Teaming Up for YOU
Taking One-Stop Shopping to a whole new level.
We have strong regional relationships
we are leveraging for us and our
customers. Working with APR
Supply (headquartered in Lebanon
PA) and Industrial Piping Systems
(headquartered in York PA) we have
already established eight stores in local
markets that offer multiple types of
products to our customers.
This is working for many of our
mutual customers already and we
expect that as time goes by more and
more of our stores will follow the cohabitation
model.
The best way to describe what we are
doing is to say “we’re not married,
but we are living together”. The fact
is that all three companies remain
independent and bring all of their
usual expertise the local markets expect.
The big difference for us is that we can
share some expenses and the big plus
for our customers is the multiple types
of inventory that can be purchased at
one place instead of making multiple
stops to get the products they need.
The three of us are working together
on multiple fronts to ensure our
profitability, independence, and our
place in the markets we serve. Some of
our competitors leverage their size, but
we are leveraging our team work. Three
companies working together for our
mutual benefit is proving to be valuable
to us and our customers.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Q
A
Q
A
Are you planning to merge into one
large company?
No. We know that sharing
expenses works, but there is little
to gain and a lot to lose by trying to
have one sales force.
Can I have just one invoice if I buy
from more than one company at a
counter location?
No. While it could be done we believe
that too many mysteries exist that
could work against our customers if
we tried to blend the billing.
3 Distributors
Sharing Common Ground
Q
A
Q
A
• by Jim Hoffman
http://www.
sydist.com
Electrical, Lighting,
Automation, & DataComm
http://www.
aprsupply.com
Plumbing, Heating,
A/C, & Controls
http://www.
ipspipe.com
Pipe, Valves,
& Fittings
Do you have any plans to keep
doing these cohabitations?
Yes. It would make little sense for
any of us to go anywhere new by
ourselves.
Do you expect your model to be
copied in our area and across the
country?
Yes, in fact it is already happening,
but we have the distinction of
creating the model.
To view a Ceros magazine you need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser and have the flash player 8 or higher installed. To install the latest flash player, click the icon above, install the flash plugin and then click here to refresh this page.