Arlington Presents Rep Sales Awards at NEMRA, Wins ‘NEMMY’ Rep Choice Award
Arlington Industries Inc. in Scranton, Pennsylvania recently presented awards to rep firms at the National Electrical Manufacturers Representatives Association meeting held in San Diego. The awards recognize outstanding achievement during the 2017 calendar year in selling Arlington’s unique, innovative and labor-saving products. Jonathan Chester of George Pickett & Associates Inc. received the Inside Sales Person of the Year Award, which Arlington’s customer service staff presents to the inside sales person delivering the best performance at a firm representing Arlington.
R.C. Colerick Inc. received the National Sales Achievement Award. Fruen’s Sales Co. received the Central Region Sales Achievement Award. Agents West Inc. won the Western Region Sales Achievement Award. Power Tech Electrical Sales Inc. claimed the Southern Region Sales Achievement Award. The Eastern Region Sales Achievement Award went to L.W. French Inc. Humelec Associates Ltd. took home the Canadian Sales Achievement Award. Arlington extends its congratulations to all of the winners.
For more information, visit aifittings.com.
Milbank Manufacturing Names 2017 Rep of the Year, Launches New Website
Milbank in Kansas City, Missouri recently recognized Callas Kingsley, the Illinois-based electrical manufacturers’ representative, as its 2017 Rep of the Year. Milbank’s Rep of the Year award program, new in 2017, is awarded to one manufacturer’s rep agency based on the following criteria:
- Positive growth over prior year new sales volume in at least five of the eight Milbank product lines.
- Extensive knowledge of Milbank products and internal processes.
- Uncovering new opportunities with future growth potential.
- Exceptional customer relationships.
- Responsive, professional and courteous interactions with Milbank personnel.
Callas Kingsley has represented Milbank in Illinois and Wisconsin for more than 10 and five years, respectively. In 2017, the agency more than doubled its 2016 sales, allowing Milbank to maintain more than 80 percent market share in both territories.
“We are humbled by this honor and would not have been able to achieve it without the support we receive from Milbank,” said Jim Kingsley, vice president of Callas Kingsley. “The Milbank team provides us with the tools to be successful with their products. We look forward to a long, successful association between our companies.”
“The team at Callas Kingsley has done a tremendous job representing Milbank’s initiatives and product solutions,” said Chris Buelow, vice president of sales and marketing at Milbank. “They were actively involved in a smart meter conversion that impacted 4 million customers in their region and their hands-on approach with distributors and contractors in the field ensure they have the support they need.”
Milbank Manufacturing also recently launched a new website at milbankworks.com.
Distributors can use the new multi-faceted product search to find specs, compare several products at once and email someone a link to a product detail page. To begin searching through more than 4,000 Milbank products, enter a keyword or part number in the search bar on the home page or click on the “Products” page and filter information with no keyword necessary.
The site contains new content, including case studies, videos, blog posts and company updates. The “Resources” page includes links to RMA request forms, CMP quote requests, the Milbank Marketplace and the company’s eInstitute. Plus, there’s a page where visitors can find all current catalogs and flyers for viewing or downloading.
Visit the new site at milbankworks.com.
Bridgeport Fittings Launches Modernized Website
Bridgeport Fittings in Stratford, Connecticut recently launched a new website that makes it easier for contractors to search, locate and order the right product solutions for their individual projects. Among the new website changes are an updated project submittal tool, product cross reference tool and resource center. A more visible project submittal tool makes it easier for contractors to put together a complete submittal package of various product selections depending on their particular project needs. The updated tool provides more choice, making the tool as user-friendly as possible.
Bridgeport has added a “live search” to its product cross reference tool, which will pull up product information on Bridgeport solutions and automatically cross reference information on at least 20 different competitors.
The searchable resource center provides customers with easier access to all of Bridgeport’s product literature, as well as complete integration of Bridgeport’s YouTube videos and technical documents.
For more information, visit bptfittings.com.
Leviton Hires New VP General Manager of Lighting
Leviton in Melville, New York recently hired Philip G. Warner as the new vice president general manager of the Leviton Lighting Business Unit. Warner replaced John Ranshaw, who retired on Feb. 23.
The Leviton Lighting Business Unit was established in April 2017, combining the capabilities of JCC, ConTech Lighting, Birchwood Lighting and Intense Lighting to deliver the broadest portfolio of innovative, high-performance and sustainable lighting solutions and fixtures in the industry. In addition to leading the business, Warner will be responsible for scaling the business through new channel development and expansion of current partnerships, increasing profitability and productivity and streamlining processes.
“We are excited that Philip will be joining us in this role to further build, lead and drive the Leviton Lighting Business Unit,” said Daryoush Larizadeh, Leviton’s president and chief operating officer. “With Philip having more than 25 years of experience in the lighting industry, both in Europe and the Americas, we look forward to having him work with the broader leadership team to aggressively drive the division’s overall strategy and vision, a core pillar of the company’s growth plan and continued success.”
Warner joins Leviton from OSRAM, where he held the position of vice president general manager for the Americas region of OSRAM Global Management and focused on strengthening OSRAM’s leadership across all areas of integrated building eco systems and redefining the organization’s technologies and business models.
For more information, visit www.leviton.com/lighting.
NSi Industries Announces New Hires, Raychum Medium Voltage Products
NSi Industries LLC in Huntersville, North Carolina recently hired Jason Obetz as eastern regional vice president of sales, Mike Wilbur as the southwest regional sales manager and Diane Sabo as director of marketing.
Obetz comes to NSi Industries with more than 20 years of experience in electrical sales. Obetz started his business career with Burndy and later worked for NB Handy and All Current Electrical Sales. Most recently, he worked as executive vice president of sales and marketing for Omni Cable.
“Jason brings many years of industry experience and broad knowledge of the products we sell,” Executive Vice President of Sales Tom Wallace said. “His background in sales and management will be a valuable resource to our partners and customers across the region.” Obetz will report directly to Wallace and will be responsible for overseeing sales in the eastern part of the United States.
Wilbur comes to NSi Industries with more than 10 years of sales experience as a sales representative and sales manager. He has spent the last four years as sales manager for a company that specializes in the development and production of high-quality hand tools. Wilbur will report directly to Western Regional Vice President of Sales Nelson Petzold and will be responsible for Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Wyoming, southern Nevada and southern California.
“Mike brings to NSi a broad and powerful background in sales management, both in the distribution segment as well as in the OEM market,” Petzold said. “Mike’s passion for the business guarantees a high level of excellence with both our distributor partners and our rep agencies.”
Sabo comes to NSi Industries with more than 20 years of experience in integrated marketing, brand management and strategic communications. Over her career, Sabo has established a reputation for delivering fresh perspectives, developing award-wining campaigns and driving sales and market share in business-to-business and businessto- consumer organizations. Sabo will report directly to Chief Operating Officer Dave DiDonato and will be responsible for expanding NSi Industries’ marketing presence within the industry.
“We are very excited to have Diane join our team. She has extensive experience in our core channels and will bring a strategic approach to driving brand awareness and preference for NSi brands,” DiDonato said. “She also brings unique expertise in today’s rapidly changing buyer-seller dynamic, which will position NSi to achieve even stronger customer relationships going forward.”
The company also announced that it will be offering and stocking the Raychem medium voltage cable accessories product lines from TE Connectivity Ltd.
NSi Industries’ new offering expands the company’s current product portfolio to include medium voltage solutions for energy applications. TE Connectivity’s (TE) Raychem medium voltage products include heat shrink and cold shrink terminations, heat shrink joints, modification kits and gel splices.
The medium voltage portfolio includes more than 100 TE Raychem products from five different product lines and qualifies for NSi’s partner incentive programs. The products are designed to make secure and safe wire connections in the most extreme environments and conditions.
For more information, visit nsiindustries.com.
Omni Cable Announces Promotions
Omni Cable, headquartered in West Chester, Pennsylvania, recently promoted John Dean to director of marketing and e-commerce and Adam Biggs to Charlotte regional manager.
Dean joined Omni Cable in 2003 as IT manager. He was then promoted to director of business innovation leading projects such as Omni Cable’s portal and e-commerce initiatives. “I am extremely grateful for the opportunity and look forward to building innovative and creative ideas that align with electrical distributors’ goals,” said Dean. “We truly have a great team here at Omni Cable.”
“John has been an integral part of Omni Cable’s e-commerce and innovation initiatives for the past several years as well as new and existing product expansions,” said Greg Donato, Omni Cable’s chief operating officer. “We are excited to have John step in and lead our marketing and e-commerce team moving forward.
Dean can be reached jdean@omnicable.com.
Biggs has more than 19 years of experience in the electrical industry and joined Omni Cable in 2005. During his tenure at Omni Cable, he has held a number of key roles, including St. Louis sales manager where he mentored and fostered the professional development of the sales team. Prior to Omni Cable, Biggs was employed at French Gerleman in St. Louis, Missouri. He also held various positions at United Electric/Rexel in St. Louis, Missouri.
“Adam is an excellent fit for the position because of his experience and passion for employee development,” said Bryan Dabruzzi, Omni Cable’s eastern regional vice president. “We look forward to Adam’s leadership in guiding the success of the branch for years to come.” Biggs can be reached at 704-969-6037 or abiggs@omnicable.com.
For more information, visit omnicable.com.
Shat-R-Shield Announces Key Personnel Changes, REP Award Winners
Shat-R-Shield Inc. in Salisbury, North Carolina recently announced that Pamela Erickson accepted the position of vice president of sales and marketing, Anita Yost was promoted to national sales manager of the lamp division and Joseph Hamann accepted the position of western region sales manager.
Erickson has worked in the electrical industry for more than a decade for companies such as Milbank Manufacturing and Affiliated Distributors.
“Pam’s strengths and competencies center on business development, sales and marketing and product management,” Shat-R-Shield President Karen Clouse said. “These strengths are exactly in the areas where we need insightful leadership and focus. I’m proud and excited that Pam chose to come work for Shat-R-Shield as we continue to expand into the LED fixture market.”
Yost, the company’s former sales business manager, will identify new market opportunities for the Shat-R-Shield Lamp Division and support current partnerships.
Yost will report to Erickson, who said, “Anita brings a wealth of knowledge to her new position and will be a highly sought after resource in support of the Shat-R-Shield sales team and our rep agency personnel. She is well respected throughout the electrical and food service industries and will have an immediate positive impact on the core coated lamp business for Shat-R-Shield.”
Hamann was previously the executive sales representative for LEDVANCE (formerly Osram Sylvania). He has worked in the lighting industry since 1981 and has extensive work experience with electrical distribution, architects, engineers and lighting designers. He has won many awards for end-user conversions and sales performance.
“Joe brings decades of lighting experience to Shat-R-Shield and will make an immediate positive impact to the western region,” Erickson said. “As Shat-R-Shield continues its Anita Yost cadence of differentiated fixture launches, he will be instrumental in bringing these products to market as well as promote Shat-R-Shield’s broad coated lamp offering.”
Shat-R-Shield is also pleased to announce the recipients of its manufacturer representative awards for 2017, which were presented at the recent National Electrical Manufacturers Representatives Association conference in San Diego. These awards consider both quantitative and qualitative performance in their support of Shat-R-Shield’s niche lighting products over the previous year.
Each regional sales manager recognized the top performing agency within their respective territories based on sales growth, mindshare and overall engagement. These reps exhibited behaviors such as sound planning processes, continuous education on Shat-R-Shield products, endorsement of new products, promotion of Shat-R-Shield throughout the marketplace and embracing resources provided by Shat-R-Shield. Awards were distributed as follows:
- 2017 Southern Region Rep Agency: Charles W. Ashby Co.
- 2017 Eastern Region Rep Agency: Hudson Allianz Inc.
- 2017 Western Region Rep Agency: Midwest Equipment Co.
An overall Shat-R-Shield Agent of the Year award was presented to Midwest Equipment Co. for exemplary performance and engagement as well as customer service, loyalty to the Shat-R-Shield brand and dedication to ongoing success.
For more information, visit shatrshield.com
Legrand’s Susan Rochford Wins Women in Sustainability Award
At the 2017 Greenbuild International Conference and Expo, Legrand North and Central America’s Vice President of Sustainability, Energy Efficiency and Public Policy Susan Rochford was named one of the winners of the 2017 Women in Sustainability Leadership (WLSA) Awards.
Sponsored by Green Building & Design Magazine, the awards were created to grow awareness, promote advancement and support the development of women in sustainability leadership. The awards were created around three key values: environmental stewardship, conduit for change and giving back.
Since joining Legrand in 2010, Rochford has championed the work of ensuring Legrand’s leadership in sustainability. The company has set and achieved multiple ambitious operational goals, uncovered sustainable product design opportunities, prioritized transparency documentation to aid customers in making better buying decisions and launched a community volunteer program.
Rochford is a leading voice in Legrand’s Better Communities Program, which directs employee volunteerism and charitable contributions in three areas: providing housing assistance to those in need, supporting relief efforts for natural disaster and bringing sustainable practices to schools in partnership with the USGBC Center for Green Schools. Additionally, Rochford participates on the executive committee for Legrand’s women-focused diversity initiative, Elle@Legrand.
“Since joining Legrand, Susan’s influence has been immeasurable. Every element of our business has been impacted by her team’s positive efforts,” said John Selldorff, president and CEO, Legrand North and Central America. “On behalf of our entire organization I’d like to congratulate her on this prestigious award and well-deserved recognition and we look forward to her ongoing leadership and vision to continuously improve every element of our organization.”
For more information, visit legrand.us.