Cover Story: A profile of Oliver Denoff, owner of Supply Den in Michigan
After years of working as a salesperson for a large Midwest distributor, Denoff ventured out on his own and launched his company in 2001, feeling he could do it differently. He started with only a handful of employees, but has grown to 30, including his "Dream Team of sales reps." Supply Den is an openly Christian-oriented company that strives for excellence but with a moral compass. Denoff puts people (employees and customers) before profits. The distributor services SE Michigan, but also nationally through e-commerce and an Amazon store.
Feature: E-commerce and the Amazon Threat
Although distributors need a strong e-commerce platform, they can't beat Amazon at its own game. Instead, distributors should focus on their own strengths. This article will focus on three things that distributors can do that Amazon can't: flexibility to quickly change; special add-on services; and a dedicated salesperson.
Ice Melt
A sales-focused approach on how to explain the differences among ice melt to match end users' needs. Also, how sales reps can get customers' attention in the summer to talk ice melt.
New Cleaning Technologies: Electrostatic and UV
A profile on how building service contractor Able Services has benefitted from adopting electrostatic technology. The article also details the role the BSC's distributor — WAXIE Sanitary Supply — played in the switch to new technology.