IMARK Announces Top-Selling Gateway to Growth Products in 2016
IMARK Group is pleased to recognize the top 10 selling product lines in the 2016 Gateway to Growth (GTG) program (for suppliers in the AAA, AA and A relative size categories).
There are more than 450 product lines in the 2017 GTG program from 59 IMARK suppliers.
Those product lines marked with an * are also included in the 2017 edition of the GTG program.
Top 10 Selling Product Lines (AAA Suppliers):
| Siemens Industry |
AFCI (Single and Dual-Function) |
| Philips Lighting N.A. |
InstantFit LED Lamps Family |
| Acuity Brands |
IBH LED Bay Lighting |
| GE Lighting |
LED LFL Replacement Tubes* |
| Hubbell Lighting |
Columbia LCAT LED Architectural Troffer |
| Sylvania (LEDVANCE) |
LED Tubes* |
| Southwire |
SIMpull CoilPAK and Wire Barrel* |
| Sylvania (LEDVANCE) |
Select HID Products* |
| Philips Lighting N.A. |
EvoKit LED Retrofit Kits* |
| Acuity Brands |
Sensor Switch Sensors |
Top 10 Selling Product Lines (AA Suppliers):
| Burndy |
Mechanical and Hyground Compres- sion Grounding Conductors* |
| Milbank |
Commercial Enclo- sures and Gutters (Type 1 and 3R)* |
| 3M |
Cable Ties* |
| Hammond Power Solutions |
Potted/Control Transformers and Reactors* |
| Greenlee |
Knockout Products* |
| Progress Lighting |
Resi LED Recessed Downlights* |
| IDEAL |
Hole-Making Products* |
| Arlington |
Snap2it MC Cable Connectors* |
| WattStopper /Legrand |
Power Packs |
| Panduit |
ID and Printers* |
Top 10 Selling Product Lines (AA Suppliers):
| BRK Electronics |
Hardwire Smoke and CO Product Line (Select Items)* |
| Kidde Safety |
AC/DC Combo Smoke and CO Detector (Select Items)* |
| NICOR |
D-Series LED Down- light Family* |
| Multi-Fittings Corp., Krayloy |
Kwikon ENT Pipe and Fittings* |
| Westinghouse Lighting |
LED Lamps* |
| IPEX USA |
Kwikon ENT Pipe and Fittings* |
| Woodhead/Brad Products by Molex |
Wiring Devices (Select Items)* |
| SATCO |
LED-Silver Back PAR Lamps* |
| Hammond Manufacturing |
Stainless Steel Enclosures* |
| SOLA H|D |
Distribution Transformers* |
Please visit the “GTG Products” section of the IMARK website to view the complete roster of 2017 GTG product lines. Updates occur frequently.
Klein Tools Survey Reveals Concerns about the Future
Klein Tools, of Lincolnshire, Illinois, announced the results of its third annual “State of the Industry” survey. More than 400 union and non-union electricians were surveyed and shared their concerns about the future of the industry.
The Klein Tools’ “State of the Industry” survey found the biggest industry concerns from electricians are that too many experienced electricians are leaving the industry and/or retiring and that there will be less available jobs in the next five to 10 years.
Seven in 10 electricians see a shortage of experienced electricians in the industry and 78 percent believe more on-the-job training would create a more experienced workforce. This idea is consistent with union and non-union electricians who believe on-the-job training is the best solution to this industry concern.
Klein Tools recently announced a continuation of its long-term partnerships with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the National Electrical Contractors Association and The Electrical Training Alliance, by increasing its investment in training and educational programs to $2 million over the next five years. The programs will provide electrical workers with necessary tools and hands-on training, including scholarships and tool endowments for apprentices. Through this investment, Klein Tools is ensuring that young electricians and apprentices receive the highest possible educational experience for a successful career in the industry. Klein Tools is also a platinum partner with the Independent Electrical Contractors to help develop and foster skilled electrical workers.
The Klein Tools “State of the Industry” survey was conducted by Russell Research, an independent survey research firm, which conducted 201 online interviews from Jan. 20–26, 2015 and 200 online interviews from Jan. 27 to Feb. 5, 2016, to secure a nationally significant representation. Forty percent of respondents were union members and 60 percent were not.
Leviton Acquires ConTech Lighting
Leviton, of Melville, New York, has acquired ConTech Lighting, a Chicago-based manufacturer of high-performance and sustainable lighting solutions and fixtures. Through this acquisition, Leviton continues its strategic growth in lighting and expands its product offerings and solutions with ConTech Lighting’s high-quality, innovative designs.
The ConTech Lighting acquisition marks Leviton’s second in the lighting industry in the United States as the company looks to expand further into this market. In May 2015, the company announced its acquisition of Intense Lighting LLC, a solutions-based manufacturer of LED luminaires based in Anaheim, California.
Following the acquisition, John Ranshaw, president and CEO of ConTech Lighting, will report to Leviton President and Chief Operating Officer Daryoush Larizadeh. Leviton and ConTech Lighting will continue to maintain their separate agent networks and distribution channels following the acquisition to ensure that customers continue to receive the attention and service they’ve come to expect.
For more information on the acquisition, visit www.leviton.com.
HPS Celebrates 100 Years
Hammond Power Solutions (HPS) has reached a milestone this year, celebrating its 100-year anniversary. Since its inception in 1917, HPS has grown from a small family-owned business in the shortwave radio market to one of the largest transformer and reactor manufacturers.
To commemorate this occasion, HPS plans to celebrate globally by dedicating the year to honoring its devoted employees, valued partners and loyal customers through promotions and special events. As HPS reflects back on its achievements, it will continue the same focus on quality and service that brought it to where it is today and into the next 100 years.
Legrand Offers ‘Trash Madness’ Toolkit
In an effort to promote proactive recycling and waste reduction practices within workplace environments, Legrand North America, of West Hartford, Connecticut, has released its Trash Madness toolkit, a document that shares the methodology it used during Trash Madness, a company-wide, employee competition in 2015 that helped Legrand promote its recycling and waste reduction program throughout several of its U.S locations. The document is available on the company’s website and can be downloaded by other organizations that are looking to establish a standardized approach to waste management.
Results from the 2015 Legrand North America Trash Madness competition improved the company’s cumulative recycling compliance score by 14 percent—from 82 percent to 96 percent. In addition, employees shared over 447 waste minimization ideas and more than 1,000 individuals participated in the weekly challenges, which included pledges to give up bottled water and eliminate workspace trash cans.
The Trash Madness toolkit presents a step-by-step approach to executing the program and covers such planning steps as getting organized, measuring for success, employee participation, spreading awareness and promoting best practices.
Prior to launching Trash Madness, Legrand’s waste streams were inconsistently labeled in many facilities and employees did not have a clear understanding of how to properly separate landfill waste from recyclables. Trash Madness was designed to address the lack of a standardized approach to waste management across several of Legrand’s facilities. The competition served as a mechanism to implement best practices in bin labeling, as well as improve the knowledge of material sorting. In doing so, this event has supported the company’s waste diversion efforts as it aims to achieve its goal of zero waste to landfill by 2022.
Legrand North America’s Trash Madness toolkit can be downloaded by visiting http://www.legrand.us/aboutus/sustainability/high-performance-buildings/tools-and-downloads.aspx.
Leviton Wins 2016 Product Innovation Award
Leviton, of Melville, New York, announced that the Lumina Gateway and Lumina RF Wireless Management Eco-System are 2016 Product Innovation Award recipients from Architectural Products magazine in the interior lighting/electrical category. The annual Product Innovation Award recognizes manufacturers that offer attributes, qualities, design, functionality and/or performance beyond the standard in commercial and institutional building and design. The Leviton submission was judged by a panel of 40 industry professionals and determined to be a standout commercial lighting automation winner for 2016.
Storefronts, offices and restaurants with single or multiple locations can benefit from the Lumina Gateway wireless energy management automation system for heavy-duty load management, temperature control, occupancy sensing, motion and door contact sensing, 0-10-volt and forward phase lighting controls and more. Automatically turn on parking lot lighting and signage at sunset, turn down the thermostat during the heat of the day and use wireless sensors to turn on lights based on motion or occupancy.
The Lumina Gateway and wireless devices are available now, along with the new Leviton Cloud Services website and app. For more information, visit www.leviton.com/gateway.
PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
Ideal Industries Announces Management Changes
Ideal Industries Inc., of Sycamore, Illinois, announced the appointment of Douglas Sanford as group president and general manager for Ideal United States. In his new role, Sanford will provide strategic leadership and direction for the company’s capstone Wire Termination and Tools and Supplies business units, as well as assume responsibility for the Aerospace business unit and corporate research and development.
Sanford most recently was president and CEO of HA International (HAI), a manufacturer and supplier to North American foundries of products such as resin systems for bonding sand and refractory coatings. Prior to HAI, he served in a variety of management positions for more than 15 years at Hendrickson, a Tier 1 supplier of suspensions, suspension springs, bumpers and axles to the commercial vehicle industry, including as vice president and general manager of several divisions. He holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Bradley University.
IDEAL also announced that Terry Stevens, vice president of electrical distribution sales, will be retiring effective June 30. Stevens, who has led the electrical distribution sales force since 2013, will be succeeded by Joe Saganowich, an IDEAL veteran who is returning to the company after working in the sports marketing industry. Prior to his departure, Saganowich spent 17 years with IDEAL, most recently as general manager of the SK Hand Tool, an IDEAL subsidiary, and as vice president of electrical distribution.
To learn more, visit www.idealind.com.
NSi Industries Announces New COO
NSi Industries LLC, of Huntersville, North Carolina, has hired David DiDonato to take on the newly-created role of chief operating officer and will report directly to CEO G.R. Schrotenboer.
Prior to his new role at NSi Industries, DiDonato had significant tenures at companies including Westinghouse, Rockwell Automation, Actuant and was general manager of IDEAL Industries’ Wire Termination Group. His most recent role was that of CEO for Quick Cable Corporation. DiDonato has decades of experience in the electrical industry with the majority of his experience on the manufacturing side of the business.
DiDonato will be based out of NSi’s Huntersville, North Carolina headquarters.
For more information, visit www.nsiindustries.com.
Satco Announces Staff Promotions
Satco has promoted six individuals, covering a variety of roles within the company, all located in its New York executive offices.
Ed Bak has been promoted to vice president of operations. Bak will be responsible for oversight of Satco’s day-to-day customer relations and product delivery operations, as well as varied sales support and other daily business concerns.
Janice DeMeo, promoted to vice president of finance, will oversee all company accounting and banking operations, as well as the necessary reporting in these areas of the business.
David Wild has been promoted to vice president of product development, luminaires. Wild will oversee the development of luminaires; identify potential new products; conduct market research; generate product requirements; determine appropriate specifications, production timetables, pricing, time-integrated plans for product introduction and develop marketing strategies.
Chris Siegal has been promoted to vice president of product development, lamps and light sources. Siegal’s responsibilities include management and inventory control of lamp categories inclusive of legacy products (incandescent, halogen, CFL, etc.) and the development of their transitions to new energy-efficient LED replacements.
Brian Brandes has been promoted to senior vice president of product development and marketing, overseeing all new product introductions from research and development to pricing and inventory levels for all lamps, light sources and luminaires.
Alan Karen will serve as Satco’s senior vice president of global sales. His responsibilities include oversight of all domestic and international sales channels of distribution, program development and execution and market planning.
Killark Electric Welcomes Western Regional Manager
Hubbell’s Killark Electric welcomes Matthew Gravette as western regional manager. In his new role, Gravette is responsible for managing the sales force of Killark Electric in the western region of the United States. Gravette reports to Brent Birchler, vice president of sales for Killark and Hawke.
Gravette comes to Hubbell Inc. from Rexel where he held the position of branch manager. Prior to his position with Rexel, he was product manager with Walters Wholesale.
Gravette earned his bachelor’s degree in communications and a minor in political science from the University of California, Davis.
IMARK SERVICE PROVIDER NEWS
MSP Recognizes IMARK Group and Seven IMARK Members
Wolfe Promotional Services (WPS), an IMARK meber service provider (MSP), recently recognized The IMARK Group and seven of its members with the WPS Partnership+ Award. This recognition is for continuous business partnership for at least 10 years.
IMARK appointed WPS as one of the first MSPs in 1996. Over the years, WPS has provided many promotional and award items for IMARK, including items for its annual meeting and Platinum/Gold Achievement program.
In addition, WPS has worked with numerous members and suppliers in the IMARK network on a wide array of projects. Several members have taken advantage of redeeming their Gateway to Growth points through WPS.
The members who have been recognized with the WPS Partnership+ Award are: Granite City Electric Supply, The Hite Co., Kandel Brothers, Graves/Winlectric, Springfield Electric, Wiseway Supply and Womack Electric Supply.
WPS President David Wolfe said, “Longevity is certainly a key measure of a successful business. To achieve that a business must develop and, more importantly, maintain long-term relationships. We have been fortunate to develop many multi-year partnerships with IMARK.”
WPS is a sales promotional company providing a wide range of promotional items and ideas to “Get What Works!” for its clients. For more information, call 203-452-7692 or email dave@wolfepromo.com.
Pro Line Hydration Solutions Appointed IMARK MSP
Did you know that bottled water is currently the No. 1 safety item in many of the largest industrial distributors in the country?
Many IMARK members have contractors who would like to purchase their bottled water on the same order they purchase their electrical supplies. Now IMARK has a member service provider (MSP) that can help them do just that.
Pro Line Hydration Solutions, the industrial, commercial and electrical (less-than-truckload) arm of Niagara Bottling, is now an IMARK MSP. The company provides bottled water at both the pallet (84- case) and truckload (1,596-case) levels. Pro Line Hydration Solutions has 23 bottling plants and 24 regional distribution centers. IMARK members can benefit from this special IMARK negotiation by no longer having to make a special run to a warehouse club to purchase cases of water for their customers; thereby saving time and money. With the special pricing IMARK has with Pro Line, IMARK members will be able to profit on every case sold.
Contact Eric Singleton at 972-488-4200 ext. 1004 or email him at eric@prolineproductsinc.com for details on geographic pricing. Don’t miss out on this profitable way to add value to your contractor relationships.
For more information, contact Ken Nagel at ken@imarkgroup.com or 301-281-8109.
Jigsaw Systems Appointed IMARK MSP
Jigsaw Systems Inc. offers an effective three-phased profit enhancement analytics service, encompassing sales and purchase agreement contracts; pricing for every day, thru-stock business (stock and non-stock) and inventory optimization.
Jigsaw can add to your bottom line by analyzing your pricing and providing strategies to improve margins. By thoroughly analyzing your customers’ annual volume against their product buying patterns, Jigsaw can identify products that are price sensitive, as well as model, test and recommend an effective pricing architecture.
For more information, visit www.jigsawsystemsinc.com.
XOLogic Appointed IMARK MSP
XOLogic, of Provo, Utah, can provide a turnkey solution to build a web storefront. Bringing together rich product data, powerful websites and digital sales tools to help you compete.
XOLogic can work with IMARK members to develop up-to-date product catalogs integrated with hosted custom business websites with cloud-based in-store software for electrical and plumbing distributors and lighting showroom operations.
The company’s roots lie in the lighting showroom business. It created software to help its showroom fix the problems that were causing the business to fail. By tackling the fundamental areas of the business using the SCORE methodology, the company turned a bankrupt business into one that was turning a profit in four months.
For more information, visit www.xologic.com or contact XOLogic at sales@xologic.com or 866-684-4134.
Cabela’s Appointed IMARK MSP
IMARK now features Cabela’s, of Sidney, Nebraska, on its member service provider roster.
Cabela’s, the world’s foremost outfitter of outdoor gear, now offers IMARK member distributors corporate account pricing for business-related purchases. Cabela’s retail stores and online catalog offer outdoor enthusiasts thousands of items ranging from camping, fishing and hunting gear to outdoor and casual apparel and gift cards.
Cabela’s Corporate Outfitters team members will work with IMARK member distributors to create solutions for customer and employee recognition, safety awards, sales incentives and employee apparel programs.
IMARK member distributors will have access to the following benefits from Cabela’s Corporate Outfitters:
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Discounts on more than 150,000 products, including outdoor gear, work wear, casual apparel, safety gear, food prep/cooking, outdoor electronics and personal accessories.
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A wide range of customization options with free logo setups and discounted application fees.
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Discounted gift cards.
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No minimum card order on stock designs.
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eGift cards.
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Custom-designed gift card options.
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Free shipping to Cabela’s retail stores for customer pick-up, if desired.
For additional details and to set up a corporate account with Cabela’s, contact Al Hartung at Allan.Hartung@Cabelas.com.
Epicor Data Analytics Solution Available for Prophet 21
Epicor Software Corporation’s Epicor Data Analytics (EDA) solution is now available with Epicor Prophet 21, delivering cloud-based business insights essential to wholesale distributors on their digital transformation journey.
Epicor Data Analytics is fully integrated with Prophet 21 and uses data to help distributors understand their business better, with function-specific content packs that provide a dashboard with deep integration into a specific set of Prophet 21 data—sales, purchasing, inventory, general ledger, accounts payable and accounts receivable.
For more information, visit www.epicor.com.