Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM APRIL 2017 26 U-LINE TRANSITIONS DISTRIBUTION IN CENTRAL MIDWEST, NORTHEAST, AND HAWAII U-Line, an American market leader in premium built-in undercounter modular ice making, refrigeration, and wine preser- vation products, announced expansions of distributor territories in the Northeast with Almo Corporation, in the Midwest with Milestone Distributors, and in Hawaii with Tri State Distributors to better serve their customers. "We are very excited to strengthen our partnership with Almo, Milestone, and Tri State through expansion of territories as they continue to grow the U-Line brand," states Rick Kwiatkowski, VP of sales & customer care at U-Line. "We believe they offer U-Line the best opportunity to continue growing our brand in these markets." Almo Corporation is expanding distribution in the Northeast, and has been a U-Line distributor since 2014 and a distributor of premium appliances since 1946. They operate multiple distribution centers in the Northeast. For U-Line sales inquiries, contact Almo Corporation at +1.800.836.2522. Milestone Distribution will expand distribution in the central and upper Midwest. As a family owned and operated business, Milestone has been distributing luxury appliances since 1977 and actively distributing U-Line products for 13 years. Contact Ramsay Woodall at rwoodall@milestonedist.com for U-Line sales inquiries. Tri State Distributors will expand distribution in the Hawaii market. Tri State was established in 1967 and is based in Kent, WA. They have multiple warehouse locations throughout the Northwest. For U-Line sales inquiries, contact Mitch Dickson at mdickson@tristatedistributors.com. PURCELL MURRAY COMPANY AND BSH HOME APPLIANCES TRANSITION DISTRIBUTION PARTNERSHIP Purcell Murray Company and BSH Home Appliances announ- ced that the two companies would transition their relationship over the next year. After a successful 25 year distribution partnership, BSH opted not to renew its distribution agreement with Purcell Murray at the end of 2017, as part of a global initiative. Beginning in 2018, BSH will move to a direct sales model in California and Northern Nevada. Currently, Purcell Murray is the exclusive distributor of BSH brands Bosch home appliances, Thermador, and Gaggenau in California and Northern Nevada. "We are very proud of our 25-year relationship with BSH Home Appliances," said Matt Murray, managing director at Purcell Murray Company. "Both companies have benefited greatly from our close distribution partnership. During the transition period, Purcell Murray and BSH are committed to servicing their customers at the highest level and executing a seamless transition at the end of 2017." The transition will take effect January 1, 2018. Purcell Murray and BSH will work closely together over the coming year to ensure the transition is successful. Until the transition is complete, Purcell Murray will continue to support the BSH brands in the marketplace and will continue to fulfill its existing BSH customer commitments. "Over the years, Purcell Murray has been instrumental in BSH growth in key markets and we have accomplished a great deal together," said John Iacoviello, senior vice president of sales at BSH Home Appliances. "We thank Purcell Murray for their long-standing distribution partnership." Purcell Murray Company was founded by Tim Murray and Larry Purcell in 1981 as the exclusive distributor of Litton microwave ovens for the San Francisco Bay Area. Today, Purcell Murray represents numerous luxury brands with exclusive distribution rights ranging from California to all of North America. Purcell Murray positions itself to the market as a sales and marketing company supported by its distribution and customer service platform. The company creates demand through its sales and marketing initiatives and its goal of being, 'the easiest partner with which to do business' in order to earn market share for its vendor partners. Over its 34-year history, Purcell Murray has helped pioneer some of the strongest luxury appliance and decorative plumbing brands in its market, including Bosch, Wolf, Thermador, Gaggenau, Franke, U-Line, Bertazzoni, and La Cornue. BSH Home Appliances Corporation manufactures and markets small and major home appliances that are known across North America for their high quality and superior innovation. BSH sells its Bosch, Thermador, and Gaggenau branded products throughout North America, through distributors, independent appliance dealers, national and regional retailers, builders, and large buying groups. BSH Home Appliances Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BSH Hausgeräte GmbH, headquartered in Munich, Germany, the largest manufacturer of home appliances in Europe and one of the leading companies in the sector worldwide. Manufacturing facilities are located in New Bern, North Carolina, and La Follette, Tennessee. Visit www.purcellmurray.com for more information. I N D U S T R Y [ N E W S ] RO

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