February 2007- Roberts Supply Holds Tenth Service Conference

The Roberts Supply Service Conference was designed to allow dealers to not only fulfill their yearly training requirements in a few days but to have a lot of fun doing it. Roberts Supply's tenth Service Conference was held at the Westgate River Ranch Resort.

In classes, dealers learned about new service and warranty procedures and new products through hands-on training, product demonstrations, and updates taught by qualified manufacturer representatives. Evenings activities included campfires, hanging out at the saloon and a cookout at the corral.

Roberts Supply would like to thank all who attended the Service Conference. For photos of the event please click here.

 

January 2007- Roberts Supply Wins Shindaiwa Ichiban Award

Roberts Supply Inc. has won Shindaiwa's prestigious Ichiban award for best distributor worldwide for 2006. Ichiban is the Japanese word for "Number One." The award was announced at Shindaiwa's global distributor summit in Kona, Hawaii in late October 2006. This is the second Ichiban award Roberts Supply has won in the past five years.

"Winning the Ichiban award for a second time was a huge honor for us, " said Mark Vining, Roberts Supply President. "Since the first award in 2002, we've worked hard to make Shindaiwa a dominate player in the Florida and Georgia professional outdoor power equipment markets. This second award confirms that our efforts are paying off."

"We have found three core components, that when working together are unstoppable," continued Mark Vining. "They are good products (Shindaiwa), great support (our employees), and a driving force (our dealers)."

The sales team at Roberts Supply is truly second to none. The five outside sales representatives on average have been selling Shindaiwa products for the last 9 years. Their combined experience at Roberts Supply is an astounding 45 years! Terry Gibson, the longest serving sales representative at 13 years, covers North Florida. Celebrating his 10 year anniversary at Roberts Supply this year, is Steve Osgood the representative for West/Central Florida. Marc Scalora, the representative for East/Central Florida, and Gerry Sawyer, Roberts Supply's number one guy in Georgia, have been with Roberts Supply since 1999. And in an extraordinary accomplishment, Josh White the representative for South Florida, broke the $4 million dollar mark in Shindaiwa sales for 2006. The sales team is led by Executive Vice President and Sales Director, Rick Roberts. Roberts Supply is extremely proud to have such a knowledgeable and passionate sales team.

"Roberts Supply would like to extend a thank you to our dealers as well. We would not have received this recognition from Shindaiwa without you," Mark Vining said. "In our opinion, our dealers work in the most competitive markets in the lawn equipment industry. Their dedication and outstanding service continues to strengthen and grow the Shindaiwa line."

Shindaiwa presents the Ichiban award each year. All Shindaiwa distributors compete in achieving a minimum sales threshold, exceeding previous year's sales, meeting sales targets and improving service levels. Those top distributors are awarded an intermediate level of achievement called Samurai. Each year the Samurai are awarded a Japanese Katana (sword) and a check for $2,500. In order to be eligible for the Ichiban award a distributor must first receive Samurai recognition. The Ichiban is then awarded an authentic Japanese Kabuto (warrior helmet) and a check for $7,500.

"We love giving this prize," says Tom Bunch, Shindaiwa President and award presenter. "People like Roberts Supply are a big reason why we've been in business for 25 years and are seeing such tremendous global growth."

"Everyone at Roberts Supply plays an integral role in our success," Mark Vining stated. "All employees of Roberts Supply have a vested interest in being the best. Each person provides important elements for the distribution process to work properly. When you have a team that can come together, stay together and continue to succeed year after year, it is imperative that you acknowledge all of them."

Roberts Supply did just that by sharing the Ichiban Award with its employees at the Annual Roberts Supply Christmas Party.

Mark Vining, Lorri Sklar, Rick Roberts and Tom Bunch, President of Shindaiwa.