Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM DECEMBER 2015 56 B U Y I N G G R O U P N E W S BRANDSOURCE AND RESOURCE PLUS INTRODUCE POWER DEALER DIVISION New division offers larger members enhanced programs and improved services BrandSource has a newly-enhanced division to meet the needs of members with larger dealerships. Formerly known as Resource Plus, the new BrandSource Power Dealer Division will provide larger members with unparalleled programs and services as well as a platform to share best business practices. The group will be overseen by Tom Bennett, BrandSource President, and managed by Bob Thompson, managing director and general manager of the BrandSource Power Dealer division. "Larger dealers have a very unique set of challenges and circumstances," said Thompson. "The new Power Dealer division is designed to give larger members enhanced programs and services as well as a direct connection with BrandSource leadership to help them run their businesses more successfully and keep them poised for growth." BrandSource Power Dealers are leaders in their market and have been identified by key vendors as high-volume customers. Typical annual sales volume is more than $20 million. According to Thompson, the strategy of the new Power Dealer Division is to continue smart growth with like-minded BrandSource retailers in the United States and Canada. "We've established several programs to gather feedback and insights from this elite group," Thompson said. "In an effort to maximize our group effort, we plan to host an annual stand-alone Power Dealer gathering followed up with regular conference calls. In addition we'll host meetings at our Summit and Convention. We want a strong line of communication between Power Dealers and Brand Source Leadership so we can work together, to respond to the changing market conditions." For more information, please contact Bob Thompson at (480-258-4404). BRANDSOURCE APPOINTS JOHN OSTWALD AS EXPERT WAREHOUSE SALES DIRECTOR BrandSource recently appointed John Ostwald as director of sales, home appliances, for its Expert Warehouse division. Ostwald began his career right out of college after meeting an on-campus recruiter from Maytag at the University of Iowa. Most recently, he was Central Region sales director for LG. "Ostwald is the perfect person to lead our sales team," said Dave Meekings, president of Expert Warehouse. "He's demonstrated great success in terms of not only meeting but exceeding sales goals and he pays great attention to detail when overseeing key initiatives." Ostwald will oversee all sales-related activities, conduct market and dealer visits, communicate sales initiatives and priorities to his team and assist in the development and execution of marketing and advertising campaigns. He'll also focus on organizing the group's National Sales Meeting and implement a new warehouse inventory improvement plan. He will report to Meekings. There are now four Expert Warehouse appliance locations: Florida, Georgia, Iowa, and Nevada. Expert Warehouse stocks and distributes a wide assortment of appliance brands including LG and its Studio line; Samsung and its Chef Series; and Frigidaire and its Gallery and Electrolux lines. RO B O B T H O M P S O N J O H N O S T W A L D

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