benders, a 2” and a 3”. Both models will bend schedule 40 pipe. All of the above products carry a 2 year warranty.
Metal forming products are a small segment of what JET Wilton has to offer, check out their web site for more opportunities.
Contact NetPlus Liaison, Terri Eshleman, at [email protected] or 615-793-1364
Here are two other NetPlus Alliance suppliers with products that relate to metal forming:
Wiss(ApexToolGroup) has a complete offering of snips as well as HVAC tools. The snip products include aviation and tinners snips.
The aviation snips are available in center, right and left hand cut. The M4R snips are used for pipe and duct work. The M8R and M9R are vertical snips. All of these snips will cut up to 18 gauge carbon steel. The M5R Bulldog snips will cut up to 14 gauge carbon steel. Tinner snips are available in solid steel tinner snips, heavy duty Bull Dog snips and lightweight aluminum snips. For tools used in the HVAC industry, Wiss offers 3 and 5 blade hand crimpers, and hand notchers. Also available, are standard and offset hand seamers and an HVAC compound action pipe and duct snip.
Contact NetPlus Liaison, John Bucci, at [email protected] or 610-559-9945
Boschcan furnish both nibblers and shears. Bosch manufactures three nibblers. Model 1528B - 18 gauge nibbler has a unique cutter head design for multiple types of corrugated steel. The 3 position head cuts forward, left and right. The tool ejects chips downward away from operator and work piece for operator safety. The Model 1529B nibbler cuts flat, corrugated, trapezoidal, or full square stock efficiently. Model 1530 is a 14 gauge nibbler that gives burr free edges. The small gear head allows cutting in confined areas. Worn cutters are changed in minutes with an adjustable wrench. Model 1533A is a 10 gauge nibbler that has an adjustable guide which accommodates different gauge sheets for vibration free cutting. This tool has a reversible side handle with extension for selection of secure and comfortable holding positions. The punch is resharpenable for extended life. Bosch’s Model 1534 – 16 gauge nibbler is light weight and portable. The 3 position head cuts forward, left, and right.
Bosch has three portable shears. Model 1500C – 16 gauge shear is compact and light weight. Its visible blade allows precise pattern cutting and extended blade life. Model 1506 – 14 gauge shear has a planetary gear drive which delivers more power per pound. The upper blade is double edged: when the first edge is worn, simply reverse the blade. Rounding out the Power shear line is Model 1521 – 16 gauge shear. For convenience, the cutting blade changes quickly and without a tool.
Contact NetPlus Liaison, Jamie Sylvia, at [email protected] or 224-232-2548
For more detailed information on all the products mentioned, visit the supplier’s web site.
“The solution to any problem – work, love, money, whatever – is to go fishing, and the worse the problem, the longer the trip.” -- John Gierach
tIP o’ the MoNth
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For many NetPlus members, the JET and Wilton brand names are synonymous with quality, durability and safety. Industrial
customers have long trusted Wilton as the number one name in industrial vises and clamps. Similarly, for more than 50 years JET has provided quality machinery to the industrial metalworking, lifting and air tool markets.
Behind these great brands is the parent company of JET and Wilton, Walter Meier AG, headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. Focused on the manufacturing and climate technology sectors, Walter Meier’s offerings include machinery and tools as well as humidification, heating & cooling, and HVAC products.
Like many manufacturers, the economic events in the U.S. in 2008 and 2009 were tough on Walter Meier. Forced to re-evaluate every aspect of their tool business in order to recover, the company set out to strengthen their brands, products and partnerships for the years ahead.
Walter Meier Americas CEO, Bob Romano, believes very strongly in all three of these
efforts. “We work extremely hard to develop our branding and marketing for each of our brands. It’s imperative that people understand the value that each brand brings to the marketplace. As a company we need to produce the marketing tools that dealers need to sell the products, and what customers need to buy them.” At the same time, Walter Meier has devoted a lot of time, and resources to continually updating product lines to be ahead of the rest of the market. “We feel great about where we’re at in the metalworking category. We’ve updated our offering of saws, and have a broad offering of large spindle bore lathes as well,” Romano continues. “At a time when you aren’t seeing as many companies investing in manual machinery innovation, we are, and we’re seeing tremendous growth because of it. And, metal forming is the next area where we’re going to see a lot of growth.”
The company spent much of 2012 strengthening its metal forming line, and it started from within. Every member of the Walter Meier team, from customer
BobRomano-Walter Meier Americas CEO
BryanFuller-Fuller Hot Rods
Featured suPPlIer
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service to the executive team did hands-on training with the entire product line. Sales reps were required to complete extensive online training courses, and the product management and marketing teams worked on a series of videos to use in further training. To top it off, the company’s spokesperson, celebrity hot-rod builder Bryan Fuller, filmed a series of videos to promote the line at trade shows and at point of purchase. “It’s exciting to see it all come together. From identifying a gap in the marketplace, to developing products and support to bring it to market, and then to have a team in place to capitalize on it. Doing that day in and day out is what makes us a great company,” Romano adds.
Bill Ward, VP of Sales, and the rest of the Walter Meier team are working on an aggressive plan for 2013 for metalworking, and metalforming for the JET brand. For the Wilton brand, they’re looking for even more growth from Wilton’s B.A.S.H. line of striking tools.
“Great products always make our jobs that much easier,” Ward says. “Our product team did an outstanding job with the B.A.S.H. hammers giving us something the market was hungry for, and as a sales force that makes it a lot of fun to get out there and get it into people’s hands.”
For his part, CEO Romano can see the momentum starting to build, and the hard work paying off.
“2009 was a challenge for us. But, we’ve assembled a great team here. With the collective buy-in of everyone involved, we’ve grown our business in 2010, 2011, and again in 2012. And, we’ve got another aggressive plan for 2013.”
Romano, now heading up the tools division globally for Walter Meier, insists the company won’t be letting up any time soon. “We’re investing more heavily in product development, and we’re also stepping up our training efforts in a big way.”
The company is in the process of opening an industrial training center next to its headquarters in LaVergne, TN. The 6,000 sq. ft. space will serve as a testing center for new products, but most notably, a hands-on training area for sales reps, and
distributor reps to better educate themselves on JET and Wilton products.
“As a manufacturer, it’s our job to bring great products to the market, and then do everything we can to make sure the field has everything they need to sell them,” Romano concluded. “These last few years have really separated the companies that have a clear vision on how they’re going to reach
a goal from the companies out there who are still reeling from the downturn. Our JET and Wilton brands are as strong as they’ve ever been in the marketplace, we’ve got more great products on the way, and we’re making the investments in the people, and the partnerships we need to insure that the future holds more of the same.”
For more information about quality JET and WILTON brand products and services, contact Terri Eshleman at 615-287-5865.
walter MeIer
New suPPlIers -by Todd Washburn
“Helping American Small Businesses Succeed.” With our core purpose in mind, we are continuously in contact with all types
of companies who have interest in joining NetPlus Alliance as a partner supplier. Of the dozens of companies interested, only a few are accepted. I wanted to elaborate a bit on each of the suppliers we have added since October 2012.
PosiLockPuller joined NetPlus, October 1, 2012. Posi Lock is probably the most recognized name in gear and bearing pullers. They are certainly the leader in quality and safety. Posi Lock’s patented Cage® controls the jaws for the safest and most secure grip of any puller on the market. They carry a complete line of manual pullers including 2 jaw, 3 jaw and puller sets. Posi Lock hydraulic pullers also feature the Cage®. Size ranges from 2.25 inch 1 ton 2 and 3 jaw manual units to 200 ton hydraulic pullers. They also offer a selection of specialty items designed to make jobs easier. Posi Lock has offered NetPlus members a very competitive discount. There is no minimum order requirement.
Contact NetPlus Liaison, Tamara Somerville, at [email protected] or 701-797-2600
CompleteEnvironmentalProducts(CEP) is the only fully comprehensive spill containment and cleanup products supplier that sells only to resellers. Distributors can compete against the major catalog brands that you see in virtually every maintenance department and purchasing manager’s office today. CEP is launching a new catalog and will be sending a copy to every NetPlus Alliance member in the coming weeks. The most significant new development at CEP is their new industrial grade melt blown sorbent product line. They have invested in new state of the art manufacturing equipment that turns out the best quality sorbents at a VERY competitive price. Their new industrial grade sorbents compete head to head with any other brand on the market today.
Contact NetPlus Liaison, Jade Clay, at [email protected] or 713-921-7900
ProMarketingInc.(PMI) is the regional Motorola two-way radio supplier for the states of Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Employees at most every manufacturing facility and construction jobsite
use some form of two-way communication. Motorola is the leader in the industry. Your customers are sourcing radios and accessories from somewhere today. Maybe it could be you? Stay tuned for new promotions from Motorola!
Contact NetPlus Liaison, Cynde Stetler, at [email protected] or 330-659-6333
RichluManufacturing manufactures extremely high quality insulated clothing and work wear in their Canadian factories. The Tuff Duck brand is considered by some as the “Carhartt of Canada”. Their clothing offers many unique features that benefit the industrial worker such as waterproof knees and seat and extendable inseams. The ability to lengthen a pair of overalls, for instance, reduces the number of separate sku’s a customer needs to buy as well as reduces the multiple part numbers a distributor would need to stock. Richlu also offers an extensive line of flame resistant and reflective clothing in both the Tuff Duck and Work King brands. Richlu brands ship from their third party warehouse in Pembina, ND. All duties are paid and it’s just like ordering from a U.S. based company shipping from a U.S. Warehouse. Look for periodic product specials from Richlu in 2013.
Contact NetPlus Liaison, Gary Ross, at [email protected] or 800-665-3369
USSafety is a 78 year old family owned company that pioneered eye and face protection in the United States. They are a U.S. manufacturer of protective eyewear, respiratory protection, face protection, fall protection, head protection and toe protection. The most significant aspect of their business is their safety prescription eyewear program that is designed to be sold exclusively through distribution. The affordable, simple program is easily implemented and offers a menu of features to fit your customer’s needs. Learn more at http://www.ussafety.com.
Contact NetPlus Liaison, Scott Smith, at [email protected] or 402-200-8845
As we move into 2013, we want to offer new suppliers that complement and support our member’s needs. Our goal is to continue to add suppliers relative to cutting tools, safety, and electrical categories. Another focus for this year is our network of service providers. In addition to a solid list of products, we want to offer our member’s partnerships with companies that can help them improve their businesses operationally as well. We welcome any and all suggestions you may have for new suppliers. Please email me at any time with ideas, questions or comments.
SPECIALIZING IN:• Passport Rx™ - The one-price prescription safety eyewear program designed for distributors
• Eye Protection – Progressive styles
• Respiratory Protection - #1 in form, function and breathability
• Fall Protection – Exceeding ANSI standards
• Face Protection – Innovative solutions for complex problems
• Toe Protection – SafetyToes™ steel toed, slip-on, rubber safety overshoes
U.S. Safety Partnering with NetPlusFamily-owned safety innovators for over 75 years, U.S. Safety is proud to announce a new alliance with NetPlus and its distributor partners.
8101 Lenexa Drive - P.O. Box 15965 - Lenexa, Kansas 66285-5965Local 913.599.5555 - Toll-Free 800.821.5218 - Fax 800.252.5002
www.ussafety.com - email: [email protected]
Designers and manufacturers of work and cold weather apparel and accessories for all industries. XTREME Hi-Vis and FR apparel for
men and women in any work environment.
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SPECIALIZING IN:• Passport Rx™ - The one-price prescription safety eyewear program designed for distributors
• Eye Protection – Progressive styles
• Respiratory Protection - #1 in form, function and breathability
• Fall Protection – Exceeding ANSI standards
• Face Protection – Innovative solutions for complex problems
• Toe Protection – SafetyToes™ steel toed, slip-on, rubber safety overshoes
U.S. Safety Partnering with NetPlusFamily-owned safety innovators for over 75 years, U.S. Safety is proud to announce a new alliance with NetPlus and its distributor partners.
8101 Lenexa Drive - P.O. Box 15965 - Lenexa, Kansas 66285-5965Local 913.599.5555 - Toll-Free 800.821.5218 - Fax 800.252.5002
www.ussafety.com - email: [email protected]
Designers and manufacturers of work and cold weather apparel and accessories for all industries. XTREME Hi-Vis and FR apparel for
men and women in any work environment.
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Circle Tool Supply LLC, an Industrial Distributor that works with businesses, industries, schools and
municipalities to incorporate cost savings products and best practice solutions, was recognized Wednesday, February 6th by the Indiana Small Business Development Center (ISBDC).
Circle Tool Supply LLC was one of several Indiana companies recognized in the Emerging Business category of the 2013 EconomicDevelopmentthroughGrowthandEntrepreneurship (EDGE) awards program.
The awards recognize entrepreneurship’s effect on the state’s economic development and growth. Indiana Small Business
Development Center clients who used the organization’s resources and participated in programming were eligible for the awards. Economic Development through Growth and Entrepreneurship award recipients are selected by regional Indiana Small Business Development Center staff.
ChrisByrd,CircleToolSupplyowner,onworkingwithNetPlusAlliance:“Idon’tbelievewewouldbeasfaralonginourbusinessaswearewithoutthehelpandsupportfromNetPlusAlliance.NetPlushasallowedustoexpandintoareasofourcustomerbusinesswewalkedbyinthepastandorstruggledtogetsetupwithaqualitymanufacturer.”
NetPlus MeMber, cIrcle tool suPPly, wINs edge award
Industrial • HVAC • PaintingTransportation • Fulfillment Food Processing • MRO Appliance Industries
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get socIal or get ForgotteN
The number of firms actively participating in social media range in the millions; from your local mom and pop store with their Facebook page to big businesses across all social mediums. According to a Zoomerang survey of over 1000 small businesses, they found that these businesses use social media to connectwithcustomers (28%), garnermorevisibility (27%) and for self-promotion (26%). Others state they getnewsoutquickly, stayaheadoftheircompetition and challengethemarketshare. Intuit has offered a very insightful info-graph to highlight the effects and usage of social media tools for small businesses today. http://www.intuit.com/websites/small-business-social-media-infographic/
So why is social media taking the small business sector by storm? Surveys have shown that the reasons why small businesses are switching to Social Media as a marketing tool are:
•It’sInexpensive: Businesses are creating their own Facebook pages and LinkedIn accounts. 42% of small businesses surveyed reported not putting in a single dollar towards their social media marketing as they are managing those themselves.
•It’seasytouse: Businesses are able to navigate through Facebook and LinkedIn themselves. So even if their accounts are being professionally handled, they can see the progress and success themselves quite easily.
•Theircustomersusesocialmedia:The best way to be successful in marketing is to be where the market is. Having some presence on Social Media, small businesses have realized they cannot be absent from the arena. By actively interacting with their customers they can better promote themselves and their offerings.
•Itdoesn’ttakealotoftime: Now with social media marketing, small businesses see results in real time getting notifications when people are talking about them (Facebook), who is retweeting their message (Twitter), or how many people are joining
their group (LinkedIn). Small businesses are not kept in the dark and can be up and running with their campaigns in a manner of minutes.
We invite you to visit our new and improved social media pages on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, & LinkedIn Groups. These networks consist of the latest news, small business tips, and videos throughout the industry, as well as the newest products and promotions from your NetPlus suppliers!
left behind”
“Either business getssocial or it gets
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