Grote: Profit Is Not Just From Their Lights

Jobber Margins Multiplied by Complete 2006 Package

Madison, IN (October 1, 2005) – Visitors to the new Grote exhibit at the 2005 AAPEX show will get an early glimpse of a raft of new programs to add to the already substantial profitability of vehicle safety items.

“Lighting and vehicle safety items are typically among the top five or ten lines in jobber gross profit reports” according to Matt Forner, Director of Traditional Automotive Sales. “Our goal is to increase that profitability as effortlessly as possible”.

“Lighting can be a complicated line, featuring over 4,000 SKUs with styles and applications that are all over the map”, continued Forner. “No matter how diverse the customer mix, Grote can provide superior, simplified coverage, and back it up with consistent 98% line fill, for applications from scooters and ATVs to light trucks, RVs, school buses and Class 8 tractor/trailers”.

Jobber profit is all about Know-How.

Jobber counter people and installers have to be able to answer the basic questions with practical solutions. The Grote Know How training series covers electrical basics and installation and offers individual testing, certification program and handouts. It also includes a popular fleet shop poster and hands-on teacher’s tool kit.

Information is as valuable as inventory.

“The 2006 Grote catalog set is designed to simplify access to any part of the line, with six specialty catalogs backing up the master book” said Chris Cammack, Grote Brand Manager. “Each of these catalogs is chock full of newly enlarged photos, line art, interchanges and technical information to answer even the most unique counter question”.

The Grote website allows any user access to full competitive interchanges and reverse product lookups. Virtually any lighting information that an installer might need is directly available right there in his service bay.

They won’t buy what they don’t see.

No two distributors have exactly the same customer needs, and virtually every store needs a unique mix of products and displays.

With over 40 category specific plan-o-grams available, Grote offers a plan for the mix you need to precisely hit a store’s customer niche. Shelf talkers, bulk baskets, danglers and digital art are all available to help boost sales.

Packaging sells… and can add profit to every order.

With packaging innovations like Slide-Lok®, Grote packaging lets you re-stock returns immediately on a wide variety of consumer-oriented displays and seasonal end caps. The “Shelf-to-Counter” program makes refreshing out-front displays fool proof.

Large type dimensions and illustration increases consumer comfort that they have selected the correct item.

Every lighting sale is a golden opportunity to mention electrical accessories. Whether its wire, connectors or even the right hand tool, the Grote accessories line supports installer or walk-in customer’s need for a one-stop source.

Jobber Change Over – Guaranteed Profit Increase.

“We realize that change is always scary”, concluded Cammack. “There are so many details that need to be perfect. That is why the whole process is outlined on the 2006 Quality Change Over Questionnaire.” The checklist includes:

·        Individual Jobber Stocking Assistance

·        Jobber Retail POP/Merchandising Guide

·        Simplified Return Handling

·        Follow-Up Field Calls 

·        Mystery Caller Program

Grote Industries is one of the world’s leading designers and manufacturers of vehicle safety systems and is QS-9000, ISO-14001 and recently TS-16949 certified. For over 100 years, Grote has provided state of the art safety solutions for OEM and Aftermarket customers worldwide.

Grote products include LED and incandescent lamps, mirrors, wire connectors and electrical accessories, obstacle detection systems and reflective accessories. Grote is headquartered in Madison, IN with other manufacturing plants in Toronto and Waterloo Canada, as well as Monterrey, Mexico.

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